Who: Vala and Zelda When: After some text messages Where: Zelda’s place What: Baby Shower Planning! Rating/Warning: Low/None Status: Complete
Zelda had invited Vala over to her home so they could discuss plans for Navi’s baby shower. Navi only had about a month left, so it was time! She’d been given a list of people to invite by her friend, and was planning on housing the party at one of her father’s hotels. She had the space reserved and everything.
Now it was just time to talk about decorations, food, activities, party favors. This was Navi, so Zelda was prepared to spare no expense.
Vala buzzed the door and waited for an answer. Even though she had been here before, she still marvelled at the beauty and size of Zelda's place. Her own house wasn't exactly a studio apartment, but it sure as hell wasn't a palace like this place seemed to be. Don't be jealous Vala... she reminded herself, even though it really did very little to change her mind.
Zelda came to the door, grinning brightly. She let Vala into her home, where she’d set up some drinks and snacks in the living room. “Hi! Come on in! I’ve got some apple chips.”
Vala smiled at the girl as she let her into her home. “Ooo, sounds great, thank you, so Zelda, how have you been?” she asked, following the girl to the living room.
“Wonderful!” Zelda was a happy young woman. She was in love, she had a good job, great friends all around... the only pesky thing was her funny dreams and the powers she seemed to be developing from them. “I’ve been really good. How about you? I hope you’ve been busy?”
“Oh, so busy!” Vala sighed dramatically as she sat on the couch. “Birthday parties, fundraisers, weird ass dreams,” she told her. “The usual for the OC it seems,” she joked.
“Well, usual besides the weird and crazy.” Zelda said, grinning. “I’m glad that things are well for you! Let’s add one more to your list, then, shall we?” She added, flopping down, too. “Okay, so. This is a shower for the woman who doesn’t want a shower.”
“Ah, one of those parties,” Vala grinned. “You sure she’s definitely happy with the idea?” Vala asked, reaching for a crisp from the bowl laid out on the table.
“Yes. Well, I think she more doesn’t want the presents. I told her that we could set up some sort of donation thing in the baby’s honor. Let people know to pay it forward, rather than buy baby junk? Though... people like shopping for babies.” Zelda frowned a bit. “What do you think?”
“That’s a difficult one,” Vala agreed. “I mean, do you know if she’s set up for all things baby-like?” she asked, popping another crisp in her mouth.
“I think so. I think she’s got the crib and the clothes and the carseat and everything. So... yeah.” Zelda said, nodding. “And this is what she wants, right? So we can set it up, and tell people about it. We can’t stop people from buying stuff for her, though.”
“No you can’t,” Vala agreed. “But you can put on the invites that she doesn’t necessarily need anymore help with equipment for the baby, that she’d prefer not to receive any gifts directly and offer them alternatives like giving money to a children’s charity, or donating baby clothes. That the sort of thing you’re thinking?”
“That’s exactly what I’m thinking. I can double-check with her about what charities she’d prefer to have listed, but that sounds wonderful.” Zelda said, nodding. “So, I’ve got the room reserved, and the date, I just need help with invitations, decorations, food, and activities. Think you can handle it from there?” She held out a folder to Vala with the guest list, the details about the date and place, and color scheme ideas.
"Sounds like you've been busy," Vala grinned, taking the folder and flipping through the contents of the folder. "Yep, should be fine. Does she know what she's having yet?"
“It’s a girl.” Zelda said, beaming. “I don’t know if they’ve chosen a name or not, though.”
“Ooo,” Vala perked up in her seat. “I remember there are a couple of games we could play, games that could y’know give the parents ideas and stuff. What do you think?” she asked, reaching for a glass of water.
“I... Dunno? I’ve never been to a baby shower. Well, not one like this. I’ve been as sort of a token, or an attachment, but never as a planner or a good friend, you know?” Zelda grabbed some carrots from the table. “What kind of games?”
“That’s ok,” Vala laughed gently. “I’ve only been to one as a guest before, but I’ve done a couple of showers over the years,” she winced at how old that made her sound. “So there’s one game where you give everyone a piece of paper with the alphabet all down one side and people have to try and come up with names that are also objects, for example...Violet, Mat and the like. There’s another one where you give the guests 30 or 60 seconds to write down as many names that begin with the same letters as the parent’s names. They’re good ways to inspire parents who aren’t sure on names and gives everyone a bit of a giggle when they have to justify why they wrote things like S-T-U instead of S-T-E-W,” she grinned. “Sound any good? There’s other games I’m sure, but those are the two relating to names that I can remember.”
“Those sound really fun!” Zelda said, grinning brightly. “I like that a whole lot better than the one where you melt chocolate into a disposable diaper, or where you have to taste baby food from jars.” She said, crinkling up her nose in disgust.
"Euch, yeah, that's not really how I roll," Vala joked. "I'll have a look for some other games and send them to you. What about drinking? I'm assuming non-alcoholic, right? Snacks? Or a meal?"
“I’m thinking a buffet of hearty, healthy snacks. Virgin drinks exclusively. If people really want to drink, they shouldn’t be at a baby shower.” Besides, Zelda won’t be old enough. And if she and Navi can’t drink, then no one should.
“I’m sure I kind find healthy and hearty,” Vala smiled. “And we can put on some juices, sodas, tea and coffee too. How many guests would we be looking at hosting?”
“Her whole guest list. It’s in the folder. I’m assuming everyone will come. And add on maybe half a dozen or so, just to be safe.” There were always last minute additions to these sorts of things. “Eee! I’m so excited, I can’t wait!”
“No worries,” Vala grinned at the girl’s enthusiasm. This was why she enjoyed doing her job, not only because she got to play with decorating and dressing up, but the enthusiasm with which people came to her for planning parties for people they care about. “I’ll get started on everything...just as soon as I’ve had some more of these,” she held up an apple chip with a grin.