BBQ

[driftsintobuffetline]

WHO: Newt, Hermann, and their friends (and some very questionable frienemies of Hermann's...god, man. what've you gotten yourself into)
WHERE: The Haus of Nerds, outside De Chima.
WHEN: Late May-Early June...IDK
WHAT: A BBQ~ to celebrate the release of Hermann and the official move-in to their new Nerd Dreamhome.
WARNINGS: ehhh? Maybe language?


((SO THIS IS MUCH DELAYED BECAUSE I'M TERRIBLE. But anyway, the BBQ that was promised for last month has arrived.))




It took longer to arrange than Newt had actually planned, because having Hermann home meant lots of distractions--most of which were the PG variety, like coping with Newt's disappearance and the jail-time (and the toll that took on Hermann), making the necessary alterations to their schedules to prevent problems with Hermann's curfew, and lots and lots of bonding and cuddling and reassuring each other.

(And some arguing, but what was a day without arguing with Hermann? A wasted day, if you asked Newt.)

So by the time their friends--or what was left of them--were arriving for the bbq, days later after Hermann's release, neither of them looked like they'd been through the wringer anymore. Newt played host and ushered people in, gave them a brief tour of their two-story house ("we have an awesome library! and look! an elevator! ...oh, yeah, and the bathroom is over here. I guess that's kind of essential.") and then showed them to the backyard where he was at least attempting to have an actual poolside party.

If he had to push people INTO the pool, he totally would. (BTW he loves you all. Except you, Ambassador Mustache. He's watching you, dude.)

Bowls of chips, dip, and veggies were set out for guests to eat. The ice chest had sodas and water and a few beers, and Newt was barbecuing burgers, bratwurst, and hot-dogs on a charcoal grill...when he wasn't distracted trying to carry on fifty conversations at once, argue with his husband, and be the center of attention.

Every so often he had to go and be annoying, reminding his husband LOUDLY to be social. THESE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, HERMANN.

Good times for all.



[Their house is two stories with an elevator to the second floor. Upstairs has the bedrooms (which if you get nosy, you'll see they've left Sophie's as is) and library and downstairs has the kitchen.]

Comments

Gold - Open Thread

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Gold came along with Doc Brown, donning a ubiquitous suit and with a discomfort at socialization that might mirror Hermann's. He did bring potato salad, however, as it seemed customary to bring a dish to parties like this. He seemed to think he'd read something like that.

As it was, he found a place for it at the table with the other edibles and tried to find a spot far away from the water and out of the sun to hover.

He wanted Doc to have fun with his friends. He liked Hermann, what little he knew of him and was pleased to see his return as it eased the worries of his partner. And resolving to tolerate Newt had been working on so far. He'd keep on with that.

His position as a wallflower would continue to migrate as the sun moved across the sky and began to set. If he got too hot he'd take it inside.

[driftsintobuffetline]

It was pretty hilarious how hard Gold was clearly TRYING to not be part of the party. Not even a nice hawaiian shirt and khakis, which (at least in Newt's UNBIASED opinion) was the 'fancy dress' attire for a poolside shindig. Pfft. What a nerd. (and with that damning thought, if Newt hadn't already known he had a begrudging spot in his selfish heart for Doc's weird boyfriend, he knew now.)

Newt took a seat beside him, setting down plate heaping with potato salad and chips and other various edibles. It was his second plate. Or maybe his third, sort of, if you count the fact that he snacked while working the grill.

"This stuff's pretty decent." Safe topic. Hermann couldn't yell at him for being friendly and thanking a guy for his food, right? At least he wasn't pushing Suit Man into the pool. Newt pushed his glasses up from where they'd slipped down the bridge of his nose and ended up with a smudge of potato on the edge of the lens for his trouble. Frickin'... He yanked them off to wipe clean on his shirt, still talking. "Doc told me that you cooked. Did you make it?"

[cantwalkwithoutit]

There was room where Gold sat for others to join him. He was not allowed to take this as an invasion of his person space. Newt didn't climb into his lap, after all.

"I did. You're fortunate I left the beaten path on the recipe or at whole thing would have been sealed in an aspic gelatin mold and stuffed with mayonnaise and spam."

He hated this world and its horrible aesthetic and its horrible food industry. But clearly Newt needed to hear this, right? His sunglasses obscured much of his expression. Save for the odd upward tug at the corners of his lips, it might have been difficult to tell he was putting in more than a token effort to be pleasant.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Newt's face, on the other hand, said everything even before he voiced it. Glasses slid back into place and his eyes seemed larger, more expressive.

"God, that sounds disgusting. I mean, I'd kind of like to see that--it sounds like something out of one of those godawful food-horror blogs that scans ads and recipes from mid-century when everything was about gelatin and molds, and that's awesome in a horrific way, but," he gave an exaggerated gag sound. "Thanks, man, for doing us the service of sparing us that atrocity. Whatever crimes the 60s committed with food, it needs to stay in the past."

He couldn't get a read on Gold, but then again, Newt didn't really get much of a read on people either. Pretty much every friendship he'd had, people looked at him with tight-lipped smiles and grimaces and seemed to be waiting for him to shut up (or at least stop putting his foot farther and farther into his mouth).

Newt pushed at the food on his plate.

"Hermann says you visited him in prison. Why? I mean, thanks. But why?"

[cantwalkwithoutit]

This place didn't venture far from that old aesthetic. It was one of the problems he had. The Space Age, as far as he could tell, had been ill-advised at best. These people seemed to want to live in it forever.

"I wanted to know more about the particulars of his case," he answered matter-of-factly. He wasn't up to anything shady, so there was no trouble, really, in explaining why.

He still hadn't decided if he would be taking the BAR exam this month or waiting until the next one came around, to give him more ample time to prepare. Perhaps save to put a down payment on a location for an office.

Hermann- wildly open

[mathemagier]

Looking considerably more at ease than he had during prison visits, Hermann did make an effort to socialize. This was, after all, partly in his honor. He made a point of thanking each invited guest as they arrived, then again if they'd stopped in to visit him during his incarceration. Having few friends to start with, he was sincerely grateful for both.

And while he did have a tendency to gravitate toward Newton before long, he could also be found sitting poolside, dressed down a bit and enjoying the sun or somewhere in the house, fetching something for the party outside.

[4thdimensional]

Ah, there was the guest of honor. Doc approached him in the late afternoon, already wrapped tightly in a towel from an afternoon of splashing in the pool. He breathed out happily, holding a plate of something or other. It certainly looked good.

"I'm glad to have you back," he greeted. "And that you have such a wonderful home for yourselves."

[mathemagier]

It was good to see someone enjoying the party in full. He'd never been particularly good at anything other than giving lectures, but Newton seemed to have the hosting part in hand at least.

"Thank you, Dr. Brown. We'd have invited you sooner, but it has been a trying few months. We'd only just begun the move-in process when Newton disappeared and the Dream started.. and then of course prison. Not much time for house visits unfortunately. How have the two of you been since?"

[4thdimensional]

"It's quite all right. I love what's been done with the place, you deserve to rest well after everything."

He looked across the pool at his taciturn partner and smiled.

"We're all right. We have our ups and downs, but we're settling into our lives. Have you had a chance to relax and enjoy it all just yet?"

[driftsintobuffetline]

Newt looked over his shoulder to find his husband lurking beside him.

"Doctor Gottlieb-Geiszler, are you trying to distract me while I work? I might have to file a complaint if you're going to insist on standing so close in my personal space." He waggled the spatula at Hermann's face scoldingly. "Some of us are trying to feed our guests, Doctor. So if you want your cute little pool boy to come fan you and serve you grapes, you'll have to wait a few minutes."

[mathemagier]

Hermann grimaced, stepping back out of immediate range of wayward grease and gristle. The mental image Newton supplies proves fairly amusing at least.

"No, I came over here to tell you to make sure you cook up a small variety of burgers at slightly differing levels of thoroughness for those guests."

[driftsintobuffetline]

"I have this handled, man. I am definitely not poisoning anyone with underdone meat, though, so I got this. Variety. Handled. Totally handled. Who is the cook here? ME. That's right, ME. I'm the one holding the spatula and tongs and making some fiery magic over here. Not you. So get over here and kiss the cook or I'm not making your dumb burgers to spec."

[dun_moch]

Toward the end of the evening, once the guests have thinned out somewhat and Hermann is more by himself, he will hear a deep, booming voice sounding from behind him.

"Doctor Gottlieb, I presume. It is a pleasure."

Hermann has maybe heard that voice or seen the man's face on the Network before- certainly, Dooku has spoken to Newt before now. He arrived (uninvited) at the party in his less conspicuous clothing, which for Dooku means that he's wearing a black suit instead of his usual long space-cape. And he is smiling, spreading his hands in a gesture of friendship.

"We meet at last. I was so pleased to hear that the authorities had released you on time."

[mathemagier]

The dishes clattered in the sink and Hermann whirled about, clutching the sink for support. A good thing the Drift wasn't active, or his alarm would have sent Newton running in to check on him, and there didn't appear to be need for that yet. Granted, the stranger's approach was highly suspect no matter his overtures. The voice and face were vaguely familiar in the way of passing strangers, but that wasn't much to go on. Someone that followed the story of his arrest obviously- an imPort in all likelihood.

Hermann straightened up, stalking forward and looking over his uninvited guest with a critical gaze.

"Excuse me, but I don't recall that you were invited."

[dun_moch]

Dooku bowed his head, as though in regret (spoilers he's not actually sorry). "My apologies for the presumption, Doctor," he said smoothly. "But I wanted to meet you in-person at the first available opportunity. Electronics can be so insecure at times- as you've personally demonstrated to the government."

He placed a hand on his chest, introducing himself. "That is what I wanted to talk to you about, in fact. I am Count Dooku. And I am something of a fan of your recent research."

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Jacob showed up to the party bearing a cooler full of meat and drinks, and two VIP tickets to one of De Chima's more fascinating science exhibits (which would have been his wedding gift if a certain dragon had been more careful with their fire during the history invasion, but never mind). That seemed a good thing to bring to the post-prison party of a friend he had fought with while he was in prison for cyber-espionage, although the social protocol here was admittedly something Jacob was a little unsure of.

He just hoped things weren't going to be awkward. He hadn't even been certain Hermann would want to see him again, but he had received an invitation and had chosen to take the plunge. Once Jacob was at the party, he didn't procrastinate or put it off: once he spotted Hermann, he headed right over at the earliest opening, hand outstretched.

"Hey, Hermann. Good to see you out and about again."

[mathemagier]

"Jacob!" The exclamation bellied no small amount of surprise. Hermann shook his hand, a bit stunned. Sure, he'd eventually decided to have Newton invite him, but he hadn't actually expected him to show up at all after their last parting.

"Yes, thank you; it's wonderful that you came."

In truth, the invitation had been a test Hermann completely expected Jacob to fail, but then his faith in people in general was quite low.

But he was no less pleased to be proven wrong. He'd valued Jacob as a friend before his arrest and mourned the loss of that friendship in prison under the assumption that the man's job wouldn't allow for it.

However, he was now at a conversational loss.

"I- yes, it's wonderful to be out of there. I missed this house and the seclusion it affords- and Newton of course."

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

"I'll bet you did." Jacob smiles and relaxes visibly as he shakes Hermann's hand firmly, glad he's being accepted- and mildly amused by how surprised Hermann looks. It helps knowing he's not the only one here who's kind of at a loss. "I'm sure Newton's glad to have you around again too. Anyway, thanks for inviting me. I brought a few things for the grill."

Doc Brown - open

[4thdimensional]

Doc is right at home at this party, to no one's surprise. He's decked out in a summery version of his usual khakis-and-tourist-shirt attire, silly-looking sun visor firmly in place, and in his arms he carries a light lemon-strawberry cake. It's set down reverently, and then he's off to enjoy the sunshine and company.

He steals quiet moments with Gold every now and then, to reassure, but for the most part he's taking in all there is to offer. He's definitely one of the first in the pool, happily floating along (and artfully dodging pool toys). And then he can be found waddling about in an oversized towel, as cheery as ever.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Newt is totally glad to see someone partaking of the pool, since Hermann is too cool to pool in front of others, it seems. If he wasn't busy grilling, he would have totally joined Doc in the pool. Instead, spotting Doc later, wrapped in his towel and a bit wet, he wolfwhistles cheekily and waves a spatula.

"Looking good, Doc!"

[4thdimensional]

Doc starts at the unexpected sound, looking around with his wet hair flinging everywhere. And---oh, of course, it's Newt. He smiles sheepishly, straightening his towel over his shoulders.

"Best not let Gold hear that kind of talk," he says with a quiet smile. "But thank you. Do you need a hand with anything?"

Kang - OTA

[governorkang]

According to the BBQ tradition, Kang has brought a contribution in a large tupperware container full of skewered venison strips covered in something spicy and zesty-smelling (all they need is about a minute on the grill to be cooked), and mac and cheese. He also brought his own beer. It wouldn't do to be a bad guest, after all.

Most of his time was spent outside in the sun, relaxing in one of the more wing-friendly chairs with an aforementioned beer in hand or chatting with other guests. He wasn't avoiding the water, but he was definitely not getting in it if he could help it despite only wearing his usual kilt and armbands.

[mathemagier]

Kang was a friend of theirs that Hermann was probably the least familiar with. He was more Newton's friend really, but he liked him well enough to consider him an acquaintance of his own.

Hermann chose a seat and settled into it with a bit of a sigh, then set his cane aside and let his legs stretch out.

"Good of you to come. I was nearly convinced this morning no one would. I was prepared to accept the consequences myself, but since Newton's returned, I'd hoped he wouldn't also suffer for it."

[governorkang]

"Of course I'd be here. Why would I miss it?" he grinned. It's a party, after all, and he loves parties. "I doubt most people would blame you for what you did. Getting any information around here is like pulling teeth."

[mathemagier]

"They're free to disagree with my methods," he said with a shrug. "But I'd already attempted a polite request. It's unfortunate, but necessary. I don't imagine I'll suffer too much condemnation once I release my conclusions."