fandomtownies | Graduation Brunch: The Park, Sunday, mid-morning to mid-afternoon

A banner, the letters wrapped with fresh spring flowers, hung from the trees, spelling out CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2009! No missing letters or anything.

Spread out across the park were plenty of tables and chairs, some under the shade of picnic shelters, some out on the grass in the sunshine. For those who felt like getting back to nature, there were even red and white checked blankets spread out in a few areas for old-fashioned picnic-y goodness. Lack of ants not guaranteed.

The long table that ran along next to the picnic shelters was laden with a vast ~~moddable~~ array of traditional brillig-y food, including fruit, veggie snacks, breakfast pastries, sandwiches for the especially hungry or those who arrived more toward the unch end of brunch, and a wide variety of J,GoB-catered desserts. Drinks included coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks, and while there were plates provided, there were also wee picnic-basket-shaped trays for carrying things back to your seat, wherever that might be.

A space had been cleared for dancing, if people cared to do more than just listen to the light music being played through the speakers, and there was also an area set aside for outdoor games of croquet, horseshoes, or frisbee.

Everybody's welcome. Come celebrate with the Class of '09!

[OOC: ~~Wait for the OCD. Don't make Eliza Doolittle have to cut a bitch.~~ OPEN! And no one had to get cut! It's a good day!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Juliano studied Romeo for a moment. Perhaps the boy wasn't so bad...

"Leave." It was that simple. "I would be willing, if she asked, to arrange for letters to be passed between you covertly. But more than that is a risk. Anything that makes her comfortable or complacent..." Could very well get her killed.

"So you'd rather have her unhappy," Romeo said, ignoring that the man believed unhappy meant alive. "The choice is hers, you know. I'll leave if she ever asks, not for any other power."

"I suspected as much."

It took a moment for Juliano to decide what to say next. "And do you understand the risk to yourself?"

He wouldn't pretend he had any power over Romeo, then. That was something.

"It's the same risk I would have at home," he answered. "I may die. I may be hurt. Those I love may die. The reasons change, the risk does not."

Juliano gave Romeo a piercing look. "I am quite fond of her, you know. I try to protect her, in my way."

And if that meant taking care of Romeo to keep her safe, well...

"As do I, Father," Romeo answered, stiffening only slightly in response to the implied threat. His tone was pleasant, but he knew what he was saying; he was accepting the challenge.

"It is good that she has so many caring sorts around her."

"And," Juliano's voice grew soft, "if you hurt her. Either through your actions, or simply your presence..." Well. Juliano cared for few people, and he wasn't really known for his restraint.

"If we learn that my actions or my presence hurt her," Romeo answered, "I will remove myself from her presence, though it will be like taking myself from the sun. What shall you do, if your presence hurts her?"

It was an impudent response, but he would not show weakness to this man.

Juliano was silent for a moment. But ultimately he decided to give the boy the truth. Which didn't happen often.

"I will mourn that it is so. And I will continue on." The mission, as always, came first.

Romeo was quiet in his outrage.

Finally, he said: "Then perhaps it is a good thing she will have other friends near her, Father."

"Only time will tell, I suppose, which of us is correct."

Juliano half-hoped it was Romeo.

"Indeed, sir," Romeo said, with no softness in his voice. "And, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave. I've family of my own to speak with."

Juliano nodded his acquiescence. Then, at the last moment, he said, "You make her happy, young Montague. I may not approve, but for that i thank you."

"And she makes me a better man," Romeo said. "I appreciate your gratitude, Father, but it is naught compared to what she has given me."

Juliano nodded again. He could not argue with that.

Graduation Brunch: The Park, Sunday, mid-morning to mid-afternoon

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