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!]

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"Lady Dōjima," Montague said, bowing his head to her with a small, careful smile. "I am well and whole, and I offer my congratulations on thy commencement. Thou didst carry thyself well in the ceremony."

"Thank you, sir," she answered. "Since I only get one graduation, I was hoping to make it memorable."

Which it was thanks to Reno. Score!

And the score of insane naked madmen, as well. "How fare you this day after? Hast thou spoken with my son?"

"I have," Dōjima answered. "Somewhere in the whirlwind of people. Are you looking for him?" If Romeo was avoiding his father after she'd had to deal with Juliano, she was going to sulk.

"No, for I have spoken to him but recently, and I believe we have come to an accord regarding his future plans and his duties to our family." Ted gave her a keen-eyed look, and said, "Thy father could not attend thy commencement, I understand? And Father Juliano did attend in his place?"

There was a purpose to this question, and to his discretion for the moment. The seriousness of their conversation he hoped she did understand.

"My father is a very busy man," Dōjima replied with forced cheer. "Father Juliano said he had other business to attend to, unfortunately."

Shame upon a father, who would send a priest to do his office for a loyal and intelligent daughter. Well then, since none had attended, said priest would suffice.

"I have spoken with your confessor, at length. And we have agreed," on much, including the foolishness of children, "that we have grave doubts as to Romeo's joining you in Tokyo. And I have spoken to Romeo." Ted blew out a breath. "And I am -- provisionally!-- inclined to allow it. For a time."

Dōjima hummed softly to herself for a moment. "Did Romeo ever tell you that I objected, too? At least at first?" she asked. "It took him over six months to change my mind."

The grin she shot the elder-Montague was purely impish. "And if you've already spoken with Father Juliano, he probably told you how hard it can be to persuade me otherwise once I've made a decision."

"He has, in fact. He has much good to say of thee, but agreed that in matters of the heart thou art as obdurate as stone." Montague had to smile at that. "And my son is the ocean to wear down the rocks, it seems." He shook his head. "In all of this discussion, I have not been told: Dōjima, what are thy plans for the future? What wilt thou be studying in Tokyo? Dost thou know what shape your path will take?"

Yikes.

"I have a position that my father secured," Dōjima answered. "Bringing the good Dōjima name to a particular branch of law enforcement, in exchange for some lucrative contracts."

Dōjima wasn't above being blunt about this. There were many ways that Verona and her Tokyo were similar, and she was rather sure that Ted Montague understood this part. "Although I'm afraid I'm going to make a horrible office girl."

"Ahh. And in return, thou learnst the intricacies of public dealing, the foundation of thy laws, the basics of contractual obligation?" Ted nodded, thinking carefully. Worse things there were, but a child who understood the realities of business was to be treasured. "I commend thee on thy loyalty." He nodded.

"Let me speak plainly, then. I fear for my son in a strange and alien land; into thy hands there, I shall deliver him. To be returned to me in two years' time, with what learning he may have from study in thy home city. Thou shalt be his only friend and surety there when he arrives, and his happiness depends much on thee, though not wholly on thy efforts." Montague met Dojima's eyes, disquieted. "Should he wish to return and pledge himself to thee in Verona, at that time or before it, no barrier shall I place to his happiness."

"I wouldn't have agreed to let him come, if he was going to be that dependent on me," Dōjima answered as she met his gaze. "I told him he needed to find something that called to him. I don't want him miserable any more than you do, especially not because of me."

"A plan he has; what comes of it, we shall see. I can but hope that it proves one that shall endure." Montage clasped his hands together in front of him. "I will be content for a time to wait upon his education. Visits I hope there shall be in plenty. And thy presence is always welcome in our home, Lady Dōjima. I asked him only not to wed while far from our home, and to do our family all honor upon the next occasion he doth marry." He shook his head. "Unlike his actions in the past."

"He's only a phone call away, and if he doesn't go home on class breaks, I'll drag him out myself," she promised. "Your hospitality is always generous. As for the second..."

"I know my duty." Dōjima's smile was tight. Her duty to was to SOLOMON and not her father, but that was classified. "Even if I were free to marry, I wouldn't. I don't like chains, even ones of my own making."

"Then I shall rest content, for the next two years. What will occur upon that time, I will leave in Romeo's hands, to make of them what he will." Montague smiled, and reached for his glass. "A toast to both of you, and the future before you."

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

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