The Perk, Thursday morning

[stykera]

Yesterday had been something of a long day between the mud, the inescapable compulsion to tell the truth, and then looking for ways to prevent further talking.

Today seemed normal, island-normal at least, so far and after bike class Stark made his way to the Perk for something very cold, very caffeinated, and very sugary.

Once he had a cookie dough flavored frappucinno in hand he sat down at a table by the window and started scrolling through his phone. He was alternating between looking up ideas for birthdays and looking up cake (and cupcake) recipes. He needed both for this weekend!



[Very open! About to sit in a car for 2 hours so I'll be very around for that duration and then marginally less around after.]

Comments

[thatwaslucky]

Rey stopped in on the way to training, deciding that if it was going to be this hot that she was allowed to bring some kind of cold tea drink with her to the warehouse.

So once she had it in hand she walked over to his table and said, "Anything interesting?"

[stykera]

"Looking for birthday cake recipes," Stark said, looking up and offering a smile. "For inspiration. Hello, Rey."

[thatwaslucky]

"Hi," she smiled. "Whose birthday?"

[stykera]

"Faye’s," Stark said. "This weekend. I thought I'd make something but I'm not sure what, yet."

[thatwaslucky]

"That's sweet," Rey told him. "I guess it's easier if you know what flavors she likes."

[stykera]

"Chocolate, probably. Maybe with coffee." For reasons.

"I asked what she wanted to do but she didn't seem sure. I don't have much experience with birthdays but she should have cake, at least."

[thatwaslucky]

"She should. And it's nice to have someone to do that for you," she told him. "Even if you just end up hanging out."

[stykera]

"That's what I thought," Stark said. "It's always good to have someone think of you. At least a little."

[thatwaslucky]

"Exactly. And the cake part should be easy. You have the cupcake class, right?" she said.

[stykera]

"Tomorrow." Stark nodded. "So I can bake then. Or decorate. Both, maybe, if there's time. I want it to look nice."

He had edible glitter plans for the cake. Just because.

[thatwaslucky]

"Do you need any help?" Rey asked.

[stykera]

"I'm not sure. I can make cake. I think I can decorate it. Maybe purple? There are plenty of things to use, especially if I look in the classroom tomorrow. I just...I'm not sure what else I should be doing. Should there be dinner? There should be dinner. Before cake. I'm not very good at birthdays. Not enough experience."

[thatwaslucky]

"I don't think a lot of us here have much experience with birthdays," Rey assured him. "You could ask her if she wants dinner. But I think it could be nice to get something you know she likes and surprise her, too."

[stykera]

"All of the birthdays I've been to have been here. And some of those have been...a lot." Summer's birthday. Summer's birthday had been a lot( and he was in no way going to try and arrange either 24 or 78 bars to visit). So had Liam's, but in a very different way.

"But yes. A surprise. I could do that. That's a good idea."

[thatwaslucky]

"It's cute that you're this into it," Rey told him.

[stykera]

"I just want to her to enjoy it," Stark said. "She hasn't had much birthday experience either, she said."

[thatwaslucky]

"I'm sure she'll love whatever you do," Rey told him. "And a lack of birthday experiences makes it more memorable."

Speaking from experience on that one.

[stykera]

"Thank you. I hope so."

"You seemed to enjoy yours this year. Even with all the glitter." And the strange western theming.

[thatwaslucky]

"I did," she grinned. "I never had one before. Or really celebrated it much at all ever."

She'd gotten day after birthday pastries last year?

[stykera]

"There are so many people here who never had birthdays." It was a wonder the island hadn't made an attempt to make up for that at some point.

"It's good we can make up for it now."

[thatwaslucky]

"And I'm more than happy to celebrate all of them." And she wasn't even huge on parties in general!

[stykera]

"I have been enjoying the birthdays I've gone to," Stark agreed.

Maybe someday he'd even arbitrarily choose a day for himself!