Title: a small party for a big man
Rating: G
Fandom: even if TEMPEST
Relationship: none
Wordcount: 2538
Short summary: Anastasia gets the crew together to organize a small party to celebrate Zenn’s birthday.
“So we are all gathered here for…?”
“Zenn.”
“Ah.”
There are four people Inside Lucien’s room: the prince himself, Anastasia, Crius and Tyril. It’s a reunion of sorts for the group which hasn’t happened in a while due to conflicting schedules, although one person is absent on purpose.
Anastasia clears her throat. “His birthday is in two days. I would like to hold a small party for it.”
Anastasia was the one who asked Lucien to gather the group today. Perhaps holding a birthday celebration for someone who doesn’t age is an odd idea, but she wants to hold a birthday party to show how much she cares for Zenn. To show Zenn how they all care for him deeply.
“So what’s involved? Food? Drinks?” Crius gets on board quickly. “I can bake the cake.”
“Yeah, and bring it to… Where are we holding this?” Tyril asks.
“My apartment should work, since this is a small group.” She supposes they could have also met up at the pub, but she prefers holding it at her apartment. Because she wants to make Zenn something for his birthday. “I will be making gumbo.”
There is silence as the three men process the idea of Anastasia cooking, but they all keep whatever doubts they have to themselves. Of course Anastasia herself may not be skilled at cooking, but she has Maya…
Crius breaks the silence. “Tyr’s in charge of drinks then?”
Tyril snorts. “I can drink them.”
Crius sighs. “Figured.”
Tyril laughs. “Anyway, I’ll make some food too. It’ll be a surprise.”
“Okay…” Anastasia feels a sense of unease, not because she doesn’t think Tyril will make bad food, but more because Tyril had glanced over at Crius when he said that. She hopes they can both behave…
“Then Prince Lucien procures the drinks?” Anastasia supposes that should cover everything well enough.
Lucien nods but Crius pipes up. “Why don’t we have His Highness distract Zenn?”
“Good idea.” Tyril quickly seconds Crius’ suggestion. “We need to make sure Zenn is actually around.”
That is a valid concern. Although Anastasia isn’t afraid that Zenn will leave them again, he does sometimes take trips to other countries. Although she’s pretty sure Maya mentioned bumping into him just yesterday…
Lucien frowns. “How should I do that?”
Tyril grins. “Use a royal decree.”
“Hmm, you’d like that, Tyr.” Crius’ smile only widens when Tyril glares at him. Anastasia tries to think of something to say before this escalates, but thankfully Crius deescalates the situation himself with his next words. “Have Zenn run some errands outside the castle for you. Pick something up from the market, deliver things, etc.”
“Order Zenn to buy drinks for his own party.” Tyril laughs. “That might throw him for a loop.”
“I will think of something.” Lucien looks over at Anastasia. “That’ll be fine?”
Anastasia nods. “As for the time… after sunset?”
After securing agreement from everyone in the room, they disperse back to their various normal places. Anastasia walks with Crius back to the knights’ headquarters but they only talk about work, just in case. Not that the party has to be a surprise, but if Zenn found out early, he might… And Anastasia won’t let him deny a gift he clearly deserves.
Luckily two days later is a day off for Anastasia, giving her plenty of time to make the gumbo. Which apparently she would need; apparently making gumbo takes half a day.
“My lady always takes on hard challenges,” was Maya’s response upon hearing Anastasia’s plans. Maya insisted on helping from start to finish, including this trip to the markets to procure the ingredients. This is definitely for the best, as Anastasia is surprised by just how many things they are buying.
“Practicing your cooking?”
Anastasia turns around to face the person who just addressed her. “Zenn?”
Zenn smiles. “Looks like you’re taking on quite the challenge. Unless you are also doing favors for Prince Lucien?”
Anastasia blinks in surprise. Zenn chuckles. “I guess not. I was hoping you’d know why His Highness is asking me to buy sake, whiskey, and red wine.”
Anastasia’s surprise melts into confusion. That seems to be a strange combination of alcoholic drinks to bring to a small party. Yes, she knows Tyril can drink quite a lot and will drink basically anything alcoholic, but Zenn? She’s seen him drink beer. She doesn’t know what his preferences are, though.
“I have no idea.” The truth conveniently works in this case.
“Hmm.” Zenn scrutinizes her expression before shrugging. “Oh well. I also bumped into Tyril earlier. Funny bumping into both of you at the market on the same day.” Zenn laughs. “Anyway, he said something about not letting Cas win. But before I could ask him, he disappeared.”
Anastasia’s grip on her bags tightens. She wonders what Tyril is doing, but she has her own mission to accomplish. Best not to think about it too hard.
“My lady, we should get home before the ingredients get too warm under the sun.”
“Ah, of course, Maya.” Maya’s interruption comes at a good time, before Zenn could possibly ask Anastasia about Tyril. Anastasia nods at Zenn. “See you around.”
“Good luck, Anastasia.”
Anastasia smiles to herself, because of course Zenn would wish Anastasia even on something she is doing for him.
“My lady, turn down the heat! No, more quickly.”
“Huh?”
It is quite chaotic in the kitchen and Anastasia wonders if she is more of a hindrance than anything. Still, Maya has shown extreme patience in letting Anastasia participate in the cooking, in letting Anastasia cut the meat and vegetables even if it takes quite some time, and to try to make the roux even if it takes a while to understand what they are actually trying to accomplish. Anastasia’s patience is much thinner, but she powers through it by believing in Maya’s expertise wholeheartedly.
“I’m sorry for my incompetence.” Anastasia apologizes as eventually they have to give up on the roux that Anastasia tried to make and use the one that Maya made instead. But there isn’t enough time to redo anything else and finish the gumbo in time for the party.
“My lady, do not worry. I know that you wish to make this with your own hands. Mr. Sorfield is special to you, right?”
“Maya…”
“Even if…” Maya bites her lip, likely suppressing the desire to voice her distaste for Zenn’s rough speech, “he is a good man. Because he helped you.”
“Maya…”
Maya smiles. “So we will make him something delicious! My lady, it is time to start browning the sausage.”
“Understood.”
There are still vegetables and other meats to cook, but they are moving forward. There may be only two hours until Zenn will be here, but step by step, Anastasia is sure they’ll make it in time…
“My lady, I can stir this. You should let the guest in.”
Anastasia removes her apron and approaches the door, hoping that it isn’t Zenn yet. She relaxes when she hears Crius’ voice. It would have been unfortunate if Zenn had made it here before Crius and Tyril.
“Hello, Vice Commander. That looks delicious.”
In Crius’ hands is a delectable-looking chocolate cake. If Anastasia didn’t have Maya helping her with the gumbo, she’d probably feel horribly inadequate in the face of such quality.
“Of course. Only the best for our dear friend.” Crius sniffs. “Smells good. By the way, is there anything I can help with? Maybe decorating?”
“Sir Castlerock is not allowed to touch the table.” Maya’s voice carries from the kitchen.
“Huh?” Crius freezes mid-step.
“I will not let you mess with my lady’s things.” Maya’s voice is insistent.
“Vice Commander…” Anastasia reaches out for the cake which Crius transfers to her hands. “Maybe you can see how Prince Lucien is doing?”
Crius smiles sheepishly. “Sure. I’ll make sure he’s keeping Zenn properly occupied.”
After the door closes behind him, Maya sighs loudly. “Now, my lady. Shall we return to the cooking?”
Anastasia shakes her head as she returns to the kitchen, putting the cake on a free spot on the counter far from the cooking ingredients. Well, Anastasia should have figured. Maya might only be able to be nice to Zenn today due to it being his birthday. Towards the others… not so much.
It’s still before sunset when another knock comes. The gumbo is technically done although it is still simmering on the stovetop, but now there are potatoes roasting in the oven. And the kitchen is still a mess to clean up.
“Anastasia, it’s me.”
Anastasia exhales in relief. This time it’s Tyril. She opens the door and sees Tyril holding two containers of food. She supposes it’s time to see what his surprise is.
“Will you need…”
“Two plates.”
Tyril follows Anastasia into the kitchen where she finds two large plates and two large serving spoons. When the contents of the containers are revealed, they take Anastasia by surprise. The first container Tyril brought over contains a salad. The second container has breaded and fried vegetables. They don’t seem like items that would “compete” with Crius’ cake but rather would add to the variety of food for dinner. It makes Anastasia happy to see once again Tyril’s consideration outweighing his ego. Or perhaps it had been a front…
Maya, having paused dishes washing to examine Tyril’s dishes, shakes her head upon inspection. “Perhaps that will be fine for Mr. Sorfield but it will be too salty for my lady.”
Tyril laughs. “Perhaps Miss Red would be fine with more salt in her food.” Maya huffs in offense but before she can speak, Tyril has already moved his focus to the other finished item on the counter. “Is that Cas’ cake?”
When he takes a step closer to the cake, Maya lets out a stern warning. “Do not dare…”
“Master Tyril.” Anastasia interrupts, putting a hand on Maya’s arm. “Perhaps you should leave the kitchen?”
Anastasia may be the renter of this apartment, but Maya is in charge of the kitchen today. And while Maya can be abrasive with Tyril normally, Anastasia is remembering just how much worse it can be regarding cooking. Cooking is Maya’s pride after all.
Tyril sighs dramatically. “Don’t worry. I will find a book to read or something.”
The tone suggests he might do much more than find a book. Even Maya picks up on this. “Perhaps my lady should begin to set the table?”
Anastasia nods. Not that she’s worried about what Tyril will find looking around her apartment, but… Well, after Crius and Tyril coming by earlier than expected, Anastasia should probably get ready in case Zenn and Lucien too show up early...
“We’re here!”
Crius comes again just after sunset. The table has been set, the kitchen cleaned, and the food is ready to be served once Zenn and Lucien arrive.
“Vice Commander, welcome back and…”
Oh, never mind. Zenn and Lucien come in behind Crius. Everyone is here now.
Zenn’s eyes take in the spread. He smiles softly. “This is too much for just my birthday.”
Anastasia looks over at Lucien who just shakes his head. “I had managed to hide what this was until Crius showed up.”
Crius chuckles. “Sorry. I needed to make sure the drinks were good enough for a certain someone.”
Tyril shrugs as everyone looks over at him. His expression doesn’t change much as Crius unloads bottle after bottle of alcohol onto the table.
“You will take the excess alcohol home, right?” Maya asks, glaring at Crius.
“I’ll take it.” Zenn speaks up. Anastasia is torn between smiling and shaking her head. Even on his birthday, Zenn takes care of them like the older friend/brother/mentor figure he is.
They finally settle down to eat, with Zenn sitting in the center, Crius and Tyril on each side of him, and Anastasia and Lucien across from him. Maya makes her exit once everyone is seated, congratulating Zenn but also reminding everyone to not stay too late. Once everyone’s wine glasses have been filled, Crius picks his up.
“A toast to Zenn.”
Everyone follows Crius’ lead. “Happy birthday, Zenn!”
Dishes are passed around as they each take their own helpings of each dish. Anastasia is really happy when Zenn takes a spoonful of the gumbo and savors it like a long-lost precious experience. Of course she wanted to make this for him upon learning it was one of his favorite foods, but she wonders if it might have been a really long time… From before he came to this world…
“How is it, Zenn?” Crius asks after Zenn has sampled everything on the table.
“Honestly everything has been really good. You all outdid yourselves.”
Tyril doesn’t bother to hide his satisfaction at that response, while Lucien has a sheepish look. Technically Zenn has only eaten food made by Tyril and Anastasia and Maya; he ended up buying the drinks for his own party due to Lucien’s role as a distractor. But Anastasia feels Zenn is, more than anything, very pleased with the whole event.
“Well, it’s not over until we have cake.” Crius stands up and signals to Anastasia. “Of course Zenn must have the first and biggest slice of the cake.”
“Hmph. If you all say so.” Zenn is pretty poor at hiding his interest in the cake, though.
Anastasia grabs small plates and forks while Crius brings his cake out from the kitchen. Crius takes charge of cutting his cake into thick slices, not that anyone would complain. Anastasia takes the first and biggest slice over to Zenn.
“You are all embarrassing me.” Zenn scratches the back of his head, his cheeks taking on a hint of pink. “But it’s real nice. It’s been a long time since…”
Since he’s been able to celebrate his birthday with people he cares about, is the thought that surely comes to everyone’s mind. Instead of voicing that out loud, everyone turns their thoughts back on the cake. Of course it is as delicious as expected.
“Whose birthday is next?” Zenn asks after a few bites.
“I think it is Prince Lucien’s. But that will be a whole big celebration.” Crius shrugs. Big celebration is an understatement, especially since it would be Lucien’s 20th…
“I would be happy with something small like this.” Lucien sighs, probably thinking about the hassle his birthday celebration will cause.
“Let’s plan for the week beforehand then?” Anastasia thinks that might be separated enough from the big festivities. “Although to make food for His Highness…”
Tyril laughs. “As if he hasn’t eaten a lot tonight.”
“I…” Lucien looks down at his plates and flushes. “I suppose I ate a lot…”
“Well, let’s finish this party first.” Crius nods at Zenn. “Another round of drinks?”
They do another toast. Anastasia can’t help but appreciate the way Zenn seems to be radiating happiness. Of course this party is a show of appreciation for Zenn and an excuse to get together as a group, but the most important thing is that it makes Zenn happy.
Yes, they’ll get a little rowdy and stay a little late, and Anastasia will have a little headache the next morning. But seeing Zenn so happy makes it all worthwhile.