nexus_stables | Party at the Nexus Stables! ((Open to everyone!))

Ellie had rushed over from work, and had been delighted to find that Mr. Dobson, Nat, and Jinian had already begun setting up for the party. The old cowboy had already fired up the grill in preparation and the girls had set out bread baskets and salads to start. There were tables with hurricane lamps set up near the house, and some additional ones down by the pond. And with clear skies, it was going to be perfect for stargazing even if you never left the table.

Several of the horses were frolicking in the paddock, and she wondered if any of their guests might like to go riding. She was definitely game, and had decided to try riding Bucky this evening. He was a beautiful Palomino, but also quite mischievous too. She was still getting to know the horses and Mr. Dobson had helped her choose which horses would be best to introduce to their guests.

While she waited for Michael and the others to arrive, she climbed up onto the fence of the paddock and watched the horses play.

((~~Thanks for playing with them! Simon-mun and Ellie-mun need sleep, and will be back to keep playing tomorrow if y'all like!~~Back!))

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Simon, being the over-protective ~~mother hen~~ one of the bunch, stays close to Edric at all times. Seeing as how this birthday party is held outdoors, Simon has dressed accordingly. Prim and proper has given way for 'dress casual'. A pair of neat and tidy jeans, shoes that won't be ruined at the stables, a long sleeved, unbuttoned blue shirt with a t-shirt on underneath. His hair is combed back for once, and gathered in a short ponytail at the nape of his neck.

Hopefully, his glasses cover some of the dark circles under his eyes. Hopefully, the light from the hurricane lamps won't make him look too sunken in and pallid. Yeah. Right.

He leans down to whisper something to Edric, gesturing at the horses. "Maybe we'll get to learn how to ride. Would you like that?"

((I fail the most! I'm in SWEDEN! >:3))

If he actually caught the whisper, Dr. Anders -- who's occasionally a Simon, himself -- would undoubtedly tell Simon that they have several horses out tonight who are great for beginners. That will undoubtedly come out at some point, though.

Simon's definitely not the most unusual-looking man that Dr. Anders has seen since arriving at the Nexus, so the pallor, gauntness, and eye-circles, although noted, go unremarked-upon. Instead, Simon gets a friendly smile and an offered hand.

"And you must be Simon, Lawr's roommate. I'm Dr. Anders. Welcome to my farm."

No, he hasn't gotten tired of saying that yet.

Dr. Anders gets a polite smile in return. And for all the gauntness, Simon's handshake is firm, if his hand is a bit cold.

"Pleased to meet you, Doctor Anders. I couldn't resist tagging along, I hope you don't mind. It's absolutely beautiful here."

Michael's handshake is strong, as well, and the strength carefully matches Simon's. His smile widens and he looks around, gesturing at the rolling landscape surrounding them. He looks giddy.

"It is, isn't it? I'm still pretty overwhelmed by just how incredible it is." He turns his attention back to Simon and grins. "I don't mind at all. I'm glad you did. You're welcome to come back any time you like, too."

Well, someone is extremely friendly. That alone is enough to put Simon on edge, but this man is supposedly a psychiatrist. Simon's never been a fan of those. Sometimes, he wishes he were a mind-reader.

"It is a bit overwhelming, yes. I definitely see what you mean." While distrusting someone doesn't exclude being courteous, courtesy entails acting like a normal human being. Sometimes, Simon finds that a bit difficult.

"I'm much obliged."

Mostly, Michael's just in a party mood this evening. It's not a birthday party, as Simon had surmised, but kind of a housewarming party, celebrating Dr. Anders' acquisition of the place. And, less-stated, the solidifying of his relationship with Elise, now that he's no longer masked to her, but few people have any idea about that. Lawr knows, but given how discreet Lawr is about such things, it's doubtful he's passed that on. Such are the things Simon would know if he were a mind-reader.

"It's going to take me forever to explore it all, but it ought to be fun doing it. Would you guys like something to eat?"

Simon also doesn't sleep most nights, and he's fully aware what that does to his memory. It sure looks like a birthday party, though.

Hmm. Food. Simon hasn't been in the habit of accepting food or drink from anyone in many, many years, but...it's the polite thing to do.

"I'd love something to drink, please."

"What would you like?" Most of the drinks out on display are of the non-alcohol variety, lemonade, sodas, and iced tea, but there are a few cans of what might just be beer towards the back of one of the tables.

"Some tea would be lovely," he smiles, that tight-lipped, not quite sincere smile. He fakes the bright, warm smiles the best, but it's a rare sight. And, to be fair, Simon's rather more tense around strangers ~~men~~ and more so psychiatrists than others. Alcohol is definitely out of the question.

His eyes widen a bit further at the question, and he shakes his head frantically. "I could never! I...would maybe like to pet one, though..."

He hasn't seen any horses since he first came to the nexus, and he misses helping to take care of them, but he probably wouldn't be able to bring himself to actually get on one. Only Governors are allowed to ride, since horses are so rare.

"Of course you could," Simon grins, laying a hand on Edric's shoulder, because maybe, just maybe, he needs some support.

"Don't worry. We're here to enjoy ourselves. It's safe here."

He gives Simon a little smile and doesn't argue, but he'll take a bit more convincing before he relaxes his guard even a little. To anyone with knowledge of such things, he's positively bristling with defenses, and quite prepared to throw them over Simon and Lawrence as well.

((I have no idea how that ended up over there. o_o))

Simon just smiles back, and leaves his hand on Edric's shoulder. Anyone looking will think Simon's perfectly relaxed, but those looking a bit closer will see the tension keeping his back ramrod straight and stiff.

Ellie gives him a warm smile, and waves! "Thank you for coming over! I'm Ellie, and it's very nice to meet you. Can I get you anything?"

Since she's so bouncy and excited, she doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Besides, he's a friend of Lawr's, and anyone who's friends with him is a friend of hers too.

Ellie gets a warm smile in return ~~because Simon's better at faking those than any other kind of smile~~ and a small wave.

"You must be the mastermind behind this party. I'm Simon Hansen. Pleased to meet you!" He says, in a somewhat Americanized British accent.

"Mastermind?" She starts giggling! Ellie's most certainly not the Master of anything. I'm glad Michael takes care of that part! "Very nice to meet you, Mr. Hansen! Would you like to meet the horses, or go riding?"

((Terribly sorry, Yahoo!mail is a total pain in the neck! DX Won't tell me when I've been tagged!))

"I'd love to meet the horses, though I'm not sure they'll let me close enough to touch." He looks away briefly. "Animals don't always like me, I'm afraid."

Party at the Nexus Stables! ((Open to everyone!))

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