House of Cards RP

Thirty-eight years ago in Aberdeen, Scotland, Benjamin Caillean Mackinnon was born to Anthony Mackinnon - a cardiologist affiliated with the hospital his only son was born in - and Sine Barrie Mackinnon, a historian. The date is no secret, and was neatly noted by the Diamond who met him at the Castle four years ago, when he arrived in Deck.

Still, Ben isn't really one for throwing a birthday parade, and so he's gone through his day the way he goes through all his days. Up in the morning and out with Charlie, because that dog has more energy than Ben does even under the influence of an entire pot of coffee. Then to the pub, to frown at inventory and the books and open the place up in time for lunch business. Then he's largely busy; his birthday went and fell on Friday this year, after all, and that's the day that everyone seems to be coming by.

Sometime in late afternoon, though, he leaves the pub in the semi-capable hands of his cook and goes for a wander in Town. He might buy himself a book or a blade, or just end up at one of the cafes for tea and - probably, because he was human - cake. He does have birthday rituals, even if they're not flashy ones.

One of them involves not working the entire day.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Elisha's motivation for organizing - or, honestly, delegating the organization of - a semi-formal dance party. Lucinda had suggested a ball, with stars in her eyes. She probably had already picked out ballgowns and themes in her head when Elisha had nixed the thing and - in a moment of desperation, with the memory of the swing-themed Fox wedding still in his head - suggest a Spring Swing, instead.

Everyone had run with it, and Elisha was pleased to say it had come out well. He was even more pleased to say that he didn't have to wear a suit, even if he stepped out into the lantern-lit gardens in everything but the tie. He paused near the raised dais provided for dancing and gave the small band the signal to start up the music before he attempted to fade back in the crowd. Not that that ever worked.

"Let the games begin," he murmured to no one in particular as he picked up a glass of champagne off a tray.

Note: Open to everyone and their brother; tag around, have fun!

It had taken three days and a lot of dedication, but she'd made it through all of the photos from Zoë and Victor's wedding. It was weird to think of her as being Mrs. Fox now, rather than Miss Kattalakis, but Kari was sure she would get used to it eventually.

For right now, she was flipping through a rather large photo album and admiring her own handiwork. Her photos were good; the editing was even better. She was proud of these.

Now, to just get them where they needed to go...

It involved crossing Town to get to Spade Castle, and Kari was happy to smile and wave and, periodically, stop to talk to those she passed.

It'd begun simply as two old men meeting in the street after market down in Town. One thing had led to another, and just after sundown, a large group had gathered around a seemingly magical fire and instruments had found their way into talented hands and piece after piece after piece floated out over the evening.

The Joker, of course, was in the midst of it all, dancing merrily around the fire, twirling and swirling as the music dictated. She laughed, clapped her hands, pulled others from their seats to join her, even as her large equine shadow nickered, tossed his heavy head and cavorted just beyond the fire's light, dancing himself.

Some had brought food, others had brought drink, all had brought a sense of fellowship and good cheer, content to raise their glasses and voices in both toast and song, as if defying the hardships of yesterdays. Passersby were hailed, invited to share in the merriment, a few even hurried to the Castles to ensure all knew of the revelry taking place out under the starlit sky.



[ooc: come one, come all, come sit by the fire, have a drink, or dance with Juliette (she won't mind :>) feel free to start threads of your own, 'tis a party for anyone and everyone. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow brings uncertainty, but tonight we rejoice in our blessings!]

This is not the sight she expected to greet her when she headed to Town with Sirona to settle her back in at the repaired Town stables, and somehow she hadn't been surprised to see her cousin (or last bastion of testosterone, as he liked to refer to himself) sitting on a fence post and laughing and snapping pictures. Probably she should have told him to get Collin out of the ring and stop harassing poor Christabel, who's supposed to be living a quiet retired life.

She decides instead to whack him lightly on the back of the head and take Sirona out on the trails, riding between the Castles and out towards the new oceanic addition before finally heading back into Town.

She had an English test tomorrow, and she was worried. At sixteen, what else was there to be worried about, really? She didn't have a girlfriend to be concerned with. Most of her friends were already in bed, or dealing with their respective significant others. But Karisa? Pff. Karisa was sitting at the bar inside MacKinnon's, feet swinging while she pored over textbooks and manuals and notes. She had goals, and that meant keeping her grades up. Even one bad test could be disastrous for her GPA.

But her Sprite was nearing empty and she'd need another round of fried batter crispies soon. And probably a break, but she might have to be forced to take one of those, even though she already had her head in her hands and a frown rather than her usual sunny grin.

Save her brain before it starts leaking out her ears please.