Special Surprises for Nimrod ((Any Solace members))

[Robert Pratt]

(( This RP is set on and around the 11th of April ))

Robert had had an idea in his head for a while, and he'd even been preparing for it already. The only thing he hadn't known was the when of it all. However, he'd asked the question about a month ago, and had gotten an answer. So now it was time to put it all into action. He wasn't in the best place mentally, and the last month had, quite frankly, been ****. However, he couldn't let the man down - or the little girl who seemed to have tagged herself on too. He wasn't sure what to think about Snow, because sometimes she just needed a smack and sometimes, a hug. However, this was going to be a little treat for them both, and any friends they wanted to bring along.

He'd picked the large bedroom in which to set things up, so tonight, he was clearing it out and freeing it up. The beds, drawers, cupboards and other large bits of furniture were all carried out one piece at a time and doled out amongst the other rooms. It took him a good couple of hours to clear out - and then he had to clean it all from top to bottom. Up and down the stairs he went, carrying large buckets of water and cloths. These were then thrown at the walls, covering the floor, everywhere and then it was all rubbed with an anti-bacterial wash and then dried. In the end, it was so clean, you could eat off it. And that was the idea!

Clearing away all of the buckets and cloths, he headed for the kitchen store room and found the huge stack of boxes he'd ordered and had delivered. He'd been watching TV a few months before, and come across a Heston Blumenthal program - and he'd been enthralled. The minute he'd found out about Nim's birthday, he'd gotten straight on the internet and phone, and got in touch with suppliers to see what he could do - and bit by bit, it had all come together. One by one, he removed the boxes from the store room and carried them upstairs, lying them out in the hallway until there was a huge long line of them. Finally, every box was opened so he could see what was what and what was where. One by one the bits and pieces were removed and unwrapped from their boxes and then placed meticulously into the room. In between each piece, he used a hand sanitiser, making sure that everything remained clean and hygenic. It took him hours to set it all up, but it was well worth it.

At the far end of the room, he set up a gingerbread house - made of cake bricks - that was big enough for someone to actually get inside of. The windows were made of boiled sweets so they had a stained glass effect, and he'd slathered icing on all of the joins to make sure it all stuck together. The roof was made of chocolate slats, with a chimney that was filled with caramel. The whole thing was dusted with icing sugar to look like a snow storm had just been by, while candy floss clumps were made to look like snow drifts. Everything about it was made of edible materials, with all manner of sweets stuck on it and around it.

Surrounding it, he'd created something right out of Willy Wonka's mind. The chocolate room of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had been recreated in miniature. There were trees, with candy cane trunks, angelica leaves and all sorts of 'flowers'. There were cupcakes, sweets, little cups filled with a sweet liquid - all made to look like flowers on the trees. The chocolate river was represented by three little chocolate fountains with white, milk and dark chocolate flowing through them. There were girl sized jelly babies standing around, to represent the oompa loompas. Giant marshmallows, decorated like stumps to sit on. So much more as well, all set up around the place. Anything that the imagination could come up with, and every flavour - was all represented in the room.

He stepped back to the door and grinned, looking around. Which only left one thing to do. He pulled out a large sheet of wrapping paper, and covered the door. Only it wasn't just wrapping paper - it was lickable wrapping paper, with an edible bow stuck in the centre. Quickly, he tidied away the boxes and wrappings that had stored all of the items, and then sat himself down in the corridor outside of the room and sent them both a message telepathically.

"Nimrod? Snow? It's time. Bring your friends and come to Solace, last bedroom on the first floor. I'll be waiting for you, to give you your birthday surprise. See you soon!"

And then, it was just a case of waiting.

[Nimrod]

Nimrod could hardly sit still, it was his birthday. His birthday. He just wanted to sing about it. He was even more excited because Robbie had something planned and he wanted to know what it was. He bounced on the sofa when he heard Robbie’s voice in his head. He had no idea where Snow was, but he knew where Mike was. He ran into the back room. “Mikey! It’s time come on!” he said, “Leave the bad robot here though.” He added before pretty much dragging the young man with him to where they would meet Robbie. He let go of Mikey and jumped hugged Robbie. “Robbie Robbie Robbie.” He said, bouncing around the man. “I don’t know who else is coming…” he said suddenly and stopped bouncing. He didn’t really care if Windy came, he wasn’t any fun anyway.

[Mike Barone (DELETED 2047)]

Mike was still in his room, breaking up fights between his bird and the rude robot.

"Why I oughta.." The bird said, knocking over the ball with legs.

Mike sighed, Nim might have been watching the three stooges a bit too much.

Sparks the African Grey Parrot bopped its head, "Wise guy, eh? Woo-woo-woo-woo! Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk!" the bird danced around the robot.

"If I had hands, I'd pluck you!" The angry robot said.

"How rude.." Sparks said, he climbed up Mike's jeans and hoped on the table.

Mike shook his head, petting the bird then kicked the robot under the bed which followed with lots of cussing by the thing. "Don't learn any of those words, please." he said.

"To boldly go where no man has gone before." Sparks said before he started to whistle the theme song.

Mike heard Nim in the other room, clearly excited about it being his birthday and whatever surprise it held. He had his gift in a box inside his backpack so when Nim came in and pretty much dragged him out of the room, he had to grab it fast. "Nim, slow down. Your gift is in my bag." he said, trying to keep up with the older man who acted a lot younger.

He couldn't take in where they were going very well, he had never been in this building before and Nim kept on going until they got up all the stairs and found another man that he was excited about seeing. When Nim said Robbie, Mike realized this was Robert. "Hi, I'm Mike.." he said, his life had been so busy, he wasn't sure exactly if he had met the man before other than a name on his computer screen.

[Elizabeth Constance]

The last month had been long and hard with more ups and downs than the world's best roller-coaster. Most of it nearly made her sick and with the attacks to pile on top of it all...she was grateful to have one day where everything was pushed a side. It was Nimrod's birthday and no matter who was in attendance, she would be on her best and charming behavior because it wasn't fair to Nimrod to have it ruined by a tussle between the former spouses. Lizzie had been fairly decent after shooting her sire and Robert. She had kept her distance, tended to her newly turned childe who joined her little family with Molly and Chelsea while keeping everything with Robert strictly business for Solace sake. Stefan had come in and been a big help. He had shown restraint to his vampiric urges and grew stronger each day. Lizzie was proud of him but then again...this change was something he had asked of her many times in the past, just the one time he didn't ask for it was when it was granted.

As she packed Chelsea's diaper bag, she thought about Stefan laying in the dark alley. He had accepted his fate for death as he confessed his hidden feelings to her. There was no way possible that she was going to leave him there to rot. Lizzie didn't know the reason for the fight but she did know that it wasn't a fair one with the wounds he had been given that night. It was all terrible but she saved him and he swore to live the life of a vampire like Lizzie herself did. He had always wanted to help others and be a humanitarian, protect others while helping them with money or shelter. He learned everything through Solace and wanted to continue the work. Pride was an understatement for how she felt about his accomplishments and goals; and she let him know it every day.

Finishing with the diaper bag, she walked into the nursery where Stefan had been getting Chelsea dressed in the cute little dress that Lizzie had set out the night before. Though as she walked into the room, the stench of a recently changed diaper hit her like of a ton of bricks. "Whoa! Sooo...smooshed peas in a jar is not good for her...or at least us. I will avoid that option the next time at the store." She walked over to the dresser and pulled open the drawer full of onesies, t-shirts, and sweaters. Pulling out a pastel green cardigan that matched the flowers, she walked over to Stefan and Chelsea as she spoke in a playful and cooing voice. "Ooooh...there is my beautiful baby girl. You look so pretty in your dress and your cute little tights." Carefully she put the cardigan on her before laying her back to put her shoes on and playing with her little feet. "We have a birthday party to go to and it will be so much fun." She slipped the little dress shoes on her before she picked her up and looked to Stefan. "Though she has no clue what birthdays are all about just yet, she is only almost four months old." She sighed as she bounced her around a little before putting a few toys in the diaper bag. "Are you ready to go? I should get the Pack-n-Play and put it in the car. She is not going to want to be held all night and if she gets sleepy, she has a safe place to lay down at."

Chelsea's attire
Elizabeth's attire

[Stefan Franco]

Pausing for a moment while dressing Chelsea, Stefan thought back to what a month this has been. So many things to learn. The fact he was going to die, there was no other way around it or so he thought. Lizzie did the one thing she told him she would never do. She changed the path of his life, cheated the Reaper of the death he came to claim after those guys did a number on Stefan. She killed him so he would live. She took him in and had to answer his endless questions. She had to deal with the melt downs, confusion, the voices and though it all...she continued to suport him, not matter what. Stefan never wanted to lose who he was but not having control over his own thoughts has been so hard to deal with. He felt like he was going insane.

Having Lizzie spend time teaching him and helping keep his mind straight. She continued to let him help people and work on his control around others. Some of those days it was not easy, others were. She was patient with him and that gave him the strength to try harder. Stefan always tried so hard to make her proud of the fact she turned him. He never wanted her to think for a moment he regretted it. Her true faith in him was right here in front of him. Chelsea was a little bundle of smiles, energy and sweetness. This little girl was amazing. She makes his bad days seem to melt away when she looks up and smiles at me. This little angel has won him over with just a smile and giggle.

Hearing Chelsea fuss brought him back to getting Chelsea's diaper changed and dressed for this party. He looked down at her, "You sure can kill a diaper girl." He chuckled as he made funny faces to her. "We better hurry up and get you ready to go before your mom comes in here and wonders what is taking so long." As Stefan got her all dressed, Lizzie came in and he laughed at the look on her face when she smelled the diaper. Toxic war fair has nothing on this little girl. He chucked at her. "Yep, we are all set to go. She is all changed and freshened up. She is a happy little bundle of cuteness."

He looked Lizzie up and down and smirked. "You sure look amazing today. You sure will have some eyes on you today." Stefan grinned and looked away. "Umm...If you get the pack-n-play, I will put her in the car and get it warmed up. We can leave when we get everything loaded up. You are sure excited about this party, are you looking forward to seeing everyone?"

[Elizabeth Constance]

Lizzie was grateful for Stefan's help. Everything seemed to fit together like a normal little family would and it seemed nearly perfect. Yes, her family consisted of two humans and two vampires but those vampires where as close to being human as possible. Lizzie had even gotten her anger under control for the most part and refrained from shooting Robert or Serendipity further. Each day was a little better but she still had times where she struggled.

"Thank you Stefan. I am looking forward to seeing Nimrod. I have seen him recently and giving him giant bags of candy is overdue. It will be fun to see him and knowing Robert...he will have something huge planned. He does not have a clue how to do things small or normal. He put snow in one of our places for Christmas once to make an indoor winter wonderland. Trees and all. It was interesting but now this if for Nimrod...I could only imagine what his plan is but I did not take a look. I do not want to get in his head ever again...especially if he happens to be thinking of Serendipity at the time." Cutting herself off, she shook the thoughts from her mind as she made a promise to herself that she would let it go. She had new focuses now and she was happier.

Smiling at Stefan as he decided that he would take Chelsea and get the car started, to warm up it up. Lizzie thought over everything needed as she passed Chelsea to him. The stroller was already in the care but didn't think it would be needed. Diaper bag was done. Chelsea was on her way to get strapped in. The gifts were in the back of the car. Yep had everything but the Pack-n-Play. Walking out into the living room, she instantly popped it up from its position and folded up the little mesh cube. Carrying it out to the car, she popped the back latch of the SUV and slid it in before closing it all up and slipping into the passenger seat.

The drive across down didn't take long or so it seemed. Lizzie had relaxed as she sang along perfectly to the radio. Looking back to check on Chelsea who seemed to fall asleep in her car seat, Lizzie looked back forward as she patted Stefan's leg. She was calm around him and he had been her hope, kept her grounded while she helped teach him. It was her silver lining.

Pulling out of her thoughts as they turned into the parking lot at Solace, she sat up and smiled. They had finally arrived. Opening the car door, she slipped out and instantly went to grab Chelsea and the bags of gifts. Chelsea hadn't woke up when they stopped and that was probably a blessing. Walking around to the back of the SUV, she looked up at Stefan. "She is still sleeping. Can you bring in the Pack-n-Play and we will set it up. I will take her inside. I am not sure if the party is on the first or second floor but if not in the main room, then head upstairs."

She carried in her little bundle of joy and the gifts. Looking around the main room of Solace as she stepped inside, she smiled and noticed that it was the next floor up. Walking to the back of the room, she carefully climbed the steps to the second floor and her jaw dropped as she looked at the candy on the halls. "Oh holy wow..."

[Robert Pratt]

Robert smiled as Nimrod came bounding up and hugged him, and he hugged him back tightly, nodding to Mike as he did.

"Good to see you again Nimrod. It's been far too long since you last stopped by! And I've no idea who's coming either - but so long as you're here, that's all that matters. This is after all, just for you."

He turned to Mike after Nimrod had calmed a little bit and offered him his hand.

"Hi Mike. Nice to see you again. At least this time, it's under better circumstances to that madness under the red moon!"

No-one else had arrived at the party yet, that he'd set up inside the room at the far end of the second floor and nowhere else, but the main man was there so he thought why not just go ahead with it all. He pointed to the door, and the pictures of the different fruits that seemed to be a little raised from the paper he'd covered it in - as well as a bow.

"Have a lick of the fruits - or a bite of the bow - or both if you like."

He grinned and waited for them to do so. He knew that the fruits were covered in fruit flavoured sherbet that would fizz on their tongue. And the bow was made of a wider, thinner version of a strawberry lace. He rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, grinning even wider as he watched them to see their reactions - almost bursting as he wondered how they'd react to what waas inside the room itself.

[Nimrod]

Nim stared, his eyes wide. “They’re eatable?” he said. It was right out of Willa Wonka, which of course he loved that movie just because it was about sweets and the music was catchy. He watched both the first one and Charlie and Chocolate Factory.

He was distracted for a moment when Lizzy showed up. He was about to give her a hug and shout her name when he noticed the baby. He tilted his head, adopted? He had no idea if vampires could have kids or anything like that. But he also didn’t know anything about her and Robert either. “Lizzy.” He said with a grin.

He bounded over to the wall, picking out some things to lick. He then took a big bought out of the bow. “This is awesome! Mike come try this!” he said excitedly.

[Mike Barone (DELETED 2047)]

Mike watched as Nim went about licking things. He titled his head, they really made things like this? Well he knew a lot of candies and other sweets could be made to look like other things, only because he watched some cooking shows that were about sweets. He hadn't been paying all that much attention to it. Though he could see how this was the perfect birthday theme for Nimmy.

He stared at Robert a moment. "Blood Moon...oh." he said, his eyes widened. "Oh right, sorry, no vampires looked like themselves that night." he said, that had been a very weird night and he was sure everyone hoped it never happened again.

He looked to the woman, who he was sure they had met that night as well from the name that Nim just used. He got distracted by Nim who was urging him to try the eatable things. He hurried beside him, trying the fruits before the bow as well. "This is awesome." he said with a grin.