Oz Spellman
March 12, 2023 4:57 AM
Sweet Sixteen (tag Xav's friends) by Oz Spellman
Oz stepped into the MARS sports room, and onto the eyeballingly neon carpet of the bowling alley. He had practised several times, both getting the room right and actually playing the game, which he’d never had a chance to do before.He’d asked Henry to help him carry the food down from the kitchens. He hadn’t asked the elves for anything too complicated, deciding that the words ‘popcorn chicken’ were likely to be misinterpreted, and had just opted for French Fries. Those should have matched the setting, especially as he’d transfigured little baskets for them to sit in, but they looked suspiciously like you could trace their lineage back to real potatoes.
He remembered Xav's birthday in first year, when he had invited the whole beginner cohort. That party hadn't gone super well for Oz, but he was pretty sure Xav had had a good time, and that was the point. Nothing like it had happened since though. Birthdays were one of the things that had fallen by the wayside with Xav's life falling apart - or at least the energy and confidence to invite the whole year group had vanished. Obviously, Xav's birthday hadn't gone anywhere, and the fact that he couldn't do much for it clearly bothered him. So, Oz was determined to step up, go into Best Boyfriend Mode and fix it. Especially as it was Xav's sixteenth.
Given that it was such a special birthday, he was worried that a crummy little bowling party wasn't enough. He thought that Xav was more comfortably middle class than insane-reality-TV-show rich, but Oz felt like Xav's family would have done more. He wasn't up for inviting their whole cohort, and now that they were split across different groups again, he wasn't even sure what that meant. He had gone for inviting people he knew Xav actively liked, which meant Philippe, Val, Henry and Robyn. He had checked with the latter that she didn't think bowling was a completely horrible idea. She didn't, and also hadn't been able to suggest anything better.
So. Here they were.
Or would be soon. He had asked people to be prompt so they could surprise Xav, assuming he hadn't peeked at what his birthday would contain.
As the guests gathered, Oz was busy trying to coax some cake decorations into existence. Funnily enough, there wasn’t a specific spell for making a tiny little set of skate ramps, so he was just winging it with catch-all material transfigurations, a lot of visualisation, and occasional swearing. Especially when his first attempts to animate the tiny little skater he had made resulted in it face-planting in the rainbow frosting, and Oz somewhat botched the charms needed to retrieve it and smooth over that mistake neatly. He frowned away most offers of help, though he did let someone else shape the default candles into a ‘1’ and a ‘6’ for fear he was running out of time. The rest of the preparations had taken care of themselves, or MARS had taken care of them—there were balloons, a banner, and even party hats though Oz wasn’t sure anyone would actually want to wear those (he hadn’t considered the fact that MARS took most of its instruction from projecting what he thought it ought to look like).
After a few attempts, he got the skater going. It looked more like it was floating back and forth on the ramp than actually skating, but it was a skater, and moving, and that was going to have to do because the door was opening…
OOC: Hi. This is set in April, but I wanted to post it early because
a) multiperson threads can take time
and
b) I felt like it would be a nice change from my recent contributions to just have something fluffy and fun.
I'm making this a multithread in case people want to split off later, but I do have a follow up post of Xav arriving and people are welcome to thread onto that for as long as it makes sense to.
As specified in the post, Oz has invited Philippe, Val, Henry and Robyn. Sorry to anyone else who regards themselves as Xav's friends - you probably are too, but this is Oz's take on it.
Subthreads: ...for me? by Xavier Lundstrom with Valentine Duell, Oz Spellman
Alone among friends by Henry Spellman with Robyn Lundstrom
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Oz Spellman
Sweet Sixteen (tag Xav's friends)
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Xavier Lundstrom
March 12, 2023 4:58 AM
...for me? by Xavier Lundstrom
Sixteen. It was supposed to be a big turning point, though Xavier wasn’t sure he saw it. In theory, it meant he had more of a say in his own existence, but the magical world drew that line at seventeen, and some of his legal rights in his own world didn’t kick in until eighteen or even twenty-one. He would be able to apply for a provisional driving licence, and there was a list of things it would no longer be technically illegal for him and Oz to do, some of which they were already doing—though they’d probably still get expelled if caught doing any of it on school grounds.The day felt like a punctured balloon.
The one piece of hope he had was that Oz was going to do something nice for him. Oz wasn’t good at public boyfriending, but he’d been upping the game in private boyfriending. The actual milkshakes he’d attempted to make them for Valentine’s Day had been terrible, because who knew that making a milkshake involved more than smushing up chocolate or strawberries into milk (literally everyone, Xavier had thought—literally everyone knew that, but apparently Oz had not). But the point was he had tried.
Xav knew they were meeting in MARS, which sounded like a pretty normal Saturday, but he was allowing himself to hope that it was more. Oz was the one area of his life where it felt like hope wasn’t a bad investment.
He had resisted the urge to peek, deciding that this was one case where he was happy to let the future sneak up on him unaware.
He pushed open the door, and found himself stepping into a slice of his childhood. He’d been to any number of bowling parties, or trips with Scouts, or just family days out. He did a slight double take a finding it inside Sonora, for all that he’d faithfully recreated his neighbourhood skate park here any number of times. And not only was there bowling, and his boyfriend, but a group of friends.
Just like he was… normal or something.
“You guys made me a party?” he asked, sounding slightly choked and disbelieving, even though the evidence was in front of his eyes.
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Xavier Lundstrom
...for me?
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Valentine Duell
March 12, 2023 9:35 PM
Yes. by Valentine Duell
Oz was arranging a party for Xavier! That was awesome! Valentine was no stranger to arranging parties at Sonora, and was aware of some of the challenges that Oz might be up against. Still he had invited her as a guest and not an assistant planner. As such, upon receiving her invitation she had offered her assistance, but wasn't terribly surprised that he didn't take her up on the offer. He wanted to do this for Xavier himself, and she could respect that and cheer him on.It was supposed to be a surprise party, which were always fun, so she made sure she arrived promptly when she was supposed to. Val considered showing up a bit early, just in case he needed some extra help with anything, but he hadn't asked for it, and she didn't want to make it look like she didn't think he could do it. The MARS room looked great, Papa had taken her to a bowling alley once... a long time ago now, this one was done up just right for a party. Except Oz seemed to be having a little trouble with the cake.
He seemed bound and determined to get the skater figure on his own, but he did let her transfigure the candles. It was not a problem at all, she was a seventh year student, and she was fully capable of changing the shape of some wax sticks. Which she did, it wasn't difficult, it was fine. They looked just like they should afterwards. Oz got the skater working and she gave him a quick compliment on it, and noticed the door opening as he did.
Xavier walked in looking a bit stunned, she shouted out "Surprise!" with everyone else, and "Happy Birthday!" She smiled warmly at him, "Oz did," she commented giving credit where it was due, "We're just here to help celebrate."
2
Valentine Duell
Yes.
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Oz Spellman
March 13, 2023 7:55 AM
Well, obviously
by Oz Spellman
Co-written With: Xavier Lundstrom
Oz had been perfectly prepared to sink into the background. Not that he wanted other people to take credit for his work, but like… he also didn’t need credit. Or, like, even though credit was nice, it wasn’t like he deserved much, because it wasn’t a massive effort or anything…
“You did this?” Xavier asked, his attention snapping from Valentine to Oz, a huge grin on his face. He bounded across the room and threw his arms around Oz, who easily lifted him off the ground in spite of being shorter and spun him around.
“Yeah. In case you haven’t realised, you’re kind of a big deal,” Oz said, as he lowered Xavier down.
“Thank you,” he said, looking at Oz like he was about to get all mushy on Main Street about the whole thing. Which, Oz realised, wouldn’t be a big deal. Everyone in the room knew they were dating—or if Valentine didn’t exactly know, she probably wouldn’t be surprised and definitely wasn’t going to be hostile about it. But he needed more than a second to process that, even if he’d already let Xavier keep his arms around his neck for probably longer than was ‘just friends.’
“Go. Bowl. And eat a French Fry. You weigh nothing,” Oz instructed, giving Xav a friendly poke to get him moving. He had been sure to enter Xav first on the list of players, and had put him down as ‘The Birthday Boy’ with several stars around it. At first, he’d thought the room was not really processing the idea of a display for names—it had just given him a paper score sheet and a pencil—but as soon as he’d started writing on it, the letters had appeared, glowing brightly and hovering above the lane.
Xav followed his directive, and Oz dropped down into one of the small plastic seats.
“Seems like it’s going okay,” he commented to the ceiling, because he was pretty sure that if he actually looked at another person they were going to be having a facial expression that he was going to have to tell them to shut up for having, and he didn’t want to be a jerk.
13
Oz Spellman
Well, obviously
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Xavier Lundstrom
Henry Spellman
March 14, 2023 12:06 AM
Alone among friends by Henry Spellman
Henry was not dating anyone. Henry didn't even really have friends. He was invited to Xavier's party because he was Oz' brother, not because Xavier actually liked him, although Xavier did seem like he liked him well enough. Whether that was because Henry was a super fun dude or whether it was because Henry was Oz' brother was an easy one to figure out though.He did the appropriate jumping and surprising and cheering and then took a seat somewhere he could watch the rest of the group play games and enjoy the sweetness that was his brother's relationship. He was excited for Oz, and it wasn't Oz' fault that Henry's own mental health hadn't really improved despite life circumstances doing so. It was just how things were and that was how it was and it was fine. Totally completely fine.
Henry sipped on a soda and ate a french fry, debating if he wanted to bother with bowling shoes. He probably should so it wasn't weird and depressing for him to be there at least, but then it would be a whole are you bowling with us or alone? ordeal and it would be weird. Right? That sounded like it would be weird.
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Henry Spellman
Alone among friends
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Robyn Lundstrom
March 16, 2023 4:21 AM
At least you're among friends by Robyn Lundstrom
Robyn was glad not to be left out of Xavier's birthday, obviously. Birthdays were fun, Xavier was her brother, and no one liked being left out. She wasn't even intimidated by it being all older kids as she stepped into the MARS room. With two older brothers, she had plenty of experience of being surrounded by older kids. Her main concern was whether they would actually give her the time of day or whether she would be doomed to fade into the background.Val and Philippe were there, which was reassuring. They were older Teppenpaws and therefore both nice by default and also responsible for looking out for her - Philippe was Head Boy and Val was basically nice to everyone. As the party got started though, Robyn noticed someone else hovering more on the edge than in the middle. Someone who's attention she didn't get as many opportunities to seek as she did Philippe and Val's... Somewhere between kindred spirits and curiosity, she made her way over to where Henry was eating French Fries.
The snacks were on one of those... Shelf-bar- area for holding the snacks thingies just behind the plastic seats. She pressed her palms onto it, straightening her elbows so that her feet picked up off the floor and she was very-nearly-almost a similar height to him.
"Hi," she said, before realising both that she lacked the arm strength to maintain her current position, and that it occupied her hands and thus left her unable to eat. With a slight sigh, she lowered herself down. Judging by the glowing list of names that Oz had filled out, Henry wouldn't be hers for very long before getting called up to bowl (Robyn's own name was bottom of the list, of course). "We could be in a club," she offered. "Like, the 'our brothers are gross but at least we get French Fries out of it Club.' Not cos they're both boys," she added hurriedly, not wanting Henry to think she was homophobic. "It's just gross that Xavier's kissing anyone. French Fry cheers?" she offered, holding up her basket.
OOC: Mentions of Oz's list not god-modding as he is also mine and it was referenced in his post - however the order/details weren't so if you feel it clashes too much with what you wrote, I can adjust.
13
Robyn Lundstrom
At least you're among friends
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Henry Spellman
March 16, 2023 11:24 PM
Am I? by Henry Spellman
Henry raised his eyebrows and leaned back some, surprised by the young girl's sudden intrusion into his space. He knew who she was the way that you know your teacher has a kid at school but don't really know wh they are (except in magic school because it was way too small not to know anyone) and relaxed when he registered who it was that was joining him. He didn't want to think it never happened that someone approached him unexpectedly but it certainly happened rarely enough that it stood out to him when it did. He looked at Xavier's sister in a new light for her bravery - or insanity - in approaching. He always sort of wondered what other people thought when they met him when they only knew Oz, since there was definitely no chance to doubt whether the two Spellmans were related."Hey," Henry replied, smiling in understanding of the awkwardness that was existing as a tween when she lowered herself back to the floor. He always forgot he was basically a grown up until he was standing near someone much shorter than him. The idea that your sibling was gross for kissing someone was a funny one to Henry; it had been a long time since he'd had thoughts other than get some and be safe with regards to Oz' love life, but he supposed it was probably different being the same age and gender. And face. "Ah, Oz is good looking though at least," he joked, not quite selling the new confident persona he was hoping to develop in adulthood. "French fry cheers," he added, bumping his basket into hers.
It was his turn to bowl then and he wiped his salty hands on his pants before excusing himself to take his turn (he didn't knock any pins down the first time but got them all on the second shot after he had taken a second to think about the way the ball moved in conjunction with the lane and what not). When he returned, he cocked his head at the girl a bit. Henry didn't know a ton about Xavier's family but this girl was here so she must not have been too bad. Shame she was so much younger than Henry; it would've been nice to have a chance at a girl without having to go around dating people. Or meeting them.
"Is it weird hanging out with just a bunch of older kids?" he asked, grasping for small talk that probably wouldn't backfire.
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Henry Spellman
Am I?
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Robyn Lundstrom
March 18, 2023 8:30 AM
It seems like it? by Robyn Lundstrom
Yes! He had returned her French Fry cheers! Friendship iniated. And almost immediately placed in jeopardy, as Robyn instinctively wrinkled her nose at the idea of anyone Xavier liked being good-looking, before remembering who she was talking to."You're better," she informed Henry to cover her mistake. And she could absolutely make up some reasons why on the spot if need be. He didn't have gross gel in his hair or Xavier slobber on his face for starters.
Whilst he bowled, she worked on being tall. If she went with her elbows and forearms instead of her hands, she was more stable and could almost manipulate a French Fry into her mouth provided she had it in her hand before she started.
"Good job," she said, dropping once again to floor height to give Henry a slightly salty high five when he returned.
"I have two older brothers. I'm used to it," she assured Henry. "And I'm almost thirteen," she said, making it sound as grown up as possible. She wished she could say that she was already thirteen but unfortunately that wouldn't be true for another few weeks. And, as usual, just as she was entering one phase, Xavier would be exiting - she would be a teenager and he would be a sort of adult (not really, but she bet he would think so and milk it for all it was worth). "It's only weird in that I'm not being told I can't join in. How about you? Is it weird being around not-the-same-age people?"
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Robyn Lundstrom
It seems like it?
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5