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[letsbe_clear]

You know, the thing about being trapped in a magical castle for God knows how long and not seeing any real end to it, is that it has a way of reevaluating your priorities. You get all caught up in the castle crap, and the terror and the ridiculous losses, and you forget about the important things in life.

So, I'm following the castle's lead. New year, new journal, clean slate. Time to focus on the stuff that really matters. And the best way to kick off a clean slate is a party.

Especially if it's a party for me.

[teasing. kinda. mostly.]

Okay, actually, it's my birthday this weekend, and I'm throwing a party, but I still think the clean slate stuff is very important!

Anyway, the party starts at seven on Saturday at Caritas, and everyone is welcome. Presents are not required, but very much encouraged, and there should be plenty of food and drinks, so the more the merrier. I hope to see everybody there!

[a beat]

Hey, Buffy, isn't your birthday around now too? Maybe we could double up and throw it for both of us?

Comments

[fredless]

Like there's anywhere else I would be. I feel bad though, that somehow you got stuck planning your own party...

[letsbe_clear]

Considering I have not planned any party for a very long time, I don't mind. I wanted to throw myself a party. It was my gift to me.

So no guilt.

[fredless]

Well that isn't going to keep me from getting you something. Maybe two somethings.

[letsbe_clear]

Two somethings? I like the sound of my birthday already.

[fredless]

[There's a laugh]

Definitely two somethings.

[There's a thoughtful pause then. A part of her wants to update Cordelia on the more recent developments in her life. But just as much of her wants to keep it close a while longer]

[letsbe_clear]

[she hears that thoughtful pause, but she won't push. Well, much.]

We haven't talked in a while.

[fredless]

[It occurs to Fred that Cordy's right. Not since Thanksgiving, really]

I don't know how time gets away from me in a place that in theory has so much of it. [Especially for both of them. Still, Fred doesn't naturally settle into talking about herself] Is everything alright?

[letsbe_clear]

Everything's all good on my end. How about you?

[fredless]

Oh, you know. The usual.

[That's right, Cordy. Nothing but the usual...]

[letsbe_clear]

Our brand of usual or regular people usual?

[because really, there's a difference.]

[fredless]

[Oddly enough, she doesn't seem to need to think about the answer]

...regular people usual.

[letsbe_clear]

[smiles a bit at that]

Good. That sounds really good.

[fredless]

[If you could only see her smile, Cordy. It's one even her worries over the castle can't dampen]

I keep catching myself thinking that too.

[letsbe_clear]

We should do more regular people usual things. We can't seem to get enough of it.