Max Maximum (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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ph_logs2024-12-09 01:32 pm
maximumcake) wrote in ph_logs2024-12-09 01:32 pm
Max's Birthday Month! OTA
Who: Max Maximum & Open
What: It's Max's birthday month
When: Through December, His birthday is the 20th
Where: The bakery, Max and Valdis's Home
Warnings: NSFW content must be marked appropriately
Nose to the grindstone
Early in the month, Max realizes that his store of powdered beet sugar is finally starting to run dangerously low. It's all the macarons and sugar cookies with royal icing he's been making, he's sure. They've been flying out the door of the bakery just as fast as he can pipe them. Not that he blames anyone, but even raising the prices couldn't slow sales down. He's finally forced to admit that he needs help. Like, a lot of it.
That's when a new post goes up on the bulletin board:
WANTED:
Strong arms for grinding. Must be willing to do repetitive motions for extended periods of time. One free pastry of choice for every pound created. Inquire with Max Maximum at the Bakers' Bakery!
What he means is that he's asking people to come help grind powdered sugar in a mortar and pestle for a few hours, but one could be forgiven for not quite getting the same message.
Those who haven't checked the notices might still be invited to help out if they happen to pass by the bakery during daylight hours. Max will be out in the street with the automatic mixer and grinder tool Bart invented for him, grinding away for hours and hours making as much powdered sugar as he can stand.
As people pass by, he gives them the big brown eyes, "Would you like to help?" If they say yes, he will set them up in front of that same grinder and show them how to crank the arm. Then, Max will take up a spare mortar and pestle and start manually grinding more. No time to lose.
"I appreciate the help," he'll say, pounding away with his sleeves rolled up, forearms glistening in the winter sun, "I can't believe I let it get away from me like this..."
Happy Birthday!
On December 20th, it will become clear why Max was so desperate to get more powdered sugar. The centerpiece of his entire party is this macaron tower But, let's back up a little.
Over the month, Max will be going around delivering cards to all of his friends and acquaintances. They're invitations to a 'small' birthday party he's throwing himself out at the home he shares with Valdis. It will be an open house affair taking place all day on December 20th. He plans to have food and drinks but nothing 'too fancy,' he simply wants everyone to come by for as long as they feel like to hang out and spend time with him. No gifts necessary, he just wants time with his friends.
In addition to the cards and personal invites, he also hangs a post on the bulletin board inviting anyone in town to come and visit. Truly, all are welcome. That includes pets!
***
[For Valdis]
The day of December 20th arrives at last! Max has been giddy with excitement waiting for it all month. He asked for the day off of work for this (and so has Valdis) but he still wakes up early so he can put the finishing touches on all of his cooking and baking plans. Some decorating, too. He told Valdis to sleep in as long as she could because she was out late, so he's alone in the kitchen for now...except for the various cat and Pokémon companions that are all sniffing the air and salivating over what they smell. But that's what they do every morning.
He hears a creak from upstairs and smiles. Valdis must be awake. He'd better hurry and put these heart-shaped pancakes on the table before she comes down. It's a surprise. He's already smiling to himself, picturing her face when she sees them.
[For Ylva]
Max kept his own plate of pancakes light this morning because he has early brunch plans with Ylva. She may not have as much of a sweet tooth, but she knows good meat. (Not that kind, shh.) Max asked her over to help him build up the pit for the fire. She's better at this than he is.
"Morning!" he says as he rushes to give her a big bear hug and a headbutt for good measure. "I really appreciate you offering to run the meat station for me today. I've been hankering for more of your perfectly cooked steaks, you know?"
[OTA]
With Valdis and Ylva's help, Max manages to get everything just perfectly where he wants it. There's a buffet of different cake and pastry options on the kitchen table, with the tower of macarons as the centerpiece. No matter how many people come and how much cake they eat, the table never seems to run out. It's almost miraculous. There's also, of course, tea, coffee, and wine to go along with it as beverages.
Max will spend much of the day loitering around the sweets table, so it will be very easy to catch up with him. The first thing he wants to know, of course, is, "How do you like the macarons?" He's very proud of them, even if he will have blisters for weeks.
When he's not in the kitchen or near the cake table, he's outside hanging alongside Ylva in the meat-cooking area. Cake is nice, but it's hard to just have sweets alone. He wants to make sure there are some savory options as well. Ylva has become a pro at this, so he's taking the opportunity to actually sit and relax a little on his own birthday. Imagine that?
"Try the deer," he says to anyone that comes up to the fire, "It's delicious."
In addition to the cake and meat selection, there's one more food table of note: Pokémon specific treats! Max is considering this a soft launch for the new item he plans to introduce in the bakery. Poke-puffs, based on the recipes he got from the Poke Center, so he can guarantee they are completely safe for Pokémon consumption.
"Try one of the poke-puffs!" he encourages to anyone that seems hesitant. "Well, not you. I mean feed one to your pet. They'll love it, I promise."
[ooc: Totally fine to do mingles on this post; it's a party! Assume there's standard party setup with tables chairs and blankets to sit on spread around where appropriate. Max didn't make a present table because he didn't ask for any but someone can make their own if they feel like it.]
[NSFW]
As it is his birthday, he's feeling pretty randy. He won't hold back flirting, and if anyone starts to really mean it back, he might just be up for showing them his birthday suit. But he has to feel he can trust them enough, and he'd really rather find somewhere that's not the house--to spare not only Valdis but any visitors who may show up with awkward timing. Either way, he just wants to have a good time today with his friends and family.
[ooc: Putting it out there that I'm open to doing some light NSFW smut on-screen but I'm also just as good with FTB and aftermath threads. Trying to dip my toe in slowly. My game inbox for Max is HERE if anyone wants to take it there instead.]
What: It's Max's birthday month
When: Through December, His birthday is the 20th
Where: The bakery, Max and Valdis's Home
Warnings: NSFW content must be marked appropriately
Nose to the grindstone
Early in the month, Max realizes that his store of powdered beet sugar is finally starting to run dangerously low. It's all the macarons and sugar cookies with royal icing he's been making, he's sure. They've been flying out the door of the bakery just as fast as he can pipe them. Not that he blames anyone, but even raising the prices couldn't slow sales down. He's finally forced to admit that he needs help. Like, a lot of it.
That's when a new post goes up on the bulletin board:
WANTED:
Strong arms for grinding. Must be willing to do repetitive motions for extended periods of time. One free pastry of choice for every pound created. Inquire with Max Maximum at the Bakers' Bakery!
What he means is that he's asking people to come help grind powdered sugar in a mortar and pestle for a few hours, but one could be forgiven for not quite getting the same message.
Those who haven't checked the notices might still be invited to help out if they happen to pass by the bakery during daylight hours. Max will be out in the street with the automatic mixer and grinder tool Bart invented for him, grinding away for hours and hours making as much powdered sugar as he can stand.
As people pass by, he gives them the big brown eyes, "Would you like to help?" If they say yes, he will set them up in front of that same grinder and show them how to crank the arm. Then, Max will take up a spare mortar and pestle and start manually grinding more. No time to lose.
"I appreciate the help," he'll say, pounding away with his sleeves rolled up, forearms glistening in the winter sun, "I can't believe I let it get away from me like this..."
Happy Birthday!
On December 20th, it will become clear why Max was so desperate to get more powdered sugar. The centerpiece of his entire party is this macaron tower But, let's back up a little.
Over the month, Max will be going around delivering cards to all of his friends and acquaintances. They're invitations to a 'small' birthday party he's throwing himself out at the home he shares with Valdis. It will be an open house affair taking place all day on December 20th. He plans to have food and drinks but nothing 'too fancy,' he simply wants everyone to come by for as long as they feel like to hang out and spend time with him. No gifts necessary, he just wants time with his friends.
In addition to the cards and personal invites, he also hangs a post on the bulletin board inviting anyone in town to come and visit. Truly, all are welcome. That includes pets!
***
[For Valdis]
The day of December 20th arrives at last! Max has been giddy with excitement waiting for it all month. He asked for the day off of work for this (and so has Valdis) but he still wakes up early so he can put the finishing touches on all of his cooking and baking plans. Some decorating, too. He told Valdis to sleep in as long as she could because she was out late, so he's alone in the kitchen for now...except for the various cat and Pokémon companions that are all sniffing the air and salivating over what they smell. But that's what they do every morning.
He hears a creak from upstairs and smiles. Valdis must be awake. He'd better hurry and put these heart-shaped pancakes on the table before she comes down. It's a surprise. He's already smiling to himself, picturing her face when she sees them.
[For Ylva]
Max kept his own plate of pancakes light this morning because he has early brunch plans with Ylva. She may not have as much of a sweet tooth, but she knows good meat. (Not that kind, shh.) Max asked her over to help him build up the pit for the fire. She's better at this than he is.
"Morning!" he says as he rushes to give her a big bear hug and a headbutt for good measure. "I really appreciate you offering to run the meat station for me today. I've been hankering for more of your perfectly cooked steaks, you know?"
[OTA]
With Valdis and Ylva's help, Max manages to get everything just perfectly where he wants it. There's a buffet of different cake and pastry options on the kitchen table, with the tower of macarons as the centerpiece. No matter how many people come and how much cake they eat, the table never seems to run out. It's almost miraculous. There's also, of course, tea, coffee, and wine to go along with it as beverages.
Max will spend much of the day loitering around the sweets table, so it will be very easy to catch up with him. The first thing he wants to know, of course, is, "How do you like the macarons?" He's very proud of them, even if he will have blisters for weeks.
When he's not in the kitchen or near the cake table, he's outside hanging alongside Ylva in the meat-cooking area. Cake is nice, but it's hard to just have sweets alone. He wants to make sure there are some savory options as well. Ylva has become a pro at this, so he's taking the opportunity to actually sit and relax a little on his own birthday. Imagine that?
"Try the deer," he says to anyone that comes up to the fire, "It's delicious."
In addition to the cake and meat selection, there's one more food table of note: Pokémon specific treats! Max is considering this a soft launch for the new item he plans to introduce in the bakery. Poke-puffs, based on the recipes he got from the Poke Center, so he can guarantee they are completely safe for Pokémon consumption.
"Try one of the poke-puffs!" he encourages to anyone that seems hesitant. "Well, not you. I mean feed one to your pet. They'll love it, I promise."
[ooc: Totally fine to do mingles on this post; it's a party! Assume there's standard party setup with tables chairs and blankets to sit on spread around where appropriate. Max didn't make a present table because he didn't ask for any but someone can make their own if they feel like it.]
[NSFW]
As it is his birthday, he's feeling pretty randy. He won't hold back flirting, and if anyone starts to really mean it back, he might just be up for showing them his birthday suit. But he has to feel he can trust them enough, and he'd really rather find somewhere that's not the house--to spare not only Valdis but any visitors who may show up with awkward timing. Either way, he just wants to have a good time today with his friends and family.
[ooc: Putting it out there that I'm open to doing some light NSFW smut on-screen but I'm also just as good with FTB and aftermath threads. Trying to dip my toe in slowly. My game inbox for Max is HERE if anyone wants to take it there instead.]
no subject
"She kissed me. I kissed her back."
The memory makes her want to do it again, but she's sure Crichton can read between the lines. She and Fever are together, if in a different way than her and Max.
no subject
"You don't say? Remind me to find some mistletoe so I can hang it over you later while Fever's around. But, seriously, I'm happy for you both. Really, really happy."
no subject
She bites her lip.
"Fever hasn't been able to say it yet, but I know she feels it."
Fever wants to find more stability before committing in that way, but that's for Fever to tell, not her.
no subject
"But she will. I... don't know if she mentioned this but I met her past self in the visitor center. I know Fever's story and I know you do too. I know that because when I asked her who to call if something ever came up, yours was the first name she gave me."
no subject
It would be nice though, to hear it come from her lips, to follow up the words with a another kiss, maybe more, but just a kiss is enough.
"I am...probably one of the few who could take her down if it became necessary, just as she and Neil are likely the only ones who can take me down within a swift timeframe. The powers we wield, who we once were...She's afraid she will hurt me, even now, when we have kissed and become what we are."
no subject
"I know you are, but I think that just makes it much more of a relief. I... felt something similar when I asked you to help with Harvey. You're strong, but you're also someone I trust. You're someone she trusts. And loves. I don't think it's just that she's afraid to hurt you, Valdis. She's afraid to lose you. She's afraid it will be her own doing if she does."
no subject
But Valdis frowns when he continues.
"I would pretend I don't understand what you mean, but I suppose I do. Sometimes, I still wonder if Max would leave me if he knew everything, and I'm not sure he would be wrong to, nor would I blame him. Love is like one of those...what are they called? Prince Rupurt's Drops. It seems like it could withstand anything, but there is always a breaking point."
no subject
"Everyone has something they can't compromise about, but there comes a time in every bond where you have to take a leap of faith and trust your partner to love you through thick and thin. Sometimes it falls apart. But, if it was really meant to hold, then it will. Valdis, you can't keep assuming the worst of that poor boy without testing it. If you don't give him the chance to prove he'll love you no matter what he learns about you, you'll always have that doubt hanging over you."
no subject
Besides, she's not even sure where to begin explaining with Max, and she never had to explain things to Fever, Fever just understood.
no subject
no subject
“I’m not ashamed of my past, Crichton. I have zero regrets over the destruction I wrought upon my homeworld. The lives I ended, the ruin I brought upon both the guilty and the innocent…I feel no remorse. I may not have been entirely under my own power, but it was me. And I would do it all again if I felt it would accomplish my goals.”
Though her goals are very different now.
“How do you suggest I explain to Max that the monster isn’t in the past and never has been?”
no subject
no subject
It’s not just the destruction she doesn’t regret. It’s everything that happened before. How could she ever ask Max to not be angry on her behalf for what was done to her. How could she not wish things had been different? Perhaps pride. The desire to not be seen as a victim. And yet, in reality, it’s that all of those things, the pain, suffering, power and choices, made her who she is today, and she could never regret whom she has become.
Maybe it is that easy.
Or maybe that just makes it harder.
no subject
"How can I, when you won't say? Valdis, I know I'm just a human. Max is just a human, too. Are you going to let that be a barrier forever? What if you're wrong about how different we really are?"
He makes a scoffing sound like hers almost as if preempting it. "I know, you have to do this on your own. I know. Just...talk to him. Give him a chance and he might surprise you."
no subject
Him of all people.
“If you were ‘just a human’ we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”
no subject
"But, then... can you help me understand? What is it you're afraid of?"
no subject
"No." She puts another macaron on his plate. "Enjoy the rest of the party, I need to go recover my good mood before Max realizes I'm upset."
And then it's as if an entirely different personality takes over as she is suddenly all smiles and pleasant again when she turns to greet a few more people. Hiding everything behind a mask as she has always done.
Wrap!
Watching her flash between upset and that perfect smile makes something deep inside him squirm. He's already said and done enough, so he decides to eat his macarons and then get the hell out of here before he makes it worse.