Happy Birthday, Ryoji

[puppy_lancer]

Characters: You know the drill. Lancer puppy_lancer, Ryoji notsogrimreaper, the people they invited between the two of them, and everybody else who just happens to stumble into the party.
Setting: Floor 25, November 17, morning-evening
Format: Open, anything goes
Summary: It's Ryoji's birthday, so Lancer is throwing him a big party. Anyone is welcome in! (And nobody is gonna kick out those who aren't so welcome)
Warnings: None for now

[It's been a long time since Lancer had thrown any parties. Therefore, he's making this bigger and grander than the last two parties he's thrown. It's a good way for him to distract himself from all the emotional turmoil that had popped up during the battle with Sephiroth, if anything.]

[There's two tables laden with food over at one side of the floor. The centerpiece for that is a big double-tier cake with "HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYOJI" written over the side of the bottom layer. The top layer is little more than a glorified candle holder, as several handfuls of candles have been jammed all over that second layer.]

[Over on the other side, there was a variety of party games. They're all old favorites like pin the tail on the piggy (pinning spiraling paper tails onto a "pig" with Ganon's face), apple bobbing (various fruits in a water-filled wooden barrel), and everyone's favorite--the pinata (a scarecrow with a berry-filled paper mache head supposed to represent Jason).]

[In the center of the floor, there is a stage nailed together from wooden boards. A ways behind that, a pile of wood stacks into a bonfire pyre. A turnip lantern leers at the party goers from one corner of the stage.]

[For decorations, there are black feathers and crude little paper doll cutouts resembling angels scattered around on the ground or in the corners of the dining tables. There are also a few more turnip lanterns.]

[And of course, Lancer, like a good host, stands on the stage, dressed like a hobby horse, waiting for people to show up. He's feeling pretty relaxed, if only because the major unwanted guest, Sephiroth, was locked up and in no danger of crashing this party.]

Comments

[monstrueux]

[He continues to study Waver, carefully. The title doesn't mean anything to him.]

What is your given name?

[fionnuisce]

Does that particularly matter to you?

[monstrueux]

Why do you not wish to answer? I was trying to answer your question, but how can I if I do not know the name of the one I am staring at!

[fionnuisce]

[Scowling, Waver came to the conclusion that evading the question wouldn't do much. Past the fact that he was talking to Caster, there admittedly wasn't a lot of reason to hide it.]

[Then again, that was kind of reason enough in itself.]

...Waver Velvet.

[monstrueux]

Then I am staring at Waver Velvet.

[The name doesn't mean anything to him, in any case.]

[fionnuisce]

...You're a bloody little smartmouth, aren't you.

[monstrueux]

[Gilles laughs, at this.]

And you regard Gilles de Rais. So we have settled the matter.

[fionnuisce]

I know who you are, thank you very much.

[monstrueux]

Yes, you informed me of that fact already! You know my work.

[fionnuisce]

To my infinite regret.

[monstrueux]

[He laughs again.]

You need not fear, as I have repented, you will not witness my artwork again.

[Gilles is on his best behavior!]

[fionnuisce]

I'll have you know I'm timing this. I give it a week, two at best.

[monstrueux]

[Gilles frowns.]

I found Jeanne, and I promised her! She believes in me! You do not know the man I used to be. I won't become a monster again!

[fionnuisce]

I know enough, and frankly I don't want to know anything else.

[monstrueux]

I did not say I would tell you. But you are wrong, I will not fail. God's love is with me.

[fionnuisce]

If there is a higher power at work, I'm pretty sure they're the furthest place possible from here.

[monstrueux]

That is untrue. God is everywhere. Do not think that because we suffer, He is not. But as you are from a godless age, I do not expect you will understand.