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

[swordofzero]

It's not that he doesn't want to celebrate Ryoji's birthday, he was invited and the kid deserved it. But mingling was hard, especially after what had happened. Even though he had gone into that fight pretty sure that most of those he cared about were going to die and he wouldn't.

It didn't make it easier really. Especially after what had happened with Lelouch the day before that, he wasn't in the mood for a party. But he was trying, he was there and looking around for Ryoji to wish him happy birthday.

[notsogrimreaper]

Ryoji knows not everyone is as extroverted as he is, so he's been doing his best to go talk with everyone and thank them for coming, even people he doesn't know.

Luckily, he and Suzaku are on decent terms with each other, so he's more enthusiastic when he approaches.

"Suzaku-san! I'm glad you could come."

[swordofzero]

Suzaku nodded, "Happy Birthday Ryoji." He nodded awkwardly at him. Trying not to remember the last time he had seen him, trying to save him... failing him.

He was glad that a lot of people had came to celebrate, Ryoji deserved it. "Are you having fun?"

[notsogrimreaper]

"Thank you very much. It's been a lot of fun so far. What about you? Are you enjoying yourself?"

Ryoji isn't too bothered by his death. In all the excitement, he's almost forgotten about it... Hopefully Suzaku can start to ignore that soon enough. Ryoji wouldn't want him feeling upset or guilty.

[swordofzero]

Suzaku nodded, though enjoying was an overstatement. "I am glad you are enjoying yourself, it was nice of Lancer to organise this."

It's a little beyond Suzaku to not feel guilty over causing Ryoji's death, but he is trying not to ruin the boys birthday.

[notsogrimreaper]

"Well, he is sort of my uncle, and I guess he likes planning these things, so it all worked out. We all could use some happiness after that fight, you know?"

[swordofzero]

Suzaku nodded, frowning, not wanting to think about the fight. Or how Ryoji had died. "I hope you have a good day."

((OOC: It's also your turn on the Nesir/Lancer thread incase you didn't have it tracked!)

[notsogrimreaper]

“I’m sure I will. You be sure to enjoy yourself as well!”

[swordofzero]

Suzaku nodded, though he was planning to leave now he had offered his congratulations to Ryoji. "Thank you."

[notsogrimreaper]

“Have you tried any of the food yet? It’s very good. I haven’t been able to eat more than a little of each thing, though, there’s so much of it.”

[swordofzero]

"It looks nice." Suzaku nodded, "There is a lot, who made it?"

[notsogrimreaper]

"Ah, I think Patrick-san made a lot of it? And another one of Lancer-san's friends. I should probably go thank her."

[swordofzero]

Suzaku nodded, "They are very talented. I will let you go and find them, please pass on my thanks as well."

Rick had been one of those who had died against Sephiroth, someone else that Suzaku couldn't face today.