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]

It is! I wore it in the war, when I fought with Jeanne. For some reason, they gave it to me here. Perhaps because they knew of the light.

[puppy_lancer]

Okay, I get it.

...Jeanne, huh?

[He has to wonder if it's the same Jeanne as the one in the Tower.]

[monstrueux]

Jeanne d'Arc, yes. I was one of her faithful companions!

[puppy_lancer]

Oh. Her.

[Well, this is a little awkward. He has to wonder exactly which one of her companions Gilles actually was. His memories of Rulers life are already rather murky.]

Have you met her here then?

[monstrueux]

I have yes! We have reunited! What a joyful occasion. It was so good to see her again, to hear her call me by my name. Gilles...

[He was the eccentric, chatty one whose eyes she had to flick to get him to settle down!

Of course, he looked a lot different, then, when he was young and handsome.]

[puppy_lancer]

Yeah, Gilles...

[He can recall hazy images of a tall guy in armor. About him...hovering around a lot. Though...his eyes didn't bulge so much. At least, Lancer doesn't recall them bulging.]

Glad the meeting went well for you guys.

[monstrueux]

[It's true, they didn't bulge back then!]

It did, she has forgiven me my trespasses like a true saint.

[puppy_lancer]

Ah, like a Saint, huh?

[He chuckles nervously.]

She's literally one, you know. Even has the ability.

[monstrueux]

I know! Judas told me! She is now regarded as a saint, as she should be!

[He frowns.]

Yet that does not change the fact that they burned her as a witch.

[puppy_lancer]

Well, it was complicated. Things like war and politics. I don't think the people who burned her really had God on their minds.

[monstrueux]

[Gilles is silent for a moment. He frowns. He looks deeply offended.]

I know the politics involved very well! I was the first of Charles' knights! And I know quite well why they burned her.

[puppy_lancer]

Really?

[He wonders if he'll regret asking.]

Then...uh...why?

[monstrueux]

[Gilles pulls himself up to his full height. He blinks.]

Because they did not love her, as I did. They did not love God. They loved their power, and their wealth.

[puppy_lancer]

Sounds right to me. They probably got punished by someone for their greed. Somehow.

[monstrueux]

Do you think that is so? I am not so sure. The world is too cruel. I saw no evidence of such. The good are not rewarded. The unjust are not punished.

[puppy_lancer]

Yes, I think that's so. And I know I can make it so.

[There's something more serious, more determined, to his expression.]

After all, I'm a hero.

[monstrueux]

But they lived and died, and there was no justice. Jeanne was murdered. No one was ever punished for her death. That cannot be changed.

[puppy_lancer]

Well, then, that's...tough.

[He's got no answers for this one.]

[monstrueux]

Yes, the world is cruel, in truth. I entered the Grail War to save Jeanne, and again I died, without ever truly reuniting with her.

[puppy_lancer]

Now that's terribly harsh.

[He closes his eyes, remembering all the stories he's heard about the Grail War.]

It seems all the wishes made during the Grail War just go sour.

[monstrueux]

Yes... When all I wanted was for her to live again. I had no other wish.

But I have been reunited with Jeanne and my Master here, so it is as if my wish has come true in this place!

[puppy_lancer]

Nice. Sounds like you really like the Master you ended up with.

[monstrueux]

Yes, he's wonderful, beautiful, the best Master I could have hoped for. I feel that we were meant to be together. Not even time or space could keep us apart. Now, even after we died together, we are brought together again! There must be some meaning in that.

[puppy_lancer]

Yeah, I guess there must be. This place is just full of second chances.

[Unless you're Lancer. Then you keep blowing your chances.]

[monstrueux]

Yes! I have received a second chance, I am truly fortunate. Now I can redeem myself, and I can spend more time with my beloved Master and Jeanne. I never thought that I could be so fortunate!

[Gilles is enjoying the Tower immensely.]