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

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji hisses in pain, then looks back, glaring angrily. He'd like to talk to Nesir a bit more, see if he can calm her down and help her understand his position, but it's dangerous for him to try to fight any longer.]

I'm not going to argue with you any longer. We did what we thought was best, even if there wasn't a perfect solution for a place like this. Now, let me go. I don't want to hurt you, but if you keep threatening me I might have to.

[culbutiri]

[She chuckled and stepped closer] What will you be calling your big light addled friends to be beating me up? Throwing me in a cage?

Do that be what you do be planning to be doing with everyone who you do no be liking or agreeing with?

threajack if nobody minds

[puppy_lancer]

[Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Lancer happens to stumble on this not so intimate scene.]

Woah, Ryoji, got another admirer there?

[He doesn't see the threatening signs...yet.]

I should warn you, little lady. Ryoji here already has a girlfriend.

[notsogrimreaper]

L-Lancer-san! She's not...

[Well, they did kiss, but that was Sephiroth's fault. It's not important now, with a knife currently being pressed into his gut. He'd transform and get out of this situation, but hopefully she won't try to stab him in front of Lancer.

He frowns slightly at the mention of Yukiko. It's been a while since he discovered she was gone, but it still hurts.]

She's not my friend.

[culbutiri]

[Her eyes blazed as she turned on the newcomer, knife pressing tighter in case Ryoji got any stupid ideas about escaping.] And I do be betting she do be being a stupid hypocrite too.

[She glared at them both, glad that Ryoji hadn't tried to insist they were friends. She might have agreed to get along with him but that was before his friends had ganged up on Sephiroth. He had said he had understood, that just like him she was fighting for what she believed, and to protect those who believed the same as her.

But it turned out he couldn't even stick to the side he had ill-advisably chosen.] We do no be being friends and it do no be being any of your business.

[puppy_lancer]

...Wait, so if you aren't even friends, why are you at his birthday party?

[Lancer tsks his tongue like he's chiding a child.]

And even if you aren't friends, you only stay in this party if you play nice.

[notsogrimreaper]

She must have found out about it. We used to be friends.

[He turns to look at her as well as he can, giving her a frown that isn't really angry or hateful, simply sad. He had been hoping that this time around things would work. He didn't realize going after Sephiroth would upset her.]

Nesir, I'm not a hypocrite. I really did want to be friends with you.

[culbutiri]

Because I do be going where I do be wanting. [She glared at him and then back at Ryoji] You do be being a hypocrite, and you do no even be knowing it. That do be making you a stupid hypocrite.

[puppy_lancer]

You can go wherever you want. But I can also throw you out if I want.

[There's the slightest hint of a growl in his words.]

And Ryoji is a good kid. give him a chance, alright?

[notsogrimreaper]

...She won't listen, Lancer. She doesn't care if I'm 'good' or not.

Nesir... I want us to get over our differences. I know we keep trying and failing. But I've never done anything I thought would upset you. I made a mistake, and I'm sorry.

permission to do whatever to stop her

[culbutiri]

[Her glare deepened] Oh and saying sorry do be making everything right and be making everyone forgive you?

Well then I do be being very sorry for this. [She brings back her hand, and drives it forward, planning to stab him for real this time.]

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer moves so quickly that he becomes a blur. One hand lashes out and grabs the wrist of Nesir's knife hand in an iron grasp.]

I think you're leaving.

[The killing intent he projects is stifling and might paralyze a human in their steps.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji struggles and eventually wrenches his arm out of Nesir's grasp, stumbling away nervously.

Nesir, just go, okay? Neither of us want to hurt you. And it was an accident, unlike you trying to attack me...

[culbutiri]

[She is frozen, and she hates it. Anger builds inside her and yet she still can't move. She bites her lip to stop herself screaming in frustration, they would mistake it for fear and she would never live it down.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Having determined to linger and wait for his Master, Lancelot drifts silently through the crowd, lost in his own thoughts, unresolved questions from his conversation Diarmuid ua Duibhine revolving in his mind.

His reverie is broken by an isolated tussle-- familiar voices tight with anger. Nesir Aeser's and Cu Chulainn's in the main.

It's merely an instant before he appears at Nesir's side. He imagines she has given Cu Chulainn some offense. He can sense the Prana flaring in the other Servant.
Ryogi he sets aside for the time being.]

Cu Chulainn. What is it that goes amiss here?

[puppy_lancer]

Lancelot?

[Lancer's killing intent dies down somewhat as he looks toward the other knight.]

Not much. Just breaking up some conflict and escorting a troublemaker out.

[culbutiri]

[The terror lessens enough for humiliation to take hold, especially when Lancelot appears. She can move now though and she tries to tug her arm free] Be letting go of me!

[notsogrimreaper]

He'll let you go when you leave here!

[He doesn't mean to sound harsh, but he's upset that other people are being lured here by the commotion. He just wanted everyone to enjoy the party.]

Ancient Tag: There Are Not Enough Apologies for Letting this Fall Apart Over the Holiday.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Troublemaker, is it?
[Lancelot raises a brow in response, turning his gaze temporarily on Ryoji before speaking to Nesir.]

It could be your lack of courtesy blinds you, but she hardly looks willing to remain in your company. Perhaps if you loosed her, she would leave of her own accord.

Shall we go together then, Nesir Aeser? For I tire of the Crowd.

[puppy_lancer]

Sure, if you'll take her. Watch out that she doesn't stab you, though.

[He slowly loosens his grasp on Nesir's wrist.]

[culbutiri]

How can I be leaving before you do be letting go of me. [She rolled her eyes but shut up so Lancelot could speak, still embarrassed but nodding.

She glared at Lancer and Ryoji, jerking her wrist out of Lancer's grip with far more force than was necessary.] There do be being no reasons to be staying.

[notsogrimreaper]

Okay.

[He stands away from Nesir, watching her. He doesn’t look frustrated any longer, just sad that it came to this. Sad that she didn’t have a reason to stay. Maybe if things were different, she could have enjoyed the party as well as everyone else.]

I’m sorry it came to this, Nesir. I didn’t want you to hate me.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Though his attention shifts to Nesir, Lancelot's first words are for Cu Chulainn and Ryoji.
I will accompany her, yes-- and as I hold that Actions speak far more Loudly than Words, I have to need to Fear her Wrath or Blade.

[Giving a nod to Nesir, he takes his hand from off her shoulder.]
By your leave, then, for indeed, my business is done here.

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer nods.]

Go, then. And please, keep her away until the party is over.

[He reaches to pat Ryoji on the back.]

Come on, let's go. Lancelot's got this

[culbutiri]

[Nesir just glared at both Lancer and Ryoji, hating them but not willing to fight them and make more of a fool out of herself in front of Lancelot. She didn't reply to Ryoji's words just turned her back and followed Lancelot out of the party, holding her cloak around her and shaking with rage.]