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

[ladyliberty]

I dunno, I thought it was fun.

[bashfulshifter]

[He smiles wide, flushes pink and looks away.]

...S-Sorry...I have to c-c-cook.

[ladyliberty]

Oh, am I embarrassing you now? [Not that he isn't always embarrassed. But she saw that.]

[bashfulshifter]

[It's not like he's hard to read, let's be honest. Rick makes one last attempt to defend himself: ]

--W-What? No, I-- [He lets out a nervous chuckle.] --I-I h-have work to do, I c-can't--

[Rick glances over the snacks table and bites his lip. Everything is in good supply, no major spills or inconsistencies...maybe it can wait. He sighs and turns back.]

...Alright...I-I'll play.

[ladyliberty]

[Yesssss, winnar.]

Awesome! I'll go see if I can find Sealand.

[bashfulshifter]

That s-sounds like a n-nice idea. [Rick reaches out a hand to put on her shoulder and smiles warmly.] B-But...while you're l-l-looking, just r-remember...

[There's an odd pause as he looks her straight in the eyes, unflinching.]

[Suddenly, Rick can no longer contain himself and, with a wide grin, taps Amelia on the arm.]

--You're it.

[ladyliberty]

Oh, I'll get you back for that, you just wait! [Amelia laughs as she disappears back into the party crowd.] You wait!

[bashfulshifter]

[Rick folds his arms and watches her leave. He's waiting, but...still have some work to do in the meanwhile. Food could always use rearranging...]

[bydefacto]

[And then Sealand arrives back with Amelia, smiling when he sees Rick by the food.] Hi! We're playing tag again?

[bashfulshifter]

[He nods and grins.]

B-Better run, then--she's it.