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

[irreverence]

Hmmm, maybe...

[Another press to his cheeks, and then she lets her hands drop.]

But fine, have fun figuring out baking. Try not to burn the kitchen down.

[puppy_lancer]

Hey, I baked cookies once and the kitchen stayed in one piece!

...Mostly.

[irreverence]

[Eyebrows rise, and she cocks her head.]

...mostly?

[puppy_lancer]

Well, some stuff got scorched.

[irreverence]

...are you going to need some help with learning? Or should I assume you want to find someone else so things can still be something of a surprise?

[puppy_lancer]

I think I'll be good. I know some other cooks who can help me learn.

[irreverence]

...you're cute when you're trying to be thoughtful.

[puppy_lancer]

You too. Thanks again for helping me out all these times.

[irreverence]

Well... it might surprise you, but I don't actually mind most of the time if it's you asking.

[puppy_lancer]

Oh? You must really, really like me.

[irreverence]

Maybe I do. [A light tap to his shoulder with two knuckles.] What's it to ya?

[puppy_lancer]

[The look on his face gets more serious.]

...I'm pretty touched.

[When it came to many of the girls, he fancied, he was resigned to knowing that he would probably not the one they would settle on. For even Catarina, he was just out of many. It's been a long time since he's had a woman fall for him both physically and emotionally.]

[irreverence]

[She's just going to pretend that him saying that while looking so serious doesn't fluster her intensely and bring a hand up to the back of her neck, shrugging.]

Well you'd better be. I'm not one much for the whole 'caring' thing, so it's kind of a big deal.

[puppy_lancer]

Yeah...big deal...

[It sounds...pretty close to some things he's heard over women say. Women who later did tragic and stupid things because he didn't care for them in the same way they cared for him.]

[He shuffles around, a little nervous from the memories.]

[irreverence]

[Asagi's good at reading people, so Lancer's sudden nervousness is an immediate and troubling warning flag.

So eyes narrowed, she leans in and asks-]

Is there a problem with that?

[puppy_lancer]

N-no! There's no problem. I won't let there be.

[There's no regretting the past. He just has to work harder for the future.]

[irreverence]

Won't let there be?

[That puzzles her, and she prods at him with a finger, expression obviously confused.]

What are you talking about?

[puppy_lancer]

Just...thinking a little about the past. It doesn't matter now.

[irreverence]

If you say so.

[Another prod.]

But if something's up, you'd better tell me, got it?

[puppy_lancer]

Loud and clear!

[irreverence]

Smart man.

[She pats his shoulder and half-turns then, stretching her arms over her head.]

I'm gonna go start bringing food and stuff up. Have you eaten yet?

[puppy_lancer]

Nah, but I don't really need to. I can wait until the party starts.

[irreverence]

I keep forgetting about your weird magic rules.

[A shrug.]

More for me.

[But she turns to start heading back down.]

Be back soon.

[puppy_lancer]

Of course. If not, I'd be lonely up here.

[irreverence]

[She laughs at that, raising a hand in a wave over her shoulder.]

I know carrying on without my presence is hard, but try and withstand it while I'm gone, puppy.

[And then she's off and down the stairs to start bringing food up.]