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

[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.]

[puppy_lancer]

I've heard a lot of people say that, actually. Be careful, though. Jason month next month.

[monstrueux]

I am not worried. Every moment I spend here is one I should not have been able to experience, so I will not complain of any anguish or depredation!

I am more concerned for my Master. I do not wish him to be unhappy. He has been here a year without me. I must make up for my absence with all my love and devotion.

Now we may have what seems like a lifetime together! When we were able to spend a mere few days in each other's company, in the war. But those were some of the most glorious days of my existence.

[Gilles is temporarily forgetting that he's supposed to feel bad about all the murders. He does! But--Ryuunosuke...]

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer, on the other hand, is blissfully unaware that Gilles is in fact talking about MURDERS.]

A year? And he didn't get any other Servants? You're lucky.

[monstrueux]

[Enjoy that blissful ignorance while you can, Lancer. In retrospect, this conversation will probably make Gilles look bad, but he doesn't realize it, because when he's thinking about Ryuunosuke, he's less conflicted about his acts, just as when he thinks about Jeanne, he's more conflicted. He's just going to go ahead and gush about Ryuunosuke.]

Of course! Why would my Master ever take another Servant? You do not understand. We are fated. Our souls are matched. Our bond goes beyond that of merely Master and Servant!

[Also, it's likely no other Servant would want Ryuunosuke, but Gilles doesn't consider that!]

[puppy_lancer]

So...like lovers? Or brothers? The type that can wait for each other however long?

1/2

[monstrueux]

[Gilles goes still. For a moment, he stares at Lancer, wide(r) eyed, in shock, as if he's said something momentous, unbelievable.]

2/2

[monstrueux]

...!

[Finally, he makes a muffled exclamation, still staring.]

Lovers--! Do you think... I could be in love?

[This idea hasn't occurred to him before.]

[puppy_lancer]

Well, yeah. Anyone can fall in love, can't they?

[Lancer finds the way Gilles stares at him very, very unsettling.]

[monstrueux]

Even me, even after so long?

[Sorry, Lancer, he's surprised!]

I had not thought of it. I had thought such things were behind me.

[puppy_lancer]

Of course. Even you. If you completely leave behind love, then you'll just end up lonely.