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

[oathshackledbird]

Your very loyal Puppy Servant thanks you for sparing some small part of his dignity.

[fionnuisce]

And I thank my eternally loyal somewhat canine Servant for being oddly cute.

[oathshackledbird]

And...those goes the rest of my dignity.

[Diarmuid sighs over-dramatically, though he's smiling.]

Oh well, things could be much worse than you calling me cute.

[fionnuisce]

You poor suffering thing, you. How dare I subject you to such awful slander.

[oathshackledbird]

It's not so much slander when it comes from you, though.

[Diarmuid laughs softly.]

Maybe that's the ear scratches talking...

[fionnuisce]

Oh, are you enjoying it that much? I might be inclined to keep doing it if that's how it is.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid blushes, but doesn't say anything. However, the fact that he is leaning harder into the scratching and his tail again seems to be in danger of wagging right off should tell Waver all he needs to know.]

[fionnuisce]

Heh--keep that up and it really might just go flying off, you know.

[oathshackledbird]

Perhaps it would be for the best.

[Diarmuid gives his wagging tail a dirty look.]

Then I won't have to keep putting up with it giving away my true feelings so easily...

[fionnuisce]

How terrible that everyone should be able to read you as easily as I can. Hm, I might almost get jealous.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid blinks in surprise.]

Would you really? Or are you just messing with me?

[fionnuisce]

Actually...that's a good question. I meant it as a joke, but who can really say for certain?

[oathshackledbird]

[Waver's answer causes Diarmuid to close his eyes for a moment. As he does, his tail slows in its wagging almost stopping by the time Diarmuid opens his eyes again, expression serious.]

Waver, we...should talk, you know.

[fionnuisce]

Why, is there something bothering you?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid isn't quite sure how to react to that question and it shows in how his tail droops and his ears flatten slightly.]

Y-you don't want to talk about the fight? Or what I said?

[fionnuisce]

... [A slightly forced smile twitched across his face at that.]

Come on, I thought we were supposed to be having fun. Did you really want to bring up something like that?

If you're worried about what I might think of you, don't be. I can assure you I'm no pretty sight when I'm angry either.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid doesn't miss the forced smile that crosses Waver's face, but even though it worries him, he does find himself agreeing with Waver's words.]

We are suppose to be having fun, but I don't want you hiding anything from me. If we need to talk...I want to talk. I don't want you to hold things inside unnecessarily.

[fionnuisce]

I know that, Diarmuid. And if we need to, of course we can. Just...don't worry so much about it right this minute, okay?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid still seems uneasy, but he nods.]

Okay, okay.

[He smiles a little sheepishly.]

Ear scratches are more fun anyway.

[fionnuisce]

Heaven forbid we ruin the atmosphere, right?

[you get: ear scratchies.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Yay! Ear scratchies! Look, there goes that blasted tail again...]

Yes, I would rather not. Ryoji deserves to have a good time. Especially, after all he has been through.

[fionnuisce]

Of course he does. So let's save the misery and dramatics for later.

[oathshackledbird]

As long as you promise there will be a later...

[Diarmuid gives Waver a stern look for a moment and then shuts his eyes and smiles, sighing happily. It's hard to stay serious when there are so many ear scratchies around.]

[fionnuisce]

There's always later. I don't plan on going anywhere.

[oathshackledbird]

Good. I would really like these ear scratches to continue for a while...

[Priories. Apparently, Diarmuid has them.]