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

[bowandblade]

You are not even doing much wandering, remaining here like this.

[He flicks his wrist as if that would serve as enough of an explanation, taking a sip of his drink before speaking again.]

But you almost seem happy for once. How strange.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Perhaps I have merely found reason enough to pause in my circuit-- conversation that has not yet bored or angered me.

[Hostile Flirtation is infinitely more agreeable. Lancelot considers his wine before answering.]

But my Mood is not so Strange, for my Master is Healed of his Affliction and his Wounds both. He is a whole Man.

[bowandblade]

[A short laugh passes Gilgamesh's lips at the mild answer, and he draws nearer to regard the tall Servant from a closer viewpoint.]

That could easily be changed, with your Master entering the conversation. Last I had heard, he was still without an arm, the sad fool.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[The huff of breath Lancelot sighs in reply is mostly contained by his glass. He is more well-disposed towards Gilgamesh than many here-- even with his near ceaseless hail of verbal slings and arrows.]

Then you have not heard news for some little time-- for as I said, he is Whole. His arm is restored to him as well as his general Health.

His Sadness-- he still has. But despite appearances, Archer, my Master is no Fool.

[bowandblade]

[Archer smiles as his verbal slings and arrows of outrageous fortune continue to earn him interesting dialogue, playing with the cup in his hand as he finishes its contents.]

I will call him as I see fit. One can have admirable traits while still being a fool -- and that is exactly what he is.

[He taps at the rim of his cup with a smirk.]

So what does his good health mean for you, as his Servant?

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[It is useless to take offense with this Archer-- well, much offense.]
If he is a Fool, it is only that his Heart leads him betimes. That is when I Serve him well, for I do not share that Weakness.
But I do Share his Health, after a Fashion-- for it does concern me greatly.

[A faint line appears between Lancelot's brows, then is smoothed away.]
I have begun to tutor him the use of the Sword, in lieu of his Other-- weapons. [After a moment, Lancelot all but chuckles.]
He is an Independent-minded man. His way of going where he will is trying, but I have Sworn him, and will Guard him well in any case.

[bowandblade]

Ever the loyal knight. [Though he laughs, there's nothing particularly unkind to it. He tosses the empty cup over his shoulder to stand in front of Lancelot with his arms akimbo.]

Is that the part of you that earned you the status 'Heroic Spirit'?

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[His relationship with this Archer is an odd one. They each seem to delight in unsettling the other to an outrageous degree-- and yet, they are not enemies as such.

Lancelot treats the shorter Servant to a raised brow in reply.]

My Loyalty... I would say rather that it was my Desire-- my desire to be Loyal above all else. To aspire once more to that perfect height.
And you, Archer? What part of you earned you a place before the Throne of Heroes?

[bowandblade]

[The question is expected -- and the answer perhaps even more so. Archer smiles broadly, proudly as he declares his right.]

I am the King of Heroes. Naturally, I would ascend to the Throne upon the fulfillment of my life.

Ancient Tag: Feel Free to Ignore If You Wish!

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Ah, but it has been my experience that Kings do not so much earn their Honors as accept them.
Though of course, there are-- remarkable exceptions.

[That smile. Familiar, but lacking the cruelty of the Archer Lancelot has known. Still, he feels the impulse to challenge-- and follows it. Albeit with more mischief in mind than malice.]
You have ascended to the Throne, Archer, but surely you do not mean to say that you sit upon it.

Haaaahahaha!

[bowandblade]

[There was that light skepticism -- that not-quite-denial that invoked the need to respond.]

Of course I do! From who else do you think the heroes of the world descended? I am the first, and all who come after are like my underclassmen!

<3!!

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[An incredulous rise of both brows heralds Lancelot's response.]
Were all heroes descended from you, Gilgamesh, surely they would be cast in your mold-- and indeed, this is certainly untrue.

Come, you are remarkable enough, surely, without adding Father-of-Heroes to your titles.

[bowandblade]

[He laughs, tilting his head back with an amused smile.]

If I was not a hero before all of you, there would be no world for you and your heroics.

[Sometimes, the simplest logic could lead to the most confident of expressions. Not that Archer was lacking in confident expressions.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[This earns a huff of breath that could be either laughter or a sigh fromt he dark Knight.]

Last I heard, you were no Creator God and had not made the Wide World itself. A Powerful a King as you might have been, there is more exists in it, and upon it, than was ever contained within your scope, Gilgamesh.