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

[notsogrimreaper]

Oh, you have a Master too? I didn't realize... what is he like? I hope he treats you well...

And it's hard to explain... if we went by how I look, then yes, if I had a true birthday, I'd be turning eighteen. But I've only had a physical presence in the world for about eleven years, and I had a human form for only about a year. And then if we count spirits, I've been alive for too long to count.

[Ryoji flushes, and laughs sheepishly.]

S-Sorry, I know that's really confusing. I didn't want to get into it but it seems that I can't stop myself from talking too much today.

[He's just excited! And so he's starting to reveal things that would be better kept secret.]

Ancient Tag: Feel Free to Ignore If You Wish!

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Indeed, the being that looks to be a boy is a veritable well of information. Lancelot raises a neutral brow in reply.]
Understandable, surely, as you are being feted with such fanfare.

I myself am older past counting than the age I appear to be-- as is Cu Chulainn himself. As is any most any other Servant you might know. Though we did have human lifetimes, more or less, when we did live and have human form.
To a Servant, this is not confusing.

As to my Master, he is my boon companion, and I am his. Mayhap you have met him. He is a slight man, until recently white of hair and much scarred, walking with a limp. But he has been healed since-- though I do not know who by.

Never ignoring!

[notsogrimreaper]

Yeah, Diarmuid explained some of that to me before. That you lived an original life and then were brought back to fight in wars. It sounds cruel, for you to be brought back from death like that, but it does make sense, at least.

I don’t think I recall meeting anyone with that description… but I’m glad he’s been healed properly.

[Lancelot sounds as if he cares about his master greatly, and Ryoji is happy to hear that. They must have a good relationship. Ryoji finds it regrettable that not all Servants have the same luck.]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Diarmuid ua Duibhne made the same prayer as I, or any other Servant. That we might find Fulfillment in Victory once more.
It is true he had poor luck in his Master, by all accounts-- but if he thinks of The Throne of Heroes now as cruel, I do not.

Do you know of many Healers in the Tower, then?
Or are most of your-- acquaintances of a more martial turn.

[notsogrimreaper]

...I disagree with you. You lived your lives once. You fought bravely, you found victory, and then you died. Death is meant to be the end to a story. There is no need for any master to bring any of you back to fight a war you should not be part of.

[But Ryoji tends to be defensive when it comes to death. It’s only natural for him. He tries to change the subject.]

I don’t really pay attention to what my friends are good at. My girlfriend was a healer, but she’s gone now. As for my other friends, I think most of them are fighters. A lot of them can really do both, honestly.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Was she, now? I wonder did she speak of those she healed in this place-- for my Master has been healed of his afflictions, but I do not know by whose hand.

It is a difficult and dangerous thing, to set the boundaries of another's Need.
Diarmuid ua Duibhne might feel differently, and have just cause, but I am loyal to my Master, and his desires are mine.

[notsogrimreaper]

No, she wasn’t the kind of person to do that… she was humble. I’m sorry I can’t help you figure out who healed him.

[Ryoji frowns. He shouldn’t argue with him any longer. He wants to defend Diarmuid, but he doubts the man will listen to what he has to say.]

Then that’s just the way you feel. I won’t judge you for it.