Happy Birthday, Senku!

[fun_thementalist]

Who: OTA
Where: Dining Carriage
When: Jelly 4
What: Prompts are under the cut. Create your own top levels! Tag around! Get more points!
Warnings: more cake than the recommended serving size

Birthday Prep! (OTA except Senku)


Setting up food!

Plenty of people have offered to bring a number of treats - cookies, savory dishes, snacks ... Gen was placing a half-sheet cake, decorated with planets and with 'Happy Birthday Senku' written in frosting on the table. He looked quite pleased with himself, and would help lend a hand with other food.


Setting up decorations!

There were roughly a hundred origami stars to fold, which Gen would spend most of his time doing, especially if he didn't have any help. But after, he'd be stringing them up all around the dining car, creating an effect like a starry sky from the ceiling.


Setting up party favors!

Then, of course, there were paper flower crowns to fold. Gen had no idea how many people would end up coming, so he wanted a fair number - any extras could sit in the Arms Band or up his sleeves as part of a surprise to spring on people later. You never knew when you needed a paper flower crown!


Setting up the escape room!

This is really what Gen hoped he'd get the most help with. He only had so many math tricks up his sleeve, and he was very certain that Senku knew them all already. At least Nita would be lending a hand! Otherwise, Gen was sure any room he'd make, Senku would solve in minutes.


BIRTHDAY PARTY

Greetings!

Gen would greet the newcomer with a bright smile and an origami flower crown - placed right on their head! He'd direct them to the food, and let them know of the escape room upstairs. Have a lovely time!

Food!

Cake! Cookies! Popcorn! There's some spicy, savory food that's been made by other passengers, too. But hey, at least take a slice of cake. That's what this party's all about!

Escape Room!

Featuring math, puns, and clever little questions fellow Voidtrain passengers could come up with. Of course, anyone can enter and leave as they'd like, but perhaps if they look particularly stuck on a problem, another person could help them out?

Birthday Boy!

Somewhere in this mess, Senku would be available to chat with. Probably. He's not really expecting a party, or gifts, or even a kind thank you - but all would be appreciated.

Comments

[adregem]

"Huh?"

It doesn't occur to him, lost in his own storytelling as he is, that the paper crown has taken shape. There's barely any pressure on the top of his head, until his hand reaches for it; immediately, dialing back on the initial force of fingers gripping to hold, revealing the ornament in perfect form. Roland studies it with a sparkle of interest, growing stronger the more he realizes none of this was made without any sort of template to lead. Inigo just came up with it on the fly, folding origami like he's been doing it all his life. They were just taught how to make stars, not...not a perfect replica of a crown.

Roland meets his eye, smiling warmly. Inigo was a marvel of creativity, and he held no reservations in making sure he knew about it. "It's beautiful. You're amazing as always, Inigo. Thank you." It doesn't have much weight to it, so removing it from his head is easy; accomplished with but a simple tilt of his head to the side, plopping it back on his hand. He looks so pleased with it that he stares at it for a few more seconds before it disappears into the safety of his Arms Band.

A palm meets where his heart beats against his chest in soft rhythms, content and filled with affection.

"I'll cherish it. After all, there's no better recognition than the one that comes from someone you love. What you've bestowed on me will always be kept safe."

And that goes for more than just the origami, fairly obvious with the way he reaches a hand out to grasp at Inigo's twice as if to express himself further, with less words, the silence bearing volumes of how Roland feels. He's too lucky. This isn't what he signed up for, yet here it is bearing down on him in spades. He tries not to think if he deserves this or not; a thought too common between them that it's easily pushed aside to be unpacked later.

"Guess I'm the new Ghost Hunting King, eh? Heh." Roland adds, chuckling low.

[flatteries]

It feels a little silly, almost. That Roland decides the things Inigo makes for him are precious enough to be stored away like that, kept around. And Inigo knows the other keeps himself to those words too, that he doesn't just throw away the things when Inigo isn't looking. He saw Roland pull those flowers from the island out again, after all. There's no doubt in Inigo's mind that his little papercraft - just a little silly crown - will have the same fate, just lingering in there.

But he's trying to not be dismissive of other people's words, even when they're hard to accept. So he just smiles, shyly, before quickly starting to fold more paper stars. Doing that is easier than letting his thoughts wander here and there.

"Well." Inigo pauses slightly, but then breathes out, trying to relax instead of lingering in his flustered state.

"I do know whose help I am going to ask for if we ever end up needing to deal with ghosts on a mission." Just saying! Because then Roland can live out his ghost hunter movie dreams!

[adregem]

"Oh no. Me? What have I done, hehe." Roland's smile is almost boyish, leaning forward slightly as the stars in his sights are beginning to take a neat shape like the crown he had just received. Just because he loved the Ghost Hunters didn't mean he could actually take on the supernatural on a real mission...but he's not about to openly admit that reluctance to his adopted pup. Instead, he expresses himself as if it was a joke to ride on.

"I'll need the proper gear, of course. The Blaster Gun and the Trap Door into another ghostly dimension. Scary, right? Creepy? Can I rely on the bravery of Inigo to help me out if that ever happened?"

Seriously, please train. No horror missions, that's not his favorite genre at all! The Ghost Hunters was actually a comedy!

[flatteries]

"Of course. How could ghosts be all that bad when you have the proper equipment to deal with them?"

Ghosts certainly aren't a thing that frightens Inigo. Well, not in battle, anyway. It's not like they'd be very different from the Risen - people who have already died, but somehow are still around to fight.

So he shakes his head with a laugh, apparently entirely unafraid about the possibility. He isn't even worried, and that's saying a lot when it's Inigo of all people.

"As long as we aren't dealing with bugs, I will be right by your side." Because if bugs are going to be involved, he will instead be behind Roland's back hiding, okay.

[adregem]

He knows exactly what that means, and even if it's packaged as a joke, Roland is certain Inigo will be totally useless against bugs. He's seen it for himself. Rats he can deal with. Risen, sure. Zombies are nothing to this brave boy - though that's a dark thought for a different time. But what about, and this is something Roland postulates with an expectation of what Inigo might say back:

"God forbid we run into ghost bugs." A beat passes. Then, "I wonder if fire will affect ghosts? Or will it pass right through them?"

Roland chuckles immediately, reaching out for Inigo as if to comfort him from across the table with two squeezes to his hands before sitting back down.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Don't panic. Those don't exist."

'...at least, I don't think they do.'

Should the next mission have floating, transparent beetles or something as enemies, Inigo knows precisely who to contact over the SCA's to scold. Thanks for jinxing it, Roland.

[flatteries]

Roland is laughing.

And squeezing his hands.

And saying that he's kidding.

But does the man truly think that any of that is going to help? Oh no. It sure isn't. Because Inigo is sitting there across the table, and his face is absolutely as pale as a sheet. Nothing Roland says can make this okay. Because now Inigo has got ghost bugs on the brain, and if there's anything he's learned during his stay on the train, it's that anything is possible. Anything can exist.

Even ghost bugs.

"F-- Fatheeeeer....."

Look at that pitiful whine. Look at those actual tears that are appearing in Inigo's eyes. It's as if Roland somehow set off a toddler, rather than a near full grown seventeen year old.

[adregem]

Nothing, eh? We'll see about that - !

Usually, the tears would be enough to spur Roland into more serious action. On a regular occasion, he would already be trying his best to calm him down with a frown on his face, all serious and worried. But today, today in the midst of a birthday party, after sharing a part of himself that he didn't think anybody cared about, let alone would remember, Roland is a partially changed man. Today, he removes himself from the other end of the bench, tucking himself immediately to Inigo's side with his arms wrapped around him, hugging him close. But Roland is chuckling, his smile warm and open.

"It's okay! I'm sorry, I won't joke around like that anymore. I'll beat those nasty ghost bugs for you, okay pup? I'll be your shield. Don't you worry, they're not going to come get you."

Then, he plants a kiss with closed lips against the crown of his head before he rubs Inigo's arms up and down, hopefully to curb the tears already falling on his face. It's something to behold, now that Roland knows precisely how to deal with Inigo when he goes just a tad bit too far. Hopefully, his pup forgives him for this travesty of nightmarish creepy crawlies! Right after having cake too, the nerve!

[flatteries]

Thankfully Inigo doesn't seem mad at the other at the slightest. Even though Roland is the one who brought up the terrifying idea of ghost bugs in the first place.

No, he's just sad. And scared. And being overly dramatic about it, but why wouldn't he be when he feels like he can just totally be himself around the other? Knowing that he can get away with sniffling over something as ridiculous as ghost bugs, and that Roland will comfort him, rather than ask him what's wrong with him that he's acting like such a baby?

So at the familiar affection - the hug, the kiss in his hair, the rubbing on his arms - Inigo just feels himself leaning into the hold, against Roland, and sniffing a few times.

Still being overdramatic. But at least the crying stops pretty quickly, considering he's not that genuinely upset.

"Do you promise? You can't let a single one of them near me..!"

Are you locking yourself into this contract, Roland.

[adregem]

Locked and loaded, baby let's do it, Roland knows the law.

"I promise. Cross my heart, hope to die. Not a single one shall harm my Prince Inigo as long as I live." The dramatics is deliberate, but Roland hams it up for Inigo's sake too. There's not even a hint of mocking in it; all in good-nature and fun, though nothing about his declaration says that Roland won't do it if it ever came to that. Ghost bugs or ghost anything, he's ready to hack 'n slash away if it means Inigo will be safe.

That goes for any type of nasty thing, anyway. Such is the promise made and kept throughout their time in the void, and even beyond it.

"If I fail in my task, then take my paper crown off and grant it to a man more worthy of your trust! Heh." He laughs quietly, breathily into Inigo's temple, before pulling back, rubbing at the back of his neck. "Sorry. I'm getting carried away, huh?"

[flatteries]

He shakes his head. Instantly. There's no beat being missed between that last thing Roland says and that slight gesture on Inigo's part, his overdramatic freakout from a moment ago easily discarded as instead a smile plays around his lips.

"Never apologize." Look, Roland doesn't need to give Inigo the whole accountability talk this time, okay. Although he may still be pretty biased in never blaming Roland for anything ever. But in this case - there's definitely nothing to blame him for.

Even as Inigo lets go, turning back towards the paper and starting to fold a new paper star.

"I like that side of you." And though it's such a simple thing to say, something about the way Inigo says it, emotion flowing so naturally in the boy's voice, he sounds so genuine. "It's those little quirks that make us people! You're not just some cutout of a stuffy old man, father."

Which is why he likes it. Roland's dorkiness. The way his eyes start to shine when he indulges in his little hobbies.

[adregem]

Roland smiles, casting a palm out to Jumblie so she can rest on his hand. She does so happily, squealing loudly as she settles down, sat and swaying to invisible wind.

"Do you now? Well, thank you."

It's not obvious with the way he responds, controlled and collected as one might have Roland be at all times, but he feels incredibly relieved when they say things like this to him. He's had to be a Role for a long time, and it's the purpose of his life without question; but there are other sides of him that had to be sacrificed in the process of growing up. He was always the youngest, the smallest, the one with the baby-face who people called an upstart until he could prove himself on the big stage. There was no room for his love for movies, or stories, or hobbies that had nothing to lend to an ailing nation.

Yet here, here he is welcomed just as he is, when his façade breaks for a second and his entirety is seen for who he wishes he could still be. It's a bridge he's long crossed, but from time to time, the validation feels nice. The affection and acceptance is...nice.

"Teach me how to fold something. I wanna learn from you. I like knowing about the things you're good at too, pup." Such fondness overflows, urging him to slide out of his bench in order to sit directly next to Inigo, asking for some space. Is it a tight fit already? Sure. But neither of them mind the proximity, and never have. Jumblie settles nicely on his shoulder instead, popping in and out of existence until she comfortably sits there in content, higgledy silence.

we can probably wrap it up and have it fade out here, i assume! c:

[flatteries]

There's a mumble, something along the lines of "well, I don't know about good.." But it's all that Inigo leaves his usual self-depreciation at. He can realise this isn't really the time for it, no matter how hard it is for him to accept Roland's compliment so easily.

Maybe the best he can do is just to go along with it. Especially since Roland's interest seems so genuine, all pressed up close next to him now Inigo has scooted over so the man can sit down next to him.

"Um, what should I help you learn.. Oh, here, let's keep it a surprise until you see the end result. You just take a paper, and then start folding here.."

It's nice, just sitting here together like this. He could keep explaining this to Roland for hours, even though he knows they'll eventually go back to folding more for Senku's birthday.