[1 open prompt, party closed]

[blitzcheer]

Who: THE LADS LADS LADS (1 prompt open to everyone on the train, rest is closed to lads night gang: Taiki, Inigo, Tidus, Lan Sizhui, Wen Sizhui, Dennis, Lea, Quatre, Senku, Gen, Seto, Yugi
Where: 1st prompt anywhere, the rest in fancy meeting room
When: Llama 18 (June 4-5)
What: Time for a hang out with some lads that's also lowkey a birthday party. For two guys whose birthday it is not. You don't make the rules.
Warnings: nothing, this is a party for soft boys

[ GLAZED CUPCAKE FOR ALL; who are not lads or too old ]

Today is a special day, even though one could say it's technically not. But Tidus, as he does, has decided that today is the birthday of Taiki and Inigo, and this has led to a rather curious sight around the train... of the three boys carrying around vegan glazed cupcakes. With sprinkles.

Well, some of them with sprinkles. The others have names written on them by first time ice-name writers, which is sure to be a beautiful sight for those who receive them.

But before they may be close inspected, there's a call made by the guy in front of the trio: Tidus, using his forever loud mouth to make an announcement through every carriage they enter with people:

"Heeey-ey! Freshly made cupcakes for people who want 'em! Give Inigo and Taiki here a happy birthday and get a cupcake! It's their birthday present to the rest of the train!"

Compared to the blonde loudmouth, the two darker-haired boys look far more embarrassed.

( Note: Those with CR with Inigo and Taiki, expect a cupcake with the iced writing. )

[ LIKE LADS DO ]

"Heyyy, all you you-know-whos for the hang-out today, everything's ready! Not birthday-boys, it's your time to make an appearance!"

Tidus's enthused voice cuts through the ICPs with a sly playfulness, and those that the message is for will know where to go, though perhaps not expecting what they see once they get there. The meeting spot is in Meeting Room C, the comfier of the hire rooms, with sofas, beanbags, a table and cabinets, a TV mounted on the wall and a comfiest not promised in any other part of the train. But all of this? Is currently sitting upon a mountain top, with the view of a tepuis - a flat-topped mountain - in the distance, a lake of clouds between them and it. Mt. Roraima is the mountain, for those from Earths who know their mountains, but don't worry: all of this is coming from one of the holo-projectors procured from the last mission. Alas, maybe the room has some nice air conditioning to complete the effect anyway?

On the tables a plenty of FOOD has been set out, and to start off with, the non-baking variety: miniature chicken pot pies, veggie and bird pasties the size of golfballs, loaves of bread sliced with butter on a dish with a few variety of spreads to choose from. Spring rolls were an option, vegetable steamed buns, as well as the san choy bows, in either mince or mushrooms. Meats skewered with simple herbing, strawberries and cheese too; siu mais with pork and tofu and dipping sauces - though, those were available for all of the dishes.

But let's be real: what kind of party would this be - and for Inigo - if not with sweets? Old-fashioned gyngerbrede, rysschews, dragon's beard candies (of cotton candy around nuts); donated by Dennis, brownies, sugar cookies, and funfettis, with strawberry and vanilla icings. There's a popcorn mix bowl donated by Roland, and juices and wines cover the drinks, with the wines offered by Senku and Gen.

"Thank the Sizhuis, Gen, Senku, and Dennis for helping with the cooking! Couldn't have done all this without them - it was a lot!"

Thanks guys. And through all this MUSIC plays from the speakers, a mix of cultures to go along with the clash being represented here. From more the times of kings and queens, to sounds with a more Eastern influence, and perhaps familiar to some of the company around. But also, those who know music will be very much encouraged to bring their own instruments to give a solo (or more?!) if they will. Tidus will insist, at least before the day - we're looking at you, OG Sizhui and Quatre. And anyone else willing to surprise them.

Because we're all here for some...

[ FUN & GAMES ]

"So some of us know each other, but some of us don't! Let's get to know each other a lil' more, huh? I made flashcards - pick a topic you like, and share it! C'mon! I wanna hear what everyone has to share."

Tidus, ever the voluntary host for the not!birthday boys, also sets out the flashcards - literally just cards where he has handwritten the same topics on the same card, so people get to choose than be forced into a topic they don't like. And these are...

• What's your favourite place from home?
  
• What are you proud of?
  
• What are your hobbies?
  
• Is there anything you'd like to do one day?
  
• What's your dream?
  
• Free Shot: Make up your own subject!

There's also another activity. The main table is cleared, finger food sat on top of cabinets, the fridge, wherever they can be placed to make space.

"Alright," Tidus says with a laugh, "time for more sugar, but we've gotta work for it. Come to the table, we've got a pot here and spoons, and a book for ideas. Sorry Seto, I took a few of your cards for this too!"

What is this? The pot holds a quantity of melted sugar, the spoons nearby to ladle it. And the activity is...sugar painting, where everyone is encouraged to make what they like. An animal? Their name? A fancy symbol? There's a book filled with earth animals available, as well as a few cards borrowed from the games carriage. It's ok, we'll put them back at the end of the day.

Have fun, see if you can get it anywhere close to recognisable. Sticks to press into the sugar designs to hold and offset spatulas to help peel them off from the table.

And why not suggest some fun of your own? Bring Your Own Game, bring your own chaos. Truth or dare? Never Have I Ever? Spin the bottle? Lads, we're getting wild here.

[ IT'S NOT A PARTY, IT'S AN INTIMATE GET-TOGETHER ]
The environment has 'changed' from the high altitude to somewhere closer to ground: a flower field, the flowers multiple and far expanding. The strings from the music player are soothing, and Tidus speaks up, far from unusual as he has every other time:

"Okkay now, it's the special moment! I know we've had a lot of sugar as-is, but one last time! To the not-so-very birthday boys...!"

Tidus comes to the table, sets his hands on the surface, and from his arms bands - but to the viewer, from nowhere - appears a vegan carrot traybake, with a few candles set in. He's taken a lighter from the kitchen and starts to light them up, explaining as he does:

"Someone told me that where they're from, you put candles on a birthday cake and the birthday guys make a wish when they blow them out. Sooo...!"

He turns to the pair of the party intimate get-together, grinning.

"You ready?"

There's sure to be plenty of leftovers for this party, but that's fine - people will be encouraged to take some, even to share it with their own friends.

(please, there's so much food. so much)

Comments

( closed to inigo, tidus, & taiki; early that morning. )

[adregem]

'Hiiig!'

The morning is met with the distinct squeal of a higgledy. Whether the sprite chooses to stay on the floor or to dance atop their beds for attention, they will come regardless, unable to leave until Inigo, Tidus, and Taiki rise from their slumber. The little ones don't talk quite as much as they normally do, but they make a good enough ruckus all the same. In each of their tiny hands, there is a card folded in fours, elegant despite the creases against the page. Two come for the roommates, chasing each other in circles, while one wiggles to invisible wind by the foot of Taiki's bed.

When approached, they still themselves and offer the writing, though none of them disappear or are dismissed. They wait patiently, moving closer to the hatch of the door. Each card reads simple, unsigned with no name: 'Happy birthday. If you start with the right morning, you'll carry the mood all day long. See you by the Quiet Car, second floor.'

Though it presents anonymous, the swirl of letters in perfected script can only really indicate this came from one person. The procession proceeds accordingly, when they are ready to move. Assigned higgledies salute them by their ankles before disappearing into the hallway moving up to their destination. The three may even meet up somewhere along the way, the train's narrow paths finally of some practical use. The higgledies too, join a chorus of their own making, waiting in beats and pauses if the boys linger, or rushing ahead if the pace is quick.

Regardless of the journey to get there, they will converge in one spot as promised in each card. A corner booth of the Quiet Car is obscured from the inside, unable to peek through opaque cloths that color it like a private room. Nobody need knock however, as higgledies in formation climb on top of their shoulders, one after the other, to open the slide.

Roland is crouched over the table in preparation, but greets them with a smile as soon as their eyes meet. "There you guys are," he says jovially, stepping away to the side of one bench. "I was about to use the ICP. This stuff can't get cold, you know. Heh."

Inigo, Tidus, and Taiki will be greeted with a decorated enclave made up of spare pieces of floral cloth Roland was able to keep from his time on missions and buying gifts periodically on the train. The light is soft enough that the morning is not made garish, and the table is spread with a variety of breakfast items that could make a man full from look alone. On one end of the table, small bowls of yoghurt, blueberries, strawberries, syrup, sprinkles, and whipped cream line up to the centerpiece: a full stack of souffle pancakes lay in fervent wait to be devoured. Roland adjusts the plate out of habit, and it jiggles almost precariously off its own tower, raspberry and white chocolate dripping down the sides temptingly. The opposite end of the table contains the same amount of fixings except of the subtle changes in color - vegan versions of condiments that usually contain dairy or animal oils. The second stack of souffle pancakes also jiggle when moved, the only difference being the berries are mixed with those from Jema'grethy as well; a subtle break in the monotony of red, pinks, and blues.

Juice canisters came with his meal set, so Roland sets those out to the end of the table, four empty glass in formation.

He's rather self-conscious about all this, but to his credit, none of it shows. Instead, Roland gestures to the food with a subtle flourish of his arms outstretched, before they fold back, crossed over his chest. The higgledies jump along, dancing elegantly so as not to touch the confectionaries already set out, and rest on his head, his shoulders.

"Can't start a long celebration without fuel. Happy birthday, guys. Come on, I'll wait your table."

Then, he can give the rest of his gifts one by one.

[flatteries]

Inigo expected absolutely no part of this.

Sure, he does know about the party, considering how Tidus came up with the idea and the two of them talked about it - but he doesn't really expect anything to happen first thing in the morning, even when the mastermind behind all of it is very easily thought of, somewhere between the fact that it's higgledies waking them up and then the handwriting on the card.

But he has no idea of what surprise Roland exactly wanted to show them until the three of them arrive at the carriage and see the full spread of food. It's beyond anything Inigo could have imagined, and it's why he just freezes up as he stands next to the table, looking at all of it with his jaw hanging open slightly.

There's so much. And it all looks so good. Briefly he wonders if this is how Tidus felt when Roland and Inigo made that meal for him - but Inigo is pretty sure this breakfast looks so much better than that seafood meal they made.

"I, uh.." Inigo starts, but then realises he feels way too surprised and flustered to really say anything. So he just shuts his mouth again before moving to sit down at the table - okay, okay, maybe he realised he was kind of holding all of this up - with slightly pink cheeks.

"Did you make all of this, Roland..?"

[10billionpercent]

Cupcake & Gifts

When he received a cupcake with his name on it in frosting he couldn't help but offer a small smile. "Thanks."

It was a birthday and because of that, Senku would be very polite and eat his cupcake, even while being watched.

"I have presents for the two of you from Gen and I."


Food & Music

Aside from the cupcake and the birthday cake, Senku will keep away from the sweets. He would however make sure there are a couple of bottles of wine and a few bottles of cola at that, both of which he can get more as needed, he kept those supplies well in stock in his arms band.

At the suggestion of music, Senku responded not with an instrument but with a flash drive. "I can play some of my world's music if you want."

Fun & Games

"What is my favourite place?" Senku mused to himself. "The observatory, actually, where I happen to live at home. Living in an observatory is pretty much the best thing, because normally you don't get to do that, and I can get away with it about eight months of the year." Now might be as good a time as any to get to know him.

Perhaps no one was more interested in the art project than Senku. It might seem strange since it was both sugar and cooking but he was eager for the challenge. Senku was not only incredibly steady with his hands and used to intricate work, he could actually draw and what he was working on was what looked like a tree with intricate branches. He was focused at first but finally he noticed his audience. "Want me to make you something? I'm not going to eat it."

cupcake & gifts

[flatteries]

While Inigo is more than happy to hand out cupcakes - and watching people eat them and hopefully enjoy them, thanks for that, Senku - he apparently didn't quite expect more out of all of this.

You know, despite it being obvious that birthdays come with birthday presents. Inigo didn't see it coming at all, considering it's not like this is his or Taiki's actual birthday party.. hence why he looks kind of stunned for a moment, until his facial expression melts into something a bit more flustered instead.

".. Presents? Really?"

art

[blue_ice]

Kaiba had shrugged a shoulder when he noticed the borrowed cards...that was fine. As long as no one dared to drip sugar on them. As a preventative measure he'd taken out his duel disk and placed the offered monster cards on it in 2D mode, creating bigger projections of the illustrations so multiple people could look at once.

As he loaded the images, he turned to Senku, hard at work sculpting a...tree? From memory.

"Huh. You're really a jack of all trades, aren't you."

cupcake handing out, open to all non-party-goers

[flatteries]

Inigo was really banking on this being a lowkey sort of thing.

He'd just go around, find the people he was planning on handing out cupcakes to, and then be done with it. Because making people happy is great, but getting a ton of attention? Not so much. No matter what he may outwardly pretend, on the inside Inigo is just a shy kid who really doesn't want to be the center of attention.

So when Tidus yells for people to come get happy birthday present cupcakes from Inigo and Taiki, Inigo just about wants to sink into the floor.

When he's approached by a friend, he'll smile, but there's definitely hints of his face starting to turn red as he quickly holds out a cupcake.

"U-Uh, don't mind him too much. Here."

Your name is on it in icing.

Except Inigo started with the first letters being way too big, so you may recognize the first two letters of your name in huge font, with the rest of your name in tiny script behind it, barely fitting on the cupcake.

[sos_pilot]

Della has amusement written all over her face. She calmly walks up to Inigo, taking the cupcake and giving it a lick before she finally says something.

"How old's the big boy now?"

[adropofsunlight]

"I didn't know it was your birthday?" Says the girl who was meant to wait for her birthday for a day, but it's now turned into six months and going. The concept of time if strange and Rapunzel finds it hard to keep track.

"I should have gotten you something. Maybe I could use the fabric I have to make you a shirt or something."

[goingthroughaphase]

Honestly, Kitty herself has done worse with a cupcake, so she doesn't mind her name looking a bit funny.

"Thanks," she says as she takes the cupcake with a bright smile. "But I had no idea it was your birthday! You should've told me!"

[longforgottenpromise]

Cupcakes for all

Taiki is indeed very flustered but he is hiding it well as he carries the tray of cupcakes around. The cakes iced by him are very neat, the names written in a curving style.

He too had thought that this would be low key. He liked the idea of giving out cupcakes to his friends and everyone else on the train. He hadn't expected Tidus to parade them around.

Maybe he should have. He smiles nervously. "Please help yourself." A formal nod as he holds the tray out.

Like Lads Do

Taiki had never had a birthday party before. Or perhaps he had, back when he was a very small child but too young to remember. It's not even really his birthday and he is incredibly overwhelmed by all the effort Tidus has gone to.

But it's for Inigo as well and it's easier to think of it that way. Inigo surely deserves a day such as this. So Taiki is as determined as Tidus to make it a good one.

Still he is sat with a plate of food, looking around at the projection of mount Roraima. Everything is delicious and he has a small smile on his face as he eats a vegetable steamed bun.

Fun and Games

He has never done anything like sugar painting before, but he loves the concept the moment it's explained. He is currently deep in concentration painting small creatures. He has a smile on his face. This is a lot harder than actual painting and it's not as neat, not by a long way.

But he's far from the messiest so he doesn't feel too bad.

Get Together

He had mostly... mostly... kept it together through the day. He had gotten overwhelmed a few times at the shear kindness of his friends but tears filled his eyes immediately when Tidus brought out the cake.

It's far too much, all of it. But he reaches out for Inigo's hand as his other hand reaches up to wipe the tears away.

(OOC: Or wildcard! Go for it!)

like lads do

[blitzcheer]

"Now this is the kind of cooking we should get around here, huh?"

Tidus is taking this eating opportunity as one to scoot up close to Taiki, not even bothering to take off the clothes he wears with the rest of his fancy outfit as takes off a piece of cheese from one of the meat skewers (hey, got to have some dairy in there too!).

"If the train fed us like this, I'd grumble way less! Hahaha, psych."

Tidus will never log off, he will never stop complaining!!

Fun and Games

[agoodsoul]

Dennis felt kinda bad that he hadn't really introdyced himself yet, but he'd been focusing on Inigo at first. Now seems like a good time as ever! Gotta make friends with the other not birthday boy.

For a second he's just observing Taiki, he's doing a great job, before he tries his own hand at it. He's definitely not the best at this, but its just about having fun yeah?

"Think yours look more like animals than mine." Is how he decides to break the ice.

"Taiki, yeah?" Dennis smiles, "M'Dennis. Kinda surprised ain't met you before, since I've been dragged about by those two knuckle heads." He'll nod over to where ever Tidus and Inigo are no doubt stuck together at the hip.

get together

[flatteries]

It's a lot. Inigo understands. He's feeling extremely overwhelmed right now too. Seeing Taiki as the center of attention is great, but when it involves Inigo himself too, it's a little harder to deal with.

But on the other hand, the fact that he's sharing this with Taiki makes it a lot easier to deal with. He can't cry if Taiki is crying and Inigo is needed to make sure his friend doesn't get overwhelmed! So even though he has the exact same reaction as Taiki inside of his heart, he manages to surpress any urge to cry by force, instead smiling as he squeezes Taiki's hand and leans a bit against the other's side.

"Here, here, I'll help." His free hand reaches over to join in on wiping away Taiki's tears. "You're just so happy that it's overwhelming, right?"

Cupcakes

[sevenyearsasleep]

"Oh! Happy Birthday!" Link smiled at the other boys, taking a cupcake. "It's nice of you to think of the rest of us."

like lads do

[blue_ice]

Seto crouches near Taiki as the party begins, smiling faintly. They didn't do too badly setting this up.

"Happy...well, happy not-birthday. How are you?"

Like Lads Do

[10billionpercent]

"Hey. Happy birthday." Senku said as he moved to sit next to Taiki for a moment at least.

"We got you a present." Well, two, actually, as two bundles came out of the arms band in his hands.

Senku offered them to Taiki.

cupcakes for all

[wenyuan]

He gives a formal bow when he brings the cupcakes around.

"Thank you, Taiki-gongzi," he says softly.

Sizhui looks over the cupcakes.

"Which would you reccommend? I don't think I've had these before."

Tidus | OTA

[blitzcheer]

1; playing host

Thaaank you for your appearance on this wonderful occasion!

[ Is there something up with Tidus? Is this what he thinks being a host means to a lads birthday party? It might be easy to dismiss first, as Tidus, dressed up in medieval-esque clothing from the world of Irivar, stops to give a tiny head bow and wave of his hands with every person as they arrive, nevermind if he was grabbing food or messing with the music.

But then it continues on, the same gesture to said foods given with a tilted head and a very respectable, ] Can I interest you in good food from lands far away? [ a grin never far from his face. ]

Take a seat, don't mind the space. Are you scared of heights? I promise we won't let a thing happen to you! We're in Taiki's domain, after all - he'll spread his wings and scoop you up!

[ Please, Tidus. ]

2; entertainment

[ Along with the set out entertainment, Tidus has also brought some extra reading materials, dropping them onto the table, but then with each one- ] Hey, who wants to read the gossip from world number forty-five thousand and two? [ or ] Hey, Seto, you can get some ideas from this one! When're you and Yugi making us some sports games?

Dennis, you look this good fighting fires? Hey Senku, this is the book for you! Quatre, think you can make us some race cars?

[ It's all said in good fun, and the books are free for anyone to take a peek through if they like. ]

b; [ And he also takes part in some of the actual planned entertainment, particularly the sugar art. Oh, he's got this one in the bag!! And he's taken a particular card to use for his designing. He's seen these guys in person, he can sugar draw these easy!! ]

Careful....careful...! Slloow...!!

[ Behold.

His amazing art. ]

3; to the birthday boys

[ Tidus won't interrupt anyone that wants to say or do anything once the cake is presented, but he will take his own time to stand, bring attention to himself fairly easily- ]

Hey, before we tuck in, I just have a few words I wanna say.

[ He takes a spot at the now front of the...flower field? You know, wherever is the best spot to face everyone. ]

First, thanks for everyone coming here. I know it's easy to trick you all with food, [ a joking grin, ] but really, I appreciate it. We don't make choices about where we end up in life, but - we don't make choices about the good memories we get out of it either. We get them from the people we meet, and you can find good times even in the worst of circumstances. So, what I'm saying is... well, thanks.

[ Hah- his expression turns sheepish. ] Guess I already did say that, but...

[ But. Anyway. ]

I put together this party - with a lot of help, [ he doesn't forget to add, nodding around the room, ] because Inigo and Taiki haven't been able to celebrate their own birthdays in a long time. Their story isn't for me to share, but they've had their own hardships on and off the train, and so I really wanted them to experience something for themselves. Something normal, something fun! Because they've been the two biggest supports for me ever since I arrived on this train myself.

[ His gaze has landed on the pair by now, a smile drawn warmly across his face. ]

You two find it hard to give yourself any credit, but... you try, you work hard, you do whatever you can, even when times get tough. You think about others and you want what's best. And as inspiring as being selfless is... I hope I can teach you both to be a little more selfish sometimes. That it's okay to be. To treat yourself. To love who you are.

And... [ he slows, trying to think of the words; planning never really his strong suit, and this no different. ] Thank you. No matter what happens - thanks.

[ /end sappy ]

4; leftovers, end of party

Uggh, please take some cake and everything else with you. There's no way we're gonna be able to eat all this! Inigo eats too much sugar, here, take two slices!

[ Tidus will give an unfortunate?? fortunate?? soul two slices of the oversized traybake birthday cake. There's so much...food and drink left... how does this happen! ]

3

[flatteries]

[ The fact that Tidus has something to say isn't so surprising by itself.

But the sheer amount of sap in the speech is, especially by Tidus standards. Not that Inigo has never seen him this sappy before, but.. right now? In front of all these other lads? It's something else entirely, and he finds himself smiling and flustered at the same time. He can see the eyes on him, and Inigo quickly ducks his head with a blush on his cheeks, making sure to hold on to Taiki's hand the whole time.

But once it's over - after they've blown out the candles and had some of the cake - Inigo is sure to seek out Tidus in the room, throwing his arm across the other guy's shoulders to drag him closer. ]

Sheesh, what was with that whole speech?

[ His intention is not to make fun of Tidus though. Inigo still looks a little flustered even now, but he's smiling. ]

You just about killed me back there. I was dying! Dying!

cupcakes

[creepyoldguy]

Beetlejuice took a cupcake and sniffed it, before cramming it wrapper and all into his mouth.

"Gongrats on mot buyin' amover yeah," he said around a spray of crumbs and demon spit. It was what breathers said to each other on birthdays, right? Essentially?

He swallowed the confection and beamed. "Wow! Free snacks without poison or horse laxatives! Nice!"

[blitzcheer]

...Yup, this train has all sorts for sure.

"What kind of events do you go to?" is maybe an appropriate question after a remark like that.

inigo | ota for the partygoers

[flatteries]

[ Considering it's a special party, Inigo has decided to wear a special outfit. Usually he doesn't wear his outfit from Irivar much around the train, too selfconscious because of the fact that everyone wears different (read: modern) clothes, but today can't hurt. And in said outfit he can be found all over the party: ]

( a. foot )

[ He can be found staring at the holographic projection. He very much knows why this mountain-with-clouds view was chosen - that's exactly how Taiki described things being like back in Tai. But while that's one of the thoughts going through his mind, it's the other one that he voices out loud, sheepishly smiling at anyone nearby: ]

I'm so bad with these things, you know? It's since you can't tell if it's real or fake! It feels like I could take a few steps and walk right off the mount-- [ He does take a step right as he says that, managing to hit the wall with his foot.

Inigo quickly grabs said foot, wincing. Aren't you happy to be at a genius' birthday party. ]

( b. food )

[ And of course Inigo can be found all over the sweets. He's got a huge variety of them in his hands right now, even though his mouth is obviously also already way too full with sweets. It's like he's afraid someone is going to eat them all before he can, or something. Or like he's trying to start a sweet speed eating contest. ]

Oh, it's all so good..! [ .. Or, well, that's what he says if you can somehow understand him despite the full mouth. Good luck decyphering that. ] Did you try these yet?

( c. foo... cards )

[ Even if Inigo somehow hadn't known this party was all Tidus's idea, these cards would have driven it home. These are all totally cards Tidus would write, to a point where he can't help but let it amuse him, smiling as he glances at some of them.

If you happen to be holding one of the cards as well, Inigo will definitely come over with a smile, trying to lean over to peer at it. ]

Are you sure your card doesn't say you have to hug the birthday boy? [ Heh!! ]

( d. wildcard )

[ Want to do something else? Write up a prompt, the world is your oyster! ]

Cards :)

[agoodsoul]

[When Inigo tries to peek at what card he's got, Dennis turns and hides it from him, smirking mischievously. It's been pretty easy to be in a good mood since he's been on the train, but fair warning, he's had a few glasses of wine and he's feeling great right now. He peeks at his card so Inigo still can't see it, but at this point whatever it actually says isn't important.]

Actually says here... sing happy birthday to the birthday boy.

[Do they have that song where you're from Inigo? Maybe something similar? Either way, Dennis is moving to sling an arm around his friend's shoulders, pulling him close. He's got one of the wireless microphones in his other hand, where did that even come from Dennis, and turns it on. It makes an unpleasant crackle of an echo at this, but it doesn't deter him.]

Should I get everyone else to sing it with me?

kaiba | open to all partygoers

[blue_ice]

easing in

It would be a mistake to say that Kaiba was unfamiliar with parties. He was! But he'd usually attended far more formal business affairs, held for networking and negotiating rather than this...joy and relaxation. He strides across the room, inspecting everyone's handiwork, and starts to fill his plate. It's very good food.

"My compliments to the chefs," he grins. It's been a while since he last ate this well.

get to know you

Kaiba somehow finds himself roped into the questionaire game after that. He glances at the card, thinks a moment, then answers.

"My dream...I haven't told too many about this, but my brother and I were orphaned as kids. We didn't hold out much hope of being adopted, but when we used to play in the sandbox...we'd build this grand theme park, where all the orphans would get in free.

I did build it once I gained control of my company, and we do host orphans every day. My dream now is to spread that all over the world, and change the laws to encourage more adults to adopt. Too many kids are left behind."

And then, feeling sufficiently embarrassed, he sits back down.

sugar art

Kaiba takes to the art last, and as he studies the borrowed cards...he flips open his belt buckle and withdraws his aces: Blue Eyes. Azure Eyes. Neo Blue-Eyes. Krystal Dragon. He slaps them all on his duel disk, summoning an entire mini-fleet of holographic dragons.

He immediately gets to work trying to draw an abstract draconic form. He doesn't have the skill for something more intricate, but that's okay.

"Here, try drawing these," he encourages passersby. "If you dare."

Really he just wants to see some dragons.

get to know you

[blitzcheer]

You bet he's gotten roped into all the games and fun. And that Tidus is aaalll ears as Seto shares his story, a sad but good-hearted one. There should be no surprise for the eyes on the guy as he sits down, the smile wide on Tidus's face.

"That's great, Seto, you did a bunch of good back home!" Here's Tidus, the positive reinforcement. "And getting into politics too! Is it hard to adopt? What's the deal with it?"

Was there any deal?

Quatre Raberba Winner | OTA

[gundamofthedesert]

Cupcakes
Quatre was certainly pleasantly surprised to see the cupcakes going around to everyone. He wasn't surprised he was getting one since he had been invited to the party, but they were also for everyone else who happened to be around.

"That's very nice of you, making these for so many people on the train."

Like Lads Do
He couldn't help but be thoroughly impressed with the fact that the meeting room looked like it was on a mountain now. He would have to remember about this. Not necessarily for the meeting room since he wasn't sure what he'd really need one of them for, but it was a neat idea.

Of course, he partook of the food, being careful to avoid the options that included pork. The obvious vegetable ones and the sweets were safer options as he didn't want to cause any sort of fuss.

But when it came to music, he had indeed brought his violin so he was more than happy to play a few things for everyone. Of course, he had to play happy birthday as well. Even if they didn't necessarily know it was a birthday song, others might and it seemed almost wrong not to.

Fun and Games
The card that Quatre drew was an interesting one. "'Is there anything you'd like to do one day?' Hmm." He thought about that for a moment. "I'd like to be able to spend a lot of time and see different places on Earth."

The sugar painting thing was not something that he had ever heard of but he was perfectly willing to dive right in and try it. He rolled up his sleeves first to make sure he didn't get anything on them and began to work. He was going to try and make a flamingo.

like lads do

[flatteries]

Inigo indeed doesn't know the happy birthday song, but.. really, does it matter? What matters is that there's nice music at the party, and Inigo is both touched and impressed by people even playing instruments themselves to make some music here - the traditional way of making music Inigo is more used to in the place he comes from.

And so he makes sure to pay attention to Quatre's entire performance with a smile on his face, applauding loudly once the piece is over.

"That was great!" Inigo says as he approaches the other guy afterwards. "Have you been playing the violin for long?"

Yugi Mutou - OTA

[sizedoesntmatter]

Like Lads Do
Yugi stared at the selection that was on offer. It was honestly pretty impressive, but it made it so much harder to make a choice. So he stood there looking over a few of the items, a face of pure concentration as he tried to figure out what to even try.

"Question... how did you figure out what to have first?"

Question Time
Yugi held a flashcard and looked at the question.

"What is the strangest way you’ve become friends with someone?" He paused as he thought about it a bit. He had made a good number of friends, but mostly through just being himself. But would people consider the way they became friends to be strange in itself?

"It...depends on how you define strange." he leaned back ever so slightly "Most of the friends I have made minus a few people have tried to kill me at some point. I also became best friends with someone who once bullied me as well." He makes the best friends really. Plus Yugi trusted them ever after all that.

"But if I had to go for something I think a lot of people would think to be strange then I will go for this. I made a friend who possessed me from time to time. Once I owned up to the fact something was going on, slowly but surely we started to become friends and eventually became one of my closest bonds. He's someone special, but it is still the strangest way to make a friend."

Sugar Art
This seemed like fun. Sugar art. Seemed simple too and Yugi honestly looks excited about it. Even if perhaps his first attempt wasn't exactly a masterpiece. It was even hard to tell what exactly it was he was trying to attempt. Looked like a bunch of squiggles.

But Yugi seemed to laugh it off for the most part.

Yugi decides to add another game
It might have taken the boy a while, but Yugi on looked on proud at what he had managed to do. Papers from his notebook laid about on the floor. What was it, the only way to find out is to ask if one dates.

yugi's game

[blue_ice]

Seto is passionate about Yugi's future as a game dev, so of course he'll approach his boyfriend with a little smile.

"What's this about?" He gestures at the papers.

lan sizhui ♪ ota

[deferences]

like lads do;

[after coming into their designated room, the first thing lan sizhui's attention is drawn to is the scenery; a mountain, so realistic-looking, it's almost as if he can even feel a breeze— oh, it's... only air-conditioning? but you know what, that's absolutely okay! he still finds it fascinating, widened eyes taking it in. he knows from the last mission that holograms are simply fancy light tricks, yet it doesn't deter him any.

in fact, it's a little reminiscent of home if he considers it long enough, and he can't help smiling at the idea, lost in his reverie.

anyone's more than welcome to disturb him though, considering he makes quite the sight himself in his colorful outfit (which has been refashioned with an extra shirt underneath so more torso remains covered), and the moment he's drawn from his daydream, he turns, smile broadening as he asks,] Have you ever experienced something like this?


[whenever they're allowed, he makes for the food, examining everything that's been laid out, doing his best to focus on less sugary things for the moment; some spring rolls, vegetable steamed buns, a couple strawberry and cheese skewers— then dragon's beard candies and a vanilla funfetti cupcake ultimately follow all that since he can't avoid sweets for long, unable to help being drawn to the latter's dazzling colors.

although, if there's something someone wants him to try, he isn't against it! all they need do is suggest an item, he'll nod and reach to pluck it up, giving it a quick once-over before popping the food into his mouth.


perhaps you might even catch him sitting nearby, playing music on his guqin, either strumming a tune that's all-too-familiar for him or maybe plucking a few other random things here and there.]



fun and games;

[the flashcard game seems simple enough. giving each question careful consideration, sizhui decides on what are you proud of? lingers on it far longer than he intends, which both makes him feel delighted and embarrassed. he's sure there is at least one particular thing he can narrow this down to and yet he still finds himself struggling despite answering,]

My friends and family. [a beat] Wait, does that count as two things? Oh no... do I need to decide between them? [hopefully not because goodness, what a conundrum if so!]


[besides the card game, sizhui gives sugar painting a try, glancing over the images lining the table until—] Oh, this one! [and he points toward the peacock, all agog with this new event, doing his best to stand still while its explained what they're doing.

decorating with melted sugar? seems simple enough, sure, but it's really easier said than done, as sizhui experiences when he attempts creating his image and— well, comes up with something that's more comparable to a bird's nest dessert.] Hmmm, [comes a long-drawn-out, contemplative hum.] Maybe the peacock can lay its eggs in it? [look, he's gotta look on the bright side of things! something simpler could be better, so back to the drawing(?) board it is.

aw, a kitty-cat, how cute! but his next pattern will be taken slower.]



intimate get-together;

[with flowers now decorating the room for the final part of this party (and after having consumed more than a few cups of wine), sizhui lets his attention linger on them, grinning dreamily, one elbow propped up, that hand holding his glass while the opposite one lowers so his fingertips can trace along some hologram petals decorating his knee.


however, when tidus appears, produces more sugar that is the traybake, he manages bringing himself upright, steadily moves closer, though not crowding, eyes alight with wonder as the candles are lit.] Amazing, [he murmurs, making certain he doesn't talk over tidus.

but soon the candles are blown out (also some singing has finished? did he join in? it's a little fuzzy right now), he carefully makes his way back and – rather than sit on the sofa this time – plops into a beanbag chair, somehow keeping every single drop of wine in his cup.] I am unsure if I can handle anymore sugar, [is what he says to whoever may be nearest.] Do you think it would seem rude, not eating any of this dessert? Aiyah, I knew I shouldn't have gotten that second cupcake earlier...!

[it'd gone so well alongside his drink, though.]

fun and games

[flatteries]

Of course you need to pick one!

[ They sure look like a duo standing over here, huh. Sizhui dressed like some sort of cyberpunk disco goer, and Inigo dressed up in his own, definitely more medieval outfit. But Inigo isn't really minding any of it - instead he just leans over to look at Sizhui's card, like he's trying to check whether or not it lists the answer as to having to pick one or not.

It doesn't have it on it, but-- ]

A game like this isn't fun if the questions aren't a little hard, right? You think you can do it?

Super late Lea OTA

[hotheadwarmheart]

Like Lads Do

Honestly, Lea kind of needed this. After the unwelcome surprise on the platform, a party with friends was just what the doctor ordered when it came to taking his mind off the situation for awhile. He'd been sure to snag Xion the cupcake with her name on it from Taiki's tray earlier- it would be kept safe for her in the mini-freezer in their room til she woke up- and offered him his thanks then, but now that he was at the party, he was looking forward to digging into some tasty food himself.

And man, was there a lot of it too. There were bound to be leftovers. But that was an issue for the future. What mattered now was what to get. Lea observed the spread, plate in hand, considering. "Hmm... dessert first or main course first?", he said to himself. "The eternal question at a party..."

Fun and Games

Lea was far more drawn to the sugar painting than he was the flash cards, and soon set about carefully tracing the design of his chakrams out in sugar. All in all, it hadn't turned out too bad! The problem however, was that the chakrams had large empty spaces in them. Which make them very cool looking as weapons, but very fragile as sugar designs. "Ah crap... how am I gonna get these off without wrecking them?", he said.

A Special Treat- Closed to Taiki and Inigo

It was awhile into the party- but before the cake had been brought out- that Lea sought out the birthday boys himself, a small cooler in hand. Upon finding them, he grinned. "Hey, there," he said. "And happy birthday! I know we've all had way too much sugar already, but I wanted to give you a little extra treat as a present."

With that he reached into the cooler and pulled out orange ice pops- one each for Taiki and Inigo-, made in the same molds he normally used for sea salt ice cream bars. "They're frozen juice bars. Orange is what there was the most of in stores, but if either of you want to try more flavors later, I can try and get other juices too."

a special treat

[flatteries]

"Hey, there's no such thing as too much sugar!"

Forgive Inigo, he just had to get that one in, okay. It's important to him. If not just because Lea is starting to sound like an old man over here with the mere suggestion that any amount of sugar could be too much of it. That's impossible.

But he will - however - gladly take the ice pop when it's handed to him. Inigo stares at it a little. He's gotten used to creamy ice cream, but he hasn't quite seen anything like this before. Thankfully the description is simple enough even for a mind as medieval as Inigo's own to grasp it.

"So these just taste like.. cold oranges?"