[open] i am sixteen going on seventeen

[journaler]

Who: Leia & OPEN.
When: 3/7 IC
Where: The gardens
What: A birthday nearly forgotten.
Rating/Warning: Nah.


a.) i want to play a game (text)

[After the heavy damage and loss, Leia's practically made it a routine to help out where she can: the school and the apartments especially. She knows how important the Residential District is, though she'd be lying if she didn't spend her fair share of time at the Game Center, too.

On the seventh, it's no different, though she finds a slightly different way to help than the usual.]

hey!! （‐＾▽＾‐） wow, everyone's been working so hard lately... look how far we've come! don't forget to rest. if u need a break, stop by the gardens this afternoon for a surprise!

it's also my birthday, if youre into that sort of thing.. but you'll have to find me first (○ゝω・○)ﾉﾟ+.☆ see you there!

- leia ☆

b.) it's a trap! (action)

[For those intrigued enough to come, or even just passing by, they'll find that the gardens aren't quite as pretty as they were before. Nevertheless, the amount of collaborative work so far is obvious. New flowers are budding, pathways repaired, and it's all good enough for Leia. She doesn't need anything elaborate like Natalia's party was; this will do.

A long picnic table is set up, and on top of it is food. Three large pizzas with various toppings, all kinds of flavored chips and dips to go with them, and at the center of it all, a mysterious cake that doesn't actually say anything about her birthday. Predictably it's chocolate, with your standard frosting, decorative flowers, and only two words on its face: "Almost There." Next to the cake is a large knife for cutting it, as well as paper plates, plastic utensils, and a small note propped up like a name tag.]

Need a break? ♥
[. . . but where is she? Feel free to set off to find her, or simply mingle among yourselves and enjoy the free eats.]

c.) where's waldo? (action)

[Deeper into the garden (but not too deep), it won't actually take too long to find Leia; it might just take a little effort. If your character is the type to look high, they might spot her in a tree (don't be surprised if she falls out of it); or for others who want to stick to the ground, they might notice a fast-moving shadow move behind a tree, or a rustling of leaves behind one, if it's particularly big.

If she knows you, she might just might pop up in front of you to yell "BOO," just for kicks. So much for the chase.

Be creative! Or let me make shit up as I go. Your choice. Either way, any characters taking this option will receive a little something for their troubles.]

d.) walking on the wild side (any)

[Anything goes! I'm very flexible and open. You can catch Leia as she's setting up the table(s), or assume she returns to the table(s) after most of the food is gone, etc. if either of those options appeal more to you.]

(( ooc: just a note that leia probably won't be able to reply to option b! it's mostly for mingling purposes if you want it. ♥ ))

Comments

[journaler]

[With increasing excitement, she takes the brooch out to examine it, seeing the pin on the reverse side. A notebook and pen . . . She gasps, expression bright.]

It's so gorgeous! I can't believe it . . .

[Annnd stupid question incoming.]

Can I put it on now?

[particularity]

[Her gasp and her expression is the most rewarding thing he could've asked for... Hinata's probably wearing a dumb, pleased look on his face. Don't mind him.]

Of course. I'd like to see you wear it.

[journaler]

[She's quick about it when she gets his approval. Beaming, she tugs at her jacket collar on the opposite side of her pink heart pin (where there's plenty of space), and she attaches it proudly. The brown backing of the collar makes the brooch stand out, just like it should, while the golden shimmer plays off her yellow jacket perfectly.

It looks like it belongs there.]

It's like a journalist's badge.

[That's a thing now. She says so.]

[particularity]

[Hinata seems oddly surprised when she says it, and then he laughs--]

I thought the same thing, when I saw it.

[He nods firmly, though, his sign of approval.] It looks great, Leia. [And, in a more relieved mutter:] I'm glad.

[journaler]

Me, too.

[She's feeling pretty lucky to have Hinata as a friend right now; which means she'll really have to return the favor when . . .]

...Hey. When's your birthday, anyway?

[particularity]

January 1st.

[With a quirk of a smile-- ie, his birthday passed not too long ago. Well, having your birthday on New Years isn't something he'd call the greatest, but it really was nice this year.]

So, it's not for a while yet.

[journaler]

. . . That means I missed it!

[NO, THAT SUCKS... but then again, she remembers that week between Christmas and New Years' well. Between the snow, the killer elves, the killer reindeer, and the killer Santa, there probably wasn't much to celebrate, and that only makes her feel worse.

Especially when she remembers that she actually woke up on January 2nd.]

But... New Years' was kind of weird this year anyway.

[She frowns. What an understatement.]

[particularity]

Yeah, it was... my friends planned a party for me, but they had to have it a few days after my birthday because of what happened.

[He remembers it well as well... but, there doesn't seem to be anything in him that looks back at it badly. Honestly, it was the best birthday he'd ever had regardless.]

But, it was still a lot of fun. I had a birthday in the place I was before, too, but I missed that one completely.

1/2

[journaler]

[The Wrights had to do the same thing... though, instead of a birthday, it'd just been a New Years' party. Either way, his words are enough to reassure Leia; though she sort of wishes she could have been there for him.]

That's good. I mean, that you didn't miss it again. [Rude, Haven.] I'll make up for not being there next year, or . . .

[journaler]

[Wait a second.]

Oh! I almost forgot.

[particularity]

[??]

Forgot what?

[journaler]

[She reaches into her purse, searching for a while before pulling out a small bag. It's not as shiny as Hinata's paper, but it actually looks like a small present nonetheless.

. . . More accurately, a goody bag of sorts.]

I put something together for the people who set out to find me. It's not much, but hopefully you like it.

[Inside, there are handmade bookmarks, chocolates shaped like coins wrapped in gold foil, and adorable keychains shaped like various animals. In Hinata's case, there's a dog and a cat.]

Thank you so much! [for coming, for everything; but especially the present.]

[particularity]

[Hinata's silent for a moment in surprise as he takes the bag and opens it up and peers inside. Then, he starts to grin.]

You would have little presents prepared to give back to people at your own birthday party.

[With good humour.]

Thank you for mentioning it. I wouldn't have wanted to miss your birthday.

[journaler]

[She takes the teasing in stride, sharing in the good humor. She wouldn't have wanted him to miss it either, if she's honest... so she's really glad, too.]

Did I ever tell you? The calendar we use back home is little different from here... so I actually had to think about when it would be when someone asked me.

[particularity]

Oh--

[He can't remember if she's told him that... but either way.]

Y'know, for all the different worlds that are around, I don't hear that often about different calendars.

[journaler]

[It's not exactly a long story at least. It'd be nice if he had a visual, though... Maybe she should make up some Rieze Maxian calendars when she has the time.

For kicks.]

Well, it's just that our years are a little shorter, that's all. Our months are only twenty eight days long.

[particularity]

Oh.

[He nods. MAKES SENSE.] Our months have different amounts of days... Our only one with 28 is February.

[journaler]

Right.

[She's pretty familiar with it now, though she still forgets the names of the months, and which ones have 30 vs. which have 31.

IN ANY CASE... she doesn't mean to bore him with all that.]

Anyway, now you know. I wonder what makes February so special, anyway.

[particularity]

I wonder too. I don't think anyone has a definite answer.

[With a smile and then he waves with one of his hands.]

C'mon, though-- wanna go and get some cake?

[journaler]

[Forever a mystery.

Oh well. Leia can't exactly say no to cake with one of her good friends. More hide and seek can wait.]

I'd love to! I haven't had any yet.

[particularity]

Then you definitely should, birthday girl.

[TAKING HER BY THE ARM]

[journaler]

[She'll return the gesture and lead him back towards the entrance. Unattended food probably comes off as suspicious, after all; and besides, it's bound to run out eventually if she doesn't keep an eye on it.

Still, she won't worry about that as much now. Instead, after spending most of the day on others, she'll finally settle for enjoying some cake with a friend.

And that's just for starters.]

[particularity]

[Don't think that he's not going to cut her off a piece, either-- because he's sure going to do that when they get back there. Now he has the time to really appreciate her work here.

It really is an impressive spread.]

Oh, why's it say "almost there", by the way?

[journaler]

[Leia certainly seems proud of it. She's all too eager to answer the question.]

It's supposed to be inspirational! You know, like we're "almost there" with our repairs.

...Pretty cheesy, right?

[particularity]

[Hinata starts to chuckle.]

No... well, it might be a little cheesy.

[He glances at her sidelong, playful.] But I like it.