[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]

no waaay! intruding how? you're invited o(^▽^)o
we all need breaks sometimes, so please consider it

(there's free food!)

[So she didn't really want to spoil the last part because she wants her setup to be a surprise! But. Well. Sometimes she's just not great at keeping a lid on things. (She does when it really counts.)]

[hoasen]

[Oh no this surprise! Except free food really can seal deals...]

Perhaps I will come then! But as it is your birthday and you are offering free food, what present would you like in return?

[NO REFUSALS.]

[journaler]

[AGGRESSIVELY REFUSES]

oh no! u don't have to get me anything ^o^ i would feel terrible, i dont even know ur name yet!

[not that she would know what to ask for anyway...]

[hoasen]

[GASP!!! But seriously she would want her to ask for anything!!]

It is your birthday, so you are deserving!
My name is Vietnam. I apologize for not introducing myself before, Leia!

[journaler]

[ALAS since Leia is from Rieze Maxia and not earth, she does not recognize the name as a country. She's definitely glad to know it either way, though.]

that's ok! hehe, i should have asked you sooner （⌒▽⌒ゞ it'll b really nice to see you in person, vietnam
i don't want to trouble you at all tho!

[hoasen]

[Makes this easier for now! They're just gonna be gal frands!]

We will meet each other very soon then. I am looking forward to meeting you in person and wishing you a happy birthday properly.
It is fine! I can always get it on the way.

[journaler]

aaaaa thank you... (●⌒∇⌒●)
see u when u get here!!

[FIERCE GAL PALS. In the meantime, Leia kills time by surveying the gardens and making notes in her notebook. Occasionally, she'll check her CereVice...

She hadn't planned it, but giving hints to her location might not be a bad idea, for those who text for it.]

[hoasen]

You are welcome, I should be thanking you again for inviting me!

[AND HECK YEAH, FRANDS!!!

SOME TIME LATER, she's at the gardens now, but here's the thing, where's the party.

Maybe double check.]

I am at the gardens now! Which part of it should I go to?

[journaler]

[Leia ponders what to say for a moment. She doesn't know what Vietnam looks like, nor vice versa, but it seems like a challenge these two are more than welcome to face.]

if u passed the cake & food, ur coming in the right direction! :) feel free to enjoy it. i'm a liiittle deeper in ♥

[hoasen]

[That's right! She could ask for a photograph or send one (despite prefering not to have her picture taken), but being here already, she's sure she'll find Leia and the party soon enough.]

I think I see it! [Don't mind her sampling one piece of food. Okay, no more sampling! Keep moving. Once she moves in deeper, she starts looking around to find the birthday girl.]

Leia?

[journaler]

[She doesn't respond! Sorry. She does hear her name though, and her guard spikes as she's suddenly alert, looking around somewhat desperately from her hiding spot. she doesn't recognize the voice. is it someone who saw her text?

She shuffles quietly to another tree . . . but not that quietly.

Leaves rustle and crunch in her wake. Or was that the wind?]

[hoasen]

[THIS IS MYSTERIOUS! Was she in the right place? Perhaps she should message her again?

She takes out her Cerevice anyway, to check for replies.]

Hmm...? [Until she thought she heard something, and so creeps over...sloooowly.]

[journaler]

[The tree is big enough that when she creeps over, Leia is able to quietly shuffle around to the other side. She hesitates for a moment; usually she'll only do this to friends as a joke, but oh well.

. . .]

Boo!

[She pops out behind Vietnam!]

[hoasen]

[There's no one? At least that's what she noticed when she looked around the tree. HMMM.

She should try her cerevice anyway--]

...!

[NEVER MIND! She was mildly surprised, jumping slightly.]

Goodness! [And she whips around to see a girl behind her.] Leia?

[journaler]

[There's a laugh.]

That's me! Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[And now that that's out of her system, she takes a breath as the laughter starts to quiet. Her smile lingers.]

That makes you Vietnam?

[hoasen]

[She smiles and laughs softly. She normally doesn't get surprised that easily, but look what happened!]

You certainly caught me! And yes, I am Vietnam. It is nice to meet you in person, Leia! [And look as she lifts up a brown bag. There are also flowers sticking out!] This is for you!

[journaler]

[She gasps, noticing the flowers right away as she accepts the bag. She can feel the weight of something else in it (she thinks), though she doesn't seem to pay attention to it just yet.]

They're gorgeous! Oh, thank you.

This means so much to me.

[That a stranger would do that . . . She knows she didn't have to!]

[hoasen]

[YES good she notices a weight. But first, Vietnam looks pleased that the flowers are well received.]

You are welcome. And it is no problem, really. Again, you extended your hand. I hope you like the gift too, as I am unsure what you like.

[So she just bought what she thought would be useful? Which is a blank paper journal and fancy pen, because sometimes writing it all down by hand is more relaxing than typing.]

1/2

[journaler]

[. . . Oh, right.

She looks sheepish at that, laughing just a bit at herself as she remembers Hinata's words from earlier. There's something inside, too.

Leaving the flowers as they are, she'll reach into the bag.]

[journaler]

[. . . !!!

She gasps, twirling the pen around, and turns over the notebook in her other hand.]

Wait, how did you know I write?!

[hoasen]

[Here she is waiting with bated breathe--

...wait?]

Y-you're a writer? Goodness, I was incredibly lucky!

[journaler]

A reporter, actually! Naturally, writing and penning stories is an important part of that.

This is great!

[She's excitedly flipping through the blank pages of the notebook. Even if she already has plenty, there will never be such a thing as enough, or too much.]

[hoasen]

Oh! A reporter! I was purchasing this gift hoping it will be practical, it seems that I did even better.

[She smiles, looking relieved.] I am glad.

[But wait a minute, now she thinks about it...] You right for the Cerealia Times?

[journaler]

[Waaay better! Leia's even more excited, if that's possible, at the recognition.]

That's right! Myriam works really hard on it, and I do my best not to let her down. She took it really hard when the flood kept her from printing the latest issue . . .

[Poor thing.]