estoria | [open] i am sixteen going on seventeen

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. ♥ ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ . . . huh. Well, she's still curious, but if she says it was nobody, she'll believe her (for now). She laughs a little. Seeing the present in her hand, she figures out Ryuko means a birthday party. ]

You don't usually have to seek out the birthday girl. [ or guy. ] I just thought it'd be fun . . . I needed to see how much work was left here anyway.

[ She has a notebook in her hand and has been taking... well, notes. ]

Well, in that case, found ya. [ No, Leia found Ryuko... but Ryuko does shove her present at Leia. ]

Sorry if they're not any good. I'm kinda learning... I mean, I'll totally get it if they're not your thing ... But ya better not puke! [ Is she joking? Maybe. She learned to make them for a boy a while back, but he disappeared before he got to taste them, so the jury's still out on these beta cookies. ]

[ Oh... Leia's eyes widen, suddenly holding Ryuko's gift. It takes a moment for the surprise to wear off, but then she melts and simply laughs at her words. Through the bag, she can see that they are cookies. She gasps. ]

No way! I'm going to eat every last bite. Just watch me.

[ Already opening the bag!! And, reaching in . . . wait. ]

You don't mind, right?

A-Are you really gonna do it now?!

[ She's actually kind of embarrassed and really self-conscious about it. Yeah, tough girl Ryuko Matoi. ]

[ Apparently self-consciousness is contagious. Leia hesitates. ]

Well, maybe not all of it at once... but you made it, right? I definitely want to try some!

[ Yes, now. Pretty please. With cherries on top, whipped cream, etc. ]

[ She suddenly feels like yanking them out of Leia's hand and running home with her head down, then firing up the oven and making another attempt at them. This is intense. ]

...
Sure.

[ Why couldn't she just buy her a new notepad or something... ]

[ ......SHE'S NOT SURE AT ALL... that's not okay. It's not hesitation anymore; Leia removes her hand from the bag, for now. ]

Or... I can wait, if you prefer that?

...I should probably wait, huh. [ She won't have any presents left to enjoy or open if she keeps doing this. ]

I don't know...

I never even celebrated my own birthday, y'know. [ So she hardly knows the proper protocol when it comes to someone else's. ] Sorry for makin' it all weird, h-haha...

[ That's... actually really sad. :( ]

It's not weird at all. Don't worry!

[ She tries to reassure her, because it'll take a lot more than that to weird out Leia. Then she continues curiously, since the topic's come up: ]

. . . When's your birthday?

...Is it also weird to say that I'm not sure? My... dad never talked to me much.

[ Wait. . . . What. ]

No one-- I mean, your parents never told you? [ Then her mom...? ]

My dad was a scientist, always wrapped up in his research, y'know? We lived together when I was little, but he shipped me off to boarding school later. He's gone now.

[ Murdered, in fact. The catalyst for Ryuko's exciting tale of bloody revenge. As Leia already noticed, Ryuko hasn't mentioned her mother. That part is a little more complicated, entirely bitter, and probably not the greatest birthday conversation. ]

I-It's okay, though! There is someone back in my world I can ask. Just gotta find a damn way outta this place.

[ Appropriate birthday conversations or not, "he's gone now" is definitely a red flag of sorts not to ask. At least, not now. Someday though, she'd like to know; but only when she's comfortable with it. ]

With the city like this, you'd think there'd be some sort of crack or loophole, right?

[ They should definitely be taking advantage of CERES's absence here . . . but then she recalls what happens to Rei and thinks that maybe it isn't meant to be so. ]

Anyway, don't worry about it. But if you want one, I could totally make one up.

A-Ah, that's okay! I'm... there's no need, really!

[ Truthfully, she doesn't want to turn 18 yet, nor does she want to grow older than that. It's not for vanity or anything, but growing up means growing out of one's school uniform... and she's not ready to stop wearing Senketsu yet. She doesn't know if she ever will.

Senketsu is likely aware of her concerns, but remains quiet... ]

Today's all about you anyway, so... tell me what ya wanna do! Anything, we'll do it! [ Even play hide and seek again if they have to. ]

[ Leia will spare her that, she thinks. Being in hiding is actually pretty boring now that she's taken the proper notes. She can tell something is on Ryuko's mind, but since she seems eager to drop the subject, she'll let her, for now.

She looks a little embarrassed at the sudden declaration, especially considering she tried hard to make the day about all of them. Everyone who has been working hard. ]

Oh, no! I mean, I-- I definitely want to hang out with you, but it doesn't have to be about me.

[ She laughs a bit at the thought. ]

If you're hungry, we could have some cake together for starters. Or pizza, or whatever you like! I tried to get a bit of everything.

Well... why not get a bit of everything, then? [ Pizza and cake combo. Ryuko... ]

And I guess some cookies with it, too. [ She feels a little more comfortable with Leia tasting the cookies now. ]

[ She definitely isn't letting anyone else have any of the cookies, though. They were a gift! But she's definitely okay with everything else. She'll even start to lead the way, ready to come out of hiding for the moment. ]

Alright! Let's do it.

[ Victory fist pump! ]

Oh, yeah, and I have something for you, too!

For me? That's... I'm pretty sure that ain't how birthdays work, Leia.

[ She's definitely surprised, though! Maybe curious... ]

Well, it is now.

[ She pulls out something from her purse after digging for a moment, and ends up handing Ryuko a small but decorated bag, tied off with ribbon.

Inside, she'll find an assortment of candies, handmade bookmarks, little keychains and trinkets--various little party favors. ]

It's just something I put together to thank everyone who finds me.

Wha-- a-are ya sure? I mean, I didn't technically find you...

Of course I'm sure! Go ahead and open it.

[open] i am sixteen going on seventeen

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject