[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]

Once we run out of chocolate.

[Which is probably the most decisive thing she's said all day. Go figure.]

. . . Let's worry about it later.

[rebelia]

You're right.

[Saying that, he turns in the direction he'd come from and starts to retrace his steps to the area with the picnic table.]

The cake was hardly touched when I got to it. Who knows how much you'll have to eat before we get to the cheesecake?

[journaler]

[She follows behind him, shaking her head in a huff.]

No way! I can't eat it all. That's why I have you.

[In more ways than one now . . . Of course, she's still only teasing. It's the only way she's able to deal with this at all coherently.]

It was your idea, right?

[rebelia]

[That's why she has him, among other reasons. Now that they're starting something intimate, IV wouldn't mind eating Leia's leftovers.]

It may have been, but the cheesecake was yours. There's no way we're going to end the day without it now.

[journaler]

[Wow. She can't exactly argue with that . . . even if she wanted to. It occurs to her that she set up most of the food without trying any, so everything about this conversation is enticing.

No, she definitely won't disagree.]

Good thing we have plenty of time.

[rebelia]

We'll make the most of it. [As if to emphasize, IV picks up his pace.] That is, if you don't mind being seen by other party goers. Are you done hiding?

[journaler]

Oh, yeah.

[. . . She speaks like she's just remembering that she was hiding in the first place, and looks thoughtful like she's considering it. This allows him to get a few paces ahead; but she closes the gap again quickly enough.]

I guess I am, for now. Leaving the food unattended probably comes off as suspicious, anyway . . .

[It was supposed to be helpful, but now that her brain is slightly less mush, it's doing the usual thing and doubt starts to creep into her voice. Perhaps she should have just held a normal party like Natalia did... but then, she wonders when anything about her has ever been normal.

She grabs at his hand without thinking once she matches pace with him again.]

[rebelia]

Suspicious?

[He gives her an amused look for that interesting choice of word. More like, he thinks, it'd have driven the attendees up the wall if they had to search for her all day. That thought comes to a startling halt when he feels a hand grasping his, prompting his fingers to twitch.

Curiosity and surprise compel him to check his hand, which he discovers is being held by Leia's. His gaze lingers on the intimate display while his mind processes it, and then he turns back with a faint smile. His fingers close around Leia's hand, completing the hold – a fulfilling gesture he hadn't partaken in in so many years.]

[journaler]

Yeah.

[Without being pushed away, Leia still doesn't think much of it. She feels a warmth close around her hand in return and welcomes it as she explains, a faint smile of her own tugging at her lips.]

People might wonder where it all came from, or if it's safe to eat. Especially with CERES MIA like they have been.

[. . .]

Still, it seemed like a fun idea at the time.

[rebelia]

That may be true, but you made an announcement on the network. If anyone starts suspecting the food after that, it just means they need to pay more attention.

[And if they say otherwise, he'll need to have a word with them. With that said, he moves onto Leia's last comment.]

And it was. [Fun, that is. In a word.] You forced us to mingle with one another. I met someone interesting.

[journaler]

[Did she really do such a thing? She looks amused at the thought, and oddly proud. She always thought he deserved more friends, though she'd never want to force hers on him if he's happy the way things are.

She'll get points for trying, though.]

You did? [She turns to him expectantly, clearly wanting him to elaborate. But then she remembers.] Oh, was it Athena?

[rebelia]

[The question actually confirms a lot for IV, and he nods. He remembers the proud introduction. Cheeky woman.]

Ah, it was. Your "best friend," she said.

I'm assuming she found you earlier.

[journaler]

[He doesn't seem too surprised. Leia winks then, confirming his suspicions.]

Yeah, but I kind of let her cheat.

[She seems almost proud of this.]

I got to scare her though, so it was totally worth it.

[rebelia]

[Hah. Even though he never took the challenge seriously to begin with, hearing that is sweet victory to his ears.]

What, did you tell her where to look?

[journaler]

[Leia shrugs her shoulders, admitting in a laugh:] She asked! So I came out behind her when she got close enough.

["Boo," as they say.]

I should show you what she got me.

[rebelia]

[Nicely done, he thinks. The offer is doubly enticing after that sweet piece of detail.]

She called it "awesome" and refused to show me. So? What was it?

[journaler]

[Aha, that sounds like the Athena she knows. Leia lets go of his hand as they finally approach the tables, and she skips ahead to an out-of-the-way little corner where she's kept her presents hidden away.

Tugging at one bag in particular, she beckons him to come closer as she unravels a white, lacy dress.]

Come on!

[rebelia]

[Oh, they were holding hands, weren't they? As Leia skips on over to the corner, IV wonders just how she'd managed to stash her presents there in the wide open with other people around. He approaches at the gesture.]

Is this it? She gave you a dress, huh.

[He gives the details on the lace a lingering look – simple yet elegant.]

[journaler]

[Magic.

Though truthfully it only looks like a lot because Rock Lee is ridiculous. Anyway, once he's closer, she'll hold it up like one would in front of a mirror, pressing it against her body.]

Mhm! I told her not to, but that's Athena for you. I think it'll look good on me.

[A pause.]

Well, it better.

[rebelia]

[Of course she told her not to, IV thinks. He settles his considering eyes on Leia. Just based on her usual attire, he imagines the dress should be fitting.]

It will. The colors and style suit you. Besides, she wouldn't have bought it in the first place if it won't.

[journaler]

[It's true, she adores the bright colors. There's a bit of a laugh, and she twirls one final time before she seems satisfied; after which she'll carefully start to fold it again, back to the way it was.]

We have similar taste, so the choice was probably natural.

. . . Anyway, she'll be expecting a picture once I try it on.

[But she can worry about that later . . . She turns to IV once it's put away and looks at him a bit more seriously.]

Before I forget, I have something for you, too.

[rebelia]

[IV considers helping her with that, should the timing be right when she decides to do so, but sets that thought aside in favor of chuckling at Leia's serious offer.]

Me? You're doing this a little backwards, aren't you? It's your birthday. You're not supposed to give me anything.

[journaler]

[Too late. She's already digging into her purse, and she pulls out a small bag decorated in gold. With a finger to her lips, she hushes his protesting.]

Shhh. It's my birthday, so I can also do what I want, right?

[She grins as she hands it to him.]

. . . Besides, it's not much. Just a little something for everyone who finds me.

[Inside, he'll find handmade bookmarks, various candies, two colored pens, and a small keychain in the shape of a little lion plush.]

[rebelia]

[Understanding dawns, and IV takes the bag of goodies without further fuss.]

And you're handing it over only now?

[He says in jest as he opens the bag and takes a peek inside. The pens are predictable of Leia. Something else piques his interest, and he slips a hand in to procure the keychain.]

A keychain, huh. I wonder if anyone carries keys here.

[journaler]

[. . . . . . Hm.

She actually hadn't thought of that, which flusters her a bit. But it's not a big deal, right? (Wait, is he complaining?!)]

Well, somebody distracted me. [There's a little huff to her voice, and she finds herself looking away again as she thinks back; but she'll continue anyway:] And it doesn't have to be keys, does it?

[Even though it's called a "key" chain...]