estoria | [open] i am sixteen going on seventeen

Entry tags:

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.]

[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.

[. . . . . . 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...]

[He supposes that he did steer the conversation away that time fairly quickly. IV dangles the lion by the ring attached to the chain.]

It's got a chain, doesn't it? Then it can go on just about anything.

But why a lion?

[Which is precisely the point she was trying to make. She is unprepared for the question though, since . . . she sort of randomized everything and didn't exactly know he'd end up getting this particular one.]

There were all sorts of animals. They were cute.

[Is more of a reason required?]

. . . But you know, the mane does kind of remind me of your hair.

[Coming from Leia's, it's reason enough. IV turns the ring again and watches the accessory twist with the motion.]

You know, the lion is something like a motif of mine. My trump card is designed after one.

...?!

[Her eyes light up at that. She only meant it as a sort of joke, but actually . . .]

What? I didn't know that! [Though there are a lot of cards he still hasn't shown her, so it's not terribly surprising. With increasing interest:] What is it?

[Despite the request, IV doesn't reach for his pockets. He rests his hands on his hips, voice light.]

It would have been better if I could show it to you. Unfortunately, I don't have it with me.

Oh . . .

[Leia has no reason why that would be, but his tone is sad. She looks a bit disappointed, but ends up smiling again with a shrug.]

Well, that's okay. You can just tell me, right?

[He supposes. Really, the magnificence of Destiny Leo requires a visual presentation. With neither the card nor a duel disk, however, he settles for Leia's suggestion as he looks away, conjuring the image of the monster in his mind while returning the keychain to the bag.]

It's a leonine monster that was shaped for my use; I'm the card's first owner. Do you remember the show put on by those students from You Show? Destiny Leo is an Xyz monster . . . and my strongest.

[There sure were a lot of flashy lights and monsters for that show. Leia perhaps doesn't remember as much as she should, though she's surely got notes somewhere on the whole performance.

She remembers the term Xyz, though. Totally enough that she nods.]

Destiny Leo, huh? "Destiny" . . .

[And it was shaped for his use, in the form of a lion?]

So you believe in that kind of thing.

[It's almost ironic after that argument he'd had with Ryouga in their final duel. At the same time, that memory is what compels IV to answer as he does.]

What, destiny? . . . It depends. I don't believe in destiny that people make for themselves as an excuse. That happens more often than you might think.

[She . . . doesn't understand. It's clear she's hit on some kind of chord though, so of course she'll follow up on it in her own way.]

Then what kind of destiny do you believe in?

[IV's smirk takes on a more sincere turn, if by a small margin. It's a personal subject, but he doesn't mind so much.]

I believe . . . in the kind of destiny you control. It's your future. Why should you let it control you? That's why my trump card is called "Destiny" Leo.

[Leia picks up on the sincerity both in his expression and tone. Though it's such a subtle change, it's a rush to see. Honesty. An open door, a crack in the walls.

She decides she likes his answer.]

Seems to me like you don't really need it. We have a great future.

[At least, she's willing to fight for one, with him. No matter how terrible CERES has been, she won't let the colony go so easily . . .]

Maybe that makes me your trump card now. [Did she really just say that with a straight face? No. No, she didn't.]

[Did she really just say that with a straight face? IV stares, as though he wants her to say more, and then chuckles. Nothing about what she said makes him inclined to reply with "no."]

You, my trump card? Well, I suppose it's fine. The spot is vacant right now.

[ . . . Didn't Yuuto tell him that people were being turned into cards? But this is nothing like that. This is sweet and closer than anyone has ever been with him.]

You "suppose" . . . How convenient.

[Leia playfully crosses her arms, studying his reaction before her eyes start to follow the gentle swing of the keychain. She learned something new about him today, and she has luck to thank for that. Faintly, she wonders if giving him the bag with the lion was 'destiny' in its own way.

But that's silly.

After her own presents are squared away again--literally--she'll finally start to lead them back to the table where the food is.]

Then I suppose we should get to celebrating, now that I have twice the reason. I mean, that did really happen, didn't it . . .

[She trails off in mumble, looking over everything; yet as her eyes move, it seems more and more like she's just looking through without actually seeing.]

"That"? Ah, you mean this.

[With that, he takes her by the wrist – gently – to lead her the rest of the way to the table, where he stops them before what's left of the cake. He helps himself to two plates and passes one off to Leia.]

If you're having that hard of a time believing it, I'll even pinch you.

--?

[Leia eyes widen, looking at the hand wrapped around her wrist before she's pulled along. She gasps, but otherwise doesn't resist much; and when he offers her the plate, she'll take it, still a little dumbfounded.

. . . Then she cracks a smile, finally opening the cover on the cake.]

Then if I wake up, I'll know exactly who to come after.

[She'll be mad! She playfully balls her free hand into a fist to emphasize the point.

. . . She'd be sad, too.]

[IV takes the knife and begins to cut two slices for each of them, Leia's being a more generous helping. He scoops the larger slice while motioning with his chin for her to lift her plate.]

That's right. You'll have to come after me for your special fanservice.

[How odd it is to flex that word again. How odd that it's been so long since he's said it on a repetitive basis. How odd that it has nothing to do with a duel.]

[That's what she gets for dawdling too long. He beat her to the punch, or in this case, the cake. Some host she is!

Oh well. Without really thinking or noticing the size of the cake slices, she lifts her plate obediently when it's offered, looking eager. She has to laugh, of course, careful not to drop her plate--because there's that word again.]

Sounds like a challenge.

But . . . I already have my prize, right?

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