[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

[rebelia]

[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.

[journaler]

[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.]

[rebelia]

[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.]

[journaler]

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.]

[rebelia]

"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.

[journaler]

--?

[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.]

[rebelia]

[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.]

[journaler]

[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?

[rebelia]

[He drops the slice onto Leia's plate and then moves the second slice onto his own. All that's left is to eat the cake, so he turns around to lean his weight slightly against the edge of the table as he handles the fork. The pause in conversation till now has given him ample time to formulate a response.]

A relationship's an ongoing thing. You'll keep on having your prize.

[journaler]

I know how relationships work.

[Leia speaks in a playful huff, forgetting that she'd already taken her first bite. Her words are a bit muffled (though still audible) until she swallows.]

I think.

[rebelia]

You think?

[He pauses as he's about to take the first bite. He lowers the fork, and for a moment he forgets that Leia just demonstrated awful table manners by talking with her mouth full.]

So you've never done this before.

[journaler]

[Whatever!! At least she's reaching for a napkin once she realizes this. Though it might be more to hide her face than anything . . .

She wipes, and does it again even though there's nothing there anymore.]

You mean this whole . . . [dating thing. That has to be what he means, because she's had plenty of cakes before. And birthdays.] Well, no, but I--

[It's too embarrassing to admit how much she's thought about it. She cuts herself off without even meaning to, and suddenly finds herself curious.]

. . . Have you?

[rebelia]

["But I" sounds like her trying to save face, though IV wouldn't have cared if this was her first or fortieth time. And speaking of, this time he takes the bite of cake. He chews, swallows, and then answers in an almost flippant manner.]

There was never a right time. I don't think about other people that way.

[Although very recent developments should show that he's changed that habit with Leia's awkward, indirect confession. He hadn't thought it'd be so sudden, but there's no way he could've just ignored the fact that he cares and she cares back.]

[journaler]

Really?

[Her next bite of cake hangs on her fork as she considers his answer. She seems a bit surprised, but at the same time not entirely so, and the conflict is rather confusing.

She wants to ask, about Ryouga, about Rio. Still, she plays it off for now.]

I'm sure they thought about you, though, Mr. Hotshot Champion.

[rebelia]

[She's taking his answer so considerately. At the comment, IV's lips stretch into a wide smirk once he finishes another bite. He can't say he has anything deep with his fans, but he did and will always revel in their attention.]

Well, I am famous. I'd get all sorts of fan letters every day, and the crowd would cheer louder whenever I showed up.

[Compared to that, the celebrity life in Cerealia has been so dreadfully dull.]

[journaler]

Ohhh. [She can imagine the scene, and in it, he's wearing the same self-important smirk as he is now. Oh, well. He deserves it, she thinks, and someday she'll see it with her own eyes from a front row seat.

She pauses thoughtfully, sticking the fork in her mouth quietly; and after swallowing the piece, she shrugs.]

Guess I'll just have to write a whole bunch of letters to make up for the ones you're not getting!

[jk......... mostly.]

[rebelia]

[If only she knew that his public smile is anything but self-important.]

Do you want me to sign those, too, and mail them back? If all the mail is from you, replying would be easy.

[It's a silly idea, but IV can appreciate the thought behind the joke. When he mentions the autograph, he thinks back to the time they'd watched the sunrise; funnily enough, it feels like an eternity ago. He looks up and aside at the sky, so clear since the flood.]

[journaler]

Huh . . . ? No, I'd want a personal reply!

[She laughs a bit, wondering what made him look up so suddenly, but doesn't have to ask. She remembers very well, the recording she made that morning and the pictures she took with him--even if it did take forever to get his signature on them afterwards.

. . . She goes on.]

Well, at the end would be nice. Isn't that what all fans would want? [The recognition, the acknowledgement.] I bet they were after more than just your autograph.

[rebelia]

[Indeed they were, and IV is quick to catch onto those things when Leia points them out. He returns his attention to the cake, of which he takes another small bite.]

That goes without saying. Why else would they take the time and effort to draft a letter? Some of us become champions for the same reason.

[The recognition, the acknowledgement . . . and the admiration that fuel the duelist's strength. The cheering of his fans is music to IV's ears. Without it, he'd find himself more than a little lost and then a little more mad. He's aware of such things.]

That's why my motto is "fanservice."

[journaler]

I see.

[She studies his expression with a curious grin. He revels in attention, especially from his fans, yet that's all they ever are. Friends are a rarity for him, apparently, and something closer . . . like what they have now, is a first.

What an interesting anomaly.]

So it's like a super cool catchphrase. I never knew that until today.

[rebelia]

I had no reason to share it until now. ViViD and dueling just aren't the same.

["A super cool catchphrase" is right, though. That's what makes him stand out, IV thinks. He tips his head in the opposing direction to face Leia.]

What about you? There must be something you say to yourself whenever you embark on interviews.

[journaler]

Something I say to myself?

[She . . . says a lot of things to herself, admittedly. A catchphrase, though--she'd never thought of it like that. The idea of a motto might be a better fit.

She ponders. By now, she's on the last bite of her cake.]

. . . "There's always another side to the story. So never stop looking!"

[She waves her fork in the air once, almost proudly, as if directing the phrase at him; and then she'll lower it.]

Well, something like that. I should think of something catchier like yours.

[rebelia]

[IV finishes his cake while Leia ponders, and the timely response arrives as soon as his fork hits the empty plate with a faint clink. The waving of Leia's fork grabs his eyes, and he mulls over her motto, which is so very much like her.]

I'm surprised. I was expecting something about a "scoop."

[journaler]

. . . "The early bird gets the scoop"?

[She offers in a shrug. It's definitely something to sit down and think about it, and it might even be a fun list to make. With her cake now gone, her plate lingers in her hands.]

"Scooptacular"!

[Stop her.]

[rebelia]

[Nah'mm.

It's funny and just like Leia. IV's reaction is a one-sided smirk, telling of his amusement while he doesn't mean to be scathing. A one-word motto is the most succinct and best of its kind.]

Is that supposed to mean something?

Not bad, though. In fact, it suits you.