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

[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."

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.

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.

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.

[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."

. . . "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.]

[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.

[It's true. The more she recites it in her head, the more she likes it, even if it's silly. The world could stand to be sillier, she thinks.

Silly though it may be, however, she thinks the meaning is fairly obvious. It's just a pun.]

It's like spectacular, only better.

[Which is a probably a great way to describe him. She pauses.]

Hey, it suits you, too.

[Apparently, IV is of the same opinion as he sets his plate down and waves dramatically.]

I agree. I provide some great scoops . . . which makes "this" all the more better, don't you think?

[One being a source of news and another the reporter – isn't it romantic?]

["This." She laughs, cheeks warming. It reminds her of being five years old again; the idea of "cooties," and crushes being something otherworldly, for grown ups--something to be hidden. She doesn't disagree, though.

She thinks it's perfect.]

You said it.

[She puts her plate down over his, taking his example.]

. . . But you know, it doesn't feel all that different.

[Yet. The tone in her voice and the smile on her face suggest that this doesn't really bother her, though she wonders if she's doing something wrong already.]

[What was she expecting, hanky panky?

However, Leia is right. IV hardly feels any different. And when he consciously realizes this, he shrugs.]

Isn't it better that way? That means we don't have to act or pretend to be more than what we are around each other. If you ask me, this is the best outcome.

[NO??? Don't ask her what she was expecting, because she doesn't know either. Some kind of sign, maybe . . . but as far as that goes, it doesn't get any better than this. If he's happy, then--

Of course, she is, too.]

When you put it that way . . .

[She trails off thoughtfully. No matter what comes to mind, she doesn't think she can say it any better.]

That makes today the best birthday I've ever had.

[A proud admission like that tugs at IV's lips, and he smirks widely. Despite the sorry state of the colony and their general being here, he more than revels in the moment – everything else aside.]

And we're not done yet. Are we finishing what's left of this cake, or do you want that cheesecake?

[At that, Leia looks at the slices remaining. Her eyes flicker towards IV, as if looking for the right answer; then her gaze lands back on the cake. Out of the corner of her eyes, she can see her friends socializing.]

I think I'd better leave it for everyone else. We can come back with more.

[If they're careful, no one will notice them leave.]

[Not that they've been making much of an effort to be inconspicuous, if IV had to comment.]

More, huh. All right, then. Let's find the nearest bakery that's still open.

[He nods toward the main entrance and heads toward it, considering the direction they should take to reach such a destination. Leave it to Cerealia's mechanical citizenry to continue their duty despite the horrendous work conditions.]

[That won't be a hard task for Leia. Maybe they'll even give her a discount for ordering a second cake the same day! Either way, she sneaks off at his signal and takes the lead, grabbing his hand again to navigate the colony's waterlogged streets.

It won't take long, she thinks.

But at the same time, she won't rush like before. For once, she'll take as long as she wants.]

[open] i am sixteen going on seventeen

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