[OPEN] Have a Fiery Birthday

[idolater]

Who: faithfulflame & all her friends!
When: IC Apr 17 / OOC Dec 05, afternoon
Where: CERES Gardens
What: it's Rei's birthday! naturally, Ami and Minako have planned a party for her, outside in the Gardens. if you're Rei's friend, you're welcome to attend! party-crashers may be escorted out!
Rating/Warning: none for now, but who knows what will happen!



[Minako takes a step back, hands on her hips, to look at the display before her. a safe section of the CERES Gardens has been sanctioned off for Rei's birthday party. and with the weather always being the same in Cerealia, it's a sunny and warm April day. she grins to herself, checking out the various corners, each decorated with a bundle of red and white balloons so that people can easily find the area.

Ami and Rei would be here soon, as would the guests, so that gives Minako the chance to do one more glance over each of the stations; there's a long buffet table, with most of the food supplied by Archer, while other smaller goodies have been provided by Ami and Minako. the cake is hidden away, for now, out of the sun. Minako's also arranged for there to be a mini stage for dancing, or karaoke. she couldn't pass up the opportunity to perform, after all. and there's so much technology in this world that she had to make use of it! hopefully Rei would enjoy that, even if it isn't her scene.

lastly, there's a gift-table, specifically for dropping off presents. if Minako is right, she's certain that Rei will be getting a lot of them. Rei had made so many friends in Cerealia. so many people seemed to love her and wanted to give back to her. just thinking about how many lives Rei had touched in her short stay here makes Minako's grin widen. she was really lucky to have a wonderful girlfriend. she hoped she could convey her feelings properly, by helping plan this party.

...all right, that's enough feeling sappy! it's time to get this party started! Minako turns on the music (it's classical, lightly playing in the background), and then stands by to welcome guests]

Comments

The Birthday Girl

[faithfulflame]

[It's not that Rei was overwhelmed by everything that was going on, no, it's just that goodness...there ended up being a lot more people here than she ever expected would want attend. She never really placed a lot of value on parties and the like, but her friends did and she knew better than to argue with a certain duo when it came to letting such things happen. She just ran with it, and was really really grateful to have people here who valued her enough to even want to attend. Before it'd only been a small handful of the closest friends, because she was the weird girl that nobody wanted to get too close to.

Oh how times have changed.

Rei floats from person to person, trying to politely greet everyone that came to the party. It was a lot of socializing though, since than five people in a room was still a lot for her. So eventually she's going to have to take a seat and have a drink or a bit of finger food, which might also be an easy time to catch her. Sitting in a chair and sipping champagne or watching people enjoying themselves at karaoke, or just surreptitiously (or not so) sneaking looks at the people while fervently hoping they're enjoying themselves.

Phobos and Deimos are never terribly far from her side, either, the birds hopping along tables or the ground like tiny avian bodyguards. It might seem comical at first, but if the birds catch you staring at them or their mistress, they're going to react in two ways. The first is to flap over at you and tug on your clothes until you come say hi...and if that fails, then they're going to caw at you until you go say hi.]

[unionjackoff]

[England has been eyeing those crows. he'd heard about them, thanks to Ami. now, to see them with his own eyes... he's enchanted, really! imagine, having your own bird bodyguards!

it isn't long before the crows take notice of him. and then... one comes over]

Oh. Hello.

[and then it's tugging. England follows right along, knowing that the birds are smart enough, and that they must want him to do something. he finally sees Rei herself, and ventures over to her. so that's what the crows wanted, eh?]

Happy birthday, miss Hino. [he raises his glass of champagne to her, ever the gentleman]

[faithfulflame]

[When England comes into view, Rei cannot help but laugh. It's a slightly ridiculous sight, a tall personified nation being dragged over to her by a pair of excitable birds.

She raises her own glass of dark, dark red wine and smiles before taking a sip.]

Thank you for attending, England. [...adding an honorific felt odd.] I appreciate it, a lot. I hope you're having fun.

[allergictoloveletters]

[Ami didn't really need Deimos to tell her to go say hi to Rei. More, the crow was simply coming to keep her company while she played the more serious hostess, checking in on everything and everyone. Deimos was just politely reminding Ami to at least try and have fun as well and not worry so much about the party. She gently stroked the crow's crown and made her way to Rei.]

Happy birthday, Rei. [She said again for probably the sixth time that day.] Have you gotten a chance to eat? Archer-san was more than kind to make most of the main dishes and Minako-chan and I took care of the odds and ends. Ah, you're enjoying yourself, I hope? [Which Ami had asked for the third time that day now.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei was simply sitting in a chair and watching the proceedings with a little smile. It's fond, pleased, and not at all troubled but there may be a little bit of crinkling around her eyes. Not unkind, merely worried that Ami was stressing.

She sipped at her wine before nodding, color tinging her cheeks.]

I have eaten, yes. Archer was more than wonderful with his cooking as always. and yes, I'm quite happy with it all. I didn't expect the turnout, but then people in Cerealia probably needed this. It's been a rough few weeks.

[Leaning forward, she added.]

And my dear, I am. Are you?

[madcuriosity]

[It was a crow! She'd never met a crow before. Which seemed strange, now that she thought about all her adventures. She'd met an eaglet and a dodo bird, of all things, but not a crow! Well, now she could. Only, the crow was telling her where to go and what to do. She followed the crow quite happily, the creature more gentle with her than it might be with the older guests. She followed until she saw Rei and was quick to run the rest of the way, her arms wrapping around Rei's waist.]

A VERY MERRY BIRTHDAY, MISS REI!

[faithfulflame]

[Well, Phobos is happy to lead little Alice along, hop-skipping around people and yes, taking her right to Rei.

And Rei is more than a little surprised to find Alice's arms wrapped around her waist. Oh, goodness! Is that? yes...it is. What a sweet little girl!]

Thank you, Alice-chan. Thank you so much for attending. Are you enjoying yourself? I certainly hope a party like this is to your liking.

[She's naturally scooping Alice into a little hug back, leaning down to pat her head too.

[zenryokuzenkai]

[ Crows were rather a strange choice in pet, but whatever suits her taste, or so Nanoha thinks. She's definitely seen stranger familiars in her lifetime. ]

Rei! [ Nanoha trots up to the birthday girl, a big smile on her face. ] Happy birthday!

[ Nanoha hasn't gotten to speak to Rei in a while, but the younger girl has been nothing if not good to her, so it would be most rude not to show up to her birthday party when an open invitation's been given. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei stands up when the older woman approaches and offers her a proper bow, setting down that wineglass and smiling openly. The two crows turn and mimic the gesture as well, wings spread in what might be a curtsy.]

Thank you, Nanoha-san. I appreciate it. [Nanoha is nice, if a little bit odd. The whole open about her powers thing was not really a Senshi thing, but Nanoha did her thing and Rei would do hers of course.]

I hope the party is to your liking.

[2cool4guardian]

[Jack has a gift under an arm and he wants to give it to the birthday person, but he's distracted to find... crows! Woah! Crows are cool, Jack has seen them play on the snow many times.

He has no idea why they're cawing at him though.] I hope you guys don't want the gift for yourselves, it's not even shiny.

[faithfulflame]

[Crows are so cool. And Phobos and Deimos both flit towards him, beaks plucking at his pant legs and trying to drag him along. They're excited, flapping wings and all, and making quite a ruckus at that.

A ruckus that draws the attention of the birthday girl.]

I think they're trying to lead you to me, Jack.

[cpt_ressentiment]

[ Of course Yosuke's gonna show up, he wouldn't miss Rei's birthday for anything!

He hasn't been here long, so he actually hasn't seen her yet. Honestly, he's only had just enough time to walk around the place and get an idea of who else has come, but it doesn't take much time for a certain crow to come find him. And he stares for a very long moment in silence before there's a very loud and pointed "CAW!" right in his face fjdskla which makes him sputter a little in confusion, but he follows! And of course, finds the birthday girl herself. He smiles when he sees her. ]

Heeey, there's the birthday girl! Happy birthday, Rei-san!

[faithfulflame]

[Rei can't help but giggle quietly to herself, rising from her seat and setting down her wine glass to walk over to him before Deimos plucks off his ear.]

Thank you, Yosuke-kun. I appreciate you coming. [She clicks her tongue and the two birds leave off, flapping over to rest on her shoulders and...curtsying to him.]

Phobos and Deimos weren't being too much of a nuisance were they?

[cryptologic]

[ Parties aren't exactly Dipper's usual scene, either, but of course he was going to come say hello to Rei on her birthday. As long as no one forces him to dance, he's good.

Walking up to her with his hands in his pockets, he grins. ]

Happy birthday, Rei.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei returns that smile, bowing her head in an extremely formal acknowledgement.]

Thank you, Dipper-kun. I'm glad you made it.

[unpreparer]

[Illidan had come, as he said he would, despite his complete and under bafflement as to why anyone would celebrate their age every year. It was for the priestess, and for her, he would go along with the strange foreign custom.

However he was not one for celebrations, thus chose to remain on the outskirts of the celebration, sitting under a tree where he was less likely to be noticed. He knew the priestess would be aware of his presence, and he felt that was the important part.

His plan to remain mostly ignored fell through, however, when one of her crows spotted him. In an attempt to encourage him to be social it flew over and perched itself on one of his horns. It then proceeded to caw at him. He swatted at it a few times, but it merely hopped to his other horn. To his credit, he used every last ounce of his self restraint not to react more violently against the little beast.

Fortunately Rei made her way near on her rounds of thanking people for coming, and he took the opportunity to address her.]

I believe this belongs to you.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei definitely felt his presence, and she was grateful indeed for him to attend. She understood that he was even less sociable than her, and that was understandable. She let him sit there for a time, but gradually his irritation with Phobos became more apparent through the bond she shared with her psychic avian friend.

And that's what got her to head his way and whistle. The little troublemaker flapped over and lighted on her shoulder, leaving him to his peace.]

Phobos is a little naughty sometimes. I hope she didn't bother you too much.

[definingfuture]

[Well, she did invite him. At first Tony was going to decline, since he had just met Rei and this was her birthday party. But she had also invited him, so between intruding on a personal moment and being seen as rude and ungrateful for declining, Tony chose the intrusion. He hoped that he could make up for it by bringing a nice gift, at least. Flowers always went over pretty well, so he brought a bouquet of gladiolas. There wasn't as much he could do in a new place, but he hoped it would be a good start.

He's still unsure when he gets there, but spotting Rei mingling with the other guests also pulls his attention to her companions. And he goes right over, because somehow the fact she has animal companions actually makes approaching easier for him. That probably says something.]

Are those your bodyguards? They won't attack me if I wish you a happy birthday, right?

[Just kidding. They look friendly enough. Not that he's a great judge.]

[faithfulflame]

[She had invited Tony because she liked him, and wanted him to at least have a chance to talk to people and such. She'd made connections at gatherings when she was new, it had to work for people besides her right? Right? Also, she figured it was polite, and would make him feel welcome.

When she's approached, Rei's face breaks into a cheerful smile and she dips her head. The two birds on her shoulders also follow suit, chirping at him before hopping to the ground at his feet to stare up. What a funny human.]

They're something like that. Familiars is the easiest word. But they'll only attack if I say the word, Tony-san. [Laughing lightly, she extends a hand.]

I'm glad you could make it.

[virdeant]

[ Thankfully, social gatherings were something Kael was much familiar with, even if it had been sometime since he had the luxury of attending one. The social courts did get dull, but after being away in Outland for quite some time before he came to Cerealia, it was a rather welcome change.

It takes him just a little while to locate Rei as he maneuvers through the party goers, to find her seated drinking champagne.]

Greetings and happy birth day to you, Priestess Rei.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei’s eyes widen slightly at the sight of Kael. She truly hadn’t expected the elven prince to attend, even if she’d seen him on the guest list. He was royal, and she had certainly believed what Illidan had said about him not trusting easily. But at the same time she reasoned, that might be why he had attended, because he was a prince and didn’t trust easily. She’d helped him, and that could be construed as a debt. Attending the party could be a way to learn about her.

Or…she could also be paranoid.

Regardless, she smiles and rises, bowing her head.]

Prince Kael’thas, thank you for coming, and for the well wishes. I hope you’re enjoying the food and atmosphere.

[zerotohiro]

[Parties have never really been his thing. Parties have always made him a little nervous, truthfully, but it's Rei and he'd feel like a total jerk if he didn't come to her birthday party for even a little while. Lucky for him Rei isn't one for being a social butterfly like Minako is and it's easy to catch her sitting down. It doesn't take long for him to approach her quietly, settling in the chair next to her and remaining silent for a moment just to watch the others at the party and enjoy Rei's company.]

And you were worried about having good friends here. [It's a teasing little smile that follows the statement, eyes watching her crows carefully to make sure they won't peck at his ankles.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei is easy to catch alone, certainly, she drifts away and she’d make the time for him regardless. She smirks a little around the lip of her cup and eyes him out of the corner of her vision. It’s nice, having someone around that does understand the need for pulling away from the party. Even if it’s just for a moment, it helps, and the fact that he’s not jabbering away is a huge plus.]

Well, I was worried about a lot of things. Mostly that this affair would blow out of proportion. [And in truth there are more people here than she would have invited.] But this is alright. It’s nice, and the girls really outdid themselves putting it together.

[shikisha]

[ So far, Nonon has managed to find Rei without fighting with Minako. How that happens no one knows but here she is. She doesn't need any sort of bird help though, even though they think they are helping, she just waves her arms uselessly at them. ]

Get off me you lousy chickens!

[ Sorry, she loves songbirds, but crows just aren't that. Which is how she ends up standing in front of Rei in her own party dress, something pink and blue with skulls on it that would almost be offensive to the eye to people with normal taste. But she looks pretty in it, or at least she thinks so. ]

So.. happy birthday I guess. How was the big surprise?

[popsometags]

[ Rinne appears, being ever so gently tugged towards Rei by one of those wonderful crows. He almost tried to pull it away, since this was his good shirt and with his current state, he needed to make absolutely sure not to have it messed up! But also, he shouldn't cause a scene at someone else's birthday party.

So he followed it right along, up to-- ah, the birthday girl. ]

Okay, okay, I'll say hi. [ Looked like greeting Rei was an absolute requirement to stick around. ]

Happy Birthday, Hino-san. I hope it's gone well so far.