[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

[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.

[unpreparer]

[Illidan merely grunts some non-committal noise in response to the question about the bird. Since the celebration was centered around Rei, it would probably be bad form to tell her that he found her pet beast to be an obnoxious little pest. Thus, be bit back the comment. For today.]

It is an inconsequential matter. [a beat.] Ishnu-alah, Priestess.

[faithfulflame]

[Phobos squawks a little, mumbling something in Coronian about showing you a good time, but not even Rei knows that language. It's as dead as the world it was once spoken on.

Rei, however, ignores that and takes a seat near Illidan.]

Ishnu-alah to you as well, Illidan. [A pause.] I appreciate you coming. I admit I didn't think you would be terribly interested in my birthday party.

[unpreparer]

I will admit, it is not a custom I am familiar with [Or understand the purpose of, for that matter, but given his age that much isn't surprising.] but you have been a valuable ally. Making an appearance was the least I could do.

[faithfulflame]

Well, you've been the same to me. But it's a human thing, simply an excuse to share the company of the people one cares about. Allies, friends, family.

Have you tried any of the food? Some of it might actually be to your liking.

[unpreparer]

It has been many years since I have been included in such a gathering.

[The statement was said with an air of gratitude to it. Nothing he would outright say, but the sentiment of being considered for such a thing felt both very odd, and yet pleasant in a way.]

I have not ventured closer to the festivities than this. My presence generally causes something of a commotion.

[faithfulflame]

I understand. And I'm glad to have you.

[Her voice radiates warmth, and truth. She's really glad, and maybe that's weird, but she understands isolation, and she's not going to alienate someone if she can help it.]

As for that, I can bring you something, or you can come with me. There won't be a commotion if you are with me. That much Ami will make sure of.

[unpreparer]

[He considered her offer, and decided to follow her rather than be catered on. This was a celebration for her, she should not be spending it serving others, or so he assumed.]

I shall accompany you, then.

[Illidan rose from his spot on the ground with a grunt, but then offered Rei his arm. Such polite gestures were things he had not bothered to recall for many years, but they had not been forgotten entirely. One just had little reason to use them in the face of the Burning Legion.]

[faithfulflame]

[A gesture that was not lost on her. She understood the meaning, and knew he meant nothing untoward by it, so she took his arm in hers. It was strong, certainly, and warm. Hard corded muscle compared to her wiry archer's arms.

She started forward, smiling genially and ignoring literally any odd looks, as imperial as an empress. And over towards the food tables.]

Are you fond of fish? Or would you prefer pork dishes?

[unpreparer]

[Illidan walked alongside her, subtly letting her lead him to the food. It certainly made it easier to get by without worrying about someone slipping underfoot without notice, since slipping under his feet was a good way of breaking someone else's.

When she addressed him, he turned to her, pulling himself away from glaring at another partygoer who he felt was staring at him a moment too long.]

Hm? It has been quite a time since I have eaten either as an actual meal. [Outside of his bland "cooking to survive" method anyway, if someone actually counted that as a meal.] I believe I will trust your judgement on the matter.

[faithfulflame]

[The blind man glaring was a little ironic, but Rei knew better than to laugh or comment. He’d deny it, and nothing would be gained. So…]

Alright. Here then. [She starts to gather up a plate, piling on a bit of katsudon, a few bits of sushi, and a honey glazed mackerel. Simple foods, but filling favorites of hers. Pushing the plate into his free hand, she gathered her own and started towards one of the small hills that had been cleared for picnicking, a blanket spread out. A chair that would accommodate his size and wings was difficult to find on short notice, after all.]

It’s all food that I grew up eating. A little fried pork with rice, seasoned fish that’s been prepared without cooking, and another kind of fish that has been. The flavors aren’t exactly overwhelming, but if you like one in particular I can point out a place you can get more in the future.

[unpreparer]

[He follows her lead and takes a seat on the ground next to her. Once settled, he raised the plate to take a curious sniff at the contents. Then he took one of the round things that he assumed was the fish, and gave it a try. He chewed it slowly, getting used to the taste, then tentatively tried another, and another as he found he liked it.]

It is good. I did not know humans commonly ate their meats raw.

[His tone was inquisitive. He was somewhat used to eating meat raw from time to time, but that had always been out of necessity, and thus not exactly palatable.]

[faithfulflame]

[She chewed her own sushi a little thoughtfully, listening to his question and just letting him try it. Nothing fancy, just simple tuna and egg.]

In my homeland, we do. This is called sushi, and it's mostly fish. Some kids use eel or egg though, like the second one you had. It's not an everyday meal, because it's got to be prepared a specific way, but here in Cerealia there are several chefs that can make it. But other than sushi? It's rare to eat meat raw. We can get sick from it.

[unpreparer]

Kaldorei are similar in that sense.

[Hence his surprise. Humans and Kaldorei typically shared a diet. He once only ate raw meat out of necessity and desperation, but after his transformation, he started minding it far less. This somehow took the best of both worlds.]

But this is clever. This is better fare than I have had in many years.

[faithfulflame]

There's a particular way it's prepared to keep on the pathogens that would make most of us sick.

[And she's more than happy to point out...]

And the chef here, Archer, runs a restaurant. Ask anyone in the city for help finding Golden Archer's and I'm sure he'd be happy for your custom. But do try the other things, there's cooked pork, with a kind of tangy sauce. That's a rather popular dish at home, but not as popular as sushi.

[unpreparer]

[And he'll just nod like he has any idea what in the name of Elune a "Pathogen" was.

But he does as she suggests, and tried the pork. Tentative at first, but then after the first, he stuffs them in his mouth in rapid succession, barely chewing before swallowing. Without prompting, he takes the fish and wolfs it down in the same manner, lacking any hesitation as he had before. He had all the grace and manners of a wild animal, the food was a rare treat, and he enjoyed it even if he didn't think to savor it at all.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand when finished.]

I know not of this "Archer" you speak of, however, as much of a rare treat this has been, it is probably for the best that I do not grow accustomed to such luxuries.

[faithfulflame]

[Oh...Illidan. She sits and enjoys her food a bit more slowly, picking at it with proper chopsticks. She'd comment, but it's pointless, and meaningless. Politeness was something he'd eventually learn, or wouldn't and it was just his way.]

There's no harm in it, at least occasionally. Too much of it will make you fat, though, certainly and you're right about that. But while you're here, eat all you like. That's the point of these things, really, to indulge every so often. The whole idea of birthday is less about the age, and more an excuse to have a day for everyone around that person to relax.

[...In her opinion.]