[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

[unpreparer]

[After spending much of the party watching festivities, trying to remain as ignored as possible, he came to the conclusion that he was far too sober to be dealing with this. The constant chattering of people was grating on his nerves, and the scent of wine was nostalgic. May as well have a drink for the first time in... who knew how many years, and hope it helped to make putting up with the partygoers easier.

No sooner had he made his way towards the table did he immediately regret his decision. While some noticed and were cautious to get out of his way, others assumed him harmless and thus didn't pay him much mind. After about the third time one such person bumped into him trying to get by, Illidan decided the wine was a lost cause and slowly tried to make his retreat. It was easier said than done. Without getting anyone underfoot.

Thus, he started subtly bumping anyone who bumped into him back with his wing, to passive aggressively maintain the sanctity of his personal space bubble. Unless they were small enough for him to stumble over, not an uncommon occurrence for one his size. Should anyone dare gawk at him too long, he would scowl their way and hiss a sharp "What?", before trying to continue his retreat.

Really, he was made for killing demons, not civil social gatherings. But he tried.]

[anudora]

[ He tried and therefore nobody could criticize him save for Tyrande. Her gaze as she watched his attempt at getting wine and then giving up. She let out a sigh and grabbed two glasses and followed after him from a slight distance. What she was doing even making the attempt here was beyond her. A distance should be kept between them and yet they kept finding themselves awkwardly drawn towards one another. Perhaps it was a product of being the only night elves here or perhaps it was their history together. Regardless it was what it was and here they were once more.

Once he'd made his retreat, with Tyrande following behind and whispering a few apologies to those he rudely bumped into, she approached. ]

There was no need for such rudeness. [ She held out a glass for him even as she chided him. ]

[unpreparer]

[Illidan looked up at Tyrande, about to snap a retort but quieted when he noticed the glass being offered. He looked from the glass, to Tyrande, then tentatively reached out to take it. His temper quelled for the moment.]

I do not care for the confinement of crowds.

[It was a far cry to how he had been in his youth. He had chosen to live in the city, fond of the liveliness of it, and always thrived in groups, while his bother preferred to be the more secluded one. Now here he was, at a gathering the likes of which he hadn't taken a part of since before the Sundering.]

[anudora]

I would not have been able to guess such a thing. [ There was only a hint of sarcasm in her voice with the statement. For the most part though she remained fairly emotionless and distant, as was usual for her. ] I am surprised you chose to attend at all.

[unpreparer]

[He let out an indignant snort at the sarcastic remark, then takes a sip from the glass. He could probably down the entire contents of it in one gulp, and remain completely sober given his size, but he would remain hopeful that it would take at least some of the edge off.]

It is for the priestess. She has been an invaluable ally.

[Because he can't just try to do something nice and admit it. Especially not to Tyrande.]

[anudora]

And perhaps a friend as well? [ She was cautious in her speech and cast a sideways glance in his direction with the question. It was doubtful that he would admit that to her, or to anyone, but she was curious to try. What reaction would he give to that suggestion? ]

[unpreparer]

[He made some non-committal grunt in response.]

Such is a luxury for others. I am The Betrayer. I have allies with a common goal, that is all.

[anudora]

[ She frowned at the response and shook her head. Was that true? She didnt doubt that he could see people that way but did he see this young girl in such a light? What could she possibly offer him that would be worth coming to a gathering like this? Unless he actually cared. ] I imagine Rei would find herself disappointed to hear that.

[unpreparer]

She understands my perspective. She would not be caught unaware.

[Or maybe that would be because Rei had cheating empath abilities and knew he was too full of ego to admit he had friends.]

[anudora]

Are you so certain of that? [ She shrugs ] I am uncertain as to how much truth there is in that.

[unpreparer]

Of course you doubt me. Part of me wonders if it even matters what I say, you shall simply disagree with me for the sake of disagreeing!

[Not that he's being defensive or anything. God, Tyrande, stop trying to talk about feelings. It threatens his manliness!]

[anudora]

And it most certainly is not as if you do the same. [ No,no not at all like he might do the same. ]

[unpreparer]

I do nothing of the sort!

[Like he's doing right now.]

[virdeant]

[ Even if Illidan didn't tower above the rest of the guests due to his sheer size, he was still easy to spot amongst the other party goers. It was painfully obvious to the Sin'dorei prince that Illidan was not at all accustomed to social gatherings, but that was hardly surprising.

Kael approaches his liege with a wine glass in one hand, maneuvering through the crowd with ease.]

There are ways to maintain distance from others without shoving them, my Lord. [ Though Illidan may not be able to see the amusement on his face, it's plain in the prince's voice.]

[unpreparer]

[Illidan snapped his head towards Kael's direction and all but snarled at him. He was agitated enough having to deal with such a crowd, nevermind his sassy underling.]

Indeed, I could always walk over them, but some might find that rather disagreeable.

[virdeant]

[ He lets out a small sigh.]

Surely you remember how to properly conduct yourself at a social gathering, from your time in Darnassus? [ To be fair, that was some time ago.]

Even if you do not, it should be easier for you than most given your...height.

[unpreparer]

The last time I was at a "social gathering" I was in Queen Azshara's palace instructing the founder of your bloodline on magic, while Azshara was attempting to court Sargeras through a portal.

[Just to put a bit of a time frame on just how long ago it was that he as an upstanding member of society was. Granted, he never did instruct Dath'remar Sunstrider on magic, but he sure was better at it than the Highborn so he might as well have.]

I do not care for such events.

[Granted, if he had been ten thousand years younger, he would be no different from Kael'thas in the situation.]

[virdeant]

That is quite evident. [ But he gives Illidan a small nod, he hadn't though it had been that long ago that Illidan had seen the social light of day.]

Yet, you came to such a gathering in the first place. Why?

[unpreparer]

The priestess has been a close ally. I do so in respect.

[Even if he didn't exactly participate in the festivities at all, this was still him making an effort. A really really grating effort.]

[virdeant]

Then it would be a disrespect to injure her guests. [Perhaps he shouldn't be so forward, but he couldn't very well let the opportunity slip by. There was very little in Cerelia he felt knowledgeable about, but this was one of them.]

It is all about how you present yourself. [ At that, he looks (disdainfully) at Illidan's attire.

...]

[unpreparer]

They should know better than to get underfoot of me then.

[He alowly tries to continue removing himself from the crowd as they spoke, being no more courteous to any that ventured too close to him as before. At Kael's latter comments though, he turns to give the young Prince a look. He knew he certainly wasn't going to ever shut the Princes mouth on such things, but after the whole debacle about his trousers, he was a bit more sore about the topic than usual.]

Are you trying to get at something, Kael?

[virdeant]

[He just shakes his head.]

That you make this more difficult than it needs to be. [ Kael crosses his arms, thinking a moment.]

Do you really not desire to even try to fit into normal society? [ After all, eventually there would be a time when they weren't just stuck in Outland, right?]

[unpreparer]

I did once many years ago, and look where that got me.

[He let out a huff, but seemed to relax some as he managed to distance himself from the crowd.]

No, it is best for me to remain on the outskirts of such a pampered bunch. There are few who would understand the decisions I make, and the last thing I need is for another to think me a madman, and decide that my time is better spent in a cage.

[virdeant]

[ Kael both sympathizes and doesn't. In a way he understands how Illidan feels, yet his life and experience at court at Silvermoon tells him that society is a necessity. Even if pleasantries sometimes grew dull, there were advantages to be gained that couldn't be won by force.

It seemed pointless to push the point (for now at least), but that does bring up a curiosity of his:]

Have you run into such trouble here before? [ From what he had gathered, Illidan was quite settled in by the time he arrived.]

[unpreparer]

Not as of yet, but my appearance garners a sense of unease in those nearby. Couple that with Tyrande being here- I trust she would not be hard pressed to tell her account of how the events that lead to my imprisonment transpired.

[Perhaps he was being paranoid. Perhaps this was the Skull's influence on his mind finally beginning to seep through. But given the conditions, he would rather boarder on paranoia than risk facing imprisonment again, Unlike Azeroth, there was nowhere for him to flea here.]

It it a slight chance, but still a chance nonetheless that such a thing may turn against me, and such is a chance I shall not take.