[semi-open]

[adornmental]

Who: Hijikata (hijiwanwan) & all his friends! Or anyone who just feels like harassing a historical figure.
When: The first weekend of April
Where: The park
What: Hijikata's birthday party! He's turning 181 years old and needs to get his daily exercise, so a surprise party is being thrown! Good work, team.
Rating/Warning: N/A

---

[A small area of the park has been cleared out and decorated today! There are balloons, streamers, party poppers and all other manner of birthday paraphernalia set out. A banner on one of the park's gazebo's says HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIJIKATA in surprisingly well-written letters (especially compared to the banner in front of the nearby dojo, ah...), though it's also slathered in glitter. Anyone walking under it may just find themselves covered in glittery snow...

But what's that over there? A buffet that's incredibly well-stocked and ripe for snatching food from! It's covered in everything from small finger foods to entire boxes of pizza. There are little trifles and cookies and bowls of candy and chips as well, though the center of the celebration is the tiered cake in the middle table. It's matcha and white chocolate, of course.

And over there? Several tables have been set up with music and records, as well as various party games - pretty much anything your partying heart desires. One has also been set aside for gifts, and there are several boxes stacked on top already.

But you might want to watch out for those nearby ponds and the snappy alien fish lurking around in them, or the foliage nearby that seems kind of... hungry. Maybe they should have picked a better location.]

(This is a mingle log for Hijikata's surprise party! Feel free to toplevel and tag around to your heart's content! Anyone who would stop by is invited, though party-crashers are of course welcome since it's being held in a public location.)

Comments

B!!!

[tsuranuki]

[ Saitou shows up, as on time as possible even though no one is keeping record. He got the notice, and there had been a moment of confusion as well as consternation before he basically decided to go.

They didn't celebrate birthdays in his Shinsengumi. At least, he's never even put much thought into his own, much less Hijikata's. Actually, he only remembers Heisuke's because they shared the same year.

And now he's here now to make up for that. If he counts the number of years he's known Hijikata...it's been over six, meaning six birthdays he's missed. That won't do at all.

This place is familiar; both the fish and the foliage. Just like when he first arrived. Not as decorated, but decorated enough. He makes sure to keep away from both plant and animal as he tries to find Hijikata, and yes, he's carrying something in his hands. At this point, he might as well be giving a gift every time they run into each other (the first time being when he visited Hijikata in his apartment). ]

Perhaps not the best place, but the intentions were in right place, at least. [ Those cookies don't look bad at all; he's eyeing one of them himself. ]

I was not aware that today was yours. [ Saitou inclines his head. ] My apologies for not knowing.

[hijiwanwan]

[ Hijikata doesn't celebrate birthdays in his Shinsengumi either... so he's just, well. he's here. ]

I never really been to this park, didn't know they were here... A part of me thinks I shouldn't be surprised.

[ because this is Cerealia, and Hijikata has been here long enough to finally figure out this place is just weird as hell. BUT... ]

Ah, well... It's not today, [ technically Kashuu is like a week late but who's paying attention to the details? Hijikata could really care less, but he does appreciate the effort Kashuu went through with. also why is Saitou apologizing??? gosh, it's okay Saitou! ] but don't worry about it.

[ a pause. ] I don't really celebrate my birthday, so it's kind of weird, I suppose.

[tsuranuki]

When I first arrived, they were having a celebration of sorts so I was acquainted with this place since then. The...fish will try to eat you so I would stay away.

[ Enough of Cerealia. Saitou is holding out something wrapped to Hiikata. ]

Neither do I...I'm not used to this, but since this is happening. [ Have a gift, fukuchou. ]

[hijiwanwan]

Oh, did you? Yeah... That does look pretty dangerous, huh. Kiyomitsu should pick a better place next time.

[ but it's the thought that counts. Kashuu did go out of his way to do this entire party anyway.

but present time! ah... he almost didn't want to accept because it's Saitou... he went out of his way just to give him a gift. well, that's all the more reason for Hijikata to accept it instead, right.

so he accepts it. ] Ah, thank you...

[ ... he pauses at first, but he presumes Saitou might want him to open it in front of him? so he begins to do so! ]

[tsuranuki]

Otherwise, it's hardly a bad location. [ It's...pretty. And peaceful if you avoided creatures and vegetation.

He waits for Hijikata to open it, and it's a notebook, handbound. Practical, yes? for haiku. ]

I hope this one doesn't get stolen. [ By Kashuu. Or Souji. Soujis.

...yeah, Saitou isn't used to this and he's shuffling his feet a little. ]

[hijiwanwan]

It's ... Nice. I wouldn't mind relaxing out here. [ if it wasn't for the plants but oh well.

it's still a really pretty place - inspiring! for his haikus! maybe as long as he ignores the plants... but Saitou's gift isn't a surprising one considering it's thoughtful and practical! Saitou knows how to truly pick the best gifts.

Hijikata is definitely thankful. ]

Ah... I'll definitely keep this out of their hands. [ HE TOTALLY KNOWS SAITOU IS REFERRING TO THE OKITAGUMI MENACES. ]

But... I can definitely use this, so I appreciate it. Thank you.

[ he's actually kind of happy... it's strange but is that a tiny smile! very small one. but it's there. Saitou did well. ]

[tsuranuki]

[ VICE COMMANDER IS SMILING. EXCELLENT.

Saitou is lowering his head so he appears to be polite (and to hide his own smile.) ] You're welcome. [ Very welcome IT'S BASICALLY HIS FIRST GIFT TO HIJIKATA HE WAS WORRIED AND HOPING--

ahem. ] And...happy birthday. [ He tries. ]