[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

[meniscus]

Not exactly. I'm not entirely sure I understand why they're celebrated however I believe it's to give thanks to who was born that day? Something like that...it's nice, isn't it?

Celebrating many years since your birth... [ SINCE Hijikata was born (and died) a long, long time ago he's technically speaking really, really old. Right? Right. Mikazuki is certain of this and denies that Kashuu led him astray -- he hasn't seen him yet anyway! ]

If you're not "181" then exactly how old are you? You don't look a day over thirty, hahaha. [ He may even reach over to pinch Hijikata's cheek...no wrinkles here. ]

[hijiwanwan]

Well, it's not as if I hated being born, although celebrating like this is just kind of odd. Especially accepting gifts... Being the center of attention...

But... As long as everyone else is having fun, I guess that's fine.

[ because he's a dumb old man that rather watch everyone else have fun than have the fun himself? yep. ]

I wish that was true, [ really, he finds himself getting tired easily sometimes? his back gets sore (that's what he gets for hunching over doing desk work all day though), and he needs massages. he misses Harada's, he was really good with his hands. ] but I just turned 33.

[ ... don't pinch his cheeks? if Mikazuki does intend to reach over he'll just get a really confused look. ]

[meniscus]

You're not used to it? You are the private type of person, aren't you? Aha -- but you should enjoy it! Everyone is here because they're happy you were born. [ That's why he's here at least, but that's too cheesy to say, even for Mikazuki. He won't pinch cheeks but he'll pat Hijikata's hands with his own! A nice and friendly gesture. ] Don't force yourself but do try and enjoy this once a year celebration, Hijikkun.

This reminds me, I already gave you a present before this...but I can't allow you to leave your birthday party empty handed either... [ He didn't bring anything with him though??? FOILED AGAIN... ] Since I don't have a gift, is there anything you'd like from me later?

[hijiwanwan]

Well... I guess...

I never really celebrated with my family, I never wanted to be a bother to them. But...

[ he shrugs, pretty nonchalantly.

but then when Mikazuki tries to offer another gift Hijikata just waves a hand in front of his chest. ]

I think one's enough, right? Besides, I really liked it anyway - just the fact that you decided to come is enough. Don't worry about it. [ he's accepted SO MANY GIFTS? he doesn't need any more! ]

You know, I actually wanted to show you something.

[meniscus]

Hmmm... [ Mikazuki hums in thought while listening to Hijikata. He'll keep most of his thoughts to himself since this is Hijikata's day! Or that's what he wanted to do up until he hears about something for him?

It seems a little silly to be receiving anything on someone else's birthday but also, if that's the birthday boy's wish -- ] Something to show me? Ah, please do so then.

I'm eager to see what you could have!

[hijiwanwan]

[ first he's kind of reluctant about this BUT it's Mikazuki...

so like... he totally brought his poem book with him, but sshh... ]

See, I wrote this...

[ flips open book to a new page where you can see 'the crescent moon reflects on the bottom of water spring rain'... ]

I guess, I didn't notice until now but it made me think of you... Because of the meaning of your name.

finally i can use this icon

[meniscus]

[ Oh? Oh! ]

This is...? [ Mikazuki reads it over a few times after he's shown the haiku and at first...he doesn't get it and well, even after reading it over a few times...he still doesn't fully understand it. STILL! He's very flattered and even moved that Hijikata seemingly or maybe subconsciously wrote this for him? ] I see!

Ahaha, Hijikkun! To think that you had such a cute side! I love it, I really love it! I'm both flattered and moved, to say the least. Ah...this is why I love your poetry so. [ Because it can effect him like this! Though he might have enjoyed it at first because he found the haikus so...funny but now, he's genuinely come to like them. Probably because he feels a kinship with Hijikata? ]