[open] Chúc mừng sinh nhật

[emotive]

Who: emotive, theshiningone, and everyone else! animated counts, it's his B-Day too!
When: 6/21 | 4/13, late afternoon to late evening
Where: The Sanctuary
What: June birthday celebration with close friends!
Rating/Warning: None except possible sadness and robots being real creeps



Thank you for coming! Please, enjoy yourself by all means! Remember to say, "Happy Birthday," to Hiro too please.

[ This is the greeting given by the birthday girl. Ai's face is aglow with cheerfulness that couldn't be beat as she welcomes guests inside the Sanctuary where some nice music is playing. It's the most convenient place to set up a small party after all and there's even a few things to do for fun if one isn't sticking around just for congratulatory birthday greetings:

A) FOOD

Where there is Ai Thao, there is food. Lots of it. Starring a peach birthday cake made by the Man, the Legend, Chef Archer. Aside from those, there are some Vietnamese spring rolls, roasted meat, some healthy salads, and colorful cookies and drinks! (Hey, did someone bring hard cider to this party...???)

Ai might even collect your plates and clean up after you isn't she nice? Oh, that's not Ai, it's a robot who's taken on the same skin tone as her owner... Creepy. Ah well, at least it's being helpful although it might say every once and a while, "Thank you for coming to my birthday party!"

B) Piñatas

How cute, there's a few of these cute piñatas hanging around in the ceiling. When you try to bat one down for the sweet candy innards though, they are just out of your reach. Ai Thao (real one, not the similar looking skin robot) giggles because she's passing by you. Ah, she's the culprit. Those guys can't move on their own after all.

"Sorry, sorry! I couldn't help it."

Oh, so that's all... Actually hey wait, some of those piñatas ARE trying to run away?! Try to catch one, but these little bastards are pretty fast for cardboard full of candy.

C) KARAOKE

There is a TV screen, mics, a karaoke box and an endless selection of pop music in all languages. All of them. Try to belt out those tunes, serenade your loved one, get the highest score, no one's going home a winner anyways.

(Ai's robot is sitting at the machine and taking the mic, humming in a voice that sounds too similar for comfort...)

D) Late Evening

Let's settle down. Maybe chat and catch up with other people. It's a good a time as any right? The lights are low, the cake's been served, there's hot tea (and booze still???) and there's a lovely lamp projecting stars onto the walls. What a nice mood!

(It might make your robots, should they come to the party look rather eerie though, especially since they developed that layer of skin.)

]

[ OOC: Robots are free to be at the party and tagging each other is encouraged! ]

Comments

[theshiningone]

[It was hard to say how he was feeling after that whole event with Ai. Empty, tired, frustrated? Maybe it was a mix of all three things. It was moments like this that he actually wished that he was playing the role of an observer right now and not walking among humans anymore. They messed up enough on their own, they didn't need him to screw everything up even further.

Regardless, he's not looking at Saiduq. In fact, it's hard to say if he's looking at anything other than the stars. But he knows that there's another presence here.]

... What do you want?

[adminproof]

That is a good question. What do you want?

[ A very good question indeed. He turns the question against him, because it's not about Saiduq. It's never been about Saiduq, as far as he's concerned. It's always others he's concerned about, worries about, cares about. ]

[theshiningone]

What DON'T I want?! That's the real question here!

[He really wasn't yelling at Saiduq, but it was more directed at himself. He just runs a hand through his hair and starts scratching it to a point where it almost looked uncomfortable. If only he were still human, then he wouldn't had reacted the way he did. Yet now with what he's become... ]

I want to go home, I want to NOT deal with humans anymore, I want to forget about all of this... I've had it. I'm sick of this crappy world. [Deep breaths, Hiro.] I want her to forget about me. She'd be happier that way.

[If only he could just reset it all and make her forget this painful experience.]

[adminproof]

[ He closes his eyes at the yelling, unfazed, and then opens them again. Once again, he reaches over with a hand to place it on his face, thumb under a strikingly blue eye, and the fingers against his cheek. ]

So you care enough about her to wish she would forget about you, thinking that would make her happier.

[theshiningone]

Because it doesn't matter.

[Hiro is looking him dead in the eyes as he says those sharp words. The lights are on, but no one is home. Saiduq's face isn't reflected in his eyes at all as Hiro continues to speak in a monotone voice that's feel detached.]

She said it herself. None of this matters. She makes us go through all the trouble of creating a birthday party, brings all her friends only to say that it doesn't mean anything at all. "She had nothing and will go back to having nothing?" Don't fuck with me. I'm sick of being jerked around by liars.

[That anger he felt before was slowly bubbling back, but not the same degree as directed at Ai before.]

I thought she was better than this, Saiduq. Even if a happy ending isn't possible, I thought that she'd be the one to say that it would be possible. [It was usually his role to say that. But maybe he just wanted to hear them through someone else for once.]

But I was wrong. She puts on smiles for everyone and tries to be as nice as possible, yet she's feeling hollow inside because she wants everything. Do you know how fucked up that is?

[Flaws that he could not comprehend in the girl known as Ai Thao Kha. Flaws that he never would've expected. Because they were flaws that... He couldn't help and see in himself. And those were the worst kind to think about.]

[adminproof]

...Yes, I do. But you...wouldn't understand either. Of course.

[ Of course he wouldn't. Hiro is human, although biologically he might not be. He wasn't made for another purpose. He wasn't borne of nothingness and will return to nothingness in the end. He didn't understand the doubts, insecurities, and pain that came with not knowing what the reason for your existence is. He might have had neglectful parents, but those were still better than a tyrant of a "mother" who decreed that all you loved shall be destroyed, and that you were nothing more than a tool to them in the end. ]

If you truly think that is "fucked up", then you're perfectly free to toss me aside as well. I've outlived my original usefulness, have I not? All that remains in me is nothing but wanting and love, and that hurts you.

[ Saiduq's hoping that using himself as an analogue will bring the point a little closer to Hiro to understand. The scary part is the amount of sincerity in those words. No passive aggression, no jabs, nothing. Pure curiosity and honesty. Despite his calm tone, however, his fingers' grip on Hiro's face tightens, ever so subtly. Firm enough to get his point across, but not enough to hurt (He hopes. Septentrional strength is nothing to underestimate.). ]

Is it wrong to want and love for an ephemeral moment, for beings such as Ai Thao Kha and me, borne of nothingness and fated to return to nothingness? What else, if not that, separates us from my kin? Please, tell me.

[ He hasn't forgotten his own fate, after all, but he's more than willing to disappear for their sakes. He has regrets of course: not being able to finally fulfill the promises he's made to Yamato, not being able to be there in the new world with his new friends, but...it must be done. ]

[theshiningone]

[There was some light that returned to his eyes after Saiduq spoke. Hiro couldn't grasp it fully, but he could understand that this deeply affected Saiduq too. And him and Ai might have not been any more similar. His cheeks did hurt slightly, but it wasn't blinding pain. If his body was fully human, then maybe it would've hurt more than it meant to be.

He's quiet for a moment before speaking up again. As much as he tried to read conversations and get a feel of personalities, he couldn't read minds to know exactly what people are thinking. So of course, he could misinterpret things and make a huge mistake. He couldn't remember the last time he's messed up this badly...]

... No. Because the two of you are making your own choices and deciding to take control of your lives. Living has different definitions for everyone else, but it's... It's always been all about making choices in my opinion.

[That was the grand difference between Saiduq and the Septentriones and Triangulum. Could those monsters really have been 'living'? Could they really have been considered 'people'? Just like the demons too...]

But... I don't get it. What do you two see in me that you can't see in anyone else? I really don't do anything special.

[Even Yamato who was the previous Shining One in his place had a lot more going than him. Hiro wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth or had any of the resources that the Hotsuin family had. He knew their situation was absolutely crazy, yet... Compared to Yamato who had all the means to save the world, Hiro was just dragged into the situation. Sure, he enjoyed the fact that he was a part of something bigger than himself. But, but... There was just something he had to know.]

Anyone can make people smile and laugh. Anyone can protect people. Anyone could've used the Demon Summoning App and killed the supernatural. Anyone can make bonds even if I'm not there. Replace me with someone else and the results would've been the same if not even better.

[There was the second world where he didn't exist at all. So, he didn't exactly know how everything went down. All he knew is that everyone nearly died because he didn't exist, but for sure... Hiro thought if anyone else took his spot, then a victory could've happened. Maybe. Probably.]

At the end of the day, I'm just a normal guy compared to everyone else. What do you guys see in me that I can't see?

[adminproof]

...I see a light of potential shining within you, a light that brings out those in others. I saw as you illuminated others to their own strengths and weaknesses, including my own, and they changed for the better because of it.

[ A pause. Hiro wasn't there for the second world, but Saiduq was, and if he knew just how bad things had gotten because of his absence, maybe he wouldn't say such things. Maybe he would. ]

It is true that I was drawn, no, attracted to you at first because you passed the first trial set by Polaris, but then you continued to defy my expectations, and the movement of the stars, and showed me humanity's true potential. You became someone precious to not only me, but many others.

But it's hard to see one's own light. That is why people join together, is it not? As friends.

[ It also helped that Hiro wasn't a jerk on the level of Yamato when he met him. ]

As for Ai Thao Kha's reasons...it would be better if you asked her yourself, no? I cannot claim to know the mind of another.

[theshiningone]

Ai... She probably hates me now...

[She said that she'd love him no matter what, but Hiro felt like she'd still hold all of that against him. And frankly, he didn't blame her. He still felt drained and terrible, yet Saiduq saying how much his influence meant in others meant making him feel a little better. Really, Hiro felt like he wouldn't be completely okay until he finally spoke with Ai. And even then, he wondered if he'd still be okay...

He didn't want to leave things sitting to for too long. There was a lot of things that he didn't know about Ai and a lot of things that he wanted to tell her... If she had nothing in the past and had nothing in the future, he wanted to tell her that she still had now - The present and himself. Despite being an Administrator and having to watch his friends die, Hiro could protect the present... That was more than enough for him.

He really didn't know anything. But what he does know is that he had to do this. Which would be wrap his arms around Saiduq and pull him into a hug. His voice is soft, gentle and lacking in that usual confidence... But it's extremely sincere and full of empathy.]

I'm sorry for hurting you and... Thank you for being with me, being born and being my friend. I need you in my life more than you think, Saiduq.

[Hiro Kageyama's true face was shown here - He couldn't do anything without everyone else supporting him. Without his friends, he felt like an empty shell of a person. A true friend will tell another friend when they've done wrong. Isn't that what he's done for everyone else in the past? Maybe he was the hypocrite... At this point, he didn't mind being called that. He'd would accept any bad label slapped on him right now.]

When I get my head together, I will make things right and apologize to Ai. Even if she hate me or not, I gotta tell her how I feel.

[adminproof]

This gathering is to celebrate your birth as well. I should be the one saying that to you.

[ He's honestly not sure how to react to hugs...he never received any. Never felt the warmth of another against his own body (although he would've liked to). It's a pleasant feeling, and he reaches over with...an arm? To tentatively hug back...somewhat. It's still Awkward with a capital A for him, but at least he's trying. ]

I would advise you do that sooner than later. The majority of people here at this gathering are her friends...friends who will, more likely than not, hear of or witness her anguish in this enclosed space.

[ Friends who may or may not line up outside the door and around the block to give whoever made Ai cry a piece of their mind. ]

[theshiningone]

Oh, oh... Um, I really did a lot of yelling, huh?

[That's when Hiro starts to sweat a lot of bullets. Suddenly, he wishes that CERES was throwing up some hell right now to distract everyone from that big scene he's made. Could he just keep his head low for a while until this blows over? Ah, man... He had to clean everything up until more people learned about what happened.

On the other hand...]

So, um... Question! Can an Administrator become invisible for like a week or two? I'm still getting the hang of my powers and would reaaaally like to avoid a few lynch mobs if I can help it.

[adminproof]

Mm...due to your lack of access to the Astrolabe here, I'm afraid not. And I cannot help you in this endeavor either, as even I cannot stand up to the might of a tightly-knit group of friends. Surely you of all people know how powerful their wrath can be.

[ Hiro can't say he wouldn't jump to the opportunity to whiteknight say, Daichi or Io, after all.

He...could bring Hiro to his own apartment (that he has for some reason despite not needing one), but then Hiro wouldn't learn his lesson, and Saiduq's not here to coddle anyone. Teach, yes. Coddle, no. ]

I believe the phrase is "you reap what you sow".

[theshiningone]

That's... harsh. It's horribly accurate to this situation, but kinda harsh.

[Not even Hiro could argue with that. So he had to mentally keep in mind who was at this party and try to avoid them or disguise himself around. It'd be like dodging all of those homicidal people back home.

It's hard to say if Hiro is looking incredible sarcastic or super dead inside. But he's starting to talk decisively like this is some major JPs operation.]

Okay, so. If I can't go invisible, I'm gonna have to make myself horribly scarce from the network and public view for a while. If I get into an encounter, I'll just run without any questions ask or put on a clever disguise. [He didn't mind being a coward for something like this... Anything to mark his survival rate a little higher.]

Alright! I'm here. I'm psyched. I'm pumped. I'm ready to take on anything and everything. [He will be pulling back to clap his hands together.] AWWWWWWW YEAAAAAH! LET'S SURVIVE!

[He sounds completely monotone as if he's already walking to the gallows.]