estoria | [Closed] go shorty, it's your birthday we gon' party like it's your birthday

flaredo) look at all these dorks
When: IC: The night of January 4th
Where: Hinata & Komaeda's apartment
What: A small gathering to celebrate a belated New Years Eve and Hinata's birthday (also belated)
Rating/Warning: NERDS. EVERYWHERE.

[All right, so it's a few days later than intended, but when the night that you plan a party just completely disappears into a mess of mayhem and murderous Santas, well, you improvise. At least, that's been Komaeda's plan. After making sure to let everyone know about the rescheduling, it's just a matter of coordinating.

So here it is. Here they are.

The decorations -- courtesy of Souda -- are up: streamers, balloons, matching party hats all in varying shades of red, black and white. They're draped around the small apartment along with what is probably an oversupply of party poppers. The food is set out in the kitchen and most everywhere else.

There's even a punchbowl that's probably not spiked yet, but how long can that really last anyway? Music -- somewhat questionable in some of its variety -- plays quietly in the background. And outside the apartment, up on the roof of the building for later, the yakuza have provided some festive ~~explosives~~ fireworks.

Perfect night for a party. And Hinata's the kind of guy who deserves a good party. Right? Right. Only rules are: no murdering anyone and have some fun.]

((ooc: so yes, mingle around! post top levels, tag others. the party will start in the apartment and hit the roof at some point, so pick your location(s) too, if you like!))

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[Look, just gotta make sure it's straight and even and covers your neck properly. He nods with satisfaction at the comparison between the scarves, but the comment on the hamsters has him laughing.]

While I have to agree that it is inferior without a set of familiars inhabiting it, you have not yet reached a level in which you could perform such a difficult feat. As it is, you have hardly raised above your meager power level. That singularity unfortunately does not grant you a boon of Magic Essence and until you tame something more respectable than a hermit crab, it may be a while before this changes.

[Crossing his arms smoothly over his chest, he shakes his head a little.]

Beyond that, this secret art belongs to the Tanaka Empire! While you belong within the dark kingdom and are welcome to attempt such techniques as my most esteemed and treasured servant, I encourage you to develop your own skills.

[He's tamed Komaeda does that count--

No, just kidding. He would never. And Hinata isn't counting on being able to find a pet here that isn't a robot... and he's not going to get a robot. One can't be too careful of them after stupid bears and such.]

Like... [...] ...letting something hang out in my pocket, instead?

[Straight-faced teasing...]

[Pretty sure that doesn't count, and robots don't count either. Robots can fuck the hell off to be honest!

There's an approving nod from Gundam.]

Using such a technique would be at least a slight deviation, and therefor would be acceptable. But you must also take into account that your future charges may not be of such a small size.

[Because he's hoping you don't stick with hermit crabs. Please don't stick with hermit crabs, Hinata, you're not a plebeian anymore.]

Or do you plan an attempt to keep hamsters as well?

[That would be okay!! HE COULD HELP...]

[There is nothing wrong with hermit crabs okay. 8( He has fond crabby memories. Or, well, he would if his childhood weren't such a large blurred slate.]

After meeting your hamsters, I'm a lot more interested in keeping one one day.

[Which is true.

But his heart will always lay with crustaceans...]

[You need better familiars than crustaceans. They are useless in otherworldly battle! Unless you happen to come upon god crabs...that's a possibility, though it's a very slim one. After all, he only came into possession of the Devas through careful beast synthesis! And that takes hard work, dedication, years of study...it would be a long time for you to find god crabs if you started now. Not to mention the breeding specifics for crabs are different, and would yield different results...basically crabs suck, get better companions!!

But do you see his eyes sort of light up at that? This is good news.]

Ah, what good taste you have then Hinata. Truly they are a creature far more noble and worthwhile to keep, though come with great responsibility in doing so.

[Are you ready for the hamster talk. The Full Hamster Talk. You can change the subject and spare yourself, Hinata!]

[WELL, Gundam has him here... so Hinata may as well listen.

Hinata "sucker for friends" Hajime. Besides, he'll sit through the hamster talk when it means Gundam's eyes are lighting up like that.]

What kind of responsibility does it involve, Tanaka?

[Go ahead. Lay the Full Hamster Talk on him.]

[Not a day passes where these losers continue to not deserve Hinata's friendship.

He chuckles, encouraging his hamsters to make an appearance from his scarf. Once they're on his shoulders (except for Jum-P, who apparently has decided to continue napping in the scarf instead), he scoops up San-D and holds her out to his friend.]

Many have the false belief that hamsters are as simple to care for as a cat or a dog. While the general idea of keeping them as pets is the same, they require much more careful attention, and this is not simply due to their size. Your first worry is whether or not you will have the time to properly care for them and give them the attention they need. Domesticated hamsters are primarily nocturnal, waking up in the evening and staying awake through the night. If you cannot handle such late hours, it would be best not to keep them as pets.

A hamster takes a gentle and patient hand, as well as understanding from the owner, to form a healthy bond with them. They can be temperamental, willing to bite and scratch if they are irritated and do not want to be socialized with. Many owners take this as a bad sign and will return them, looking for a "new" hamster. It takes a while to warm up to their humans. You cannot simply pick a hamster up and expect them to be your friend. You have to allow them to come to you, first, before you can begin forming a relationship with them.

[Not that San-D will have an issue saying hello to Hinata if he wants to hold her like offered.]

They are also viciously territorial. For most owners, it is ill-advised to keep more than one hamster. I will not enter the intricacies of breeding and keeping multiple hamsters for the purpose of, but for someone who simply wants a pet they can easily end up allowing the end of a hamsters life by keeping two or more together. I've mentioned this to you before; in many cases they will kill one another if kept in close proximity.

A hamster's diet should also be researched and taken into account before one decides to keep one as a pet. While they are some of the few animals who can safely be fed store-bought foods without too much worry about pointless fillers, lack of proper vitamins and nutrition, it is still imperitive to supplement their diet with fresh food sources as well. Fruits and vegetables, certain hays, seeds, grains...there is a large variety of food to provide for them along with their pellets and it's important they have access to them. You also need to make sure to feed them in correct amounts. While it generally doesn't hurt to over feed them, as they are creatures who will take and bury their food in various stashes naturally, it is still best to watch how much you give them to avoid allowing them to become obese. [Cham-P not withstanding??]

Their habitat also requires specific items that are more involved than toys or a litter box or scratching posts, as dogs and cats require. You must make sure they have proper options for places to hide, such as small houses or hollowed logs. They also require bedding that is deep enough to allow them to burrow as they please. They need a wheel so that they can get plenty of exercise and a sand box to bathe in as well. Giving them toys and treats to entertain themselves is also very important. If you're going to include a hamster trail of any kind, the tubes must be large enough that they cannot find themselves stuck in any portion of it.

Along with objects to entertain themselves with, they must be given specific types as well. Wooden chew toys to help them maintain their teeth are important, as their teeth never stop growing. Wood is the best type to give them, though there are alternative treats that help with this as well. Whichever you choose, however, they must be in constant supply. With their teeth, you also need to pay attention to their nails and make sure to trim them regularly. Allowing them to grow too long is careless, and can lead to a number of problems. They can split painfully, break and allow for infection, get stuck in other objects...luckily a veterinarian is able to trim these for you if you cannot do so yourself, or are worried you will harm them in the process.

[Gundam comes to a stop here, humming a little as though he's trying to figure out if there's anything he missed...]

[Hinata extends his hands for San-D, since Gundam's offering her, listening closely to Gundam and thinking something very much like I feel like I should have a notebook to put all of this down in.]

...There really is a lot people need to know.

[And it's impressive Gundam's able to tell him all of that just like that... as expected of him and his talent.]

[And San-D happily changes hands, sitting politely in Hinata's and grooming herself a little. Don't expect her to stay put for long though.]

Mmm...they have a lot of needs that must be met and require a lot of care, but the devotion and time you offer them is never a waste. They may not be as easy to keep as a canine or feline, but they share with you no less loyalty, affection and love in return for all you do for them.

[He'll just enjoy hamster time for as long as it lasts!! Hinata watches her for now, waiting for a chance to give her a gentle petting with a forefinger.

He smiles over at Gundam, thinking, Again, I'm really reminded how much this guy cares about his animals. Not that he ever forgets, but sometimes it just hits him again, that feeling of admiration.]

Yeah... I can see just looking at your hamsters, and how much they care about you.

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[Closed] go shorty, it's your birthday we gon' party like it's your birthday

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