[Open] All those precious (birthday) stories

[pure_radiantics]

Who: Roxas and Leo's CR + their guests
What: Surprise Birthday Party!
When: July 3rd 2016 (OOC: April 8th-10th 2017), Lunchtime through dusk
Where: Baldr's Temple and nearby
Note: Please post your own top levels as well :D

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About Baldr's Temple Baldr's home is a beachfront condo situated along a shoreline. Here and there, you can find accents that are more Norse and also more Japanese. The building has several large windows, which will be open to let in light and fresh air. The main landing contains the spacious kitchen, breakfast den, dining room, and large living space. The back patio contains a koi pond plus a shrine to Baldr. There are hammocks and cozy couches near the house for entertaining and relaxing. [Pic #1] | [Pic #2] | [Pic #3]
Presents & Birthday Boys Want to just drop something off and run? That's cool. There's one table to the left as you come in Baldr's temple that's labeled LEO and one to the right labeled ROXAS. LEO table prompt and ROXAS table prompt But what's a birthday party without the guests of honor, even if they weren't aware of it beforehand? That's what surprise parties are all about!LEO top level and ROXAS top level		Hosts & Notables Sora > Roxas's partner & it's his temple > Prompt Here (TBA) Forrest > Leo's son & Party Planner > Prompt Here Kairi > Roxas's Shinki & Party Planner > Prompt Here Niles and Saïx > Leo's Shinki Senri and Raichi > Roxas's Shinki
Outside: Artemis Temple side While not directly connected to the Artemis Temple, Baldr's temple is a stone's throw away from Artemis's Temple, which is a more forested area. Thus, the side of Baldr's temple closest to Artemis's is littered with baldr’s brow, lilly of the valley, wild chamomile and other flowers as well. Feel free to lurk this way if you need a quiet moment away from the energy of the party. This is also where you can find a couple "adult" games set up on tables: two decks of playing cards chess checkers go backgammon Mancala aka Bao		Outside: Beachside On the opposite side of Artemis' temple, a long stretch of beach and a small patch of inland "ocean" can be found. It's the Far Shore, don't ask. From the dock, you can take a small sailboat big enough for 3 adults out a good ways before a cloudy sort of "fog" starts to route you back towards shore. There are also several games & activities set up on the beach! Beach Bowling Frisbees Volleyball Tug of War - if you can get a team! Squirt Guns and Nerf Water Guns for "tag" Bocce Ball Fishing
Food There is a buffet-style spread in the kitchen for making your own tacos, with an impressive number of veggies & non-meat options available: tomatoes, onions, peppers, lettuce, spinach, carrots, cheese, and sour cream. Someone apparently likes tomatoes, so there's tomato salsa with an assortment of chips, little baked cups with heirloom tomatoes in them, and chilled soup shots. Don't worry, there's regular pop/soda and water too. On another countertop of the kitchen, there is also a fruit spread with a very tropical variety, like pineapple, watermelon, and strawberries. Fruit dip is included. For the carnivores, there is also an outdoor grill setup to do shish-kabobs and fish. Someone probably has alcohol, but the (underaged) hosts didn't bring it. It was Niles, who are we kidding.		Movietime In the living room, a couple of movies are available that they picked up: an animated kid's flick about talking, dancing animals a live-action comedy about the biggest Santa's helper a live-action sports action-comedy Enjoy the comfy giant pillows and a few extra bean bag chairs so that as many people as possible can crowd in.
Leo's Cake Designed with a fondness for horses in mind, there are also edible pretzel "wands" dipped in chocolate! Both cakes are in the dining room with plates and plastic utensils.		Roxas's Cake The whole cake has variegated frosting to look like a sunset, prominently featuring two bucks in a forested setting. Adjacent to the cake are two flavors of ice cream - mint chocolate chip, vanilla, and a special blend resembling sea salt - plus bowls and several topping options: cherries, sprinkles, chocolate hardshell, and whipped cream in particular.

Comments

PRESENTS FOR LEO

[pure_radiantics]

Aside from the big name plate on it, you can tell this is Leo's table because there's a small trifold up on it with some pictures of him, a cartoon horse on one side, and "magic" stars coming out of a book on the other side.

PRESENTS FOR ROXAS

[pure_radiantics]

Aside from the big name plate on it, you can tell this is Roxas's table because there's a small trifold up on it with some pictures of him, a cartoon of someone doing parkour aka running & jumping fast, and two cartoon dogs roughly the same color as his two ghost dogs!

Birthday Boy the Eldest

[brynwieldr]

[Okay, Forrest had warned him this was happening but...

Holy hells. It's not at all his taste, if he's being perfectly honest, a bit too silly and brightly colored but Leo is still incredibly touched.

For most of the party, Leo's going to be near Artemis's Temple for the types of games he's fond of, though he'll also be wallflowering near the food with a drink. Or several. He's not much for parties.


And no, Sora, he did not tear up at any point. You're just seeing things.

(He totally cried a little.)]

Co-host Kairi | OTA

[pure_radiantics]

[ Because Sora is closest to Roxas and Forrest closest to Leo, Kairi is doing her best to be the co-host that is checking in on both sets of guests if they look a little lost or unsure of things, in particular explaining what some of the Food is and chatting up people around the present tables if they're excited about their gift so she can try to guess what it is out of earshot of the birthday boys.

If you see her taking a break for herself, she'll be over at the Beachside in a pickup game or two, but she won't stay there longer than 20 minutes probably.

Towards the end of the night, as dusk starts to show, she'll snag a beanbag chair for herself and watch whichever movie is on. ]

food

[tacomeme]

[Takumi hated parties probably even more then Leo, usually. But this wasn't formal and while he didn't know a lot of these people, he knew a few and they were here at least in part for his friend.

So he was more relaxed then he'd usually be at such a thing, though it's clear he's a little jittery as he approaches Leo with a plate of fruit he's been nibbling on]

Well THERE'S the esteemed Prince of the hour! Heh... they went all out for this, it's kinda embarrassing.

Forrest | OTA

[clothes_make_the_man]

[Forrest spends most of his time hanging out near Leo and his guests, busybodying around and making sure everyone's having a good time. He does have gifts for each of the honorees today, though, so he makes sure to drop them off at their respective tables first. If any of the food looks to be running low, he's made plenty and makes sure it gets restocked - especially the tomato-based dishes. It's possible to run into him almost anywhere, but as the day wears on it's obvious that he's looking more and more tired from all the hard prep work he's put in over the past few days. At a certain point, he'll take a short break near the water's edge, sitting and looking thoughtfully out at the water.]

Niles | OTA

[deniles]

Entrance/Refreshments

[Niles doesn't look like he normally does. In fact, if you've only seen him once or twice, you might not recognize him at all, especially with the mask on. Forrest is the designer of this ensemble, down to the hem of his pants, which come with matching gold trim. Is he over dressed? Of course. But it's the nicest thing he owned, and for his lord? He'll dress nicely.

He brought a guest, who he'll introduce to Leo at a later point in the party. First things first? He places a few bottles of booze on the table, with the sign 'adults only' attached to them. Because he'll be responsible, even if he wants a good time.]

Games

[He avoids most of the kiddie entertainment, and instead moves over to the table with the cards on them. Shuffling them, he smirks.]

Know how to play poker?

[He leans in a bit. This feels incredibly natural to him, to be able to just pick up a deck of cards and play. His fingers shuffling up the decks quite quickly, and making it just right.]

Or is there another game?

[He's a little flirty. A little playful. And one hell of a mischievous guy.]

[brynwieldr]

[Leo smiles when he hears Takumi, looking up from the book Aymeric had given him.

Yes, that is a recipe book for tomato dishes, Takumi.]

Try being the recipient of all this mess. Still, I can't remember the last time someone made such a big deal out of my birthday.

[tacomeme]

I'm surprised, I'd think at least Elise and Camilla would be the types to celebrate. If it gets too noisy though let me know and I'll cover for you.

[brynwieldr]

They are, but that doesn't mean it was ever something like this.

[He gestures with the hand holding the book]

[tacomeme]

It is kinda much. Forrest must have been pretty into it.

Oh, and happy birthday.

[He casually tosses a book in his lap. It's obviously not new- and while it's not huge there's a heft to it that comes with age.]

I already read it, and it's pretty heavy, but I think you'll like it.

[Which meant once Leo finished it they could discuss it- much better then something fresh off the print]

[brynwieldr]

Ow--

[His legs are there, Takumi! Leo sets his other book aside and picks up the one Takumi tossed at him]

"The Unfettered Mind". What is it about?

[tacomeme]

It mostly focuses on samurai philosophy- but in layman's terms. How to live a good life and stuff like that. I'm surprised something so similar to Hoshidan traditions is here. It's not exact though, but that's what makes it interesting, right?

It has a lot about using the state of your mind in battle too. Considering how spiritual everything here is, it could be useful.

[brynwieldr]

I told you when you arrived this place was like a futuristic Hoshido, Takumi--and you should meet Hijikata, the two of you would get along I think.

[Seriously, bro.]

I can't wait to read it. I'm not sure this party's a good place to start, or I would.

[tacomeme]

Yeah, I noticed. And yeah don't start here or Forrest will get mad at you. You shouldn't be reading that recipe book either!

[brynwieldr]

I'm just glancing through it! I was seeing if there's anything in here I could try to make with the tomatoes I'll be growing from Aymeric's other gift.

[tacomeme]

The little tomatoes?

[Takumi has some tomatoes on his plate with the rest of the fruit- cut into wedges like an orange and dusted with pepper. He takes a bite of one as if reminded by the conversation]

Well unless you're gonna cook right now it's not going anywhere.

[brynwieldr]

Yes, them.

[He is really pleased with the cherry tomato plant, honestly]

And what else am I going to do for the next several hours?

[deniles]

[Niles, in his fanciest garb, walks up to Leo with something wrapped in purple starry paper.]

Happy birthday, milord.

[It's nice expensive bourbon.]

[brynwieldr]

[Leo takes the package and starts to unwrap it]

Wonderful outfit, Niles, did Forrest--

[He stares at the bottle before laughing]

You are not stealing this, do you hear me?

[deniles]

He did.

[Not even needing to know what he's asking.]

I promise. This one is all yours.

[He smirks and leans in.]

Maybe you can share it with that person you've got your eye on.

games

[tacomeme]

I'm not really interested in luck based games.

[Which just shows how shallow his knowledge of the 'nohrian' cardgame]

[brynwieldr]

[He frowns and looks up, confused.]

Come again? I don't have my eye on anyone, Niles.

[deniles]

And aren't we all relieved? You look like the kind of man who would give yourself away immediately.

[torment torment torment.]

[deniles]

Fine fine, if you insist.

[He just chuckles.]