They say it's your birthday...

[noonecandestroythemetal]

⭐ Who: Sam, Zeke, and hopefully, YOU!
⭐ When: April 1 (timey wimey...)
⭐ Where: A room in Fujiwara Hall at the University of Yumemigaoka
⭐ What: Zeke's leveling up! Happy birthday!
⭐ Warnings: potential foam weapon violence




Sam has...really done her best. She's barely been back for a full month, but even with all the chaos, she's managed to hammer down what she hopes will be a decent birthday party for Zeke!

She's rented out a hall (at the local university she attends!) and set it up--one long table for food, a few other scattered tables to be seated at and eat at. There's a table that's clearly for incidental gifts, but in the flyers she'd put up at the DU mid-month, she'd made it pretty clear that the only present needed was the gift of one's presence! That had been Zeke's request, when Sam had asked him his opinion.

As is typical of a Sam party, the spread is pretty lavish. Pizza!! She's got the typical meat pies, some white pizzas, some veggie pies. The spinach and artichoke dip is also made with vegan stuff, like the veggie pizzas are. There are various other little snacky tidbits, but the centerpiece and crowning glory is the chocolate cake with the fondant replica of Dreamer Chaosbringer's Purple Lightning Dreamsmasher perched on it, along with a pair of candles that read "27".

Another section of the hall is cordoned off. That's where the real party is going to be held--the fun and games! There are a few rented arcade games that are popular (some side scrollers, shooters, a fighting game or two, and something like Dance Dance Revolution!), a karaoke machine, a truly GIANT pinata, and the star of the show--a ring of sorts, with a thick helping of foam padding on the floor within and surrounding it. There's a place to spectate, but the true draw is the weapons rack. The assorted implements of destruction aren't real weapons, of course--Sam could never have gotten the proper permits in time. No, they're foam weapons, clearly arranged so if partygoers desire, they can wallop each other!

It is totally obvious that Zeke is itching for a chance to get in that ring...especially since his present from Sam is a life sized foam replica of the same sword decorating his cake!



(you all know the drill here, have fun, mingle, enjoy, party! no one is obligated to chat up Sam or Zeke unless you really want to! Let your character blow off some steam, if they can! literally everyone is invited to this! mind the headers, but feel free to make your own, too!)

Comments

CAKE or other foodstuffs

[noonecandestroythemetal]

foam weapon fighting!

[noonecandestroythemetal]

[saynotobugs]

[It was a toss-up whether Maki would actually show up... but she's definitely got emotions to work through. And right now, she's got a foam axe to solve them with.]

Okay, sure, show me what you've got.

[noonecandestroythemetal]

Um! Okay!

[Sam has been a bit busy playing hostess, but it looks like Zeke has his own party well in hand (for now), so Sam avails herself of a foam longsword and a foam shield.]

Have at thee!

[She lifts her shield and steps forward once, twice, lifting her sword to feint at Maki, now. Sam's only trying to hit with the flat of the 'blade', at the moment.]

Sam

[noonecandestroythemetal]

PARTY

[For the most part, Sam is playing hostess--though it's likely that particular task is going to be taken up by the birthday boy himself, soon enough. It's just how Zeke is, and Sam wouldn't stifle his joy for the world. Especially not today. Especially not after the week everyone has had, but events have hit harder for him.

For the most part, she's just milling around, but Sam pauses to grab herself a drink out of one of the coolers provided for the purpose, well-iced and full of a mix of sodas, juices, and water both sparkling and still. This is a family-friendly party, after all. As she passes a familiar face, she nods and smiles.]

Hi! I hope you're enjoying yourself! How's the cake?


FUJIWARA HALL (closed to Shinjiro)

[The party will last as long as it'll last, and Zeke is in his element. So Sam starts early on cleanup--it really won't hurt the janitorial staff to have a somewhat organized place where empty coolers and full trash bags can be placed, waiting to be carried away. That and she plans to leave some cake for them, at the very least. Never hurts to be grateful for the help!

After dragging a couple trash bags outside the rented room, and stacking the two coolers that have been emptied so far, Sam heads towards the ladies' room...but there's a particular, familiar red peacoat and beanie shuffling down the hall. Everything is right...and hell, if it's not who she thinks it is, she'll just be ignored. That's fine.]

Hey, Broody McBeaniehead! I thought you were gonna be at the park earlier!

[cookingasshole]

[Shinjiro looks up and... blinks.

That is who was walking down the hallway. He shifts his posture a little -- it's a lot more slouching than it was, when he was last spending a lot of time in Yumemigaoka. He doesn't quite stand up to his full height. There's just a hint of a smile.]

Yeah, I was. I had a couple jobs to do, though. [What jobs? He doesn't say. (They were boring temp work with a construction project.)

He looks at the trash bags.] Need a hand?

[noonecandestroythemetal]

Nah, this is where I'm supposed to leave them. Guess I missed you, but I was kind of running around today, all things considered. You come through this way often, or was this just the path of least resistance?

[She does hurry a little to catch up to him, and her smile is genuine. She may have been upset at him in the Dream Sphere, but to her, it's just so good to see him. And he looks...good. Sam is happy about that.]

Or were you looking for me? Or looking for food?

[She laughs a little at that last comment, but this building is a part of the student union, and the food court is both cheap and filling and not sticklers about whether or not their customers were actually students at the time.]

[reluctants]

[ It better be a family friendly party - because apparently there really is someone young in attendance! Frankly, Illya was a little bit worried about going to a party, but she did want to make sure to be nice to Zeke since he's been nice to her.. And not going would be so rude..

So in the end, Illya politely attends. Extra politely, in fact, since she also makes sure to go look for Sam at the party after hearing that she's the one who put all of this together. Once she finds the other, Illya holds out a small cute pink paper bag towards the other. ]

Ah, I-- I thought you probably had to put in a lot of effort to put all of this together! [ Look, it's a big party! Illya's mind is boggled by the sheer effort that would be necessary for this sort of thing, alright! ] So-- Um, I wanted to make sure to give you something for all your efforts in being so nice to someone else..!

[noonecandestroythemetal]

[It definitely was. Mostly because Sam really had tried to invite everyone, and that meant no alcohol. Unless one of the older reprobates snuck it in, but that's why there wasn't any free-roaming punch bowls as a drink option. Much harder to spike something that isn't even there!

Sam is a little startled when Illya hands a little pink bag to her--she wasn't expecting any largesse; it's Zeke's birthday, after all. She probably ought to remember hostess gifts could be a thing, but...see where she wasn't expecting it.]

Illya! Oh wow, thank you! How've you been? You didn't really have to...I kinda knew what I was getting into, but that's why I haven't been around too much since I came back at the end of last month.

[She does try to peek a little in the top of the bag, then looks back over at Illya.]

Do you think it's okay if I open it now? Not that I think I could steal Zeke's thunder...

Fuds

[darcangel]

[ Jeannette smiles apologetically; she's been picking at her little piece of cake with her fork, but apparently hasn't eaten it yet. ]

In faith, I have just arrived....But it looks most delicious!

[noonecandestroythemetal]

Oh, we need to know if it passes muster! I know Lisa's a great baker, but I wanted to help, so we kind of teamed up. And I did the sword.

[Mostly because messing with small fiddly bits of fondant is one way for Sam to soothe her mind; she and Lisa were divvying up who did what in regards to the cake.]

But no rush, it's more important to relax and have a good time!

Party 🎉

[lonelyrollingstar]

Ah, Sam!

[Ouji tries to be mindful of the fact Sam didn’t use honorifics when she said what to call her when they met, but you can tell there’s a “-san” caught in his throat for a second there as he addresses her. He nods his head in acknowledgement before looking to his plate of cake.]

I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks beautiful! Did you make it yourself?

[noonecandestroythemetal]

Ouji! You made it!

[Sam's got a big smile on her face--yes, she can probably tell he's got an honorific stuck in his craw, but she waits for him to move on, and probably looks happier when he skips it entirely.]

I had a lot of help! Lisa helped me. I made a couple of the pizzas, too, but most of them I ordered. But the variety when it comes to vegetarian or vegan pizzas...

[The face she makes speaks volumes, that the lack leaves a lot to be desired.]

Zeke!

[thezekeinator]

1. Hello, World

[Before anything, Zeke has to say hello to everyone showing up, so of course he takes the first part of the party to do just that -- roaming the hall to practically pounce on people as he spots them.]

Tell me Sam isn't bloody amazing, pulling all this together!

[...he's carrying the foam replica of the Purple Lightning Dreamsmasher, though. And waving it to emphasize his points. Duck.]

2. BRINGER OF CHAOS!

[Speaking of foam swords... Zeke is in the ring and looking wickedly bloodthirsty -- exaggeratedly so, as he plays up his own madman reputation to intimidate potential challengers. This being Zeke, of course, he has absolutely no intention of hurting anyone, or even coming close. But he has an image to uphold!]

Bring it on! I don't even have any Dreamer powers here. This is the best chance you'll ever get!

For Sam and Sam alone

[With the party wound down, the guests warmly sent off, and quiet at last ruling the building, Zeke flops down into a chair next to Sam with a long, satisfied groan.]

Best birthday I ever had.

for meeee

[noonecandestroythemetal]

Could've been a little better, but I did what I could in the time I had! I owe Lisa a lot. She helped me with the cake!

[Still, she's leaning against the side of her chair that's close to his, reaching over to pat his leg.]

What really matters is that you had fun and enjoyed it, though. And it sure seems like you did!

[Especially with that reaction. So Sam is not disappointed, by any means.]

[thezekeinator]

[The clearest and most amazing sign of how thoroughly Zeke enjoyed it is that he is, in fact, tired. Pleasantly tired, but his usual absurd animation has faded away in favor of a sprawl in that chair. ]

You're the best, you know.

1

[flatcola]

I couldn't manage it.

[ Except for the food choices, although someone might have to remind her to include the vegan options. She's not a great host, she just knows she likes pizza.

Fortunately, she's so short that he just misses her entirely with his... weapon? Prop? ]

You'll waste it if you knock someone out with that, though.

[thezekeinator]

Naw, this thing's completely harmless.

[To prove the point, Zeke grabs it with both hands, then whips it back to whack himself over the head with it.]

Doesn't even sting!

1

[reluctants]

[ Illya is definitely flinching a little bit every time he waves around that big foam thing.. She might even be stepping back at one point. Y-You know. Just to make sure? She doesn't want to get hit, not even by something that's just foam!!

Still, she doesn't fully disengage from this conversation. She's here to celebrate his birthday, after all! So the girl tries to smile politely - even with some awkward fear of the foam replica present in the smile - as she replies. ]

It really is amazing! I'm glad you got a big party like this.. You're so nice to people, you deserve it! [ Maybe she's got a bit of rose-colored glasses going on here. But-- look, he helped her, so he clearly is nice!! ]

Kozakura

[flatcola]

[ Kozakura isn't getting into the ring. Obviously. She might weigh less than the foam swords, and she's not agile enough to try and Oddjob it with her height.

The arcade machines though? One of the fighting games is a little older, one that she's passingly familiar with, and she ends up eyeing both it, and anyone else who's looking at the games. ]

...bet I can take you.

[reluctants]

.. h-huh?!

[ Sorry, Kozakura. It's just the sort of thing that can really catch someone off guard if they hear it out of nowhere, okay. Illya's eyes go wide with surprise, though realizing it's Kozakura that's saying it does leave it at surprise, rather than moving all the way up to fear.. ]

What do you mean? The-- The games?!

Ouji

[lonelyrollingstar]

[A birthday party, huh? Sam had invited him and while he’d felt a little awkward as he barely knew the birthday boy, it would’ve been rude to turn the offer down! So! Here he was, dressed far more casually than at the last party you might’ve seen him at (his family’s housewarming.) It was nice, in a way, not having to be so formal… but he still had an image to maintain. He was representing the Damashii family, after all!]

A. Piñata
[Ouji is fascinated by the idea of a piñata! Bright and colorful and weirdly shaped, it is kind of like a katamari if you think about it resonates with him somehow. He’s so short, though, the operator will have to dangle it pretty low for him. He’s giving it his best shot but his swings are still rather timid. Maybe he needs some encouragement? Let’s go, little guy! Get that candy!!!]


B. Pizza
[A perfectly round vessel for collecting piles of toppings, pizzas are kind of like katamaris too if you think about it (wait, are they really?!) were popular even with the social elite Damashii household!

Ouji looks blissful as he bites into a slice covered in sliced tomatoes and green peppers. If he notices you looking his way, he gets a little bashful and wipes at his mouth very primly.]

Ah. Hello. Um. What toppings are your favorite?


C. Presents (Closed to Zeke!)
[it wasn’t hard to find Zeke, bustling around as he was. Ouji approaches carefully (mindful of the foam sword he’s surely swinging around), carrying a box wrapped in red plaid paper with a gold and white ribbon wrapped around it and tied in a bow.]

H-Happy birthday! Thank you for allowing me to celebrate your special day!

[He bows lightly, holding out the present like one might present a business card.]

C!

[thezekeinator]

Hey! Thanks for coming, chum!

[Zeke's boundless enthusiasm is extra boundless today, as he stops menacing the world at large with a non-deadly weapon long enough to accept the box with a grin.]

And thanks for this, too!

B

[flatcola]

...meat.

[ Although her momentary eyeing of Ouji is wondering if eating more veggies on her pizza counts as 'healthy'. ]

A

[reluctants]

[ Honestly, Illya sure doesn't blame the other for the slightly timid swings.. The entire reason she isn't joining in on the piñata fun is exactly because she's too shy to go for it too!

So seeing Ouji struggle a little bit is tugging on her heartstrings.. Enough so that the young girl can't help but speak up, despite still feeling pretty shy. She breathes in, and then calls out: ]

Y-- You can do it! You just have to hit it a little bit harder, and you'll have it..!