( open ) smells like teen spirit

[heelies]

CHARACTERS: Sieglinde, family, friends, and guests
DATE: February 6th
WARNINGS: Loki was threatening to jump out of a cake, so who knows...
SUMMARY: Sieglinde is turning thirteen and thus her "fathers" see fit to host a celebration marking the occasion. Surprisingly, nothing is a disaster - they even refrain from ritualistic animal sacrifice.


[Invitation had traveled by word of mouth, and so there is little reason why you in particular would not have heard news of the party if indeed you know Sieglinde in any capacity. The celebration falls on the evening of Saturday, the sixth of February, for this is the night of the full moon under which the Green Witch's birthday is observed, and it is held at the local roller skating rink, for this is a perfectly normal choice of venue for a perfectly normal family who have assuredly celebrated many birthdays before.

Fortunately for the ancient Greek warriors, the esteemed Master of Ceremonies at the roller rink takes the reins for much of the festivities. Welcome to the disco revival of the early nineties! Strap on those skates and be prepared for any cheesy party game you can think of...on wheels! Later in the evening, all are gathered for a game of laser tag - which, judging by the present company, likely turns into an all out laser war, from which only one may emerge victorious.

For dinner there shall be served a glut of pizza enough to-- Er, I mean, a bodacious quantity of pizza enough to sate the appetite worked up by skating. After supper comes the cake, ablaze with candles in tribute to each year of young Sieglinde's life, and of course the gifts too. The evening ends with one final free skate before guests begin to depart into the night.]

Comments

urahara "the obnoxious uncle" kisuke | ota

[predomination]

[the fact that it didn't take much convincing- really who can say no to Sieglinde- to get Urahara to abandon his projects and work with the virus to drop by is a testament to how much he needed this. he's running pretty low on excuses to take breaks and hit the point where he's decided he doesn't really need them anymore, which is terrible for both continuing sanity and morale.

granted, he's not really doing much at this party- he doesn't need to. the sheer fact that he's refusing to get lost in his own head and far enough away from any reason to do so is fine enough in itself. and if he's partaking in a little bit of schadenfreude by leaning on the barrier that separates the food court from the skating rink, watching some of his fellow teammates attempt various party games... well, that can't be helped.

his "helpful" commentary probably can be though.

as for his gifts... Well, Urahara's an utter cheapskate, but he does look like he put genuine effort into his gifts. the first is an overlarge comfy sleep shirt with the following decal on it and a maple leaf pendant. the other looks like a child's chemistry set with a note on the top that says not to open it until she's somewhere private. inside are two trashy novels set around the time period and country she hailed from and a handmade device that can muffle sounds in a room from outside listeners for about thirty minutes. it only has one charge, but there's a step by step instruction manual for making her own and the common items he used to build it.]

[grunehexe]

[Who should say "no" to Sieglinde? No one, obviously. Had they not earned something of a sabbatical? She finds it much easier to take a break when it isn't an issue directly to her own personal quest or the work she takes on for their colleagues- as selfish as that was.

Also, it was her birthday. A young lady did not turn thirteen every day.

It would be a lie to say she wasn't potentially excited most about presents, (though, was that so wrong?), and when Urahara hands his over she is enthusiastic when it comes to tearing into it, revealing first the maple leaf-shaped pendant, which she holds aloft as if it was a priceless jewel found within an ancient temple.]

How real it seems to be!

[And this is just the first part???]

[predomination]

[at least she started with one of the less teasing gifts- actually, it might be the most emotionally charged of all of them, given how important maples are to him. he's nonchalant as he sits eating cake and observing the proceedings, though there's a part of him that's eager for her to open more, so he can see her reaction.

that whole "lost most of his opportunities to ever be a father" thing is occasionally something that weighs heavily on him, but at least it benefits Sieglinde and all of the teammates like her who deserve a little doting from someone.]

I'm not sure of the sort of trees they had in your forest, Sieglinde-san, and I couldn't ask without being obvious about it, so I found something from my own.

[grunehexe]

My forest was largely spruce, so it may not have made a fine necklace-

[Holding it up to the light, the pendant seems so very thin and delicate- a very finely crafted item indeed. Much larger and more accessory-like than the thin pine needles or juniper fronds she was more used to, anyway, though she recognizes the breed from her studies and pressings.

Laying it on her small but ever-growing pile of opened presents with a bit of reverence, she turns next to the medium-sized box, opening it up to find cloth... and a decal she tries to understand way too seriously.]

I... am not sure this is something one ought to advertise so plainly, but it is a good, warm material...

Sakura Kinomoto l Cardcaptor Sakura

[keystaff]

[Sakura is present, being a friend and one of the few here around Sieglinde's age among the recruits. She might be rather confident and something of a natural with rollerblades, given she uses those to get to and from school most of the time back home. But skates are a different story. Still, she gives it a go, being the curious and natural athlete that she is. She actually quite enjoys it, laughing with everyone as they skate and play.

The laser tag may or may not go well, depending on whether she uses her cards to aid her team or whether that is allowed or not and may escalate things. Still, the aim is that Sieglinde enjoys herself, as the birthday girl. So if Sakura might be on the other team she might be going a little easy for that reason.

But it isn't long before she's joining the others in eating, having some pizza. She's more used to Japanese food, but pizza is still something she is familiar enough with. It's around now that she gives her gift to Sieglinde, which is a fairytale book with a collection of stories, some hair ties and clips for her hair.]

[grunehexe]

[Skating is a challenge Sieglinde is quite unsure if she's ready to face just yet, but it's actually still fun to just watch it, having had someone set her on the top of the low wall that borders the rink so she can have a good view, kicking her feet enthusiastically.]

Sakura!

[She calls the other girl's name and waves an arm to get her attention before making a looping motion with that same arm.

Do a figure-8?!]

[keystaff]

[Sakura is well aware of her friends feet, so she isn't that surprised when her friend simply opts to watch the rest on the rink. She turns to face Sieglinde when she hears her name called in that familiar voice, noting the gesture. It isn't that hard to figure what the other might want to see her try.]

A loop? Okay....

[That doesn't seem too difficult. She's had enough practice on her rollerblades back home that these seem easier in a way, in keeping her balance. Ensuring she won't be in anyone else's way, she gives it ago, moving in gentle curves to make the loop shape.]

[grunehexe]

Bravo!

[How very athletically-skilled! Maybe Sieglinde's bar for that is set a bit low because of her own handicaps, but she still finds it a praiseworthy move, and so she applauds accordingly, taking on the role of cheerleader.]

Another trick!

this is just embarrassing

[heelies]

( I. the good times are killing me )

[However curious seem to him the customs of this land, still Achilles finds familiar threads woven into this celebration: the Achaeans are no strangers to sport, after all, and thus does he gladly strap on the roller skates to test this foreign game. Blessed as he is with supernatural grace, one of the gifts of his deathless mother's blood, he navigates well enough how to balance upon the clunky skates, how to roll forward, and how to turn. What he does not discern intuitively, however, is how to stop once he has gained speed.

And so, as party guests skate and skitter over the varnished wooden rink, they may find themselves in imminent danger of being side-swiped by a Greek warrior on roller skates.]

Look out--!

[This is the sweetest, shortest, and most to the point he shall ever be.]

( II. miscellaneous )

[Or you may delight in his rendition of the happy birthday song, played upon the lyre slow and sweet. Perhaps you witness his struggle in eating his very first slice of pizza, or you may wish to stop him from asking the poor servers when they intend to bring the wine - for what manner of celebration is dry of wine? I am willing to (wait for it) roll with anything you throw my way!]

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

[grunehexe]

01. ITALIAN FARE

[Pizza was... fantastic. If you had described it to Sieglinde not a day before, something about bread topped with tomato sauce, herbs, cheeses, and meats, she would have thought it sounded good... but this was some sort of... religious experience. At least, that's what the expression on her face is saying when she's eating it, anyway, exclaiming and gesturing to her half-eaten slice, (with a smudge of sauce unnoticed on her cheek.)]

And this is considered standard fare for celebrations? How marvelous!

02. PAIRS SKATE

Do not, under any circumstance, let go-

[You are one of the few, the proud?, who has managed to convince awkward gaited Sieglinde Sullivan to attempt roller skating. It took a bit of work to get her shoes off and the skates on, and she appears now almost like a newborn foal attempting its first steps, thin legs trembling and knees turned in too far as she grips hands for support, feeling quite sure her feet would skate off in different directions the second they were given the chance.]

03. GIFTS APLENTY

[If asked, Sieglinde will make the argument that there is nothing childish about delighting over presents, and simply because she is thirteen now does not mean she cannot get excited upon being handed something from one of her team members. Of course, she's gotten presents many times, all her life- but presents sour once you find out the people who gave them to you were all elaborate liars in a fake world, so these... are far more precious to her now.

Accepting the gift, she holds herself back from just ripping it open in favor of a more ladylike nod of thanks, fingers playing with the idea of delicately undoing the wrapping.]

Shall I open it before you?

[That's normal, Sieglinde...]

04. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

[It seemed only right to allow any of the team who wished to celebrate to take part, so she is not intimately familiar with all members who might attend. And even if she is, she still plans to play the part of a good host, waving in greeting before approaching to do so more properly. With the assistance of her "fathers" (and their paying jobs), she is dressed up in her finest Woodhurst gown, a green plaid dress, with ribbons in her braid and her usual accoutrements of chatelaine chain and dagger out of sight, a gold bracelet her only usual item still visible. (Blending was hard.)]

How good of you to come! Welcome, welcome, and feel free to feast and enjoy as you please!

02

[perma_banned]

[HE'S SO DRUNK WHY IS SHE LETTING HIM DO THIS]

I'm not~.

[Given the fact that he could balance on a pinky toe after a whole night of drinking, supporting Sieglinde as she drifted on her skates inch by inch wasn't really a difficult matter for Ban and it was the first time he ever skated. It turned out that being able to stick the landing after getting thrown 10 kilometers by a giantess lent a little assistance when it came to rollerskating.

He couldn't stop grinning, either, it seemed.]

I'm still heeeere.

[grunehexe]

[BECAUSE YOU'RE EVIL HE'S ALMOST ALWAYS DRUNK, SO??]

You had best remain so!

[Because she's definitely not feeling confident enough to strike out on her own, barely able at the moment to keep herself upright without slipping into a very bad split. Looking around for the path of least resistance, (aka the part of the rink less busy with skaters and so less likely to end in collision), she tries to jerk her head in that direction in lieu of pointing.

This is a two-hand-hold job.]

Let us go over there-

[perma_banned]

[That's my secret, Captain.

What Ban learned was that Sieglinde had a pretty strong grip and a very bent center mass. He huffed a bit of wonder in the form of a sigh and began standing up inch by inch. Staying in a near squatting position on skates would eventually put a strain on his back. She wanted to go in one direction but Ban was getting the impression that it would mostly end up with him just sort of gliding her that way with his grip.]

Before you start movin', let's change how we're doin' thiiis. You're not gonna learn balance holdin' onto the side of a cliff the whole time, Sig.

03

[winces]

Oh, [ there is a faint pink flush of nervousness blooming across olivia's cheeks, but she resists the urge to snatch the box back from the other, because that's definitely not what you do with a gift... ]

U-Um. If you'd like, sure...

[ she is a little out of her element as well, in more ways than one, as birthday celebrations back home (both within her troupe, and within basilio's soldiers) were always a lot more... lax, to put it lightly. surprises and grand celebrations and wrapping and the like — they weren't really afforded such luxuries.

but wrapped inside that box, sieglinde will find a single green book, though its pages are completely blank. the "lock" it bears is also a flimsy excuse of one, but it makes the intent of the book fairly clear. ]

I, um... I was told these diaries are very popular among blossoming young women. Meant to hold their deepest thoughts and wishes. [ olivia figures if sieglinde isn't comfortable talking about them, then maybe writing about them might be a decent alternative. ]

...I tried to find one that reminded me most of you.

[ green, obviously. but plain as it might look, be thankful she didn't go with an alternative. along with the book is a 90's era green pom pom pen. ]

[grunehexe]

My thanks, Olivia- !

[Sieglinde would very much like.

She does manage to open it rather neatly, at least, with minimal paper tearing and over-zealousness. Very ladylike, indeed! Sebastian might no longer be with them, and maybe he had turned out to be a demon... but she was sure these manners would have been acceptable, surely? (... Maybe not, Sebastian had been a strict teacher.)

Upon extracting the book she looks it over, flipping through the pages and peering at the lock- indeed, a rather simple thing that seemed more... ornamental or symbolic than effective, so she is not sure writing secrets inside would be intelligent in the slightest... but weirdly enough, she is drawn more to the pen, eyes widening curiously as she gropes the pom pom.]

What purpose does this puff serve?

[Perhaps it hid text, or could dry ink instantly somehow, like a large blotter...]

[winces]

[ s...omehow olivia should have expected that it would turn out like this. that sieglinde would gloss over the part of the gift she actually put some thought into. /bleak ]

I... don't think it has any. Sorry. I think it's just for decoration.

04

[moneyballer]

[Asher has spent this week fretting over how this party was supposed to go. Unbeknownst to Sieglinde, perhaps, Patroclus managed to rope him into the planning. The ancient Greeks had their hearts in the right place, and he didn't have the heart to turn such a politely worded request down.

Sighing, he pauses to take a look at this place. Man, it smells like processed cheese and sugary drinks of the non alcoholic variety, but joints like this have long gone out of style in his own time period.

He misses them, just a little.]

Heyyyy.

[A smile.]

Looks like you're havin' fun.

[There's a parcel tucked neatly under of his arms.]

[grunehexe]

If it is not Asher.

[Though Sieglinde cannot say she thought to see him here this day, she is not displeased by his presence- the more the merrier, in this sense. She almost teases him by making a reference to a certain username, but this is her party and she ought to be a gracious host, she supposes, so instead, she just presents her hand.

... Palm down, so it seems like it is not a handshake she is expecting.]

I am glad to accept your well wishes on this occasion of the anniversary of my birth.

[moneyballer]

[It's good to see her smile like that, as he can imagine that it's tough to do so, some days. Sieglinde is mature for her age, no doubt, but that doesn't make dealing with heartbreak or bad days any easier.]

Huh?

[That gesture confuses him at first, so he takes a moment to truly process what it means.]

Oh.

[Gingerly, he takes her hand in his own and plants a chaste kiss beneath the knuckles. Oh boy, that was supposed to be innocent??? But it definitely made him feel like he was going to hell. Let go, dumbass, this is weird enough already.]

01

[boneafide]

Oh yes, people eat pizza all the time! Without even boiling it first! That's the strangest part to me!!

[ It shouldn't be boiled, ever, ever ever ever ever. ]

I'm glad you're having a good birthday! They're very important for people who have them!!

[grunehexe]

[Boiling... Sieglinde may not know much at all about pizza, but she knows it's kind of perfect as it is... and surely one does not boil something that involves this much mixture of sauce?

Her expression grows concerned over the very idea, eyebrows raised.]

You boil this?

03

[ex_adept136]

[In contrast to the holiday celebration, this time the gift Haise has gotten for Sieglinde fits into a rather petite box. As she's a young lady now, it seems appropriate to give her something to suit though, and he's fairly sure she has more than enough clothing. The question gives him pause, if only because she didn't hesitate to open her gifts before this mission, but he replies soon enough]

Only if you'd like to. I know you've got quite a few waiting.

[Although he does hope that it's something she'll like, it's her day and she should open her presents in whatever order she sees fit. Whenever she does, if she chooses to open the locket, she'll find pictures of herself with various members of ALASTAIR.

When did Haise take these? A mystery]

[grunehexe]

[Birthdays seem quite a bit different to her than other things. She had never received gifts in this fashion, for one, merely a banquet, and Urahara's had even had a note on it telling her to open it somewhere else...

Best to ask.]

Nonsense- I shall not keep a gift from you waiting. I have high hopes considering the last you imparted to me.

[She is the focus of this party, so she behaves herself a bit more ladylike this time, careful not to rip the paper nor rush until she pulls out the silver pendant, discerning its ability to be opened quickly by look alone and popping it, revealing- photographs?

Of her? With others?

It's strange, but... she's never really seen a picture of herself before. Not a photograph like this, that isn't a painted portrait hanging on a stuffy manor wall. It leaves her stunned momentarily, staring at them in silence for a moment before she speaks up again, her voice quieter.]

- you took these?

[She'd seen him with that camera of his, but...]

03

[dailydouble]

[ Ahad is, contrary to what is likely popular belief, very good at parties. He knows all the rules and customs surrounding them, and has thrown more of them than he would care to remember. His chosen field of work could, in a certain light, be seen as one continuous party, night after night.

Whether he enjoyed them or not was an entirely different matter.

Bringing a gift to Sieglinde's birthday party was the proper thing to do, even if he was entirely out of place in a skating rink. Nevertheless, it seemed a small thing, to do for a friend. ]

There's no need to. I am aware of what I've gifted you.

[grunehexe]

[Ahad's not the only one out of place in the skating rink. Sieglinde's "fathers" were trying their best, bless them, and Sieglinde herself was a bit overwhelmed by the volume of the noise and the whole... skating thing, but.

It was apparently what one did here, when one had a birthday. And the pizza was quite good, actually.]

Oh- yes, of course.

[Well, he would, but.

She looks between Ahad and the gift, slightly caught off guard by this sudden dilemma.]

I understand that many people like to see the reaction...

[Either way was fine, she's just... checking. Sort of.]