They do what they can with such a small budget.

[to_theleft]

Who: Anyone. Everyone.
What: A party on the Antoinette, for Haruhi's birthday.
Where: The docks at Isla Empieza, and on-board the Antoinette.
When: February 4th, afternoon and evening
Style: Whatever floats your boats!
Status: Open to everyone! Come enjoy the celebration.
Warnings: None yet; will be added as they occur.

The docks are usually loud and busy, but today, one ship sticks out as being particularly energetic. Those on the Antoinette are preparing a surprise for one of their crew, and they are not being quiet about it in the least. Instructions are shouted from one end of the deck to the other about decoration placement; some unlucky passers-by may wind up with rejected decorations on their heads, as anything deemed 'not good enough' will be carelessly tossed over the side of the ship.

A steady stream of food is being delivered to the Antoinette, and placed on top of a series of makeshift tables decorated with over a dozen drawings of happy tanukis, each enjoying a different meal, and each with a party hat on. Anyone who comes onto this ship and tries to eat something without permission will be swiftly descended upon by a member of the crew - this food is not to be enjoyed until the birthday girl returns.

Games have been planned; some more carefully than others. They've not managed to find a decent musician around yet, so unfortunately this party is sadly lacking in the music department - anyone with an instrument and talent would be welcomed.

All entrances to other parts of the ship have been roped off, and any attempt to explore beyond the deck will result in Trouble.

Come enjoy the party, and make some new friends!

Comments

[to_theleft]

That's pretty much the same as kidnapping. [His tone is dry and deadpan; come on, dude, just call it what it is.

This dog is heavy, and Hikaru has to readjust himself so that he can lean most of his weight onto one leg. He's not complaining, though - despite Cuddles still smelling bad, he's starting to grow on Hikaru. He'll happily provide the chin scratches, since that's obviously what the giant dog is gunning for.]

Where did you find this guy, anyway? [It's actually said to Cuddles, rather than Sydni. Not that he expects an answer from the canine.]

[bloodandbattle]

It is not!

[So offended his laughing tone is.]

Kidnapping would be taking by force and not letting them return if they did not want to.

[Cuddles let out a whine at Hikaru's question. Then a bark. Then another whine before he dropped his head and gave a fake cough. When he lifted his head again, he pulled away to give a happy bark and turn in a circle. When that was over he returned to his spot leaning against Hikaru's side.

He was, of course, telling the epic tale of how Sydni had seen him at Ostagar, shown no fear in putting a muzzle on him, then braved the Kokari Wilds to find medicine that would heal him of the poison in his blood. They then met several weeks later on the road to Lothering where Cuddles came and saved him and his friends from a Darkspawn attack.

Cuddles' stubby tail wagged happily.

Sydni, for his part, answered simply.]

At a war camp.

[to_theleft]

They're kids; I'm pretty sure none of them would want to go home.

[He actually pays close attention to what Cuddles is doing, trying to see if he can piece out some sort of story. He nods seriously during the performance, but at the end of it, has no idea what the hell that was supposed to be.

Thankfully Sydni offers his contribution, or Hikaru would have made up his own story. He reaches out his hand to Cuddles, offering to resume the petting and scratches.]

I probably should have expected that, huh. [Both the unintelligible story from Cuddles, and the fact that they met through a war camp.]

[bloodandbattle]

Perhaps in your world...

[The Warden's expression sobered up some as he gave a quick click of his tongue to grab Cuddles attention so he didn't knock the boy over. The Mabari backed off Hikaru immediately and came to stand at Sydni's side. His ears perked up and the tilt of his head made it obvious he was curious what the heel command had been given for. Usually it was only given when his master was busy and needed his attention. Cuddles didn't see anything keeping Sydni busy.

The elf simply put a hand on the dog's head and pet him lightly. He found comfort in the action.]

In mine, most children like to return home at night to join their families and stay close. The ones I have observed, at least. I don't have any real experience with that sort of thing myself. Families, I mean. I hardly remember most of my childhood otherwise.

You're still fairly young yourself, are you not? Eighteen perhaps?

[to_theleft]

[He drops his hand back to his side when Cuddles goes to Sydni, and gratefully re-shifts his weight to be on both feet rather than just one.]

I guess it's pretty normal to want to be home at night. [Though he's never really had much experience with it. He's not particularly close to either of his parents, and the only family member he truly ever wants to be with is usually always by his side anyway. 'Home' is wherever Kaoru is.

He waves a hand in a negative gesture at the age guess.] We're only fifteen. [He actually pauses at that. Are they sixteen now? If Haruhi's birthday is today, that makes her sixteen, so theoretically he and Kaoru should have had a birthday too...] We might be sixteen now, actually. It's hard to tell when birthday plots get skipped over all the time.

[And that's actually an absolutely normal observation for someone from his home to make.]

[bloodandbattle]

Birthday plots?

[Yeah. That's getting a question.]

[to_theleft]

[He waves his hand again, brushing the question aside.] If you don't know already, it's not worth explaining. [Especially since he's not sure Sydni would even know what a birthday is to begin with.] It doesn't really matter anyway; I don't think anyone here cares about how old people are.

[Still, that's something he should talk to Kaoru about at some point. It's not fair if Haruhi's had a birthday while they missed out.]

[bloodandbattle]

[It's certainly true that Sydni had never celebrated a birthday - that he could remember at least. Before he was taken to the Circle, before his fifth year, his parents probably celebrated it. He didn't even know when his was anymore. The Circle wasn't very good about keeping track of that sort of thing. The better to disconnect the mages in their care from life outside of the tower walls.]

That's likely. As long as your age isn't getting you into trouble, I doubt it matters for most of the important duties here. And you seem to be running the coordination of decor well enough as is.

[Spilled water non-withstanding.]