It's party time!

[mischiefbreeder]

Who: You, and you, and you, and also you. Aaaand maybe even you. You know, just to be nice. In other words, everyone!
What: It's a birthday party for Masaomi disguised as a beach party for everybody! And you're invited!
When: June 19th.
Where: The ocean shore!
Summary: So Gold came up with this idea where he wanted to throw Masaomi a birthday party, because that's a thing he tends to do. But he wants it to be more than just a party, so he invited in the village to the birthday party under the pretense that it's also a beach party!
Rating: PG-13 at best. If it get beyond that, take it off the comm!

Go ahead and tag into the various subthreads, or create your own! If you were going to send your character onto the desert exploration, comment here so we can figure things out! Otherwise, have fun!

Comments

[generalflirt]

[ Hah ] The distinction between the two are actually a bit unclear here, if you ask me.

[ But no, he knows there's a difference. But... he'd curious to see how Riku will keep up the argument ]

[stilldontgotit]

You really think so?

[Heh. Well, maybe he's onto something there.]

Guess I can see that. Everyone in Luceti's got a chance at facing war and death... When put under extreme circumstances, sometimes people grow up fast. But physically, they're still kids and teens, and one thing I've noticed is that a lot of people hang onto the customs from their worlds. So if growing up's a big deal back home, it can still be one here, just without the bells and whistles they'd usually get.

[generalflirt]

[ Bam. He's right, which is why Masaomi nods, and with a somewhat more serious expression, holds out one of his hands in a mock gun shape, brings it up to Riku's chest, and mock-fires ]

See, that's the magic bullet, right there. It's custom, and for whatever else people try to change or escape, we're still coated by what we were raised with, for better or for worse. So right now, I'm feeling like I didn't accomplish all that much for coming of age today.

[stilldontgotit]

Yeah... I get that.

[He tips his head back, gazing up at the sky.]

Because society expects guys our age to do more, right? Find a stable and successful job. Maybe settle down... Guess it varies from world to world, but in a place like Luceti, it's not like we can really meet those expectations without a little risk.

[Because people leave, and there's no money, making jobs more of a hobby than anything substantial.]

[generalflirt]

So what about you, Riku-san? How do you think you managed the expectation of your peers? Do you think it's silly?

[stilldontgotit]

Well, those expectations haven't been the same since the islands got destroyed.

[His fault, though this goes unsaid.]

And at first, I'd say I did a lousy job. Made a bunch of mistakes, and after a while, I wound up avoiding them. It's complicated, but let's just say I did something reckless to make sure Sora woke up and got stuck looking just like one of his-- no, our enemies.

[He averts his gaze, and one of his hands slides up to his chest, resting right over his heart.]

...But despite all those mistakes, Sora, Kairi, and Mickey never held it against me. And now I'm the one who became a Keyblade master, so I guess I did something right.

[But his tone certainly lacks any hint of smugness, carrying a more uncertain air. Even here, he's not sure he's Master material.]

[generalflirt]

When you put it like that, then, aren't you some big savior fellow? Came out on top and everything, through it all.

[ He's not sure what he should be saying, really. He's not sure if he should be accepting or accusatory. What sort of feeling to portray ]

[stilldontgotit]

I don't know if I'd go that far.

[Shrugging, Riku takes a short peek back at the shore.]

Besides, this is your big day. And you have to have made at least a few accomplishments.

[He's been here a long time. Participated in drafts, trained a Pokémon... there's definitely a lot to draw on.]

[generalflirt]

Oh, some, yeah. I'm not so stupid as to neglect those.

[ ... But really, a big part of it is. ] Have you ever heard the phrase, "I'm a lover and not a fighter," Riku-san? It's something I used to say from time to time. But I'm pretty sure my track record here shows the opposite.

[ There's still a smile on his face as he says it though. Sure it's not totally meeting his eyes as he looks off at the shore too, but... it's also not something he's super depressed over ]

[stilldontgotit]

[Ah, so that's what this is about... Riku nods, quietly mulling over his words. Masaomi's always been a big flirt, that much was clear from the start, but has he ever actually succeeded in finding someone?

If he has, Riku sure hasn't heard about it. And to turn twenty and not have made any strides...

Riku's gaze drops, and a frown crawls across his face.]

No luck, huh? Well, who knows? Maybe things'll turn around before you know it.

[At least, that's what Sora'd say. And sometimes a little optimism goes a long way.]

[generalflirt]

[ ... Hah ] You know, when you're saying that, it sort of makes me want to hit you.

[ This is mostly a joke. Mostly. Mostly. Very deadpan ]

[stilldontgotit]

Oh yeah?

[He smiles wryly, cocking his head to the side and arching his brow.]

And here I was, trying to cheer you up...

[But nah. He knows how cheesy that sounded. His younger self would probably wanna do the same.]

[generalflirt]

Eeeh, are you sure you weren't showing off a little?

[ His lips curve up into a smirk, leaning his head in a bit towards Riku ]

[stilldontgotit]

Not even close. Trust me, my ego's about the size of an ant. I guess I just got off on a tangent.

[His smile softens, and he lets out a weak chuckle.]

But hey, a least you're confident. That'll go a long way.

[But Riku? ...Nah. After everything he's been through, his self esteem's kinda tanked.]

[generalflirt]

[ ... Huh? Ego the size of an ant? ] You know, that sort of humbleness isn't something you expect out of a hot guy like you, Riku-san.

[ Confident, though. Him? For him to appear confident.. well that is the vibe he tries to give off. It's not completely true, of course, but a lie told long enough and with enough effort might become a little true ]

[stilldontgotit]

Well, you know what they say. Can't judge a book by its cover and all that.

[He shrugs and swats at the air.]

It's tough to be cocky when you single-handedly caused your world's destruction. Just because it's back now doesn't erase that mistake.

[Or the others, like the way he turned against Sora, lost control of his body, and grappled with his darkness. It's rough, and even if he's moved forward, there are still those lingering doubts.]

[generalflirt]

[ Huh... ] Really? I didn't see that one coming, I confess.

[stilldontgotit]

I don't think anyone would.

[After all, destroying worlds is a big deal. In most places, it'd probably take some kind of superweapon.]

But that's what happens when you open the door to a world's heart. Leaves the whole place vulnerable to the darkness.

[generalflirt]

So what possessed you to go for that?

[stilldontgotit]

There was this door hidden in a cave back on the island, and not just any door. It had no doorknob, no handle, and sometimes when I looked at it, I'd see this weird keyhole...

[He shakes his head, raising one of his hands and curling it into a fist.]

The night before my friends and I planned on leaving, I decided it was my last chance to find out what was inside. I got careless and opened the door...

[His eyes snap shut, and his breath hitches. His fist strikes the water's surface, and when he speaks again, his voice is soft. Strained.]

That was when the Heartless attacked.

[generalflirt]

[ So... genuine curiosity? Just wanting to know how it went before he couldn't? What a terrible way to cause a fate. He's not sure what Heartless are, but they they attacked, this seems almost too deep to be having while out in the water and shirtless.

Still, it is what it is. He keeps his attention on Riku ]

[stilldontgotit]

So... yeah, that's why my ego's been trashed.

[He swipes his hand across the water, laughing dryly.]

But I won't bore you with the rest of the details. You deserve better-- plus, it's not exactly the kinda thing we should be chatting about at a party.

[generalflirt]

If you're talking about what I "deserve" that's a whole other thing, Riku-san. [ Exhale ] But you're right, this isn't the time or the place.

[stilldontgotit]

Heh, so...

[Okay, what's a good Masaomi segue? His lips twitch, starting to form a smile.]

See any cute girls lately?

[...Did he really just say that out loud? Riku covers his face with his hand the second he finishes. It's totally not his style to ask something like that.

Maybe it's not too late to backpedal...]

[generalflirt]

[ ... Did he really just. His smirk grows a little bit wider, and he elbows the guy in the side. He spins around now, to face the short. He looks off on it, and looks for Crystal. Who is still in her hoodie right now but... ]

She. Is someone who's been catching my eye lately.