Time to live it up in here!

[hiken_ace]

Who: Anyone!
What: Marco's surprise birthday party.
When: October 6th, in the afternoon.
Where: Community Housing 3, Room 40
Summary: It's Marco's birthday. Ace planned a party. Need I say more?
Rating: Uh, PG? Since there will be pirates here, I'm hoping not to go above PG-13. PLAY NICE, KIDS.
[Ace wasn't going to go overboard on the decorating. In fact, he had to leave a lot of it up to everyone else since his injuries prevent quite a bit of movement. But soon enough, there were a decent amount of streamers up, and a nice big banner that says "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCO". He had to work extra hard to get the cake to look just right. The cake is surrounded by the presents, and there's a few separate tables for food and drinks. Fruit punch for everyone, and some alcohol for the adults and pirates.

Come on, people, this is a party. Let's live it up a little! And don't forget to embarrass congratulate the birthday pirate. Feel free to leave your own comment below, just for mingling, or just doing something silly, or giving Marco your present! Have at!]

Comments

[alabastajewel]

Ah, of course. [Makes sense that Marco would also be pretty knowledgeable about birds, after all.]

And how has Knox been doing? I assume she recovered from her illness all right?

[oftheyin]

Oh yes. [Big smiles.] She's doing very well, and has a bigger place to stay now that we're living in a house.

[alabastajewel]

Oh, I didn't realize you'd moved! Where are you living now? [And belatedly noting that 'we'...]

Did you have a roommate before? [Ran Fan had been at the apartment alone--well, except for Knox--the last time Vivi had been there, so she'd just assumed the girl lived on her own.]

[oftheyin]

We're in house 32.

[A nod.] I live with the prince I protect and another from our world, a princess from a rival clan.

[alabastajewel]

[House 32. Okay, she'll just try and file that away for future reference.]

Oh! You're a royal guard, Ran Fan-san? [She sounds pretty excited about this, and as Ran Fan continues, Vivi wonders. A prince and a princess from rival clans? That sounds familiar; specifically, it puts her in mind of what Ling has told her of the political system in Xing. Still, she doesn't want to assume. Luceti has a pretty high percentage of royalty for the population, after all.]

Another prince and princess? [She laughs lightly.] There certainly are a lot of us here.

[oftheyin]

I was. Ling felt it was best to relieve me of my duty while here. He felt that we should be friends here.

[STARINGGGGGG.] You're a princess as well?

[alabastajewel]

[Aha!] Oh, so it is Ling-san you meant! I wasn't sure--that would mean the princess you mentioned is his sister then, wouldn't it?

[And here she notices Ran Fan's stare.] Ah, yes, I am! My father is the king of Alabasta back home.

[oftheyin]

You know Ling then? And half, yes.

[Have a smile.] I had no idea. Did you not wish to be called Princess here?

[alabastajewel]

I do. Perhaps not very well, but we've talked quite a few times over the journals.

[Vivi flaps a dismissive hand, looking half-amused and a little embarrassed.] That's all right. It's not all that important here, and even back home, most of my friends just call me Vivi.

[oftheyin]

Then I will continue to call you Vivi as well, if that's alright. [Mustn't be disrespectful.]

You must be very close to your people if you let them call you by your name.

[alabastajewel]

Of course it's all right! In fact, I'd prefer it. [Not that she minds her title at all, but being called by her name seems more natural here.]

I do try. I want to be a good ruler one day. [But enough about her; let's talk about you.]

I'll admit I was surprised to find out you were a royal guard! [Mostly because Ran Fan seems rather young to her...but considering the things Vivi was up to at age fourteen, that's probably a little silly.] You must be quite talented!

[oftheyin]

I know you will become a great leader. [She just has a feeling. Plus Vivi is so kind and caring and would make a great one.]

I was trained by my grandfather. [VERY proud smile.] He, um, was the very best. I only hope I can do him proud.

[alabastajewel]

Thank you. [The vote of confidence does mean a lot to her, even if she hopes she won't have to take her father's place for a long, long time.]

[Vivi notes that past tense when Ran Fan speaks of her grandfather, and her smile turns a bit softer.] I'm sure you do. Was he a royal guard as well?

[oftheyin]

He was. He... he sacrificed his life in order to protect our prince. [It's kinda the first time she's said it out loud to someone other than Ling.] He was the best there was and will ever be.

[alabastajewel]

[...'he sacrificed his life in order to protect our prince.' It takes a moment for the implication of that to fully hit Vivi--this must be the person Ling was referring to in an earlier conversation they'd had, a servant who'd died to protect him. She gives a soft gasp, inclining her head slightly toward Ran Fan.]

I'm very sorry for your loss. I'm sure you honor him with your continued service. [Because even if she's no longer serving him in an official capacity, Vivi has no doubt that Ran Fan still does her best to protect Ling no matter what.]

[oftheyin]

[Vivi's kindness makes Ran Fan smile. She bows her head in return.]

Thank you. And I do plan to. I just hope he looks down on me with pride. Though I know that I have been taught by the best, so I will have a lot to live up to.

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi raises her gaze to give Ran Fan a soft smile.]

I don't think you have to worry. [So even though she hasn't ever seen Ran Fan in action--or indeed, even realized she worked in that capacity until she was told just now--it's easy to see the dedication the girl has not only to her duty, but to doing her grandfather proud. Vivi can't imagine he would feel anything but pride in her.]

[She pauses a moment for her words to sink in, then lets her smile turn happier.] I was about to get a piece of cake--would you like some too?

[oftheyin]

[Oh God. Ran Fan is just going to blush forever now. Okay. Maybe her normal state of being is blushing, but still.]

OH! I am not a fan of sweets. But, um, please don't let that stop you from have a piece.

[alabastajewel]

No? [Vivi's not a sugar-fiend or anything, but she's always a little surprised to hear people that people aren't fond of sweet things.] Maybe there's something else you'll like instead?

[oftheyin]

OH! Please don't not get cake because of me. Besides, I am not hungry. [Her nerves still have the better of her right now.]

[alabastajewel]

[Not to worry, Ran Fan; Vivi still plans to snag some cake for herself.]

Well...all right, but are you sure you don't even want to see what else there is?

[oftheyin]

Um... [OKAY! Gonna confess it.] Have you ever been so nervous that your stomach feels like it's all knotted up that you don't feel hunger?

[alabastajewel]

Oh. Yes, I suppose I know what you mean.

[A beat.]

...but why are you so nervous?

[oftheyin]

I'm not used to being invited to things like this. It's usually Ling, and I'm around to be his bodyguard.

[alabastajewel]

[...oh Ran Fan, that's kind of adorable. Vivi gives her a soft but encouraging smile.]

There's no need to be nervous. After all, they're your friends, aren't they? I'd like to be your friend, too. Just try to relax and have fun, and before you know it, your nervousness will melt away.