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]

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.

[oftheyin]

I hope so. It's nice, having friends. [She's really not used to it at all.] I'll try not to be so nervous though.

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi smiles warmly in return, dropping a hand lightly on Ran Fan's shoulder and giving it a few pats.] Friends are the world's most precious treasures.

It's fine to be a little nervous at first, I suppose, but don't worry too much about it. Before you know it, I bet you won't even remember feeling like that.

[oftheyin]

I hope so. [And she says it with FEELING! Cause she believes Vivi.]

Thank you for being so kind to me, Vivi.

[alabastajewel]

It's no trouble at all!

That's what friends are for, right?

[oftheyin]

Yes. Thank you Vivi. I'm very lucky to have a friend like you.

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi beams, and links her arm with the girl before she can protest.] We're both lucky, then!

[And she starts off in the direction of the refreshments, pulling Ran Fan gently along. She'll let her go if the other girl balks, and she won't try to force anything on her if she's still not hungry, but at least come and see what's on offer, okay? Vivi herself will make right for the birthday cake. \o/]

[oftheyin]

[sfgehrjfsdc BLUSHING! OMG! HUMAN CONTACT! What is this?

But she won't protest, and she'll happily follow Vivi, but this is really something she isn't used to. So don't mind Ran Fan who's basically dead from too much blood in her face.]

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi can feel Ran Fan stiffen a bit, so she makes sure her grip is loose enough that the girl can easily slip away if she wants. Once they reach the refreshments, she unlinks her arm to grab herself a plate, surveying the food that's laid out. She serves herself up a nice slice of cake, and turns to Ran Fan.] What do you think? Are you going to try anything?

[While waiting for her answer, Vivi ladles out a cup of punch, too--as far as she knows it should be plain fruit juice with no alcohol, but this is a pirate's party, so there's always a chance someone may have spiked it at some point.] Something to drink?

[oftheyin]

I don't think I'll have any food, but something to drink would be nice.

[Hopefully it isn't. Ran Fan isn't a drinker. Not to mention being drunk does not fit her image.]

[alabastajewel]

Then here you are. [She hands over the glass she just filled, and begins to ladle up another for herself.]

I'm eager to try some of this cake. Sanji-san made it! [So it's guaranteed to be delicious.]

[oftheyin]

[She'll just hold it nervously, with both hands.]

Sanji? I don't think I know him.

[alabastajewel]

No? He run the restaurant in the village. He's a wonderful cook. [One of the best, bar none.]