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Who: Anyone who wants to come!
What: Vivi's birthday party
When: February 2nd, afternoon and into the evening
Where: the hot springs
Summary: It's Vivi's birthday, and Nami arranged a little surprise gathering for her friend.
Rating: probably not above PG-13 for language and possible hot spring ~hijinx~.

[Nami's suggestion that they spend the day up at the hot springs was one Vivi happily accepted, not suspecting that there was more in store than just a day with her friend. It's with surprised delight that she steps from the teleporter to find the place decorated, and throughout the day, many of her friends arriving to wish her a happy birthday.]

[The main hall has been decorated with balloons and streamers, and there's a large banner reading "Happy Birthday, Vivi!" hung from the front rafter. Off to the side is a large table stocked with all sorts of food (go nuts; whatever you can imagine, Sanji probably made) and of course an enormous and elaborately decorated birthday cake. The other side of the hall has some games set up: pin the tail on the donkey, twister, and a ping-pong table.]

[Outside, the privacy screen has been slid back to join the men's and women's sides of the springs, and it should go without saying that people will be expected to wear swimsuits into the water. The trees are hung with more streamers, with strings of lights and some decorative lanterns for after the sun begins to set. There's a smaller table of refreshments out here, too.]

[There's also plenty of alcohol on hand, though juice and soft drinks are available for those who don't want (or are too young) to drink. Later in the evening, there's a high possibility of a party game like Truth or Dare starting up. (Thread here!)]

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I'm not exactly at ease in the water. [For easily guessed reasons. Though Perona takes a minute to consider telling Vivi her troubles. She has...a few, and not-so-subtly glances a certain blonde's way, but then sighs. It's probably a mark of trust that she's even telling Vivi this at all.]

Mhhhrm...well, I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but I'm, eeh...acquainted with shichibukai Dracule "Hawk-Eyes" Mihawk. We live in very close proximity here. [Right across the hall from one another.] On the Grand Line, I was forced to spend two years of my life on his island, so I'm familiar with him...

Recently, he was...taken for experimentation. [Ugh. That...that still leaves a nasty taste in her mouth. It sounds so unreal, so impossible, for someone like Mihawk to get kidnapped. She's still reeling slightly.] His sword was left behind, too. The strongest sword in the world. I'm keeping it until he comes back.

Ah, I suppose that's true, but as long as you came with a friend, it shouldn't be a problem, should it? [Feel free to consider that an open invitation to come with Vivi, Perona.]

[And she listens to Perona's worry, though that glance in Sanji's direction doesn't miss her notice either.] Oh. No, I didn't realize that. [Water sloshes softly as Vivi lifts a hand to lightly touch Perona's shoulder.] It's natural to worry, but he'll be back. And the Malnosso don't seem to seriously hurt the people they kidnap... [Most of the time, anyway.]

Mmhm...no, it shouldn't be, but it still doesn't put a stop to my unease.

[Seriously, most sane Devil Fruit users give the water a wide berth. Perona loves it, she really does, but being in it isn't exactly her idea of a grand time. Even knowing no one here would really let her drown, it's just the knowledge that she will if something were to go wrong that keeps her from getting in over her head - excusing the pun.]

And I am not worried! [She huffs, looking away with a scowl. She doesn't shrug off the hand, though. And while she's only being half truthful - Mihawk certainly can handle himself - she really can't help but think how he's faring, what they're doing to him, if anything. Who would be stupid enough to even try?] It's the Malnosso who should worry, daring to mess around with someone so strong. Had they taken Mihawk-sama's sword as well, I may have actually pitied them a little.

[No she wouldn't.]

[Vivi just nods, not wishing to contradict Perona, though she assumes the other girl is just putting on a brave face by saying she's not worried.]

I hope he's back soon. Are you two...very close, then?

[That...actually makes Perona stop and think. Close? Not really, she'd always tell herself - they just lived together for two years and got to know each other a little. More acquaintances than anything else, really. Yet, that's not all there is, is there? She really does enjoy being around Mihawk, even though she's almost sure he doesn't share the same affections. And then there was that time on Christmas, under the mistletoe, where he had to kiss her on the top of her head to free them both. That was very, very sweet, and Perona turns pink around her cheeks just thinking about it. Gh...

Honestly, she hasn't a clue how close she is to Mihawk, or what she even considers him.]

I don't really know.

[She means and says that honestly. It's just complicated, how she feels about Mihawk and Zoro alike... Not nakama, but not quite friends, and yet more than acquaintances now? Something familial, perhaps?]

[Vivi nods, a little uncertainly.] I think I might understand.

[The situation isn't the same, but Vivi does feel a degree of uncertainty when it concerns Robin. Though she's forgiven her past transgressions and accepted her as nakama, she really doesn't know that she could say the two of them are friends. Certainly there isn't the same closeness between them that exists with the rest of the crew.]

[Turns turns her head back towards Vivi, not really expecting that answer. It seems like there was something on her mind as well, and Perona can't help to wonder what it may be. She's surprised that a princess like Vivi would understand what she was saying - from what Perona picked up from her Ghost Network, it seemed like Vivi was well-liked by many people. So...hm.

But is is nice to know someone at least does understand her. It's not easy having those kinds of complicated relationships. You just don't know how to act or feel around that person.]

Eh, I just hope that whoever it is for you, Vivi-chan, is a lot less troublesome and cruel than Mihawk-sama.

[An expression passes over Vivi's face at that--not quite a wince, but still something Perona would be hard-pressed to miss. She removes the hand from Perona's shoulder, not consciously, and draws it close to her own chest, fingers curling in loosely.] Oh no, it's not really like that...

[Though in the past, she would have called Robin cruel. Indeed, she still can't help but sometimes see, if not outright cruelty, a sort of careless insensitivity in some of Robin's often perplexing actions. Were the two of them closer, she would likely not read anything malicious into Robin's trolling tendencies, but it seems to come down to the fact that she simply doesn't understand the older woman much of the time.]

[Then, with a shake of her head, she brings her expression back to a mild smile, waving a dismissive hand.] I think we just need more time to learn how to understand each other.

Mmmh...I know what you mean.

[Pulling her hair away from her shoulders, Perona nods and sighs, crossing her arms as she glances away to think back of her time spent on Kuraigana. Surely she knows a whole lot more about Mihawk through that amount of time spent on his island, but still. There were still those moments when Perona just wasn't sure what to make of that man. What was he to her? Not nakama, but more than just an acquaintance. She was glad he was here, and she did miss him, she did worry about him. She was even a little concerned now.

Tilting her head with a little snort, Perona looks at Vivi seriously, and holds out one arm, fist curled and...thumbs up!]

We'll have to both do our best. That's all there is to do.

[The action makes Vivi smile--somehow she didn't expect that kind of signal from Perona--and she flashes one in return.]

Agreed!

And, you know, you're welcome to come visit if you ever need some space or time away... [Still blissfully unaware Perona has problems with most of the crew, and vise-versa.]

[Oh for the love of...another invitation to come over? Really, Perona's amazed at how tenacious and determined Vivi is to get her over, and well...she sort of does want to warm up to the Straw Hats (especially since she's overly fond of one of them). She can at least try to tolerate the more irritating ones, her patience has grown a few notches over the years, thanks to a certain swordsman with green hair.]

Mmn...maybe I'll finally take you up on that offer sometime. That's very kind of you, Vivi-chan.

[Though Perona's answer wasn't exactly a firm yes, Vivi still beams to hear it.] Soon, I hope!

[After all, someone's gonna have to do the princess's hair and makeup to properly match that dress Perona gave her. Speaking of which...]

Oh, and thank you again for the gift, Perona-san. [No, it doesn't really match Vivi's personal style, such as it is, but she still thinks it's lovely.]

[Perona nods slowly, though she's not exactly making any definite promises. She's still not exactly chummy with a lot of the dear princess's friends, though if she does being up a makeover, that'd be points in favor of getting the ghost princess over to do such a thing. And maybe, just maybe, she'll ask the other two ladies if they want to come, too. Maybe.]

Oh, you've already seen it? Do you like it? [Because she will demand you put it on one day and model. Just because.] I saw it in the shops and thought of you. I hope it fits!

[Vivi nods, sliding a tiny bit closer to Perona with a giggle.]

I went in earlier to get a drink and saw it, and I knew it must be from you! [Granted, it had stumped her for a moment, but once she noticed the gothic frills, the ghost princess sprang immediately to mind.] It's really lovely! The size looked about right, but if it needs adjusting, I'm sure Nami-san would help alter it. [Unless she's underestimating how hard it is to alter a dress. If so, they know someone who's a professional seamstress.] Or maybe Keimi-san.

[The thought of someone like Nami restitching the dress she got - despite the woman's compliments to Perona's wardrobe and sense of fashion - make she frown. She knows Keimi, thankfully, and her work is great stuff, but Perona still can't help but chime in.]

I could alter it for you, if you'd like. I learned to sew and design a few of my own clothes when I was on Kuraigana. I'm sure I could have it fit for you if there's anything wrong!

[Vivi notices that frown, though she's not sure what to make of it. Maybe she didn't like the idea of someone else altering her gift?]

Oh, I didn't realize you could sew too! That's something I never really learned myself, though Nami-san helps me out when I need it.

[That's exactly what the problem is, actually. Perona's not really okay with people touching her stuff - especially not someone like Nami, who she has a bad history with.]

I had to learn many different things to take care of myself while I lived with Mihawk-sama and Zoro. I never had a ship until just recently, so I could never go shopping for things I like. [And asking Mihawk for a trip or something was out of the question after the fifth firm "no".] I had to learn to make them myself after a while.

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