lucetilogs | (no subject)

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!)]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, it's nothing. [She looks away, though smiling, is slightly uncomfortable with the praise. Though she is glad that Vivi likes it]

You should tell me more sometime, ne? The library is lacking in Alabastan history and arts and perhaps...if you'd like...we could fill that gap.

[Vivi looks slightly embarrassed, but continues smiling.] I'm sure you know more about much of the classics than I do, Robin-san. But...I'd like to talk with you about those things. There's really no one else here who--

[She cuts herself off with a mild shrug. Even her closest friends among the crew didn't know a lot about Vivi's country, especially the history, so Robin's offer was a welcome one.]

Thank you again.

I understand. [She shakes her head at the thanks and smiles faintly] I'm just glad you like it.

[What to say... Words were so difficult somehow.]

Would you...care for some cake? [Last birthday party they shared cake. It was so much easier when she was a child]

Oh, yes! Let's have some!

[The memory of eating birthday cake with Robin at Nami's party had all but faded, but Vivi appreciates the offer. If only they could learn to be more comfortable with one another. Well, maybe that would just come with time. At least Vivi could honestly say she no longer felt any lingering animosity toward Robin for her role in Crocodile's plan.]

[She considers bringing the cake over on hands grown from plates, as she had the last party she was at. But...well that might come across as a bit...silly. Though she will do the next best thing so a fluer Robin will come over and hand Vivi cake before dissipating in a swirl of petals]

Well then... I wonder what flavor this is...

[She pokes at it absently with a fork and hopes faintly it's not lemon, though it doesn't seem so]

[Vivi makes a small sound of surprise as Robin's doppelganger hands her the plate, and as petals drift, turns quickly back to the original with eyes wide.]

Robin-san..! I didn't realize you could do that much!

[Robin is faintly surprised by Vivi's surprise. But she smiles]

I've been working on it for a while. It's convenient when I want to be in two places at once.

[She nibbles at the cake]

The clothes were a bit tricky, but without them it shatters the illusion a bit.

[Vivi is still rather shocked, and it takes her a moment to react, only mutely nodding in reply to Robin's statement. Frankly, it's a bit disconcerting, at least for now. Realizing she's about to lose her cake, Vivi rights the plate in her hands before the dessert can slide off onto the floor.]

O-of course. [Belatedly, she giggles, though it's a little giddy as she tries to compose herself. Yes, a naked copy of the archaeologist would tend to shatter the illusion. A bit.]

[Robin was going to save it in any case but smiles when Vivi recovers with grace. Or somewhat. She is a princess after all and if they were closer, Robin would enjoy picking at her composure just for the fun of it. As things were however--]

Have you ever considered a Devil Fruit, Vivi-san? It could prove entertaining.

Oh...no, no! I don't think that would be for me!

[The answer comes so quickly it seems automatic. Oddly, the idea of a Devil Fruit for herself had never even crossed her mind, though not for any sort of stigma against it. Chaka and Pell were both considered highly-honored for their abilities; one might even say blessed. Likely the extra abilities provided by a Devil Fruit would have made it easier to defend Alabasta from Crocodile's mechanisms. Still, she could't imagine eating one for herself.]

I suppose not. I imagine for a princess it would cause more harm than good.

[Vivi had already shown she was willing to put her life on the line for her people. How much more would she feel obligated to do so if she had an ability to use? Not to mention she would have a vulnerability to water--though perhaps that wouldn't matter in a place like Alabasta]

Not necessarily that, but, at least for Alabasta... [Vivi pauses a moment to put into words the feeling she has on the subject.] ...I think it might remove a ruler too much from the common people.

[That isn't perfect, but she hopes Robin will understand what she's getting at.]

Because she would be too different? [She's not entirely sure, to be honest, but that seems a reasonable assumption. Rulers tend to represent their people, after all.]

[Vivi gives a small nod; there's some nuance missing from that, but that's the jist of it.]

I know there are rulers of other countries who've eaten devil fruits, but they do other things differently from Alabasta too. It may be a sort of, mm, difference of philosophy?

[She nods]

Though I don't agree with...the style of Alabastan philosophy. Are your guardians considered too abnormal to rule? If they were to somehow ascend to the throne, would they be unable to connect to the normal people?

[Her tone is merely that of inquiry.]

Edited 2013-04-04 07:38 (UTC)

[...or perhaps that nuance was more important than she'd thought, considering Robin seemed to take the exact opposite from that than what Vivi intended. She can't help but wince slightly at such a misunderstanding, though she also can't help but wonder again about Robin's past that this is the assumption she would make.]

What? No, that's not it. I don't mean the people wouldn't accept a ruler with a devil fruit, or-- [She cuts herself off, takes a breath, and tries to think how best to explain what she actually meant.]

...I don't suppose--you've never been to Mariejois, have you? [Fixing Robin with a steady look now. Yes, this may seem random, but just be patient; she's going somewhere with this.]

I know of it.

[And she'll patiently wait for Vivi to continue. Though she faintly wanders at the connection. Perhaps the Tenryuubito being so further 'advanced' than the people they supposedly rule? She can't say]