(no subject)

[alabastajewel]

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!)]

Comments

[concasse]

[Tickled pink by her reaction, Sanji returns the hug, grinning brightly.]

I'm so glad Vivi-chan likes it~!!

We'll have to give some of the recipes a try later, too.

[alabastajewel]

I love it! [She nods quickly, happily noting that "we." Cooking with Sanji is something she always likes doing, and she'd like to think she learns from it as well. Still smiling, she carefully sets the book down on the table holding her other gifts, and impulsively links arms with Sanji.]

Let's go in the water!

[concasse]

[Linking arms = yes plz moar. And Sanji looks the part of the giddy idiot, following Vivi's lead with a strut in his step. He actually hasn't been in the water yet, so busy with keeping the buffet tables stocked (though admittedly it's a lot easier without Luffy breathing down his neck)]

Yeeeees Ma'am~!!

[alabastajewel]

[They reach one of the pools and Vivi releases his arm to undo the modest wrap she'd been wearing around her swimsuit--still a practical one piece, since Nami hasn't managed to turn Vivi on to the wonders of bikinis yet. She sets the wrap aside with her towel and pauses just for a moment before climbing in. This close to the springs, the air is warm and humid, but sometimes there's just the faintest hint of a breeze that carries with it a reminder of the bitter cold elsewhere.]

[Vivi gives an excited shiver as the breeze licks her skin, not strong enough to actually make her feel cold, but just cool enough to make her appreciate the warm water all the more when she finally sticks her feet in. Then she lowers herself in slowly with a contented sigh.] I really should come here more often. Especially in the winter! It feels good, doesn't it?

[concasse]

[Having not been in the water himself, Sanji follows Vivi's lead by gingerly lowering himself into the spring, and there is much satisfaction to be had feeling the heat completely envelop him.] It feels heavenly, Vivi-chan!

[Reminds him a little of their time in Alabasta: peeking on the girls, getting charged ridiculous amounts of money for the privilege of seeing Nami naked... He gives a happy little sigh and slips further in, until the water reaches just below his chin. Mmmm good times.]

Leave it to the brilliant Nami-san to come up with the best location for your party~!

[alabastajewel]

Of course! [Sanji may be prone to hyperbole when complimenting his female nakama, but Vivi agrees with his statement one hundred percent. Especially in the dead of winter, the hot springs are a refreshing change.]

[Vivi stretches, letting the tension ease from her shoulders in the warm water.]

How have you been, Sanji-san? It feels like it's been a while since we've been able to talk like this. [Just the two of them, she means.]

[concasse]

[Well, you see, Vivi, it's like this: Wolfwood's dead, Milly's home, their kid was snatched by the Malnosso, Vash is now alone, and that's not including the shit between him and Perona.

...]

About the same as usual. But you know how this place is - always a shitty adventure.

[alabastajewel]

Mm. [She nods absently. It seems there's a subtle change in Sanji's demeanor that she can't quite put her finger on--and indeed, right now, she doesn't even consciously notice it.]

I suppose--

[Whatever she'd been about to say is lost, however, when a certain oversized duck chooses that moment to join them in the water in the most distracting way possible: taking what amounts to a running leap into the spring, quacking loudly and happily. SPLOOSH.]

[concasse]

...

So. Vivi-chan. [Calmly wiping his drenched face and hair, and if not for the bulging tic right above his eyebrow, the chef would look perfectly reasonable.]

How would you like to have fried duck for your birthday dinner?

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi, unperturbed by Carue's entrance, only throws her arms around his neck as he continues his happy quacking, though at Sanji's words, he stiffens and pipes down.]

Sanji-san! [Vivi knows he's only joking, of course, but that went a little too far--something he can probably see immediately from the expression on her face.] That isn't funny!

[And she turns her attention back to Carue, smoothing down some of his feathers.] He didn't mean it...

1/2

[concasse]

[Sanji would probably feel a lot more repentant if he didn't make a habit of threatening giant ducks on a regular basis, and so gives Carue a look when Vivi's preoccupied calming him down.

Duck, if he falls out of favor with Vivi, you're going in an oil bath, mark his words--

Ah well. Now for the appropriate graveling so Vivi doesn't--]

2/3 nevermind

[concasse]

KWAAAAAAAAH! KWAH KWAH!

O-oi, no you--!!

[concasse]

[SPLOOSH.]

Damn it, Biri!!

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi only gives a giddy shriek of laughter as the second overgrown fowl enters the pool with an equally impressive splash...and bursts into further giggles at the sight of Sanji, the blond hair plastered wetly to his face doing little to hide his somewhat murderous expression.] Biri! Make yourself comfortable; there's plenty of room!

[alabastajewel]

[Carue, for his part, looks no more impressed at Biri's unexpected entrance than Sanji does, especially once Vivi turns her attention from him to the newcomer. Feel free to cook this interloper instead.]

[concasse]

[In Carue's case, Sanji can make allowances for him jumping into the pool and ruining the chef's groove. After all, Vivi is his mistress. Biri, on the other hand - nicknamed The Thunder Duck for a very, very good reason - is most certainly not welcome.

And the moment Biri looks ready to express his gratitude towards Vivi in a most electrifying manner with sparks jumping through his feathers--]

Oh no you don't! No shocking anyone, you hear me! [He only refrains from his usual threats because Vivi might smack him one.]

[concasse]

[Thankfully, the order is carried out in full, Biri more than familiar with that look being sent his way. The sparks die and he greets Sanji's frown with a happy kweh of pleasure before turning to Carue in excitement.

Can he be blamed? It's the first time he's seen another duck of his size. Just gonna saddle right up next to ya, partner, chatting and flailing the entire way.]

sob, I SWEAR I REPLIED TO THIS AGES AGO. dw ate it?

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi can't help but wince slightly--she hadn't realized how close Biri had come to shocking them all. Sanji seems to have the electro-duck under control now, though, so she relaxes and watches him approach her own pet.]

Carue, be nice! [She can see that perturbed expression on her pet's face. If he tries to pick a fight, out of misplaced jealousy or whatever it is that's irking him about Biri, she suspects they might all end up electrocuted anyway.]

[Carue takes a few steps back as Biri crowds in. Personal space, buddy; respect it.] Kweh. [He still doesn't look all that happy, but for now refrains from any hostile action against the other duck.]

HAHA I wondered |D And no worries >> We are already in backtag land

[concasse]

Sorry Carue. [Once reassured they won't all die from electric shock, Sanji settles back next to Vivi ... albeit watching the duck soap opera unfold with barely concealed amusement.] Biri gets a little excited. I don't think he's ever seen another duck like him.

[All very true points. This duck is also a little uncertain as to what's wrong with his fellow brethren, and cocks his head to the side. Your face is gonna stick like that from too much frowning, bro.

SMILE. It's a wonderful day, the water is warm, and I just made a friend. 8D He flaps his wings like he's doing the friendship dance, perhaps accidentally shooting droplets at Carue's face.]

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi watches them as well, leaning in to say to Sanji in a low voice:] Carue doesn't seem to like him, and I'm not sure why. I suppose he might be jealous..?

[Indeed, Carue still doesn't seem very impressed with this new bird, and as the water from Biri's wings hits his face, he gives an indignant quack and turns to stare him down.]

[concasse]

[Under such blatant scrutiny and dismissal, even Biri's unable to keep his happy flailing up. When Carue quacks, his wings lose momentum and eventually stop moving all-together, the duck beginning to appear dejected and confused.

He didn't do anything besides try to say hi! What's with that look for?]

Vivi-chan, we might need to break the ice in a second here.