lucetilogs | Happy Happy birthday!

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Happy Happy birthday!

Who: Close friends of Rei Hino's and one other guest
What: Birthday party surprise times!
When: April 17th
Where: Tsukino Shrine around 7pmish
Summary: Rei is getting a surprise birthday party!
Rating: PG

Helios had done all he could to make sure Rei was out long enough from the shrine to setup for what was indeed her birthday. With some help from her friends and close acquaintances Helios had decorated the shrine in some lights and lanterns for the occasion. It was nothing too outrageous because he knew Rei was a more subtle person, so the decorations are few but meaningful.

Birthdays are good for starting fresh, and spring is a time for letting go of the past and starting anew. The lanterns symbolize that but also help with the festivities. Even if its a small affair Helios puts a lot of hard work into it because of how helpful Rei has been these past few weeks. So to help ease out of the terrible feelings since the draft and to celebrate the birthday of a good friend Helios will invite whoever is close to the young woman.

((ooc; For the sake of not hurting my hands trying to juggle both a post and a log I'm just going to handwave Helios putting up the announcement over the journals to help set things up for Rei's party. If you're character is a close acquaintance/friend of Rei's they're more than welcome to stop by!))

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The house had a kraken in it once. It was a, ah, shift. I'm not sure how they did it but it made the entire kitchen and first floor into an ocean.

[ Helios laughs at the memory which at the time was a bit frightening truth be told. But the sheer outrageous shift was amusing now that he thought about it. ]

Does she exist in your world you think? I-I've met a few selkies and mermaids before as well. But your grandmother was one... [ Helios will look at Max with a slight tilt of his head. ]

You have selkie blood then. Do...did any of their powers get transferred to you? [ He's actually very curious about this, don't mind him. ]

[He pauses at that, looking just a bit confused because... seriously? That is the weirdest shift he's heard of yet and he's not sure how the house was even big enough to contain something that huge.]

That- do you ever wonder if the Malnosso in charge of this stuff are just smoking some really good drugs?

[Because right now, that's the impression he's getting.]

I- I honestly don't know. There are plenty of weird things in faerie, nothing to say that there's not a thin place down there she can get through.

[He smiles a little at the scrutiny and shrugs.]

If I did, then it's nothing I've ever really figured out. I can't shapeshift like they do. The way I've been told it, when female selkies have kids with humans, only the female children are selkies. Same with the men, male children only. My dad was an only child so...

[ Helios laughs deeply at that. He'll shake his head and shrug his shoulders, clearly at a loss for how to even explain that shift. ]

To be honest it wouldn't really surprise me at this point. The Malnosso are known for their outrageous shift ideas. It makes you wonder how the even come up with such things.

[ Helios nods in acknowledgment. ]

I see. That would be something if you could. I know shape shifting is an acquired skill. Easier to just make potions that allow you to change some part of your body, or use illusion spells to change how you look. [ He'll give a curious home as he ponders that for a few more moments. ]

Ah, well, no matter. Did you know that we have a mermaid here? I've seen her before but I've never actually talked to her.

[He squeezes Helios's hand at the laugh, smile widening upon hearing it.]

It does sound pretty crazy, yeah. And pointless. I'm not sure whether it's better if this all does have a point now I think about it.

[He shrugs at that.]

Pretty much. Illusions have always been easier for me anyway. Sight shields. Glamours, I guess. My brother always said I leaned more towards the non-human parts of my blood in some ways.

A mermaid? Really? [He looks pretty interested in that prospect.] I met a few when I visited Copenhagen after university. Nice ladies.

[ Helios looks down at their hands intertwined as they are and it makes him happy to see that Max is comfortable with this now. He was too, for the most part, it still felt a bit strange and he had to keep reminding himself that this was okay to have and that Elise would have wanted this. But it was still something he was working on. ]

Most of the shifts are, actually, rather pointless now that we've started to help the Malnosso in earnest. But I, ah, suppose the shifts are the Malnosso's way of t-testing us. Or, well, that's what they used to be. Some shifts are actually natural to this world. It's very odd when one thinks about it.

[ Helios hums curiously, nodding at that. ] O-Oh yes. Sight shields sound, um, rather useful actually. I wonder if I-I could learn your magic. [ He might have some scars that he wants to cover up. ]

So it didn't used to be quite like this then? [That was interesting. People did seem relatively willing to help out the Malnosso. Grudgingly at least.] I mean, people still get kidnapped with no warning. It's not exactly friendly.

Testing us? Huh...

[He frowns a little thoughtfully at that, not sure that he likes the implications, but the whole situation with the Malnosso sucks anyway so...

When Helios says that he smiles, his free hand sliding up to rest against Helios's arm lightly. He thinks he can guess why it would be useful. Same reason he uses them.]

I don't see why not. I'm sure I can teach you some. Or even if not, I can probably make something that'll work the same way for you.

It was much more jaded, I think. Lots of people didn't really approve of working with them. But-but I suppose now that we've been somewhat dragged into this war we've no choice but to get along in some respects. There are a few higher-ups in the Malnosso's hierarchy that really do want the experiments to stop. S-So not all of them are terrible.

[ Helios will lightly places hand over Max's hand. He'll lean in to give the other a light kiss on the cheek. His green eyes glowing with an inner happiness at Max's words. Of course he wasn't expecting him to refuse but it's nice to know that someone else knows about the scars. It makes it an easier burden to bear. ]

I-I would appreciate that. Thank you.

Well, the Cultists don't give a damn whether we're working with the Malnosso or not so... I guess I can understand. The lesser of two evils, right?

[Even if the shifts could be so painful, they weren't gratuitously killing them at least. He hates it, but he can perhaps understand it.

He gives a soft, pleased sound when Helios leans close again and it feels so good to be the one to put that look on his face.]

Not a problem. I'd be very glad to.

Unfortunately, yes. It's a shame, really.

[ But Helios manages a soft smile as he pulls away from Max. ]

Thank you Max. I-I'm really quite grateful for that. You-you have my utmost gratitude. [ Because maybe without those scars he could actually enjoy himself for once and not be so...secluded knowing that they would be in view. ]

This kind of situation, I don't think there is a best way of doing things.

[He lets out a soft huff, shaking his head.

At the thanks though, he grins again, smirking a little at Helios.]

So, would that mean I could get you into the hot springs next time?

[Because that is a very very attractive mental image.]

I suppose you're right, in this kind of situation there's lots of tension to be had by both parties. I guess it's good that there's some sort of agreement, even now.

[ Helios will blink and look a bit flustered at that question. He'll chew on his lip a bit thoughtfully. Going to the Hot Springs as one is meant to is all a bit lost on him, to be honest the thought of not wearing a shirt still makes him a bit wary. But Max's sight shields seem to work quite well. ]

I-I, ah, well I suppose it couldn't hurt hm? It-it would be nice to finally enjoy it in-in the way it was intended to be.

If you can call it that. Be a hell of a lot more agreement if they didn't treat us like interesting specimens.

[He gives a slightly apologetic look when Helios says that. That was probably a bit much.]

Sorry. I'm not- I don't mean to push. If you want to sometime though... maybe when it's just us...

I agree. I'm not sure why they still do what they do, but...perhaps one day they'll stop. We can only hope that they will eventually.

[ Helios will frown and give a small sigh. ]

N-No it's alright. It's probably better if-if I get used to it first before, ah, going out in front of s-so many people. But-but alone might be nice, easier really, than in front of a large group of people.

[ He has to still get used to the idea that he can do that. It's strange and somewhat unnatural for him. He's...never really gone out without a shirt before in public of all places. It's just a foreign concept for him, regardless of it being easily attainable now. ]

It would be the first time that I could actually go out in public like that. It's very strange to even consider.

[Just waiting around for the Malnosso to stop pushing them didn't quite sit well with him, but what else could they do?

He gives Helios a reassuring smile though, thumb stroking against the back of his hand.]

Whatever you feel comfortable with. I just- I still think you're hot as hell no matter what so...

[He gives a soft laugh, leaning his head against Helios's shoulder.]

Some things do take a little getting used to, I guess. But even just in short sleeves when it gets hot.

[ Oh my gods Max you just out right say it don't you? Helios will blush rather profusely at that. He can't help but laugh sheepishly shortly afterwards. ]

I-I can manage that I think. It will be nice to actually get in some sun this summer. I haven't worn short sleeves in forever either. It's a bit exciting I must admit.

[If he can't say it to the guy he's going out with then who can he say it to? And okay, he kind of likes it when Helios blushes.]

You'll probably have more luck than me. I will be over in the shade, trying not to burn.

[ Helios laughs readily at that. ]

Well I'm sure we can just dump lots of suntan lotion on you. That should help somewhat, shouldn't it? Perhaps there's even a spell I could cook up to help with that.

[ Hm. It would be interesting to try at least. ]

[He really should keep his mouth shut but... oh hell, why not?]

do you promise to help me rub it onto my back, Helios?

[The words might be innocent, the expression certainly isn't.]

[ Oh. Oh dear. That gets another flustered look, especially with that expression. Helios will look away and smile as he rubs the back of his neck in a clearly sheepish gesture. ]

Well. I, ah, I-I suppose if you're-you're fine with it being a bit cold...

[ Because he still does have cold skin in the summer despite the heat. ]

Sorry. [Max gives him an apologetic look, and he feels a little bad about teasing. He lightly brushes Helios's hand.]

I'm fine with it. Really. And I'm sorry. I shouldn't tease so much.

No! It's-it's really fine. I don't mind. [ Honestly he finds it rather endearing to be honest. He'll give Max's hand an encouraging little squeeze. ]

I haven't exactly refrained from it either. S-So it's quite alright.

If you're sure... [He squeezes back, relaxing a little when he realises Helios seems okay with it.]

I like the teasing. it's pretty nice. Comfortable y'know?

It's very comfortable. It does remind me of-of the past and Elise actually. She did use to tease me quite a bit, and I did the same thing to her. S-So it's...it's not unwelcome.

[ It was something he was familiar with and something he was used to. He couldn't really disagree with doing it. Besides he was the one who was teasing the other to begin with. ]

Oh. [He might feel a little stranger about that, hearing about Helios's, well, his soulmate, except he sounds so happy and that can only be a good thing.]

Well, that's good to hear. It's kind of fun and I don't always think before I speak.

[ It was good, very good, because Helios finds it rather sweet and amusing. He laughs lightly at that shaking his head in mild amusement. ]

I find that to be quite endearing, Max. Although you do tend to say the right things s-so I'm not so sure about the not thinking part.

Happy Happy birthday!

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