[open] inside everyone is a diva waiting to get out

[invocate]

WHO: Li-Na and FRIENDS ❤
WHERE: a karaoke club
WHEN: Thursday, 3/8, evening
WHAT: SINGING
WARNINGS: n/a

If you know Li-Na through school or work or the dance studio or the February mission or even just chatting on the app... you'd have gotten a bubbly text from Li-Na, inviting you to celebrate her birthday with her. The location? A private room at a karaoke bar. Anyone who shows up and tries to back out is quickly pulled along for the ride.


[though the room is a liiiittle bigger than this one]
The room is rather low key, though a button on a certain remote will lower a small disco ball from the ceiling if so desired. It can comfortably fit about 20 people. The karaoke equipment is at the front of the room next to the door and the rest of the room is taken up by a table and seating.

But singing isn't the only thing going on here. The karaoke club also has an extensive menu and a phone in the room that allows you to place your orders without leaving your playlist. Milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, bubble tea, crepes, sushi, curry rice, omurice, pizza, wings, all manner of Japanese and American finger food. You can even get salad if you want, but why would you? It's not maybe the best food ever, but you won't leave with an empty stomach. Unfortunately, since a number of Li-Na friends are under 21, no booze.


Don't like something on the playlist? Feel free to hook up your phone to the system and play one of your own songs. The point is to sing, eat, wish Li-Na a happy 18th birthday, and maybe make some new friends. Oh, and yes, there will be cake.

Comments

a...... also possibly leading into c?? drag both cousins with you Li-Na

[cardcaptured]

[Xiaolang arrives not too much later after Leon does, coming straight from the information sharing session at the high school to the karaoke club. It's definitely not a place he'd come to of his own volition, with all it's bustle and noise, and it shows. His shoulders are stiff and his brow is knit, and his body language just screams he'd rather be anywhere but here right now. But! It was Li-Na's birthday (and a very important one at that) and they hadn't gotten to celebrate it together like a family due to all of this mission stuff, so he was just going to have to endure it for her sake.

Cradling the small, simple bag containing her gifts to his chest (Leon seemed to be going big with hers, so he opted for some nice metal hair clips from Respatrum and a small, handmade chocolate cheesecake instead), he doesn't have a chance to deflect Li-Na's hug, making a tiny choked noise of surprise as she pulls him in. He's red to the tips of his ears as he shifts a little to try to break it, attempting not to crush her presents in the process. FAMILIAL AFFECTION, WHAT EVEN IS THAT--]

I-I-- I couldn't not come. You're family.

Re: a...... also possibly leading into c?? drag both cousins with you Li-Na

[invocate]

[She can tell this is all rather outside of Xiaolang's comfort zone, so the fact that he's there at all, means a lot to her. Surrounding herself with people she cares about and who care about her helps her feel less upset over the fact she hasn't communicated with her brother in months. If not for Xiaolang and Leon especially, she'd have felt really melancholy over her birthday. She gives Xiaolang an extra squeeze (being careful not to squish the items he is holding) before releasing him. Her expression is affectionate as she takes in his expression. Yep, him and Leon are definitely related.]

Well, I am happy all the same.

[Especially at being called family. A happy warmth fizzles in her chest at the word. She has family, more than just her brother, and this family is kind to her. Just being reminded of that is birthday gift enough.]

Come, sit. There is enough room.

[cardcaptured]

[As they part from the hug, Xiaolang catches the soft, fond look upon her face, and his eyes dart away shyly, focusing on the handles of the bag instead. His side of the family wasn't really the openly affectionate type-- his sisters being the HUGE exception, although that felt more like coordinated ambushes than anything else. It wasn't that they didn't care for one another, it's just... it wasn't a thing they openly expressed, or acted upon. Hell, he could probably count on one hand Leon's actually hugged him?? But even as awkward as he was over it, he couldn't help the small, cozy warmth that bloomed in his own chest over her reply. Finding Li-Na was probably one of the few good things that Retrospec had ever done for him, and with his last contact with his mother being four months ago... he was grateful for any family that he had here. Especially when they were as kind as Li-Na.

So he'd suffer through all the noise and forced social interactions. As long as Li-Na was happy, he would push through.

Before they start moving towards the seats, however (Xiaolang's already spotted a nice corner that has his name on it so suck it, Noah), he quickly pushes the gift bag towards her to take, still a bit embarrassed from earlier.]

Um... here. These are for you. Leon's probably given you his already, so these aren't as big in comparison. I just thought-- with the changes and all, they'd probably come in handy for dancing or exercising.

[Because long hair is probably a bitch to do that sort of stuff with??]

[invocate]

[Li-Na accepts the small gift bag from Xiaolang and look inside. Hair accessories. Cute hair accessories. She makes a pleased sound as she examines them more closely, before deciding to put the gold-tone in her hair right then and there.]

They are beautiful and I love them. Thank you, Xiaolang. Yes, Leon's present was technically bigger in size, but you both put thought into your gifts and that is why I am happy. These will be so useful, while being super cute at the same time.