open || ain't no party like a birthday party

[complementing]

WHO: Minako, Sakura, Ragna, and you!
WHERE: One of the arcade bars in the city.
WHEN: March 10th
WHAT: BIRTHDAY PARTY!
WARNINGS: None foreseen! Feel free to threadjack for Minako's Hot Potato Categories game.



[Welcome to the Emporium, an arcade bar that Minako and Sakura have decided to host their joint birthday party at! Come on in and have some fun playing games, eating junk food, and just hanging out with the birthday girls (and guy, if he decides to come).

There are, of course, the numerous arcade games that the place is known for, ranging from the old school 2v2 fighters to the shooting gallery kinds. But there are a smattering of other games as well, like DDR, darts, mini hoops, skeeball, and the pool table, too. There's also a wall of crane games in the back, with plenty of random and mostly cute prizes to win.

Make a stop by the purikura booth if you have time. Make some duck lips at the camera and then take the snaps home! (Or give them to the birthday girls for the memories.)

Oh, and be sure to exchange your money for tokens before you play all these games. The token machine seems kind of finicky, though. Maybe a strong (and hopefully discrete?) kick will help jumpstart it.

Walk to the dining area, and there'll be a feast waiting you! The arcade is providing a ton of pizza and wings, as well as alcohol, if you can show your ID. For dessert, there's the cake that Shuji made for the girls, as well as Minako's lemon tea cakes. Those are limited supply, though, so snag one before everyone eats it up.

Next to the dining area, there's a big sign that says "DUNK TANK OUTSIDE". Maybe take a look? Just be reaaaally sure you want to climb in before you do it, though. The towels provided by the arcade are pretty small.

And finally, if you need a break from the chaos, there's a couple of couches on the second floor. Take a load off and watch from above.]

Comments

[imaginex]

[Holy crap, people actually show up when you invite them to birthday parties? Someone didn't send Sakura that memo, and so she's in a constant state of mental wheezing and nervous smiles near the beginning of her own celebration. RIP, girl. This is the best time to shake her down if anyone's got presents to hand off.

Though rest assured, she's having a lot of fun. This is thankfully nothing like the disaster that was the Mayor handing her a medal in front of the entire city. Not only is it her first time in an AMERICAN arcade, but half of these games she's never played. Like look at this shooting game! ... Look at Sakura destroy everything in front of her because her aim is so on-point.

Look at Sakura smile because this is clearly the smile of the innocent, folks.]

Would you like to try with me? Best two out of three.

[8)!!]

[Though after she's done collecting the souls of the defeated, she'll frequent the pool table (just to observe, she's never played, and she might puppy eyes at someone until they teach her), and towards the end of the celebration, can be found relaxing on one of the many couches, slouched into the cushions like she's ready to take a nap. There's a wide, happy smile on her face, but oof. Her poor introverted mess of a brain cannot keep up with you guys.

-- but to anyone who might be nearby, she'll tilt her head in their direction]

Thank you for coming. I hope you had fun.

couches

[ohrlyeh]

Of course I had fun.

[Says Howard, coming up to sit next to her on the couch, hands folding politely in his lap as he places his gift to his side.]

[His smile widens ever so slightly, giving him a fond look.]

Did you...?

[imaginex]

I did, actually...

[Surrounded by friends and given an endless parade of attention? She might be exhausted, but trust her, it's the type that leaves you feeling content, the pleasure of a warm bed after a long, eventful day.

With a smile, she closes her eyes and sinks further into the cushions]

I didn't have a lot of parties growing up. Sometimes with family, but by the time I was in middle school, I was too shy to invite anyone.

[me_matey]

-Her new dress rides up a bit when May plops down on the couch beside Sakura, but she's clearly too buzzed to give a damn, and besides, she wore short-shorts underneath for that very reason. She puts an arm around Sakura, the glow in her face not just the booze at all, and happily snuggles against her shoulder, letting out a deep, content sigh.-

I'm havin' a blast. Gonna have trouble walkin' home though. You... are my designated walker. Keep me from wandering into the streets.

[imaginex]

[Even if May didn't have on shorts, this is a no-judge zone and Sakura would kill a man for sneaking a peek. She grins at her friend, drawing her knees up as they lean against each other on the couch.]

Of course. Otherwise I'd have to try all my new moves on someone if we found trouble.

[Hahaha this girl probably trips her way through John's obstacle courses but watch how quickly she'll lay someone out for messing with May.]

Couches

[beneathmoonlight]

Sakura-san!

[Atsushi had missed her earlier, but here he is, gift basket full of cookies, cake pops, and other goodies in hand, wrapped up nicely with bows and streamers. He sits down a respectable distance away from her before handing it over.]

Happy birthday! I really did have fun.

[imaginex]

[Holy mother of god, there's enough sugar in that basket to stun a dragon. Sakura has to bite off a squeal of delight when it's handed to her.]

Thank you so much, Atsushi-san!

Are these from your bakery?

presents

[spirithacker]

Sakura~! Happy birthday!

[Shinji has two boxes: a plainly-wrapped larger one and a smaller one that's much more messily wrapped.]

Minato couldn't come, so he gave me his present to give you you.

[imaginex]

Minato-san?

[To this day, Sakura doesn't realize Minato and Minako are siblings, so she's still surprised he remembered to give her a gift -- or that he'd planned to come at all.

Regardless, she's pleased by the presents and smiles between them, holding back a giggle]

Well, I'll have to thank him later. And is this one from you?

[Nodding to the smaller one]

shooting game

[thesettingsun]

Only if you promise to go easy on me.

[Sakura owns a bow. He knows this even if he hasn't seen her use it much.

Shuji owns a scythe. The principles are very different here.]

[imaginex]

[Oh Shuji. There is only one boy Sakura enjoys pummeling into the ground, and he has overalls.

You are excused from her wrath.]

I can also give you some pointers, too!

[complementing]

Oof, I have a feeling you're going to kick my butt to the moon and back. Anything for the birthday girl, though!

[Minako winks and offers out a prettily wrapped package.]

But first, a present from me!

[imaginex]

... For me?

[Sakura looks both embarrassed and bashful that Minako got her anything, and takes the gift with a timid smile.] Thank you! You didn't have to, though. Especially since you let me share your party with you.

shooting game

[cattack]

[Cleo picks up the gun, looking at it, then the game.]

Ah, sure... You just shoot the targets?

[imaginex]

Yes! You just shoot and aim.

[After she clicks them out of the starting screen, Sakura picks up her own gun -- they can play 1v1 -- and then nods to the screen]

The one who kills the most zombies wins!

[reaquila]

[Nanashi really likes shooting games. He's so glad that everyone's enjoying themselves over this celebration. Honestly, this kid didn't get a memo either so he's in the same boat as Sakura. ]

I'm game!!! I'm not going to go easy on you, okay? [He shoots Sakura a smile.]

It's not fun unless we both try hard. Give it your all!!

[imaginex]

Well, if you insist.

[Ah, look at this poor lamb whose soul she plans to forcibly rip from his body. Sakura picks her gun, clicking through a few screens until they're ready to start]

Like I said, best two out of three. May the best shooter win, sir!

[elevelvetor]

[ Oh yes, she has a present




that she may have won from a crane game at this very party



not the point here.It's a very cute rabbit plush dressed to the nines in bright, flashy colors, hopping its way over back of the couch before it settles beside Sakura's head, nudging her temple. ]

Happy birthday, Sakura. I've had a wonderful time, I assure you. [ a little smile. ] As long as you've had a good time, at the very least... Truly, the party is for you and Minako, isn't it? It matters not if we've had a good time if the two of you haven't.

[imaginex]

[The fact that people showed up at all is Sakura's birthday present -- at least, that's what she'd profess. That won't stop her from turning down birthday presents, though.

Also, points for that introduction. Sakura reaches up to inspect whatever's bumping into her temple, only to give a soft gasp of surprise when she realizes it's a stuffed animal. Oh no it's so cute.]

Thank you, Elizabeth-san! I tried for half an hour getting one of these! [No joke. Apparently the crane game didn't get the birthday memo]

And -- well, it's more fun for me if I think everyone is having fun, and I'm sure Minako feels the same. [She takes the rabbit and settles it into her lap, straightening out its outfit]

I was nervous about having the party at an arcade since I've never been to one in America, but it looks like a huge success!

Couches

[burningblossoms]

[Yukiko, of course, has come. More importantly, she's come bearing gifts in the form of herself and a small parcel that she wants her dear friend to open.

Sakura is definitely on the same level of introvert as Yukiko, so engaging her quietly is probably better than doing it in a group. Once Sakura sinks down and people seem to be moving away, she walks over, gift in hand. She drops down on the couch wordlessly and snuggles up before plopping a rather large and soft package in her lap.]

Happy Birthday.

[imaginex]

Thank you, Yukiko-chan.

[Sakura greets her warmly, a bit too tired to move herself but at least willing to lean into the large gift. My goodness, it's pretty sizable. Her eyes light up with interest as she starts to gingerly pull off the wrapping]

Oh, what is it?

[As if she's not going to find out in five seconds...]

[sunnymerc]

[Soleil may be mediocre at both shooting games and arcade games, but she does have skill with pool. It's the sort of mature game that a young troublemaker looking to impress older women would get into, probably in bars she should never have been allowed into.

Soleil twirls the cue in one hand as she finishes putting everything back for whomever will be playing the next game when she notices Sakura watching.]

Hey, birthday girl. Are you just gonna stand there?

[imaginex]

[Well... yes, that was the battle plan. She hadn't wanted to interrupt, and it's not as if Sakura has once picked up a cue.

She'll still wander over once beckoned, however, not wanting to seem impolite.]

Hee-- sorry, I didn't want to distract you.

Couches/Present

[matchbreaker]

[ At one point when she's out of it and/or maybe even actually napping, Elda's feet - now a little bit more quiet with her lighter footsteps and increased vampire self - makes to set a small package with a card on Sakura's lap or somewhere near her, a grin on her lips.

The card itself is on proper stationary, writing out a wish for a happy birthday, hoping that her next year treats her well and that she can find some happiness there. Sentimental and formal. Signed with her name, of course! Also the card has a 20 dollar bill in it.

... But then the little box itself? Inside of it is...! It's a new phone, actually. It's got a return receipt if that's not of use to Sakura, but it's a an "active" model for the newest samsung, designed to endure water up to a few meters and being dropped and such. It seems like everyone's lives are getting more rough. So enjoy the phone or return it and enjoy several hundred dollars - she paid for it in full, not through a payment plan. ]

Shooting game.

[aintjustaweapon]

So, pretty and dangerous, huh? You're the complete package.

[Just as Sakura finishes demolishing that shooting game, she'll hear Lillian's voice chiming in from off to the side. The blonde is leaning against the arcade cabinet, arms crossed, clearly amused from having just watched her kill all of the everything.]

Not sure I wanna take the risk of goin' up against that, never was all that great at those games anyway. [She added, then grinned.] But I can give it a try since it's your birthday, if you really want.