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

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

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.]

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[She turns the complicated smile on her friend, shakes her head, and then reaching out to hug Elizabeth.

Help, Liz, how do you deal with having a memory of your past life's death.]

I'll try not to upset anyone, then. And thank you, Elizabeth. I'm really happy you could make it. [She pulls back and grins a bit.] Did you bring a drink with you? Let's toast.

[ Good question, she'll let her know if she ever gets one. Elizabeth returns the hug briefly, letting her pull away just a bit. ]

I didn't. [ Apologetic. ] But if you'll wait just a moment... I can bring one.

[ ...she'll give her the small box. ]

You can open your gift in the meanwhile.

[Minako's expression lights up and she bounces on her heels a bit.]

Oh Elizabeth, you shouldn't have, but thank you!

[Another quick hug.]

I'll wait until you get back, though, I can be patient.

[ !!! Minako... She smiles widely and nods; when she returns, she has some water, because she's a classy lady.

Ahem-hem. ]

Today we toast to... [ ...actually. ] You may do it, Minako. It's partially your birthday party, and you were the one who suggested it as well.

Edited 2018-03-14 16:43 (UTC)

[Minako has the remains of whatever cocktail the bartender recommended for her, and she nods.]

Yeah! I wanted to do it earlier, but everyone scattered pretty quickly to play games. [A laugh and then she raises her glass.] To all the years behind me, all the years ahead of me, and the moment right now. Kanpai!

[ She laughs too, raising hers as well. ]

Kanpai! [ with a small sip to follow it, before she lowers it back to her lap and traces the lip of it with her finger. ] I would ask you to open your present now, but...

[ ... ]

Minako, [ Elizabeth moves closer, until their knees are touching, ] is something troubling you tonight? You had quite the look on your face.

[Minako glances at her friend from behind her glass, and then pulls it away, biting her lip.]

There is something. But I don't want to spoil our fun. It wouldn't be a very happy talk.

We've discussed depression and being trapped in wells while doing something as simple and enjoyable as catching fireflies, you know. [ A slightly amused look, though it's mixed with concern. ] It isn't as if it'd be the first time... We'll save your gift opening for after it as well, as a way to resummon something happier to discuss.

[ So. ]

...I wouldn't be a very good friend if I couldn't lift that look off your face either, so please, allow me to be a shoulder for you.

[The memory draws a wry laugh out of her. It's true, they've had some pretty intense conversations before. And Elizabeth is offering to listen. So with one more sip of her drink to fortify herself, she sets her glass down and turns to face her friend.]

...I got a memory on my birthday. About my past self dying.

[ ...Ah.

Elizabeth's gaze drops down to her own drink, a musing look on her face. Minako, dying... What a terrible, awful thing. She wonders if it has anything to do with that draining monster back in October, with the nightmares and fog... It isn't important; she sets her drink aside and reaches for Minako's hands instead, threading their fingers together if she'll let her. If not, she's happy enough just to hold them. ]

You have my condolences, Minako. That must've been... [ Hard. Awful. A total birthday crashing experience. She can't decide, but she shakes her head and glances up at her. ] There isn't a good time for that sort of memory, I know, but having it on your birthday is a little... cruel, even as far as memories go.

[Minako is more than okay with their fingers lacing together, and she squeezes once Elizabeth is done, raising her head to meet her friend's gaze.

Something in her chest eases, better now that she's told someone. Told Elizabeth, who understands what the other Minako had been through. Aside from her, nobody else knows. She'd hidden it from everyone, so her birthday wouldn't be ruined by the memory.

The party is still going, but it's been properly celebrated, and now she can face the other Minako's death with a brave face, armed with the joy and warmth of her friends' presence around her.]

I thought so too. But I guess it's appropriate. One life leading into another...

[And all of that other symbolism. But it's the memory of her breath fading away that affects her more, and remembering it now, she inhales deeply, because she can.]

It was graduation day for her senpai. She was too weak to see them off. The only thing she had the strength to do was...was to make sure everything would be alright before she left, the days leading up to it. [Another inhale.] She knew her time was coming. And she went peacefully...but without the one thing that would've made her happy before she went.

[ That's still so terribly sad, for how young she must have been. High school, wasn't it? All of these people, forging their paths in such a world at such an age... ]

...I feel for her. [ She rubs the back of Minako's hands with her thumbs, gentle circles. ] And for you as well...

[ ...Elizabeth's not certain if this is okay, if she should offer it, but she leans closer anyway. ]

Would you like... would you mind if I made her an arrangement?

[She sniffles, just a little bit, and leans forward to meet Elizabeth halfway, setting her forehead against her friend's shoulder.]

Of course not. I think she would be honored. And I think it would help me, too. [A watery smile, even if Elizabeth can't see it.] Your arrangements helped last time, after all.

[ That's mostly why she asked, really: because they seemed to have helped last time, with Ryoji and his mother... Elizabeth hums softly, pressing her cheek against the side of Minako's head, and closes her eyes. ]

Then I'll prepare something. Let's see... What meanings should I ascribe to it...? Something that tells of a life fully-lived, cut short by unfortunate fate... Of a wonderful young woman who fought bravely to assure that future, I suppose. Or perhaps something happier, something celebrating her life rather than the end it came to... [ There's a lot. She's half-talking to herself, trying to piece together Minako's memories when her own mind keeps drifting to her guest and she wonders

if

maybe

this happened to him, too. ] Well—I'll sort it out, Minako, and send them along when I can. If you have any special requests, please let me know... I'll make certain they make it in. [ ... ] It's free of charge as well, of course.

[ As long as she pays for her own materials they can't complain— she thinks. She has people willing to cover for her at work anyway, really. ]

[The thought won't occur to her for a while, given how shaken she is now. But later, she'll wonder the same thing as well. Whether or not her brother will be subjected to a fading death memory. She has rarely spoken with him about memories, with him so dismissive of their importance, but she's had a strong suspicion for a while that they might have the same memories.

For now, she only eases into Elizabeth's embrace, shaking her head.]

No, Elizabeth. Let me take care of it this time. I was her, after all.

[Even if Elizabeth is technically doing all the work...]

[ Let her take care of it... Elizabeth smiles and pets her hair, squeezing her tight with her other arm. ]

If you're certain... I have a book you can borrow if you'd like something reputable to refer to. [ Though Minako's Japanese, so maybe she'd prefer Japanese meanings...? She purses her lips a little. ] ...For Western meanings, at least. I'm afraid I don't have anything else.

[She shakes her head a bit, closing her eyes to enjoy the pleasant sensation of having her hair pet.]

No, Western meanings are fine. The only one we really need to know from the Japanese meanings for this is the sakura, anyways.

Then I'll lend you my most precious treasure.

[ ...it isn't that important, but it is important, and Elizabeth pets her hair a little more before she draws away. ]

Come by Sweet Stems whenever you're free, alright? [ ... ] I'm usually there even when I'm not working, provided I'm not busy with other tasks.

[ she loves the shop and she loves her coworkers, so. ]

I'll use it with care and gratitude.

[She takes in a deep breath and nods.]

I will. And...thank you for listening, Elizabeth. Let's enjoy the party now.

Of course.

[ ... ]

But first, your gift. [ To make up for the sad conversation, as promised. It's a small box, and when Minako opens it—

she'll find a pair of earrings. Yes, they're shaped like firefly wings, to commemorate how their friendship began. Elizabeth is only a little sentimental. ]

[Minako is a lot sentimental, and upon recognizing what the wings are meant to be, her whole expression softens.]

Oh, Elizabeth. These are beautiful. [She admires them for a moment, and then pulls her earrings out so she can wear the firefly ones.] How do I look?

[ ...She looks wonderful, and Elizabeth laces her fingers together and squeezes them on an exhale. ]

You're just as beautiful as them, just as I imagined you would be... Truly, I'm glad you like them, Minako. I wanted to commemorate our friendship somehow, and when I saw them, I knew they'd be just the thing. [ Minako's one of her first real friends, after all. Someone she trusts a lot, who trusts her a lot... ] Thank you for the wonderful time. I hope that we can continue to be friends for a long while yet as well... though I admit, it feels a little silly to say so when we haven't even known each other a year.

[ But that's Retrospec, she supposes. Misery loves company, and trouble breeds closeness. ]

[She squeezes the top of Elizabeth's clasped hand, her smile gentle.]

I don't think it's silly. The strength of the connection is so much more meaningful than the duration of it...and I'd say we're doing pretty well on both counts, right?

Thank you, Elizabeth.

[She brings her in for a tight hug.]

[ And she'll return it, just as tight. ]

We are. [ ...Elizabeth's glad she's made her so happy, her heart is warm and fluttery with it. ] Now... You wished to party, yes? Let's dance the night away—or, well, at least until someone wishes to steal you away for this or that.

[ She draws away just a little, guiding her up. Dance, dance...~ ]

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

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