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

[reaquila]

Yeah, your cousin. He's a nice kid.

[Oh no :( Nanashi's a good sport and pats Sakura on the shoulder after their little shoot out. ]

Thanks for playing with me, Sakura.

[He's grateful for her time! There's so many other things she could be doing right now. IT IS her birthday celebration after all.]

[imaginex]

It's no trouble, really. I enjoyed it!

[BAH HUMBUG -- okay no, Sakura will lose with grace (or she's going to hide her soured pride in the presence of a stranger), just smiling at the shoulder pat]

And I'm glad to see he's been making friends.

[EVEN IF NOW poor Nanashi has to deal with The Final Boss who is glancing over him with renewed interest as she puts down her gun]

Did you meet him on the retrospec app?

[reaquila]

Yup!! He found me when I first got it and I was a mess.

[No,this boss is too hard. Nanashi's not even focusing because he's recalling all of these bad times. It's his turn to lose. ]

That was almost four months ago? Man, time flies by quickly.

[He sighs upon being defeated.]

[imaginex]

Aah, I see...

[Not bold enough to ask further questions, Sakura just smiles and nods at the explanation given.]

In that case, I'm glad he was able to help you.

[reaquila]

He mentioned you a few times. Told me that your hair wasn't originally purple like that.

What color was it before?

[He's a little curious and a topic change might be nice.]

[imaginex]

[... Ha. Haha.

The poor lad wouldn't know that Sakura was deeply upset about her hair turning color, felt like Retrospec had robbed something from her, so it's a bit of a... touchy subject. But it's the first time she's met someone who is so happy to be her cousin's friend, so she keeps the smile on her face and offers a little shrug]

It was dark brown. If my sister was here, I'd show you. We had the same hair color.

[reaquila]

I'll keep that in mind next time I see your sister.

[Woops. He really doesn't have a clue! Nanashi doesn't know that he asked something insensitive. Sakura seems fine so he isn't going to apologize.]

It must weird having your hair change color like that overnight.

[imaginex]

It is, but that's just how things work in Recollé.

[Another shrug. A lack of apology means she's hiding her discomfort well, and in its own way, she feels better for it]

A day goes by and you might suddenly be good at swordsmanship, or the bow, or have another row of teeth.

[reaquila]

You're right. I don't want to grow another row of teeth, dude. That sounds gross.

[He makes a horrified face.]

My other self had a thing for guns. I might end up like that someday...[It could be worse. Nanashi looks at Sakura curiously.]

What about you? Did you pick up any odd abilities?

[imaginex]

[She can drink people's life forces until they're dead husks and at the moment doesn't know how to control it.

... But that's a terrible conversation starter.]

Well, I'm suddenly good at shooting a bow.

[Which might account for why her aim is spot-on, even in a gun simulation game]

Knowing how to use guns would be useful, though, especially with how dangerous the city can get sometimes.

[reaquila]

A bow's good. You don't have to stay in harm's way. [This conversation is familiar somehow. Oh wait.]

Are you friends with Minato? He uses a bow too.

[He shakes his head. Their preference for bows is noticeable!! ]

You wouldn't believe it. Retrospec sent me a gun and I had to hide the damn thing from my relatives.

[imaginex]

-- Yes! I know Minato-san!

[And looking delighted he was brought up, in fact. Sakura claps her hands together over the plastic gun still in her hand]

We practice archery together whenever he's not busy working.

[And trust her, they have opinions on the Uses of Bows in Combat, none of which she'll get into here. No point in boring her cousin's friend.

Though that last part startles a giggle out of her. Yikes]

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? [Being 5'1" and looking young herself, Sakura doesn't dare guess anyone else's age]

[reaquila]

That's cool! He's a nice guy and I'm happy you know him.

[Sakura has good friends. She knows the Arisato's and Shinji. Nanashi likes her already. He perks up at that. ]

Oh, I don't mind you asking, Sakura. I'm fifteen!

[Then he stands up proudly and tries to look bigger than he actually is. ]

[imaginex]

[... That's so adorable it should be illegal.]

Really? And already you're so much taller than me!

[She says it like it's something to be amazed by.]

[reaquila]

You think so? I make sure I drink lots of milk. I don't wanna be short forever.

[He scratches his cheek in embarrassment.]

Maybe you just haven't had your growth spurt yet? I hear it comes late sometimes.

[imaginex]

[Sweet as that sentiment is, Sakura laughs and gives a quick shake of her head]

No, the women in my family tend to be very short. And this is normal for Japanese women, too.

[Voice tinged with amusement]

I'll forever have trouble getting groceries from the top shelf, I think.

[reaquila]

You're like my sister. She's 14 and she's shorter than you. I wouldn't feel too bad about it.

[He wants to laugh because he knows what it's like to have that struggle. Nanashi still can't reach the top shelf .]

Can you get them if you stand on your tip toes?

[imaginex]

Well... between you and me, I usually have to climb the shelf to get what I need.

[Which is kinda dangerous, but hey. A day in the life of one Sakura Toshaka]

[reaquila]

Ask your sister to grab it for you when she's around.

You might injure yourself that way.

[His expression is filled with concern. It's easy to get an accident in a place like that!]

[imaginex]

[... This poor boy.]

Actually... she's only an inch taller than I am.

[reaquila]

Does she have trouble reaching the top shelf too?

I don't know what to say about that.

[This seems like a lost cause. ]

[imaginex]

[It truly was, but she can't help but chuckle at his attempts to help]

You don't need to worry about us.

Besides, I bet if Nee-san just glared, she'd probably make whatever she wanted fall off the shelf through force of will.

[reaquila]

That's something. Sounds a lot better than climbing the shelf.

[Nanashi lets out a sigh. He lets his eyes wander and then slumps his shoulders. ]

I'm feeling hungry so I think I'll grab food. I'll see you around, Sakura?

[imaginex]

Of course.

It was nice talking to you, Nanashi-san.