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

[livingimpaired]

[ A straggler comes in -- Kei Shigaraki makes his appearance. He does not look as dressed up as everyone else, and merely wearing a slightly nicer version of what he normally does. If he were honest, and he is, he would admit to almost forgetting about the party and only remembering due to having the invitation printed on his kitchen counter. Kei would like to thank and also strangle his past self for reminding him of his duty. It is a mixed bag of feelings.

In any case, he considers himself a friend of the family and a (poor) substitute for her father's presence.

Some of his time is spent over by the arcade. He would point at a few of the machines and ask: ] Is that Pac-Man? [ Even though, the name of the game is right on the machine itself. He will non-seriously argue with people about how every game is Pac-Man.

And he spend some time by the dunk tank. It was initially something that he just acknowledged before realizing that he wouldn't have to talk to anyone if he were to be the hapless victim sitting on it. Fantastic. ] Welcome. [ He would greet those that came by. ] If you need incentive on hitting the target, I am more than happy to provide. [ He may heckle the people some.

And he finds he is more comfortable leaning against the wall than sitting on the couches. He watches the part and people carefully, thoughtfully. It really does seem like Sakura has many friends -- well, her and Minako. This should make both feel loved and less lonely in the world that may occasionally feel like it is going mad. Aloud, he comments: ]

In any case, there is something to be said about fesriviites. But not all of what I can say about them should be repeated in front of delicate ears.

[ And any wildcard prompt that anyone wants with him. ]

[beneathmoonlight]

No, it’s not Pac-Man.

[Atsushi can’t help but laugh. He hadn’t expected Kei to show up at all, but here he is, being his usual self. If only all the games were Pac-Man. That one is one of Atsushi’s favorites, actually!]

Have you tried any of the games yet? The duck hunting one sounds fun!

[livingimpaired]

Hunting Pac-Man, my favorite.

[ He adds with just a little bit of cheer. There is a soft hum of amusement before he looks the young man over and blinks. ]

And I feel like I underdressed in comparison to you. That is a compliment. [ Kei is quick to add the last part since he realizes that it could come off differently if not given an explanation. ]

[beneathmoonlight]

Haha. I don’t think Pac-Man would appreciate being hunted.

[Atsushi glances down at his outfit with a shy little smile. He really does look spiffy, doesn’t he?]

Oh, this? Shuji-kun helped me pick it out. It’s actually a little too fancy for an arcade, but thank you.

[He glances up at Kei.]

What did you get Sakura-san for her birthday?

[livingimpaired]

Is that not only fair after massacring the ghosts?

[ He offers a small nod in understanding. ]

It may be, but you look happy in it. So does it matter?

[ Hm? Oh. ]

A knife.

[beneathmoonlight]

Haha, I suppose.

[Oh. That’s...an unusual gift, but not unheard of.]

Oh? What made you choose that? Just curious.

[livingimpaired]

[ A laugh. ]

So, she could slay monsters.

[ A better answer. ]

The world is becoming a little stranger... I merely wish to give her something to be a little safer.

arcade

[spirithacker]

Are you serious?

[How do you not know what Road Fighter is???

Even if this guy is his cousin's friend, Shinji won't hesitate to make fun of him for not knowing how to read an arcade machine.]

[livingimpaired]

No.

[ His head tilts a little in amusement. He blinks at the young child -- this is? Well, he supposes that he has not been formally introduced. ]

Nice to meet you. I am Kei Shigaraki, but my presence may have already been explained. Much like that of a spirit haunting the joyous living. [ His tone fairly deadpan at his own jokes. ] And I don't know much about Pac-Man Fighter. Why must we fight the ghosts instead of eat them?

[spirithacker]

[At least that means Shinji doesn't have to answer his stupid questions about video games, if he's not serious. He will not become the trolled.]

I'm Shinji Matou. Sakura's my cousin.

[His mother and Sakura's mother are sisters, specifically. And he was born in the US and has never met Sakura's father, and thus has very little to do with Kei's senpai.]

[livingimpaired]

[ Kei waits to hear the answer to his joking question but none come. Ah, well. He moves on, then. It is only something to pass the time -- a half-hearted effort, at best. ]

Is that so? I see. It is nice to meet you.

[ He offers a small nod as he lifts his head up to look around at all those that are present. ] Are you bored? Or rather, able to invite a few friends, yourself? [ His head tilts; he has never been around that many children and so not quite sure what to say. But he thinks just thinking logically would be fine.

Also, hm. He kneels down rather than have him have to look UP at him. Their height differences are more than understandable but he is not wearing so nice clothes that he cares if his pants get dirty kneeling on arcade floor. It isn't so much for Shinji as his own neck would hurt to keep looking down, too. ]

Much easier, hm?

[spirithacker]

I can still beat grown-ups at video games, so it's - oh my god.

[Shinji interrupts himself when Kei, the most condescending tall person ever, kneels. It's like Kei's never seen that meme.]

Jerk! Don't make fun of me!

[It doesn't really matter to Shinji whether Kei would have hurt his neck looking down or not, kneeling to talk to him is mean.]

[livingimpaired]

Hm?

[ Kei blinks, momentarily confused. His head turns as he supposes that logic does not always work all the time. ]

That's hardly my intention. [ He looks up, squinting. ] It's not my wish to make fun of you, anyway. I'm just too tall. A fault I can't solve on my own, but for right now, I hope you'll indulge-- hm, accept things.

[imaginex]

[To be honest, Sakura is as surprised by Kei's presence as he is. She'd been kind enough to give him an invitation, all the while assuming a birthday party wouldn't be his style, and so had already absolved the man of guilt had he chosen not to show up.

So finding him settled against the wall with his usual brand of commentary? A delightful find, and a good way to wind down after spending a couple of hours entertaining the guests. Even better is Odasaku currently accompanying her.

Don't underestimate her memory; she still remembers promising to talk him up to her current "guardian", even if it's a title of formality. So with that in mind:]

It's good to see you, Shigaraki-san. Thank you so much for coming. [She gives a subtle bow, Japanese formalities and all, before moving to the side so Kei and Odasaku can see each other.] Oh-- and this is my friend, Sakutarou Oda.

[odasaku]

[ the more that odasaku was with sakura, the more that he enjoys the party. it’s just a matter of being forced to come out of his shell enough to play around the arcade. he’s even gotten a medium sized cat stuffed animal.

it’s all going great. he might actually consider this one of the best nights he’s had in a while, including the night that shuji stayed the night at his place.

and that all goes to shit when his gaze falls on kei’s far away figure. he hopes that sakura won’t notice him, maybe, that they can continue their evening absolutely kei-free, but fate has no intentions in fulfilling any of oda’s wishes. intennally feeling like a man going to the gallows, he follows behind sakura. ]

We’ve talked a little. [ no need to talk about how this very same man knocked him down or grabbed him by the shirt or that this very same man talked about destroying himself yesterday. ]

[1/2]

[livingimpaired]

No, thank you for having invited someone like myself.

[ He dips his hand into the pocket of his jacket, giving just a brief glance to Sakura when she first has come up to say hello. Kei notes there is someone behind her, but there are also quite a few people around. In any case, he has a present for her that he does not think should be given to her at the "present table" as it were. ]

I was relieved that Amazon had gotten this to me in time. Consider it a gift that will outlive the-- [ Not realizing he is somewhat talking over her, or perhaps his subconscious realizes what is going on, he lifts his head up at the name. There is a second that he is somewhat at a pause -- holding out a high-priced pocket knife to Sakura and staring at the knife itself for one or two beats. ]

[livingimpaired]

-- to outlive the flowers that I have already given you, Sakura.

[ Kei finishes his thought as he finally shifts his gaze to look at Oda. His head gives a slight tilt -- but he cannot cause his expression to change too much. He supposes that this does only make sense now that he thinks about it. I apologize for being here. I would blame obligation, but that seems like too much of an excuse. ]

Indeed, we have talked a little to one another. [ His senpai would dislike it if he were to make a scene at his daughter's birthday. Sakura is someone that he is attempting to help, as well, and he finds that he does not mind the young woman. There is no reason to pull her into their problem. My problem. Kei corrects himself as he decides to be reasonable and absolve Oda of guilt. For now. ]

I'm sorry that you have to see me give such a gift. I hope that does not ruin your opinion of me. [ Look, Sakura, awkwardly portrayed friendship. ]

[imaginex]

[... Oh.

The pocket knife, she-- Sakura nearly gasps at it, and unaware of any looks that might be exchanged between Kei and Oda, takes the offered gift with a careful hand. It's a good quality, she can tell that at a glance. Opening and closing the knife is easy and natural, the sharpness of it seeming to cut the air itself. Beautiful, she thinks, and a good match for the one she received from John.

-- Though of course, receiving a knife as a birthday gift does tend to raise questions. She snaps back to the present, eyes bouncing between the two men before she interjects on Kei's behalf.]

I-it's okay! I, um... I asked him to get me this, in a way... [Which is not quite the truth, but neither is a complete lie. Kei knows very well the type of woman Sakura wishes to be. In her eyes, he chose well.

Turning back to her "guardian":]

Thank you very much, I'll be sure to treasure it. [And use it well, her smile seems to say]

[odasaku]

[ well, at least kei didn’t say anything strange. at the very least, the awkward portrayal of actually getting along makes odasaku feel like he’s walking on egg shells, each one a piece of sakura’s feelings.

for her sake, and for her sake only, he hasn’t turned around and walked away already.

as he watches kei gift the knife to sakura, he can’t help but feel a tinge of concern— simple paranoia. still, it’s a simple gift, and sakura defends him he realizes that there’s nothing that needs to be said. his friend’s happiness is paramount over everything else. so he shakes hisnhead, dismissing both kei’s and sakura’s worries—well, mostly sakura’s. ]

Everyone has their own hobbies. If she likes it, then that’s that, right. It is pretty.

[livingimpaired]

I'm only relieved that it is well-received. There are some that would say giving a knife would be an unreasonable gift.

[ Kei offers his own smile that he understands what she means. And the person that would say giving a knife for a present would probably be her father. But there is no reason to really muse about that thought among all others that are happening.

However, he does give a very brief pause as he looks back toward Oda. He chuckles to himself, and it does not quite sound like a nice laugh. But it is brief -- there and gone in a second. ]

But certainly is not as pretty as both of you look.

[ He clicks his tongue. ] Very rude. Not as pretty as Sakura looks, nor as handsome as Oda appears. [ A slight tilt of his head as he seems momentarily amused as he continues: ] I continue to feel as though I should have dressed up more. But in any case, I suppose I would still have paled in comparison. The only good thing about me is my height. [ Ha-ha, completely true statement. ]

[ohrlyeh]

You can repeat them in front of me.

[Hello, hello, Kei. Here's a familiar man - of course Howard would be here, but he's surprised to see Kei. He hadn't thought Sakura would've invited him. Are they friends, too?]

[He offers the beer bottle in his hand to Kei, another clasped at his side. He had seen Kei from afar and thought he might need the company.]

...Would you like one?

[livingimpaired]

I know I can.

[ He offers a smile to Howard as he feels a little less tired upon seeing him. Ah, yes, he recalls Sakura said that she knew him. Looking him over, he offers a more secret smile at how the two of them compared him to a sphinx cat. Not inaccurate, but not kind to have a private joke about someone offering me a rain cloud desperately needed. ]

I would. [ Kei holds his hand out to take the beer from him. ] I promise not to get so inebriated. I would not wish to have to have you move me. And you look quite dressed up -- you must very much like Sakura, Howard.

[ohrlyeh]

Of course I do. She's...she's a good friend.

[And just like Kei, she knows more about him than all of the people in this place. Both Kei and Sakura know that, in a past life, he used to be a monster.]

[After Kei takes his offered beverage, Howard moves to lean against the space of wall next to the other man, his eyes moving over the rest of the partygoers. Finding nothing too interesting to focus on, he turns his eerily purple eyes on Kei. (Hey, at least they aren't holes this time.)]

...I didn't know you knew Sakura, Kei. Or...wait, are you here because of the other one? Minako?

[livingimpaired]

[ His head tilts just a little at the way that Howard says that; he offers him a sympathetic smile. Then, if she were to abandon you... Kei decides to leave that thought rather than finish it. He feels tired from the day and too tired to even have his usual full intrusive thoughts. ]

It seems Sakura and you are sporting the same violet eyes. [ Some cheer. ] They're pretty, but I don't think that makes you happy to hear.

[ He shakes his head as he pauses to twist the top of the beer off to drink. Not yet lifting it up, he adds: ] Her father was my senpai back home. He tasked me with watching over here while she's in the city, actually. [ And now he drinks. ]

[ohrlyeh]

Hmm. Well. I...don't mind it anymore. I'd rather have these than...

[The alternative. Holes. He doesn't finish his sentence - instead, he frowns, staring down at his own beer in his hands.]

Anyways, I do appreciate the compliment. [He finally says, moving to remove the top of his bottle as he watches Kei. Hey, if he thinks his eyes are pretty, then...maybe they're not too bad.]

[He blinks in surprise, though, at what Kei has to say about his relationship with Sakura.]

What? Really? [He doesn't really know what a "senpai" is, but...] Huh. So you're like her guardian? She's never told me about you...