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

[ohrlyeh]

Too shy? Ah. I know the feeling. Whenever I wanted to celebrate something, I just stayed at home. The best company is yourself, I thought...

[He lets out a slight laugh at that. Somehow, saying that..he can see why the mental image would be funny. Just him on his own, having a party by himself...]

But anyways...you seem to have brought out a lot of people to celebrate your birthday. I'm glad.

[imaginex]

[Oh no... honestly she can relate in her own way, and hides away a giggle]

Well, sometimes it is. Between you and me, I think I'm going to disappear for a few days after this.

[Smiling at him now, as she folds her legs up on the couch. Probably terrible manners but y'know what? It's her party, she can do as she likes.] I mean, in my room... I just get really tired when a lot of people are around.

[ohrlyeh]

Disappear? [Oh, not like, disappear for real. Thank goodness. He lets himself rest back on the couch, long hair draping over the back as he looks over at the birthday girl.]

Mmm. It takes so much out of you. If I were you, I'd be afraid to even face all these people. Not that...many people would go to my birthday. [A huff.] But I think a break is in order. You deserve it.

[imaginex]

[Okay, now that part she can't help but huff out a laugh at.]

You think so...? But I've heard so many people talk highly about you. Especially Atsushi-san and Shigaraki-san.

[Really, from Sakura's perspective, Howard is certainly endearing himself to a few people. She loves it, honestly. Even if he doesn't prefer large crowds or huge parties, she thinks he could always do with more people who understand him.]

[ohrlyeh]

Ah, well...

[He scratches his cheek a bit sheepishly. Atsushi, he's not surprised by, but Kei? A little more unexpected.]

I-I mean. Those are just two people. Not a whole lot. But that's fine. Quality over quantity, right...?

[A pause.]

Anyways, I was surprised to learn that you and Kei know each other. It really is a small world after all...

[imaginex]

Oh? -- Yes! I was surprised when he seemed to know you, too.

[Very well, in fact, to the point Sakura was... mmm. She's just glad Howard has opened up to someone else.]

He's like my guardian...? He and my father know each other, and Shigaraki-san was asked to keep an eye on me and Nee-san while we're in the city.

[It's said fondly all the while, and Sakura's stare drifts into the distance as she continues.]

Of course, he's very careful to respect our privacy, but I'm glad he's here, too. He gives me very good advice.

[ohrlyeh]

Yes, he's a good friend of mine.

[He nods at that - Kei, the guardian. He clasps his hands in his lap, turning his gaze back to Sakura.]

He gives me very good advice, too. I really respect him, so...I'm glad he's helping you, too. [A slight smile.] Sometimes I go to him when I'm feeling conflicted over something...he always knows what to say to make me feel better.

[imaginex]

Do you? [Ah, she nods in approval, hearing that] Well, as I said, he mentioned you with fondness, so I think he enjoys your company.

[And it makes intuitive sense to her, that these two would get along.]

Don't tell him this, but I'm thinking of finding him a cursed doll? He seemed very interested in one on the network.

[ohrlyeh]

I'm glad he does.

[Even though he doesn't like getting along with people, having a few friends? That's good.]

[He tilts his head at what she says. Oh! Oh, that was his idea...]

Oh. Yes. I-I was actually going to get one for him too. I mean...maybe it's good to get two?

[imaginex]

You were?

[... Oh no that's so sweet.

Sakura is here for this and leans forward on the couch]

No no, how about you get him one! I'll just help you look, okay? I think I can tell if something's actually possessed!

[ohrlyeh]

You can?

[He actually leans forward, looking very intrigued. Then again, Sakura did mention she got some new abilities...]

H-how do you do it?

[imaginex]

I can sort of talk to spirits and ghosts? And see them, too.

[What a convenient power given her interests, honestly]

I'm not sure why or how, just that I can. So if I find a doll and pick up a spirit's presence, it must mean it's possessed!

[ohrlyeh]

Really?

[That's certainly a gift. Though, with her predilection for the subjects she draws, it's somehow not surprising.]

What do spirits and ghosts look like?

[imaginex]

[...]

Well... [Her pause draws out as she glances left to right, checking to see if they have some privacy (they do).]

I could show you, but please... just don't tell anyone?

[ohrlyeh]

[Show? Howard gapes at her - he realizes how rude that might look and shuts his jaw, giving her a nod. He's told her things he hasn't told anyone else. He would certainly do the same for her like she did for him.]

O-of course. Yes. I won't say a word.

[imaginex]

[If they're not sitting next to each other, Sakura will rectify that issue first. Only then does she breathe out slowly and then something... happens.

With her finger, she draws a line down in front of her as if caressing the air, and a silver of shadow suddenly opens in front of her, black as the void. From it comes a tiny creature, small enough that it will fit on Sakura's shoulder once she pulls it close. It peeks at Howard with its glowing orbs.]

Can you see it? [He should be able to!]

[ooc: Also for a less messier picture, imagine this except tiny instead of big and menacing]

[ohrlyeh]

Yes, yes, yes...I can.

[It's all incredibly surreal. She just pulled a - what is it? a spirit? a ghost? - out of thin air, like some kind of magician. He stares at the little creature, before reaching out a finger, as if considering whether to poke it or not?]

[His voice comes out in a quiet, awed tone.]

Can it be touched...?

[imaginex]

I'm not sure, actually...

[Though it might not matter, as when Howard lifts a finger, the creature pulls back and hides in the river of Sakura's hair. It's not really sentient so much as possessing very basic self-preservation. Howard is big, it is small, so away it hides.

Sakura can't help but giggle at that]

Oh no, I didn't expect it to be shy.

[ohrlyeh]

Oh...

[He draws his finger back. It's certainly very, very cute, for being an undead abomination.]

I suppose it's not used to people...is it, uh, a dead spirit? As in, is this what we become? When we die...

[imaginex]

... I'm not sure.

[Spoken slowly as Sakura glances down at the creature, or what she can see of it still hiding in her hair. In hindsight, she realizes the shadow's presence is probably misleading, and after a pause, she shakes her head]

No, I don't think this is what we become. I've seen spirits that looked human in the subways.

[ohrlyeh]

So...are these like lesser spirits? Or spirits of animals? Maybe...?

[He may write ghost stories, but there are so many rules about what they are and how they work - but still, this is fascinating. He appreciates Sakura showing him the little creature.]

And...wait, you saw ghosts in the subway?

[imaginex]

I think "lesser spirits" is a good way to refer to them.

[She doesn't know why, either, except the words seem to resonate with her, the idea there is a hierarchy that must be maintained. The creature flutters in her hair again before she gently pulls it free, looking at it more closely.

-- Though she'll keep speaking, and her voice abruptly lacks the warmth it did before]

I did. Down in the underground station, and through a white door when people were rescuing the mayor.