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]

[ He, at least, is able to use the small towel to wipe his face off. ]

Surprisingly, yes. [ He shakes his legs, and realizes he didn't take off his shoes. Well, okay. ] It's very hard to continue with your thoughts when you're suddenly underwater.

[beneathmoonlight]

Oh. I see.

[Atsushi glances over at the dunk tank.]

Maybe I should try it too...

[His thoughts are absolute chaos right now, after all. He didn’t bring any clothes to change into, though...]

Um. Are you going to walk around wet for the rest of the party, or...?

[livingimpaired]

No, I am probably going to go home.

[ He shakes his foot, watching as water continues to drip off of it. Kei shudders as he realizes that the temperature isn't the best for this sort of silliness but he will be fine. ]

So, if you are planning on headed home, why bit just dunk yourself.

[beneathmoonlight]

I guess so...

[Atsushi takes a deep breath before daring to climb up into the dunk tank seat. Maybe the water will help him clear his head as well.]

Okay. Go ahead.

[livingimpaired]

All right.

[ He picks up the ball and steps forward to throw -- ah. It whiffs and hits the tank itself. Kei blinks as he looks down at his hands and just walks forward. ]

I don't have very good aim or arm strength. [ A calm explanation before he slams his fist against the target instead. ]

[beneathmoonlight]

That’s okay-

[Atsushi hardly has time to answer before he’s falling into the tank, and oh no, he should’ve pinched his nose or something because the frigid water goes right up his nose.

It does serve to distract him, at least.

He breaks the surface with a gasp, coughing and sputtering as he climbs out of the tank and flops to the ground.]

You didn’t say it was cold!!

[livingimpaired]

[ He pushes his bangs out of his face. The wet state of his hair allows for it to stay pushed out of his face, and he shakes his head to bring his bangs back. No, thank you. ]

I suppose I did forget that fact. [ A quick, little chuckle to himself. ]

[ Standing over him, he looks down at him with mild feigned concern. ] Are you going to be all right, Atsushi? Do you feel the cold grip of death?

[beneathmoonlight]

What?? No!! I didn’t drown or anything, just got a bit of water up my nose.

[Atsushi pushes himself to his feet with a little sniffle.]

I guess we should leave then, huh?

[No reason to hang around soaking wet.]

At least I got to forget my troubles for a few seconds.

[livingimpaired]

[ He lightly claps his hands. ]

Congratulations. You've allowed yourself to escape your thoughts, and should be able to find something better to focus on.

[ Kei turns, his jacket slapping against his leg as it hangs heavy on him. There is a small sigh at how weighted everything feels, but he starts walking. ]

A warm bath is in both of our futures. [ A pause as he turns back: ] Try not to allow your thoughts to ruin such a luxury. If anything, get as cold and as miserable as you can... so that what quiet thoughts come will be simple appreciation at escape from misery.

[beneathmoonlight]

[That’s a...unique way to look at it. Atsushi wrings out his shirt before heading for the door himself.]

Right. Good night, Shigaraki-san. I had a good time.

[In a manner of speaking, anyway.]

[livingimpaired]

Good night, Atsushi.

[ He gives a small wave as they begin to part. ]

May the next day offer even more hope to you. [ Even though I consider hope these days to be nothing more than sweet poison to continue suffering ]