I know, I'm not a little kid anymore

[keystaff]

WHO: Sakura Kinomoto, OPEN
WHERE: Fai's house! Since she lives with him now.
WHEN: April 1st, early afternoon
WHAT: Sakura's friends are invited to a party for her birthday.
WARNINGS: None?



[Maybe some arrived earlier, to help get the food ready or set up any decorations. Most of it is ready, though some preparation might be more last minute in that morning once she has opened presents from her family - after dealing with an initial prank from her brother, given the date and all.

She hadn't anticipated anything too huge or fancy. Though that might end up debatable given how Fai tends to spoil her at the best of times. Still, the house should hopefully be big enough. She hopes. Sakura fusses a little with her dress, her hair, before coming to try offer to help with any last minute decorations or anything. Once people do start arriving, everyone is free to mingle and enjoy the food and drinks (non-alcoholic).

Sakura tries to get around to say hi to everyone, sometimes but not always managing to be the one to answer the door. She seems to be enjoying herself, glad of the chance to catch up with everyone in person, even if some might not stay all day. And given the weekend, given the holidays, she isn't so worried on staying up late either. She joins in with mingling, and might be easier to corner and get some one on one time later in the afternoon/evening, once others might have already gone home.

She doesn't have a traditional cake, but a number of cupcakes for everyone instead, with those and the rest of the snacks provided being made by Fai. With Xiaolang's help, and maybe Sakura managing to somewhere in the process of making it all.]

Comments

ota

[cardcaptured]

[Xiaolang probably isn't the first person to arrive at the party, but he's certainly one of the earlier ones, resolving to assist Fai with some of the cooking and whatever else he can do to make the celebration go a bit more smoothly. He's not as fancifully dressed as some others might be, but he's certainly not empty-handed, pressing an impressive looking bouquet into the arms of whoever greets him at the door, blushing up a storm and mumbling something about his cousin picking them up for her. The other bag in his hands, simple looking but a decent size, is something he insists on giving Sakura later, setting it to the side as he goes to help with the food.

Once everything's been squared away in the kitchen and/or he's been shooed out to socialize like a normal child, he's just... going to be content lingering at the edges of the party, quietly watching everyone else mingle. Anyone paying even a bit of attention to him may notice his eyes soften a little whenever they land upon the birthday girl weaving in and out of the crowd, and... is that a small smile on his lips?? Could his face even DO that?? He's largely unaware of it, though, and when he's not looking fondly at a certain cherry blossom (or chatting with her whenever she makes her rounds back to him), he's going to be nibbling on whatever food is out and available and looking a bit lost in thought. It's enough so to startle him should anyone come up to him and request his attention, nearly upsetting whatever snacks he had in his hands.

Nearing the end of the party, however, he's going to disappear with Sakura somewhere, only to reemerge a small amount of time later by himself. He's going to be making a brisk clip to the door, his expression oddly guarded compared to earlier in the day, only saying good-night to a brief few in a subdued tone before slipping into the night back home. Weird??]

closed to Sakura

[cardcaptured]

[The day, beautiful and sunny and warm as it was (fitting for a girl such as Sakura) was beginning to dim and darken, the sky slowly fading from shades of orange and pink, to dusky blue and purple. With the party beginning to thin out, and the birthday girl's attention a little less distracted from those around her, it felt like as good a time as any to set out with what he wanted to do.

Swallowing down the frantic beat of his heart that was rising to his throat, trying not to wring the handles of the bag in his hands, Xiaolang reaches out and taps her arm lightly.]

H-Hey, um...

[Courage, Xiaolang. COURAGE!!]

Do you want to take a walk with me? There's... there's something I want to talk to you about.

[keystaff]

Hm? Oh! Xiaolang-kun! Sure, we can go for a walk!

[There is the garden outside. That might be getting less crowded now some had gone home, that and it getting later and darker, so that might give them more privacy at least. Sakura doesn't seem to think there might be anything wrong at least, smiling as she then turns, excusing herself from the others to turn and head with him, gesturing to the doors outside to the garden.]

Out here? What did you want to talk about?

[cardcaptured]

[It was like his heart was trying to make a mad escape, the way it was pounding so wildly against his chest, and Xiaolang had to force himself to take some quiet, calming breaths as they set out from the party. The nerves really couldn't be helped. Here he was, at the precipice of a relationship changing decision between the two them, and he was readying to take a leap. He could just change his mind, enjoy the walk with her, and not have to deal with all of this, but... he knew he couldn't. The night was right, the setting was right, and he had put it off for long enough.

The garden painted a pretty picture for the two of them as they strolled through, the early spring blooms glowing faintly in the dimming light. The twilight breeze wafted the scent of some of the newly blossomed cherries in the air, and Xiaolang absentmindedly plucks a small cluster of flowers from a low-lying branch as they pass, cupping it to his chest. Sakura's question draws his attention back to her, and his eyes soften as they focus on her face. She was always pretty, but there was something about the lighting, the surroundings, that just-- got his breath to catch in his lungs the longer he looked at her. Did he really have the nerve to ask a girl like this to be his special someone?

... well, they were going to find out, anyway. He snaps a little out of his reverie and swallows, hard, a flush heating his cheeks despite himself.]

A... a couple of things, actually. But first--

[And he holds out the simple green gift bag in his hands towards her, threading the cherry blossoms he picked earlier between the handles.]

Happy birthday, Sakura.

[His voice is soft, and a bit tender, and if they hadn't been by themselves, it may have been hard to hear it in general. There's a small box resting within the tissue paper nest of the bag, containing a rather appropriate bracelet. However, the bag is much too large to hold just a trinket box, and it's heavier besides, and that may be because of a certain green teddy bear resting at the bottom...]

[keystaff]

[The bracelet is rather appropriate. Given her magic coming from the power of the stars. And her namesake. She can't help but to give a small smile at it when he hands her the box. When she tentatively opens it. She already has her bracelet from Fai with the protection wards, but even so. She could always wear this one on the other wrist. So of course she accepts it, thanking him as she tries to clasp it to her other wrist free of jewelry still.]

Thank you, Xiaolang-kun! It's really pretty!

[She just figures maybe he used the bag to bring another jacket or something on over top in case it got chillier. Not necessarily that she might expect anything more. Anything else besides the bracelet.]

[cardcaptured]

[He hadn't remembered anything about the source of either of their abilities just yet, but there was something just... fitting, in it's simple yet cute design. The sakura charm was obvious, but the little wings framing it seemed to be very much her tastes, and she did seem to like white a lot too. The stars may have been a personal preference of his, but there was no denying it was perfect for her. Especially with the small smile she sends him, sweet and brilliant like the little charms surrounding the bracelet. He can't help but return the expression, soft and small and fond, something warm expanding in his chest at her happy reaction.]

... yeah. I think it suits you.

[... and, of course, it takes him a half second later to realize he may have just called her pretty in a roundabout way, and he sputters--]

B-Because of the design and all! With the wings and the cherry blossom and--

[He trails off, ears burning a bright red. If he was about to tell her he liked her, he shouldn't be embarrassed to call her pretty! But he didn't think he was bold enough to tell her something like that, even in a vague way, just quite yet. His eye catches on her attempting to put on the bracelet, however, and his hands move forward before the words leave his lips.]

Um, here, let me--

[And he cups one hand underneath hers gently, to keep it level, while reaching for the eye of the clasp with the other. It'd probably be easier to have them close it together, with Sakura guiding the hook to the end Xiaolang was holding. He can't help be be dimly aware of her hand in his, though, as they worked on getting the bracelet closed. Were her hands always this small? Or did his just get a bit bigger?

But this wasn't the more significant gift, and he clears his throat a little, ignoring the color that refused to leave his face.]

There's something else in there too. Something... that I want you to have.

[flowrite]

[The finishing touches are finally on the cupcakes and the cupcake stand is already out on the table Fai's set up in the keeping room, but it's still pretty early so there are a lot of last-minute preparations to go. The blond is in the kitchen--frilly pink apron on, of course--mixing up a bowl of pink punch when Xiaolang makes it back to that part of the house.

At the sound of footsteps he looks up and gives the boy a big grin.]

Li-kun! You're looking very handsome today!

[cardcaptured]

[The surprise compliment is enough to bring a bright crimson flush blooming across his face, causing his shoulders to hunch up a bit as Xiaolang's eyes seek the ground. His hand fidgets with a button on his shirt sleeve, resisting the urge to reach up and fix his hair for the umpteenth time (seriously, he had to stop, it was going to become a bad habit--). Aside from his obnoxiously affectionate sisters, not many people bothered to comment upon his looks, and he wasn't entirely sure how he was supposed to respond.]

I-I, ah-- I'm not-- I didn't know the dress code you guys had in mind, so I didn't want to look too out of place...

[He trails off, embarrassed, thinking back to the amount of time it took him to find something appropriate for the party. Would Sakura think the same, too? That he looked good?

... no, he wasn't about to get even more flustered thinking about that right now. Quickly, he grabs an apron hanging nearby (a much more sedate looking blue one) and shrugs it on, hastening to tie up the strings.]

Um, what should I start helping with first?

[flowrite]

[Fai has to bite his lip to keep from cooing over the adorable blushing boy in his kitchen. Now that they've had a few more chances to spend time together... well. Xiaolang doesn't exactly seem as confident and mature as the one Fai's seen in his memories, but there's also an age-gap between his own memories and the Sakura and Xiaolang in this life. He can cut the kid a little slack on that.

And the blushing is really cute. If Sakura ever manages to pick up on Xiaolang's feelings for her, the two of them are going to be precious.]

You look fine, Li-kun, don't worry! Besides, I usually think I'd rather be a little over-dressed than under-dressed, don't you agree?

[He rests the hooked end of the ladle over the side of the punchbowl and turns to see what else needs to be done.]

Oh, can you put the pepperoni bread in the oven for me? It's in the fridge, middle shelf, there's a flat tray sitting on top of some other things.

[cardcaptured]

[It was probably a good thing Fai held off on any further teasing, as they'd get absolutely no work done with Xiaolang being a flustered, embarrassed mess. And that wasn't good if they wanted to get the party treats done in time! Although Fai's not going to have to wait all that long for Sakura to pick up on Xiaolang's feelings, if things went according to plan tonight...

The flush doesn't entirely leave his cheeks at Fai's assurances, though, and he mumbles:]

I suppose. But I don't really want to stand out that much...

[But, of course, that was his shy nature talking. He was more content to stand by and observe than be the center of people's attention. His eyes travel to the refrigerator, at Fai's indication, and he nods, striding over to open it. It takes him a second or so to find the tray, nestled on top of the other items, and he carefully removes it as to not upset the other things. Though he can't help but to comment, a bit incredulously:]

You've made an awful lot of stuff for this. Are you guys expecting that many people?

[Was accidentally inviting half of Retrospec a bad idea after all?? It's always a bad idea, Xiaolang Shutting the fridge door with his hip, he makes his way over to the oven, setting the tray on the counter momentarily so he could grab the mitts.]

[geckoman]

[Guess who is greeting you at the door, Xiaolang? It sure is that intimidating guy that lives here who once chewed you out months ago. Since he's not cooking or baking or whatever he's got some time to kill and so he might as well answer the door.

To see the kid standing there. Holding a bouquet of flowers. He lifts a brow at the mumbled words. His cousin, huh? Okay sure he'll believe that. But he'll also believe this cousin did because he's like the rest of the known universe and knows this kid has it so bad for Sakura. Honestly the only one who doesn't know in the slightest is Sakura herself.]

Uh-huh.

[Iwai's just in jeans and a turtleneck for this. Because this is him cleaning up, okay? It's not like he's wearing the hat or anything.]

Well you're never gonna figure out how to ask her out if you're just standing there. Come on in, kid.

[And he steps to the side.]

[cardcaptured]

[... honestly, given that his cousin is also his guardian and has probably seen this emotional train wreck unfold in person... yeah. Yeah, he most definitely knows. The bouquet was mostly Xiaolang's idea, but considering that Leon was also fond of Sakura and possibly paid for part of it, it wasn't entirely a lie to say it was from him as well.

Of course, Iwai wasn't exactly the person he expected to answer the door (though in hindsight, considering how busy Fai was and Sakura probably getting ready, it seemed the most likely), and he flushes for a completely different reason. Oh jeez. Even if it was months ago, and even if Xiaolang had made pointed changes in his attitude towards Fai (and his attitude in general), it still felt like the man could see right through him. It always left him a bit intimidated and a low-key need to be on his best behavior.

And case in point? Was what Iwai just said, and he sputters for a moment or two in the doorway in surprise.]

Wh-- H-How did you know??

[SO MUCH FOR SUBTLETY THERE, XIAOLANG]

[geckoman]

[Technically? Iwai hadn't known at all that's what Xiaolang planned to do. But gut instincts are strong and he knows this kid actually sucks at hiding his feelings. Or his intentions. Of course there goes the kid proving that his instincts are right on point as usual. Good to know he's in his forties and some things haven't changed after all these years.

Again, not like the kid is hard to read.]

Ain't exactly the king of subtle, kid.

[More like a wide open book with a neon sign overhead saying "read me" instead. Because...flowers, Xiaolang. Cute but super obvious.]

Coming in?

[cardcaptured]

[If this child turned any redder, he'd probably be a tomato at this point, and it's all he can do not to bury his face in the flowers to hide from the older man. Was he really that obvious? Granted, even Xiaolang was aware by now that he was pretty much a disaster whenever Sakura was involved. But to think he could be read THIS easily...

Kind of a real shame that the one person who's never noticed is the one person who should, though.

So, instead, he just nods awkwardly and steps through the doorway, setting down a medium sized gift bag to the side before holding out the bouquet to Iwai again.]

Here.These should probably get some water soon. Do you guys have a big enough vase for it?

[Never mind the bag, of course-- seriously, Xiaolang, how much did you get this girl?]

[mercurio]

[prompto has found his way next to xiaolang as the party has exponentially progressed. he's been about, taking pictures, mostly of sakura and also of all the other things such as the decorations and the food. still, when he sees the younger boy by himself, he can't help wanting to stand beside him.]

[he leans to the side a little, to talk quietly to the boy.]

We gonna just stare at her all day?

[cardcaptured]

[Honestly, Xiaolang wasn't the type to mingle, or to be social for the sake of being social, so he was content just to hang to the side, watching the party unfold. It was nice to be by himself, to be lost in his own thoughts... especially if it meant mentally rehersing what he had wanted to ask later. And just watching Sakura duck and weave throughout the crowd, bright and beaming and happily chattering with those she cared about... it was nice. She had a rough year, with her father passing away and the struggles with keeping afloat with her brother, not to mention everything Retrospec, so to see her back at her normal cheery self was heartening.

So lost was he in his wistful watching that Prompto's quiet approach and question makes him nearly jump a foot in the air, his heartbeat rocketing for completely different reasons. Xiaolang shoots him the briefest of glares, both from nearly scaring him and just for being Prompto in general, but it flickers away as an embarrassed flush blooms across his cheeks. No, he was distracted, so it wasn't Prompto's fault... and honestly, he was probably the only person at the party right now he even told these feelings to, so it's not like he can deny it now.]

... she's busy. I'm not going to bother her when she's with her other friends. It's not like we didn't talk earlier.

[And he's not the clingy type, besides! He's happy to give her space if she was busy elsewhere.]

[mercurio]

I guess.

[it's a flimsy breath that drags out those words, prompto turning from looking at xiaolang for his reaction and then back at the crowd. sakura really stands out--as she should, being that it's her birthday.]

You know, before we even started dating, m'boyfriend did the same thing. Not wanting to interrupt my time with my other friends. Seemed silly considering I wanted him to talk to me all the time, too, and get familiar with my friends, so we could all hang out.

[has prompto ever admitted to xiaolang that he's dating someone? probably the first time. also, it's the first time prompto has openly referred to noctis as his boyfriend, always nervous about the way people might react to a gay relationship.]

[he has his issues.]

[cardcaptured]

[Sakura always stood out. At least... in his opinion, she did. It was her natural charm, her bright, cheerful energy and warmth, that drew people's attention to her like a brilliant star in the sky. It used to annoy him about her-- really, no one could actually be that perky and sunshiney, without being a little unhinged-- but it slowly morphed into something to be admired, and adored. She was genuinely that sweet, and there was a part of him strived to be half as kind as she could be.

But Prompto's admission takes Xiaolang by surprise, though not for the reasons he would assume. Gay relationships never struck him as odd-- Sakura was certainly the first crush he had ever had, but there had been one or two handsome boys in the past who had made his heart skip for a fleeting second or so, too. Not to mention Sakura's adoptive father was very, VERY gay, and in a happy relationship, and along with a number of other people he's met through the network as well. No, Prompto being gay wasn't what surprised him. It was that he was taken in the first place. All this time of fearing Sakura would probably fall for him, and there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell to begin with.]

You have a...?

[Wait a moment, this anecdote is all well and good, but there's a bigger question on his mind.]

You mean you and Touya are dating?

[SORRY 2 NOCTIS.... but it would explain SO MUCH]

Re: ota

[blondferret]

[Derek eventually sees Xiaolang and figures he might as well say "hi." At least he knows the kid. He walks up beside him and waves a plate with various snacks, probably pretzels, under Xiaolang's face.]

Hey, want one?

[He looks over where he saw Xiaolang was looking and smirks. Ah, so it was Sakura who he was staring at. He won't comment on it... yet.]

[cardcaptured]

[He starts, just a little, as Derek breaks through his quiet reverie with the sudden plate of snacks in his face, and he blinks at him owlishly. When did he sneak up on him...?

... oh. He can recognize that smirk on his face, and fragments of earlier conversations, conversations where Derek was right on the nose about things, surfaced in his head. Color flushing to his cheeks, he makes a reach at whatever was closest on the plate (probably the pretzels and some homemade snack mix Fai had whipped up). He did just finish what he had earlier...]

... thanks.

[Although he pauses, remembering what Derek had mentioned in regards to Sakura's birthday, and gives him a bit of a Look. He trusts Derek wouldn't do this at her party of all things, but...]

This isn't a prank of some sort, right?

[blondferret]

[Derek gives Xiaolang a "You're kidding right?" look and slightly shakes his head.]

Kid, if I wanted to prank you, you wouldn't even see it coming. Besides... pretzels? Please, I got wizard candy from Retrospec last month. That is the kind of thing you'd prank someone with. Besides, I wouldn't do it at someone's birthday party, that's just bad manners.

[cardcaptured]

... that's not all that comforting to hear.

[But the suspicious expression eases off of his face a little, and he finally grabs a small amount of snacks off of Derek's plate, not wanting to take too much of his food. He does shoot the older man a inquiring look at one thing in particular, though.]

What do you mean by wizard candy, though? Is that some sort of brand?

[... guess who still hasn't quite learned that Derek has magic yet.......]

crawls in ten thousand years late

[complementing]

[You'd have to be blind not to notice Xiaolang's sidelong glances at Sakura. Minako thinks it's cute, even if it's ultimately on Sakura to notice and act on what it means. Still, she's watched Xiaolang's puppy crush long enough that she's rooting for him. When he starts running low on snacks, she brings a plate over and offers it to him.]

Here you go~

it's cool I AM ALWAYS DOWN FOR MINAKO STUFF

[cardcaptured]

[He was so lost in watching Sakura in the crowd, bouncing and weaving and giggling merrily with her friends, her smile contagious even from here, that Minako's sudden arrival startles him a little. This seemed to be happening a lot today. Was he really getting that distracted?

He glances down at his plate, already looking a bit scant, and back over at the one she's offering, his cheeks flushing considerably. Sheepishly, he quietly accepts it, slipping the used plate under the new one. A boy his age needed to eat, after all...]

Um... t-thank you. You didn't have to go out of your way to do that, though...

[Clearing his throat, hoping that would lessen his blush a bit, he nods over towards the rest of the mingling party.]

Did you go and say hi to her, yet? I think she'd be happy to see you.

/o/

[complementing]

Oh yes, I've already said happy birthday and given her my gift. Just barely, though! Had to swim through the crowd to get to her!

[Not that she minds at all, it's Sakura's day and she deserves to be showered in love. Speaking of which.]

You have too, right?