[Semi-Closed] HE'LL NEVER SEE IT COMIIIIIING

[fiddlestick]

WHO: Akira Kurusu & Friends of Akira
WHERE: Dim Sum Place in Recolle Mall
WHEN: April 1st
WHAT: Akira's birthday dinner.
WARNINGS: All the typical Akira warnings



[After a transaction involving a body pillow, Akira's roommates learned the date of Akira's birthday. With this knowledge in hand, Yusuke and Elliot decided to take action and make sure Akira had something special for his birthday. A week before April 1st, Akira's friends would get a message from Elliot Craig or Yusuke Kitagawa inviting them to join them for a surprise birthday dinner at a Dim Sum place in Recolle Mall. If it was from Elliot, there was probably extra reassurances that it wasn't an April Fool's prank.

The dim sum place is good, but nothing too fancy. There's plenty of food to order, as well as instructions for anyone whose never done this before. Order what sounds good and be ready to share! While Elliot and Yusuke will pay for a lot of the bill...donations are welcomed and anyone who gets too excessive will have to foot their own bill. They're college students and this is the second party Elliot's had to pay for this week, please show mercy.

If you're done eating and want something else to do, there's the entire mall to peruse with all its shops and entertainment. There's not a lot planned besides dinner since they wanted to go easy on Akira, but that doesn't mean you can't make your own fun!

OOC: The actual invite will be handwaved! This party is open to anyone who has positive CR with Akira, any guests they'd bring with them, and anyone who would somehow know how to crash the party. Feel free to make your own toplevels and have fun!]

Comments

akira!!!

[mercurio]

[prompto had gotten the invite and had considered, very carefully, going to the party at the dim sum place. it sounded amazing--it really did--but part of him did not want to put himself through how terrible he feels after eating more than he ought to, even if it was for a special occasion. so, instead, he decided to focus his energy on getting akira a gift that he would appreciate.]

[luckily for him, he gets a shift that forces him to work the hours that he would have spent at the dinner. he punches out quickly, polo and khaki pants still on, and being at the electronics store in the mall, he's right in the vicinity of the celebrations, reaching the group when it's exiting the place.]

--Akira!

[spotting the mop of head, prompto approaches fully determined, a bag in his hands which will reveal a neatly wrapped present. nothing special, really, but a journal as simple as it gets, along with some gift cards amounting to $80 to be used at the electronics store.]

Sorry I - I couldn't make it to the dinner. [he urges the other to take the bag] I wanted to wish you happy birthday though, [a small smile] and thanks, for making time for this loser.

[they weren't quite friends--not really--more so journal-sharing buddies. still, prompto hoped they could call each other friends in the near future.]

[maskreant]

[ !!! It's been some time since he has seen Prompto, but his memory of him is rather fond. What couldn't he like about hanging in front of a haunted place while reading some heartfelt journal entries? It really helped out for the new year and he's still writing more things in for the next time they meet and share. At times he would forget until he finds his gratitude journal in his bag.

But still, he's surprised to see the busy Chocobo at his dinner? Party? The end of the dinner. Akira isn't sure what this is, really, but he perks up when the other man speaks, eyes drawn to the present with an inquisitive look. Quiet, he takes the bag after all the coaxing, looking into it, but not opening it just yet. ]

Thanks, Prompto... That means a lot. [ They are kind of pen pals, which he holds dear in another way. ] Wait here.

[ He turns back to his group of friends before bringing another bag—it's takeout. It's shoves into his hands. ]

You couldn't make it to the dinner, but that doesn't mean you should leave empty-handed. [ ... ] Empty-stomached?

[mercurio]

[prompto stares and his gaze lingers on the bag, which has found a home in his hands, then he's looking back at akira dumbly]

It's not an exchange...

[but he manages a smile nonetheless. he can share this with his brother and boyfriend later, for sure.]

--uhm, thanks. Do you think we could ... hang out some time? I'd -- [he's getting flustered and his cheeks are flushed] I'd love to be friends.

[justfists]

[well, after being asked to come by Akira, how could Makoto pass up the opportunity? She feels a little bit embarrassed-- because most of these are Akira's friends, and not anyone she's talked to personally. But she's trying! And she's good at seeming to be just a sophisticated, pleasant girl.]

Thank you for inviting me!

[She's saving Akira the embarrassment of getting her birthday present for later, so she's mostly empty handed... and ready to eat.]

I've never done dim sum before.

[maskreant]

[ He's picking an assortment for himself, but PAUSES when Makoto utters the strangest thing he has ever heard in his life. ]

... What, really? [ And on top of that, he gently elbows her. ] Relax. I'm supposed to be the nervous one.

the cat thief and co.

[usurpers]

[ eren’s apparently not done enough for akira lately; he’s got a small gift bag handed over once he finds akira (the contents are meowful). presents aside— ]

How much do you like cars?

[ for the rest of the time there, eren can be found out and about, eating— he’s in afairly good mood to approach! ps: when the waiter comes with the bill— surprise! a mysterious anonymous donation has appeared to save the day! it pays most expenses, not including freeloaders that will be forced to pay for themselves. the waiter doesn’t say who when asked, as courtesy to the anon who wanted to stay anon, but 👀

eren sure slipped away a few times for the “bathroom” didn’t he. approach to question, y/n ]

[maskreant]

[ EEEEREEEENNN. He is yelling because it's like he's only becoming more indebted to him and fond of him over time. He can't help but smile as he peeks into the gift back and instantly puts on the jacket to show his gratitude. It's cozy.

The dinner is fun and cozy, too, but he does notice Eren slip away and it's his fucking time to hassle him. He kept getting swept away and didn't get to thank him for the gifts. ]

Eren?

[odasaku]

1. (locked to akira)
[ it seems that odasaku has also gotten an invitation to the party! it's last minute and there's barely any time to actually make a birthday present that can be considered "decent" for a birthday. although sakura was okay with him giving her a used book, would akira feel the same way?

he has no way of knowing, and that makes oda even more nervous as he approaches the birthday boy with a manila envelope. ]

Hey. Happy birthday. [ he's not gonna comment on how akira didn't tell him that it was his birthday-- he'd do the same. instead, he hands the envelope to akira. inside, are some of the works that didn't make it to various literary magazines, each one held together with paper clips. ]

I was gonna give it to you next time you came over, but then I got this message saying that it's your birthday, so I didn't have time to make it pretty or anything. Hope you don't mind.

2. (open!)
[ if anyone else wishes to interact with odasaku, he'll actually be...enjoying the dim sum or outside smoking.

he's not very social on his own, but he'll talk if he's approached! ]

[maskreant]

Thanks... It’s all last minute, so I wasn’t expecting you to come and bring an elaborate gift on top of it, but I’m glad to see you.

[ It’s true!! He was already pretty satisfied that he’ll enjoy some dim sum with his roommates, maybe other friends that decide to join, but there are a couple of faces he didn’t think would show? In his new kitty sweater Eren gave him, he takes the envelope and carefully opens it, wondering if it’s a huge card or something. Eyes sparkling, he shuffles through the organized pieces. ]

Are these some of your works?

[ He looks awfully pleased!! ]

ota!!

[alitaba]

[ Futaba being Futaba has also appeared! She's 90% here for the free food and maybe at least 8% here to put faces to names with all of Akira's friends she hasn't met yet. Nothing like a little irl intel gathering, right? Right. (The other 2% of course, is to see her favorite person).

She'll be mostly staying seated where she is, eating her way through a vast variety of plates, including what looks to be puffy chicken feet. It's very possible she's doing it just for the pictures and reactions.

Eventually, she'll be passing along her gift to Akira. Luckily(?) she'll politely wait until after they leave the restaurant to encourage launching it but it's no hold barred after that. Everyone is fair game now. ]

[maskreant]

[ Well, she isn’t the only one eating chicken feet... Of course when he sees Futaba he gives her some head pats before accepting the gift. When he opens it up, his eyes glint with mischief and playfulness. It’s absolutely perfect. ]

We’re going to launch it now.

[ Whatever Futaba did to hold herself back was for naught because Akira isn’t going to wait. ]

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot will be sitting by and...give the reaction Futaba's hoping for]

Are those...feet?

[reaquila]

Wow, that looks really good. Are you going to even eat all that?

[Futaba??? Hello? Does your stomach have a bottom? Nanashi's staring in awe and surprise. ]

I didn't know that a single person could eat this much food in one sitting.

[Maybe he's just weak.]

stumbles in like nine years later

[fabrefactions]

[ There are some occasions where Yusuke wonders about the choices he's made in life. Today, the choice he is considering regretting is hanging around to watch Akira open his presents. ]

...

... Futaba, I'm afraid to ask, but... what is that?

[maskreant]

why are you guys like this (closed to mochi house)

[ They're still at the house with some time to kill before they head to the dim sum place. Akira is quite tired from his time with Goro in the morning, but he doesn't have the heart to say no when they've booked the place already. He's seated on the kitchen table, staring at a roommate (or two).

Overall, he looks kind of sheepish? ]

You guys didn't have to...

dumpling stacking

[ You can catch him early at the dinner, kind of antsy and nervous like this isn't even his birthday dinner. Overall, uncharacteristically Akira. To keep himself calm, he keeps playing with the ring on his finger, but otherwise he might need some pep talk into enjoying himself.

But after he's settled, he starts playing with his food—yes, this means he's stacking ten dumplings up high like a tower on his chopsticks. He's going to launch it at people? Be sure to catch it with your mouths? That's how this game works!

If it isn't that, he's stacking the bamboo baskets to be like a tower. ]

wildcard

[ THROW WHATEVER!! ]

BECAUSE THEY LOVE YOU (Mochi House)

[fiddlestick]

[ Elliot meanwhile is sitting at the table across from Akira. They got some time to kill, so he was checking his text messages. Nothing serious. ]

Haha, course we did. [But he can understand the sheepishness] Don't worry, it's just a dinner. No other surprises.

the dumplings!!

[reaquila]

[Oh my god. This is uncalled for. Nanashi catches one dumping and eats it. It's pretty delicious.

What isn't good is that there's MORE dumplings flying around. One of them...lands right in his face. Oops..]

Where did that even come from? I never expected to see an extra dumpling come this way.

[Help.]

[sketchythief]

[ Nothing like the birthday boy flinging dumplings at you. Daisuke doesn't complain at first when he catches one with his hand. He's gotten better at using his reflexes. However, there's more. He catches those too.

... But now he no longer has room in his hands to catch more. The thought of dropping them on the table hasn't come to his mind, so he just accepts wherever the next dumpling will be thrown.

Spare him, birthday boy. ]

Dumplingsish

[burningblossoms]

[This is weird, crazy, and by far the most Akira thing she's seen from him in a while. Him being antsy and nervous is just so unlike him that Yukiko cannot help but slink up to him from behind. She doesn't hide her approach, the noise her shoes make, but she doesn't speak till she's got her hand on his shoulder.]

Happy Birthday. You don't seem your usual bright self.

LATE but bamboo basket stacking

[complementing]

[A tower, huh...it's asking to be toppled, honestly. Minako reaches out with a finger to ever so gently tilt it to the side, towards Akira.]

SLAMS THE DOOR OPEN AND STUMBLES IN DRUNKENLY

[fabrefactions]

We may not have had to, but we wanted to. The difference is very important.

[ He drums his fingers against the table. ]

Besides, I had to surprise you on your birthday to even the playing field.

akira

[ladytakamaki]

[ of course ann isn't going to miss her best friend's birthday. she really had a hard time figuring out what to get him because ann really wanted to make it special...but after dinner, she hands akira his present. there's a card on top with his name on the envelope, and gift bag to go with it.

inside of the gift bag is a pair of fuzzy handcuffs.

...

other than the gag gift, there's a black snapback hat that reads "NYAKIRA" on it in all caps. the card is also really mushy, so brace yourself, akira. ]

i don't have this entry tracked this is rude

[maskreant]

[ So, he's opening some of the gifts because they're saying he should open a couple. Of course he's curious what Ann got him, so he opens hers inside the bag, but doesn't take them out. Quiet, he stares at the handcuffs with disbelief before lifting up his gaze.

AND STARING STRAIGHT AT HER.

LIKE SHE




BETRAYED HIM. ]

[gunsandveggies]

[Haru is appreciative of all the food, though she's never had dim sum before. And though she's always been very dexterous, she's still trying to maneuver the chopsticks in her hands with some difficulty, and they often overlap each other more often than not, or drop the food they're supposed to be holding. The instructions said not to stab the food with them, but she's too embarrassed to ask for a fork.

Instead, she'll lean over to ask one of the party attendants.]

Um... excuse me, but how do I hold these? I know there's a specific way to do it...

[Eventually, though, she'll have one of everything on her plate - though that's probably exaggerating it, as that would be too much for the bill. Still, there's quite a bit, and Haru happily tries all of them. And sharing is encourage here, so she holds out the dim sum to whoever's near her.]

Try it!

[For the birthday boy, once she can talk to him, he'll be getting a very gentlemanly plush as well as very cozy slippers.]

[maskreant]

[ I can't not tag my girls. Akira hasn't gotten the chance to open her presents and will probably do that at home, but he does look grateful that he was in her thoughts... Especially after all he still has to tell her. These moments are supposed to be ones of joy, but what settles is also a dreadful feeling, a pit formed in his stomach.

But he's going to eat, anyway. It's his birthday and people will drag him down if he so much looks lost in thought, maybe even a frown would set them off. When she leans over, he raises his eyebrows. Oh, right. ]

Like this. [ He shows her how! But then... ] They also offer training wheels for chopsticks. Do you want one? It helps a ton.