(open log) happy birthday shuji tsushima!

[odasaku]

WHO: You!
WHERE: The Inkwell
WHEN: 6/19
WHAT: BIRBDAY PARTY
WARNINGS: None so far?



[ so it's shuji's birthday party and odasaku has...done his best to organize something for it! there's not that much, actually, considering that oda's an absolute disaster when it comes to things like decorating. that said, it does look decent, mostly due to the efforts of other people. thank you other people!

besides that, there seems to be an assortment of snacks and sodas, as if this was more for a children's birthday party than shuji's 26th birthday. but hey, what can you do about it? and, well, this is a bar so you can buy alcohol too, if you so wish.

but the most important part of the party is the birthday boy who-- is somewhere. where is he, actually? maybe you should try to find him before doing anything else... ]

Comments

[odasaku]

[ oda himself...seems to be shying away from the party. he's never been a very social person, so this is a lot for him from the start.

you can find him behind the bar, for the most part, doing his job as a bartender. chuuya may or may not be around to see him, but people can still request a drink from him if they wish!

or, later in the night, odasaku will mostly be outside the bar, occasionally smoking. it seems that organizing birthday parties just isn't his thing and he needs a moment to recharge. ]

outside

[imaginex]

[Despite having helped him set up the party, Sakura had insisted she needed to step out, and so she returns to the party... late.

But hey, the fact she returns at all she hopes will count for something. Having known Oda was going to organize the party, he's one of the first people she looks for, not at all surprised to find him on a smoke break.]

... The party is going well, Odasaku-san.

[A half-greeting]

Needed to take a break?

[odasaku]

[ seeing sakura come back is definitely a surprise for odasaku. he blinks a couple times, before deciding that this is a good thing. sakura should be here for shuji, too.

when she mentions the party, he nods, halfheartedly. he'll put his cigarette out, although if sakura wants to be observant, she'll realize that there's a few more cigarettes around oda-- he's been outside for quite a while. ]

I guess. [ the party is going well and he does need a break...a long one. in fact, ever since shuji hauled him out to talk to him, he hadn't returned to the bar.

the idea just...doesn't sit well with him. ]

Thanks for earlier, by the way. If you hadn't been there, it wouldn't have looked half as good.

[imaginex]

Of course. Shuji-kun is my friend, too, after all. It'd be rude not to participate.

[Yes, rude, like a social obligation. Her smile wilts a little bit at her mistake but she moves on with relative ease, folding her hands behind her.]

We'll have to do something similar for your birthday, too.

[thesettingsun]

[A]
[Of course Shuji's going to show up - he works here, after all. Plenty of people still want to drink, and that means that Shuji has to take his regular work shift.

He enters the bar, then stops and stares at the decorations, the snacks, and the cake.]

Is this for me...?

[B]
[Once he's done being surprised, Shuji wallflowers at his own birthday party.

It's not anyone else's fault, and it's not like he's having a bad time. But he does a lot more sitting by the snack table and watching other guests mingle than actually interacting with them himself.

He will put on a smile if he notices anyone else noticing him.] Thank you for coming.

[odasaku]

[ the more time that passes, the more that oda feels that this is a terrible idea. it seems that others are having a good time, but this wasn't meant for other people.

by the later half of the party, odasaku's going to approach shuji, his expression somewhat troubled. ]

I should be the one saying that.

[thesettingsun]

You're the one who put in all this work for me, I couldn't not come.

[Even if he knew nothing about the party and showed up because he thought he had a shift.]

[odasaku]

It's not like you had a choice.

[ that was the point of a surprise party??? that the birthday person didn't know they were going to have a party? ]

I'm sorry if I made things awkward.

B

[clothes]

[ no one is going to tell The akutagawa 'hey you're still a babby you can't be in here!!' so he had no problem coming in. that sullen-looking guy working behind the counter didn't look like he needed anymore headaches and hullaballoo, which is definitely what akutagawa bitching about totally being okay to drink would be, so he just leaves him be (For Now.) in favor of homing in on the lucky burfday boy.

akutagawa...can relate so intensely...to just Hanging Out at his own birthday party. it's not a contest, but if it was, he would bring up the fact he has ditched his own parties and feel like he was winning. ]

Hiding alone at your own birthday party?

[ if akutagawa was capable of a sympathetic tone, he would have one right now. at least he has a present... it's rather small, small enough to fit in one hand. ]

[thesettingsun]

It's a surprise party, so I didn't get a chance to psych myself up first. I'll be more social later.

[...Maybe. Probably.]

I'm a little surprised to see you here. [Much less with a gift in his hand.]

[clothes]

That's an excuse I would come up with.

[ just admit parties are exhausting, it's okay shuji.]

Mm. Technically I shouldn't be here, but no one stopped me at the door. Not that it would have stopped me. I only wanted to drop by to give you something. Is that a problem?

B

[beneathmoonlight]

[It’s odd to see Shuji off by himself during his own birthday party, and Atsushi is legitimately concerned for him, but asking what’s wrong right off the bat might just make things worse, so he’ll start by approaching him with a small wrapped gift in hand. Inside is a rare copy of some kind of Japanese novel, one he’d asked around and made sure that Shuji didn’t already have.]

Of course. I wouldn’t miss your birthday!

[He holds out the gift.]

This is for you! Happy birthday, Shuji-kun!

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji unwraps the gift, and his smile turns more genuine when he sees what it is.]

I've been looking for this book! How did you know?

[Atsushi's just really good at presents.]

[beneathmoonlight]

Well, you love books, and you’re a writer, so!

[He’s so happy that he’s made Shuji happy!]

Is it okay if I hug you?

B

[imaginex]

[Sakura had ducked out of the party before it even started, but never fear! She's back! With a bunch of homemade goodies (brownies, cookies, and the like) wrapped in plastic wrap.

She's got a smile in place by the time she hunts Shuji down.]

Happy birthday, Shuji-kun. I hope you like them.

[thesettingsun]

I don't think I could ever not like your cooking. Not as long as I have tastebuds.

[So that's one gift he's guaranteed to enjoy.]

[imaginex]

I'm glad.

[Pulling her hands behind her back once he takes the gift]

Have you been enjoying yourself?

b

[vitis]

Hey, Shuji!

[ and here's one (1) john, noticing shuji. he approaches, drink in one hand and a gift tucked under the arm of the other. he raises his beverage in greeting; apparently he's got enough cheer to go around. ]

Well, if it isn't the birthday boy. [ a wide grin. ] How're you likin' your party so far?

[thesettingsun]

[John's always good at cheering Shuji up. Maybe this is just what he needed.]

I'm having a good time - I kind of wish I was feeling more sociable right now, but I'm still enjoying myself.

[Enjoying himself wallflowering.]

[vitis]

That's all right. We all have our days, right?

[ even john. but hey, he knows enough introverts -- or people that just get worn in general -- that's it's easy for him to sympathize. he parks himself right next to shuji. ]

Put up with me for a bit, will you? [ and much more jokingly: ] Don't worry, I'm not even gonna threaten you this time 'round with gettin' people to sing.

[ very courteous of you, john. ]

wildcardish

[complementing]

[Minako can't be at this party because she's in Bosuma, hacking away at tree monsters and trying to get Lucy's memory back for her and probably turning into a very tiny Minako along the way, but here is a text!]

Shuji!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (⋈◍＞◡＜◍)。✧♡

I hope you're having a wonderful day with all of your loved ones °˖✧◝(´꒳`)◜✧˖° and that you have many more happy happy happy birthdays to come

I'm on a quest right now for Zee, but when I get back I'll give you your birthday gift okay? Sorry to make you wait!!

[thesettingsun]

[Minako is good civilization. She gets a text back!]

Thank you so much ♥ Don't worry about the wait, just be careful out there, okay? If you come to give me your birthday gift and I see bandages on you, I'm going to fuss.

locked to atsushi & shuji

[clothes]

[ well, ultimately akutagawa ended up having to facetime his video conference, and his new for the day is ducking and dodging suggestions to go to A Real Hospital. tis but a flesh wound!!! except this flesh wound has his arm in a sling and wishing he were just a year older. whiskey would make the pain in his shoulder go away...

speaking of pain, akutagawa is a giant freak, so it doesn't take him long to notice that hey, atsushi is here in inkwell too. why isn't a mystery, obviously he's a friend of shuji's (or he's a lush), but he looks way too happy with his life at the moment. while akutagawa doesn't intend to apologize for almost killing him with a stick, he still has a casual interest in seeing how he's doing. yeah, let's call it that, whatever. ]

Aren't you a little too young to be in here?

OH BOY HERE WE GO

[beneathmoonlight]

[Atsushi is having a rather nice time at the party, stuffing his face with snacks and non-alcoholic beverages as he people-watches from the refreshment table. It’s nice to try and relax and have fun with all the recent retrospec craziness, and of course Atsushi would attend Shuji’s birthday party because of how close they are, so why not try to enjoy himself?

And he is, right up until he hears a familiar voice taunting him. He whips around to see none other than Akutagawa standing there, and he’s about to be snarky when he sees the sling holding his arm. His expression immediately softens, because he’s a good boy like that.]

What happened to you?

i hate this already

[clothes]

This? It's nothing.

[ akutagawa gives his arm a little raise and immediately regrets it, though it only shows with a twitch of his eyebrow. THAT FUCKING HURT...... GOD. ]

I don't need you to worry about me.