Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you

[pullsheavendown]

Who: Ventus and Roxas and their friends and MAYBE YOU!
When: Saturday, March 24, all afternoon
Where: The House of Repression Departure, aka Ven, Terra and Aqua's place
Summary: The twins are turning 17! Their close friends and pretty much anyone who's got positive CR with one or both is invited to stop into their open house birthday party. Nothing too structure, gifts aren't required—just come have some cake and good times. Open log, thread away however you like.

It's a little past Ventus' birthday and a little before Roxas', but as far as those not in the know are concerned, they're all-natural twins who are turning 17 today.

And what a nice day it is! Good weather outside, colorful balloons and good cheer inside, and most importantly—cake. Lots of cake. Because each bro gets one, and that means more for guests.

Won't you come celebrate with them?

Comments

[pullsheavendown]

[He's a ninja, yo. And while such a comment might be touchier under other circumstances, BFF-goodwill and the positive mood of the day mean Axel only gets a quick, gentle jab to the ribs.]

I think I'd have to do a lot of practicing before I could pass for Ventus.

[got_it_memorized]

[After a squawk and a quick recovery from rib-jabing, Axel regards him thoughtfully a moment, a hand on his chin.] Mm, you're prolly right. I mean, can you even hold a Keyblade backwards? That'd be a dead giveaway right there. [And then he waves one hand with a chuckle.] Well, are you gonna open it or just relish in your thievery?

[pullsheavendown]

No way, if I tried to hold mine backwards, I'd probably hit myself in the face.

[And that's not a fun thought. He smiles at his friend before opening the bag.]

Thanks, Axel.

[got_it_memorized]

[There's a laugh at the image of Roxas Keyblading himself in the face, and then Axel props one hand on one hip and wags a finger chidingly.]

Well don't thank me yet; you haven't even opened it. [He scoffs and shakes his head.] I mean, what if you hate it? Then you'd have already said thanks instead of, 'jeez, and here I thought you knew me pretty well...'

[pullsheavendown]

Hey, I trust you.

[He digs into the bag. And what he finds inside is...?]

[got_it_memorized]

[A wry chuckle and he claps Roxas on the back.] Famous last words.

[Inside the bag is... a box! It's not very big--just fits neatly inside the gift bag--and there's an image of the contents on one side. Axel awkwardly rubs the back of his neck with one hand as Roxas removes the box from the bag and examines it a moment.]

I, ah... Well, I know how important it is to you to keep track'a stuff. So since they say photos are worth a thousand words I thought this might save you a few journals, you know? [A nervous sort of laugh--maybe it's dumb. Certainly he knows Roxas well, knows what he likes, but somehow getting the kid a gift always presents a challenge.

[He points at the box in Roxas' hands then.]

So ah... it's got like 16 megapixels, which is good, right? More is better, I think. I really dunno a lot about cameras, but the guy in the store was helpful. Said it's got like a bunch'a differen't 'modes' so you can take good pictures even if it's like... cloudy or there's movement or stuff. [He shakes his head.] This was all kinda Greek to me.

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas' smile slips a little when he looks at the box, but it's not because he's unhappy or disappointed.

It's because he knows exactly why Axel picked this gift, before he even says anything. His friends have always been the most precious thing in his life; his memories are second.]

It's great.

[His voice comes out a little husky.]

Seriously. It's perfect. I'll use it all the time.

[And Axel will be in plenty of the photos if he has his way.]

[got_it_memorized]

[Uh oh. The kid sounds like he's getting all... emotional. It's always so strange to him when Roxas does that--Nobodies aren't supposed to be able to feel, right? So why is Roxas so darn good at pretending?

[He ruffles Roxas' hair fondly, sending the gold spikes askew.]

Guess I know you pretty well after all, huh?

[Ah, Axel will let him have his way; he's not camera shy. Just expect lots of silly faces.

[He clears his throat then, suddenly a bit awkward; somehow this always feels a bit maudlin to him. He's glad they can have moments like this, but they still make him a little uneasy somehow; he's not sure he'll ever get used to it. Roxas has never been shy about saying what's on his mind, good or bad, but Axel has never been very good at being straightforward or sentimental, and Roxas' penchant for both, however subtle the latter, still throws him off sometimes.]

So. When do we get cake? I mean, since that's what we're really here for anyway...

[pullsheavendown]

[He ducks his head slightly at the hair ruffle, but more out of habit than any real attempt to get away.

No need to admit that he really likes those things.]

Guess you do.

[Suddenly he can't wait to get the camera out of the box and test it out. Xion's always been more of a photographer, and he's been content with snapping shots using his NV, but for the first time he really wants to document his own life and his time with friends. With this camera, he should be able to take really good pictures and make sure they're permanent when not much else is.]

Pretty soon. Think you can hang on without fainting from hunger?

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel folds one hand across his abdomen and looks as though he's attempting to assess the current state of his blood sugar or something, then looks at Roxas.] I dunno, sometimes my metabolism runs away with me; I'm feeling a little woozy. I skipped breakfast so I could sleep in...

[And then he laughs so Roxas doesn't get the idea he's actually being serious. While it's true he skipped breakfast, he's not actually going to pass out or anything. That would be lame. He does nab a chair, though, and plunks down backwards in it, folding his arms across the back and peering at Roxas.]

So how's it feel to be a real-live grownup? [Well. In a manner of speaking. It's still weird to think he's only like... two. Or three. Or however long he's actually been here--he's definitely not actually seventeen and that still kind of blows Axel's mind. The process of becoming a Nobody isn't really an exact science anyway, but Roxas's situation had always sort of left him scratching his head.

[Oh well. Roxas may lack a more orthodox history, but he's no poorer for it, in Axel's opinion. Who needs to dwell on a missing past when there's a whole future to plan for, right?]

[pullsheavendown]

It's weird. [He chuckles and shakes his head.] If it counts, anyway. I'm seventeen...or I'm three. I mean, the first fourteen years weren't really mine.

[Or they had been, but no longer were.]

But I don't feel like a toddler, so seventeen's okay. That means I'm allowed to do all the grown-up stuff in this city. Scary, huh?

[got_it_memorized]

[ooc: sorry i totally dropped the ball on this thread--did you still want to have the conversation? i'm game for backtagging. lemme know!]

[pullsheavendown]

[ooc: It's probably best to move on since there's a lot going on in the current timeline. Let's say they had excellent cake before the talk. ♥ ]