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

[lockandkeyblade]

[He sets his hands on his hips, as if in challenge.]

It's multiplayer.

[pullsheavendown]

[Subtlety. Thy name is not Sora.]

Yeah?

We brought the player over for the party, you know.

[lockandkeyblade]

[A stroke of luck! It's a sign! They must act!]

Well what're we waiting for? Let's give it a play!

[pullsheavendown]

Sure. Why not.

[He nods toward the TV setup and moves in that direction. Others have played some other titles during the party, mostly minigame-heavy stuff they'd brought along, but it's free now. Roxas flops down to take a seat and put in the game.]

Hope I don't stink at this.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora's quick to grab the controller to start setting the thing up. He doesn't bother to look at the manual. Preparation? Pfff. What preparation.]

How hard could it be?

[pullsheavendown]

[How hard, indeed?

Sora gets to be Player 2.]

You ready?

[lockandkeyblade]

Ready!

[The screen opens up to the beginning cutscene, a mysterious formation of CGI clouds that part to reveal the Title. What follows after is a surreal, incredibly symbolic series of images set to an upbeat, catchy theme song. Sora spares a brief grin at Roxas before turning back to the screen. Wow they can do a lot with graphics nowadays.]

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas holds the controller loosely in his hand as he watches the game's introduction. What's happening onscreen doesn't make a lot of sense to him—gosh, there's an awful lot of falling going on—but the song is catchy, and he finds himself nodding along.]

You know...

[A couple of minutes in, he slides his gaze to the side to look at Sora without really moving.]

You didn't have to say you just found this.

[lockandkeyblade]

[The tutorial comes on screen after the introduction. A humble beginning for the hero, though they've still got some time to talk. It's likely that someone else is going to be introduced pretty soon if it's multiplayer.]

Huh? [Then Sora chuckles.] Oh you mean the game.

[He gives the other a playful nudge with his elbow.] I know. I was just kidding. Course I'd get you a present for your birthday.

[pullsheavendown]

[The tutorial seems simple enough, though he'll soon find out whether he's comprehending it well enough with his attention divided.]

It'd be okay if you didn't. It's not that big a deal. [Except it is.] Besides...I didn't give you a present for yours.

[Dropping it off with an anonymous card didn't count as giving, right?]

[lockandkeyblade]

[He seems to stop for a moment, spies a side glance at the other, and then turns back to the screen with the corner of his lip curling upwards.]

Nah! It's okay. You really didn't need to get me anything. I got some pretty good gifts anyway.

[pullsheavendown]

[It's time for him to test some commands in the tutorial, so if Roxas seems to fumble with his next words, it must be because he's distracted.]

I figured. You have a lot of friends.

[lockandkeyblade]

You wanna know what my favorite present was?

[It's finally his turn as his character shows up in the second part of the tutorial on screen. He's a bit of a stand-up guy, his charater, someone he'll later learn shares his inability to help someone in need. His character and Roxas' aren't having an easy time during their first meeting, though. Looks like it's going to be a rough journey for those two for a while.]

[pullsheavendown]

Uh...sure?

[He doesn't sound especially sure. It doesn't help that there's not much as much for him to do as Sora learns the ropes with his character. Give and take, allowing one another to advance a little bit further—it all makes sense. But Roxas wishes he had something to do with his hands.]

[lockandkeyblade]

It was a package with a really cool hoodie inside. It also came with a card, but it didn't say who it was from. It only said 'Happy Birthday.'

That was the best, I think. [He nods, though his eyes remained glued to the screen. He can't help but smile.] Yeah. Definitely the best.

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas sits rigidly still, no longer paying attention to the game in the slightest.]

Oh. Um. That's...

[He's pretty sure he's turning purple.]

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora hears him trail off and he has to resist laughing.]

You know, it's been a really long time since we had a chance to celebrate my birthday. It was really nice, getting a present like that. Just wish I knew a way to thank them. Whoever they are.

[pullsheavendown]

[He has no idea how to respond. Does Sora know? Is he just being frighteningly oblivious? Either is possible.]

Uh...that's...too bad. That you can't. I guess.

[lockandkeyblade]

I wonder if I can track this guy down. I mean... I've still got the card and their handwriting's on it.

What's the likelihood I'll find him if I compare it with my friends, I wonder...

[pullsheavendown]

[Oh, no. Sora's also got an entire diary for comparison. Roxas is busted, or about to be.

He can't think of a single thing to say.]

[lockandkeyblade]

Hmm. [He lets the silence play out for just a little longer. And then he chuckles.]

Maybe not. It's kinda fun not knowing. And besides, if they didn't want me to know who they were, maybe they just aren't ready yet.

I'll just have to show it off to everybody I know and hope they'll see how much I like it.

[pullsheavendown]

[...he knows. He totally knows.]

You can stop it, okay?

[He sounds a little weak, humbled. The victory is yours, Sora.]

[lockandkeyblade]

[He turns to the other, the smile is a little more subdued, but no less jovial.]

Stop what?

[pullsheavendown]

[He sighs, sounding resigned but not unhappy, per se.]

How long have you known?

[lockandkeyblade]

Mmm... only a little while.

Since you sent me the invitation. And after reading your diary and seeing your handwriting, it just kinda clicked I guess.

Sorry. [He sounds more amused than apologetic.]