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]

[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.]

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas grips his controller tighter and focuses on the game again. He's still only half-paying attention to it, but it's better than paying full attention to how embarrassed he is.]

Don't be. Guess I should have figured it would happen sooner or later. You're not dumb.

[Just conveniently oblivious until it isn't convenient anymore.]

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora considers the other. He doesn't look upset, but he doesn't look happy either. He can't quite read the expression...

Hmmmm. He raises a hand and gives the others' cheek two experimental pokes.]

[pullsheavendown]

[What.

Roxas leans back and rubs at his cheek. Not that it hurt.]

What was that for?

[lockandkeyblade]

Are you mad I found out?

[pullsheavendown]

Do I look mad?

[Hopefully not. He'll have to reevaluate his expressions if he does.]

If I wanted to make sure you never knew, I shouldn't have left a card.

[Maybe part of him wanted Sora to figure it out. Eventually.]

[lockandkeyblade]

Not really. [He's just hard to read sometimes.]

Then is it a good thing... or a bad thing I figured it out?

[pullsheavendown]

I dunno. It's a thing.

[He thinks about it for a moment, then shrugs.]

I don't mind. It's just kind of embarrassing.

[lockandkeyblade]

What's so bad about giving presents to somebody on their birthday, huh?

You didn't seem so embarrassed when I gave you yours.

[pullsheavendown]

That's different!

[The protest sounds ridiculous even to his own ears, but it's no less true to Roxas. Things had been plenty different between them then.]

You hadn't been here that long. I wanted to get you something, I just didn't want you to know it was me. I didn't want to talk about it.