Player Event: A Very Merry Unbirthday — TO YOU!

[envers]

A MERRY UNBIRTHDAY!

One day, you discover a delicate invitation quietly slipped beneath your door. If fortune smiles on you, it might brighten your mood — just enough to spark a bit of celebration in your heart as you read it. Maybe, just maybe, it will tempt you to join the festivities. After all, what's there to lose?

Friends and Companions,

We gather not to mark the passage of time, but to celebrate our mastery over it. You are cordially summoned to an UNBIRTHDAY — a sanctuary of cake, champagne, and tea, and an homage to unbreakable friendship forged through story, song, and battle.

There is no cause required for a party, and no birthday needed for cake. However, for all who are Born of February, a tribute of respect awaits. Step forward and claim your due without hesitation. No queues will stand between you and your glory.

Where: Hearthsong Salon (duels and "barbecue" to be held at Dawnfield Grounds)
When: The twenty-second day of February

Come. Together, we shall make this a day of triumph and legend.

With Honour and Light,
Monoco
Constable of the Crown's Atelier; Guardian of the Royal Warrant; Chevalier
in service to House Dessendre

and

Verso Dessendre
Comtes de la Lumière

THE FESTIVITIES

After a whirlwind of preparations, a flurry of favors called in, and the generous dash of help from some talented advisors and friends, the Very Merry Unbirthday bursts to life right on time and place. Not only are you encouraged to mingle and make merry with the castle's residents, today's festivities also serve as playground to show off and sharpen your Bloomcraft skills!

More than just a celebration of unbirthdays (and birthdays, too!), it’s an open invitation to come together, make memories, and strengthen the ties that bind this very, ahem... eccentric community.

There'll be tasty bites to nibble, drinks to savor, music that invites you to sway, and a variety of activities designed to delight both introverts and extroverts alike.

To make everyone feel at home, there are two distinct spaces waiting. Each space has its own special charm and atmosphere — feel free to settle in where you like or flit between them as the mood strikes you!

Hearthsong Salon

Entering Hearthsong Salon feels like you're being pulled into a daydream. Sunlight dances through the stained glass in a kaleidoscope of colours, chasing the scent of rose sugar and settling softly on the tables set with mismatched teacups and freshly made treats.

The air hums with cheerful conversation and pleasant music, but the real stars are the tables scattered throughout the room. Guests are greeted by piles of savory delights and — did someone say cake? — a positive avalanche of sweets. Standing as the crown jewel of the spread is a decadent chocolate cake, hand-baked with care by Ena from Forget-me-not.

But for those seeking the warmth of a home-cooked meal, look no further than the Winter Kimbap. Here, Yoojin from Tulip has worked a different kind of magic through the careful selection of crisp winter vegetables and perfectly seasoned rice. For the younger guests (and the young at heart), he has taken the extra step of battering and pan-frying select rolls into golden, crispy bites.

Meanwhile, Archer from Hydrangea brings us his Budwake Antipasto — a hearty pasta salad assembled with a careful eye for balance, utilizing a colourful array of ingredients gathered from the recent Budwake festivities.

Our hosts, Monoco and Verso, have curated the space with a dash of "orderly chaos." The layout ensures two very important things:

1. You can vanish from a chat as swiftly as a Cheshire Cat whenever the mood strikes by excusing yourself for more treats or drinks.
   
   
2. Waiting in line is strictly forbidden. Monoco and Verso will tell you (quite fondly and with much gesturing) that queues are for regular birthdays, and we simply won't have them today!

While Verso tickles the piano to lighten the air with nonsense melodies, keep an eye on the walls. Shimmering ripples of light chase each other across the ceiling, subtly turning the salon into an underwater tea party where the "water" is made of liquid starlight.

Here's a glimpse of what awaits you:

❀ WARDROBE WIZARDRY

For those swept up in the festive spirit, a "dress-up" alcove awaits near the entrance.

Here, temporary charms from Archer or any fellow volunteers proficient in Meramancy are available to weave your hair, outfit, or silhouette into a playful new persona. Should your glamour begin to fade, simply flag down a practitioner for a quick "recharge" of your finery — or perhaps a total redesign. After all, at an Unbirthday, you are never required to be the same person twice!

For those Born of February: Expect to receive a finely-crafted top hat! But this is no ordinary headpiece; cinched around the crown is a delicate silk ribbon, embroidered with shimmering silver threads and inscribed with the following delightful nonsense:

✨They ate with a runcible spoon.✨

or

Flowers deserve cake too! 🎉

When donned, the enchanted hatband works its subtle magic, gently lifting the wearer’s spirit and sparking a flare of creativity that lingers for hours. It is a souvenir of warmth and friendship — a tiny, wearable anchor of joy to carry you through the festivities.

✿ LEAVES & LIBATIONS

Sip on brews that defy the mundane at this temporary tea and cocktail bar, from pre-mixed tea blends that change your hair color or alter your voice, to pink champagne that leaves you feeling pleasantly giggly. Or maybe you'd like to practice a little Infusery while preparing your own tea? Just ask!

Archer has joined forces with Verso to challenge your senses; here, Infusery and Meramancy mask the truth of every glass, turning each sip into a playful game of "Taste vs. Sight" as you try to guess the true flavour hidden beneath a drink's glamoured disguise. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options are available, featuring a selection of delightful concoctions, including (but not limited to):

♥ Midnight Sun: A pitch-black, swirling mixture that tastes of sun-ripened strawberries.

♥ Frosted Rose: A steaming cup of hot tea that strikes the tongue with the chill of peppermint cream.

♥ Gilded Shadow: A clear, sparkling water that carries the heavy, rich warmth of dark chocolate.

♥ Half-Bloomed Lotus: A steeped, chilled tea topped with forged honey droplets that drift across the surface like golden pollen.

Every glass and porcelain cup is a toast to the "here and now"... where things aren't always what they seem, but are somehow exactly what they should be.

❀ MORSELS OF MAGIC: Today's selection features experimental Petit Fours crafted by Ena, who has been refining a specialized infusion technique. These tiny cakes are designed to carry happy echoes of the heart. As she is still perfecting the craft, the intensity of the "memory-flash" may vary. Maybe it's like a gentle whisper. Maybe it's a sudden, dazzling spark. Maybe nothing happens, and you just get to enjoy a yummy treat! You never know... and that's what makes it fun!

You are warmly invited to use these sensations as a spark for conversation. Share with your companions what the feeling reminds you of, letting your own stories add to the day's magic.

There are only so many to go around. In the spirit of the day, take what you need, but leave enough for a friend to find!

❀ THE GIFT OF TODAY

Take a piece of the day with you, or leave a piece of yourself behind. This station offers materials for both the Bibliomancers and the Imprintworkers to create small tokens of affection, along with easy volunteer tasks for Meramancers.

• For the Makers: Choose from scraps of velvet, silk, or wool to craft a simple "sentiment token". Whether it's a friendship ribbon to ease nerves or a stitched square that carries a pocket of warmth, your hands can weave a tangible comfort to give away... or keep for a rainy day.



• For the Poets: Select a slip of fine parchment to scribe a "blessing note". Infuse a short poem or a simple "Thank You" with a minor enchantment of joy or contentment, or anything else you might want to try. Meramancers are kindly asked to help keep them glowing with a gentle light, patiently waiting for the perfect person to claim them — before they release a burst of affection to the first reader.

Dawnfield Grounds

The crisp February air tingles with an invigorating chill as you step onto the wide, open expanse of Dawnfield Grounds. Here, the manicured lawns stretch toward the horizon, bordered by what Monoco calls "brave-blooms" — winter-hardy flowers that seem to lean into the wind with defiant, soft colors.

Though these fields once echoed with the stern clash of knights' blades, the "battles" held here today are of a much merrier sort. The grounds now hum with the laughter of friends in mid-chase and the quiet, focused grace of Bloomcraft practitioners showing off their skills.

Stone steps curve around the open spaces like a natural theatre, inviting you to rest and survey the joy, while enchanted lanterns wake with a faint shimmer as dusk approaches, casting a glow that feels like a warm invitation to linger just a little longer.

Near the steps, Verso’s polished gramophone spins with rhythmic elegance, weaving gentle melodies into the breeze. Beside it rests a simple wooden case brimming with music records — each setting its own mood, ranging from nostalgic and rowdy to a mixture of melancholic and light — waiting patiently for a hand to pick the next chapter of the evening's soundtrack.

If you're lucky, you might stumble upon dinner and a show. Follow the scent of woodsmoke to find Bulat, who is busy hauling fresh catches all the way from the ocean and grilling them over an open flame. It's the perfect place to warm your hands and enjoy a rustic, fire-kissed meal under the vast winter sky.

✿ THE PETAL-POP EXTRAVAGANZA

Practitioners of the flickering arts are called to the field for a display of pure, unadulterated flair! Those with a handle on Meramancy are encouraged to "pop off" with their own illusionary confetti cannon effects. While Gleamspeakers might favor swirling clouds of multi-colored flower petals to keep with the Bloomcraft theme, Glamourcrafters and Flickerhands alike are invited to get creative.

Whether you summon a cascade of shimmering scales, a burst of starlit motes, or a dramatic gust of wind to carry them aloft, the goal is simple: raucous cheer. Don't overthink your technique. You're using your magic to cheer for one another with as much spectacle as you can muster. Step onto the grass, find a friend, and let the "confetti" fly!

❀ THE BREEZY BOOK NOOK

Tucked away in a quiet curve of the stone steps is a sanctuary for the studious and the soulful. Here, the air is thick with the scent of cinnamon-bark incense and sun-warmed paper. The subtle perfumes here wrap you in a gentle warmth and sharpen your mind, keeping the winter chill — or even the wildest festivities — from breaking your focus.

Instead of rigid shelves, books overflow from weathered oak crates and brass-bound trunks nestled against the stone. Each container is lined with thick scraps of wool and silk; these soft layers protect the leather bindings from the damp winter air, transforming the collection into a hoard of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. (These volumes are the cast-offs and favourites of the local Bibliomancy guild, kindly lent out for people eager to learn — works that have been "read into" so many times they’ve developed personalities of their own, practically begging for a fresh hand to turn their pages.)

Of course, you are just as welcome to skip the spellcasting altogether. Simply curl up with a heavy blanket and a book of your choosing, letting the outdoors be your only companion. But for those looking to stretch their Bibliomantic wings, the Nook is the perfect place to see just how much life you can breathe into a single sentence.

Some possible things you can do:

• Tier One: Try to "translate" the physical warmth of your tea or the scent of the incense into a written note, so the next person to hold it feels that same flicker of cozy comfort.


• Tier Two: Close your eyes and touch a closed book. Instead of reading with your eyes, try to "sense" the story's soul. Can you tell if it’s a thrumming adventure or a quiet tragedy without opening it?


• Tier Three: Find a description of a hero or a mythical creature. By touching the text, try to "borrow" a specific trait — their sharp wit, steady calm, or lyrical voice — and wear it as a mantle for the hour.

❀ BLOOM & BIND

In a sheltered corner of the grounds, you'll find baskets overflowing with preserved blooms and sun-dried vines. Beside them, you'll also find spools of hand-dyed silk ribbons, silver embroidery threads, and strips of soft velvet. At this Imprintwork station, the thread is the conduit. You are invited to weave these fibers together with the dried flowers, using the stems as a frame for your magic. As you stitch and knot the fabric into your crown or bracelet, you "bind" a specific intent into the weave, turning a simple accessory into a magical keepsake.

Guests are invited to weave their intent into personal crowns, circlets, or bracelets. As you braid the stems, "bind" a specific feeling into the weave: serenity, vitality, or perhaps a bit of unbirthday mischief.

Suggested Imprints:

• Tier One: Braid a strip of thick wool through your floral crown. Infuse the fabric with a faint, cozy heat. While the enchantment is fleeting and will fade by moonrise, it offers a brief, soft comfort against the February chill.


• Tier Two: Use sturdy silk thread to tie your flowers into a bracelet. Try to infuse the fibers with a sense of calm or a shield against anxiety. This Imprint could hold potentially hold its charm for days, keeping you self-assured long after you leave the grounds.


• Tier Three: Weave an intricate pattern of embroidery thread and dried vines. As you work, "sew" a cherished memory of the day directly into the knots. If you're skilled enough, this creation could carry immense staying power; whenever the fabric is touched, the wearer will feel the memory replay with vivid, emotional clarity.

✿ THE DUELLING STAGE

Beyond the quiet of the Book Nook, the old training grounds have been transformed into a grand arena for a more spirited display. Under the watchful eye of Monoco, guests are invited to cross blades... but with a dramatic twist. Whether you're here to settle a friendly score or simply flaunt your footwork, the Stage is open to anyone with a weapon in their hand and a bit of fire in their heart.

The Catch? We want a show. Participants are encouraged to let their inner theatre-kid run wild! A duel is just a dance with danger, after all. Make it magnificent: Be a moustache-twirling villain, a virtuous hero of legend, or a dramatic rogue. Your hosts have provided a Crate of Curiosities filled with props — top hats, stick-on moustache, and monocles — to help you find your character.

For those who want to truly "dress the part," practitioners are on hand to weave temporary Glamours, turning your everyday attire into shimmering plate armour or billowing capes. And for the faint of heart (or those who just want some harmless stage-fighting shenanigans), a rack of toy wooden swords is available for a bloodless, high drama romp.

Some suggestions of how to play the stage:

• Deliver a soaring, over-the-top speech before the first strike.


• Incorporate props into your combat style.


• Use your Bloomcraft not to win, but to make your "defeat" look as spectacular as possible.

As Monoco likes to say, "It's your time to shine." Now... En garde!

THE AFTER PARTY

As the main festivities wind down, the afterparty drifts into the Stag's Rest Lounge — a dimly lit sanctuary of dark wood and soft, enchanted light. The air is thick with the comforting scents of spiced wine and smoldering cedar from the hearth, while plush leather chairs beckon weary guests to sink in and finally unwind. Gentle shadows dance across hunting prints and trailing ivy, creating an intimate space where quiet conversations, subtle magic, and shared stories flow easily into the night. Here, time slips away beneath heavy velvet drapes, and the world outside feels pleasantly distant.

Sit and stay awhile. Sample a warm nightcap and let the day's excitement gently melt into a comforting, peaceful tiredness. It's been a long adventure, and the hearth is warm enough for everyone.

Did you have fun?



(Oh, and—if you haven't already, do sign the guest book, so we can all have proof this wasn't just a well-dressed fever dream.)

(CODE)

Comments

Questions

[envers]

Guest Book

[envers]

((OOC: If your character attended the party, please ICly leave their name — and maybe a brief message — here! ♥

Also, I know it's late in the season, and not everyone has the time or energy for a full birthday party post. If you can't do a TL or tag out, please don't stress. You're still welcome to respond to this thread with your character's name, along with a short, handwave-y note about what they did at the party. This will help Verso and Monoco remember your character in the future :> Enjoy!))

Bulat

[steel_over_blood]

Happy Birthday, may this year have you feeling almost as handsome as I do every day!

Love, Bulat ❤

Lucy/Nyuu

[saudadist]

Curiously, the same girl(?) comes to sign the guest book twice. The first time, she leaves a neatly set of symbols:

" にゅう "

The second time around, it's a single symbol but with slightly shakier handwriting, as it the writer hasn't had much practice writing it.

" 楓 "

Dante

[red_oni]

[In outlandishly perfect penmanship:]

Happy Birthday Everybody, from Dante

[Except his name was twice as big as the 'Happy Birthday'.]

Kyoshika Magadori

[believesit]

To Those Celebrating This Month, Happy Birthday! May your next year of life be prosperous and filled with jubilation.

-Magadori Kyoshika

Haruhi Suzumiya

[uncommonsense]

Happy birthday! Thanks for the party!
-Haruhi

Simran Akhtar

[retethered]

happy unbirthday everybody! :)

—ثیما

[wroughten_iron]

Happy Birthday.

[Of course, he'd deliberately waited until the last second so he could leave shortly after...]

Yoojin

[monsterdaddy]

Happy February birthdays to everyone! Let's have long and healthy lives!

/)/)
( . .)
( づ♡ 한유진

Ryu

[soldragon]

[In somewhat messy Cyrillic script:]

Happy namedays, all of you.

-- Ryu, 1/8192

Gold Ship

[goldship]

A very Merry Unbirthday to y'all!

ゴールドシップ

[nightwild]

[It's written in very pretty writing! And, well. There's a little bit of unconscious Bibliomancy in it. Reading it fills you with... well, not happiness, but with a wish for happiness!]

Happy Birthday
-Yayoi

Kris

[kriskross]

[ there's just a drawing of the cool S. ]

- Kris

Verso | Expedition 33 | Forget-me-not

[envers]

I. WARDROBE WIZARDRY & LIBATIONS

[Monoco has done a stellar job today, coaxing Verso's hair into a samurai bun that manages to look both disciplined and stylish. The lone white streak might seem like a sentimental nod to the boy Monoco once knew, but sentiment isn't the driver here. It's a matter of taste! And Verso has plenty of it. (His previous colouring had been the aftermath of a Gestral barber's hack job — a creature who clearly chose violence that day — but that's neither here nor there.)

A top hat swiped from the February birthday set completes the look, lending him an elegance he's more than happy to admire in the glass. It's a fine balance: the dapper tilt of the brim balanced by the jagged grit of his scars. Daring, dangerous, and exceptionally well-tailored.

He hopes his appearance serves as a license for others to be just as bold. That's the point of an Unbirthday, after all. The joyous, reckless pursuit of fun. So, when the first guests drift through the doors, he greets them with a deft bow:]

Welcome to the madness. And a very merry Unbirthday to you. Tell me — are we in the mood for a drink, or... maybe a bit of Glamour?

II. PLAYING HOST

[Once the introductions are made and the Glamour is flowing, Verso performs his favourite disappearing act. He slips from the chatter to the piano, trading the labour of conversation for the safety of the keys.

He stays there a bit longer than he should, with all his fingers, posture, and the safe illusion of belonging. It's comfortable. So long as the music holds the room together, he remains a living ornament, meant to be admired but never truly addressed. Music is his passion, but in this moment, it's also his shield.

Then Monoco catches his eye, offering that tiny, reproving tilt of his mask. Verso briefly pretends the invitation is negotiable — Monoco is not, strictly speaking, his keeper — but the silent rebuke gets its message across. He lets the final chord linger, smooths his sleeves, and rises.

In the end, he'd much rather be useful than simply handsome wallpaper. Wallpaper is far too easy to peel back.

A fresh flute of pink champagne offers a welcome remedy, its Infusion bleeding the tension from his shoulders until he feels as effervescent as the melodies he just left behind. Topped with his fetching hat, the festive magic takes hold once again, neatly recalibrating his weary edges until the exhaustion feels less like a weight and more like a distant memory.

Duly bolstered, Verso moves toward the quieter corners of the room, a fresh flute of champagne in hand and his birthday top hat catching the light as he approaches anyone standing alone. With a conspiratorial smile, he offers a disarming confession:]

Sometimes I find myself looking for the exit, too. A bit awkward for the host, I'll admit. Fortunately, I've found that enough champagne and the right hat make crowds, ah... quite a bit more tolerable.

[A beat, and then—]

Are you just looking for a moment of peace? Or do we need to make a tactical retreat?

["Tactical retreat" is a nicer way of saying "fleeing for your life," but in the Salon, we prefer our cowardice to look like a sophisticated choice, thank you very much.]

III. THE GIFT OF TODAY

[Later, Verso finds a momentary sanctuary at a side table near the Salon's edge. Here, materials for Bibliomancy — fine parchment and jars of shimmering ink — sit ready for the guests. For a moment, he's transported back to his old writing desk, the one where he used to compose music late into the night.

(He thinks of Alicia and Maelle. Of the rest of the 33's. He misses them all... but he aches for her.)

Verso has long since surrendered the capacity to dream for himself; in a body that feels like a borrowed suit and a world that's already ended, the concept of a future feels like a cruel joke. Yet, the embers of a different kind of hope still flicker within him — not for his own sake, but for Verso's younger sister.

With a hand that moves with the ghostly memory of a dead composer, he traces a single line:

"You'll never have to suffer a life you don't want."

The ink seems to bleed into the paper, the blessing pulsing with the desperate, quiet sincerity of a man who knows exactly what it means to have no choice at all. He leaves the note there — a small, luminous anchor — waiting for the right person to find it.

Though his Bibliomancy is unrefined, he bleeds enough raw intent into the script to briefly grant a stranger the power of a choice. It's a gift he struggles to claim for his own life. But if he can't fully own that magic anymore, he can at least be the one to pass it on.

He stares at the ink for a beat too long. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he sets the quill aside and adjusts his top hat.

... Right. More champagne is in order.]

IV. DUELLING STAGE

[He does a fine job of it, too — keeping his energy buoyant and his crooked grin fixed for the rest of the day. In fact, by the time he reaches the Duelling Stage, any trace of his ghosts are seemingly gone.

Eyes glinting with mischief, Verso carves a path through the air with his wooden blade, the pine whistling a sharp, clean note as it cuts the light. He leans into a deep, lunging stance. One hand stays tucked elegantly behind the small of his back, his voice booming with a mock-seriousness that dares his opponent not to laugh.

Caught in the shimmering glow of a Meramantic stagelight, the glitter on his hat flares like a crown. With a flourish, he snaps the blunt tip of his weapon forward, pinning it to the space just above his opponent's heart. A billowing red cape flutters behind him.]

Your days of terror have come to an end, you most villainous of villains! Prepare for your final bow!

V. AFTER PARTY

[He sits with his back to the hearth, where the embers throw a steady, conspiratorial glow. The mahogany paneling drinks the light; the brass of the lanterns gleams like the last flicker of a fading star. He leans into his leather armchair, sinking into it.

Pipe smoke, spiced wine, and cedar. The scent unspools a sharp, singular memory: his father's voice, low and warm, drifting over a war story shared with an old friend. For a moment, Verso is small, tucked against his father's knees, where he feels safe.

Someone settles into the opposite chair, and the past recedes. Small mercies. Verso is acutely aware of his dwindling reserves. A total energy collapse is expected in his near future, he thinks. But he pushes it aside to focus on his guest.

Flashing a quick, crooked grin, he asks:]

... Well? What was your favourite part?

[Is it vain to ask? A bit. But even the finest performance is a tragedy without an audience. More than that, he's poured himself into this party like a vintage wine and, in a fit of terrifying optimism, asked others to help him carry the load.

Now, he waits to see the result. He needs to know if the brilliance of the day is bright enough to outweigh the sheer, bone-deep exhaustion currently settling over him.]

IV

[steel_over_blood]

[ Bulat's whipped up a Meramantic version of his old armor. The spear is a wooden pole underneath, but it's a sturdy oak staff - he's not getting his weapon broken twice, even if it is a fight purely for show. He spins it with a flourish and brings it up to bear. ]

Oho, so I'm the villain, am I?

[ A low, menacing laugh echoes from the helmet. ]

I certainly don't mind teaching a foolish hero a lesson he won't soon forget!

[ He attacks first, a flashing swipe through the air at throat level. He's telegraphing the move more than he needs to. Can you imagine taking someone out in one hit or being taken out after getting all dressed up? Embarassing. ]

Archer | Fate/Stay Night | Hydrangea

[wroughten_iron]

I. Leaves & Libations

['Tending bar', Archer discovered, had been a matter of execution. Everything ranging from keeping his stations clear to maintaining eye contact when listening to orders required a measure of patience he'd only been well-equipped to handle only through dedicated effort and to say he had assistance in learning more of the service industry would be an understatement as weeks of practice were beginning to bear fruit. Perhaps later, after the evening came to a close, he'd come to realize that he'd enjoyed that process of learning and practicing for a skill he could call his own but, in the moment, he was working himself to the bone as if the barest hint of a mistake might sour the entire evening for each and every single guest present.

Snowy ice shavings cascaded down the blade of a particularly sharp knife wielded to carve a piece of ice down into a near-perfect sphere only for it to be set in a glass and drowned in liquor. He'd coated the interior of glasses with syrups infused with rich flavor that would breathe warmth and vitality into those imbibing them. There were glasses he would set on center stage that, the moment he finished stirring and preparing, drew color and light from the world that became brilliant displays that resembled stars and galaxies swirling in dark space. The theme of each cocktail had its own unique glass and display of Meramancy at play thanks to Verso's diligent efforts add character to every drink that could be enjoyed even after they'd been bled dry.

Each and every time, Archer would follow the bar and place a drink before one guest only to turn to the next in order and recite a line that, even for all of his practice, still lacked the skillful grace and finesse he'd put on display in preparing those multitudes of drinks and cocktails. It was still a little stiff and worn at the edges but he'd made eye contact and committed the utmost effort to remove the edge and weariness from his voice.]

How may I help you?

II. The Dueling Stage

[While he was almost certainly capable of working throughout the evening without pause there were dissenting voices that insisted against that particular route. Fair enough, he thought, freshening up with a splash of water in his face and a plate of food he'd taken with him to the Dawnfield Grounds. Atop the bar was a plain note that simply read: On Break.

The transformation the training grounds had undergone seemed to call into question whether they were even in the right part of the castle but he'd found somewhere to sit in the audience to watch and... pass time while he waited to return to work. Whether or not he was enjoying himself was truly anyone's guess but he'd almost certainly been doing well given he hadn't cared at all to offer unwarranted critiques of form or any blithe dismissals.]

III - The After Party

[Punch drunk--that's what he'd felt. From the instant that girl's door shut in his face to the moment he settled into the comfort of those impossibly comfortable chairs in the lounge, there had been a gap in Archer's memory. On auto-pilot, Archer returned and dedicated himself to compartmentalizing each and every thought that bubbled up. A listless and distant air hung over his shoulders while he cleaned his stations. Checking bottles, resealing containers and making markers on his freezer for what had been used, he'd barely spoken a word as he went to close up shop completely.

Slumped back, Archer let fingers drift over his cheek, before he'd quickly leaned forward to find the lip of a glass of room-temperature brandy left on his arm rest. Where he'd nearly touched had been a soft smudge of lipstick left just an inch shy of the corner of his mouth. For the life of him, he still had no clue it was there but he could still vividly recall the look on her face when reality had sunk in.

Well... it was an unfortunate mistake, wasn't it? Maybe she'd just thought he was someone else.]

i

[uncommonsense]

[ she'd kinda been watching archer work, especially with how cool the drinks actually looked. how could you not want to taste something that looked like it came from space?

she does have a question, though-- ]

Can I get that one without any liquor in it? [ she's pledged to never drink! ]

Rose Quartz | Steven Universe | Geranium

[lovelikeyou]

i. mingling

[ Rose knows about birthdays! She's a little muddier on what an "unbirthday" is, but a party's a party and it seems open to everybody regardless of birthday status? So she shows up in her normal white dress, flitting around to look at all the different activities before she even thinks of stopping long enough to partake in any of them. ]

Oh, hi! Is it your birthday? Or - birthday month?

[ She's attended a few birthday parties in her time. They were all for just one person, though? ]

ii. wardrobe wizardry

[ The dress-up game is the first one she wants to play! Rose may be great at shapeshifting, but she's still got her limits. At first she steps up to look in a mirror herself, commenting to whoever's around: ]

I can shapeshift already, but I can't really do colors other than pink or white. I love that I can try other ones now! What do you think I should do?

[ Later, she'll turn to enchanting others with her own Meramancy. Though...deciding what other people should look like herself feels...off, to her. She doesn't come up with her own designs unless someone really pushes, starting off with a simple: ]

What do you want to look like?

iii. stag's rest

[ This quieter atmosphere that follows a party is always strange to Rose. She knows what she's supposed to do, when everything's lively. It's easier to just have fun! Not that she isn't still having fun. Just, when it's quiet, it's easier for her thoughts to wander.

She wishes Greg or Pearl were here. Usually, at this point, she'd just sit with one of them, and they could go on making their own fun. She isn't quite sure where to settle or what to do now. Drifting from room to room, Rose eventually settles on a chair out on one of the porches, where ivy is creeping up the walls. Lifting a hand, she starts encouraging the vines to wrap upwards in artful patterns, new leaves sprouting bright green and healthy. Here's something to do, this is nice. ]

II

[soldragon]

Oh! Uh. Rose, isn't it?

[Stupid.]

Hm. If I could shapeshift...

[Well, more than one way, anyway.]

It's a pretty good question.

[Suddenly, it feels like a dozen dozen eyes are on him.]

Well. To start... I suppose I should just...

[He pulls away the top-knot, letting his hair fall to its full length.]

Though. I'm not sure where to go from here...

Lucy/Nyuu/The Voice | Elfen Lied | Hyacinth

[saudadist]

[A] Gift for February (Nyuu)

[ Before she does anything else, Nyuu's arrival has her scanning the crowd for people. She's heard from reliable sources that the birthday birdies will have top hats of their own, so if your character has gotten one, they can expect to have Nyuu strolling up to them with her plum dress swirling around her. All smiles and hair ribbons bouncing in time with her steps. ]

Here, this is for you! They should still be warm, I finished baking them this morning!

[ In her hands is a pink bag tied with a bow. Looking inside, there are cookies! Homemade and of a mixture of flavors: chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodles, and more! ]


[B]reak Me Down and Dress Me Up (The Voice)

[ Whether one knows them as "Kaede" or "Nyuu" or even still just "Lucy," neither of those two girls are commanding the horned girl's body for a section of the festivities. Instead, the unnamed Voice watches impassively as party-goers dress up in different glamours whether of their own magic or someone else's. It's a curious power, and one she's keen to test.

She eases her way over to the nearest practitioner and waves her hand in a beckoning motion. ]

You. You're gifted in this "Meramancy" nonsense, aren't you? I need a favor.


[C]hanges of Heart (Lucy/Kaede or Nyuu)

Lucy

[ She doesn't have many happy memories. The spark of bliss from a happy memory is utterly foreign to her and novel in its rarity. Those closest to her as she tries the petit fours will see her crying silently. Or, as silently as she can manage behind her hand. Ugly noises rush out of her in hiccups or sharp gasps, matched by streams sliding down her cheeks and even a line of mucus dripping from her nose.

But, behind her fingers, she's grinning out of joy. It's the sort of joy that makes the heart ache, but having no proper experience with the feeling, what else can she do but cry? ]

Don't...don't stare. [ hic ] I'm fine.

[ Is she saying that for you or for herself? It's hard to say. In her eagerness to quell the feeling wracking her body, the pinkette sniffs and takes a long drink of mulled wine. ]

Nyuu

[ Conversely, anyone near Nyuu will find her in a fit of giggles. A wide blush stretches from ear to ear to match her smile, and she'd look almost lovestruck if one didn't know better. ]

E-Ena-san outdid herself! The last time I felt this happy was with my family, right after we got Piyo-Piyo!

[D]uel me, Helen! (The Voice)

[ This whole duel is a farce. She should have expected as much. It's all just a play for the entertainment of the masses. Had she the full strength of her vectors, she could really give them a bloody good show! In every sense of the word, at that.

But, perhaps this is the best way to alleviate her aggravation. She can pummel on someone with the prop axe to her heart's content with the anonymity of her shorter, blood-red hair and the mask covering her eyes and horns. It won't be easy to tie her back to Kaede this way, she hopes. No, she's certain! She'd see it for the paper-thin disguise it is if she thought about it even a moment longer.

No time for that.

She flourishes her cape and laughs wickedly as she hefts the axe over her shoulder. ]

You cannot stop me, worm. You want to save it all, I want to destroy it all. Let's see if your love can overcome the deepest trenches of my hatred!


The [E]vening Wind Down (Lucy/Kaede)

[ A particular corner of the Stag's Rest Lounge calls to her. Lucy can't fully recall what her two other selves have been up to for the evening, but she's exhausted, her feet hurt, her stomach's doing flips, and there are scratches galore along her legs and arms from...some kind of fight? The dueling grounds had something to do with it, she's sure.

She flops into a chair and leans back into it. Her arm drapes over her eyes to push away the ambient light that shines even through her eyelids. ]

Is there any way to make the lights dimmer? They're still too bright.


WILDCARD

[ Feel free to reach out to me via PM or at tsukiwo for a custom starter! ]

D

[believesit]

[ naturally, kyoshika's a lot less thrilled about having to utilize a different sword-- one that's completely fake! well, as long as she can quell the jealousy of the holy jumonji sword, she'll go out to perform. there was a request for her to wear a different outfit, and so here she is, looking over at her "opponent".

this strange person is truly getting into the role, and kyoshika isn't one to back down!

...except. ]

Th-There is no, um, nothing in this world that can... stand up! To the power of love!

[ --she's not very good at this whole acting thing. even though her wooden sword very much doesn't look like a katana, she's still holding it at her side like one. ]

You st-stand no chance! Come at me!

Ena Shinonome | Project Sekai | Forget-me-not

[likememore]

[Given she spent a while helping with the refreshments and where those refreshments are, Ena will spend more time in Hearthsong Salon than elsewhere; that said, she can be found anywhere if you need her. It's also where she starts her day, looking a little excited - it's not her party in terms of organizing or being a guest of honor, but she's happy to be here, and she's put on a nice dress for the day, something in a nice earthy green to match the season that's easy to move in and won't get in her way but still looks elegant enough. It's fine, she's not... expecting to have any meet-cutes today. Probably. It'd be nice if she had Sekai's ability to make her hair a little longer, but she's not sure she wants to start messing with Meramancy to play with her hair or she won't stop.]

[A | minding the shop | salon: morsels of magic (and cake)]
[It goes perhaps without saying that Ena's a little self-conscious about reactions to her baked goods; the cake itself she's happy to vouch for (other than being scaled up a bit; she's never had to bake and decorate a good and proper half-sheet cake, given the number of advisors there are and how much they're likely to eat, but it was a fun challenge!), but the petit fours were a whole different matter, and she spends some time hanging around the dessert table to watch how they're going over. Archer gave her some tips, and she's very happy for that or she wouldn't have known where to start, but every time someone takes a bite into one she's just the tiniest bit nervous all over again - and then she smiles wide when she sees their reaction. Okay, maybe there's something to this Infusery business after all.

If someone's glancing appreciatively at the cake a little too long - or hasn't had one of the petit fours yet and seems to be interested - Ena takes it upon herself to plate a serving and offer it with a smile.]

I know I shouldn't be vouching for my own baking, but I'm being told the early reviews are good. Please, have some! It- would make me really happy.

[At some point, once most of them are gone - or if challenged by someone - she'll pop a petit four herself, not having stopped to have one since her initial testing. You'll probably need to bother her to stop long enough to eat it, though.]

[B | as ever | salon: around]
[When she's not hovering, Ena does enjoy the festivities on this side a little. The teas intrigue her, and she returns more than once to sample them, amd she finds the station to make small tokens charming, looking longingly at a silk ribbon but never quite seeming to work up the courage to pick it up and enchant it.

But mostly she finds herself drawn to the enchantment on the walls as she listens to Verso's piano playing. It's... relaxing. It's not the same as Nightcord and her friends. And yet, it's a small comfort she's been missing. If she lets her focus drift a little, it's like she's sitting in Sekai and... well, it's way too loud in here, but the atmosphere isn't entirely wrong. A handful of people hanging out and doing small things, exchanging quiet and friendly chatter. In this moment, she belongs again, and she can relax. Nothing... nothing's changed, and Ena can unwind on one end of a fancy couch and watch the walls flow with a serene smile as she sips a glass of tea. Chat her up - this is probably the best mood she's been in in weeks.]

[C | book and bloom | grounds: crafting]
[When she finally pulls her jacket back on and heads to Dawnfield Grounds - and ignores the smell of fish for a moment; fish means Bulat and she really meant it when she told Yoojin she needed to give him some space for a bit - Ena finds the other half of the party quickly enough. While the sound of the dueling arena calls to some of the advisors, she's sure, this is more her speed. Verso had said something about books and she'd wanted to see what he found... and this turned out to be something interesting after all. Reading the instructions, she picked up a tome and, true to form, closes her eyes. Like that, she can't cheat, and her fingertips respond by glowing faintly around the tome she's holding. She's used to painting with this magic, so this feels different, and yet at once it responds as she channels it, feeling words flowing into her as she communes with. A book. This is... hmm. What is this about? Don't tell her, it's-]

-a swordswoman going on a journey, and she finds love as she travels the land. What the hell does red mean, I don't read color- oh, does she get hurt, maybe?

[When she finishes at the Book Nook, she can be found for a bit at the binding station. She considers coming back for the larger project when she has a memory to share, but early on she could absolutely use something to help ward off anxiety, and she pores over the instructions Verso's left twice before starting to weave. The bracelet she made with Akane is in a small jewelry box in her room, and this one will be destined to join it there when it's no longer powered, but until then it's going to be on her wrist every day, because boy does she need all the help she can get.]

[D | closing time | lounge]
[To her credit, when she collapses into a chair, Ena isn't as tired as she was the last time she plopped down after a party. That was Budwake, and she conked right out. She's just normal I-had-fun tired today, instead of who-let-me-rampage tired. That's an important distinction, because it means she's happy to chat over a slightly more normal tea and what's left of the cake having been apparently brought over; that part she did overdo, but better to have more than not enough.]

Okay, I made it to the end of the night awake, that's already better than last time. Kind of a wild day, huh? But... I don't think I've ever been to a party quite like it.

[She seems like she's had a wonderful day and is happy to continue having a little more of a wonderful day if you're up for it.]

a

[uncommonsense]

[ she'll admit that she doesn't know anyone here who might have a february birthday, but all things considered, she wasn't going to turn down a party. catching the petit fours, she was mainly browsing until ena speaks-- ]

Oh! You made these? Do you bake a lot?

[ she'll happily accept! and nods. ]

It does look good, though. Is it okay if I give it a try here?

Akane Tendo: Unbirthday (February)

[mahjongheart]

I: The Feast
It's... Already started to get a little surreal to eat something Akane hasn't made herself. It surely hasn't been that long, has it?

Maybe she should have started to take her advice to Camila more seriously. Her heart weighs on her. She wishes she'd heard about it beforehand-- This would have been a good test of her skills.

Still, as she eats her vegetables, and sips a Midnight Sun cordial, she considers, vaguely, how far she's come.

She'll be sure to compliment the cooks in their own threads, but if you want to talk to her while she's woolgathering, now's a fantastic time!

II: Put On A Show!

But, as she steps through from that, to the stage?

She blossoms. A cape, gambison, a knee-length skirt and a dozen hidden weapons, and a hard-bitten expression. She slips so easily into the character people back home might imagine her to be, the unladylike (yet remarkably ladylike) violent delinquent, yet with an inevitable soft spot.

She turns to her opposite number, and grins that terrible, smug grin she uses so rarely. "So. You finally decided to show up, huh?"

She pounds her padded gloves into her hands, and little stars pop out of them.

ii

[uncommonsense]

In all reality, Haruhi had no business being here. She's not a fighter, her magic isn't anything that she could use for offense, but she did have one thing that she could utilize to her advantage.

A flair for theatrics.

Haruhi's dressed similarly in different colors, indicating opposing clans at war with each other. On her shoulder she holds something akin to a bokken, only hollow and not super thick in the slightest.

"Yeah. I wouldn't have missed this fight for the world."

Is it bad to engage in battle and taunt someone you've literally never met? It's all in good fun, so probably not!

"Once we've settled this, we'll finally claim this land for our own! You don't stand a chance!"

She smacks the ground with her "sword", a large smack sound effect appearing behind her.

Emerald Sustrai | RWBY | Tulip

[hallucinogem]

a. is it so hard to see a better version of me? [hearthsong salon]

[this is probably a coincidence. this place probably doesn't have parties like this all the time. but emerald doesn't entirely hate it. they're a good way to get to know people in a setting that's not quite intimate but also not as public as all the people she met in the marketplace when she'd just arrived. and speaking of, she's not as suspicious of the free food as she was the first time around, now that she's had the chance to get used to "this stuff might mess with you a bit". she's got a glass of clear liquid in one hand and a petit deux (because she's eaten half of it) in the other, and she's more or less sticking to the wall and people-watching.]

[and then something hits her, overcomes her like she'd done something to trigger it herself (like with haruhi, like the idiot she had been), and she has this. unbelievably clear memory just smack her in the face. and instead of letting it make her heart hurt the way it did before, she takes the chance to rejoin the party and mingle.]

Hey! [if she hasn't actually met the person, she'll start with the caveat that she's new here, but it shouldn't be too hard to figure that out just looking at her.] This is, like, unbelievably impressive for a birthday party. How long has this all been planned out? 'Cause this is a hell of a way to get welcomed.

b. inside my fantasy of conflicts [dawnfield grounds]

Kick his ass!

[emerald's spirits are high and she's pumping a fist in the air from the sidelines of the dueling stage. she hasn't quite figured out the identities or characters of the duelists yet, but it doesn't really matter much because she's having fun. it feels a little like the vytal festival, except this time she can actually enjoy it like a proper spectator. she takes a drink from her gilded shadow and cheers again at a particularly theatrical strike.]

This really takes me back. My world used to have tournaments like this every couple years. [why don't they do it anymore, em? hey, em? whatever. she's making conversation with whoever happens to be next to her and is just trying to have fun. the constant reminders of the life she used to have aren't great for her, but it's fine. it's fine!] It's almost enough to make me wish I had beef with someone around here that I could work out up there.

[just a joke, surely.]

c. would you like to initiate freefall? [wildcard]

((anything else? find me in the game discord at samielherbei!!))

a

[uncommonsense]

[ speaking of this idiot--

haruhi's already had her moment of a feelings rush, has already decided that she absolutely needs to move way, way past it. the longer she lets her mind linger on such things, the more she's going to want to leave.

luckily, emerald runs into her before she could let her heart interfere with her mind any further. she waves, a grin on her face. ]

Not sure. I don't think they had anything like this last month, so it must've taken a while. Told you there were plenty of gatherings.

[ she didn't even know this was coming, and this surprised the hell out of her. hence why she's not fancied up, dressed simply. ]

Are you one of the lucky birthday girls today?

Yoojin Han | My S-Class Hunters | Tulip

[monsterdaddy]

A. An Un-Unbirthday Boy (Salon)

[Ordinarily, he'd feel a little silly wearing such a fine hat, but something about it puts a joyful bounce in his step instead. Imprintwork, he surmises. Gosh, Verso and Monoco must have been putting this whole thing together for a while. As one of those helping out with preparations, Yoojin had a preview of what things would look like, but now that people have come, that music is playing, that literal magic is everywhere in the air, the effect is magnificent. It's all Yoojin can do to wander around, drink in hand, taking in everything and marveling.

He stops, mouth literally dropping open, when he notices the waves of starlight washing across the ceiling.]

Oh! [The wonder bubbles out of him in a laugh as he turns to whoever's nearest.] Wow. This is really something, huh?

B. Barbecue Buddy (Dawnfield Grounds)

[Yoojin already contributed some of his cooking to the festivities here, but that's not keeping from sticking close to his ✨boyfriend✨ while Bulat grills his catches. He's in a bubbly, talkative mood, happy to chat while people wait for their fish to cook.]

This kind of reminds me of how we celebrated Chuseok at my house this year. The way so many people pitched in, you know? And the communal atmosphere, with everyone showing up. ...I really like it.

[He smiles softly, wistfully into the fire, then turns back to the conversation with a brighter grin.]

Have you had parties like this before?

C. Bloom and Bind (Dawnfield Grounds)

[Over the past two seasons, Yoojin has steadily worked at both Imprintwork and the art of fibercraft itself. Finally, he's beginning to feel like something's clicking. He can make something that lasts--something small still, but significant. Something that isn't doomed to fade too soon.

He traces the edge of a dried petal with a fingertip he's accidentally jabbed with a needle way too many times. Feeling an odd but compelling sense of... he's not sure. Stability? Competence? Belief in himself, maybe. Feeling oddly assured, Yoojin makes a small pile of the materials he wants and sits himself down to work.

What he creates is a small handful of boutonnieres. There's still something homey and obviously handmade about them. They're not professional, but still eye-catching. Charming. Something about them says, you can do it. Yoojin has sewn into the ribbon holding each boutonniere together a promise of courage, a boost of bravery to do that important thing the wearer's held back from. Something to help someone take a small step that can change their life.

Yoojin's expression is relaxed and fond as he sews, thinking of his own February, his own birthday, and the new, wonderful, tender things that can come from nurturing just a little pluck.]

D. You Don't Have to Go Home, but You Can't Stay Here (Stag Lounge)

Hey. Come on now, don't fall asleep here.

[Anyone who seems close to nodding off will find Yoojin taking a knee nearby, voice soft, smile warm. He looks tired himself, but happy--the end result of a really fun day. Those he's close to might get a shoulder rub or a headpat, too.]

Let me walk you back to the barracks. It's better to sleep in a bed.

c

[retethered]

So your type is big and buff, huh?

[ Suddenly, Simran! ]

Gold Ship | Umamusume: Pretty Derby | Geranium

[goldship]

A: NAUTICAL MADNESS ("Petal-Pop", Dawnfield Grounds)

[ Flex her meramancy for the entertainment of all? Don't mind if she does! As a certified (are there certifications?!) Voice of the Veil Gold Ship has plenty that she can use to go all out with this. Starting out strong with a simple question. What if there were two Gold Ships.

Because there are. One dressed in Gold Ship's typical raceware, pillbox hat and ridiculous bridal like headgear and all, the other... is just dressed like a storybook pirate. Long flowing red captain's coat, ridiculous red pirate hat, an eyepatch, she even clutches a mariner's pipe between her teeth. A pipe that emits sparkling, color changing bubbles as she puffs on it. The pair of Gold Ships (Golshis..?) find an empty spot on the grounds to conduct their show, wheeling out a serving cart with them. The cart is draped in a long white sheet, a large platter atop it, perched on which is a "prize" for the contest they're about to enter. A large roasted turkey, moist skin glistening, smoke rising off of it enticingly. After ensuring the crowd can see what they stand to gain they wheel the cart to the side, then they face each other, bow like a pair of duelists, and the contest.

With a wave of her hands Pirate Gold Ship starts to conjure toy sized golden galleons that float through the air, their sails a constantly shifting rainbow of color. "Normal" Gold Ship likewise waves her hand to summon forth her own armada. Of fish. Cartoonishly large tuna, in fact, who's scales sparkle and eyes glow with an angry red light. Both Gold Ships point at one another and their respective forces move into battle. The ships fire projectiles that look like, well, Gold Ship, but as a round slime like creature with exaggerated smile and swirling eyes. When they strike a fish both Golshiball and Fish explode with the sound of party horns into a shower of mulit-colored confetti. Likewise when a fish slams into a ship, fish and vessel go up with the same sound, this time confetti with Gold Ship's eyes and grin patterned on them issuing out.

Is that... supposed to be the crew? Damn, that's kind of dark.

The "battle" continues as the pair of Gold Ships hurl nautical themed insults at each other in heavily effected scottish piratey accents. It's pretty much incomprehensible. Between shouts they dodge "attacks", Pirate Golshi jumping over vindictive tuna, Normal Golshi scrambling under cannongolshiballs with exaggerated yelps of terror. But in the end there can be only one. Both Gold Ships draw wooden cutlasses, they pause, nod, and charge at each other! Weapons held high! Battle cries on their lips! AND....

BEFORE THEY CAN CLASH, THE TURKEY MOVES. It lifts up from the platter seemingly by its own accord, the white tablecloth on the cart bellowing in fury. The platter comes from under the turkey and flies forward towards the two awe struck Golshis! ]

Aw. Crap.

"Yaar. Barnacles."

[ Say they before they are struck by the flying splatter, both Gold Ship's exploding into a conflagration of confetti, party streamers, and those little candy hearts that taste like chalk that no-one actually eats. Conjured sparkling lights illuminate the turkey as it hovers, and turns to the crowd. What becomes obvious very quickly. The "table cloth" is bellowing and being worn as some sort of cape, and in the cavity where the turkey's head would have been in life... ]

IT'S ME! [Gold Ship's grinning face. Dropping the illusion around the "turkey" to reveal it to simply be a fabric hat... helmet... thing shaped like a cooked turkey. The glistening meat and other realities a simple product of her illusions, now it just kind of looks like a prop from a Muppet set on her head. ] I WAS THE TURKEY ALL ALONG!

[ With a laugh she jumps off the cart, taking the tablecloth tied around her with her, revealing a hole in the center where her head was sticking out. In one fluid movement she throws off the tablecloth and turkey hat, revealing her usual raceware underneath, and bows. ]

Thank you, thank you! If y'all thought that was a treat, you shoulda seen what I got the special folks we're celebratin' today!


B: not really a prompt, apologies to Everyone Born in February (Closed to the February Birthday havers)

[ At some point during the festivities, or maybe slightly after. Delivered by a very confused Rosavelle citizen, a gust of wind, or simply placed on your chair moments before you sit down.

A whole ass tuna fish. There is a ribbon tied around its head like a girl's bow, with your name tagged on it and a message. "Gallus gallus domesticus of the marine ecosystem."

Yeah... ]

C, Closed to Bulat: Do you want to go in The Sack? Because this is how you go in The Sack (Dawnfield Grounds)

[ It's while he's working the grill relatively alone that Bulat's night takes a turn for the... Gold Ship, for lack of a better term. Cylax is full (as full as the sky rose gets at night), the air is still. All of a sudden he may in fact feel a chill.

Actually. Is the area kind of insulated against sound so no-one can hear them right now? Is that insulated area centered on the approaching umamusume who's grinning and waving at Bulat in the frriendlist of manners? That's probably fine. ]

Oi, oi! Bulat! Where ya been, dude? We missed ya after the race! Didcha have somethin' more important to take care of than finishin' out the night?

[ Her eye just twitched. That's probably fine too. Totally fine. ]

D: Even Chaos Must Rest (Stag's Rest)

[ Look, even Gold Ship doesn't have limitless energy. She's been going hard pretty much all of February and it's starting to catch up to her, so she deserves a rest damn it. So find her here sunken into one of the inviting leather chairs, her ears drooping lazily, her boots unlaced and fully removed so she can rest her feet on a plush ottoman and really enjoy the sensation of it. She's even removed her headgear and hat, letting them sit on the same table at the chair's side that her glass of cider is on.

Is Gold Ship old enough to drink for the standards of her time and country of residency? Goddesses no. But the seal was broken on that a long time ago and she's swiftly found it takes a lot of alcohol to get her feeling it, so she's allowed! Probably!

Anywhomst. Approaching her results in her lifting her glass up in lazy salute. ]

Peace, peace~ [ A little meramancy gets used to summon two cartoonish hands flashing peace signs. Yes she just used magic to use emojis. Sue her. ] Heck of a party, huh? Ya think we're gonna end up doin' one of these every month?

E: WILDCARD

[ If none of this nonsense be something you wish, than drop down your own starter or plot a new dish (Pm me!) ]

D

[uncommonsense]

[ haruhi herself is holding up a mocktail when gold ship gestures, a very small stock clapping sound playing when she does. ]

Ahoy, Captain Golshi. [ someone enjoyed whatever the fuck that first prompt was supposed to be. ]

No kidding. I wouldn't mind, but even I'd get wiped out if we did this all the time.

Yayoi Tenju | OC | Lily

[nightwild]

[Yayoi will be spending the entire time at the Dawnfield Grounds!]

i. stop feeding the strays

[Listen. You have the scent of grilled fish. Of course without any knowledge of what was going on, a certain someone would be there. Yayoi is peeking over the grill, potentially even thinking about stealing some. But she doesn't have to do that here... but it smells so good.

If you hear a monster's growling nearby... don't panic! That's probably just Yayoi's stomach as she stares at the food. Of course, if the hosts aren't careful, all of that food for the entire party might go solely into one girl's stomach. Can you save the food? Is anyone powerful enough to stop her?]

ii. book nook

[Well, Yayoi's not much of one for reading all these thick books. But she's been practicing her calligraphy, thanks to Bulat, and... What they keep calling 'bibliomancy' seems to just be kotodama, right? Which... isn't something she can do untransformed, is it? Well, it's worth a shot.

So she's made a few papers, and is now scattering them around! A few cushions or blankets have a paper with "楽" written on it attached to them. And if you look at those papers, those cushions and blankets are suddenly extremely comfortable. Cozy, even. Strange! Whose Bibliomancy could this be?

Yayoi has a desk, where she's got a paper and brush, and she has an aura of intense concentration as she's writing another character down...

... Until she hears someone approaching, at which point she jumps with a yelp, spilling ink everywhere.]

iii. dueling stage

[Yayoi's watching the fights. She understands acting, sort of. She understands that there's usually... a script to follow? So she seems very confused by these people just acting out anything.

She's full of fidgety, nervous energy, though. A sparring match... it's just exercise. Should she go up? But she's afraid of hurting someone for real... And it's not like she can act...

She keeps staring up at the stage like she's thinking about it, then chickening out again.]

iii

[uncommonsense]

[ luckily... or maybe, unluckily, a busybody shows up to settle on beside her. ]

You wanna go?

[ playfully, meant both ways. ]

Kanade Amou | Senki Zesshou Symphogear | Hyacinthe

[soaringspear]

[1] Leaves & Libations

[ Kanade has no idea what the heck an "unbirthday" is supposed to be, but a party is a party, right? She's pretty damn confident that she looks incredible, sporting a beautiful black dress with red roses.

That said... she really should learn a little restraint when it comes to drinking. ]

Heh... hehe... ah shit, think I had a lil too much... hehe...

[ At... least she's aware of it? Though that might also be part of the problem... she knows she just gets super friendly when she's inebriated, so she tends to throw caution to the wind... ]

Damn if it doesn't taste really good, though... maybe one more...?

[ She needs someone to be her impulse control, clearly. ]

[2] The Duelling Stage

[ Amidst the many duels, the many displays of dramatics and bladework, there hasn't been a performance quite like this... ]

Were they a vision? A dream? Even those gentle days
That felt like I was falling asleep in a kind embrace are now
Fleeting and fading away, as if a spell on me has broken
I knew all those ordinary days were really a miracle

[ Using her newfound proficiency at Meramancy, Kanade is creating music to go along with a song. She's moving perfectly in tune to her own beat, having turned this duel into an impromptu concert... or perhaps a musical, in which she does battle with moves perfectly timed to the song. ]

Rather than looking up at the cloudless blue sky in regret
I'll go against the wind… and return to that brilliant future...!

[ She's holding a staff as her "weapon" of choice, flourishing it with spins whenever she isn't attacking with the music. She's beckoning you, her opponent, to come at her... with an eager grin on her face. She doesn't expect you to sing or anything... she's got that pretty well handled, after all. ]

[3] After Party

[ There's nothing better than a good party... and the feeling of being tired out afterwards, as strange as that might sound. Kanade's pretty sure that if she closes her eyes for too long, laid out comfortably on one of the soft leather seats, she'll conk out in a matter of seconds... but she doesn't go to sleep, not yet.

Though she's tired, she's still practicing... her meramancy? Nothing too flashy or loud, just... creating soothing sound. Music. Quiet... just barely audible, so long as you're nearby. ]

I'm really doin' it... hah... who knew...

[ She was surprised how well it worked on the duelling stage... she thought that maybe it was because it was so familiar, fighting while singing, but it wasn't a fluke. She really did figure this out. ]

[4] Wildcard

1

[generally_treacherous]

If you have more, you will regret it.

[ Not that he's going to stop her if she tries or anything. Consequences are something one must learn for themselves to truly understand. ]