[open-ish] birthdays are good for your health

[avantguard]

Who: Asuna, Yata, and ANYONE WHO HAS CR WITH YATA OR ASUNA (or cr of cr)
When: July 19th
Where: A new house
What: YOU'RE INVITED. Asuna is embarrassing, sent out invites for Yata's birthday on the 20th. But celebrating is on the 19th because shit usually goes down on the 20th
Rating: PG?? no hookers

[ Broken stairs, boarded windows, missing tiles on a roof........

This can't be the right place. Is this the right place? For someone like fastidious Asuna?? Anyone who knew her would probably say no. The answer comes in the front door opening and Asuna peeking out curiously since she sensed a mana signature approaching. Upon seeing someone she knows, someone she invited, her eyes brighten before she cracks a smile. ]

Oh!

[ She isn't going to comment about the condition of the house. In fact, she doesn't even seem bothered by it as she jumps from the top of the stairs of the dilapidated deck to the bottom and continues by jogging over. ]

This way, this way! It's in the back. [ She grabs the sleeve of whoever has arrived and tugs them around the side of the house, in a good mood. Overgrown bushes line the house and Asuna pushes away a branch of a tree reaching to make its way into the house. Once the back of the house is reached, it's pretty clear why she chose this place now. Not for the house. Not for the broken swing set in the trees. It's for the lake that's practically in the backyard. ]

Make sure to yell "Surprise!" as loud as you can when Yata-kun shows up. Okay? Fufu, he has no idea.

[ Asuna... wanders off to do things

A table is set up and Asuna has been working on some decorations. Pretty simple, basic stuff. Like a banner. Look, it's the first party she's ever put together. She's not a party girl and she's not incredibly outgoing either. Yet she wants everything to be perfect because it's for Yata and because that's just who she is. Please praise her...

Everyone is welcome to bring their own dishes too but if they didn't, fret not. Asuna has made some food to snack on, too. She's been practicing her cooking. Because of the barbecue at Capablanca and how fun that was, she's decided to pick that as a means to feed everyone by grilling burgers, hotdogs, Sandwich-kuns. FOOD. Also because she doesn't have a functioning kitchen right now

The lake is just over the hill, so take a dip. It's summer. It's hot. There's a dock to jump off of. Or push people off of. Possibly a lake monster rumored to be living there.

Asuna is a minor so there isn't any alcohol for the lush but hey, anyone is free to spike the punch for whatever reason.

AT THE END, there will be fireworks but they're just those little, cute ones that pop loudly and won't bother nonexistant neighbors. ]

Comments

open

[avantguard]

01, asuna you bought a shack

A: [ She's around, fussing about last minute stuff, before the actual "Surprise" part of this Surprise Party goes underway. But she doesn't mind talking if someone approaches her with a question (about her rundown house or something else). Otherwise she'll walk up to certain people to ask for help putting up decorations. Especially tall people... or small, ingenious people. ]

Sorry. I can't reach... I just need it up there. [ SHE POINTS AT A HIGH SPOT ]

B: [ Or there will be a moment where she just stands and looks over everything with her hands on her hips. First party ─ looking pretty good.

... She's not forgetting anything, is she? It's almost time and she's fidgeting with things. Knocking over a present, maybe, and scrambling to catch it before it hits the ground. With it safely in her hands, she sighs while holding it to her chest.

And hopes nobody saw that. ]

02, adra taught her to waifu

[ THE SURPRISE WAS SUCCESSFUL GOOD JOB TEAM and now the party is underway now with grilling and talking and Asuna is playing the Good Wife. She's taken it upon herself to pass out drinks. Even walking out to the lake if anyone is swimming. From her spot a small distance away, she calls out: ]

Heeeey! Does anyone want some punch?!

[ She'll even risk climbing onto the dock to hand the cups out, wobbling a bit when it tilts on the water. Luckily she doesn't spill. HERE TAKE IT BEFORE SHE DOES

Back on shore, when not handing out drinks, she's cooking. She likes it, so it's fine. Cooking is fun for her and she's even wearing an apron. ]

Alright. What can I get you?

03, bursting

[ Things are winding down. While the small fireworks are crackling and popping and lighting up the small area with color, Asuna finds solace in the wooden rocking chair she had bought with what money she had left after buying this property. It's on a small section, a stable part where she can enjoy the creaking of the legs without worry. Hers curled up and her arms wrapped around her legs and her chin on her knees.

Tomorrow was the 20th. Every month on the 20th, everyone was either sent off to a dungeon or Noir made a move. Hopefully, with this, everyone's spirits would be bolstered. She kind of understands the reason for the festivals and celebrations when Blanc knew they were on the cusp of war. If everyone was strict and serious all the time, that wasn't any way to live life. But she wouldn't have learned that without nearly every person here.

She's so grateful for all her friends.

If anybody comes up to join her, she looks startled before wiping at her eyes quickly and clearing her throat, dropping her legs back down. ]

Be careful. We haven't started rebuilding the porch yet.

02

[flirtations]

You should take a moment to rest, Asuna-chan. I think if you gave us more food, we'd explode pretty soon.

[ Well, maybe not Setsuna, but everyone else, probably. He walks into the kitchen with a bright smile, happy to have found a moment away from everyone else, so he can personally give her his housewarming gift. It's different from the birthday gift Yata gets! ]

[avantguard]

[ Definitely not Setsuna.

The good mood hasn't faded away with time and even if Jae-ha and Asuna didn't get off on the right foot, there's something to be said about the wrong foot not necessarily being a bad thing.

Her shoulders twitch in surprise at the voice but she faces him calmly enough, wiping her hands on her apron. Slowly, she returns the smile. ]

Oh, hello, Jae-ha. [ This isn't NEARLY ENOUGH is it? Can't be ]

Eh? But Adra-sensei had more food at his house-warming... [ Her voice trails off. DID SHE DO A BAD?? ]

[flirtations]

Yes, and I think he had way too many leftovers, too. [ Not that it matters, since they got eaten, but he just wants to see Asuna enjoy herself at her own party, not be confined to the kitchen! ]

This is a very nice house you've got here. I'll miss seeing you two around the Hall, though.

02

[armorial]

[ Saber is here by the grill, watching over all the assorted meats and food ready to be eaten. of course, he hungry eyes are not blind. She does notice Asuna coming by with an apron.

There's a small nod of acknowledgement. Asuna has been working hard and Saber wants to congratulate her on this successful party, but there's a time for everything. ]

What would you recommend?

[avantguard]

[ By the food... o f course....

Asuna answers the nod with a smile. That quickly turns to something more confident. ]

I'm pretty good at making steak. [ BECAUSE IT'S EASY ] Have you ever tried a steak sandwich?

[armorial]

... I have had steak, though I can't say I've had it in a sandwich.

Are those common? [ She has only had cold sandwiches. Cold cuts and stuff. ]

01B

[ateaist]

[SHE'S HERE. Did you invite her? Maybe? Maybe not? Doesn't matter, she found her way here somehow. Nobunaga finds social events like bees find pollen. Loudly, buzzing, the occasional threat of being stung.

But she has a sword, so it's like, stabbing instead...

Anyway.

She marches up to Asuna from behind and slaps a hand onto her shoulder in a friendly manner.]

Yo, Asuna!

[avantguard]

Kyah!

[ WHAT she yelps because she probably wasn't paying attention, she's keeping an eye on everything and not watching her back. But this person sounds kind of familiar?? Time to find out who it is ]

O-Oda-san?

[ ASUNA MIGHT HAVE EXTENDED AN INVITE because she helped her in that shop and they fought together on the train. MAYBE IT WENT WELL ]

I... did you use Sound Magic to sneak up on me?

[ateaist]

...sound magic?

[She removes her hand and her eyes squint a little in confusion.]

Err...I just walked up to you, you know. You can't attribute your lack of awareness to magic. That's lazy.

open!

[rollin]

A → surprise!!

[ WOAH! The surprise was a success. Yata was feeling sad that everyone seemed to have forgotten his birthday, but he's glad all his friends are here to celebrate with him. He's 18 years old! He probably told you about this at least a week beforehand. And he probably hinted at his birthday before he even straight up told you. It might have been cute. Or annoying. BUT WHATEVER, he's here hovering over all the food and presents.

You can find him shaking gift boxes (possibly yours), pigging out on burgers and CAKE!! (he probably has sauce or icing on his cheek) or taking shifts with Asuna on the grill (he insisted). ]

B → lake

Get in, the water's great!

[ He says after he cannonballs into the lake, possibly splashing you with water. Alternatively, you might already be in the water when he approaches you with a story: ]

Heh heh heh! I don't think I've ever told ya, but they say there's a monster in this lake. That's why the house is so damn cheap. [ Also, it's at least fifteen years old. ]

C → baby ur a firework

[ With sparklers in both hands, you can find Yata playing in front of the fireworks and pretending to be a different kind of Hero: ]

Who can defeat the great Yatagarasu!?

[ OR Yata sitting calmly at the dock, watching his sparkler light up the water's surface with a smile. ]

I said it was cheap, but what I really like about this place is how it's near the lake and the beach. [ A beat. ] Aight, maybe it's like, two hours away. But that's exercise!

A!

[hoasen]

[JUST OPEN HER GIFT.]

If you shake it too hard, it might break!

[It's not a fragile don't worry.]

[rollin]

Asuna said I can't open 'em until my real birthday... [ But he's pouting. ]

[hoasen]

[WAIT THAT'S KIND OF...UNFAIR...]

But...you'll be in a dungeon tomorrow...?

RIP YATA (a)

[bulletic]

[Yata will not find a gift from Noel in the pile along with others; no, instead, the girl has decided to give it to him personally, along with the wishes.]

Happy birthday, Yata! I, um, I didn't know what to get you... so I baked you a cake!

[She calls it a "cake", but whatever it is that resides on top of the plate she's holding escapes any definition. It's a miserable, dark pile of something, the texture of which is closer to a gooey pudding than a cake. Its smell is probably enough to make one's stomach flip, and the taste... well, let's just say the cafeteria's specialties got nothing on how terrible it is.

Yet despite all of that, Noel remains blissfully ignorant, smiling cheerfully as she presents the result of her hard work to Yata.]

1/2

[rollin]

[ He's still a little shy around his female friends, but when Noel greets him so happily, he can't help but return the cheer. ]

Yo—

[rollin]

Oh my god, it's alive.

a

[quaria]

Oh.

[ It's Yatagarasu! Setsuna approaches Yata with a tray full of Asuna's homemade sandwiches, then offers him to take some. Although he's a guest at the party, he still is helping around.

He feels it's at least he can do for Asuna and her lover... Although he isn't sure where her lover is. (He's right in front of you, idiot.) ]

It has been a while.

[rollin]

Yo, Setsuna! Hehe, given up yet? [ ???

He takes a sandwich and eats it, totally thinking he's one-upped the guy this time. ]

b

[yaoihand]

[ When Yata opens Kija's present, he'll find a chihuahua toy modeled after the likeness of himself. Believe it or not, it's not a joke. A toymaker specializing in hero merchandise told Kija that he had made this as tribute to Yata's greatness!!!!

But Yata won't find out until it's present time, of course. For now, the dudes are just chilling by the lake, or something. ]

A monster? [ And he completely believes this. ] What sort of monster?

[rollin]

[ He is going to kill Kija later. ]

I heard it was a huge fish, like a shark the size of a whale. A whale shark! [ no yata that's totally different ] I bet it's got like ten sets of teeth!

B

[armorial]

[ SHE KNEW THERE WAS GOING TO BE A LAKE, so she brought her swimsuit. Also with Vietnam's advice, she wore it under her clothes.

Both of her swimming senseis are here today, so she has to make them proud. However, she's still glowering at the water, unsure of when to come in. ]

A... monster? [ !??!?! ] Yata, you must get out of the lake.

[ SHE CAN'T SAVE YOU IN THE WATER. ]

[rollin]

[ Yata's pretty happy she's come this far. It feels like she was doing the doggy paddle just yesterday... He looks at her like she's said something absurd. ]

I'll be fine! 'Sides, if you still can't swim, you could just say so.

b

[ateaist]

[To be frank, Nobunaga's the kind of person who'll be mysteriously absent for the actual SURPRISE part of the surprise party and still be lingering about afterwards. Free food and drink? Sociable occasions?? Why not, that's her thing. Whether or not she knows anyone here doesn't matter.

Even so, she blends in exceptionally well. She might not be aware this is the birthday boy, but she seems very enthusiastic by his mention of some kind of lake monster.]

A monster? Waha! How exciting! Do you think we could lure it here??

[What better way to celebrate a birthday than fight a kraken or something.]

[rollin]

[ Who is this person?? Oh well. He's assuming she's Asuna's friend. Asuna has been doing better at making friends since she first arrived, after all. He continues this conversation as if nothing's amiss. ]

I dunno... [ Asuna might get ma— ] Let's try it! I gotta get rid of it one of these days, anyway.

I hear it usually eats people in the middle of the lake, but it really likes meat! Human meat!