Party like it's your birthday [OPEN]

[plasticasshole]

Who: Connor & OTA!
When: 15th August
Where: Connor and Hank's cottage
What: Connor's very first birthday!
Warnings: None so far, will update if necessary


[It starts with a video on the 14th. Connor is sitting and petting a very large dragonfly by his head, because that isn't weird at all.]

Hello everyone. I just wanted to send a message out to let everyone know that it's my first birthday tomorrow, and I'm inviting people over to join me for the evening at my home. If we've met, you can assume you're invited. If we haven't met, well... I'd like to meet you, so you're invited too. There will be food, and the backyard has a giant pool. I hope to see you there.

--

[And on the actual night of his birthday, of course Connor is confined to his pool because of the full moons. Which is fine, he supposes, as long as people want to swim with him. As promised there is plenty of food, laid out on a table near the back of the cottage, and he's even set out a couple of small tables and seats. The backyard is large and lit up by floating lights, but most of it is taken up by a huge pool.

Connor himself is swimming around, though if he spots someone he'll come over to greet them. He'll look very different to his usual self, his teeth long and sharp and his eyes a milky blue instead of the usual warm brown; he's mostly blind above the water tonight. His fingers are unnaturally long and tipped with claws, and the little balls at the end of his whiskers and ear fins glow a soft blue. His entire body is covered in scales now. He still sounds the same though, and if approached he seems pleased that someone actually turned up.]

((Feel free to mingle amongst yourselves too!))

Comments

[bleedinghare]

She can't help but gasp, shrinking at the sudden― however warmly-intentioned― flash of sparkling fangs above the water, the deep-sea blind eyes he now bares. Such a reaction is something she nearly instantly regrets, though the change in her expression isn't what Connor responds to; no, it's the sound of her voice... oh, poor thing, he can't see! If he can, it can't possibly be something he can do well― perhaps it's simply another part of his transformation.

Gently, she brings two soft gloves to the damp of his cheeks, careful to avoid the spines of his fins. "How rude I must seem, acting so― frightened, and at your party! I meant no ill, I swear it― I've just seen nothing like it, in my life or in my time here."

What a strange curse. It births an anxiety in her, knowing that Connor too is this being called Monster― just as she is, though she hasn't experienced any changes just yet― though she does her best to swallow it, to smile. The capability, the unknown state of her change is what frightens her, but it's a thought she buries along with the frightened impulse that froze her so.

"I'm terribly, terribly sorry, Connor," Ada continues quietly, the worried tenseness of her brow audible in how she speaks. "I meant to brighten your name-day, not worsen it. I hope you can forgive me."

After a soft moment of quiet, she lowers her hands, bringing the little velvet bag into her lap.

"You've made my acclimation to this strange new place easier, even if we've only just met in the scheme of it all― I had to bring you something, both in celebration and in gratitude."

[plasticasshole]

[Connor just rests a scaled hand on hers as she brings them to his face.]

I'm not offended. I know you didn't mean it.

[She's only just arrived here, of course seeing a Merrow under the full moons would be strange for her. He lowers his mostly blind eyes to the bag, though even if he squints he can't quite make it out beyond being a blur.]

You didn't have to bring me anything, but I'm grateful. What is it?

[bleedinghare]

Her little smile of relief is audible to Connor as she begins to draw her hand away, giving him one last brush of a thumb along his fin before returning it to her lap. "Oh, thank goodness! Here― I'll describe it to you."

Daintily, Ada undoes the silver grosgrain ribbon from around the little velvet bag, unfolding the parcel atop her knees to lift her gift from inside, in case he might like to touch. However dulled, he can still see the occasional wink of light from its surface.

"―it's a chain for your watch," She replies excitedly, drawing nearer to capture his hand in her own, to run his fingertips down the chain of interconnected little gems. "white-golden with sapphires― it reminded me of you! Had I a bit more money, I would have had it engraved for you, or perhaps enchanted, but―"

Laughing, she gave a little roll of her eyes, coming to set it in her lap once again. "The metal and gems have the prettiest sheen off one another― I hope you'll like it as much as I thought you would, friend."

[plasticasshole]

[Connor's eyes widen slightly as he sees the way it shimmers and sparkles, even with his impaired vision. As a Merrow, he loves shiny things. This chain is no exception. He brings his face closer, and touches it.]

It's beautiful.

[He's immediately struck by the urge to take it underwater, to admire at his leisure. He resists that urge, but it's difficult.]

Thank you. I'll take good care of it.

[bleedinghare]

The smile he gives is returned with equal, if not more warmth― taking the time to gently re-fold it into its velvet wrap, to tie it back and set it along the poolside edge; later, she'll make certain it finds its way someplace safe while he enjoys the festivities.

"Happy birthday, Connor," Ada replies gently, giving a giddy little shrug of her shoulders. "thank you for being my friend."

With that, she decided to take him up on his offer somewhat; Adeline leans over to kick off her boots and remove her stockings, to dip her toes in the pool once she's made certain her skirts won't get wet.

[plasticasshole]

[Connor is happy to think he's made another friend, and that is worth more to him than the chain. But he'll keep it as a token of their friendship, and also because it is very pretty.

He moves out of the way so that Ada can dip her feet into the pool, and rests his arms on the edge of it beside her, his head tipped to the side and his tail swishing as he watches her.]

How are you settling in?

oh honey just give it time

[bleedinghare]

His languid, shimmering tail draws her curious eye— almost seeming to find difficulty in bringing her eyes back to his own, given his strange and beautiful new form.

"—as best I might," Adeline replies, bending at the waist to better reach him, smoothing her skirts over her knees. "kindnesses like your own have proven indispensible— I nearly feel a little guilty for having been so afraid of such a place, seeing as I've seen nothing but good."