[open] vive la france to the birthday girl

[thejoyrider]

Who: Marie and her birthday guests
When: Noveuer 2nd
Where: The house she lives in with Scathach and Zelda
What: birthday party and you are invited!
Warnings: n/a




i

[Marie's room has gained new decorations... or maybe it always looks like this? You would have to visit her again to find out. For now though, why not try some of the fine French cuisine that has been prepared? Baguettes, quiches, sweet and savory crêpes are lined up on plates. There's more!

If it is something sweeter you are looking for, rows of macarons and eclairs are waiting for you. Or maybe you prefer crème brûlée? Just remember to not eat too much - after all you still have to try Marie's birthday cake!]

ii

[It is still a few days before the masquerade, but why should we wait? Let's get some practice and dance! Make sure not to bump into other guests though, since the room is a bit smaller than Marie would have told you, even if she claims that she could absolutely fit half of Aefenglom in here.

If you are not one for dancing, why don't you take a seat, relax a bit and listen to the music? Or maybe you would like to play something yourself?]

iii

[Need a break from the celebration? Or maybe you are not a party type at all and only came here because Marie talked you into it or made you promise you would come? Maybe spend some time in the garden and breathe in some fresh air? The season has turned chilly though, so make sure to dress appropriately!

The birthday girl might check up on you to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves, but in the meanime, maybe strike up a conversation about the passing year with someone else who is resting a bit?]

wildcard?

[want to do something else? sure!]

Comments

iii

[integrous]

[ Asahi promised Marie that she'd come to her birthday party, so here she is. She never backs down on a promise, after all, no matter how much she had been not feeling going to this party down to right the moment before she had to leave or risk being late. It's got nothing to do with Marie - really, the girl seems so sweet, that's why Asahi promised to come to begin with - but parties? They're so not her thing.

So Asahi is definitely chosing a more quiet spot in the garden to hang out. She's grabbed some sweets along from inside because she sure isn't going to let those go to waste after coming all the way out here. But the awkward jitters about social gatherings still buzz through her veins even now, so if you happen to find the girl out in the garden, she's devouring macarons rather aggressively. Already looking half-harpy sure doesn't help to make it look any less aggressive, huh. Dare to approach? ]

Re: iii

[thejoyrider]

[Marie knows Asahi made a promise, so she was expecting her. However, she is also aware that it probably was not an easy decision for Asahi to come to the party, even if she gave her word. At first, when Asahi was nowhere to be found in the house, Marie assumed he would not be coming after all, but decided to check out the garden just in case. There she was! It makes perfect sense he would prefer this spot.]

Asahi! Thank you for coming to the party!

[Marie moves closer and takes a seat next to the red haired girl, helping herself to one of the macarons from her plate. Hey, there was a lot, one would not make a diference.]

Are you... enjoying yourself so far?

[integrous]

[ Oh no, why did Marie have to ask it that directly! It really makes it hard for Asahi to answer it without either lying or hurting Marie's feelings, and she'd really hate to do either. Hence why it looks like she's thinking for a second before she answers. ]

Well.. parties aren't really my thing. [ See, the perfect non-answer. To avoid lying or being rude. ] Are you having fun though? That's way more important. It's your birthday, after all.

[thejoyrider]

I am! It is a wonderful party, what else could I want for myself? However [and here Marie points at Asahi] you are my guest tonight and I am the host. So it falls on me to make sure my guests are enjoying themselves, each and every one of them!

[Marie smiles. She knows better than to hug Asahi now, but she does take a seat next to the girl]

I thought we could enjoy a chat here, where it is not as loud as it is outside.

[integrous]

That'd be nice. If you have a moment to chat, that is. [ Since it sounds like Marie is keeping herself busy if she's really trying to look after everyone who's come over.

But there's a good reason as to why it'd be nice. Asahi sticks her hand into a pocket and then pulls out what looks like a small wrapped present. ]

Here, this is for you. I'm sorry that it's not much, but.. it's still your birthday, so I thought I should at least bring you something.

[thejoyrider]

[Marie was already smiling, but seeing that Asahi made sure to bring her a gift makes her even happier. She moves her arms as if to wrap them around the red haired girl in a hug, but stops herself before touching her. She was not supposed to do that, not yet!]

Thank you so much, Asahi! So thoughtful of you to bring me a present!

[She takes the package and unwraps it carefully, making sure not to tear the wrapping]

ii

[kivatteru]

[ Wataru is absolutely here to play music. He had promised Marie as such, and hence he prepared a few pieces of his own to perform for the audience, from various musicians of his world that are decades old for their time.

Eyes closed and focusing, he keeps going until he ends his repertoire. He'll welcome the applauding audience with a bow, before leaving the stage and smiling at whoever wants to approach him. ]

Re: ii

[thejoyrider]

[Who likes music and was excited to finally hear the violin artisan play a proper violin, not a carved turnip? The birthday girl! She was in the front row of the audience for the whole time of Wataru's performance and was one of those who cheered the most.

Now that the performance has ended, she approaches the violinist with a glass of wine and a slice of cake in hand. He earned it!]

That was simply splendid! You are certainly as skilled at music as you are at fine craftsmanship!

[She would clap once more for him but it is hard when you are holding a plate]

[kivatteru]

[ He's tired, but not extremely so. The elation he got from the audience wiped off most of the nervousness that bothered him prior to the performance. With all that done with, he's just satisfied from all the appreciation he's receiving. He can file that off as a nice and sweet achievement for tonight.

The birthday girl approaches him with food and drinks she's holding up for him. What a darling... ]

Thank you for the praise, Marie. I hardly ever want to come off as someone who spares his efforts, as far as music is concerned.

[ Wataru gladly takes the goods and bows at her in further thanks. ]

[thejoyrider]

[Oh, he is so sweet. Such a talented musician deserves to be praised for his music anywhere he goes! No need to be shy, Wataru!]

I am sure it would be impossible to have this kind of thoughts about your music, especially after hearing you play with one's own ears. You are such a talented musician, I am really happy you could be here for my birthday!

[She helps herself to one of the macaroons as well]

[kivatteru]

[ He takes few sips of the drink, instantly relieved by the fresh taste. He would ]

I am also glad I made it here. With the party being close to the masquerade, I was afraid I would have been too busy - but the schedule wasn't that tight for the preparations, fortunately.

[ Performing in two parties in the same month? Good publicity, possibly. ]

[thejoyrider]

[She would have understood if he could not make it - of course she would have been upset, mind you - but she would have understood. Thankfully there was no need to.]

It means I am lucky to be able to listen to you twice this month, am I not?

[scatmaam]

[ Scathach hadn't... quite attended the party, not in a full sense. She was around, popping in to grab a drink, to say some greetings, but largely kept to her room and her quiet, at least until things were finally starting to wind down. Most of the guests had left by that point, but Marie would find Scathach eventually, giving her a warm embrace from behind, bringing a hand around to present the gift she'd said she was getting...

A claddagh ring, silver. ]

Happy birthday, Marie... I hope the party was to your liking.

I LOST THE NOTIF FOR THIS I AM SORRY

[thejoyrider]

[Marie smiles as soon as she hears Scathach's footsteps behind her and is not surprised in the slightest when she is embraced. She turns her head to properly face the Lady of Shadows]

Thank you Scathach... and thank you for coming here. I know the party must have caused you trouble today, so I doubly appreciate your presence.

[A passing thought about the trinket possibly being iron appears in her head, but Marie shoos it away immediately and takes the ring in both of her hands. She takes a good look at it and touches the crown and heart elements, admiring the craftmanship of this tiny piece of jewelry]

It is beautiful. Thank you so much.

[Speaking of metals that could possibly hurt someone...]

Wait, isn't it... silver?

no worries!

[scatmaam]

Aye, it is. Worry not. There's an enchantment on it that keeps it from burning me. [ Because she sincerely doubted Marie would have accepted it otherwise, even if some mild skin irritation wouldn't have bothered Scathach at all. ]

But I couldn't bring myself to break with tradition on this one, so silver it had to be.

no worries!

[thejoyrider]

[Even if it would not bother her, Marie will not have it any other way. Please take better care of yourself, Scathach!]

I really appreciate it, thank you once again!

[She slides the ring onto her finger immediately]

This pattern... It is something from your home, is it not? Please tell me more about it.

and now i'm the one that lost a tag

[scatmaam]

It came about well after I had passed along into legend and memory. [ Scathach let out a soft sigh, shaking her head. ] So I could hardly say it was part of our land as I personally knew it, but in those liminal times I could cross back into the World, I had taken note of it...

[ She gently took Marie's hand while still remaining behind her, chin resting on her shoulder, turning over and pointing out the design. ] The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty. The tradition of fede rings goes back for ages, but this one is distinct to Ireland.

[ The lower tip of the heart seemed somewhat off center, pointing to the wrist of the right hand. Scathach tapped that. ] This, in particular, symbolizes a 'captured heart', as you have so thoroughly charmed this old warrior's heart I'd certainly say you have a piece of it with you at all times...

[thejoyrider]

[Oh. Marie did expect the ring to have a custom attached to it, but now Scathach is offering her a piece of her heart, metaphorically and literally. She can tell it is not something the Lady of Shadows would have offered and said to just anyone.]

I might be no warrior myself, but I certainly appreciate this honor.

[Marie needs to make sure Scathach knows she will treat the gift with proper respect. She presses the hand with the ring on close to her own heart]

Rest assured, the piece of your heart you placed in my care is safe with me, here.

i

[joies]

[Persephone was, of course, incredibly excited at the news of Marie's birthday - and with the invitation extended, there was no way Persephone wasn't going to show up! Even Iago has come along, perched atop her horns as he preens himself. He must look good for the party, after all.

With her Persephone has bought one very... big and colorful bouquet of flowers, and something simple she made in the time she had. It's not an extravagant piece, but she's still proud of the first thing she's been able to make here - and she makes sure that the gifts are passed along to the birthday girl, before helping herself to some sweets

Or more like eating and then feeding some to the colorful bird that still makes her his perch, though she doesn't seem to mind - simply tapping his peck when he chirps impatiently to be fed.]

Re: i

[thejoyrider]

[Marie spots Persephone in the crowd easily - after all one does not exactly blend in when you have horns and a tiny bird with you. She waves to her from a distance and approaches the taller woman with two slices of cake - one for her and one for her familiar]

Persephone! It's so nice that you came! The flowers are lovely, thank you!

[Marie is already wearing the pendant Persephone gave her. She put it on the moment she unpacked her gift]

And of course hello to you too, courageous knight!

[The last line is directed at the bird familiar]

[wordsinthesoul]

i

[He wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but that's certainly vibrant. Thancred has a small cake- he's been practicing- but, well.]

Ah. It seems there's quite a spread- I hope this small contribution is enjoyable as well.

ii

[Thancred could probably be talked into a song too, but- the dance floor certainly calls. He's doing his best not to bump into anyone, but dancing does require movement-]

Ah- beg your pardon.

[thejoyrider]

[A small cake is a cake regardless! Besides that, Marie would have been happy to see him either way, even if he came empty handed.]

Thancred! I am glad you could attend. Did you make this cake by yourself?

[wordsinthesoul]

[It would have been a shame to arrive empty-handed, he feels- it is her birthday, after all.]

Well, thank you for the invitation! Ah, I did my best. I hope it's turned out well.

[thejoyrider]

[She's had so much cake already tonight, she can barely think of eating more. However, Thancred made this for her, so it was only fair that she tried some right now. She fetches a small plate and takes a bite of Thancred's cake immediately]

It is really good! Have you been baking a lot?

[wordsinthesoul]

You flatter me. [But he looks pleased by that, all the same.]. I have- I'm still something of a beginner, but I'm glad to hear this has come out well.