[open] t-t-t-taking over, teenage rebellion!

[furiousfists]

WHO: Adaine Abernant (furiousfists), Fabian Seacaster (maximumlegend), and YOU!
WHEN: June 3rd
WHERE: Apartment building's rec room
WHAT: Joint birthday party!
NOTES\WARNINGS: Underage drinking

It's only thanks to Aurora's message that Adaine has any idea what day it is. She looks at the text on her earpiece's readout and blinks, comprehension coming to her slowly.

Today is June 3rd, of the year 40██.

June 3rd...

June 3rd??

"Holy shit, it's my birthday!"

Adaine's birthdays haven't been much to shake a stick at, historically speaking. It's only in the past year, after she stopped living with her parents and moved in with Jawbone in Mordred Manor that anyone ever gave a crap or tried to give her anything for it. If it hadn't been for Jawbone, she might've been perfectly happy to let another year pass without fanfare. But now? She wants to at least acknowledge it. She'd be happy with just a slice of cake at the diner, but there's one thing that makes her think that perhaps that won't cut it.

If today is June 3rd, Adaine's birthday, then that means a few days ago it was May 31st. Fabian's birthday. And Fabian Seacaster is not one to let a birthday celebration be anything but maximum legend.

And, so it is that the two birthday Bad Kids set about throwing as raucous of a birthday bash as they can manage with such short lead time. The rec room in the bottom floor of the apartment building is decorated to the nines with balloons and streamers, with snacks, sodas, and even some alcohol to make mixed drinks set out on a table for all to enjoy. Anyone who the pair have spoken with is invited, but if anyone makes any comments about teenagers drinking alcohol, they're labeled a buzzkill and told to vacate the premises. Adaine manages to find a boombox somewhere with a CD, and plays some generic party music for people to dance to, should they feel so inclined.

All in all, it is a night of revelry, the likes of which Etraya has likely never seen before.

Comments

[anciently]

Okay... But if this turns me into a frog or something, you'll be getting an earful.

[ With a Look, Aerith takes a sip.

...Hm. ]

Well, it's...interesting. [ And she laughs, looking dubiously at Fabian. ] Did you make this yourself? Back home, I mean.

[ Is it a Fabian Original? Or just something their group of friends picked up on for...whatever reason? ]

[maximumlegend]

[ He holds his own glass of it up to her - just slightly, like he's toasting with it. ]

No frog yet! [ Fabian can't help but add after she calls it interesting. It's clearly a playful joke though, he doesn't really seem to mind her judgement of it either way. The Bad Baby Milk isn't that personal to him. It's just fun.

A sentiment that becomes very clear from the way he speaks about it. Lightly, playfully. ]

And I did! You see, I drank a lot of milk back home.

[ .. maybe kind of an odd statement, yet he says it with such confidence.. ]

So I figured that I might as well spice it up a little, you know? You have to work with what you got! And what I had was a whole fridge filled with just milk. [ It almost sounds like he's playfully bragging, though one might question if this really is the sort of talk that you'd charm any girl out there with.. ]

[anciently]

Just milk? [ That makes her laugh: bright, surprised, but not unkind. ] Whoa. I don't think I've met anyone before who liked it that much. Except the local cats, maybe.

[ Aerith smiles, though, teeth flashing genially. ]

Who am I to question it, then? 'Specially since it's your birthday and all. [ It may be odd, but it isn't bad, so...what the hell? She takes another sip.

Maybe it's growing on her, even. ]

This was a good idea. The party, I mean. [ There's a nod of her head at the rest of the room, wherein a handful of others are already gathered: talking, and dancing. ] More people should make use of this space. I feel like I don't see enough of us down here...

[ As more and more people find locations from their homes appearing, they'll spend more time there instead. She knows that as well as anyone. And though she's met a few new faces in the church, it isn't the same as gathering in one of the shared common areas. ]

[maximumlegend]

I think a lot of people are sticking to what's familiar.

[ Especially with the weird places popping up that don't feel like they belong to this place. Like they instead belong to different worlds. Fabian can't blame anyone for preferring to spend time there. People would want to cling to any sign of their home while they're trapped in a place like this, surely. ]

Especially when they have friends from back home here. [ Some people seem to have a lot, after all. Fabian was already pretty surprised to find half of his party here, but judging from conversations he's had with other people, some people have their entire extended family in this place somehow. ]

I don't blame them, of course. But thinking about that does make me kind of worried about the people who don't have anyone like that to turn to. It's why I invited pretty much everyone I talked to for this party, you know? [ He smiles over at Aerith, a warmth in his voice. ] Just in case there might be someone who's on their own and who'd appreciate an opportunity to get to know some more people here. No one should have to be alone.

[anciently]

[ As she listens, her smile softens. It's very kind, what he's saying, and very true. It'd be easy to feel isolated in a place like this, particularly with such a weighty responsibility on their shoulders alone. ]

Maybe we should do more of these kinds of things, then. [ Aerith says, once he finishes. ] Make a point of finding those people who're here on their own and...make sure they know the door's open, you know? What's the harm?

[ A more cynical person might argue doing that is counter-intuitive to the fact that (allegedly) only some worlds will be saved, but she isn't about to let that happen if she has anything to say about it. ]

Or something less high-pressure, like sending out a message to the network, or hanging up some flyers in the coffee shop. If it were me, it'd be nice to just...know people're around who I could reach out to.

[maximumlegend]

[ He seems to contemplate her idea for a moment, but it really doesn't take too long before he's already nodding, a smile on his face. ]

I think that's a great idea, Aerith. [ Because everything she's saying is true. This place does suck, and Fabian call tell from experience - not just here, but back home too - that things don't tend to change themselves that easily.

It's up to the people stuck within the circumstances to change them. ]

If you wish to carry out any of those ideas, please know that I would gladly help with any of it. It's not as if it is that much work, but-- well, it would defeat the point of it all to let you do it by yourself, right? I imagine we could easily make something like that work with the two of us. [ He chuckles. ] I mean, have you seen two more charismatic people in this place than you and I?

[anciently]

Appreciate it. [ The smile turns grateful and warm at his reception. ] I'll give it some thought and let you know, okay? Then we can figure out the best way to go about it.

[ As he's said, it shouldn't be too much work, but there are also a lot of distractions around the city. A lot of competition for your attention at any given moment. So, it'll have to be something that won't be overlooked by those who may need this the most.

At his question, there's a chuckle as she strikes a bit of a pose, framing her face between her two hands. ]

Not yet I haven't! Far as I'm concerned, we can do anything we set our charismatic little minds to! [ If she could sparkle, she probably would. Instead, she lowers her hands and glances around to the party before returning her gaze to Fabian. ] ...For now, though, I'll let you get to it. Today is about you and Adaine, after all! Planning can wait 'til later.

[maximumlegend]

[ There's a small huff of breath, sounding kind of amused. ]

Considerate as ever. [ You know, that she's saying the planning can wait because of the party.

Even though Fabian is totally ready to plot like that. Even at his party. Maybe especially at his party! Honestly, stranger things have happened at his parties in the past.. But he won't protest what she's saying here. ]

You should definitely make sure to enjoy the party as well though! Maybe meet some new people, hmm? [ He winks. ] Though I know you certainly don't need any help with that!

[ Please, as far as Fabian can see, Aerith is perfectly sociable and charismatic. ]

[anciently]

[ There's a breathy laugh and a shake of the head at the compliment. ]

I think it's just something I'd want. And it'd be nice to feel like I can help, in a situation where it's easy to feel a little powerless.

[ The ease in which they'd been beaten down in the labyrinth won't be forgotten very soon. ]

Oh, don't you worry: I'm enjoying it! And I plan to talk to as many people as I can. [ There's a more impish smile now, and she lifts her cup to him in salute. ] I'll be off, then! But, you know, still around, in case there's another weird drink you want people to try.

[ And, with a wink, she takes another sip and wanders off (for now). ]