[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

[equivo]

[ Of course Fabian has a varsity jacket. Krouse can practically see it now, owlbear emblazoning and all, Fabian in a crowd of similarly attired teenage boys. Maybe it's enchanted to make the owlbear rear up triumphantly on command, like a holographic sticker.

It's not an image that comes with as much scorn as it could, partly because he's also picturing the hat as part of it.

But then Fabian is coming in for the handshake, and he has to switch tacks. It's not completely out of left field. This is the kind of thing he had to expect when establishing diplomatic overtures with a jock.

What catches him off-guard is that it reminds him of the equally stupid handshake he and Luke came up with as a joke. A joke that stuck around, to his chagrin, but never quite embarrassing enough to quit it on purpose. It just stopped, eventually.

He tries to go with it, following along with Fabian's moves as best he can, his smile tilting in odd bittersweetness. ]

Maybe you can get someone to make you a new one? For the new team you're coming up with.

[maximumlegend]

[ It seems like Krouse's attempt to keep up with the jock handshake goes well enough. Either that, or Fabian is just too nice to comment on it, since he doesn't say anything either while they're doing or once they're done.

Instead he just addresses the thing Krouse said with a pleased enough grin. ]

That actually doesn't sound all that bad.

[ Fabian is still missing it in his wardrobe. He's been able to find some stuff here that's his style, but unfortunately the clothing shop doesn't seem to stock varsity jackets for jocks who just can't go without for too long.. ]

Though that means I got to come up with a team name first, huh? If you got any suggestions, you should let me know and I'll take them into consideration!

[equivo]

[ He definitely whiffed the handshake. The timing was all wrong, he missed the knuckle tap, and he has no clue what Fabian was doing at the end. The ease Fabian brushes past it with throws him back to suspicions that Fabian has been drinking more milk than it initially seems. Or he's just still being nice.

Krouse lets himself entertain the alternative possibility that this is some immense long con for a second, then dismisses it. No one goes to this amount of effort to secretly be a dick for no apparent reason. ]

Manticores?

[ And while most of his thoughts were on the social nuances of the occasion, some others apparently went wandering down the path of inspiration. He waves his empty cup through the air, improvising his elaboration. ]

Because they're made of the parts of different animals, like the team would be made of people from different universes. And they're intimidating, but arguably majestic.

[maximumlegend]

[ Fabian's eyebrows rise.

He looks surprised, yes. But it's not just plain surprise. No, he also looks impressed. ]

Damn, you just thought of that on the spot?

[ It's even more impressive when Fabian's friends are so notoriously bad at names.. You don't want to know the suggestions Riz and Adaine did for a new name for their trio half-party in this place. Or what Kristen apparently thinks is an acceptable name for a god.

Krouse actually coming up with this feels like a breath of fresh air in comparison, and Fabian tips his new hat - okay, cap - in acknowledgement. ]

That's amazing! We might in fact have to use that one, the story behind it is too good! And just think of the merchandise opportunities! [ Look, a guy's got to earn money somehow when he can't access daddy's trust fund.. ]

[equivo]

[ There's a pleasant flush across the back of his neck as Fabian literally tips his cap to him, even though this is still stupid. It's definitely the milk. He's not someone who takes every stray, thoughtless compliment to heart.

It's just that Fabian has so many, and gives them out so freely. He's indiscriminately pleased by everything. Must be nice. ]

I know my fantastical bestiary, what can I say?

[ Maybe not so fantastical for Fabian, sure, but that's beside any point. ]

Take a few other ideas before you commit. I wouldn't want people thinking I bribed you with the hat. [ He teases, lighter and easier than he would have expected. ] I should go find the other guest of honour, anyway. You have time to deliberate.

[maximumlegend]

Oh, right!

[ It's almost as if Fabian forgot the entire party was even happening around them. He was just that engaged in the conversation, apparently.

Which means he gives Krouse a grin as he takes a step back. ]

Yeah, wouldn't want to take away from your Adaine time. She's awesome. [ Can't hurt to hype up a friend a little bit to someone you think is good for her to know, right? ] Make sure to tell her I said hey.

[ Fabian, you're.. you're literally at the same exact party. Right now. You're in the same room!! ]

[equivo]

[ It's a skill to be able to make someone feel like they're the only thing you're paying attention to in the world, and for once, Krouse thinks it's something they have in common. He's not sure he's ever been as good at it as Fabian is, but some people just have natural talent. ]

I will, I will.

[ Even if they are in the same room, he figures Adaine will appreciate the sentiment. He decides not to lead with it, though. He'd hate for it to come off as if he's only here because of Fabian, even if that is, in a technical sense, strictly true. ]

Might even mention the 'awesome' thing, if I remember.

[ A harmless rib for the road; he has a feeling Adaine has heard that from the horse's mouth once or twice. ]