[open/mingle] burn my bread

[orphne]

Who: Kotone Shiomi, Cooking Club, and you!
Where: Club Building, June 12th
What: Potluck for Kotone's not-so-secret birthday party
Warnings: please be good (tell me if warnings need to be added)

Kotone hadn't wanted to make a big deal out of her birthday. Like, sure, it's always a celebration to make it another year around the sun, probably, especially when she never expected to see 18, let alone 19, but being the center of attention isn't really her thing. If her friends can be happy and have fun, that's way more important! It had already seemed kind of silly and selfish just to ask members of Cooking Club and anyone else with interest to bring something for a potluck.

Then, of course, her boyfriend spilled the beans, and now it's a party! While her original club building had looked more like a Japanese-style school building, it's since been re-imagined by Toph into a somewhat more organic shape. Kotone still considers it hers, though, so try not to trash it too badly!

1. Set-Up (Gym and Kitchen)

Scott had decided the decor theme should be "pink" and "cute," whatever that means. Someone more artistically-minded can hopefully interpret that into something coherent for the club building's gym (sorry if you'd planned to play sports today); there's balloons, streamers, and if someone wanted to raid Kotone's Sewing Club, plenty of fabric to be used for... something?

Beyond that, considering the intended purpose was a potluck, the fridge and pantry is fully stocked with ingredients. Cooking Club is very loosely organized, and while Kotone does try to provide a decent amount of staple ingredients herself, it is very much expected that members of Cooking Club bring their own other ingredients to cook with. She might work a few part-time jobs, but not enough to feed the whole town herself!

Try not to set the kitchen on fire.

2. Potluck! (Gym)

Somehow, by the late afternoon, decorations were set up and food was prepared. You brought something, right? If you can't make your own, store-bought is fine. There are quite a few folding tables and chairs set out to make it easy to grab a seat and sit with someone to enjoy your food, plus drinks of all kinds, alcoholic and non. It's a party, after all! Kotone's MP3 player plugged into a stereo is playing a mix of electronica and J-Pop from the mid-to-late 2000s, but anyone is welcome to take the metaphorical aux cord and switch it up.

There are always games! It's designed like a school gym, so there's more than a few different supplies for sports. Volleyball or basketball, anyone? Anyone bring a board game? There's always the classics like Truth or Dare or Never Have I Ever, but play at your own risk!

3. Clean Up

Are you really going to make the birthday girl be responsible for cleaning up after her own party? Surely someone else will help out with sweeping up the confetti, making sure all the food is either in the fridge or taken home by someone, and otherwise getting the building back in order for normal operations. Are you a goody-two-shoes who can't leave well enough alone? This one's for you.

[ooc: please treat this as a mingle! no invitation was needed and no one will be checking at the door -- Kotone just wants to have fun with her friends! the prompts here are just suggestions, please feel free to cause as much chaos as you'd like]

Comments

party time!!

[orphne]

1.

[Someone didn't get invited to the set-up portion of things because someone wasn't planning on making a big deal out of any of this! She'd just thought it would be fun to spend time with her friends, eat some food, and have a good time!

So she can't be found until the actual planned potluck was supposed to start, cheeks flushed with more than a little embarrassment as she keeps trying to pretend that they're all just together to get some food! Ignore the banner that says, "Happy Birthday Kotone" because that's super-embarrassing. Like, she made cupcakes and cookies, that's way better to focus on, right? Plus, Scott keeps looking dopey and sappy and he definitely kissed her at least once where people can see, and that's even more embarrassing!!

In spite of that, though, anyone who makes eye contact with her, she'll give a bright smile, trying to ignore her flushed cheeks.] Hey! Thanks for coming.

[If anyone gives her a present, she will turn into a tomato. It is neither expected nor required.]

2.

[Even at her own party, Kotone can't help but end up working. If Mitsuru's party last month was anything to go by, it's a good idea to have someone who actually knows how to man a bar, right? So she's set herself up with a few different varieties to mix drinks. Seltzer and juice? She's got you. Something harder? She can make that work, too, but don't get too messed up because that's no fun. She's not afraid to cut anyone off! Even if anyone makes the mistake of wandering too close, she perks up with a smile.]

What can I get you!

[Someone please get her to enjoy herself at a party that's meant for her...]

3.

Hey!

[Look out! Kotone's suddenly holding an imaginary microphone up with a grin, eyes sparkling with mischief.]

Truth or dare! You gotta pick one!

1

[battlefieldbrat]

[kakashi wasn't planning to come when it was just a potluck. he's not huge on cooking club and he's not very social anyway. but then it became a birthday party and scott kind of bullied him into coming so -

- here he is, bearing a small, awkwardly-wrapped, lumpy gift. it's a dog because of course it is. at her greeting, he bows shortly and offers her the gift with both hands outstretched.]

You're Kotone, right? Happy birthday.

[look at him gooooooo he's doing so good!! pat him on the head or something.]

3!!!

[threadmage]

[ Sandry has been hanging around the party for a little while after giving Kotone her initial happy birthday wishes and a wrapped box that contained a hand sewn tote bag; cute fabric, a decent carrying capacity, and lots of pockets and zippers to carry small accessories.

And, oh! Even in Sandry's time she's heard about this game. She puts on a thoughtful face for only just a moment before grinning. ]

Truth!

2

[elevatoravatar]

Elizabeth looks at the drinks, then at her brother's guest and ponders, "I do not know. Perhaps if you have a favorite drink I could drink one with you?"

2!

[luneminary]

[Ryoji was quick to discover at how much he loves birthday parties. They matched his usual energy so well, vibrant and exuberant in all of the right ways! No wonder he is one of its most enthusiastic participants, from setting up the party to enjoying all the festivities.

Of course, the day cannot pass before he gives her presents. He's been proud of them too, for being both cute and Scott-approved! If only she hasn't been so busy taking care of everyone's needs. He can't help but sigh as he looks on fondly, when that is the exact kind of behavior he has been expecting from her.

Fate finally shines down upon him when it's his turn to be asked for a drink. Ryoji, however, has other plans in mind.]

Then may I have the birthday celebrant for myself, Kotone-chan? Just for a moment, of course!

[Rate that pick-up line out of ten?]

2

[garbagecanned]

[it's probably the most stern Yosuke's ever looked at Kotone. he's standing there, hands on his hips...]

You're so not working at your own birthday party. Go sit your ass down.

[AND HE MEANS IT]

3

[cursegod]

[Girl, she was just trying to hand you your present and peace out. Now she has to pick something without context? Dara definitely looks uncertain.]

...Is this some sort of verbal ritual?

3

[foxphorus]

[ He was also just here for present delivery, but ope, here we go. No idea what that gesture means, but he's pretty sure he knows full well about the twinkle in her eyes.

Oh dear.]

If I say "dare"?

wildcard because i can

[laserguy]

[After the party has been cleaned up and they wave goodbye to the last of their friends, Scott will easily slide next to her on a bench, their shoulders gently knocking as he smiles at her with that same dopey ass face he's been sporting all night. Well, it's maybe a little less dopey, replaced by a warmth that shines despite the cover of his glasses, his voice expressive and soft.]

Enjoyed your party?

[He teases, because he knows she enjoyed it, but he has to ask anyway. Also, ignore the small package that he's holding, because he hasn't yet given her his present. He just wanted to do it without the chaos of the party surrounding them.] Or do you need another rendition of 'happy birthday' sung to you?

3

[theskyaccepts]

[Oh how does he keep finding himself in these situations. He hates this game. He's got enough embarrassments to last a lifetime and he's terrible at dares.

But it is Kotone's birthday.]

Hie? Do I have to?

1

[entreats]

[ Well, at least it means that there won't be only one embarrassed person in this thread. Ange definitely looks awkward already - like just being present at this occasion is enough to naturally make her look a touch flustered. She really didn't want to come, but somewhere between Scott's persuasion and Ange's general decency, she really didn't feel like she could skip out.

So it means plan B is being activated. Make sure Kotone knows she's here, give her a present, and then dip as soon as it's socially acceptable. ]

.. No problem. [ Ange's voice is a little more quiet than the usual. Mostly because she's trying to hide the fact that she can't sound entirely emotionless right now.. She's so flustered, even her cheeks are vaguely pink. ] It'd be kind of shitty if I didn't turn up, you know? We're housemates and all..

wildcard

[invinciblemikey]

(well. he told scott he was coming, but he can't come in. it doesn't feel right to, it'd sour the mood. so, he texts kotone to let her know - 'i'm outside. can you come see me for a moment?'

nothing came up to mind when he thought of gifts, but he does bring something. before he left, she was more than apt to move up on her belt. around his hand, an orange band to symbolize it.)

1

[joyboys]

Heyyyyy!

[ to be more accurate, the yell starts from some ways away, quieter due to the distance, and then just grows louder as luffy barrels his way to where kotone is standing; he screeches to a halt right in front of her, a bag strapped to his back that he swings forward and shoves it at her. ]

You're Kotone, right? I talked to you before! I'm Luffy, the man who's gonna be the pirate king!! Anyway, here — [ he gestures to the bag, which contains a whole grilled leg of something that's as close to a sea beast that he could find here, grilled by him, because that's the only food he knows how to make, over an open fire, and because it would have felt like cheating to bring her a present made by someone else ] This's for you! Happy birthday!

3

[pallasathena]

[Aigis tilts her head, unfamiliar with the game.]

Truth or dare? I have to choose to be truthful or daring...?

3; i was gonna go for 1 but then i saw truth or dare.

[chemex]

[Ma'am he was about to bring you a preposterous amount of curry and you blindsided him. He starts, going still for a moment before he quirks an eyebrow.]

Dare, 100%. Do your worst.

1. I'm so late lmao

[killjoyprince]

[Send help, Naoto had no idea what she was doing. She'd never attended a birthday party before, or given anyone other than her grandfather a gift before.

But... She owed Kotone an apology. It seemed to polite to bring a gift even if she didn't intend to stay longer than needed to not be rude. She lingered on the outskirts of the party, waiting patiently for a moment when Kotone seemed free.

Then walked up to her, offering the small, neatly wrapped parcel. Please ignore that her cheeks were flushed. Though she quickly bowed her head.]

Happy birthday. I... [She swallowed.] I apologise for my misgivings about your person.

[Happy birthday?]

Scott Summers | ota

[laserguy]

i; setting up
[What happens you combine someone that wants to make things just perfect for the birthday girl but at the same time can be just a little anal? You get a bitchy Scott Summers. It's not really common, as the teen is usually kind of easygoing, but he really wants this to be special! So, anyone that's come early to volunteer with setup will immediately be put to work.

Sometimes Scott has thrown a packet of balloons at someone, telling them to inflate them, or maybe you're helping him put up a banner and he's yelling at you to lower your side just a couple of inches.

When he's not in bossy mode, he'll still be standing and staring at a banner with a small frown. Because it's crooked, right? It definitely looks crooked.]

It's crooked.

ii; singing happy birthday
[So the cake is out with a bunch of unlit candles and it is almost time to start singing happy birthday to the girl of the hour. What? You mean she wasn't expecting this to happen? Well, Scott is going to make sure that everyone is on board or that she doesn't try to blow out the candles before they're able to sing. And look, normally he's not a singing guy, but. Special occasion and all that.

So, anyone that's just standing around and enjoying their food or whatever, will get Scott to come over with a look that's both determined and just a little smug.]

We're singing happy birthday, got it?

iii; clean up
[Of course Scott has stuck around to help clean, there's no way he was going to make his girlfriend clean up after her party. It's easy to find him putting things in trash bags or even sweeping the floor with a broom, but once in a while, he'll look over at Kotone with all the presents she got. She seems so happy, doesn't she?

He tilts his face to anyone nearby, brandishing a small smile at them.]

Hey... thanks for coming. It really meant a lot to her.

wildcard;
[Got a different idea! Hit me up. Scott will ofc be helping with the set up and playing a couple of games, like Truth or Dare or Never Have I ever, so he's definitely around and easy to get him involved with something.]

i. (◕‿◕)

[luneminary]

[For better or for worse, Scott's grumpiness is really easy to get used to. And alright, maybe he is a bit too snappish this time, with the hour of the party approaching fast. But Ryoji knows it comes from a good heart, and a simple desire to make sure it's all perfect for Kotone. And that's what they all want, don't they?

Right now though, that isn't the driving force behind his concern.]

You should take a break, Scott-san.

[He's cheery, even as he tries to fix the banner. Emphasis on try, because it's hard to get it exactly straight, but it's not like Scott would notice a miniscule difference, right? ...Right?]

You've been fussing about all morning! Would you really be happy if you have to greet her with so many wrinkles on your face?

iii

[cursegod]

[Dara had meant to drop off Kotone's present while disguised as human and disappear quickly, but she's somehow been roped into staying until the end. Being a wallflower and cleaning is so much easier to handle than socializing. So when Scott speaks up, Dara frowns to herself and stays quiet for a moment as she continues to pack away leftover food.]

...I guess this is the second birthday party I've actually attended.

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt is here and ready to party in his human disguise! He ended up baking some birthday brownies for Kotone. They kinda crumble apart easily, but they're covered with pink whipped cream messily spelling out "Happy birthday Kotone" across the whole of the brownies. He had to do his best for his best friend's girl - and a cool friend and housemate in her own right!

Meet him chowing on the brownies, or see him pulling out his dorky dance moves while the electronica and J-Pop are playing.]

What is this song?! [He exclaims with wonder while busting some moves!

OR engage him in a game of Truth or Dare or Never Have I Ever!]

[laserguy]

[Hopefully Kurt didn't have to endure too much of Scott's Dictatorship Mode--

At least things are a lot more chill now, with the party ongoing and Kotone definitely having fun. It's so easy to just smile at her from afar and watch people give her presents and see that flush, obvious to even him, take hold. But Scott's not here to wax poetic about his girlfriend in front of his best friend, he's here to look at the brownies that he's worked so hard on. He stands next to Kurt as he looks down at the somewhat messy spelling, but it's the thought that counts? He likes it anyway.

He pats Kurt on the shoulder.]

It looks good dude.

[Hopefully they taste good too? They'll probably be better than the Terror Muffins that Kurt explained to him before.]

[orphne]

It's fun, right?!

[It's while Kurt is dancing to one of her favorite songs that Kotone joins right in, laughing right alongside him. Dancing is just moving your body and not caring if it's weird or bad, so-! That's the spirit she's trying to embody.]

Scott told me you made the brownies. They're really good!

[She might have suggestions for how to improve them for next time, but she's not a jerk.]

yu narukami | ota

[izanagis]

i, during the party

[Yu spends much of the party socializing, feeling lighter and more like himself than he has in weeks. So he's back to his usual, poking his nose into whatever business he can find. While playing truth or dare, he'll usually go with:]

Dare.

[And there's a little glint in his eye, like he's challenging you to make it a good one.

Later, he gravitates toward the basketball hoop. He's been thinking a lot about the Strength arcana lately, and maybe that's why he looks nostalgic for a moment as he picks up the ball. Either way, if you look like you're interested in joining, he'll tip his head in your direction.]

Want to play?

ii, pre- and post-party

pre-party. [This had been the plan: help set up, then go home to get some food ready for the party, then return precisely on time. Yu hadn't entirely considered the fact that he could cook something right in the building, so -- here he is now, and he's doing his best to be helpful in every capacity he can.

Earlier in the setup process, he can be found hanging streamers, something he's gotten much better at since the last time he had to decorate anything. If approached, he'll ask for a set of hands or an opinion on whether the streamers are hanging straight. Later, he can be found cooking, and while it's normally a one-person gig, anyone who comes to say hi will be put to work. probably slicing onions or something.]

post-party. [Yu has never been the kind of person to leave things half finished, hence why he's still here, helping to clean up. What a responsible boy he is. At the moment, he has a handful --or dust pan-ful-- of glitter and confetti, and you happen to be standing by the trash can.] Can you open that for me, please? I could use a hand.

[In other clean-up areas, such as packing up food, he's less in need of help, but more available for conversation.] Nice party, huh?

wildcard
[yall know how this one goes]

[elevatoravatar]

Elizabeth peers at her sister's guest. She had heard of this Truth or Dare, and was hoping for some truths, sure time is a mess with these people, but she still has questions. Still, to open with Dare.

"So you open with Dare, understanding the consequences of such an action?"

post-party!

[luneminary]

[It's been an exciting day for everyone involved, and Ryoji here is of no exception. He, too, came in early to help set up the decorations and prepare the spread. It's not surprising that he decided to stay behind to help clean up as well - not when Kotone-chan is such a dear person to him! Still, you could tell that there's an edge of exhaustion behind his chipperness, energy entirely spent. Not that he's going to complain about it - he did sign up for this!

He hands over to Yu one of the packed up leftovers - spaghetti neatly squeezed into tupperwear.] Yeah, it's been fun! I haven't seen this many streamers in a building before.