🎤 🎂 ✨ (open)

[airdnd]

WHO: everyone!
WHERE: floor 32
WHEN: evening of 3/20
WHAT: karaoke mingle! 🎤 and yuji's birthday 🎂
WARNINGS: n/a


[ Sometime in the late afternoon of the 20th, server member @ sumina notifies everyone (yes, @ everyone) that there will be a guest get-together at one of the large lounges on Floor 32. No one is expected to bring anything but themselves, though those who have diligently combed through everyone's birthday codes might realize that a party happening today isn't purely coincidental...

...And if not, it becomes clear enough upon arrival! The lounge has been turned into a karaoke lounge, but that's not all - there are birthday balloons and streamers artfully placed around the room, along with a banner that reads: Happy Birthday, Yuji! and a birthday cake on one of the tables.

The karaoke machine magically knows every song from every world represented here at the hotel, so don't even worry about not having anything to sing. Even ancient hymns are included on this bad boy. Not the type to sing? Too bad. The microphone will at times simply choose someone to sing, flying into one's hand Mjolnir-style, and the only way to get it out of one's hand is to sing your little heart out. Bonus: tell us what your character sings! Maybe the machine will even give you a (RNG from 1-100) score...

For those waiting for their turn to sing, there are fun little instruments like castanets, maracas, and tambourines to play around with along with this little guy, and also fun party hats and costume pieces. Guests are also encouraged to take photos with a Polaroid camera that's going around, but for some reason, everyone's photos are coming out with strange filters over their faces?

There's also a veritable spread of Japanese food, snacks, and desserts over all the tables as well. Yes, including Pocky... There's juice and also juice (for the grown-ups) and the staff are around should anyone have any special requests.

Have fun! ]

Comments

yuji itadori ( open!! )

[eyescar]

[ Yuji is, of course, beyond excited to go to a get-together - especially after how rough the last few weeks have been for him - so he's making his way up to the floor as soon as he's told it's time to go, stepping in and feeling a bubble of excitement when he recognises that it is.

Karaoke!

He's a little too enchanted by the fact that there's a chance for karaoke to notice the decorations, at least at first, but when he steps into the room he realises... Happy Birthday... Him? He stands, staring at the banner and the cake for a moment, as if he's lost all ability to think, and then he's lifting his hand to his mouth to stop himself from either laughing or crying. His body can't seem to figure out which one it wants to do. ]

All this... It's too much, don't you think?

[ But, more than anything else, he's so obviously happy that any sad thoughts are chased away immediately.

For the rest of the night, Yuji is everywhere! He greets people, he sings, he dances, he has some cake, and he definitely messes around with every single instrument. If someone wants to sing a duet and doesn't have a partner, he volunteers. He ends up staying up late, but looks absolutely over the moon when the evening comes. ]

Leonidas {open!}

[spartankingleonadias]

With all the akwardness, Leonidas is suddenly checking every room and lounge because he's confused. There's noise coming out of this room and suddenly the man busts in.

"Hello!"

"Uh..."

[airdnd]

[ It's not too much at all! Still, Sumina is glad when Yuji seems to lean into his joy more and more throughout the night, and she'll be glad to just let him do his thing, singing his heart out, performing duets, rocking out on the various instruments, being, you know, a young teenager...

In between songs at some point, though, she'll approach him with her hands behind her back. ]

Yuji! May I steal you away for a moment?

[eyescar]

[ It's nice to let himself be happy for a little while, excited to do one of his favourite hobbies. He didn't even consider the possibility of doing karaoke here - why would he, with everything else going on? - but now that he's here, it seems like such an obvious thing to do in the hotel. It's hard for him to keep himself under control, but he's managing.

He stops what he's doing when Sumina approaches, expression immediately warming. ]

Of course you can! What's up, Sumina-san?

[feyfound]

[ Juniper is, as ever, having the time of her life at a party! She will gladly partake in singing along to whoever is up, confidently following every melody she doesn't know while reading lyrics she's never seen, and is only too happy to rock out on the tambourine. She might be a little off-beat.

When the microphone flies into her hand, she is only too happy to rise to the challenge, and... hits a button to randomize her song! It lands on a catchy, poppy tune. ]

Whoa! There are so many ladies in this troupe of bards!

[ She's even more delighted when the video on the screen shows them dancing! She will be trying her best to follow the moves, too! Partway through the song, when she thinks she's gotten the hang of it, she'll grab someone - maybe even.. you!? - from wherever they're sitting. ]

Come on, let's do the dance together!

[ Otherwise, catch her chowing down and having drinks. Possibly drinks she's not allowed to be drinking (?). ]

[airdnd]

[ She can't help but smile back - how could she not, when met with such a warm expression from Yuji?

Something occurs to her, though, and for a moment she looks thoughtful and a little bit bashful. ]

Actually, ah... You could call me by my nickname if you'd like. Yuji. It's Mina.

[ "Mina-san" would be fine, too. He doesn't need to be so formal with her, so perhaps asking him to call her by her nickname can be a step towards that. ]

[eyescar]

For real?

[ Yuji brightens immediately. She calls him just 'Yuji', which doesn't bother him, he prefers it, and there's no way he's going to reject her. Nodding, he swallows back the bubbling excitement he's still feeling.

His energy is probably a little infectious, but he's not going to hold back. Not when they've all been so sad. ]

Okay, Mina-san!

[airdnd]

Yes, for real.

[ She chuckles... These modern phrases are so amusing sometimes! Anyhow, she would have understood if he would politely refuse, but all the same, it's a relief that he goes with it.

And now, for the real reason she pulled him away from the festivities... boom, prezzie! Sumina draws her hands away from her back to brandish an impeccably-wrapped gift box at Yuji. ]

Well, here you are. Happy birthday, Yuji!

[eyescar]

[ The present makes his eyes widen even further - it's almost comedic, isn't it? - before he reaches out to take it. He's a little overwhelmed; in the past, birthdays had been quiet affairs with himself and his grandpa, so this is all... A lot.

Not that he's upset by it. He's happy, so happy, but it definitely feels overwhelming. He hadn't realised how special people thought he was. ]

You didn't have to do that... Thanks, Mina-san...

[cathasahat]

[ Lynette can be found sitting in one of the corners that's further from the speakers, but despite the noise she doesn't seem to be too bothered. She's found a sparkly teal party hat (matching her bow) that she's placed on her head. Unsurprising to anyone who knows her, she's somehow managed to acquire tea and is sipping that instead of juice.

She doesn't seem inclined to sing, and the karaoke machine seems to ~coincidentally~ glitch whenever the microphone attempts to choose her. But if anyone pulls her onto stage with them, she'll go along with their song...albeit with a perfectly straight face and mostly monotone voice. Or she'll just find the maracas and shake them as backup instrumentation while she encourages the singer. ]

You've got this~

[ At some point in the evening, she can also be found inspecting the otamatone curiously. She holds the face up to her, well, face so she can squint at it--and then is startled when she figures out how it makes noise. ]

I didn't think it would sound like that.

[cathasahat]

Are you Yuji? Happy birthday.

[ She's found a party popper and opens it in his direction. ]

[cathasahat]

[ Lynette is surprised when she finds herself on the metaphorical stage, but doesn't object. She also seems to pick up the moves relatively quickly, although her singing and expressions are definitely on the more deadpan side. At the end of the song, she turns and curtsies politely to Juniper. ]

That was...fun? I haven't seen music like that before.

[feyfound]

[ Oh!? This lady has kitty ears and a tail, just like she has bunny ears and a tail! That means, legally, they're best friends now (no).

At the end of the song, Juniper giggles as she gives a less refined curtsy back. ]

I'm impressed, you kept up so well, miss! It was a lot of fun, wasn't it!? That was new for me, too.

[airdnd]

[ Ah, the young miss who fed her while she was a little Pomeranian... well, now is as good a time as any to meet properly and apologize for her canine behavior last month...

...After she tries out the otomatone. Sumina can't help but chuckle at how she startles at the sound it makes - it's the least deadpan that she's seen the young woman be all evening. ]

Ahaha, surprising, isn't it? I didn't expect it to sound like that, either, but what a funny sound!

[ A beat, then she adds: ] Miss Lynette, yes? It's me, Sumina. We, ah, met last month when I was a dog. I wanted to apologize for my lack of manners back then...

[airdnd]

[ The doors to the lounge fly open rather unceremoniously, and though there's likely some kind of pause or interruption in the festivities, Sumina is quick to get up from her seat to keep things moving and usher Leonidas in. ]

King Leonidas! Welcome. You look... confused?

[ ...Oh. Maybe he stumbled upon this party, rather than seeing her message about it, given his struggles with technology... ]

[airdnd]

[ There was never going to be a quiet birthday for Yuji with Gojo around, but it's true that Sumina's efforts probably only enhanced how Much it all is. ]

You're very welcome, Yuji. I wanted to give you something, so don't fret.

[ She won't urge him to open the present right this moment, but whenever it is that he does, he'll find this within, along with a handwritten note from Sumina that says, "For our next afternoon spent gardening. Happy Birthday." ]

Is it all right if I give you a hug?

[unliminal]

[ Of course, they'll have to perform a duet at some point, neither of them will allow this party to end until it happens, but first things first: Gojo is zipping right up to Yuji's side soon after he's arrived, throwing an arm around his shoulders and affectionately mussing his hair with his hand. ]

Yuji-kun! HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAAAY! Do you want your gift now, or do you want it now?

[ Hopefully he wants it now...although notably, Gojo doesn't appear to have anything in either of his hands. ]

[cathasahat]

I'm better at following movements than the emotional expression. You also did well for your first time.

[cathasahat]

[ When Sumina speaks, Lynette looks up from the otomatone, which is still held near her face. ]

I thought it was going to be like a wind instrument...

--oh, it's nice to meet you again. I don't think you were rude before.

[ Though Lynette isn't the best to ask about manners--she knows about them but is usually too lazy to care. ]

[feyfound]

Uh-huh! You were like this the whole time!

[ She does her best deadpan Lynette impression. But even so, there's no hint of mocking or anything mean-spirited about Juniper's gesture, just an observation. ]

They were doing a lot of this— [ she makes heart hands and winks! ] and this! [ makes another cute pose with a big smile! ]

[airdnd]

[ Sumina smiles. She looks rather adorable with her unbothered face and the silly-looking otomatone next to it.

Though speaking of before... Sumina had assumed, back then, that the cat ears were a result of the hotel's magic, but it turns out to not be the case with this guest! ]

Oh, then... I'm relieved! I don't normally... go around begging for food and such, so I was worried.

By the way, would you like to keep it? [ she gestures at the otomatone. ]

[eyescar]

Waah, Mina-san...

[ Yuji is lifting the hat to put it on his head immediately, his expression warming into something burningly tender and warm. He's clearly so happy - he's not used to this, not accustomed to people wanting to give him gifts, especially for something as simple as a birthday, so...

It means a lot to him.

Opening his arms, he beams at her. ]

I want a hug! Thank you!

[eyescar]

Yeah, that's me!

[ Grinning, he reaches out and takes a popper himself, bursting it in her direction in return. ]

Thank you! This is kind of crazy, huh?

[eyescar]

Sensei! Thank you!

[ Gojo is so loud, but right now Yuji doesn't mind. He's glad to have something happy and exciting after all of their shared sadness, and being able to celebrate his birthday with Gojo-sensei is exactly what he had wished for from the beginning. He wanted to spend more time with him and Nanamin, and that's what he's getting.

Why wouldn't he be happy?

Looking at Gojo's hands, he tilts his head, frowning a little. ]

What gift? You don't have anything!

[airdnd]

[ He's adorable in the hat, just like she suspected he would be, even for how unfamiliar she is with that particular type! It looked cute on the mannequins and displays at the mall, so...

More importantly, she leans right in for that hug, winding her arms around Yuji tightly. It's been... a challenging few weeks, but just like that, her own burdens feel a little bit lighter. They're going to be okay. They're all going to be okay... Yuji's birthday is a testament to the fact. ]

You're welcome, Yuji!

[ She squeezes her arms around him a little more, very much in the way that someone overcome with cute aggression might be... ]

You look so adorable in it. I'm already looking forward to our next bout of gardening.

[ And then she lets go! ]