[open] ain't no party like a normandy party

[stealwithit]

WHO: The Normandy Crew + YOU!
WHERE: Some restaurant + bar in Heropa. Underage characters can totes get in!
WHEN: Evening of April 11th
WHAT: It's Commander Shepard's "surprise" birthday party!
WARNINGS: Excessive Fun?!?!

[ It's a mild, warm evening in Heropa, and although parts of the city are still recovering from the Hornet attack in February, many parts of it are bouncing back, and many local businesses are even celebrating as such, especially on a Saturday night like this.

It just so happens that one such mega-hip establishment has a particularly festive mood to it, tonight--the presence of balloons by the entrance (some of which say "Happy Birthday!" on them) might say as much. Inside, there are more balloons around one section of the joint, decorating both part of the bar and some of the tables and chairs. The place feels quite open, and they've opened up some areas to create an open-air feeling in addition to having an actual outdoor patio area. The general vibe is laid-back but energetic, the crowd a mix of regulars having dinner, people looking for an early start to getting down for the night, and people who are apparently gathering for some sort of party.

Usually, there's a live band that plays regularly at this place, but tonight? The jukebox is playing almost exclusively a selection of 90's music. For those who find themselves unable to take this music and would like to take matters into their own two hands and vocal chords, there's a karaoke machine in one corner of the restaurant, on a platform where the band would usually be playing.

For those who might get hungry, the restaurant's menu is comprised of typical bar/restaurant food. Those looking for something light might look at the appetizers like nachos, sliders, or mozzarella sticks, but those who are looking for real dinner might order a burger, pizza, or pasta. And for those who are looking to get their drink on, there's a fully-stocked bar, of course.

Also, there's a miniature model of this ship floating around, as if by magic.

So? How about it? It's Saturday night! ]

( ooc: this is an open mingle log for Commander Shepard's ~*surprise birthday party*~! if you're a friend of Shep, Kaidan, or Kasumi's, feel free to assume that you've been personally invited--otherwise, it's totally cool to have your character randomly wander in and meet people! top-level! tag around! MINGLE! PARTY! also, it's not really a surprise because Kaidan sucks at keeping secrets and let it slip to Shep. also, it's being held in a restaurant (and bar) so underage characters are more htan welcome to crash c: )

Comments

[hands4healing]

[She definitely is.] You're welcome!

Ah...there wouldn't be any gravity, would there? It has to be strange, being here for you. I mean...

[Winry gestures toward the ground.]

Here.

[stealwithit]

[ She chuckles. ]

I think there are a lot of strange things about [ she similarly gestures toward the ground ] here. But yeah, being stuck on Earth is one of them.

[ Especially an Earth that hasn't been near-decimated by giant robotic cuttlefish. ]

[hands4healing]

There are a lot of strange things here.

[Winry will agree to that readily.

But Kaidan and Ed had both talked about missing traveling. Winry guesses Kasumi feels the same way.]

I guess being stuck in one place when you're used to always being on the move is hard.

[stealwithit]

[ Kasumi folds her arms and tilts her head in thought. ]

It's difficult, sure, but I'd imagine that for some people, it's just what they needed.

Shep, for example. Guy probably could've used a break from constantly running around the galaxy, and now he's here. You can think of it like a forced vacation, right?

[hands4healing]

Do you think so? [Winry considers that. She's not sure if she believes it, but it could be because she feels a bit uneasy - Ed leaving to travel Amestris was one thing, he was well-known and, well, kind of respected. Ed leaving to travel this country, well...]

[stealwithit]

Call it my very loose interpretation of what's going on here. At least, it definitely feels like a vacation compared to the war going on back home.

[ She says it lightheartedly, despite the mention of. You know. War. ]

[hands4healing]

Mmm...we were in the middle of a war back home, too. Not me - I was...safe. But Ed, and...

[Winry spots Roy Mustang and Olivier Armstrong, and nods toward them.] Them. They were fighting back home.

I understand they won. [A small bit of pride in her voice at that - hey, she lived, and when she'd thought she'd died for so long, it's a great thing.]

[stealwithit]

[ Kasumi glances over when Winry nods towards the others from her world and nods, herself, noting that they indeed look like fighters. ]

I'm glad to hear it worked out. As for us, it doesn't seem like any of us are from a far enough point in time that we know what happens just yet.

[ She shrugs. ] But if there's anyone who can pull it of, it's Shep.

[hands4healing]

I had faith in Ed. I figured...I knew he could do it, he just needed some encouragement.

[It's good to know she was right in putting her faith in him, too.]

[stealwithit]

[ Kasumi smiles, and a hand goes up to one of her cheeks. ]

Wow. That is so sweet.

You guys seem to have a lot of history, huh?

[hands4healing]

We grew up together. I can't remember a time when I didn't know Ed and Al - his little brother.

[stealwithit]

So, childhood friends turned lovers.

[ She says it so casually it's probably embarrassing for Winry, to be honest. ]

Congratulations on breaking barriers. You know, I've read far too many stories where the childhood friend always gets relegated to "friend" status?

[hands4healing]

[She is definitely blushing again. Thanks, Kasumi!]

Ah...yes! Except...not the lovers part? I mean, ah...we've just...

[Such a bright bright blush.]

[stealwithit]

[ She lives to tease. Which is readily apparent by the way she grins. ]

Wait, you're not?

[hands4healing]

No! We - not - not like that!

[Geeze!]

[stealwithit]

[ Okay, now she just chuckles and waves her hand dismissively. ]

Okay, okay. Sorry. I couldn't resist.

[hands4healing]

[Winry's used to being teased about Ed, but usually by people she knows personally, not someone she just met.]

It's all right. I'm sure we deserve it.

[Hides behind a drink. That's a good idea.]

[stealwithit]

[ Sorry, Winry, Kasumi doesn't exactly know (or care, possibly) about boundaries. ]

I don't know if you deserve it, necessarily, but I do know that you two seem like a good pair, even from a stranger's point-of-view.

It must be nice to be stuck here with your significant other, huh?

[hands4healing]

[Like many other people she's met over the years.]

Thank you, Kasumi. I appreciate you saying that.

[Hopefully you've known Ed longer than you've known her.]

It's really good. I'm glad he's here even if there are things he needs to be doing back home.

[stealwithit]

[ Yeah, she's totally known Ed for longer. If about ten minutes longer counts. ]

I've heard that time stops flowing back home when you're here, which definitely makes things less complicated, but still.

[hands4healing]

That's my understanding, too. It doesn't change his...his need to do something.

[stealwithit]

Oh, definitely. But it's something like a small victory, right? [ if it could even be called that. ] We'd all be worse off if time flowed back home while we were all here enjoying the nice, tropical weather and sunny beaches of Florida.

[hands4healing]

Mmm, that's true!