[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

[khajidont]

You probably could. I mean, if you'd know how to make it go into space... not that I'd really want to go into space.

[What Ted is doing is exciting, but the idea of Kaidan wanting to build his own is a different level of exciting. So long as Ted doesn't think they're just ripping off his idea, or anything, they could try building something together. Maybe not as ambitious as the Bug, but surely they could cobble together an engine, or something.]

What would you wanna do with a ship, anyway? I never really thought about using one for myself.

[kanadian]

I don't know, use it to help people? We could try and haul people out of trouble, if they need it?

[ He shrugged. ] I don't know if we could actually get to space, or if the government would be alright with that.

They might get a little mad.

[khajidont]

They'd probably get pretty mad unless we handed the tech over. [He grimaces.] Which would kind of blow, for the record, so maybe space travel is out of bounds. If you wanna get your hands on some tech, though, why don't you start small, see how much you can improve on it? It's not a bad sounding project to have.

[He and Kaidan may be decent with tech, but they're no engineers. The Hamadas, or Tony Stark, or Ted will be able to do twice their work in half the time, but who said that they couldn't have some fun with it anyway...?]

[kanadian]

Hah, we'll see. I'd have to figure out a reason for doing it, wouldn't I? Besides, I'm not exactly a ship engineer, I'm more of a... on-the-go repairman. Occasional programmer. Nothing special.

[ He'd done his share of repairs, sure. But really, Kaidan was mostly the guy you called when your console wasn't working, or when things weren't firing quite right on the ship. Tech support, but not the guy who could re-build the engine's core systems. That was more Tali's area of expertise. ]

[khajidont]

Yeah, s'why it'd just be for fun instead of for real. You know, back when they were first testing me out, the guys at the garage gave me a trashed hoverboard to work on. If you want, I can always ask to take some other junk they can't use, and you can mess around with those.

[He grins.] So long as Shepard won't mind the mess.

[kanadian]

You know he'll probably ask to ride on whatever it is I make.

And break everything in the apartment.

[ It was Shepard. ]

But sure, why not. I don't know, maybe I'll luck into something.

[khajidont]

Then he should ride it outside where he can break the sidewalk instead!

[It was Shepard. He'll be okay.]

I'll take a look around our junk box on my next shift and see if they'll let me just grab some of the junk. It's not like they'd get any money for it anyway, so we might as well get some use out of it.

[kanadian]

That's like asking Shepard to think about something other than the thrill. [ He said, but there was no heat to it. Obviously it wasn't that much of a concern, or he'd be a little more forceful about "no dangerous things in the house", which he wasn't exactly sticking to. ]

You don't mind hanging out more with a girzzled old space marine like me though, huh? Although if you want to, we'll see if we can't do something pretty cool.

[khajidont]

Aw, Kaidan, don't be so hard on yourself.

[It should be pretty evident from the smile on Jaime's face that nothing nice is coming out of his mouth next.]

You're not grizzled!

[Shut up, he's hilarious.]

[kanadian]

Wow.

[ Flatly, almost dryly. Really, Jaime? Even so, the smile on his face is wide. ]

I'll remember that, next time you need someone who's seen some action. Don't look at me, I'm not grizzled enough.

[khajidont]

I can't believe you're more offended that I said you're not grizzled than that I called you old.

[Either way, his poking fun hit home, so he's content with that.]

[kanadian]

I am old.

[ He said, with a half laugh. ] I call myself old. I don't know how I can be mad about that.

[khajidont]

You ruined my joke, [Jaime grumbles, but it's a good natured sort of sound.] How old are you, anyway? It's not like you're ancient.

[kanadian]

[ There's a laugh. ] Thirty five? Almost thirty six, I guess. [ He shrugged. ]

Old, but not that old. [ But war? It aged you. Being in the military did too. Soldiers who were still in active duty like he and Shepard at this age were few and far between. Now is when people started to get desk jobs, or retire. ]

[khajidont]

Give it a few more years and then we'll talk.

[What even counts as old anymore? Half his friends here are adults! Still, the almost quip catches his attention, so of course he has to ask:] So, when's that thirty five going onto thirty six?

[kanadian]

[ Thankfully, Kaidan is not quite as suspicious as he should be. He winced. ]

Next month? On the eighteenth.

[ He was military, celebrating his birthday was normally calling home and saying hi, and getting a package from his mother. ]

[khajidont]

[Hear that, Khaji? Remember that date! Usually, he's inquisitive enough to ask about what Kaidan usually does for his birthday, but now, he has to be sneaky. Oh, sure, he may not do anything that comes as a huge surprise, but even a little surprise will probably be pleasant enough.

So instead, he says,]

Birthdays around here are weird, huh? I mean, technically it can be your birthday, but physically, you might not be a whole year older.

[kanadian]

Yeah, that's exactly it. I know I should be turning thirty six, but I was only six months out from mine back home?

To be fair, though, I'm still... about a hundred and thirty plus years from even being born.

[khajidont]

Well, if we're going by that logic, then I'm in my twenties by now. I think me and Booster have had this conversation before. It comes up with the whole time travel thing.

[kanadian]

Someone you know? I think you guys have a better handle on this whole time travelling and alternate universe thing than we do, honestly. I'm just not used to it. I don't even know how it really works.

[khajidont]

Yeah, his whole thing is time travel. Honestly, I don't get it either. I could never figure out just... not changing stuff I don't want to happen, [he admits with a tiny laugh.] But I've run into alternate universe stuff way too much for that to really mess with me.

[kanadian]

Huh.

That's something, isn't it? Time travel, changing the past? I can barely wrap my head around this, let alone anything else, you know?

[khajidont]

God, I know. He's -- well, it's not really a secret. Booster Gold? You've probably seen the guy around on the network. He's the one who did those... calendars.

[kanadian]

Yeah, I think I've...seen him around? I haven't had much of an opportunity to talk to him, although...

He is from the future, right? He might have something in common with us.

[khajidont]

Not as far in the future as you guys, I don't think. Space is definitely not his -- okay, well, space is his thing in the superhero kinda way, where you wind up there incidentally, but I don't think he's ever been out there on purpose. Either way, I don't think you guys have too much in common. He just knows time travely stuff.