[ME] Fuck it up if it's your birthday bitch

Let's make tonight the weekend, I don't wanna wait

A hush has fallen over the house in the moments leading up to the arrival of the birthday girl. From all the chaos of the day prepping it alongside Sohalia (a timeline which we’re not going to try and untangle now) and Ronin, to what’s sure to be roaring good time moments from now, this is the eye of the storm.

Outside, the band waits in equal suspense, waiting for the cue of a shouted surprise! to begin playing again. They’re set up near the pool but not in the splash zone, framed by tiki torches. There an outdoor bar featuring one of three signature drinks, the Mythical Mai Tai, which is signified by the large ice sculpture of a tumsea in the surf.

Inside, there’s an open walkway from the entrance to the outdoors. On one side, an arrangement of tables and chairs in seafoam green linens with candle centerpieces that have floral and tropical notes. Across from the tables are the caterers, serving as a buffet-style dinner. Near them is a fake greenery wall that has Flora’s name largely decorating it in cursive font, which is beside the indoor bar featuring the Blue Torcher signature drink. At the entrance, a balloon arch of gold, sage green, and dark green welcomes every arrival. Similar styled clusters of balloons and streamers decorate the general party space. Nearby, the kitchen hosts the other signature drink, the Twisted Tide.

Kaisel crouches near the entrance, where her cake is on prominent display and space for her gifts, placed there by those who have arrived. He’s wearing tan linen shorts, loose and light, with a white boho shirt open wide down his chest, revealing his pendant from her. It’s embroidered along the collar and down the front with an aqua to match her eyes, the design faintly floral. The moment she steps in, the breath he’s been holding in anticipation bursts forth with his body as he shouts, ”SURPRISE!”

---

Flora's surprise birthday bash! Assume your character is already here and jumping out to say surprise! Or you can show up fashionably late after the surprise is done.

Luau theme, Kaisel asked you to have worn something that matches Flora's eyes in some way, and he sent out invites but anyone who knows and likes Flora is welcome!

Signature Drinks
1. Mythical Mai Tai - orange and pineapple juice with a mix of both coconut and spiced rum, along with some grenadine syrup - outside bar
2. Blue Torcher - a little bit of vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and blue curaçao, plus some sweet-and-sour mix and some lemon-lime soda - inside bar
3. Twisted Tide - tall glass, white rum, blue curaçao, coconut water, some lemon juice, some pineapple juice, and soda water to top it off. Garnished with Molten Pineapple on the rim and a tiny paper umbrella - kitchen

Menu
Buffet style, caterers are inside across from the dining tables
Main: Kalua pulled pork
Side: Molokai sweet potatoes (baked)
Dessert: Fresh fruit and chocolate haupia pie

Cake
A colourful cake (see image for inspo) flavouered with coconut rum, brown sugar and pineapple juice, along with a collection of pineapple upsidedown cupcakes to go with it - visible near the entrance

Kaisel

Got no reason not to celebrate

Sohalia

I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

The house was quiet, awaiting the arrival of the birthday girl, who was due to arrive at any moment. Soh hid near the gift table - not quite as front and center as Kaisel, who had planned this and therefore deserved Flora's thanks and attention, but close enough that Flora wouldn't miss her presence. She'd changed from the clothes she'd worn to party prep and into a simple cocktail dress in the aqua of Flora's eyes. The dress was sleeveless and fell to mid-thigh, revealing silver heels that matched the jewelry that Soh had adorned herself with.

She'd never been to a surprise party before, and she found herself breathless with anticipation, eager to see Flora's reaction to what was sure to be the event of the year. Kaisel had really gone all out, and Soh appreciated the effort he'd put into making this the perfect party. Not for the first time, she had to admit what a perfect pair they made, and as they waited, she shot him an encouraging smile and two thumbs up. (Yes, we're ignoring timelines.) And when Flora stepped into the room, Soh was among the first to leap to her feet with a gleeful shout of, "SURPRISE!"

I was enchanted to meet you

Mateo

Should'a seen what I wore
I had a cane and a party hat

Mateo had gotten out of party planning, something he's simultaneously glad about but also plans to fiercely scrutinise depending on the decor, and he has perhaps already sampled each of the three signature cocktails to taste test them. It means he's already buzzed and more than willing to participate in shenanigans leading up to Flora's arrival, the botanist having chosen to hide himself among the greenery wall. 

Alright, 'hide' is an overstatement - he's sort of crouched there but in plain sight, a Blue Torcher in one hand and an aqua feather boa tossed around his shoulders. He's wearing sunglasses - to shade his eyes from his sister's beauty, obviously - and a pair of linen shorts (also aqua), along with an open shirt obnoxiously decorated with encantados. And as the Doubletake finally does arrive, Mateo leaps to his feet alongside everyone else, raising his drink high. "Sorpresa!"

I was the king of this hologram
where there's no such thing as getting out of hand

NIKI

Niki might have been in the middle of moving regions, but he wouldn't miss this for the world. And given Kaisel's invite and instructions, the necromancer shows up accordingly. Granted, he doesn't have (or rather, will not wear) anything luau-themed that would feel typical of Torchline's fashions, but he has gotten the memo about Flora's eyes. And so, in a soft aqua sweater with a light linen blazer thrown over it, he waits out of sight where he won't have to worry about crouching and potentially never getting up again.

Instead, calling, "Surprise!" along with everyone else when Flora finally makes her entrance, he steps out from around the doorway leading to the outside bar, smiling broadly towards the Doubletake and offering an imaginary toast - unlike some of the other attendees, he hasn't yet gotten himself a drink.

my body's on the line now, I can't fight this time now
I can feel the light shine on my face

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

open hand or closed fist would be fine

Call it habit, but when it came to finding somewhere to hide so they can spring out later to surprise Flora, Danta had immediately opted to hunker down behind the inside bar. That means, naturally, that he's also dragged Astaroth with him for the privilege. Bouncing from a solitary vacation in Hak Etme to the chaos of Charlie's baby shower to this is guaranteed to have some sort of consequence eventually, but right now Danta is too stoked to be spending Leafchange partying to care.

He's dressed in a pair of flowing linen pants decorated with vibrant aqua starfish, along with a macrame shirt that has a variety of seashells and other beach detritus sewn into it, his hair left loose and unruly as he pops up behind the bar with a broad grin. "SURPRISE!" He trills, tail flicking its excitement, hands already reaching to pass out drinks to ensure everyone gets - and stays - as merry as possible.

Dantalion

the blood is rare and sweet as cherry wine

reaching for a book of matches
strike a light and then you'll see the real mess that i am

It’s truly a feat for the butcher to manage to make it this far into the party without gnawing off an arm (whether it’s his or someone else’s is anyone’s guess) but Danta has ensured it will go smoothly – given that the first manner of business was ensuring that muzzle was placed perfectly along his face, in such a way that it’s difficult to remove for himself which leaves it up for Danta to manage whenever it’s time.

Attire wise, this season is the only time of year that the butcher dresses down. The feeling of clothes a bit too much to withstand for prolonged moments of time, so it’s with a lovely aqua blue sheer shirt that the butcher wears – buttoned up only halfway, sleeves rolled up, that leaves very little of his scars to imagination with the even more sheer and nearly see through floral pattern that breaks up the monotonous fabric.

Black pants accompany it alongside boots, but they’re flexible and move easily with his tail that he sweeps up beside them where they hide beneath the bar, Asta’s head angled in such a way that it makes it so his antlers don’t scratch the underside of the bar. It’s truly a feat, and it’s a wonder his neck isn’t going to stay bent that way, but it isn’t going to last long.

Not as the SURPRISE leaves Danta, the both of them popping up as his rich voice accompanies the merriment with his own “Surprise, darling!” Before he’s absolutely hovering over the Maverick’s shoulder as he hands out drinks, eyeing each person that snags one from his fiancé and trying his damndest to be on his best behavior.

Astaroth

i swear it's nothing personal - i swear it's nothing personal //////

I've done nothing wrong
Except for all the atrocities

The Honeybee, eternally associated her Ludo demigod capabilities, loved surprises and adored Flora, so the combination set amongst the invitation was enough to ensure she was home when the time came. While tempting to surround herself with mai tais and food already, she figured she could await their impending guest, trying desperately not to snag at a balloon in crow impulse. She waved to a few on her way by the presents table, dropping off a matching, themed gift, before crouching down behind a table – going invisible for the time being.

Not that anyone would see until the time was right, but she’d perfected an outfit to coordinate and match Flora’s eyes with a little sun dress and matching shades, adorned with a ridiculous hat that she’d used to accentuate many a stylish ensemble afterwards.

Only on cue, did she render herself tangible, cupping her hands around her mouth and screeching amongst the rest of the crowd. “SURPRISE!!!”

the honeybee

Besides that
I'm innocent

COLT

She got smiles in a jar by the door
She likes her days better when the sun goes down
She loves the rain

It’d take hell and high water to keep Colt from a worthwhile party. Which feels like she’s nearly there, to be honest, but she did need to restock supplies, and if some of that includes alcohol in her gut, what of it?

With few wardrobe options at her disposal these days, Colt has taken Flora’s shade for her eyeshadow. The sea-blue is the only bright and brilliant thing on her, decorated otherwise in an off-white sundress that depends on cut and shape to make it anything noteworthy. It’s above her knees in the front but trails to her ankle boots in the back, the hem there fringed with diamond cut-outs that create a swirling pattern. A similar style folds into her chest with a deep plunge to her bosom, opening up as much skin to the air as can be safely done. The straps vanish up beneath the fall of her wig.

Already half a drink in, though by no means any of the concoctions being lauded for the evening, she settles near the ice sculpture by the pool, margarita in hand as she hunkers. Earlier, she deposited her small gift for Flora on the table—a leather knife-holder for her thigh, slim and discreet for a small blade.

When the time comes, she doesn’t say words so much as add noise, a loud whoop and cheer added to the volley of surprise.

---

Colt is by the ice sculpture

When the sky turns grey, you should see her face
She finds beauty in broken when nobody else can see
Maybe I got a shot of her seeing something in me

You're my lighthouse in the darkness when the storm is comin' in

It’s been a while since he crossed paths with Dawn, but the Doubletake leaves her mark on the world and men, even those who do their best to hide away from it all. He remembers her still, clear as day, blissfully sober during their encounter. She’d been a light in the dark, flaring sudden and brief, before he ghosted back into the cold woods, rescued finally by the stubbornness and insistence of a dog and a honeybee.

He’s here now, largely because of said busy bee, but with more and more visits to Torchline, he expects he’ll be seeing Flora beyond just this party. Having placed her gift on the table, a candle just like the ones she’d considered with him, Big Wick Energy, he has positioned himself near Melita . He lost her, briefly, which is no surprise, blinking rapidly only when she reappears beside him as they both rise and shout. ”SURPRISE!” he adds to the rest, easy smile fitting into place, though he leans in to whisper at Mel. ”Use the cannon!”

---

Iskra is beside Mel

Iskra

Lookin' in your eyes, there's my whole damn life

the first cut was the deepest, but it healed up whole

He’s managed to make it on time, much to his surprise. He had tried his best to make sure he arrived, despite not knowing what would await him upon showing up here – whether or not Flora would even want to see him. But he slips in quietly, setting the present down where the rest of the presents sit before he takes to hiding (which is a feat for a man of his height). But he avoids the butcher that’s corralled in the back of the bar, ending up roughly somewhere in between Melita and Iskra and Nikandr, choosing to hide in his canine shift initially.

The german shepherd shifts when the surprises start calling out upon seeing Flora, and he shifts back immediately to offer his own along the mix. “Surprise!!” His accented voice carries out.

Just because he isn’t with her mother anymore, doesn’t mean that he’ll stop supporting Flora unless she tells him otherwise. And honestly? Heart or not, Sunjata won't ever say no to another party.

the flood

and the next one was a soft touch, but i bled out below

totally sniped from odd ilu

Flora

there's no time to waste on loving badly

The door gives way beneath her hand and for a moment there is only the soft drag of air over skin, the hush before something unnamed crests, and then Spice slips ahead of her like a flicker of pale flame and the world ruptures into colour and sound and motion all at once, a chorus of voices colliding with her name without saying it, surprise ricocheting off the coral walls and the glass and the water beyond, and Flora startles not backward but forwards, the breath she pulls in catching somewhere between her ribs as if it has nowhere to go fast enough to keep up with what’s unfolding in front of her. It’s too much in the way a wave is too much when it finally breaks, all that held tension collapsing into something bright and overwhelming, her gaze snagging first on the impossible cohesion of it—the sea-glass wash of aqua threaded through every body, every fabric, every ridiculous, perfect detail—and then fracturing into pieces as she tries and fails to take it all in at once, catching glimpses instead: Sohalia ’s gleam of silver and soft blue, Mateo ’s absurd feathered silhouette, Nikandr ’s quiet steadiness, Dantalion already mid-chaos behind the bar with Astaroth looming like some indulgent storm at his shoulder, Melita blinking into being like mischief made flesh with Iskra ’s familiar shape angled near her, Colt 's perhaps surprise presence by the the water, Sunjata too tall to miss—and all of it blurring at the edges because her eyes have already betrayed her, already gone searching, already found him.

Kaisel is there like the centre of gravity she didn’t know she’d been orbiting until this exact second, and the sight of him—of the pendant at his chest, of the colour threaded through his clothes like a mirror of her own—hits somewhere low and deep enough that her stomach flips over itself in a way that feels suspiciously like falling and flying at the same time, her heart slamming hard enough against her ribs that it almost hurts, almost, but not quite, because this is what it feels like to be seen so completely it borders on indecent. The dress she wears clings to her ever curve, sequins catching the light and fracturing it into something sharp and glittering as she shifts her weight, the slit teasing movement along her leg, the plunge of the neckline daring the room to look and her not caring in the slightest if they do, because the only thing she’s aware of is the heat of it all—the attention, the effort, the impossible fact that this exists at all—and the weight at her finger where her ring catches the same light, winking once as if it knows exactly what it means to stand here in the middle of something that feels dangerously like being loved out loud.

Her smile doesn’t arrive so much as it breaks across her mouth, wide and bright and just this side of disbelieving, her eyes still fixed on him even as her awareness spills outward again, catching the edges of everyone else, and she lets herself linger in that fullness for a heartbeat longer than she probably should, like pressing a bruise just to feel it, before she lifts her hands slightly, a gesture that’s half theatrical, half entirely sincere, her voice spilling out warm and laughing and just a touch breathless as she says, "All of this, for little old me?" The words don’t quite hold the scale of it but they’re all she has, dissolving into a soft, incredulous laugh as she shakes her head, curls shifting, gold catching light, before she draws in another breath that steadies nothing at all and adds, brighter now, fuller, "Thank you all so much for coming," her gaze sweeping the room in a way that tries to touch everyone at once without getting lost in any one person, a quick grin here, a wink there, something personal threaded through the general warmth without letting herself stall, because if she does she might actually feel it too sharply, too deeply, and so she lifts her chin just a fraction, playful again, insistent in that way that pretends it isn’t, and says, "Don’t any of you leave before I’ve had the chance to properly thank you," like it’s a promise and a warning all at once, like she fully intends to hold them all here under the weight of her gratitude until it’s been paid back in kind.

Code stolen from Queen Sky

I can feel it in her bite
there's something more than ecstasy

Attendance is simple now that she lives in Torchline, though attire had been a bit trickier. In a good way of course, Hotaru may not exactly be flying high in terms of morale but a good shopping spree will lift anyone’s spirits. She’s prepared - as much as she can be - for the emotions today will invoke, the encounters she will have (though certainly in passing) and the challenge it will all pose when it comes to ignoring all of that in favor of Flora.

When the cry of ‘surprise!’ swells, Ru’s voice joins it from Enzo’s side, lifting her glass of non-alcoholic bubbles in further cheering congratulations. She keeps her eyes firmly rooted to Flora, cognizant of Sunjata’s presence and keeping it at that level. Perhaps she will seek out Colt for conversation if Enzo becomes too magpie-brained as the party progresses. At least until the party winds down for an appropriate exit.

When she gets a moment - the birthday girl is understandably busy - Hotaru steps in to kiss Flora’s cheek and squeeze her for a moment, wishing her happy birthday before handing her off gracefully to the next person in line as they all converge upon her. Andraste shuffles around her neck as she takes up her previous position, twirling the stem of her glass and watching Flora with a reserved but sincere smile.

beneath those pretty little eyes

Hotaru

Enzo

It's cool when we're just hanging out
And I'm spilling my guts on your couch

Enzo sticks near his mom’s side, happy to be her shield and distraction without making it obvious or taking away from Flora. A less cool twin would be insulted by a party for only one sibling, but Enzo couldn’t give a single flying Hel. Flora has way more friends (given he’d, y’know, been dead) and it’s not like Enzo won’t be benefiting from the festivities taking place - made clear by the way he hollers “SURPRISE HOT STUFF!!” and uses his magic to toss confetti everywhere.

He blows her a kiss when they manage to meet eyes, content to let her be swallowed up by the writhing masses of adoring fans. Enzo gets access to her all the time, he can practice being magnanimous for a single day. Especially when Kaisel will surely be getting his face smooched off for the next couple hours. Maybe even days honestly. 

Draining his drink, Enzo nudges Hotaru’s elbow to disrupt her glass and laughs when she swats his arm hard enough to sting, eyes already darting around for new prey or perhaps a new drink.

Nothing to me feels more like home
Than looking over at you and seeing you're still stoned

Let's make tonight the weekend, I don't wanna wait

The sweep of undiluted joy that he watches rise and roar through Flora then spills out into the home and everyone within it. It’s exactly what he’d hoped for, and his smile hurts already for it, too wide and too tireless, and the night’s just begun. He steps in to take her for the moment, proximity granting him easy access to this end.

Both hands cradle her cheeks, fingers brushing near her ears as he draws to her like the pull is inescapable, not that he’s trying. ”Happy birthday,” he extends warmly, holding her gaze for a moment before tilting in to press a kiss to her lips like it’s all the punctuation that could ever be needed between them. Pulling away before it borders on indecent, he grins, openly ridiculous, as ever with her especially. ”I sure am glad you were born.” His thumb sweeps across her cheek, a last lingering touch before he releases her to the party and everyone else therein who adores her in some form or another.

Stepping away from the birthday girl, he ends up closer to the outside section in his pursuit of a drink, catching sight of Nikandr he waves. ”NIKI!” his voice accosts the risk of being unheard with impressive force. ”Dude, do I have a story for you!” He pulls away from the bar with two drinks in hand, after seeing the Necromancer had none. He hands him a Blue Torcher, taking an indulgent sip from his own.

say]”So, I had a dream that you and Sunjata for some reason???” It’s a dream so that truly doesn’t matter and he waves it away. ”You guys were in some building, and suddenly out of the blue, YOU DIED!” His eyes widen, serving the tale it’s appropriate effect. ”Except,” his voice lowers. ”You weren’t dead, you were a ghost.”

Kaisel

Got no reason not to celebrate