SeeD 9 - Happy Birthday, Twins

[doubledollar]

WHO: Vash + Cottage Crew, + Libra Network
WHERE: Persephone's Garden, Libra Network
WHEN: July 20-21st
WHAT: Birthday Party for the twins, + Vash has a Question for the network
WARNINGS: Shouldn't be any!


///. --NETWORK (jul 20)

Heyo, everyone's favorite Humanoid Typhoon here, Again. Didja miss me? This month of rain really is something, isn't it? For a guy who's used to clear sky and desert sands, it's kind of scary, like we're gonna' get washed away. But let's not get off track, here. I got a question for you guys who are ... uh, actually from this planet.

What are the logistics of getting an off-world planet kid into school?
I've gotten my little brother to agree to enroll into some kind of education, but. It's not like I'm from this planet, and I'm not sure what the, uh. Protocol is. ...Especially given he's kind of on a college-level of intelligence despite his er, young age.

--Oh, and final note--! It's my birthday tomorrow. I'm having an all-day party at my garden where anyone who visits are the ones who get gifts. I'm gonna' be cooking lots of fresh fruit and veggie dishes, and cake. Come stop by if you want to?

Seeya!



///. --GARDEN (jul 21)

[ and just as promised, on the 21st, Vash, Wolfwood, Libra, and Kni can be found on various places around the farm--the table just inside set up with an extra fold-out table and a cooler filled with ice. (Thanks to a certain someone being a walking ice-maker now, thanks Nicholas). There's three different kinds of cake, pie, as well as some rice dishes made with all sorts of different kinds of mixed vegetables.

Anyone visiting is given a basket to go pick their fill of fruit from the neighboring orchard, and anyone staying later into the night will be treated to fresh steak or sausages made over a grill by Wolfwood -- a fire set up on the sandy outcropping next to the river.

There's beer and liquor being kept on ice, and a number of animals and pokemon can be found wandering around on the farm.

Just don't ask why someone insisted on trying to put 151 candles on top of one of the cakes later in the night. ]

Comments

text | un: shinope

[killerapp]

[Google doc with various homeschooling methods, programs he totally pirated, books he totally pirated, etc.]

here

[doubledollar]

[ as one who cannot see the future, he somehow knew at least one person might suggest this. ]

While this iiiiiisnt a bad idea i gotta mention uh
im not exactly the teacher type, im not really the brainy teacher-type, you know?

that and uh
we dont really have electricity out here, and im not keen on teaching the kid lessons from my phone...

[poisontippedcure]

[Unfortunately for Vash, Rose considers him one of her dearest friends. That means there's no way that she's going to miss his birthday. She considered baking something, or making something, but both ideas were quickly dropped when she realized she wanted her gift to actually be nice.]

[She shows up in the early afternoon with two small boxes, and quickly finds Vash in the garden. She is only mildly distracted by all the plants, really.]

Happy nameday! I brought you a small something. There's one for your brother as well.

[doubledollar]

[ it's hard not to be distracted by plants!!! the garden is so perky lately, what with the rain and all. but fortunately, it's not super rainy or misty today (yet at least) and when Rose shows up, Vash is quick to run over and --

resist the urge to pick her up in a hug because she brought him a gift.

His eyes are wide.]

...Huh? Really? ....Really?

Rose you didn't have to.

[ yet he's taking it immediately, he looks touched--

...

he's not gonna waste time opening the box. ]

un: ecraig | text

[fiddlestick]

[Oh hey well this is a normal question he can field]

Haha, I think I can help. If you want to enroll him in school, I'd contact Zodiac to come up with some identity documentations for him.

After that, you can head to one of the schools to enroll him. They'll probably do some screening to see what grade he should go into. If he's as smart as you say he is, then I'm sure it'll be a matter of what would be best for his social skills and adapting to a new world.

[doubledollar]

[ thank you elliot youre his savior he'll remember this forever ]

I don't like the idea of contacting zodiac for that sort of thing, but if it works, I'll do it.

I'm a little worried that they'll be startled by his level of intelligence, but. we're doing this mostly because he needs to get used to socializing, because while he's smart as hell, he's kind of poor at getting along with others.

this is our sort of promise-to-get-better-at-this sort of agreement.

Thanks for the info, though, it's super helpful.

UN: hikari-vi | text

[whiteshroud]

[Jun had been calm when Zero had warned him that he was potentially in danger last night. He had been calm as Mikleo and Sorey had devised a plan to keep an eye on him. He kept calm as he stayed home for the day, noting that Mikleo fussed more than usual. Sure all that news had been worrying, but it hadn't really sunk in all that it meant.

It's not until he's scrolling on the app and spots Vash's entry...does his situation truly start to sink in.

A month ago, he would've accepted the invitation without a second thought. He would've brought Vash a gift as custom for birthdays, regardless of Vash's insistence that he wants to give the gifts. He would've eaten the delicious food, talked to friends, and laugh until it was time to go home.

But now... there's no way he could do that, is there? If he was being watched, then going there might lead Krusnik to the garden. Not just the garden, but to his friend. Everyone there could end up in serious danger.

Not to mention, Kni was surely going to be there. And the idea of actually seeing him right now was...

...

He should at least say something, he tells himself as a bad feeling starts to form in his chest. His fingers are trembling as he types.]

Happy Birthday Vash!
I'm sorry, I don't think I'll be able to make it.
But I'll be sure to send you something, okay?

[That sounds okay enough right? He doesn't want to worry Vash on his birthday. Doesn't want him to get involved, into danger... he's already been through enough...

Jun tosses down his phone, his head going to his hands, his full body shaking as everything finally starts to sink in. ]

[doubledollar]

[ were they face-to-face, Vash would be able to pick up on the subtle hints. the shaking of jun's hand, the slow, quiet hesitation to put his words together, the cadence of his voice as he tries to keep calm. were they face to face, the plant would instantly be on alert, and ready to do something (possibly stupid) to protect his friend.

but this is over text. there's no tone over text, and as big a worrywart as vash is, perceptive as he is to the emotions of others--he can't pick up on the worry Jun is feeling.
his quiet, solemn wish to protect the cottage from whatever might be stalking him from dark corners right now.

jun isn't the first to message vash with an inability to attend--so vash doesn't think anything strange of it. fridays were busy, people were busy. the cottage was out of the way. He's a little sad? admittedly? but not so much to guilt trip his green-haired friend into something he can't help. ]

Hey, no big!!!!!! sorry to hear you cant come but hey schedules dont always match up, right??? youll be missed but i wont have you miss out
me, nico, and libs will bring you some cake leftovers and some snacks i baked for the event afterwords, okay?? so dont worry your head about it.
thanks for the wishes though :sparkles:

[advivo]

→ vash.

[ dante doesn't rock up alone, oh no, when he makes his way to the cottage (as he does often) he has his growlithe at his heels, who barks happily as it speeds off to greet wolfwood with an affectionate headbutt before darting off. as for dante himself, he goes to seek out vash first catching him inside, coming up behind him to warp and arm around his waist. ]

Hey angel, happy birthday. [ surprise! ]

→ wolfwood.

[ not long after delivering his gift to vash, dante goes to find wolfwood by the fire during one of those moments where all the rest of the noise is elsewhere. he saunters up with his usual sort of casualness, hands stuffed in his pockets, and settles down beside the other man. ]

Having fun?

→ kni.

[ it is much later after dante has handed out his gift to vash and wolfwood, that he excuses himself from the rest of the party to go find the kid. kni doesn't strike him as the sort of really enjoy this kind of gathering, so dante looks for him in the more secluded and quieter areas. at some point during his search, he calls lucifer to his side the growlite breaking off from the other pokemon without hesitation. they have a kid to find.

so when they do find him, it's lucifer that notices him first, taking off at almost march speeds to run directly into the kid with the excitable energy only a puppy could have. brace yourself kni. ]

[asipofbride]

[ Wolfwood flexes his fingers over the fire, holding them towards the warmth. a few fresh buckets of ice sit behind him--a sign of something new and weird and stupid that is, unfortunately, useful, so Wolfwood's been practicing even though it makes his hands a little numb to do so at this juncture.

Dante's a welcome distraction, though; Wolfwood rubs his hands together and looks at the devilhunter with a halfgrin on his lips, expression shifting to something like affection. ]

Somethin' like that. Only Vash'd wanna treat people instead of being treated on his own birthday, the big dumbass.

[doubledollar]

[ thanks to having the reflexes of a madman, he absolutely knows that Dante's close--that arm coming around him is seen nearly in slow-motion as it happens, but.

it's a welcome grip and Vash all but leans back into it when it connects. Reaching a hand up to rub the side of the Devilhunter's face, scruffling his fingers along the stubble he keeps there. ]

Heheheh.

I could get used to hearing that. [ what part?? ] Have any cake, yet?

[ornamentals]

[his keyboard was just starting to blink its 'low battery' light at him, coming to terms with the soon-to-be reality that he'd have to venture forth into the party in search of vash. sitting next to him on the grass was a plain notebook, the pages dog eared where kni had been working out the next part of the composition.

when he looks up, it's to the sight of a - dog? - just about barreling him over with a winded yelp.] Wait-! [his hands find soft fur, trying to move his head away as he's battered by slobbery kisses. from behind the puffy mane of lucifer's fur kni sees dante sauntering up.]

Dante!

un: silverrose

[fionnuisce]

Happy birthday, Vash. I'm sorry I don't think I'll be able to come by tomorrow, but I hope you enjoy it.

[jun will probably have a suspiciously orange bird hanging around the trees near his place for a little while]

The city's university is a decent place, once classes are back in session--looks like Elliot has you covered on the logistics of the mundane side of things. If he wants to come by Cygnus at any point in the interim, I'd be happy to show the pair of you around.

[doubledollar]

hey, it's cool!!! sometimes schedules dont match up and thats fine
want us to make you a delivery of some leftover cake and stuff?? i know there'll be plenty leftover.

[ he doesnt mind making a delivery!!! ]

--But oh, hey, are you serious???? You'd give us a tour, huh??
I knew you were a teacher, but I figured your school might be a bit too big for Kni--he's uh.

Let's just say he's a lot younger than he looks, and a lot smarter than most would expect.
You know, the opposite of me. ⭐

Text; un: Opera_Ghost

[not_a_possum]

Well, I used to work at Kaisou University, so I might be able to help with that.

[He sends over a links that contain information on signing ones kid up to various placement exams for college level courses.]

And that party sounds fun, I'll swing by!

[doubledollar]

Yoooooo moxxie have i ever told you youre my favorite imp
cause youre pretty much my favorite imp
i appreciate this a lot

i didnt know you used to be a teacher!!! what kinda subject did you teach??

also absolutely stop by
we'll be having drinks and stuff later it gets, once my brother gets tired and flakes out
its his birthday too

un: jcarter_news

[phoenixwiz]

My mom currently works as an English teacher in Kaisou High School. Maybe she can help with the logistics in getting him in.

Oh I would love to come over to the party as well. Interestingly enough, my birthday also falls under the same month too.

[doubledollar]

Hey!!!!!!! jaime that'd be rad as heck
im not sure about the logistics of getting a... ten year old or so into a highschool, but i promise you he's definitely more than ready for schooling of that age.

and your birthday month is this month too!? feel free to drop up any time, it's a little outside the city but here, ill send you some directions...

what day!? your birthday, i mean
ill make sure to bake and deliver you a cake when it does happen, okay!?

garden party | open

[ornamentals]

[ a - piano man sing me a song, etc etc ]

[away from the party on the other side of the cottage, the soft sounds of a piano keyboard trail through the gardens. the song starts and stops a few times when a mistake is noticed, still learning what notes should come next in this song he's been composing since rem first sat him down at a piano.

kni is sitting up against the cottage, the keyboard vash had gifted him settled in his lap as he goes over the song again, this time from the beginning. the party had been vash's idea and kni had been fine with that. he wouldn't deny his brother the company of his friends, but that didn't mean he wanted to hang around them either.

but he was skilled at keeping himself occupied, the distant sounds of party guests flitting in and out of the cottage gardens carrying over as he plays is almost... nice.]

[ b - there's something wrong ]

[his keyboard died. kni knew it would happen at some point, but he had hoped it wouldn't be until after everyone had left, when he could find vash without risking coming upon him talking to some new stranger.

it was easier to avoid interaction than to try and navigate the choppy waters that made up 'casual' conversation.

but now it was dead, and now he was left trying to find vash (or rabbit) without being noticed to try and grab his brother's attention long enough to recharge. keyboard held between both arms, kni darts around the cottage and weaves through the gardens while trying his best at dodging guests, his head turning this way and that in search for his social butterfly of a brother.]

b

[doubledollar]

[ at the very least, Vash absolutely isn't hard to find. And Lucky for Kni--he'll find vash at an amazing point where he doesn't actually have any company hovering around him for now.

Those who have visited are busying themselves out in the garden, or are enjoying the orchard while filling the baskets Vash offered them when they first showed up.
maybe out with wolfwood, grilling or enjoying the fire-made foods the not-priest is putting up for the evening.

Vash can be found inside the cottage, sitting at one of the food-laden tables, writing something down in that fuzzy, bright-pink notebook of his with a hum and a bob of his head--music being played from a little speaker that Dante brought along, attached to Vash's MP3 player.

He turns his head when Kni enters, and wiggles a hand at him. Hey there, big guy. ]

Getting hungry?

garden

[hoshikiri]

[Takame certainly didn't give off the air of someone who'd willingly go to a party. Even as he came in he looked severely out of place especially with his Eevee on his shoulder but in reality he enjoyed seeing the lively sights of people coming together in celebration.

And, well, despite the very awkward reality of the young man Takame could and would take out being here, Vash was a dear friend of his. So naturally he would show up to celebrate his birthday.

He even brought a bag with some gifts inside. Did he consider himself a good gift giver? Goodness no, but following the advice of his dearest friend from home actually hasn't failed him yet.]

'Tis good seeing you so cheerful, Vash. [He was always cheerful, you dingus. The Eevee chirped happily as if in agreement!] Ah, Sakuya wanted to come as well. We both wish you a Happy Nameday.

[doubledollar]

[ takame absolutely doesnt seem the partying type, so you can imagine the look on Vash's face when Takame DOES show up; brighter than the sun itself with all the warmth to go with it.

Sorry, Takame, but you're getting a hug--come here!! ]

How can I not be cheerful, with people like my best buddy Takame showing up to visit!!

[ get squeezed, nerd--who cares if takame's taller and bulkier than him, vash is doing it anyway. ]

Nameday, huh. Is that what they call it where you're from? I really like that.

garden

[bebest]

[There is a party so naturally Zulius is going to be here. Even if this wasn't for one of his best friends, the 'taur can sniff out a shindig from fifty miles away. Of course, Vash is out in the sticks and he's actively avoided GOING to the cottage because of that. So he's had to cart himself there carrying an oversized box the entire way, complaining to himself and deciding good lord, he really needs to get Vash a car or something, this is hell. Eventually, though, he makes it, leaning on the box and panting heavily.]

Holy flunk, this place is SO far. What the hell?

[That's mostly said to himself, good goose, he needs to get into better shape. He quickly shakes off the surprise, immediately jumping into a dramatic pose, throwing up a couple of light flashes for effect- gotta make an ENTRANCE after all! ]

No need to fear! The partytaur is HERE!

[While he won't be indulging in fruit picking (what is he? a FARMER???) he can be found enjoying a drink and probably trying to get unwilling people to dance with him. Either way, he'll be delighted if you drop by to talk.]

Great shindig, right? Got that real rustic festival chic feel to it.

[doubledollar]

[ it's a firework and flashy show of the ages, honestly--Vash is currently setting up a table outside with some snacks he'd baked a few hours ago--and his attention is IMMEDIATELY drawn to the centaur suddenly in the garden, all whizpops and flashing lights.

Vash is gonna put the plate of baked apple chips down and immediately start clapping, eyes wide and giving a whistle. ]

--Okay, so, that was cool, first of all. [ big reminders of the first time he'd met zulius and his rainbow bridge... he's grinning. ] But second of all, WOW. You--actually made the trip out here??

[ vash all but yells as the partytaur makes himself known.
There's music playing from a speaker dante brought, hooked up from an MP3, so it definitely felt like a garden party. He's gonna run a bottle of water over to his buddy--you look exhausted, dude. ]

I fully expected to be on cake delivery for you tomorrow, but look at you!

Garden

[playtag]

Gift for Vash

[Well, Eve doesn't quite know what to expect from a birthday party, but Vash has been nice enough to extend an invite. So of course she'll be there!]

[The first thing she does upon reaching the farm is look for Vash. A little trickier with all the other people around, but his active personality isn't hard to spot even in a crowd.]

[She walks up, giving him a little wave. Look at her, being the first to wave for once!]

Happy Birthday.

Are you enjoying the party?

Open

[Once birthday boy the taller has been greeted and gifts given, she goes back to the rest of the party. Mostly trying different foods near the tables and being a bit of a wallflower. She keeps an eye out for familiar faces, and if she recognizes you, she'll raise her hand in a half wave.]

[For a while, Eve spends some time near the bunny hatch, sitting on the grass outside the pen. Watching the rest of the festivities with the barest smile.]

[doubledollar]

[ of course Eve gets an invite--she's a VIP, thanks. she's been to the farm a number of times, she's used to the animals and the farm itself, maybe he'd expected she'd be one of the first people around, too.

So when she waves, he's instantly waving back, coming over to her with a bounce in his steps, a grin on his face. ]

I am--and I'll enjoy it even more now that you've showed up!

It's the first time me and my brother have shared a birthday in a long time, so...

Glad you could make it, Eve.

text; un: wisteria; private;

[reenforces]

Happy birthday, Vash! Sorry we can't be there. It sounds amazing though.

[A pause, and then...]

[private;]

It's not a diet.

[SERIOUSLY JUN WTF]

It's a little more serious than that. We're okay, but we think Jun is being followed by someone with bad intentions, so we're trying to limit our time outside for now.

[doubledollar]

[ ah, so that's the story...

here he was starting to think that jun was upset for him for some reason and didn't want to hang out with him.
he's used to people suddenly deciding to not want anything to do with him anymore--and the slow worry that it'd happened again started to seep into his bones.

Thankfully, Mikleo washes it away in an instant--and he goes from starting to feel sad to being worried. probably better, this way. ]

That makes... far more sense than any of the excuses he was trying to make

...he could have just told me
but i also understand wanting to protect his friends from that, huh.

....

this person
i hope he realises what sort of danger he's in by threatening Jun...

text; un: signorvespa

[prontissimo]

ok ONE, school

I'm from this planet but I'm not from this country or this year SOOOO... 😬
It's basically the same thing. plus I never went to school before this.
but I got my friend to pretend to be my dad last year and sign all my enrolment papers. (and detention slips... 👀) my friend isnt from this country or this year EITHER but it worked. the school people never even realized he wasnt my dad.
maybe you could do that for your brother, just tell the school people your his grownup. Especially if it's true, HA!

and TWO:
Happy Birthday!!! 🤩🤠🤗🎂🎁🧁🍝
Tanti Auguri 🥰🌟🌻🇮🇹

[doubledollar]

oh hey!!! you know i should have actually asked you how school is going for you and your buddies
im definitely gonna try to make myself up to be his guardian, it'd be easy, given we kinda look alike, but... hm. It really is that easy, huh?

What grade are you in, Alberto? My little brother is--well. Uh.
This is hard to explain but let's just say he's younger than he looks, but looks to be about your age anyway.

--And hey!!! Thanks for the wishes, kiddo.
If you want me to save you some cake, just say the word!

> Closed to Alberto

[doubledollar]

[ as promised, there's more than enough snacks and cake to go around for the party. There's a pretty decent amount of people milling about--most of them outside with Wolfwood and Dante as they get their grill on over the fire near the riverside, for now. Kni himself isn't around for now; he's probably out hiding in the apple grove again, there's a vague sound of piano music coming from that direction, after all.

By the time Alberto arrives, he'll find Vash slicing up strawberries in the little cottage inside the garden, dressed way down from that flashy leather-jacket-cowboy style he'd been in the last time they hung out together.

Upon seeing the energetic kid approaching from the garden; he'll raise his new fake arm at the other with a wide grin; before waving him inside. ]

Told you it was pretty far out from the city. Hope you didn't get too lost. [ it was better to be out here, far from humans, after all. safer. ]

Hope you brought an appetite.

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto shows up a little later than planned, after running around his apartment throwing things this way and that, scrounging up a thoughtful but last minute gift from things he already owns... ...because he owns so, so many things... He comes bearing a poorly wrapped parcel, a lump tied up with twine in brown butcher's paper he's hastily scribbled stars all over to serve as wrapping paper. Kid makes do in a pinch, man.

He takes his time walking up, anyway, gaping at the space around him. It's idyllic — more idyllic than anywhere he's been, really, since he left his island, almost two years ago... It's refreshing. He misses living outside more than he lets himself dwell on. He wouldn't go back to it, enjoying the comforts of city life far too much, but this— this is nice. He definitely lingered at the wall of the garden on his way in when he passed by the black motorcycle outside, inspecting it excitedly, but he resists temptation to dawdle at it, and follows the sounds of festivities inside. It's a lot louder out by the river, more people congregated out there, and it makes Alberto keenly aware that he's never gone to a party alone before... Luca was at cram school, he didn't think until this very moment of inviting someone else to come with him, just boldly went from point A to point B — and now finds himself surrounded by a bunch of (presumably) human grownup strangers far from his inner city apartment. Lingering in the entrance and taking everything in, hugging his lumpy gift to his chest, he feels a wave of relief when he spots Vash across the room, smiling and waving him over. He smiles back and sheds that blip of shyness as he beelines over. ]

Ha, I'm always hungry. Ma, here, for you— Happy Birthday.

[ Alberto's had the occasion to celebrate multiple birthdays with friends since being here, and he knows enough about etiquette now to know that you don't show up to a birthday party without a birthday gift. Whether Vash unwraps it now or later, he'll find inside a very strange collection: a toy drinking bird and an odd little whittled fish figurine (obviously Alberto's own handiwork), tangled up with the fishing line he's strung with little Shrinky Dink butterflies to make a couple suncatcher mobiles. He just snatched these from their own kitchen window and shoved them in a bundle — he figures, well, he made those himself, too, so he'll just make some more to replace them later. To top it all off, at least, he did make a card specifically for Vash; it may have been on his way out the door, but... from the heart all the same... At least Vash got something of some real value. An original Scorfano piece — may be worth millions someday, hold onto that. ]