So make a wish, I'll make it like your birthday everyday

[detonating]

Who: MHA Hero (S)Quad (Bakugou, Ochako, Deku, Todoroki) & friends of Ochako Uraraka
What: Ochako's Fake Birthday party surprise
When: (forward dated to) June 27th
Where: Rocky's Bar(cade) in Cellar Door

Content Warnings: Unruly teenage shenanigans, alcohol, underage drinking, will update as needed!

[[OOC: This log isn't necessarily OPEN, but if your character has met Ochako floatsaway, is not a straight up villain and you would like to hop in, we can either handwave the RSVP or you can go over to this post to do the thing!]]

The day has come! If your character RSVP'd to Ochako's fake birthday party, they will have gotten a private message from one un; Dynamight with a location (Rocky's Bar(cade) ) and time (6pm). The party, put together during the earlier hours of the 27th, is set up in the upper bar portion of the converted warehouse. Streamers of all different colors are strung all over the place, and these resourceful teens actually managed to find a pack of balloons! No helium means that they have been fastened to streamers and walls, though there are a stray few that have found their way to the floor.

A banner is also strung from wall to wall near the upper level entrance, that reads (and has been added to with handwriting) Happy Fake Birthday!

There are three tables that have been covered in brightly covered confetti and glitter, each serving it's own important purpose. One has been designated for gifts,; obvious by the ever growing pile on the top of it).

Another is covered in an assortment of party snacks. Cookies (home made by yours truly, you're fucking welcome) in a slight variety: sugar, chocolate chip, snickerdoodle. There are chips, ranging from things like Doritos to tortilla chips, and just near the large bowls of those are slightly smaller ones filled with home made salsa. Katsuki isn't a complete maniac, these are labeled appropriately. One reads Whiny Babies, the next Guess You're Not A Total Bitch; aka medium spice level, and the last says For Bad Ass Motherfuckers... and that is clearly the inferno salsa that he suspects is going to be coming home with him by the end. If ya want real food, you're just going to have to settle for the appetizers that the bar offers or fucking go home for it, cause there was no way Katsuki was going to be able to cook actual food for the entire list of Ochako's friends. Drinks; booze, soda and water are all up for grabs at the bar, to save space.

The last table has a giant card for people to sign (with an assortment of colored pens and markers beside it), just in front of a huge plate of hand made mochi. Behind that plate is a magnificent cake (made by Snow White) that manage to even impress Katsuki.


Entertainment wise, the upstairs has both pool tables and dart boards, but should people need something more than that, there is an arcade downstairs. There's a paper on the entrance to the arcade with a note that reads You fuck shit up, I will personally END you... because Katsuki is already going to be working this off for ages and Dean (who he has no idea has left Trench entirely) won't appreciate his shit getting wrecked.

Katsuki; oh so clever, will be walking in with Ochako at about 6:15pm, having told her that while he was told about an arcade while doing his daily work out on Raleigh's farm. He's instructed everyone there to scream surprise in her face as loud as they can the minute they walk in... because that's what people do for shit like this, right???

Party on, motherfuckers!

(Side note, on July 1st, Rocky's Bar is going to mysteriously explode as per the Dean player's final request, so if anyone wants to harass Bakugou with accusations about that? Totally welcome.)

Comments

Allen Walker | OTA

[likethelight]

[ The sort of stuff normal party people do? Allen was here to help do something nice for someone who really deserved having other people do nice things for her, but he's a Victorian holy child soldier who hasn't had one iota of anything "normal" in his life or ever celebrated his own birthday -- if he even knew when it was. This is slightly terrifying and very alien to him. What is being a teenager.

That said, the entire vibe is so warming and he's great at pasting a smile that he'll mingle and chat pleasantly with everyone while only looking occasionally nervous so it's hard to tell how much he's a fish out of water. He'll even behave himself and not eat more snacks than he should, although he does try Bakugou's "For Bad Ass Motherfuckers" salsa after giving it a mildly offended look and... chokes, coughing violently for a moment before staring at the bowl like it's betrayed him somehow. _{ET TU, food?}

Also, the arcade? Strategies and fighters? He sucks at them. Sucks so bad even after he's peered and watched people play for for a while, trying to even figure out what's going on (or if someone takes pity and drags him in). What even are video games and combos and just -- please. He's an 1800's Scottish urchin. Have mercy on him, the entire concept is endlessly frustrating and he'll quickly abandon the idea in a huff. But heaven help anyone if he discovers DDR or rhythm games, because he'll be devastatingly good at them and easily become way too competitive. Are you a friend of his?! Yeah you're going to be cheerfully dragged over by the hand. _{Look at this!! He doesn't know what it is but it's a lot of fun?! Hey hey, let's play.✨}

Most of the other party games he lingers near and watches at first, because yes those are totally alien too, but he is politely curious and easily roped in. But oh, despite looking like a deer in headlights after the first few rounds of accidentally letting himself get dragged into truth or dare, he looks up with a quiet, determined sparkle in his eye at the next person addressing him. ]

Truth. [ He's got this. ✰ ]

DDR

[swellter]

[ Getting dragged by friends to do typical 'teenage' things is something he's used to so he goes along with it, barely keeping his balance when Allen gets a little too excited and picks up pace. Shouto matches his pace and looks up at the-- Oh. He knows this. Class-A took turns playing this when they went to the mall together. ]

It's a dance game.

[ He starts flipping through the different songs when they get there. ]

You choose a song and the difficulty level, then follow the instructions on the screen. You step on the arrows at the same time it tells you on the screen. You get points every time your steps on the dance pad match up with the screen.

[likethelight]

[ How ironic as Allen has no clue about regular teenage things, Victorian or modern, but does delight and believe in the importance of enjoying what happy moments you can. Most especially when you can do it with the people who are close to you.

Also, he's been in especially high spirits since he was finally able to start leaving his crutches behind for the most part earlier this week. He's free, he wants to live a little, that's a big reason for snagging Shouto's wrist and tugging him over. Is exerting himself a good idea? Probably not. Does he care? No. ]

Ehhh? It sounds a bit like some kind of training exercise. [ Not like any kind of dancing he's ever heard of which he's sure he'd be terrible at (Ahiru tried, but that was different and he still thinks he sucks), but does actually sound like something he can do? That's hand-eye coordination, except... with your feet. If he could learn how to dance around bullets shot at his feet he can probably do this, right! That's a piece of cake compared to his training. ★

Bright-eyed and with a quiet sort of animation, he leans over to peer at the songs as Shouto flips through them as.... absolutely none of them register as even remotely familiar as music. ]

? [ still smiling, undaunted by ignorance ]

What's one that you like?

[swellter]

I know a few of these but I don't have any preferences.

[ He picks one and it starts playing. ]

This one has a nice sound from what I remember.

[ And continues to flip through more songs. ]

What kind of music do you like?

[likethelight]

[ Hmm? His attention sharpens up, listening to the one he picks. Oh, he can actually kind of almost follow along to this one. Some of the others are so fast and discordant sounding to him it's kind of a blur. Even if it seems... a little sad. He seems a touch crestfallen when the demo stops, but blinks up at the other boy at the question. ]

Ah? Eh, to be honest... [ He looks a little embarrassed? Scratching for a moment at his cheek with a gloved finger. ] ... I don't know?

Ehe. [ It's sheepish. ]

There'd be music playing at the circus, and some of the places my master liked to frequent, but that doesn't seem like something to have preferences on. [ Also that wasn't all this. Also they were cabarets, gentlemen's clubs... places he'd like to forget. He's realized there's a lot more out there given what's often played in Cellar Door to entertain people, but it's kind of overwhelming without any reference point you know. Or considering music as something to have preferences on. ]

And I only ever played very simple things. [ Again, nothing like this. ]

1/2

[swellter]

[ Flipping through the music choices, he hits another song reminiscent of some of his finds when he first suggested doing a musical performance for UA's school festival. ]

This is more modern.

[ There's a more relaxed tone to his features; whether it's from the music or the memories of their school festival is anyone's guess. Circus music doesn't seem all that odd to him, cataloging it as another genre. Cabaret is a genre he's yet to come across. He's a newbie to the music scene with no excuse other than his disinterest and the environment he grew up in. ]

2/2

[swellter]

[ He peruses through the song titles in search of any 'circus' sounding songs when Allen's commentary has him stilling in his efforts. Side-eying him from his position, he regards him with a curious look; interest piqued. ]

You played an instrument?

[likethelight]

[ Is the weird not-singing cadence the part that makes it "modern"? He's not so sure about that part, it's super weird to him and a little unsettling, but the rest of it he likes. It has an underlying wistful or sad quality to it (a lot of this music is more emotional-feeling than he's used to, and he finds himself paying more attention to it than he normally would because of that), and partway through the demo his attention flicks back to Shouto and he blinks, catching how his expression is slightly gentler and seems more comfortable. He rests his chin on his palm, elbows leaned against the arcade cabinet and observing for a moment, before he's caught at it and asked that.

Oh. He looks a touch surprised to realize he'd said that; he spoke without thinking, talking about that. ]

Ah, the piano? Somewhat? [ He waves a hand lightly though, dismissive of himself and a little embarrassed. ]

Only a little though. Just what Mana had taught me when I was younger.

[ Which is.. complicated. But his head tips lightly to the side. ]

Did you? You seem to know a lot about music. [ by comparison. the bar is low. extremely low. ]

[swellter]

[ Does he catch Allen looking at him? Yes. Does it register as odd in any way? Absolutely, not. He's used to being stared at. A combination of his family name, unique quirk, and his brother's recent exposé dragging their entire family through the mud. ]

What kind of piano?

[ Music transcends language, moving the heart by the sheer feeling invoked by the artist allowing even the lowliest among society to find pleasure in it. Compared to Allen and his limited exposure, Shouto seems to have a wealth of information which is ironic considering he knows less than most teens his age, at least when it comes to modern music. Classical music with a modern twist is more his cup of tea. ]

Mana taught you?

[ He can almost picture it. Father and son at the piano, going through the keys. Music flowing from one, picked up by the other, clumsily at first until persistence paid off. It's a borrowed image, probably not accurate, but it nonetheless strikes him. Foreign and out of touch, like a scene from a movie he once watched. A fairy tale. That closeness of family in comparison to his own lived experience. Deep in his subconscious, where his thoughts are more of a feeling than fully formed, he thinks Mana must have truly cared for him to spend the time to teach him a skill that touches on the heart. ]

I don't play anything. [ He was taught exactly what Endeavor wanted, nothing more. ] I don't know that much compared to my classmates.

[likethelight]

[ Those reasons cause people to look at you very differently!! There are different ways that people will look at someone for! Very different! ]

Just... the regular kind? [ Is there more than one?? Here is the extent of his knowledge! Though... keyboards also aren't a thing in his time. And... technically the piano he played on was anything but normal... ] A grand piano, I guess?

[ See! He does know that! Except it wasn't that at all. Mention of Mana gets a small twist of a smile from Allen though, quiet and complicated but gentle and at ease. His shoulders loosening. ]

He didn't teach me piano, exactly... we were too poor for that sort of thing. But he taught me the words and the melody. [ He brings up a hand, tracing invisible signs in the air between them, his expression distant with a faint, nostalgic sort of smile. ] He'd draw the figures with a stick in the snow and have me do it too until I learned them.

[ Father and son at the piano, a little clumsy but laughing and persisting? It's such a pleasant, poetic image... and one so entirely foreign to Allen as well. Not a threadbare pierrot and lost child homeless and freezing in the snow, playing in some made-up language that had sinister implications he never knew until years later. The reflection of that song and those letters that had absolutely nothing to do with Allen and everything to do with what had been consuming him, what Mana likely saw in him...

But he smiles, remembering how Mana had been so pleased and how he had laughed as well, proud when he mastered the characters. And that's all that matters. For the same reason why his hair's parted on the left now, no longer hiding his scar. Drawing attention to it even, in fact. ]

It was like a game we played. Just simple things like lullabies.

[swellter]

[ He only knows one reason why people stare and talk, and it has nothing to do with him but an aspect of him. The others he's still discovering.

A grand piano. The only ones he's seen were strategically laid out at upscale restaurants and hotels. They're not common in his world. Maybe in his, they were? The little he knows about the world he comes from is tainted by the Akuma that attacked them in Trench, and Allen's later explanation about a losing war. Everything else is a mystery.

It doesn't help that most of his explanations leave him more confused than enlightened - poor enough not to own a grand piano but not enough to have access to one? - he doesn't question it. Turns it into another puzzle piece to ruminate over later. The new details add a splash of color to the part of Allen entwined with his father. Shouto paints that part of the puzzle in shades of white, like his mother.

The sigils painted in the air go over his head. Unable to pinpoint their source, he focuses on Allen instead, transfixed by his words. They remind him of the first snowfall of the season, fragile and beautiful, with a gentle touch of cold. ]

He sang you lullabies.

[ His heart bleeds in quiet yearning, the image fully formed in his mind, drawing warmth into his eyes. That he had a memory of Mana like that to hold onto. It tugs at the corner of his mouth, softening his features. ]

Do you still remember them?

[likethelight]

[ It's funny... to Allen, Mana is always washed out in shades of white as well. Remembering him in the snow, around Christmastime, as that was when they first met. Winters around Edinburgh were cold when you didn't have warm clothes and long, and they usually slept outside in them. He'd always hated winters until then, always bitterly cold from never even having a coat or enough to eat... until that one where he met Mana -- and "Allen". When he realized living things were warm, and he started to love winter because it wasn't just cold and lonely. So in his memories, he always sees the Mana who was washed out in shades of winter. Whose footprints he was always following in the snow.

At least in every memory except the one where he recalls how Mana had stared into the sunset that is, that first one and how he had made Allen realize the painful beauty of that sort of thing as well, of knowing what you loved and finding fulfilment in it. Of being so broken at the time he had no idea what that could mean, just that it made him want to cry. And then he's cast in every shade of warmth imaginable.

But that was a winter sunset too. ]

Ah... [ He blinks at that, his expression a little -- fragile, actually. Fascinated, and fragile, that his own story drew such a warm expression from the other boy and finding that more warming than anything. Like he's imagining something very gentle and dear.

Did Shouto's mother sing to him? He has to wonder it -- can easily see that, given how he's spoken of her -- and wants to ask because of that reaction... but is hesitant to with knowing all the landmines that are there. ]

Mn. [ He straightens, but with one hand curling lighting towards his middle and his posture as hesitant as it is proper. A little shy all of a sudden, even if he's not entirely sure why, but he smiles as such. Like sharing a secret he isn't sure if he should, but finds it warming to nonetheless. ]

Mostly just the one that he always sang, because it had meant something important to him. I don't know if it really had a proper name... but it was his.

[swellter]

[ No... she didn't. Sometimes, when he can't sleep, and his thoughts sweep back to her, he thinks maybe... maybe he was too young to remember. For a long time, his memories began after she stopped smiling. The look of fear in her eyes, the way she shook not from the cold but the oppressive heat. He remembered tears instead of lullabies. It was only after his fight with Midoriya that he took a second look at his memories of her and unlocked his true potential. Her quiet smiles, encouraging words, and gentle demeanor swelled within him, fueling his fire to a degree he'd never experienced before. With it came the realization that anger wasn't the key to his fire. ]

Yours.

[ A gift, freely given. ]

It's yours too, Allen.

1/2

[likethelight]

[ He... doesn't tell people about any of this, you know. Or if he does, it's to laugh awkwardly about it and tapdance around the issue -- because it's complicated and usually something that makes him so very uneasy. Mana's lullaby. The piano. Powers that disgust him and make him feel like something creepy is in his head. Because Allen's own feelings, while he decided them regarding Mana, on that lullaby... he's torn. Hurt deeply by it still, honestly. Shouto doesn't know any of that, which means saying it's "his" shouldn't really mean anything, and yet...

And yet he stares at him for a moment. Wide-eyed, and blinking almost a touch comically with a slack expression like that's never really occurred to him. You're so encouraging of him sometimes... ]

2/2

[likethelight]

[ It takes him a moment, so very flummoxed and knocked a bit off kilter, before he laughs faintly. Like he's laughing at himself -- so ironic -- but also merry, brightened, and steps closer. Laying a hand on the other boy's shoulder in a companionable fashion; so very simple, but warm and grateful.

Haha, really... you got him that easily. ]

I'll play it for you one day, maybe. [ Because he's definitely never said something like that before, either. But somehow... his heart is light at considering such a thing, and not weighed down by everything that lullaby supposedly represented.

So maybe, he thinks, that even if it's a complicated and painful... maybe it doesn't have to be, either. And maybe it might make Shouto smile, too. ]

[swellter]

[ It'd be easy to tapdance around him. Nudge him off course with a perfectly placed line until he broke from his orbit. Allen could do it with little effort, and Shouto would be none the wiser, steadily moving away from him until one day, he'd be another bright and distant star in the night sky.

These easy moments, filled with laughter and camaraderie, wouldn't exist between them. He wouldn't be compelled by the faint shimmer of his laugh or the heat of his palm. Caught in his orbit, he smiles faintly, a gentle heat radiating from his left side at the thought of hearing him play. ]

I'd like that.

[likethelight]

[ ...it's funny, because as excited as Allen had been to try the game they've both been standing at for a while now and all but ignoring, he's forgotten it as this is so much better. And he tilts his head to the side, smiling broad and warmly as he considers that. Did Shouto voice his wants much? Let alone with a smile. Sometimes, but... he's struggling to recall. Except when he said the same thing not long ago to something else Allen had said, word for word.

"Please rely on me sometimes too. Because what I'd like... it's for us both to rely on each other."
"I'd like that too." ]

Heh. ♥ [ Warmed by that, and by the soft unexplained heat he's gotten better at noticing but doesn't comment on, he pats Shouto's shoulder again as he dips his head brightly in a small nod. It's a promise then. A crazy one, but okay.

Happiness is strange like that. ]

Did you still want to play? I liked that first song.

[ Doesn't even matter what they pick, he's good. ♥ Unless there's some bittersweet lullaby or soulful piano hiding in there. ]

[swellter]

[ Play? He blinks, his smile fading with the quiet burst of reality creeping back to the forefront. ]

Oh.

[ Right. They were supposed to choose a song. He nods out of habit, eyes shifting back to the assortment of songs. After being privy to his musical talent he quickly scrolls through various songs, switching genres entirely for something more suited to his background. ]

What about this?

[ He taps the song, letting him listen to it before they start. ]

It's slower than most songs. [ With a bittersweet soulful piano lullaby. ] I think it's a good way to learn the mechanics before you try something faster.

[likethelight]

[ Oh...

He's quiet as the song plays actually, blinking. His expression becoming quite surprised and a little slack actually. Oh... there were songs like this, then. He hadn't expected slower ones, most seemed quite fast and hectic to him although that wasn't bad. Or ones with piano. Or piano with such soft and sad singing.

Funny, he'd never thought he'd really be drawn to the piano at one point. In fact he should probably have a revulsion to it. But there's a nostalgia with it now. ]

...mn. [ He looks back up at him out of his reverie, giving a nod and pointing at the track on the screen. Not smiling and bright like before, but quietly earnest. Like this is something important or right. ]

I like that. Let's do that one, then.

[ This is his type of music. ]

[swellter]

[ A better person would have registered the sort of 'awe' that permeates from his still form. Shouto isn't a better person and as the song plays out, he doesn't register anything too out of place from his companion other than a quiet vacancy from him. Like he was thinking of something other than the music. Did it remind him of something? He doesn't ask and Allen wants to try it out, so he instructs him to get on his side of the dance pad. Once they're in place, Shouto moves forward to tap on the song when his watch starts beeping.

BEEP-BEEP! BEEP-BEEP! BEEP-BEEP!

He falters, face going slightly slack. Lifts his arm to turn off the alarm.

BEEP-BEEP! BEEP---

Hopes he caught in time only there's movement in his chest, and before he knows it a two-foot snow leopard comes bursting out landing on the screen. Naptime is over and she's bursting with energy! ]

Kizu, get down.

[ He tries to scoop her up and set her down, only she escapes him, running all over the screen, sending the assortment of songs into disarray until she finally stops and pounces on a particular song with the weight of her full ten kilos behind her. The announcement of the start of the game starts up.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6 5, 4, Ready, Set, DANCE! ]

1/2 i apologize for literally nothing and never will :)

[likethelight]

[ Is. Is Kizu on a timer? Time out? No, Shouto couldn't discipline her like that. Was she having a toddler nap hour? Is that why they've had some peace of mind? ]

Kizu! [ Her exploding outward and clinging to the arcade screen is not what he was expecting, though maybe he should have. Haha... how long has she been like this now? It feels like forever if you measure it in property damage and scratches to Allen's person, but he does laugh sheepishly as Shouto moves to pick her up with routine precision. Timcanpy snakes out of him in a trail of pale white-gold smoke, curious and alert as well. Playtime? Playtime. More curious than anything though, but he'll nip playfully at her tail and let her tussle with and roll him around. He's good at at least trying to divert her attention.

The countdown pulls Allen's attention back, catching Shouto's eye for an amused smile before it starts. But the melody when it starts-- that's... um...

It is... decidedly not what they heard before. And Allen just kind of stumbles for a moment, staring over at him with a bit of an awkward smile as the first few arrows fly by. ]

???? Er-- [ do... do they start over...? or... what kind of song-- ]

2/2

[likethelight]

[ No, you know, they're doing this. And no matter what kind of look Shouto is giving him, he's reaching over to tap him on the arm and laughing outright. With such a rare, genuinely carefree sort of happiness; utterly delighted. Kizu got you good.

Okay!!! ⇨ ⇨ ⇩ ⇧, let's go!!! ]

HOW DARE YOU PICK THAT SONG!!!

[swellter]

[ The moment Tim comes out, Kizu pounces after him, clearing the screen in a single bound. She lands on the ground and chases after the little winged guardian leaving Shouto to fret after her, torn between staying and going to scoop her up. When Tim turns around, bringing her back within eyesight, his little heart of hearts calms down enough to register the first few beats of the song, which is decidedly not what he picked.

That's when he feels the tap on his shoulder and turns around in time to catch Allen's laughter spilling over the music. He stares outright, heat radiating from his left side, unable to comprehend the rapid turn of events. The game does the job of calling him out when it announces his terrible marks to the world, effectively pulling him out of his stupor to look at the arrows he's supposed to mimic.

Paying attention to the words for the first time, he's caught in another whirlwind of confusion as the lyrics make themselves known to him. What is... what is he listening too? Did they make a song about his quirk??? ]

BAHAHAHA NO REGRETS

[likethelight]

[ He's going to get a stomachache from laughing, or at least hurt his face with smiling. Which is a first! He can't ever remember that happening before! Haha, don't just stand there though!!

Caught up in the moment, he reaches over and grabs the other boy's hand in a moment of compulsive delight, fingers slotting together. He doesn't even care that he's not doing well at all!! He's missing arrows for laughing at the song and Shouto's reaction, staring openly like that and radiating warmth like some people radiate a blush, and for it being too fast for his legs whose muscles are still tight and weak. And he doesn't mind at all! Because that's all part of the most contagious sort of joy at just being alive together.

It's the little things like that. Always about the little things. ]

Don't fall behind! [ An encouraging squeeze! Breathlessly radiant and rosy. Come on now, it's your song! Tim will play with Kizu and keep her occupied for a few minutes. ]

You're breaking him!!! I call sabatoge!

[swellter]

[ What are you laughing at Allen?! He stares in horror as the lyrics continue understanding half of what is being said, yet feeling like he's on full display. The song throws him out of sync; instead of radiating heat, a cold front skims from his right. It sounds like one of the dramas he's heard about with his quirk shoe-horned in. ]

I don't...

[ Takes a step back, away from the accusations, then feels long fingers slot in with his and jerks, head swinging back to Allen, looking down at their hands. Quirk fluctuating from right to left, cheeks a little flushed from the onslaught of the continued announcements of his poor performance. Cold. The cut-throat lyrics. Cold. Kizu rolling on her back exposing her belly to Tim. Hot. Allen's warning: Don't fall behind!. Cold. The breathless flushed look accompanied by an encouraging squeeze of his hand. Hot.

The stalemate breaks and he squeezes back, stepping forward, feet planted on the dance pad this time. ONE encouraging announcement. Still flushed. Hot. He attempts to follow the arrows, faltering every other step. Cold. Not fully engaged with the task, still fluctuating with every pointed dig. How long is this song?!! ]