open | party like you're 35;

[secondthoughts]

Who ☀ Hector & "everyone"
What ☀ It's Hector's birthday!
When ☀ August 5
Where ☀ Lumina Cloth. Surprise!
Content Warnings ☀ drunk people, will add as needed

[ Arrive at Mac Anu, where the welcome party was held, to find it...empty? A quick look on the forums shows a little edit to Hector's post:

We're popping Lumina Cloth's cherry! See you there :-)

So that's where he is.

In the center of the brightly illuminated nighttime city, Hector's set himself up for his little get together. But since he doesn't have any tables or plates or anything fancy like that, all the alcohol and food he bought from various vendors are just...strewn around the floor. The food is probably still good to eat, though. It's fine. Take what strikes your fancy!

Hector's wearing his outfit again. He lounges on the steps of that funky spinny thing in the center of town, and anyone who gets close enough to hear him will hear music coming from his mic. Give him a break. He's doing his best.

When enough people have gathered, he might actually get up and drag everyone into a drinking game.

So enjoy—eat, drink, mingle, and smack your friends! PvP is enabled here, after all :) ]

Comments

[weaseled]

[Oh. That immediately makes him scowl again. Bad Jii-chan, bad!!]

I'm loose enough, thanks.

[secondthoughts]

[ He laughs again, shaking him a bit before letting go. ]

I'm just teasing you, Yael. You're fine the way you are.

[ Because it's fun! ]

Here.

[ There's a brief pause as Hector rifles through his inventory and eventually pulls out a little pastry. ]

I told someone on the forums I'd only share my presents if it happened to also be your birthday, and who would've thunk it actually would be?

[ It's for you, old man... Take it. ]

[weaseled]

[No comment! He's the one who does the teasing here, Other Old Man... but he'll cut Hector some slack on his birthday. His eyes alight on the pastry, brows arched in surprise.]

Aren't you sweet? Split it with me, at least.

[Taking the pastry, Yael pulls it in half and returns one of the halves to Hector.]

Cheers. You planning on throwing some big blowout party offline too?

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector supposes that's fair. He lets out a little laugh and takes the half of the pastry, lifting it up as a gesture of thanks. ]

Not really. Celebrated with some of my coworkers this morning. Someone brought in donuts for the occasion. [ He flashes Yael a grin before biting into his virtual pastry. Yummy. ] But otherwise, nah. I try to go home and visit the family when I can, but the schedule didn't work out this year.

[ It's a pity, but it's okay. He chatted with them in the morning. ]

What about you?

[weaseled]

Ah. Not a bad birthday at your age, all things considered.

[Yael takes a bite of pastry. A bit overly sweet, but he happens to be a fan of pastries and confections, so that works out in his favor.]

As for me... nah. I'd rather the people who know keep quiet about it. A birthday's just another day to me.

[secondthoughts]

[ It really isn't! Hector gives a nod in agreement. All things considered, he really couldn't ask for more. ]

Fair enough. [ He doesn't get it, really. He flung open the door to the office today and announced his birthday, but if Yael's not the type, then so be it. ] But you'd better be ready for me messaging you on your birthday to say hi from now on.

[ HE HAS THE KNOWLEDGE. ]

[weaseled]

I think I can handle that much. Still...

[Yael sighs, giving Hector a look of disappointment that's more performative than anything.]

I'm surprised you'd even offer, considering our last dungeon run.

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector shrugs, and looks away. ]

Like you said, it's all fake. No hard feelings.

[ A beat, a slight grin on his face when he looks back to Yael again. ]

And you're on my friends list, anyway. That means we're friends.

[weaseled]

Yeah? You're gonna dismiss it just like that?

[What happened to the fire in Hector's eyes? That flash of anger? Frustration?]

Suit yourself, I guess. But you should know better than to bottle something like that up.

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector's expression doesn't change, but he folds his arms across his chest and stares at Yael. The look in his eyes is unreadable, like he's studying Yael, or debating on what to say, or simply irritated that he'd bring it up. It's hard to tell. ]

And that's none of your business.

[ Don't worry. It'll all come back the next time he gets frustrated in a dungeon run.

He reaches out to clap a hand over Yael's arm, shaking him slightly. ]

Partying is your business, though. You should go and mingle if you haven't already.

[weaseled]

[How prophetic. Yael suspects the right environment might pry the truth out of Hector whereas this party most certainly will not... but what business is it of Yael's? He knows when a stone isn't going to give up any blood, so he stops squeezing, disinterest falling over his face as he considers the party at large. He'd really rather leave, but...]

...Mm. Yeah, sure. If that'll keep you off my back, then I'll party until I'm grey and old. You do the same.

[Yael's gaze lingers on Hector's just a little too long for comfort before he turns on his heel to leave, waving farewell as he goes. Hate to see a thick man leave, but you love to watch him go............]

[secondthoughts]

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