[Voice / Action: CH1 Floor 4, 5/1] Birthday Party (Joint post with Ino)

[16autumnroad]

[VOICE, INO]
[A loud, familiar voice would be heard throughout the network today. Good thing it's not so early in the morning when it hollers or there'd be a lot of ruined mornings today despite the important announcement.]

Hey, Luceti! We've all had a lot of drama these past few days so, what do you all say about a little party? It's Chouji's birthday today and, of course, that needs celebrating!

Come by the first community building and you'll find the happenings on the fourth floor. See you there!

[With a little giggle, the announcement ends there.]

--

[ACTION]
It was only a little bit of a surprise to Chouji when he received an invitation to his own birthday party, delivered to the apartment door. These were things you just had to expect and accept with Ino as a teammate. Everyone on the floor along with Kiba and Asuma received paper invitations. Then he heard her network post, inviting pretty much everyone in the village. Ino.

He'd laughed and grinned when he woke up to a knock on the apartment door and the smell of chips that morning, a purple whirlwind demanding entrance to the apartment so she could decorate it. A glance down the hallway showed a trail of butterfly decorations, marking the path of Hurricane Ino.

Chouji gladly spent half of his birthday in the kitchen, likewise decorated with butterflies, cooking for his own party. He'd always been the team's cook, and there was no reason for that to change just because it was his party.

By dinnertime, the common areas as well as Chouji, Shikamaru, and Masaomi's apartment held enough potato chips to feed an army even without all the food Chouji cooked. Barbecue, of course, along with vegetables, rice, fish, chicken curry, miso soup, and one or two desserts. He made sure to include pudding, his thanks to Ino for her thought and effort.

Now they just needed some guests to help eat it all.


((OOC: I am very close to done with the semester and will be back to full tagging speed ASAP! I'll match whatever format you tag me in, prose or brackets.

Open to anyone! Threadhopping and mingling highly encouraged! It's a party.))

Comments

[generalflirt]

[So Masaomi had robots hands, was evil, and was killed at a party he was at yesterday. Awkward, all things considered. So being at a different party he just decides to... roll with the punches. So he settles into the room and wonders if it might be better to take this to the kitchen again. He scooted some of the beanbags out of the way and spends his time lurking around there and. Yeah. Lurking.

He'll get a reunion with Linda later. He'll apologize to Chouji for not having a gift later. But he's around]

[16autumnroad]

Hi, Masaomi. Ino insisted. [A small gesture of his hand indicates all the butterfly decorations. He didn't protest, though, and the smile on his face is only slightly sheepish. Chouji can't hold any of it against her, and he actually appreciates the thought. At least Masaomi's room is free of butterflies. Ino stayed out of there without prompting.

Chouji has no idea what went on with Masaomi during the recent round of experimentation, but he seems a little less energetic than usual. Chouji offers his default remedy.]

Are you hungry? [Food is good in every situation, after all.]

[endgames]

[Linda ran off not long after they walked through the door. Since she hasn't come back, Shikamaru's assumed that the agents they talked to were correct and Masaomi's here after all. Shikamaru comes looking for him after tossing his flak jacket and weapons off in his room.]

[endgames]

Back from his mission, with Linda on his shoulder, Shikamaru blinked when he stepped off the elevator to see the fourth floor decorated with butterflies. Blinked, and then promptly moved on with a snort. Ino, no doubt... It's really no surprise at all, knowing her.

He doesn't bother with any formalities opening the door. "I'm back." He kicks his shoes off by the entrance, smirking a bit. Same decorations inside, too, huh. "That's enough of a present, right?"

From there, Linda will no doubt be in a hurry to reunite with Masaomi as soon as she sees him. For his part, after some initial greetings Shikamaru will duck into his room for a change of clothes, and - since he's not a total cheap skate - the real present he procured for the birthday boy in question. He's tired from Jungle Patrol... oddly not as much as he should be, though. He'll stop by the kitchen and hang out with the rest of their friends that show up too.

[16autumnroad]

The apartment has been a little empty lately; Shikamaru's arrival is appreciated. Butterflies have taken over the entire common area in his absence, as he's already noticed. At least Ino left Shikamaru's room alone.

"Welcome back!" Chouji never doubted Shikamaru would be back for his birthday, but the confirmation is nice all the same. "Of course it is. You have to eat barbecue and chips with me tonight, though." As if that's a chore.

[breezing]

The minute Ikki spots Shikamaru, he will shortly find he has a fashionable new accessory attached to his waist. In other words, a small airbender in a red party dress. He is the height of stylish, now.

"Shikamaru! You're here! I knew you'd be here because it's a party for Chouji, he's super nice, isn't he? And he likes butterflies which are the prettiest bugs although it's weird that they're only one thing but I'm used to that by now. Did you know Chouji tried to go through our air gates? He knows grandpa, too." At this point Ikki actually pauses for breath. "It's been a while since you came over!!"

[action; HURRICANE INO]

[floralogy]

[There are two situations wherein you'll find this great friend by the name of Yamanaka Ino:

One, you'll chance upon her decorating the place with either flowers of butterflies. She's busy and has a lot on her hands, may it be more flowers, streamers, pins, cutout butterflies etc. She doesn't seem to mind any of this, however, as a smile's plastered on her lips. She's even humming a singsong tune to herself while she works.

Two, Ino will be found handing over chips to guests once the party starts (or when guests begin pouring in). She'll also probably be a busy body in the kitchen and will be serving food to anyone who will come to celebrate with them.

This mostly serves as her closure, despite saying goodbye to her father formally days ago, as the tears she once shed are now replaced by a beaming smile. This will also serve as her 'thank you' for Chouji, for always being such a reliable and nice teammate/friend to her. For years, it had always been her and Shikamaru. Having him here is already worth celebrating.]

[action; HURRICANE INO - one;]

[dangerouswind]

[It's hard to miss that something's happening outside the apartment. Temari does nothing but open her door and lean against the jamb as she watches Ino for a moment - then turns her gaze to the decorations already up.]

You're not much for subtlety, are you?

[action; HURRICANE INO]

[16autumnroad]

Chouji finds Ino in the kitchen distributing food, and he smiles at her. "Trade you?" he offers, reaching for the plate she's just filled and gesturing with the pudding he made specifically as thanks to Ino for the party.

If she accepts, though, he won't give it to her, instead setting both of them down and giving Ino a hug. He has the best teammates. And he's grateful to see Ino happy, pouring her energy into something positive and making the first step toward moving forward even with her grief.

[action; HURRICANE INO]

[niceguypose]

[Lee was handed a bag of chips as he entered. He hadn't really seen Ino around much since he got back, as reclusive as he's been. But seeing her again - it was good to see her smiling. But he felt something twist inside all the same. Remembering home. And wondering. Does she know yet?

He tries his best to keep up an uneasy smile as glances into the bag of chips and then up at Ino.]

Ino... saaaan. [He bows.] Thank you. For the gift of potato chips and for arranging this or Chouji-kun,

[action;]

[endgames]

[He didn't get back from his mission until the party has actually gotten underway. After dropping off his jacket and equipment in his room, he's up to mingling. Those chips she's handing out weren't offered to him yet, but he's not above just sneaking up behind her, reaching over her head, and helping himself. 'SUP.]

[stilldontgotit]

[...Riku had to laugh at Ino's enthusiasm. After knowing her for so long, it didn't strike him as surprising, but such an open invitation? It made him wonder what Chouji would even think.

But, hey, Ino being in brighter spirits sure beat her earlier tears. And besides, he probably needed to meet the guy, anyway.

So, after following the butterfly trail, Riku slips inside glancing around for familiar faces as well as the birthday boy himself. He may help himself to a handful of chips as well.

Oh, and please don't mind the overly friendly bat traveling with him. He's all smiles and chirps, really, fluttering every which way like an overactive child.]

[16autumnroad]

[Chouji also laughed at Ino's enthusiasm, even if his was tinged with mild embarrassment; at least he and Riku were on the same page.

He recognizes Riku, has seen him around, and knows how important Riku is to Ino. Chouji can't believe he's taken this long to seek Riku out for a real conversation. He supposes a lot of things have been going on, but he definitely intends to fix that now.

Momentarily distracted by the most lurid animal he's ever seen, Chouji smiles.]

Are all bats that color in your world?

[generalflirt]

[Man did he have that bat back when he'd seen Riku in drafts, particularly Vaskoth? He's not sure. But as it is, Linda who is finally back with him has her eyes narrowed at it on his shoulder. Some sort of enemy she can fight? To regain her pride after all the problems she's had lately. Masaomi pats her head to discourage her for that, but Masaomi saunters over towards Riku either way]

[open to anyone]

[dangerouswind]

If dinner is going to be provided, then Temari isn't about to try to either cook something for herself or go forage for food elsewhere. She's been keeping somewhat to herself of late, which is her default mode when things change. She knows it, recognizes it, and rolls with it. There's a part of her that thinks she's more than ready to deal with multiple conversations at once.

Hopefully.

For the sake of food, she'll court disaster. (At the very least, court a headache.) She slips into apartment and goes straight for the food. Social niceties can come after a bite or two.

[16autumnroad]

Food is important, and when Chouji notices Temari eating, he waits a minute before greeting her. He agrees that social niceties come second, eating a handful of chips.

He joins her by the prepared food, though, and fills his own plate. "It's good to see you, Temari."

For Chouji in the kitchen!

[bymystrings]

Ino's announcement in the morning had surprised Kankuro, mainly because he didn't know that any birthday's were so close to his own. Deciding that being friendly with the leaf nin's couldn't hurt, Kankuro left his apartment only to stop and stare at all the butterfly decorations.

After a brief 'What the hell' moment Kankuro shakes his head then heads to the kitchen. Of course, Chouji is already there. Kankuro grins and heads towards the other nin.

"Hey, I heard it's your birthday so, Happy Birthday I guess."

As he is still affected with his lovely shift, these words bring forth a waterfall of multi-colored beads which he easily catches in a pouch that had been at his waist.

[16autumnroad]

Chouji is very predictable. He's certainly spent enough time in the kitchen lately.

Kankuro is less so. Chouji's eyes widen, his mouth drops open ever so slightly before he regains his composure and smiles back. "It is. Thank you!"

A gesture toward Kankuro accompanies his words. "That's been happening since you got back?"

[niceguypose]

Lee had been unusually reclusive since his return from home. In the last few weeks, he's perhaps been a bit more social, but with some hesitance. Still, he could never miss the birthday party of a Konoha comrade.

So there he is, doing his best to try to enjoy the atmosphere. With a smile that seems just a bit forced- and occasional laughs that seem even more so. He samples the food as politely as he can and makes sure to smalltalk with everyone else around, but he spends a good amount of time just leaning against a corner with a cup of protein shake.

But he's also afraid of others catching onto his reluctance to be social. So every half hour, he abandons his corner and makes several great, leaping bounds across the party, with just bits of his drink spilling in the process, in order to move himself to a different corner. That way, they will never detect his sorrow.

[16autumnroad]

Lee is usually so overwhelmingly genuine that his forced laughter is practically painful. Chouji made curry partly in hopes of tempting Lee, so he notices, albeit with no particular surprise, that Lee's enjoyment of the food is cursory at best.

The leaps across the room are a surprise, though, and no one can fail to notice those. Chouji lets the drink spill, doesn't call attention to it. He can clean the floor later.

Chouji does seek Lee out in one of his corners afterward, though, managing a soft smile. "Thank you for coming, Lee."

[weaponry]

[ Tenten brought her very own legendary Authentic Chinese Cooking™. Or, as authentic as a Chinese themed character can make it anyways. She has sesame chicken, her specialty, wrapped up in a bowl as she walks out her and Ino's door and into the common area. Tied to her back is a neatly wrapped present, with the words "To: The Sixteenth Head of the Akamichi Clan". ]

Happy Birthday Chouji! [ There's a scroll dangling from the left side of her hip and on the side there's a tag on it that says PARTY FAVORS.

You might wanna ask her about it Chouji. This is Tenten after all. ]

[16autumnroad]

[Food and a gift?] Tenten, you didn't have to bring anything!

[But he's smiling, and he obviously appreciates it.] Thank you.

[Then he notices the scroll. What would Tenten bring as party favors? Chouji can't think of anything but weapons, actually.] Party favors too?

[medicalpunch]

Given the low mood that had been hanging over much of the Konoha enclave for the past few weeks, Sakura was glad to see spirits brightening with a party -- especially Ino's spirits, truth be told. After all, at the end of the day, they were best friends, and seeing Ino so unhappy was difficult.

Once the party starts, she'll be rolling in with a flat rectangular present for Chouji that's easily identified as a cookbook -- one with recipes she's never seen before, and he probably hasn't either. She picked it up from the item shop and is pretty confident that it's not anything from their world. (Enjoy a 1950s French cookbook, Chouji; there's gotta be plenty of interesting things to make from that!)

"Chouji! There's the birthday boy!" She greeted him with a bright, cheerful smile. "Happy birthday!"

[16autumnroad]

"Sakura! You didn't have to get me anything." A standard protest, but Chouji is grinning. He was as glad as Sakura to see Ino happy and planning a party, and the fact that she was doing so for his sake just meant he appreciated it doubly.

Chouji's interests are well-known, and the shape of that present suggests one thing. He might not be blessed with Shikamaru's deductive capabilities, but he doesn't need to be. It's book-shaped, and bigger than most books he's seen here. Except, of course, for the books in which he's most interested. Chouji is willing to bet it's a cookbook, and he keeps smiling. (He'll be sure to make Sakura something from it!)

[Action]

[windandrain]

[Okay, so Saori didn't know Chouji but she'd seen him around a few times. But that was zero excuse for avoiding a party. Birthdays were something she considered to be highly important, and after the annoying troubles the Malnosso had put everyone through she was in a baking mood. A flurry of baking, in fact. So...what was one more thing on top of everything else? And who would turn away a free pie? She certainly hoped not.

So, completely unannounced, and knowing only Lee and Shikamaru, Saori wandered by bearing a rather large, expertly cooked, apple pie. Still warm, too.

She knocks on the door, ready to drop it off and leave, but with a big smile on her face all the same.]

I promised the other day that you'd get nothing but prose from me ever, so... surprose!

[16autumnroad]

Chouji thought some guests might be unfamiliar, given Ino's invitation, but it still comes as a little bit of a surprise to see a stranger at the party. Someone he didn't know came to celebrate his birthday. And she brought food. Chouji likes her immediately.

He grins as he approaches. "You didn't have to bring anything, but it smells delicious."

And then, slightly sheepishly, unsure of how to introduce himself at a party in his own honor, he adds, "I'm Chouji. Thank you for coming, and for the pie!"

[breezing]

[ Ikki obviously accepts this invitation - and she shows up nicely turned out, in a child's red party dress and a red ribbon in her hair, which is for once down.

Soren, the bird pokemon, is similarly well turned out, if you count a pokemon wearing a red ribbon matching his trainer's dress to be "well turned out".

She obviously also has a present, and will be trying to find Chouji soon on, although she'll also make an effort to speak to some of the others, if she recognizes them. Or even if she doesn't. ]

[floralogy]

[Ino's busy serving food when she notices a little red blur that went past her. Blinking, she ignores it for a moment so she can serve the plate she's holding before she decides to follow after it. Oh, what do you know, it's a cute little girl in a party dress!

Well, isn't that adorable.

Here, she'll crouch down on eye-level with her so Ino can greet her properly. Who knew Chouji knows little kids like her? Then again, that's not surprising.]

Hello, there! My name's Ino, what's yours? Are you a friend of Chouji's?

[Hmm, what's probably odd is that this girl seems familiar. Ino's sure she has seen her somewhere, but with who?]

[savedtheworld]

[Aang may not have met Ino first, but Chouji was already considered to be a good friend by Aang, so he was very excited that it was his birthday. He shows up within an hour of the message, after preparing some treats at the bakery that he brings. Most of them are whichever ones Aang noted Chouji seeming to enjoy the most at the "bake sale" event.

He goes around excitedly in his formal yellow robes, ready to mingle with the various guests - and maybe get some dancing going on!]

[16autumnroad]

Aang! I'm glad you could come! [Chouji would thank Ino again for the party if they hadn't already promised to stop doing that. It was actually really nice to see all of his friends at once, and by now he was entirely on board with the idea even if it hadn't been his to start with. Friends and food, what was there not to like?]

What's that? [Chouji gestures to what's in Aang's hands. Because of Aang's work at the bakery, Chouji has his suspicions.]

[precipitous]

Korra was at the party too, enjoying the food - all of the food. She had a plate piled high with a little bit of everything, eager to eat her fill, but she was open to socializing, too. And of course, she wouldn't miss the chance to wish the birthday boy a happy birthday.

[floralogy]

[Serving the guests food here and there, it's not a surprise then that Ino will be able to chance upon THE GLUTTON NEAR THE FOOD TABLE no she's just kidding. Go ahead and pig out.

Wait, Ino knows this girl. She's the one with the boy issues that she talked to back then. Oh god, she can still remember that woman who countered her. Good times, good times. Brb approaching her now.]

Looks like someone hasn't eaten for days. Here- [Setting down the plate filled with food beside Korra, Ino offers a small smile.] -knock yourself out.

[screw_fate]

Neji wasn't exactly the life of any party, even back home, but now he's especially loath to draw too much notice to himself. But Chouji is a kind person, and has been kind to him during his recent... difficulty, so Neji doesn't feel it right to snub the party, either.

So he slips in, hanging back to the edges of the room as he searches out the guest of honor. He can go give him well-wishes in a quiet moment, and otherwise hopes he simply won't be noticed.

[floralogy]

[Handing guests a bag of chips, it won't be a surprise then when Ino finally catches sight of Neji. Unlike the others who might have seen a ghost, there's a wide smile on her face as she goes and approaches him.]

Glad you can make it, Neji. [Here, she'll give you a bag.] Do you like the decorations?

[She had seen him dead through Shikamaru but unlike everyone, she hasn't lived through it yet and the effect on her isn't as grave. She had only witnessed details of her own father's death and Neji's own was only seen in passing. Regardless, Ino's not insensitive. She'll strike small talk like Neji is alive.]

[keepitcanine]

[Kiba and Akamaru show up eventually. It smells great, if nothing else, though Kiba has to admit the butterfly décor is a bit on the cheesy side, and he hopes it was Ino's idea, since Birthday Parties are Her Thing.

He melds into the crowd once he slips inside, keeping an eye out for Chouji as he starts to browse the food table.]

[floralogy]

[WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S ON THE CHEESY SIDE HOW DARE YOU

Anyway, Ino will approach Kiba and Akamaru once she spots them. Here, she'll even hand him a bag of chips as a party favor.]

Look who decided to show up.