[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

[floralogy]

[You're talking to one Yamanaka Ino, after all.]

That's not what I meant. I mean those hideous green spandex suits manage to highlight certain parts of the body, you know.

[screw_fate]

[Enjoy the blandest look he can possibly give, Ino.]

As a matter of fact, I hadn't noticed.

[After spending pretty much every day with two guys in spandex for the last several years. And having X-ray vision.]

[floralogy]

Sure you didn't. [Yes, she can see that bland look and for a while, she's glad she can kid around with Neji like this.] Maybe you just choose not to notice.

[screw_fate]

Perhaps. Or maybe I'm generally focused on more important things. [Like whether Gai is in a "punches of youthful affection" kind of mood. That's important to pay attention to.]

[floralogy]

Well, I do admit there are more important things. [And if Neji actually admitted, though she has faith he won't, that he focuses on those areas of concern, Ino will be very weirded out.] But the glaring bulge is definitely hard to miss.

[screw_fate]

[There's a really rude comment that Neji could make right here -- but he has a little too much decorum, not to mention a lack of desire to actively insult his compatriots, to actually come out with it.]

If you say so.

[floralogy]

[What is this comment, Neji? Do spill. :3]

Kidding aside, I'm sure Chouji will appreciate the fact you made time for this. [Because she knows it's not easy for him inasmuch as if this birthday happened days ago, it won't be easy for her too.]

[screw_fate]

[He's far too well-bred for that, Ino.]

I would not do less for a friend. Or for several. [He gives her a nod of acknowledgment; Chouji may be the guest of honor, but mixing with other guests is just as important.]

1/2

[floralogy]

[Oh, she knows about the way he values comrades, if his imminent death is something to go by. But she doesn't make that as her reference because that's something that hasn't happened yet, at least for her. Neji had proven time and again he's a loyal comrade even without dying for them.]

I'm sure you won't. I think that almost goes without saying.

[floralogy]

[Her smile falters, though, at her next words.]

But with everything that'll happen that we came to know, this means much. [For Chouji.]

[screw_fate]

[His expression flickers uncomfortably, but he nods.]

I... would not withhold myself from the group unnecessarily. All of us... we need to stay together to remember who we are.

[floralogy]

[His words return her smile, even at least a little.]

That's right. I couldn't have said it better myself. Truthfully, everyone should especially at times like these.

[screw_fate]

[He nods; the truth of that is inescapable.]

It's the strength of our village, I think... our ability to stand together.

[floralogy]

[That gets a nod out of Ino.]

Through thick and thin, yes. [Will Neji mind if she just slips an arm around him and drag him to the food table? Because she'll be doing it right now.]

Anyway, speaking of which, go and eat! I didn't know you're also figure-conscious. [Neji looks thinner than she last saw, but she knows it's not because he's on a diet regimen.] You'll end up being as sexy as me and I don't want competition!

[screw_fate]

[Well he might mind the arm a bit, but he's accustomed enough to being swept along by someone who won't take no for an answer.]

I doubt you'll have a fear of that. [Secretly, he's grateful for how she phrased it. Being told to go and eat is a tricky thing, but she's at least sparing his dignity.]