( ɪᴠ ♛ ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ )

[girlybruiser]

[ The feed opens to a familiar kitchen design, one found in the government housing many of the imPorts reside in. On the kitchen counter there are a few, large plastic containers that seem to hold various vegetables if one looks closely: tomatoes, beetroot, potatoes, bell peppers and radishes. Each one has a cutesy label on them, each of them look ripe and ready for cooking.

Haru steps into the view a moment later, offering a polite smile as always. She takes a seat on a stool by the island, looking directly into the feed. She looks a bit tired, but seems to be in relatively good spirits. ]

Hello, everyone.

So, my birthday is next week and it will be the first I've celebrated with so many friends. Originally I thought of doing something small, but... [ Well, with some of her friends gone, she realizes she wants all her friends there. ] I think it would be a lot more fun if all my friends can come.

The only concern I have is that I've actually never thrown a birthday party before for myself. I'm not sure what makes for a more entertaining venue... I suppose a house party works in a pinch, but I wanted to ask what kind of parties people like to attend and where. I want everyone to be able to enjoy themselves after all.

[ Something registers with Haru then and she gestures to the vegetables behind in the containers. ]

Before I forget, I have much of these vegetables leftover from my harvest, would anyone like some?

Comments

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[am_i_a_monster]

[Abigail gives a friendly smile.]

Happy birthday. I went to a laser tag party once. That was fun. At least for me - I like laser tag. What kind of things do you like?

[She looks at the leftovers.]

I'd like some of your vegetables. Do you have a big garden?

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[girlybruiser]

[ Haru recognizes the name, pausing for a split-second as she recalls the horrific abuse this girl apparently suffered at the hands of her father.

But Haru had gone anon in the post and she certainly doesn't want to dampen anyone's mood with that.

So she smiles back. ]

Thank you! Though it isn't till next week... oh, laser tag is where you shoot people with a light, yes? That sounds like fun.

Well, I like gardening, horror movies, and um, cooking! But I don't think a gardening or cooking party would be much fun.

[ A beat. ]

It was for a while, but now the weather isn't appropriate for outside gardening.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Yes, that's it.  It was fun.  It was in De Chima.  I'm sure there's laser tag places everywhere.  

I think a cooking party would be a lot of fun.   You could have everyone pitch in to help make a meal, and then have a dinner party.  Maybe you could ask guests to bring their own recipes and ingredients, so everyone can learn new dishes. 

[She pauses.] 

Oh,but I guess that's like a house party.   Unless you can rent out a gourmet kitchen.  It's probably not the right time of year for a garden party either. 

[She thinks for a moment.]

A horror movie-themed party could be fun.   Like at a place that's supposed to be haunted.  You'd have to know your guests really well though.  You wouldn't want to trigger any bad memories in them. 

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[girlybruiser]

[ She's impressed by Abigail's response, nodding enthusiastically. ]

What a good idea... I'll certainly keep it in mind.

Oh, er... [ The other girl has a point about triggers. ] Perhaps that's an idea I can shelve for now. Parties should be fun, not scary.

voice. id reads "the psychopomp"

[glowsferatu]

Thy harvest. Art thou a gardener, Haru Okumura?

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[girlybruiser]

[ A girl should probably not be this excited to see The Psychopomp on her post, alas... ]

Hello, Psychopomp. Yes, I am. Um, not by any professional means, but it is a hobby that sort of became what it is.

[glowsferatu]

[ For a quick moment, Kanaya regrets bringing it up. She probably shouldn't be seen talking about any of her own old hobbies. At least it's vegetables instead of flowers. ]

A hobby is good to have. It is a common practice for the living, to my understanding.

How didst thou cultivate this one? [ It's a pun by reflex, hopefully subtle enough that Haru won't notice. ]

[girlybruiser]

[ Though she can't see it, Haru nods. ]

Yes, something to help us channel our strengths, I would say.

[ The pun doesn't catch on, but she giggles anyway. ]

Well, I didn't have too much of an interest originally. At school I was asked to take care of some plants and I simply continued to do so. I found it very relaxing, but rewarding, too.

[glowsferatu]

So it was the advent of necessity by which the spark did first ignite in thy heart. A happy accident.

Is this a typical method among the living, to discover their passions by happenstance? [ Is she absolutely angling for the Psychopomp to find a hobby on their quest to become A Real Boy Person? Hey, every original character do not steal needs an arc. ]

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[am_i_a_monster]

[Abigail lets a bit of pride to show in her own smile. It feels good to inspire enthusiasm.]

Maybe you could do a really campy horror party? One that would be funny rather than scary?

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[ghoulking]

I'm not good at throwing parties, but if you wish, I can make you a cake.

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[legosi]

I wouldn't mind taking some of those vegetables.

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[girlybruiser]

[ ... that's a dog person. Wolf person. ]

... um, certainly! Is there a particular one you would like?

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[girlybruiser]

Oh, are you sure? I would hate to impose!

[ No one's ever made her a cake before. Not a friend, anyway. ]

[girlybruiser]

Hm... I suppose so?

[ She didn't think too hard about it before, but now she has to wonder. ]

But I'm sure some people just know. Like Yusuke-kun is a wonderful artist and he's been deeply involved with art since he was a child.

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[girlybruiser]

Ah, yes! Something not so gory or frightening that people don't leave the party quickly. Thank you for the suggestion!

[ She smiles widely. ]

What sort of birthdays did you have?

[glowsferatu]

Never have I had a hobby beyond my duties in the Beyond. I cannot think what I might have affinity for, so natural passion may not befit me.

Perhaps it is as for thee, and I have yet to encounter a situation where opportunity and necessity test my interest.

[girlybruiser]

There were not times where you did not have to fulfill your duty immediately?

[ Does a guide for the dead get a day off ever? ]

[glowsferatu]

And leave the dead to wander alone, to know not the comfort of the road? No, not before I was made to dwell in this land.

[sanguinespell]

I didn't know you gardened. [ she switches to japanese, honestly just... kinda for the hell of it. language is a use it or lose it thing, and even if she was brought up fluent it was far from the primary language in the minoru home. ]

Me too. Herbs and flowers, not vegetables, but still.

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[am_i_a_monster]

I had very traditional birthdays.  A party at home.  My dad wasn't much for having people over; he would have preferred to take me hunting or camping. My mom would talk him into the party.  My friend Marissa would always come and a few other friends.  I'd have cake, presents, all the usual stuff.   

For my mom's last birthday, we were going to go on a mountain climbing trip.  My parents loved the outdoors.  But that, uh, it didn't happen.   [Her smile fades as she remembers why.]  It would have been great if it had.

[girlybruiser]

[ There's something comforting about switching to her mother tongue. Maybe because the opportunity doesn't provide itself often. ]

You have a green thumb as well, Nico-chan? You'll have to show me one day. And yes, I do! I used to experiment a little back home, but I don't have those kind of resources here.

[girlybruiser]

But it must get lonely, yes? Or a little boring?

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[girlybruiser]

[ She thinks she knows why, but is hesitant to ask. ]

I enjoy the outdoors as well. I wish I had experienced it often growing up, but Father was always occupied with work in the city.

[sanguinespell]

[ she nods, giving a little un of affirmation. ]

I didn't do it back home, but it felt right to start. For Wiccan stuff, and just to keep busy. I've gotten pretty good at it? Karolina and I are moving into a new place soon, though--so I'll have to start a new garden there.

What kind of experiments?