008 || {Action} || Backdated to the evening of the 10th.

[contempsi]

[Hope had been grateful for the warmth, and he was almost sorry to see it on the verge of fading away. At the same time, though, autumn was something he found himself looking forward to as he'd never experienced anything like it back on Cocoon. Leaves turning colours? Quite the interesting phenomenon!

It had been overcast that day, which only added to Hope's gloomy mood. Most kids look forward to their birthday with excitement, in practically any world as he'd discovered living here - and he, too, was still pleased to find himself growing both in height and in smarts - but it also left him feeling strange and a bit emotionally disoriented. His last birthday had been different. Completely different. He had been different. The Pulse fal'Cie were little more than frightening legends as far as he'd been concerned. His Mom had been there, his school friends... Dad was not, of course. As usual. But even that was familiar, part of his old life. Despite everything he's outgrown and overcome, there's still a part of him that would give anything to be back home with his mother and - as funny as it would sound - having another dumb argument with his father.

It doesn't matter how old he gets. That part of him might be buried, hidden, but it will never go completely away.

As such, though he's already somewhat shy and introverted when it comes to gatherings, he'd sworn up and down to Lightning that he did not want a party of any type. In all honesty, he didn't want any kind of fuss made over him... but he resigned himself to the fact that it wouldn't be completely avoidable.

As such, in the end, that lack of a party turned into a cozy little gathering with his housemates around a campfire by the seaside. He could try and cover it up with more teenage moodiness, but truth be told, the summer days were waning and soon it would be too cold to even really spend time on the beach - let alone pitch a fire.

So he's fifteen now. It feels strange to say, even stranger than when he had to get used to being fourteen! And in just a few months, he'll have been here for a year. It's funny how easily time slips away.

Maybe a year from now, for his not-so-sweet sixteen, he'll finally be ready to be social.]


( OOC: This can just be free-for-all style threading instead of a posting order! If any of Hope's friends/acquaintances beyond House Lucky want to drop by we can assume he invited them to come hang out too. ♥ )

Comments

CUPCAKES >:T

[thestormishere]

[ It's a pretty fine balance between making sure Hope's birthday is thoroughly celebrated to the extent he deserves, but not making a big deal out of it as he wanted... but fortunately, that kind of thing is exactly what Lightning tends to favor anyway. The beach, a fire, and just a few people is right up her alley.

However.

Who knows what put it in the woman's head that she actually needed to make something edible for this - especially considering she's much better at destroying stuff with heavy weaponry than anything kitchen-related - but for anyone who's brave enough to try...

She looks totally serious as she wrestles the lid off the box of her creations that got brought along: cupcakes, with frosting that's white, orange, or sort of an awkward mix of both. Please at least try one? She worked quite hard and they should be pretty good, if just a touch blander than what you'd expect.

... If it helps, Aerith had a hand in their genesis as well. ]

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

Ah...

[Hope picks one up, staring at it for a moment, as if he'd come across and picked up a strange alien form of wildlife on GRAN PULSE or... something equally melodramatic.

Still, it's the thought that counts. He just has to keep telling himself that, right? But maybe they won't be so bad. Maybe Lightning has a secret knack for cultivating delicious sinful delights and he just never knew about it!!

...okay, not bloody likely. But they also live with Aerith. And Aerith would not sit idly by and watch pastries be destroyed. He has faith in her. Maybe even some for Lightning, too.

Squeezing his eyes shut, he sticks his tongue out to give the icing a cautious lick... and accidentally smears some on the side of his mouth. Classy.]

[thestormishere]

[ Classy indeed. Lightning watches with her eyebrows coming together - it's not like she's the kind of person who would think it's funny to give him something that tastes bad on his birthday, and she definitely wouldn't do anything that would... like... poison him or anything! Even if she does have Esuna. ]

It goes in your mouth, Hope. [ She pauses, maybe just the slightest teeny tiny bit awkwardly, then: ] They're good. Even the ugly ones.

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

[He notices her watching and immediately feels guilty. Obviously she put her work into these things, even if they're "just" cupcakes... so... Hope tries to cover up his strange meekness toward the dessert with an awkward smile. Complete with the icing on his face.

And then he takes a bite!]

...okay, you're right. They're not bad at all. In fact, they're pretty good, Light. [That's when he realizes his embarrassing mistake, and quickly lifts an arm to wipe off his mouth.]

[thestormishere]

But in other words, I probably shouldn't hand in my gunblade just yet.

[ There's a slight smirk as she turns her head aside some, although... even if she does little to betray it, the fact that she's actually able to focus on something so frivolous and joke about it even that tiny bit is a pretty big change from how it might have once been before. Her overall mood is gradually brightening again. ]

You can help me convince the others, though.

Unexpected Guest Appears /sob Sorry. Couldn't help it!

[lost-pig-boy.livejournal.com]

Hehe, I was hoping he'd eventually get an opportunity again!

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

[In fact, he does remember! A little hard not to - this place isn't exactly crawling with little black yellow-bandanna-wearing piggies. Although because it's dark... he doesn't notice Ryoga at first.

Just. A moving backpack. Seemingly on its own.

What even.

Inching away from the fire, Hope leans over for a closer look— and that's when he spots the pig. He hops up, bare feet slapping over damp sand as he scurries over.]

It's you...!

[Fluffy white puppy. Boy with fluffy white hair. Maybe he'll make the connection... maybe not...]

I-I was waiting for a good opportunity post to tag! ^_^;

[lost-pig-boy.livejournal.com]

Uweee.

Haha oh it's okay! <3

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

It really is you! [As if the pig's noise confirms it. Hope stoops down lower to see him, outstretching a hand in hopes that he'll sniff at it or... something, instead of running away.]

What are you doing out here by yourself?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

[So maybe it's not a huge party; Ven doesn't mind. He loves the beach, and he enjoys hanging out with friends. So, naturally, he's going to take this chance to hang out with Hope, low key or not.

So, once he spots him, he'll make his way over.]

Hey, Hope!

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

Hi, Ven. [Hope hops to his feet, reaching to brush off some errant grains of sand from his backside before wandering the few steps between them to greet him.]

It's... been a while, huh?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

It sure has. How've you been?

[After all, catching up is always nice.]

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

Well... a lot's happened. But I guess that's pretty normal for this place.

[He grabs one of Lightning's epic cupcakes and holds it out.] Here, Lightning made these. They're actually not that bad.

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

So-o-o... fifteen, huh? That's a lot of birthday pinches.

[ Aerith's hand is sneaking out, teasing. To be honest, she's more likely to tickle than pinch. She's just riling him. ]

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

[ASDHSDHJDG WHAT. NO. Hope's eyes go wide and he squirms away in an attempt to escape this method of cruel and unusual punishment.]

I-I don't need those! Aeriiith!

I might just use all her weird |D faces on him

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

But they help you grow! [ Ahahaha totally snaking both hands out now. TICKLE TIME. ]

hskglhsdg

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

No they d— aah!

[He's quick but not quick enough. 8( Immediately he goes to swat at Aerith's hands, an automatic reaction.] S-stop! Stop it...! [It's broken up by little giggles. Dammit, Aerith. Stop ruining his manly image.]

PRESENT >:T

[thestormishere]

[ Quite a bit later, after the idle conversation has been thoroughly exchanged and most of the food present has been consumed (with hopefully nobody getting seriously burned or poisoned, of course), Lightning approaches Hope with yet another box under her arm- one she's been carefully avoiding letting anyone pressure her into handing over too soon, in front of eyes that aren't hers or the teen whose birthday they're quietly celebrating.

No cliche remarks about feeling older and the like from her though, that's for sure. Instead she opts for a silent smile and a quiet sigh as she walks up beside him, then puts a hand on his opposite shoulder - not quite a hug, but pretty close to one.

She knows he has to be thinking about... a lot, really, considering all that's changed and happened in the last year. Especially considering the members of his family that aren't here. However, whether he wants to talk about it...? That's something she'll gladly leave up to him. ]

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

[At some point, he'd removed his shoes, and at Lightning's approach during another of his many moments of rumination he'd been squishing his toes into the shore and watching as the waves pulled the sand away from his feet again.

The water's starting to get cold. Not unbearably so just yet, but he knows that'll come soon. He's learned it in his time here and with the patterns of weather. Bodhum never got cold; he knew that despite only having visited. Seasons were almost irrelevant.

He heard Lightning's approach and so her touch doesn't startle him. Hope turns around, mirroring the smile with a quiet one of his own.]

Hey.

[thestormishere]

Hey. Good idea.

[ She glances down quickly, sort of gesturing at his bare feet without actually moving. Of course, considering she's already stripped off her own footwear too, it would seem she had the same idea. Her smile is a touch wry as she tilts her head, but then she dips her chin down, venturing a little with: ]

You look like you have a lot rolling around in your head today.

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

Yeah. [Another slight smile.] It feels nicer this way. And... I don't have to worry about sand in my shoes.

[Hope sighs, idly slipping his hands into his pockets as he peers out over the horizon again. Yep, so broody that he doesn't even make a grab for the box she's holding. Yet.]

Well... it's kind of dumb. Sometimes I— I still expect to see lights in the sky.

wow this is like a backdated backdate

[wingenvy]

[Birthdays and parties, two of his favourite things! And since Lightning and Hope had joined he and Aerith like this he can't help that he's gotten kind of watchfully protective of the whole family over time, Hope included. So somewhere in the middle of the little party he'll ambush Hope, wandering up behind him to give his hair a good ruffle, as he is fond of doing.]

Hey, kiddo! Happy birthday. You having a good time?

Ffff it's all good brah :D

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

Ah—! [Admittedly, that startled him a little. Even if he could sort of hear Zack's approach over the sand. But his surprise quickly melts into a little laugh.]

Yeah. It's... it's just what I needed, I think. I didn't want anything fancy, but it's nice to spend time out here while the weather's still nice.

[wingenvy]

Yeah, no argument here. I like this place, I'm gonna miss it when it cools down too much to swim here.

[It's already cooled down considerably, though not so much to make it intolerable. It's only a matter of time, though.]

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

But it's not too cold now, right?

[Hope glances out over the water, scuffling a toe in the sand. It looks really nice... the way everything's growing darker, the shimmering shattered bits of light scattered across the surface. It's not quite like how it would have been on Cocoon, but it's still interesting nonetheless.]