[OPEN; Party Post!] B-i-r-t-h-d-a-y boys in Ten Forward

[stark_spangled]

Steve's been spending a lot of time with Akito since he woke up. He feels responsible for the kid, even if the accident wasn't his fault. Since the knock to his head affected his memories, Steve kinda feels like the only guy on this ship who remembers who he is, and when the topic of a health care guardian came up with Dr. Crusher he seemed like the only real choice. Looking over his medical file a few days ago, he looked up and smiled.

"Hey, you've got the same birthday as my best friend," he had said.

Akito had just blinked at him. "I do?"

There was never much folding green* lying around back when he and Bucky were kids, so birthdays were usually marked by the usual pinch-to-grow-an-inch and a 'Happy Birthday, Punk,' and sometimes -- on good years -- a flat cake (because they were always out of baking soda) decorated with candy corn they'd saved from the last fall. He had frowned, realizing Akito and Bucky may have shared something else in common. Neither of them could remember ever having a birthday party.

So there's a cake in Ten Forward. A real one, with layers and frosting and 'Happy Birthday' scrawled across the top in icing. There are some balloons and music, and the bartender has helped out with punch and drinks and other snacks. Next to the cake there are a few wrapped presents. Hey, Steve got Natasha an alien space dog for her birthday; there's no way he was going to forget Bucky and Akito. Even if, to get them to come, he told Bucky the party was for Akito, and told Akito the party was for Bucky. Hey, it's the truth. Sort of.

It's not a huge party -- Steve wouldn't know the first thing about throwing one like that -- but it's festive and open to the whole room. Steve's friendly to everybody, helpful where he can be, and as long as everyone is on this ship he figures that makes them part of the same team. So come get a slice of cake.

(*slang for extra spending cash
ooc: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUCKY BARNES AND WANIJIMA AKITO!! As if Steve would forget. So this is set up party post style, where we'll have subheadings for various party activities, but if we forget anything fun or you have ideas to add in, start your own header threads! Then tag around wherever you like, using the subject line to say if you're OTA or locked to certain people like Steve, Akito, or Bucky. Steve would have made the invitation to the party public, so there's no need to worry about crashing. EVERYONE IS INVITED!)

Comments

The Lounge

[stark_spangled]

Meet and Mingle!

Re: The Lounge

[immutablysam]

Sam knows the principle. Birthday parties are mostly a rich person thing, except for, sometimes, the big ones - depending on the culture. This time and place though, well, everyone is richer, in a lot of ways, than most folks Sam has ever met, so it makes sense.

Besides, learning opportunity. The 'young man' in early 1800'[s frontier wear meanders into the proceedings.

The Lounge - OPEN

[whereishe]

Yuna didn't know many people on the ship though she was happy that Steve had let her come to such an event. She was wearing her songstress outfit knowing that there would be dancing and possibly singing on her part. The purple blouse hugged her torso with silver accents lining its center and sides.

She stood off to the side with a pleasant smile watching everyone enjoy themselves. She couldn't help but wonder when her own birthday was and she can be seen counting on her fingers as she tires to figure it out.

ota

[akito]

Akito has never been to a birthday party before - at least that he can remember, which isn't saying a whole lot considering he doesn't remember anything after waking up. Sure, he's slowly started to remember mundane things like books he's read or movies he's watched, but nothing important about his life. Eventually the memories should come back to him, and even if they don't Akito tries not to fret because, like today, he can just make new ones.

Which is probably why he's so excited to not only meet Steve's best friend, but also attend a party of any kind for the first time in his memory.

He makes sure to dress up in a collared shirt under a pale pink sweater, paired with a light, faded blue pair of skinny jeans and a cute pair of shoes. Just to be impish, Akito throws a hoodie on over his shirt, knowing it will embarrass Steve to see him wearing Captain America-styled merchandise. His newly minted big brother-father has been sulking the past few weeks and Akito hasn't been blind. He also learned the best way to pull Steve out of his moods has been to distract him.

Which maybe put his recovery back a little bit. But it's totally been worth it.

He still gets tired easily; shivers even though his temperature is normal. Headaches are common but easy enough to ignore. He may not 100% yet, but he isn't an invalid and if Steve knew Akito was sure to be subject to endless fussing. Gross.

The look on Steve's face when he sees Akito in the Captain America sweater is totally worth it. Especially when he points out that, yes! He is dressed appropriately for a party! Just look at this nice collared shirt underneath, see?

Perfect.


...The one thing that Akito hadn't thought of in all of his excitement to get going is that - just maybe - crowds of strangers make him nervous. Definitely not a mistake he is ever going to make again. No way. He probably definitely shouldn't have shooed Steve away so fast after their arrival, either, because right now he is really really regretting it.

[abyssum_invocat]

"I'm supposed to wish you a happy birthday," says Sinthia, without much forewarning of her approach. She's not very sure how to approach Akito, remembering how he'd reacted the last time she'd tried to speak with him. She;s also never known anyone who celebrates a birthday, not even herself given she doesn't know when it is.

"You look happier now. Sort of," she ventures, and falls quiet as she studies his clothes, particularly the shoes. She likes the shoes! She has nothing like them, and has not the faintest idea how to bring this up.

OTA

[bestpal]

Bucky is keen to meet the kid that Steve's taken a shine to. He's only vaguely aware that it's his birthday, it isn't something he's celebrated in years. At the Captain America exhibition he did discover he is well into his nineties.

Steve gets a very odd look as realisation dawns on Bucky, when he catches his name on a tag. "Jerk," he says with slow smile. It's loud enough for half of the room to hear.

----

Once Bucky's opened his presents and stuck a ridiculous colourful plastic barrette in his hair, he grabs a drink and leans back against a wall to watch people.

[abyssum_invocat]

"Happy Birthday," says Sinthia, quietly once she approaches Bucky, still eyeing the barette in his hair.

She's still faintly nervous around him, though it's less out of anything he or she might have individually done and more out of fear of what he remembers. "Do you know you have a barette in your hair?"

Re: OTA

[whereishe]

"Happy Birthday. Is it rude to ask people what age they are turning?" Yuna wasn't used to celebrating birthdays in this way and while she didn't know Bucky too well she has seen him around the lounge.

She wore a wide smile and had a drink in her hand. She leaded against the wall looking up at Bucky.

Bruce Banner - For Steve, Bucky, or Akito, if they want to tag in different threads!

[doctorbrucebanner]

Bruce had heard about the party, and he had not been about to miss it. He was not going to stay. He was just stepping in long enough to drop off presents, and if he saw the lucky two, he would wish them a happy birthday, then scamper back out again. He knew himself, and a party was a bad idea.

So he sidled in, and headed directly for the present table, head down but lifted just enough to not run into anyone.

[akito]

Don't think you can get out of this without socializing, Bruce! Because there is one large, fluffy Birman chilling out under the present table, wearing a party hat and a bow tie and playing with a piece of ribbon. At least until Bruce comes within swatting distance and suddenly the man's feet are Shark's new toy.

And that is actually a huge relief for said cat's caretaker, as Akito had no idea where the heck his furry friend ran off to and was very keen on using him as a living teddy bear to combat social anxiety. It's just unfortunate that his cat is being rude. But it's also very cute and funny, so he stifles a laugh.

"You found Shark."

[bestpal]

Bucky spots Bruce and slowly approaches him so that he doesn't startle him. Bruce's arrival almost makes him smile as he realises he may have made a friend.

"Hello. I'm pleased you came. Can I get you a water or something else?"

The Lounge | OTA

[magnetic_magpie]

At first he just lurks. He didn't know there was a party, had mostly been stretching his legs. Dimly, he thinks he might have known Bucky's birthday - it's not like him to forget things, but then, Bucky Barnes had been a teenaged tagalong in his world. The difference isn't quite syncing in his brain.

And he knows more of what happened after than he admits, because the subject of the USSR is a sore one with him. Still, he warms up to the idea, drawing in. He can be social - he often choses not to - but it pays to push ones self sometimes.

And he'll make sure to wish both honorees a happy birthday, when he sees them.

Food/Drinks

[stark_spangled]

It's an angel food cake with chocolate frosting, and you know you want some.

Open to Anyone!

[abyssum_invocat]

Sinthia is not particularly sure what all the fuss is about; she's pretty sure she doesn't have a birthday herself (she certainly doesn't remember it), and she's never wished anybody else a happy birthday, namely because she didn't know about it.

But it's evidently a custom and she will try to adopt it.

However, in the meantime, there is cake, and cake is simple. Cake has no societal expectations. As a result Sinthia likes cake. At least the smell of cake, so far.

Re: Open to Anyone!

[whereishe]

"Is it good?"

Yuna was smiling, it was hard not to when you were in a place like this. She hadn't met the girl before but then Yuna wasn't one to shy away from talking to others. "I haven't had any yet."

Leave Gifts

[stark_spangled]

Drop your presents off for the birthday boys, if you've got 'em!

For both Bucky and Akito

[stark_spangled]

Bucky:

It's hard to top a space dog for a present, especially when they no longer have access to a planet for shopping, but Steve has known Bucky long enough that he doesn't need to get too creative. There's a large basket of fresh fruit -- apples, pears, bananas, oranges, and some exotic fruits as well -- and two wrapped gifts sitting beside it. The first is about the size of a large book, and when Bucky opens it he'll find something that looks like a soft leather journal. It's the closest Steve could come to a haircut kit like the one Bucky had before the war. The leather folds out at all four corners, and inside is a pair of scissors, a pair of hair trimmers, a fine-toothed comb, two oval horsehair brushes, and a jar of Brylcreem. The attached note simply says, "For the next time." The second gift is small, about the size of a jewelry box, and has no note. When he opens it, he'll find a set of colorful plastic barrettes. Because sometimes Steve is an asshole.


Akito:

There are two wrapped gifts for Akito as well. The first is, again, about the size of a large book. When Akito opens it, he'll find two nice sketchbooks, one with regular paper like Steve's, and one with grid paper. Steve has taken notice of his interest in sketching any time he has his own book out. Now Akito has a few of his own. The other gift is rather big, and round, and domed. Under the paper it kind of resembles a bicycle tire. Once he opens it up, he'll find a plain silver shield, smaller than Steve's (and more suitable for Akito's size), and a few unopened jars of paint. It isn't exactly like Steve's -- there's nowhere to get Vibranium out here, go figure -- but he made sure it wasn't plastic, so it'll make a decent hum when Akito taps it. The note with it says, "I thought you might like to make this one your own. When you want to know how to use it, you know where to find me."

[bestpal]

Some of their birthdays are among Bucky's sharper memories. He's come to realise that he remembers better when there is a strong emotion attached to it, and birthdays were always a happy time. The fruit, would have been enough for him. More than enough. Anyone who touches the fruit dies.

The kit...Bucky's got no words for it. It's tucked away in his jacket with great care. There is a lump in his throat and he's not sure if he wants to punch Steve in the shoulder, put him a headlock or hug him. Thankfully, the ridiculous barrettes, stop him from attempting all of them at once.

There is a back of laughter as he opens the box. He makes a show of examining them closely, before he slides a bright pink one into his hair.

[akito]

Akito hadn't come expecting gifts but really, he should have known better because this is Steve. The same Steve who seemed really excited over his birthday a few days ago even though Akito tried to tell him it wasn't very important. So, yeah. He should have expected it.

He also should have expected the sketchbooks. But he didn't, and he clutches them both tightly to his chest; so tight his knuckles turn white. Because this is his first birthday gift. Or at least the first he can remember. And his first birthday party, and suddenly Akito can see the appeal in celebrating a birthday. Why Steve was excited to give him and Bucky a party.

The sketchbooks are wonderful and more than he would have asked for. The shield, shiny and metallic and made just for him, makes him cry. He doesn't really know why. Maybe it's because it's a gesture meaning Steve plans to stay in his life, and even if all of his memories never come back at least he will have someone who cares, even if Akito doesn't understand why he does, aside from Steve just being Steve.

BUCKY come get your gift(s)

[akito]

Steve had told Akito, when he asked, that Bucky has a particular fondness for fridge magnets. Which is a strange thing to be fond of, Akito thinks, but can't really say much because how would he know if it was strange or not?

In any case, he actually does have a great time picking a choosing the most awesome assortment of magnets he could think of. Meaning Bucky will receive a box filled with various cool magnets to use at his leisure.

Enjoy these gifts from your BFF's accidentally adopted teenager. Because said teenager sure had a blast coming up with them. Especially the leg bottle opener, because he definitely included a note that said 'Steve will get a kick out of this one' with it.

[bestpal]

The note is Bucky's clue as to who masterminded this present. He appreciate the humour behind them and the thought. He gives the kid a grin. "Thanks kid." He holds out a present of his own - an old fashioned practical jokes kit (after a fight with the replicators), he figures that should give Akito something new to do.

"Im going to use the leg bottle opener tonight."

Party Games

[stark_spangled]

Hey, this time you get to choose the game. Take that, Q!

Dancing

[stark_spangled]

Stop hesitating and ask them to dance. You never know when you might get another chance.

OTA

[stark_spangled]

Akito and Bucky are off somewhere else, which leaves Steve standing alone without any defenses or excuses. He never did learn how to dance.

Dancing ~ Open

[whereishe]

Yuna loved to dance and she loved to sing. She wore her songstress dress and was swaying along to music. Her hips moving back and forth with a wide smile pulled across her lips. She didn't really know the song but she started to hum along and then sing as she picked up on the words. It was exciting to get lost in the rhythmic sound and she felt like her smile was permanently set across her lips.

She wanted everyone to get up and dance though she could understand peoples reserves about it.