It Isn't Torture if There's Cake! (Open, River and Kurama, Great Hall)
OOC: Backdated to July 22; the kitchen will be back in shape for Beowulf, of course. Happy Birthday, Bad Fox :D A appears with mun approval.
Observation happened to be a bit of a specialty of River's. Since she'd been at Hogwarts (at least in recent memory) she'd observed that, on the same day every year, the House Elves followed that Bad Fox around and forced him to eat cake and accept small things in packages. River might not have been the type to remember to get someone a gift, but she knew a birthday when she saw one.
This year, though, the elves seemed to be distracted by a sudden jungle of vines infiltrating the kitchens. They were too busy trying to magic them away (or, when that failed, take axes and various cutlery to the indomitable vines) to remember that it was time to torment one of the staff.
While the fox was doing his best to hide out in the greenhouses, playing absolute innocence to any knowledge of any goings-on in the kitchen, River was gathering ammunition. The Room of Requirement was always ready to provide such things as party hats, balloons - complete with a convenient helium tank - streamers, confetti, candles, and all manner of various party paraphernalia. It took a few trips, but in under an hour she had a good portion of the great hall decorated.
Of course, it was decorated with stuff cobbled together from at least six holidays worth of parties, but the black and orange streamers with the bat-and-pumpkin motif went quite well with the red and green Christmas confetti. And, while the party hats might have been pastel and said 'It's A Girl!' with little hearts and teddy bears, she was sure no one would complain too much. At least half of the balloons said Happy Nth Birthday, though the years ranged from 1 to 257. Considering how Kurama had already been all of those ages anyway, it didn't matter. Though the 'Get Well Soon' balloons did seem slightly out of place. She was sure he'd appreciate the amusingly-shaped Bachelorette Party balloons, though.
The next order of business was to find a cake. It would be a touch difficult working around the vines, but the kitchen was still serviceable, just crowded. She sent a note to A and headed down, where they met and, with the help of a few Elves with much longer memories and a malicious streak of mischief, baked a 34-layer cake that had so much icing and decoration that it was a miracle it didn't collapse under its own weight.
Once the precarious confection was levitated to its place of honor in the Great Hall, it was time to go find the fox. A was in charge of that, and, with his best guileless face and the surefire knowledge that Kurama could never deny his student anything, easily lured Kurama into the Great hall for his party. Which was a good thing, because if anyone but A had tried to put the 'It's A Girl!' party hat on Kurama's head, they likely would have been decapitated.
It was with a long-suffering sigh that Kurama agreed to stay and be tormented. Much to River's internal evil cackling and external glee for the advent of a party.
Be sure to specify if you want to talk to River or A, or 'congratulate' Kurama in your reply, if applicable. Many happy returns!
edit because one of these rooms is not like the other.
Observation happened to be a bit of a specialty of River's. Since she'd been at Hogwarts (at least in recent memory) she'd observed that, on the same day every year, the House Elves followed that Bad Fox around and forced him to eat cake and accept small things in packages. River might not have been the type to remember to get someone a gift, but she knew a birthday when she saw one.
This year, though, the elves seemed to be distracted by a sudden jungle of vines infiltrating the kitchens. They were too busy trying to magic them away (or, when that failed, take axes and various cutlery to the indomitable vines) to remember that it was time to torment one of the staff.
While the fox was doing his best to hide out in the greenhouses, playing absolute innocence to any knowledge of any goings-on in the kitchen, River was gathering ammunition. The Room of Requirement was always ready to provide such things as party hats, balloons - complete with a convenient helium tank - streamers, confetti, candles, and all manner of various party paraphernalia. It took a few trips, but in under an hour she had a good portion of the great hall decorated.
Of course, it was decorated with stuff cobbled together from at least six holidays worth of parties, but the black and orange streamers with the bat-and-pumpkin motif went quite well with the red and green Christmas confetti. And, while the party hats might have been pastel and said 'It's A Girl!' with little hearts and teddy bears, she was sure no one would complain too much. At least half of the balloons said Happy Nth Birthday, though the years ranged from 1 to 257. Considering how Kurama had already been all of those ages anyway, it didn't matter. Though the 'Get Well Soon' balloons did seem slightly out of place. She was sure he'd appreciate the amusingly-shaped Bachelorette Party balloons, though.
The next order of business was to find a cake. It would be a touch difficult working around the vines, but the kitchen was still serviceable, just crowded. She sent a note to A and headed down, where they met and, with the help of a few Elves with much longer memories and a malicious streak of mischief, baked a 34-layer cake that had so much icing and decoration that it was a miracle it didn't collapse under its own weight.
Once the precarious confection was levitated to its place of honor in the Great Hall, it was time to go find the fox. A was in charge of that, and, with his best guileless face and the surefire knowledge that Kurama could never deny his student anything, easily lured Kurama into the Great hall for his party. Which was a good thing, because if anyone but A had tried to put the 'It's A Girl!' party hat on Kurama's head, they likely would have been decapitated.
It was with a long-suffering sigh that Kurama agreed to stay and be tormented. Much to River's internal evil cackling and external glee for the advent of a party.
Be sure to specify if you want to talk to River or A, or 'congratulate' Kurama in your reply, if applicable. Many happy returns!
edit because one of these rooms is not like the other.