Ongoing, open(ish)

[soulofocean]

When; Sunday August 8th, morning
Rating; PG
Characters; MKR cast plus guests! (if you're friends with anyone in the crew do consider yourself invited)
Summary; courage_of_fire celebrates her first birthday in The City at the beach. willofthewinds and soulofocean have taken an oath: to make hers a surprise party to remember.
Log;

Comments

later afternoon || by the boat || open;

[soulofocean]

Whoever asked Umi how the heck had she and Fuu managed to pull the right strings to find what was probably one (if not THE only) boat in the whole City would be given the same reply: she didn't have a clue. But the exhausting research had been worthwhile.

The thing wasn't impressive, but would fit at least the whole apartment (if tightly!) so they could take Hikaru out for a short along the beach.

[courage_of_fire]

The day had already been more than fulfilling with all the party games, cake, and everything. It was more than Hikaru could ever ask for. Truly they had gone all out for this occasion and she hoped it hadn't been too difficult. Catching up with Umi she was ready to thank her for an eventful morning.

"Thank you Umi! I can't believe you and Fuu arranged all--" She trailed off, her eyes lingering on the vessel behind Umi. Pointing at it Hikaru questioned, "What's that doing there?". The party was over right?

[soulofocean]

"Aw, Hikaru. See, I'm really glad you asked!" This was the time when all the poking through the Network and dealing with shady characters would pay off. Oh, wouldn't it pay off immensely. Umi's tone was cheeky, her hand was on her hip, the other's finger in the air poiting each word as she showed off the results of hers and Fuu's cunning in the way she'd wanted to since Clef tossed the idea at her by accident.

"That there." She nodded at the small boat, then returned to flash her best friend a happy grin of VICTORY. "Is the closing event for your birthday!"

[courage_of_fire]

According to the water knight's animated mannerisms, whatever she was about to reveal was something big! Clutching her fists together under her chin was the only way to suppress her excitement to any extent.

Hikaru looked back towards the boat when Umi motioned toward it, then back to Umi. "Closing event?! Where did you ever find a boat?! I haven't seen that many... Whose is it? Can we touch it?".

She still wasn't entirely sure what to do with the boat now that they had one.

[soulofocean]

"Oooh, well that's a long story." Kinda shady in parts too, so Umi would leave the specifics right out of this. But Hikaru's cheerfulness at the boat justified the efforts again, and tenfold. They made her smug smile grow bigger. "Let's just say we looked for it in the right places! But I haven't explained the closing event to you yet, have I?"

She crossed her arms, face the very picture of accomplishment, and finished, sounding every bit like she owned the vessel: "You can touch it all you like. We're actually taking a little trip around the shore in it."

[courage_of_fire]

It was probably wise to leave out the more questionable parts of the story. If Umi wanted to keep her source a secret, Hikaru would allow it. After planning the party and pulling it all together like this, the least she could do was allow for Umi to keep her little secret. "No you haven't. What is it?".

"Really!? We can board it!?" The redhead smiled and expressed her gratitude. First by catching Umi in a tight hug then by saying, "Thank you so much Umi! I may never know how you managed to do all this.. but it's really spectacular!". Drawing backwards so she could see the other's face, she left her arms draped on Umi. She'd have to thank Fuu and the others properly too! If she ever found out who the others were..

[soulofocean]

There wasn't anything too illegal about the proceedings getting that boat had involved, really. Though the least the Underground was mentioned in her best friend's birthday party the least weird Umi would feel.

Beaming at the other girl, she draped an arm around her in turn. "It's just what it takes to make a birthday to remember! Now here's the plan," Her eyes left Hikaru's radiant face to focus on the ocean. "We can go for a sail just as the sun's about to set. Anywhere you want. We can even toast to you on board of that, Hikaru. So that your birthday wish is really an unforgettable occasion."

Every bit of her tone made it obvious how much it meant for Umi to heighten details into perfection. It was Hikaru's birthday, and just a shy approximation to what he best friend truly deserved.

[willofthewinds]

"Or we could just admire the sun setting, how about that?"

Fuu approached her two best friends while still eating a piece of cake in hand. Whether they sailed the seven, eight or a thousand seas, spending it with people that mattered was the most precious thing, wasn't it?

[courage_of_fire]

"That sounds lovely Fuu!" She exclaimed moving slightly to allow Fuu to join the circle. Then she replied to Umi, "I doubt I could forget this birthday! Besides, it's my first birthday in the City too!". Would she really be here for a full year after this? Would this be her first birthday in the city or her only birthday in the City?

There was no need to think about that just now.

[soulofocean]

"Huh. That sounds pretty romantic! Sunsets in this place are just as gorgeous as in any seaside spot." Her tone was teasing, of course. There'd be nothing remotely romantic about their little boat trip -- except perhaps for Clef and Presea! -- just a wonderful moment to remember. Which was the whole point.

This was why the Water Knight felt all the more accomplished at what Hikaru had just told her. Then a thought occurred to her. "And you're getting fifteen too! Funny, isn't it? This place has made it so that we're all different ages now!"