📦 got a secret, can you keep it?

[agains]

Who: I think you mean Hue. Hue & Cry.
What: We have been terribly negligent about band bonding. Surprise belated birthday party for Dino!
When: Backdated to the evening of 2/4
Where: Penthouse, Mystery Birthday Location, maybe other places that'll be open?
Warnings: Will be updated accordingly, none expected.

5:30 PM
February 4, 2055

VirgiNet

Keith Goodman
BAND EMERGENCY MEET ME @ HQ

(Dino will receive a different set of messages after, but everyone will get Keith's initial heads-up -- tl;dr you are being summoned to a surprise party. He doesn't know why he thinks it's such a good idea, but look, just roll with it. Or don't.)

(code courtesy of this lovely person)

Comments

PRE-PARTY

[agains]

texts @ everyone but Dino:

Did you know it was Dino's birthday today? When I found out through twitter... 😞

How could we have not planned for this?

We must take him out for dinner. All the better to make it a surprise, as he surprised us with the knowledge.


texts @ Dino

Be here in 1 hr & ASAP

[alleato]

ok I just got out of an interview! is something wrong?

[agains]

Incredibly! Mr. Ursa is so furious he isn't even speaking to us directly about it. He is giving us the silent treatment, and pretending there is no issue.

[alleato]

He's not saying what's wrong????

[agains]

he even blocked me from his twitter account when i tried to message him! we must band together, and gather the band!

[ he's starting to feel bad about the deception already, whoops ]

[alleato]

No oh shit okay i'll be there soon sorry

[agains]

i will do what i can to ease his wrath before you arrive

[in_an_augustforest]

Dammit, I didn't have time to give him presents.

Well, a dinner wouldn't be so bad. But what could we cook? The dudes from Italia, he's got spoiled tastebuds.

1/2

[agains]

I thought "a night on the town" might suffice as a present. He hasn't had as much time to explore the city. For that matter, neither have you! We can make it a tour of Vista City and Americana culture!

[agains]

I am embarrassed, and ashamed, but I've gotten so used to having our personal chefs... Even a cake would be difficult.

[in_an_augustforest]

I mean I can make a cake, but it's prob gonna be that box stuff and that's no good.

[text]

[thelittlemerman]

you can't just text the word emergency like that keith

[agains]

What could be more of an emergency than missing a bandmate's birthday??

[thelittlemerman]

literally anything else

[agains]

what if he doesn't feel included as a true member of the band? if we don't make him feel welcome it is a real emergency!

[thelittlemerman]

maybe he didn't tell us for a reason

also don't text emergency if it's not a real emergency

do you not remember that actual emergencies have happened

[agains]

if we don't stick together and bond as a team, it could complicate any true emergencies

but i see what you mean and you make a good point

maybe we could use a code phrase... "bonjour" or "hello & cry!" or something

although if everyone knew the code phrase would it still be a secret?

[thelittlemerman]

why do we need a code phrase to begin with??

[agains]

that is a very good question

[thelittlemerman]

so do you have a plan for this birthday party

INITIAL SURPRISE \8D/

[agains]

[ So, what have they planned, exactly? ]

let me know if i should make any changes to this? otherwise, tag in at your leisure!

[agains]

[ Various Virgo employees have been asked -- therefore instructed, since it doesn't compromise any programming or label goals -- to mill about and frown, as if upset with a recent turn of events. Really, they're just window dressing so Dino will find the band getting dirty looks and feed the sense of false urgency.

The elevator is "out of service." The band will be forced to escort Dino up via the stairs. At each floor, music grows louder and louder. Strains of happy birthday as covered by a veteran Virgo artist, blasted from an old CD, will become more obvious as they get closer to the penthouse.

Inside, there is only modest decoration: notably, a bucket of glitter that they've prepared to douse him with when he steps inside.

You never told us it was a special day! Keith will frown very intensely before giving him a bear hug. Happy birthday! ]

[in_an_augustforest]

[Guess who's the doofus throwing the glitter around? August with a huge stupid smile on his face.]

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!

[alleato]

[WHAT IS ALL THIS NOISE??? Dino is sprinting ahead until he realizes everyone is a little calmer than him. It's... kind of weird... and something's not right...

A floor or two away from the penthouse, Dino stops, covers his face, then sprints up again like a madman. Soon enough, he's covered in sparkly metallic confetti, and he's laughing as he tries to brush it out of his hair.]

It's only a few hours late, but thanks!

[HUGS? HUGS.]

LET'S PAINT THE TOWN HIPSTER-COLOR

[agains]

[alleato]

[Well, they've managed to get the usually insanely casual Dino all dressed up for the night, and he's slightly tipsy as they make their way out from the karaoke he was undoubtedly forced to do, and into the bustling street.]

Guys, this is the best birthday...