007 ✽ Bubbles in the Wine

[giglio_madonna]

Who: Luce and practically anyone that's had CR with her
What: On another side of town, it's a different mafioso's birthday.
When: March 14, in the evening
Where:
Warnings: None planned

Since the start of the month, those who know her even faintly will find themselves contacted one way or another to let them know that they were invited to a birthday party on the 14th. There's no pressure, of course, and there's no need to bring gifts.

Luce finds that she'd be perfectly content just seeing all the people she hasn't been able to see for ages now.

Today is finally the day, and the location? The top floors of the exclusive hotel Sol, which is quite an impressive feat. When the invitees step inside, they'll see why. It's taken Luce constant persuading for this for months now, inbetween everything else she's had to do lately, but goodness knows if she isn't willful. On various tables that are kept carefully restocked, one can find various rice and lamb dishes, plus plenty of piping hot bread including some that's stuffed with all manner of delicious things. Fortunately for Luce's continued existence, she didn't make all of it.

...Besides the cookies. Those she made. And the cake? That'll come later, of course.

There's more than just food and conversation, however. Everyone who comes in will be invited to participate in a little game. Somewhere hidden in the party are various small golden eggs. If you bring one to Luce, you get a prize of some sort. Feel free to note that "bring" is the key word and not necessarily "find". Take that as you will.

Comments

Usagi Tsukino || OTA

[lightthedarkness]

[You know what feels incredibly awkward? Being at a celebrity party when you are a rescuer and just pretending to be a fan who got invited by a very gracious hostess. She even felt under-dressed in her floral patterned dress. She wondered why you would have a pool party... and not have anyone in the pool. Maybe that was a rock-star thing? She couldn't go in anyways, she didn't have a swim-suit. It wasn't exactly a priority.

She had a champagne flute in hand but was only sipping here and there. Usagi wasn't what you would call a wall-flower, but she felt nervous with so much security from Virgo and just herself. She just needed to blend in...

Deep breaths.]

They're not going to bite... [She tried to convince herself.] Stop being so shy... [She knew so many of these people but she just found it hard to jump in way more than usual.]

[sailorgenerous]

[Of course, being shy means nothing if there's someone terribly outgoing near you. Rarity has made a beeline for Serena and is not taking no for an answer.]

I adore your dress! You simply must tell me where you got it!

[lightthedarkness]

Oh! [She blushed and smiled, lightly swishing her dress but it's nice to talk about something so simple.] Ah, Rei found it for me when we went to the mall, I actually don't remember the store, but thank you! Your dress is lovely too.

[sailorgenerous]

Oh, you're friends with Rei! [How Rarity had managed to miss meeting one of Rei's friends is something of an oversight - one she's correcting right away.] Any friend of hers is a friend of mine, of course - my name is Rarity and it's lovely to meet you.

[lightthedarkness]

Oh ah... [Before Rei's brainwashing, she would say with unabashed enthusiasm that Rei was one of her best friends. But not only could she not do that here, it wasn't true at the moment. Rei liked her but did this Rei consider her a proper friend?]

It's wonderful to meet you too, Miss Rarity, my name is Serena Lapin. [She smiled.] It's always wonderful meeting Rei's friends.

[Rarity... that... Usagi knew that the kidnapped pony wouldn't look like one, but- well she wasn't sure what she expected Rarity to look like, honestly.]

[i_am_not_cute]

[Fortunately, Pao-Lin is here to help break the ice a little for Usagi. Her motive isn't entirely generous, though -- she knows that this is the girl that's got Rei a little concerned, so she wants to take stock of Usagi while she has the chance.

So here she is with a plate of stuffed flatbread.]

Hey, have you tried the bolani yet? It's amazing!

[lightthedarkness]

[Usagi knew Pao-Lin on sight by virtue of several of the Flower over Bones CDs having several pictures of the band. She just never met the "little sister" of the band. Except now.

And aaah, she was offering her food! Usagi instantly brightened up at the sight of it and clapped her hands together.] Oh no I haven't! But they look amazing! I'd love to try some!

[i_am_not_cute]

[She holds the plate out.]

Here! Have the whole thing -- there's plenty more where that came from!

[Mama Luce made sure there would be enough to feed the guests and this hungry hungry little doll.]

[lightthedarkness]

OHMYGOSH! [She took the plate with a cry of joy and then hugged Pao-lin only to realize what she was doing and pulled away.] Ah! Sorry! Just... ah, thank you. That's super nice of you!

[i_am_not_cute]

Don't worry about it! I'm just trying to make sure everyone's having a good time. [She curtsies.] My name is Pao-Lin. What's yours?

[lightthedarkness]

Serena Lapin, a pleasure to meet you Miss Pao-lin! [Usagi bowed in return.] I'm excited to meet you, you're a part of Flower Over Bones, I love your music.

[i_am_not_cute]

Aww, I'm really glad to hear it! Do you play an instrument yourself? [FoB's fanbase has a considerable amount of conservatory students, thanks to the classical bent of the band.]

[lightthedarkness]

Oh no no no! I'm not talented like that at all! My only talent is my ability to eat.

[i_am_not_cute]

[This gets a giggle out of Pao-Lin.]

You could say that's my other talent too. What's your favorite food, then?

[lightthedarkness]

Oh I could never choose, but I suppose my friend Rose's cooking, whatever she makes, is my favorite. She's an amazing chef! She wants to open her own cafe one day.

[i_am_not_cute]

Rose, huh? With a name like that you'd think she'd open a flower shop instead.

[lightthedarkness]

OH! She loves those too, she's a master of both! That's why I went to work for a florist, because of how much she's taught me about flowers. Even now, working for a florist for a few months, she'd still know way more than me. I wish you could meet her.

[i_am_not_cute]

If she loves flowers and cooking? I'd love to meet her too!

[A wistfulness descends on Pao-Lin then, like a soft fluttering veil.]

Flowers and food can both have so much meaning... Where I'm from, we eat dumplings on New Year's to symbolize wealth and noodles for long life.

[As for the significance of flowers, well...one just has to look at FoB's official website to learn about that.]

[lightthedarkness]

Ah, sadly she doesn't live in Vista City, but if she ever comes to visit, I'll be sure to let you know.

Ah, that's the same for me as well! Toshikoshi soba right? [She smiled wide.] And on March 14th, boys give girls return chocolate.

[i_am_not_cute]

[Nodnod.]

Yeah! ...although I never really got a lot of chocolate from boys until I got famous.

[Blame this on a sheltered, homeschooled upbringing spent mostly at home or in the hospital.]

[lightthedarkness]

Well, that's too bad, because you're amazingly sweet. They didn't know what they were missing out on! And now they just have to know they could have made a really kind girl super happy.

[i_am_not_cute]

Aww, you're pretty sweet yourself to say that! I bet you have lots of admirers from where you are.

[She's not trying to be flattering, she genuinely means this. Usagi's energy is infectious.]

[lightthedarkness]

Oh haha, no no. But that's okay, I only need one. [Her special one.] My fiance would probably get upset if I did anyways.

[i_am_not_cute]

Wow, you have a fiance already?! [She thought Usagi was her age, but maybe she's older? Or maybe she just got lucky.] What's he like?

[SHE WANTS TO HEAR ALL THE DEETS.]

[lightthedarkness]

Ah yes. [And no, Usagi is more Rei's age, sorry Pao-Lin.] He's amazing! He's brilliant and wants to be a doctor. He even got into a top-tier college. He's always there for me, standing by me no matter what, and I do the same for him. He's reserved only in public.

I love him deeply, although we don't plan on getting married until we both get out of college.