you only live twice or so it seems

[scalpedsociety]

Who: Aramat and YOU.
What: Aramat's Birthday! (Gifts optional, but recommended.)
When: May 10th
Where: The Loft, the Grocery store, Various Clubs and Bars.
Warnings: Possible sexy stuff, possible violence, etc, etc....

01: PREP | May 9th | did my invitations disappear/why'd I put my heart on every cursive letter?

Sometime during the 9th, an anonymous email comes in for everyone that knows Aramat. The contents are as such.

FRIENDS OF CERTAIN PRIDE PIANIST (PRIDE, VIRGO, OR OTHERWISE)

Her birthday is soon and she's throwing a little gathering at this address on the tenth of May starting at 2 P.M....

And the address to the loft is plainly out.

There will be cake, food, alcohol, and the possibility of performance. Gifts are optional, but appreciated. Let's enjoy ourselves before this world tour begins or one of us disappears. :) See you there!

P.S. Delete this email soon as you get it. If you snitch, I will come after you and collect my presents.

Aramat isn't sure what came over her to type that out but it feels right enough to make that threat. (Snitches get fucking stitches and have their important organs removed for her trophies.) Aramat wakes up early to go to stores for food, decorations, and most importantly, alcohol.

Will you run into the lady over at one of the stores?

02: PARTY | May 10th | i keep doin' it over and over again/the never ending places i never been/no one is catching on or calling my bluff

If you ask Aramat how old she is, even she can't really tell you.

Either way, that doesn't matter. Aramat is just getting finished setting up the spread of food on a large table surrounded by every type of liquor imaginable. (There also soft drinks as well, for the teetotalers in her life.) The menu is sort of diverse, Italian recipes that are fish related, steak, finger foods such as deviled eggs, ordered sushi, classic mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and fried chicken, there's plenty of desserts as well. Cookies, cakes, and pies as far as the eye can see.

Aramat gets into a red dress and waits at the entrance of her in a chair, calm music, fresh flowers in vases, and fairy lights strewn all over the loft.

She wonders if she's just in denial about herself or what's going on.

03: PERFORMANCE/KARAOKE | May 10th | do every stupid thing that makes you feel alive/do every stupid thing to try to drive the dark away

In a corner of the loft there's a basic set up of drums, electric guitar, and bass. However the guests can bring their instruments of choice. What else does a bunch of somewhat drunken (brainwashed) musicians would do with instruments? Play of course.

04: BARS/CLUBS | May 10th | it's your birthday, it's your birthday/bad bitch contest, you win first place

Aramat isn't Squalo with his tour of 23 bars, but after her party she feels the need to cut even more loose. She isn't settling for a specific number, but she is hopping from bar to bar, from club to club in her slooty dress . She may already be tipsy from the party, so she's stumbling a bit.

Comments

3 (for now! Might be another thread with another prompt)

[psyvampexperiment]

Whatever has happening to Sariel, he isn't letting any of the world-rattling things happening to him interfere with his social life or his fondness for Aramat, and so he'll definitely be on hand for her birthday festivities.

The red moon that haunts Sariel's memories has tuned him in a bit to songs dealing with the moon. He might whisper to whoever's picked up the guitar and whoever's taken the rhythm section. They might make some "That old one?" noises before the guitar player strums the opening rolled chords, and Sariel seats himself at the keyboard, tweaking the presets before singing...

My love must be a kind of blind love
I can't see anyone but you

Are the stars out tonight
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
I only have eyes for you, dear...

[scalpedsociety]

Being tipsy makes anything enjoyable. But this song is so sweet of Sariel to sing. Aramat may pick up a mic and join along. It's old song, so she can afford to croon a bit.

I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here
And so am I

Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you...

[psyvampexperiment]

He's pleasantly surprised and delighted to have her join, might even slip his voice into the background to provide some of the harmony, letting her take the main melody.

When the final notes have faded and the audience is applauding, he'll rise and join her, glancing to their accompanists. "Shall we sing another?" he asks.

[scalpedsociety]

"I'd love to. Any suggestions?" So far this is pretty fun.

[psyvampexperiment]

"Hmmmm," he says, tilting his head, thinking. "I'm in the mood for love ballads, it would seem... what about "Dream a Little Dream of Me" in the style of The Moms and the Dads, or perhaps "Something Stupid" ala Alberto Garavanta?"

2.

[lightthedarkness]

Admittedly, she was a bit surprised to be invited, mostly because she thought she had terrified Aramat into never wanting to see her again. So when she got the text invite, she was absolutely giddy! She got a bouquet of Aramat's flowers, and a pretty, if simply, emerald heart necklace since that was May's birth stone. She went in search of the birthday woman but offered a bright, "Hello!" to any who she saw as well.

Usagi didn't miss the food table though and was making a bee-line towards it and nearly ran someone over in the process doing so.

"ARE YOU OKAY!" she panicked for a moment.

[scalpedsociety]

To be fair, Aramat wasn't expecting Usagi to come back after that... chilly reaction to her. She doesn't trust others with powers, because of both Lesedi and very real fears from her world. (Granted, she's steadily gaining powers herself.)

"Serena?" The woman comes in holding a glass of wine.

[lightthedarkness]

Usagi Tsukino was not the sort to not celebrate a friend's birthday, even when said friend might have been less than welcoming to her abilities.

"Ah! Aramat!" she smiled as she looked at the older woman and gave a small bow. "Ah, happy birthday, these are, ah these are for you." She held up the bouquet and the small velvet jewelry box.

"I ah... I know I got your email, but I can go, if you prefer, just... thought I'd wish you a happy birthday," and maybe grab a cookie, they looked delicious.

[scalpedsociety]

"Serena, you don't have do that." Especially after last time...

[lightthedarkness]

Except that Usagi wasn't sure if she meant she didn't have to give a gift or that she shouldn't leave. She rather hoped it was the latter.

"Ah well... all the same, I hope you have a wonderful day today, Aramat. This is a lovely place!"

4

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

[He'd been around for the entire birthday celebration, letting her bask in the limelight and perform as she wanted, eat and drink and flirt and whatever while he hung out, enjoyed the ride, and basically played drummer in the band that is her relationship. Be solid, be stable, be there, and let the lead have the limelight.]

[But when she stumbles out of a club and looks intent on another, that's where he draws the line. Not just to get her attention, but because in her state he worries about her.]

[So he casually snakes an arm around her waist, tugging her back against him in a familiar gesture.]

How about we celebrate your birthday?

[scalpedsociety]

[It's funny how a guy that turns into a symbol of utter terror in another world is the one of the most stable individuals in a music label known for chaos. (So stable in fact, he can be counted on to keep other 'stable people' in check when needed.)

She bumps in to him.]

Baby, but din't we do that little while ago? Like I dun mind havin' you around. But uh...

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

[He's been unstable before. Look where it got him. An embarrassment to everyone who meant anything to him. Not going down that road again.]

I mean you and me, babe. Or let me put it this way -- if I don't carry you home now I'm gonna be carrying you home in something like half an hour, 'cept you won't be awake to appreciate it.

[He's already betting she won't remember most of this.]

[scalpedsociety]

[She won't. Luckily she won't do any too regrettable things now that Jecht is here. Besides, that for when she's sober

Aramat shoves Jecht abruptly, almost tripping over her heels.]

Whatdya mean by that shit? If-if you try anything wit me. I swear...

[She's drunk as hell, but she means those words. Aramat remembers telling herself a long time ago in another world that if another man lays a hand on her she doesn't ask for, he will not have hands.]

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

[That hurt. Not the shove, which he barely notices, but what she accused him of thinking. She's drunk, he tells himself, not thinking clearly and maybe not even remember quite who he is. But damn. In vino veritas?]

I mean when you passed out I'd carry you home. Ain't gonna leave you in the gutter. And you're about to be there.

2

[bass_instincts]

Shin is glad to hear that Aramat finally got that loft. Now they wouldn't need to meet at a hotel for a simple game of ma-jong. He is actually bringing a nice ma-jong set along with him, in case there's any possible interest. He's dressed in a designer suit with his favourite rocking horse shoes.

He knocks lightly on the door before letting himself in and looking around for the lady of the evening. He's holding two boxes along with the ma-jong board.

[scalpedsociety]

Aramat would've just been happy with the nice mah-jong set but she'll be honestly surprised by the bright dress and funky shoes.

"Shin!" And she hugs him, warm and inviting. "It's so good to see you."

[bass_instincts]

Shin hugs her back, "It's good to see you too! Happy birthday!" He smiles warmly at her, "I'm glad I got to come."

He steps in and holds out the present boxes, "Where should I put these?"

[scalpedsociety]

"Can we open these right now?" Shin has a wonderfully, shamelessly, so punk it hurts sense of style so Aramat is honestly curious about what could be in those boxes.

[bass_instincts]

"Of course!" Shin encourages with a smile. "It's your birthday, so your rules!"

2

[iitrebel]

"You really went all out, huh?"

Art's been quiet himself lately. Well, that's putting it politely. More like it's a complete 180 from his usual brash and grating personality which he still displays for the paparazzi and anyone he doesn't know. This, however, is a private shindig, and he's back to seeming tired and quiet as hell.

He still shoves a small gift bag towards her, however.

"Here you go."

[scalpedsociety]

Sure Artolo's a star now but the change hasn't gone over Aramat's head. She wants to talk about it, but isn't sure what to say.

"Thank you Artolo." And she gives him a hug. (He looks like he needs it.)

[iitrebel]

"Don't get sappy on me now," he deadpans, even as the awkwardness in his pat to her back betrays him. "Just tell me if you like them."

In the bag are a variety of floral pendants. He had no idea which to choose, and so, since it's not like his money is going to spend itself, tried for a little of everything.

[scalpedsociety]

"Thank you. They're so beautiful." One for every day of the week and then some.

[iitrebel]

"Yeah, hopefully it'll get you out of this goth shit they keep pushing on us." Well, less him these days, and especially since Xie An vanished off the face of the earth, but hey, you never know. "So gonna tear it up tonight?"