[ open ] birthday time!

[picky]

WHO: Marcille, Ryoji, and YOU!
WHAT: A party for the April (and May) birthdays!
WHERE: LILICO Game Center in Akihabara
WHEN: April 20th
WARNINGS: TBA

No matter who you are, you receive a text early in the morning from Ryoji (memors):

Good morning! Did you know it's a special someone's birthday today? Actually, we have several birthdays to celebrate, so join us today at the LILICO Game Center! There will be cake! Lots and *lots* of cake. Hope to see you there!

This is an open log, so feel free to tag out or top level or respond to the prompts below. Have fun!

Comments

[memors]

I see...does that bother you? That you can't remember them, or what they called you.

[ Conversations with him just. Go like this. ]

[icyspicy]

It might have, once upon a time. I've a family I found for myself now, and that alone is worth its weight in gold.

[ He plops a hand on the top of Ryoji's head. ]

So, don't feel sad for me. I have everything I could ever need.

[memors]

[ Ah, so his family isn't forged in blood, but one he chose for himself...

A reminiscent smile. ]

Will you tell me about them? Your family.

[icyspicy]

[ He smiles back, the expression remarkably warm coming from him. ]

Most certainly. What would you like to know?

[memors]

Could you tell me...a little about what they're like? And how you met them?

[ That's a little better than asking for "everything", right? ]

[icyspicy]

They're a guild of thieves, to start.

[ He chuckles. ]

I grew up on the streets. No family, few friends, and even fewer people I trusted, begging an stealing just to get by. One day I got caught with my hand in the pocket of the guild's leader, an honest-to-gods thief. I thought she was going to gut me right then and there.

[memors]

[ So he's friends with thieves? Maybe even a thief himself. There's no hint of judgment on Ryoji's part, just utter fascination. ]

Evidently she didn't — unless you've been brought back to life. [ Which is possible!! ] What happened then?

[icyspicy]

I tried my damnedest to talk my way out of the situation, and apparently she saw some sort of potential in me. Instead of ending my life, she decided to take me in.

[ Oh, yes, he's definitely a thief himself. ]

[memors]

[ You know, given his skillset, that fits perfectly into place with what Ryoji knows about him already. ]

And so does the Wheel of Fortune continue to turn. [ okay bud ] Did she ever make you pay her back for what you tried to take?

[icyspicy]

Only through hard work and loyalty to the guild, both of which I was more than willing to give if it meant a roof over my head and warm meals to eat.

[ Speaking of meals, now that he's done with his little survey, he reaches over to grab a slice of cake. Two, actually, one of which he offers to Ryoji. ]

It didn't take long for it to stop feeling like obligation and start feeling like family.

[memors]

[ Gratefully, Ryoji takes the slice of cake from Winter, offering a cordial little bow of his head. ]

Thank you. [ And he sticks a bite into his mouth. It's delicious! Though he hasn't yet met a food he didn't find delicious... ] How does the saying go? You were "thick as thieves", perhaps? I imagine a great amount of trust is needed for thieves' guild to even function.

[ So they would naturally need to grow close, in order to trust one another to get their work done. ]

[icyspicy]

[ He chuckles around his own forkful of cake, amused. ]

"Thick as thieves" is right. They're all my family, but none more so than the woman who took me in.

[memors]

You must look up to her a lot, for giving your life purpose and meaning.

[ And giving him one he accepted, and must have wanted for himself. ]

[icyspicy]

I look down at her, mostly, since she’s a full foot shorter than I am.

[ He’s so funny, though his grin does soften into something much more genuine. ]

I truly do owe her my life. But if she were here, she’d tell me to cut the sap.