This time we're gonna get funky

[lasergrenades]

Characters: Pepper Potts and OPEN
Date: November 12
Location: Jade Dojo
Situation: Pepper turns 18 today! Party time, y'all
Warnings/Rating: None yet

It's the 12th of November, which means that Pepper is becoming a Legal Adult, according to the laws of her home. Maybe those kinds of things don't apply as much here (she has no idea what the age is to become an adult in Keeliai), and even if she wasn't turning eighteen, it's still her birthday. Which, of course, means there has to be a party.

And not just any party. Unlike Tony and Gene, she wants a real bash. Not a rowdy one, of course, but one that is totally fun and super awesome. Bakura was kind enough to let her use the dojo, so once the sun goes down and the students have left, she sets everything up. There's a table against one wall with snacks, drinks and the obligatory cake with eighteen candles; it's obviously not as lavish as the masquerade refreshments, but it looks good. The left over streamers and paper lanterns from Tony's party in July have made a reappearance, carefully placed around the room so as not to get in the way nor cause any damage to the dojo walls when they're removed.

The armor is set up in a far corner, so anyone who hasn't seen it yet will get the chance. She might even take people for rides if they want - although let's be honest, she's the one that wants to go flying again like she did with Raine. For the moment though, it's acting as the music player and disco ball machine. Not what Tony had intended when he built it, but she thinks this only makes it that much more awesome. Pepper can go from apocalypse-preventing mode to party mode in the space of seconds.

There are also a few board games and several decks of cards on one of the benches, in case anyone feels like playing games.

Although she did send out specific invitations, she's perfectly happy if anyone brings a guest she doesn't know, or if someone amiable decides to drop by, attracted by the sounds of the party. The more the merrier, right?

(OOC Note: Let me know if you want a specific starter, and feel free to put up your own! It's a party, have fun!)

Comments

[lasergrenades]

"So, basically what you're saying is that China Sorrows is literally a dragon," Pepper replies with absolute sincerity.

She's more than a little intrigued that he's not just flat out telling her to avoid China, as had been her intention. Pretty much every other adult in her life has suggested the opposite: Stay out of unnecessary trouble.

"Yikes." What was it with Foreigners and cults around here? "Not people you want to send Christmas cards to."

She's noticed that Solomon tends to be rather terse when she asks questions about the necromancers or his family, even if he answers politely. Pepper decides to let the subject drop for now, if he merely wants to share more interesting tidbits about China.

[peacefullywreathed]

The smile that spread across Solomon's face was delighted and deeply amused. "Yes. Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying. Good work, seeing that. The only problem is seeing the hole in her armour."

Solomon had spent far too long teaching the teenage acolytes at the Temple to make the mistake of forbidding something. Usually that only provoked them. He liked children; he honestly did. He liked how they saw things most adults couldn't, and were young and inexperienced enough to be determined about their goals. Most of the other clerics preferred to forget they ever were young, which was ironic, given that none of them wanted to get old.

"Not really," Solomon said dryly. "None of them believe in Christmas. They're rather like Skulduggery in that regard." He flashed her a small smile. At least, one in her direction. "I got a lot of practice at decorating quickly."

Never let it be said that necromancers were not incredibly petty.

[lasergrenades]

"You know, the last dragon I faced off with was a lot bigger but technically defeating it was pretty much the same principle," Pepper muses. "I'll keep that in mind, although we don't seem to cross paths except by accident or stupidity. I guess it depends on just how much she wants to know about shadow magic."

Going toe to toe with China... it was tempting. Being miserably unable to resist her magic still rankled with Pepper; she had fended off what little intrusion her magic had by clinging to her aggravation with her, but that probably wouldn't lend itself to many future encounters. Still, it was useful information to have, and it made the idea of dealing with her seem a little less daunting. Perhaps China's lack of knowledge about shadow magic would be a way of manipulating her if she continued to seek it out.

"Good for you," Pepper replies, amused. "I'm going to have to have a talk with Skul about Christmas, though."

[peacefullywreathed]

"Good luck with that," Solomon says with another flashing grin. "He's hated it about as long as I've known him. Not as much as he does now, but he always did fail to see the point of it." He looks up, innocently, as though thinking. "It may have something to do with the fact that his birthday is in the near vicinity."

Gossiping about China or gossiping about Skulduggery. On Solomon's worst and best days, he could go with either.

[lasergrenades]

"What, he's sore about not getting enough gifts or something?" Pepper jokes. It was probably much more complicated than that, knowing Skulduggery, but a little lighthearted teasing wouldn't do any harm. "It is kind of a weird holiday, when you think about it, but... I like it."

This December will be the first Christmas without her dad. Pepper shakes the thought away after a moment; today is her birthday, and though her father is noticeably missing, this is still a good day.

"How'd you manage to figure out what his birthday was?" she asks, trying to maintain her usual cheeriness. Solomon was a PI after all (here anyway) - he must have some interesting methods to discover that kind of information.

[peacefullywreathed]

"No," Solomon said with a light smile, the sort that hid not exactly pain but something that was far deeper than the smile suggested. "I think it's probably because of his father, but he'd tell you that he just thinks it's hypocritical. Of course, he tends to think that of most faiths."

He laughed quietly, and a little bit sardonically. "You know, I don't remember? It was a challenge we gave each other when I was a teenager--to figure out each other's birthday. I never told him I won. It wasn't often I managed to one-up him on something, so I wanted to savour it." He smiled then, mischievously. "It's good ammunition, these days."