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

[denyamenti]

Bakura hardly thinks such thanks for a simple agreement to use the space is necessary, but as long as Pepper seems so happy about it, he's not going to argue.

"No, this is something a bit more understated," he says, holding out the box to her. "But also a bit more personalized."

Inside the box is carved wooden figurine, about six inches tall, smoothed and painted with meticulous detail of Pepper standing with Milus Radiant at her side. One hand is outstretched, as if she's in the middle of ordering the next move, and Milus' body language is alert and ready, but obedient.

[lasergrenades]

Pepper takes the box, unspoken questions written on her face. She carefully undoes the wrapping, trying not to rip the paper. She's silent after she opens the lid, taking in the gift; her eyes rake over the details, stunned.

And then she grins.

"Wow," she murmurs, lifting the figurine out of the box and holding it up. He's managed to capture the moment with Milus almost perfectly. She wonders if he has photographic memory, although it's an idle thought. "It's incredible. And it has totally earned you a hug," she adds, looking back at him. "If you don't mind."

Although Pepper is all for pushing one's edges, she doesn't want to make Bakura uncomfortable if she can avoid it. Her hugs are very significant hugs, after all.

[denyamenti]

Despite the well-intentioned offer, Bakura stiffened a little at the suggestion, eyes automatically sweeping around the dojo at all the people. Even with those closer to him, affectionate gestures either given or received were not something he liked in such public spaces. Even though he knew logically that he had no reason to avoid them, that there was no reason for them to be later used against him, there were many years of ingrained habit to overcome.

"I'm glad you like it," he answered instead, neither permission nor outright refusal.

[lasergrenades]

Bakura looks rather like a cornered animal, which, although expected, is a little disappointing. It's hard for Pepper to not tackle-hug him even on less appropriate occasions, but she's been learning to reign that in. She takes a moment to study him, and then makes a decision.

"Pinkie hug, then," she says, wrapping her pinkie finger around his and squeezing before letting his hand go again. It's a tiny thing, and hidden from view of the rest of the room. And with that she lets the subject drop. "Speaking of second careers, you could seriously go into business making these. I mean, it is crazy detailed. How do you even carve things that tiny?" she asks, peering closer at some of the finer elements, like the texture of Milus' fur, or the expression on 'her' face.

[denyamenti]

"A... what?" he asked, before Pepper took his hand and locked their fingers together. All at once, a memory that wasn't his own bubbled to the surface, hands smaller, and he blinked it away rapidly when she spoke again.

"I bought some tools for it," he answered. "Smaller gouges and chisels that I was using for the game figurines."

[lasergrenades]

It's a new kind of hug, Bakura. One of those things all the kids are doing these days. She just gives him a wink.

"Yeah, but just because you have the tools doesn't mean you know how to use them. Did someone teach you or have you taught yourself? I didn't ask before, when you had the game board out."

[denyamenti]

"I taught myself," Bakura answered. "I like to keep my hands busy. Although most of the carving I used to do was either in clay or soapstone; wood was harder to find. Not many trees in the desert."

[lasergrenades]

Pepper adds the detail about keeping his hands busy to her mental collection of information.

"I suppose there wouldn't be. There used to be trees nearby, though. Did you know the Sahara used to be a forest? It's actually coming back now, it's totally amazing," she says, still captivated by the figurine. "Climate change," Pepper adds, with some mock sobriety.

[denyamenti]

He smiled, but shook his head. "No, I didn't know that," he replied. "That would be quite a sight to see, I think." Not that he'd ever be able to see it now, but this was the wrong time to mention that.

"How'd they make it come back?"

[lasergrenades]

"Well, first we made it worse by cutting more trees down for farming or whatever. But I think it's part of some big UN program; they hire women to plant trees and take care of them along the edges, and apparently they're growing like bonkers. The trees didn't survive all that well when they hired men," Pepper adds, giving him a wry smile. "It's still mostly desert, obviously, but it's pretty cool. Definitely a good sign that we can kind of undo all the dumb stuff we did without really knowing what we were doing. Or that we're still doing, for that matter."