Zekken Birthday Bash

    It's May 23rd. Really.

    A fairly regular day for most. But for a certain Imp it's a special day. It's her birthday! And given her circumstances in the real world, which most people are not aware of, it's always a day for celebration when it comes along. And a celebration is what is going on!

    The Isekai Ryokan has been invaded by the Sleeping Knights guild and their leader in particular, Yuuki. Funnily enough this still leaves plenty of room for other people, as small as the guild is. And the restaurant slash bar has not actually been closed for the event, so some customers still stop by without actually knowing what's going on.

    Of course things are a little rowdier than usual, the Sleeping Knights not exactly living up to their quiet name as they chat, laugh and in some cases roughhouse. A tall Undine lady sits contently, softly chatting away with a smaller Spriggan woman, who is energetically attacking a roasted bleet leg. A surprisingly bulky Gnome has a smaller Pooka with glasses in a friendly neck hold and is rustling his hair while laughing. Several more people who aren't connected to the small elite guild are also sitting at tables nearby, on which food and drink has been spread out.

    And of course there is Yuuki herself, leaning back in a chair, feet up on a table with a drink in hand. Her face is alight with joy, a large grin plastered across it as she looks around at everyone here so far.

    Merek walks around and into the place, while he offers a wave, then nods to Yuuki. He is wearing that dark attire which he often does, along with what looks to be the beltcape, "Happy birthday," he notes, while he finds a place to settle in as well.

    It's not often that Amalthea makes her wait to the Isekai Ryokan. Busy as she has been with everything going on, as soon as she heard what the day was, she made absolutely sure to break off from what she was doing and come on down to spend at least a little time with Yuuki on her birthday.
    This is why the old Paladin is stepping into the joint now, out of her armor for once, a small parcel held in the crook of her arm as she surveys the rowdy crew before she finds just who she's looking for.
    "Yuuki, dear, I had to come as soon as I heard. It's good to see you as always." She says, smiling warmly. "--Of course what would a birthday be without gifts?" She muses, sliding the wrapped gift over to the spritely Imp. "It's not much, but I'm certain it will look just fine on you."

While officially no longer a member of the Sleeping Knights in the wake of the Apocalypse, Prophylaxis, the Doctor of Tolbana, would not have missed these festivities for the world. But hey, 'needing to temporarily part ways to try and figure out a way to get everyone home at some point' isn't the worst reason in the world! And he still maintains decent relations with a majority of them--

But especially today's birthday girl, for whom he has brought a couple of brightly decorated parcels. One is definitely rectangular but also definitely loooong. And the other is... much more box-shaped, and quite a bit smaller.

"Next year, you'll actually be able to drink something with booze in it and not be breaking any laws that matter! Though I guess it's not like anyone's going to stop you in here," Prophylaxis says to the birthday girl, and drops himself in a chair nearby. "Happy birthday, Yuuki. Here's to a whole lot more."

    Another person joins the party, "Merek!" Yuuki raises her mug to him in greeting. Then as she gets a happy birthday she grins and says, "Thanks. Feel free to grab something to eat and drink. It's all been covered. Though don't eat too much just yet, we've got something special planned in a bit!"

    Amalthea arrives! Hooray! Yuuki grins as she waves happily, "Hey, Amalthea! Thanks for coming." Her ears then twitch at the mention of a gift, "Ohhhhh! Thanks!" Yuuki is quickly up, eying the offered present eagerly.

    But before Yuuki has a chance to dive in and open it, Prophylaxis shows up. Yuuki calls out happily, "Prophy!" She rushes over to give the former Knights member a hug, before she laughs at him, "I don't really get what all the fuss is about with drinking anyway."

    Her eyes then light up as more presents are provided, "Ohh, yey! Thanks!"

    Accepting Prophylaxis's gifts, Yuuki moves around to add them to the one Amalthea got her. She then starts to open them up.

    It's always good to stop in for good comfort food, and the Isekai Ryokan is one of the best at it. The combination of that with a party for one of the most popular adventurers? Irresistable. Miyako saunters in with a casual grin, waving cheerily to those already present. "Hey there, wonderful people!" she calls out as she steps aside to let Kotono in.

    "Congratulations, Yuuki. You deserve a party, all the things you've done." She grins and walks over to join the crowd. "So, how old are you today, my friend?"

Of course when Miyako shows up, Kotono can't be too far behind. The girl steps in alongside Miyako and gives a wave with a cheerful smile. "Hi everyone!" She says happily.

"Happy birthday Yuuki!" Kotono also says as she joins the crowd. "I hope it's been a great one so far!"

"You'll understand when you're older," Prophylaxis answers with no small amount of gravitas. "The power of alcohol... and caffiene... and the proper balance between the two that enables some adults to function at all. Ah-hah-hah-hah~"

Beat. Prophylaxis returns Yuuki's hug with a great big squeeeze of his own, and an accompanying thorough head-ruffling. "I hope you like the presents. It's a little harder finding stuff in here than it is out there, but I tried my best!"

The larger of the two boxes contains... Something sword-shaped? Except instead of being hard and stabby, it's plush and soft and distinctly huggable. It's too large to be considered a stuffed toy though...

Because it's not. It's a greatsword-shaped body pillow, perfect for hugging or to use for setting up a makeshift couch anywhere it's placed! Probably not something that you want to use to stab anything with, except maybe nightmares. It probably stabs nightmares pretty good.

The other gift is a little more wearable on the day-to-day. It's a bracelet made of a silver chain strung around with four dangling crystals. There's a note in the box that simply reads: 'One for each year. Keep fighting, Yuuki. You'll have a horde of gems before you're done.'

"I ordered something special from the chef too, but we'll have to wait for later for that," Prophylaxis puts on a conspiratorial grin. "Dessert has to wait until everything else has been eaten, right?"

    Settling into a seat, Amalthea makes herself good and comfortable as she folds her hands on her lap, lips tugged into that slight, but still warm smile as she takes a rare moment to relax amid the chaos that has become her life.
    Being den-mother to a guild of crazy solo players isn't easy.
    "Prophylaxis, always good to see you." She asides to the good doctor while hunkering down and watching Yuuki begin to open the gifts up.
    Amalthea's gift is wrapped simply in basic brown paper, but what's inside is anything but simple. It's a finely made kimono; the silk dyed a sweet shade of floral pink, and decorated in a cherry blossom motif. With it is a hair band and several pins with floral designs to match.
    On further inspection, it looks to have been made by another player, because Amalthea's skills mostly revolve around battering, bashing, smashing, hitting with the blunt end of her sword and definitely not tailoring.

    Merek smiles a bit to Yuuki while he seems to think about it, crossing his arms, "Ah, thank you." He finds a place to get into for relaxing, while he takes a drink that's from a flask which he brought with him, "Anyway. It's nice to actually take a little break from things."

    "Hey, Miyako! Hey, Kotono! Nice to see you both." Yuuki grins at Miyako, "Nineteen now. Although I'm not exactly sure what that means anymore. I mean do our avatars age too? Doesn't matter, I suppose!"

    Yuuki starts digging into the presents that have been provided. First she opens up the large one from Prophylaxis. Drawing out the large greatsword pillow, Yuuki laughs, "Oh, this is great!" She gives the pillow a few swings, before intentionally hitting herself in the face with it, "So soft!"

    Next up, Yuuki reveals the bracelet. She puts the item on and admires it, "Pretty." She then adds, "Though I'll have to make sure to keep it off in battle. Don't want it taking any hits and losing durability!" At the mention of a surprise dessert too, Yuuki tilts her head in curiosity, but smiles and says, "I'm looking forward to it! Thanks, Prophy~"

    Next Yuuki moves on to Amalthea's gift. Unwrapping the kimono, Yuuki admires it, "Wow, that's beautiful!" She holds it up to her body and looks down at it, "Definitely going to have to find a reason to wear this some time! Maybe at a future event!" Yuuki smiles at Amalthea, "Thank you!"

    Presents opened, Yuuki walks around back to her seat. She then jumps up onto her chair and waves her arms, "Hey everyone! Shush for a moment!" The others who had been chatting amongst themselves quieten up and turn their attention to Yuuki.

    Yuuki clears her throat for a moment and then begins, "First, thank you all for coming! It really means a lot to me. Some of you know how important birthdays mean to me and why. Some of you don't, which is fine too. In the past it's been difficult... What with the internet restrictions. But thanks to ETO, I'm once again able to enjoy these days with people who I care about. But..." Yuuki starts to look a little sad as she pauses, before continuing, "Again, some of you know I share this birthday with another... Someone who was very important to me... Who isn't here now." The Sleeping Knights members all give Yuuki a knowing look.

    Yuuki takes a moment to wipe away a tear, then continues, "But she's not the only one. There are others too, who couldn't be here for one reason or another. And so to her... And to them, wherever they are... I just want to say..." Yuuki raises her mug solemnly, "Happy birthday." The other Sleeping Knights join in after Yuuki with a chorus of, 'Happy birthday.'

    Merek looks then to Yuuki, while he stands up, making a way to the woman while he brings a pack to the front, then he delivers a few potions, "The best potions we have that are from the shop Elixir Emporium," he notes, with a nod.

Vertina makes her way into the Ryokan after having stopped to make sure it was the proper place. "Looks like this party is already well into the swing of things, hope you don't mind some stylishly late arrivals."

Gwen Was a bit late in coming to the party, she'd been delayed by some business, till the towering fashion monger was not going to miss out on the party nor giving Yuuki a prescent of some sort. She's not even ina rmour today she's in a /sun dress/ straw hat and all. Gwen seems pretty pleased with this state of affairs. she semeed in good spirit and had a gift under arm at this point as she calls out.

"Sorry I'm late but I come to give you something Yuuki."

"Well sure, don't want a goblin breaking a gift because it manages to get a lucky hit in, right?" Prophylaxis nods knowingly. It's not like things were on the outside; here, they actually do have to worry about stuff like 'durability' in a discrete and generally irreversible way. "I'm glad you like them, though. I was a bit worried--"

He gets shushed! In fact, the whole room gets shushed. As Yuuki begins to speak, Prophylaxis is as silent and sympathetic as any of the other Knights, perhaps even more so in some ways. He's never made public the nature of his relationship to the little champion might be, but as she goes on, his expression grows steadily more wistful, but with no small amount of pride tugging the edges of his mouth into a slight smile.

"Happy birthday," he echoes in tandem. Not just to Yuuki, but...

The doctor breathes a long sigh that barely conceals a slight tremor in his shoulders. How many has it been since all this began...?

But at least they have the here and the now, and each other in this moment. The Doctor shakes his head and simply says, "I'm proud of you, kiddo. That was real good."

    Miyako nods, solemnly lifting a glass with the rest. "Those not with us," she intones, and then drinks. "May their souls be blessed."

    "On a happier note," she says a minute or two later, fingers playing over her menu to withdraw a parcel from inventory. "A little something to enjoy the day." She places it on the table near Yuuki, to be opened at the birthday girl's leisure. (The package will prove to contain a custom-crafted fedora, made to Yuuki's size, in dark grey with a purple band fastened at the side with a little gold buckle.)

    "Happy Birthday, Yuuki. Congratulations."

Kotono also raises her glass with the rest as well. "Indeed, may they be blessed."

She then produces a small parcel as well. It's wrapped in green and yellow, and it has a tag saying, "To Yuuki, from Kotono." Kotono then smiles and says, "Happy birthday, Yuuki!"

(Inside the package is the equivalent of a prepaid gift card, so Yuuki can purchase whatever she likes.)

    Yuuki jumps down from her chair again after the little speech. As Merek comes over to present the potions, Yuuki grins, "Wow, I'm sure these will DEFINITELY come in handy at some point! Thanks!"

    Vertina and Gwen make their entrances, Yuuki waving, "Hey you two! Come on in! You're lucky, we're almost to the really good part!"

    As Prophylaxis praises her, Yuuki hehs a little awkwardly, rubbing her neck as she says, "I always feel a bit weird giving speeches like that."

    Thankfully, more presents show up to be accepted! Yuuki opens Miyako's first, pulling out the fedora. She laughs at the sight, placing it on her head. She then tugs at the front, saying to Miyako with a grin, "Thank yee, ma'am."

    Kotono's is next, Yuuki opening the small gift and revealing the 'gift card'. She ohhhhs quietly, "Guess I'm going to have to go shopping some time soon!" Yuuki smiles at Kotono, "Thanks!"

    Finally, Gwen provides her gift. Yuuki grins as she takes it, "Thanks." She then looks around at everyone, "Funnily enough, the Sleeping Knights and I also have a gift for you guys, of sorts!" Yuuki calls out towards the back, "Bring it on out!"

    A pair of restaurant staff come out from the back. Between them they're carrying a large plate, upon which sits an almost comedic looking lump of shining meat with a large bone through the center. It's a massive piece of what looks like beef, lovingly coated in a marinade and roasted to perfection. It looks absolutely delicious.

    It is placed down in the center of one of the tables. As the staff begin to slice it, Yuuki explains, "Some of us stumbled upon a field boss and managed to take it down. And this dropped along with some of the other loot." Yuuki grins happily, "An epic quality food ingredient!"

    Yuuki says, "Dig in, everyone!" As they do, Yuuki begins to open Gwen's present.

"Wow, it may be your party but that's a pretty beefy gift for everyone. But first." Vertina walks over, takes a couple of jars from her inventory and sets them on the table in front of Yuuki, not wrapped but they do have ribbons tied around the top to make them more present looking. "Most people don't know it very well yet but I am a capable alchemist as well as brewer. Happy birthday Champ." Before wandering over to get in on the epic level food before it's gone.

When examined the jars are revealed to contain a high quality Weapon Polish, whose alchemical properties slow down the wear and degrading sharpness on a blade.

    It was a solemn moment, and that isn't lost on Amalthea; who largely remains quiet except to lift her own drink with a simple declaration of 'Happy birthday'.
    And then Yuuki reveals the big treat of the night when the staff comes out with the main course and begin to cut it.
    "..."
    That. That sure is some beef.
    Amalthea, to her credit, does not openly salivate at the sight of it though. She has her dignity.

"You did good," Prophylaxis assures the birthday girl with another pat, this time on the shoulder. "You spoke from the heart and meant the words you said, and that's more than a lot of people can say."

But then! There is a culinary gift! Prophylaxis' eyes take on vaguely saucer-like properties as he stares at the succulent chunk of meat rolling out of the kitchens. It looks vaguely like something you might see on a cartoon, with the huge bone sticking straight through an enormous cylinder of flesh, but presented like this... He can barely keep himself from drooling at the sight and the smell. "Damn," he murmurs, moving toward the meat, "Now mine is going to look small-time in comparison. Was this from the Tower?"

Gwen is in good spirits as she watches Yuuki meet and greet with so many other people. She grins a bit watching the Birthday girl enjoying herself a lot which is good. That's what these things are all about. She will hand Yuuki her gift. It's two-part one is a tin of cookies of some sort. Sadly no chocolate was involved, still, they would taste right. The second part is a nice one-piece swimsuit in Yuuki's normal choice of colours.

"Figured I would give you a treat and get you ready for summer. As you may or may not know my guild's got plans for the summer!"

She'll pause at the beef.

"Wait is that what I think it is?! Oh...this looks wonderful!"

She'll exhange a few more comments with Yuuki before she goes to feat bestill her Texan heart here...BBQ.

    "Here's hoping for many more," Miyako cheers Yuuki, and backs off to let others talk to her for a time, simply enjoying the party. When the Epic-Level Beef is revealed, however, she has to bite her lip to keep from drooling. "Oh ghods," she whispers to Kotono. "That smells /incredible/... no wonder she said not to fill up." She taps her foot, keeping herself from jumping up to run over and steal as much as she can carry.

    ... "Shall we feast upon wonders, Ko-chan?" Nope. Can't wait any longer. Up she gets, tugging at the taller spriggan's hand, heading over to get a plate of that wondrous bit of barbeque.

When Miyako is tugging at her, Kotono can't help but follow along. After all, that berbeque does look tasty, too! "I'm with you, Miyako!"

    Yuuki opens Gwen's gifts to find, first of all, "Cookies!" She takes a bite out of one, "Mmmm, good... It's been a while!" The second also gets a laugh out of the Imp, "I was thinking I might have to try and find a swimsuit! Almost time for some beach fun!" Yuuki smiles at Gwen, "Thanks!"

    Yuuki shakes her head at Prophylaxis, "Nah, this was out in a spot around Dun Loireag. I don't remember exactly, we just sort of stumbled across it on our way back to town. It was a bit of a tough fight, but we managed it." Yuuki gives a thumbs up to her fellow Knights.

    Vertina provides a gift of weapon polish. Yuuki ooooos, "Great! Now my sword can have a nice dark shine to it!" She laughs to Vertina, "I don't usually polish it since it's the Absolute Sword and is unbreakable. But now it'll look even cooler slicing through mobs! Thanks!"

    The roast has been sliced and people can gather it to eat up. Yuuki does so, piling up her own plate, "I've really been looking forward to this! Hifumi said he'd work his magic with this so it should be good. Eat up, everyone!" Yuuki starts tearing into the meat on her plate.

Vertina blinks a moment at that revealing note from Yuuki, but then laughs as she rubs the back of her head. "I didn't know... But hey, athsetics are important too! Gotta look good in those duels and beating up monsters, am I right?" She's a daredevil herself, she knows it can sometimes be hard to BE good and LOOK good at being good, so at least it has some use.

But of course right now, we've got high quality food. "Hey Doc, Thea," she greets the other two Scales with her nicknames for them. Well not entirely her own, a lot of people call Prophylaxis 'Doc'. But it's easier than his actual name to say, especially when you're shouting during a fight.

    Yuuki laughs a little awkwardly back at Vertina, "Sorry that's it not quite as useful as you thought." Then Yuuki grins, "You're absolutely right though. It's not just about the stats. That'd be boring. You've got to look awesome too." Yuuki stands up, placing her hands on her hips as she shows off her outfit, "That's why I'm always wearing this, even though I could wear more mismatched stuff for better stats. Because it just wouldn't be as cool!"

Gwen sys "I'm glad you liked them and yest Summer is comming. You are just spoiling us Yuuki!" She ntoes and then Gwen is gone digging into the fears with a wonton abandon..

Prophylaxis may be somewhat distracted by the delicious meat laid out in front of him. He doesn't get a chance to eat this sort of thing too often, and not just since arriving in the New World. Doctors don't often have the time to eat meals like these, let alone to enjoy them! He practically melts, himself, when he pops a chunk of that epic-tier Wagyu into his mouth. He's definitely swooning, and nearly topples right into a chair...!

"I... won't be easily outdone. Even if it might not be nearly as tasty...!" Prophylaxis motions as well to the waiting staff, and soon something /else/ comes out of the kitchen...!

It's a cake.

A birthday cake!!

Complete with exactly nineteen candles, and cute icing art of Yuuki riding what looks to be a cheetah!!

"There," he says with a nod, "Now it's a proper birthday...!"

Gwen pauses for a moment "Oh yeah I'm sorry Happy Birthday Yuuki!"

    "Hee, thanks, Gwen!" Yuuki replies.

    And then the other surprise food of the day comes out. And Yuuki gasps at the sight, "Oh wow! An actual cake! That must have been a pain to organise. This is great!"

    Screw proper meal order, Yuuki jumps up to run over to the cake. She laughs briefly at the artistic rendering of herself, before blowing out the candles. She looks at them for a moment, musing to herself, "Nineteen... Huh..."

    Yuuki cuts a piece of for herself, before eagerly diving into the sweet, sweet goodness.

Vertina ooohs, both at the other presents, and especially at the cake being rolled in. Then huhs. "Well, I'd say that's impressive on it's own right, Doc. It's desert, the best way to end a feast."

    "Best way to end, best way to start... leave some for me." Miyako grins and remains seated, calmly working her way through a slice of steak.

Nineteen years. Four more than even his optimistic projections. Prophylaxis breaks free of his meat-reverie, and gives Yuuki a tender, proud smile. To see her here, celebrating like this-- It's a miracle, honestly. No matter what happens in this world, the fact that she is able to do /this/ is a miracle and he refuses to consider it otherwise.

Maybe someday they'll have to wake up from this dream and reality will impose its awful, oppressive tyranny, but for now... For now, he can be happy for her, and she can celebrate in a way that nobody could have ever predicted.

"To many more," Prophylaxis repeats. "Next year's going to be an even bigger one. Look forward to it...!"