Happy New Year!

[the_tailor]

♥ Who: Open to all!
♥ Where: One of Havenwell's parks
♥ When: New Year's Eve
♥ What: A small celebration to bring in the new year!
♥ Rating: PG? PG-13 at max depending on how heavy those midnight kisses get~



With December comes the finale of another year in Havenwell. For some, this'll be their first turn of the year here--others, the second. While last year's went by with little public fanfare, Lance had decided that for this one, he'd put together a little shindig. And after reaching out to several people, including many of the natives (who seemed excited at the idea), and some hard work... He's managed something. A celebratory party in one of the larger of the city's parks.

It's not huge, as it was rather last minute, but neither is it just a bowl of punch and music playing from a tinny phone speaker. Simple but colorful lights are strung up from lamplights, lending a soft glow to the area in question. A large table holds various drinks and foods, some bought from Lup's, and others brought by partygoers potluck style. Any further entertainment can be brought as well.

While it's not so much a party as a get together, for the time Lance had to put it together, it's enough.

(And once everyone counts down to midnight and the clock strikes? Well, be prepared for a small firework show!)

Come one, come all, and enjoy yourselves. The weather is on the colder side with some snow flurries on and off, so you'll definitely want to stay close and maybe even cuddle to stay warm. Maybe even warmer, if you have someone to kiss at the stroke of midnight...



[ooc: Last minute but backtagging is obviously fine! If there's anything specific that your character might have brought or set up and want me to edit it in as a mention, just DM on Discord at Relika#7801 or relika!]

Comments

Kyoko Mogami | ota

[daikonrose]

[ The idea of just showing up to an open party like this is a little new to Kyoko, but it's not like she has to work or has plans with family here, so... why... not? She probably wasn't going to sleep well tonight anyway; being out in a park lit up by pretty lights sounds a lot nicer than staring at her ceiling.

Though she's not exactly in a celebratory mindset, Kyoko is quick with a grin for anyone who might come her way. Catch her setting out a platter of strawberry thumbprint cookies, or huddling under a tree to watch the snow fall. Don't mind her when she slips away as the countdown to midnight starts. ]

[whenyouneedme]

[But what if the entire reason he'd even stopped by the park was because he caught sight of a fond face? Of course he was gonna mind when she was slipping away before he even made it to her. It just meant he was going to follow after her, skirting past all the festivity and anticipation to catch up.]

Hey, Kyoko.

[daikonrose]

[ Gosh, why would you do that though, Kaito? There were lots of other reasons to come have fun in the park at night! Did you not see all those sweet sweet snacks? And anyway, shouldn't you be off somewhere getting ready to smooch Shinji?

Kyoko genuinely hadn't expected anyone at all to notice her leave, let alone this particular guy. Coming to a halt at the sound of his voice, she turned to squint at him, here in the dimmer light on the outskirts of the party. ]

--What--were you here the whole time??

[whenyouneedme]

[Likely he had smooched Shinji before he'd gone out the door (if he wasn't around Here now), and chances were high he'd get a smooch on his sleepy noggin when he got home. Who needed timed smooches??

His eyebrows rose a little at this squinting, but he grinned a bit with his hands in his pockets.]

Ah, nah. Just turned up. You heading home?

[daikonrose]

[ He just turned up right in time for midnight? That--well, that made a certain amount of sense, sure. It was the main event, after all. Acceptable.

There was a sheepish little laugh, but Kyoko nodded. ]

Yes--more or less. [ Maybe not directly home, but shh, it's whatever. ] Bad timing, huh? But I'll see you later!

[ You better hurry up and get back to the party Kai, they're getting to the 3-2-1 part. ]

[whenyouneedme]

[Missing the party was his thing tho.]

Ditching me already, huh.

[He was still grinning, coming to sidle up next to her with a harmless bump of his shoulder. A countdown might have been approaching, but he didn't seem to be heeding it much.]

Lemme walk with you a bit?

[daikonrose]

[ She didn't say anything about the shoulder bump, but she didn't return it, either--just tugged her coat more snugly around her and sent him a confused little frown. ]

But you said... you just got here, right?

[whenyouneedme]

Hmm? [He tilt his head.]

Sure, but I swung in cuz I saw you. No point in stayin' if you're not there.

[daikonrose]

[ And Kyoko's head tilted way back, about as far as it could go and still allow her to squint at his face. Even if that was true--which was a pretty wild idea--was that a thing to just say outright?? What was she supposed to do with this information now? ]

You're--being rude to the people who worked hard to organize everything.

[ Yeah. ]

[whenyouneedme]

Probably. Don't even know who set it up.

[A terribly terrible rude boy.]

All the more reason not to stick around.

[daikonrose]

... You're right, you definitely shouldn't stay, then.

[ He doesn't deserve to watch those fireworks lighting up the sky as Kyoko tucks her hands into her pockets and turns fully back towards the street. ]

Since you don't even know who to apologize to, it's better to just go right on home.

[whenyouneedme]

[He watched her, feeling like he was missing something obvious as she closed off. The flicker of light caught his attention for just a moment, but it really wasn't the reason he was out.

She wasn't either, but she was the more pleasant surprise here. Even if? She was being dodgy??]

Huh. I didn't realize being a passerby was so criminal.

[daikonrose]

I'm saying you're silly.

[ She had already started walking, but if he didn't follow right away, she'd pause to look back at him, waiting. Either way, he got a gently raised eyebrow on an otherwise politely composed face. ]

If you were a passerby, then where were you actually going? Is it really okay to get derailed with me?

[whenyouneedme]

Mm. Can't argue that.

[There had been a pause before he followed, because that gap in his understanding was making him wonder if he was just being a nuisance.

Here he came though, dutifully following like a good pup.]

No where in particular, really. Just felt like going for a walk and ended up going farther than I thought. You're a good surprise.

[daikonrose]

So it was like that....

[ Nuisance... was not the correct word to apply to Kyoko's dilemma here, but she was quickly realizing how she might be coming off. Aah, that was no good. She just hadn't been prepared at all for this turn of events! She hadn't meant to be anybody's surprise tonight, good or otherwise, so she ended up getting a shock of her own!

Still, she could at least let herself send him a softer glance, sidelong. ]

In that case... would you mind very much if we don't go home right away? Even though that's what I just told you to do.

[whenyouneedme]

[Tucking his hands in his coat pockets, Kai met her glance with a warm one of his own. She might have been coming across one way, but he was no worse for wear because of it.]

Ha. I don't mind at all.

[He'd been aiming for making sure she got home-- whichever one she wanted to be-- alright. There wasn't a rush though, so some meandering was totally fine.]

[daikonrose]

Then... come to Rawna's with me?

[ So, not exactly directionless meandering, though Kyoko is setting a relaxed pace for now. ]

Just for a little bit.

[whenyouneedme]

[Rawna's, huh. His eyes softened a little before he nodded, shifting his gaze back to the path ahead.]

Sure. Let's go.

[daikonrose]

I'll be stealing you for the first visit of the year, then.

[ It was said lightly, with the tiniest smile, though she didn't look at him. ]

[whenyouneedme]

Sounds like a good first one to me.

[It seemed fitting that another late night wander on new year's would lead to Rawna's halls. Last time had been... Kai made the mental note to make sure Shinji was blanketed in affection when he got back with a hug to rival last year's.

Tonight was Kyoko's though. If he was being invited along, there was no way he could say no. She was important too-- whatever she needed, he was going to be there for it.]

[daikonrose]

Lucky for me you're not picky.

[ In truth, if she hadn't already known by now that Kaito and Shinji weren't exactly sticklers for observing special occasions together, she wouldn't have let herself ask even this much. But... it was probably fine, right? They'd no doubt visit the temple together soon anyway. ]

--Aah, I should have thought to bring something for the dragons!

[whenyouneedme]

[A spot-on assessment. In all likelihood, the only reason he'd even been aware that it was New Year's was because her birthday had only been a few days ago. It was fine though.

Kai laughed beside her.]

See, that's where I come in handy.

[There was most assuredly a pouch of treats on his person. Who knew when he was going to run into a cat or dragon friend.]

[daikonrose]

What, actually you have some right now? Were you gonna go to the temple anyway?

[ Wasn't this supposed to be just a random late night walk? ]

[whenyouneedme]

[He shrugged.]

If my feet took me that way. Y'never know when you're gonna run into a hungry friend though, especially with how all over the place they've been.

[So, to answer previous questions: yes kai would feed all the raccoons and roaches and rodents.]

[daikonrose]

[ And it's a good thing there's no rabies in Havenwell, because Kai would be the top candidate to get it. ]

You're always prepared, huh? To think I called Shinji-san a princess when there's you....