[IC] It's the Birthday of the OC above you!

Looking a touch proud of himself, Yska presented Diane with a small white box, tied up with a dainty red ribbon.

"I heard it was your birthday," he began, handing her the box. Even closed, a sweet smell emanated from the little container. "They're macarons. Peach, chocolate, vanilla, and cherry. I hope you enjoy them, and happy birthday." Yska had been baking quite a lot lately, and his fascination with complicated desserts meant he had plenty of fancy little gifts to give away. Once Diane opened the container, she would see four rows of colorful little confections, lined up like a box of jewels. Even the lumps in the almond flour had been excised, giving the cookies a shiny and smooth surface. He certainly knew what he was doing.

(v i absolutely do not mind i love your silly viera so much heheeeee.)
Yska's eyes lit up at the gifts, the alcohol in particular seeming to brighten his day. Still, the skater enjoyed being given just about anything- being showered with presents, praise, or anything along those lines was the way to his heart.

"I absolutely don't mind. Thank you. You're very thoughtful," he said graciously, admiring how flustered N'arfi seemed to be at the gift-giving. The Viera was genuinely adorable- to think that Yska nearly missed out on this by touching his ears when they'd met! A critical error, but one he wasn't keen on making again.

"And yes, I'm very happy to have your company. Let's crack one of these bottles open, shall we?"

(^^ If only the echo made him stay away from this man… ckdnfjdjcjs pls don’t take him, he only has like- 5/12th of a soul because of plot reasons anyways! 😭)

The viera had no idea what a man like Yska wanted as a present. Usually N’arfi found giftgiving easy but.. that’s because usually his friends were warriors and explorers like himself. But the viera had gotten the birthday man a small cake and a bag filled with more alcohol than two men should have in one sitting.

 “My ears told me that it’s someone’s special day today. I… hope you don’t mind.” The viera smiled slightly, looking a bit flustered as he continued. “Hopefully… ‘tis better to get drunk with me than spending your evening alone?” He looked at Yska for approval.

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Np: N’arfi doesn’t know when his actual birthday is so his birthday is his adoption day. 

Muriel delicately tied the sack closed with a red ribbon. It was a small gift, no bigger than the palm of her hand, but she hoped that its utility would trump its size. She made her way to N'arfi's residence, wearing an intense look—plain determination that N'arfi would have a good day. 

Once at his door, Muriel gave a firm knock. She smiled upon seeing him and coyly revealed the gift she had been hiding behind her back. "I heard it's your adoption day, so I got this for you. You can open it now, if you'd like."

She watched as N'arfi untied the ribbon and peered inside the bag's little opening. "They're turnip seeds," Muriel explained. "I know you like growing plants, so I thought you might like to try one that's good to eat, too. Plant them in the autumn, make sure you treat them kindly, and you'll have delicious turnips in two full moons." 

Proudly, she added, "Oh, you can keep the bag too. Happy adoption day!"

queenansleis

     Birthdays and Funerals are considered very important in monster culture. The King couldn’t miss an opportunity to attend a birthday party. Since he’s the king he technically could just show up. But that would be rude so he sent a letter prior to the party to let them know he was coming.

     As the Monster king arrived, he received many mixed reactions. His large frame towered over most of the people attending the party. Fortunately for him it was a nice day and the party was hosted outside. Monster King approached Muriel and smiled. He offers her the present in his hands. It’s a light grey color decorated with silver satin ribbons. “For monsters it’s customary to give the gift directly to the person. But if you wish I can leave it at the party table?” 

     The Monster King and a siren princess. It wasn't too unusual a matchup, was it? Ennette didn't think so, nor did she care. It was a birthday! She loved celebrating birthdays. What a happy time they were. The sentiment seemed to be shared with the monsters, too. There were many beings of all types that were here in attendance, with large decorations adorning every inch of the place.

     Ennette hummed happily until she actually met the Monster King, having to crane her neck all the way back to see him. Oh goodness, he was much taller than she had anticipated. "Oh dear," she murmured, looking at her gift with worry before timidly presenting it. "I had gotten you a cape," she said loudly, "But I fear it won't fit you. I'm so sorry, I didn't think ahead. If you give me your measurements I can have a new one made!" Think quickly! Save this!
     Hastily, she pulled out her lyre. "I-In the meantime, please allow me to perform a birthday song for you!"

Even though Brandy was tired at this point of interacting with anything supernatural, she made an exception for Ennette. For a siren, she was nice and hadn't eaten anyone in her sights. That was enough to have the hamon warrior go down to the shore and give her something for her birthday.

"Well, I didn't really know what to give you," Brandy confessed. "I thought a song from one of my rituals would be nice, but you've definitely heard better singing. So..." she rummaged around in a bag she had brought with her, taking out a glass bottle filled to the brim with pure garlic, "I hope this works. My mother had a huge stash in the pantry, but she never cooks. Maybe it would be better in your hands."

Noel thought he did an alright job at remembering others' birthdays. He was at that age where the only ones that mattered were those younger than himself, case in point… Brandy. He knew of her, a girl who was determined, the disciple of a goddess who obeyed and scribed, born into a society that might have deemed her unfit for a lady. Yet still, she was prideful. There was nothing wrong with that, he supposed, and rather he found it all the more amusing, the confidence of a young woman something he took half seriously.

"All that I know is that your goddess is a hunter." The older man paused. "I think." He thought he was more well-read… "Bah. What I wanted to share with you, it's hardly this. Don't think I've gone soggy now – I at least know what day it is."

And with that, he knelt to the ground before her and unlatched the quiver from his side. All crossbow bolts, well-crafted, steel-pointed, the feathers tailing them clean and unbent. He offered the bundle to her. "And so I would assume," he added, "That you have any ounce of her skill. Happy birthday, darling."

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@ NP: it is actually Noel's bday at the time of posting this so why not . He doesn't really celebrate his birthday anymore on account of "being too old" but he's cool with doing so anyway if your character has something planned [also honestly you are free to ruin it but he probably wouldn't care soz]

v noel eats fire dot jpeg

It’s a pathetic looking thing, but Illanya supposes it’s all she can offer in the way of confectionary sweets. In the iron pan, battered a bit from travel, cook a few small hand pies. The undead’s face is focused as she started intently at them, a twinge of  dissatisfaction on her face. Sure, there weren’t burned or anything yet, but they didn’t look very nice at all. 

Her hands had been clumsy, unable to shape the pies in a way that looked normal, some looking a little lopsided, and others starting to ooze their filling back into the buttered pan. It was a peach filling, from what she had managed to grab from one of the more distant towns they were staying near. She’d consider it good luck that she’d even remembered the recipe for it, though she couldn’t help but worry about the taste. Her own senses were dulled a little, so she couldn’t be entirely certain it would taste good to J. She could only hope that memory would suffice. 

A while of sitting and cooking eventually comes to a close, as she pulls the pan from the fire and places a somewhat chipped plate over the top of it as she sets it aside to cool. Just in time too. The snap of a twig from behind earns her attention, though she doesn’t tense up, ready to attack. Instead she glances over shoulder at J and raises a hand in greeting.

“Took you long enough. I was wondering if you’d landed yourself in trouble again.” A small upturn of her lips is the only indication that she’s joking. She gestures for J to join her next to the fire.

“You will… have to correct me if I am wrong, but today your birthday, isn’t it?” The knight asks, her white eyes turning to the other slouched figure, a somewhat hopeful look to her face. With how time and days meshed together, it sometimes grew hard to tell when exactly the day would be for her. This time, she’s been adamant, counting the days and nights carefully to ensure she did not miss it. 

“I know it is no cake, but I’ll be honest, I’m not familiar enough with baking out here to dare try it on the fire.” She says picking up the pan and removing the plate, revealing about six small hand pies of varying size and make. Some look somewhat semi normal, and they did smell like pie at least. The undead looks a little embarrassed, now that they are out for her to see but she continues.

“Since I know we’ve been on the road quite a bit, I wanted to at least do something, since the odds of a big celebration are slim.” Illanya continues, setting the pan close to J and reaching into her bag, and pulling out a carved bird, perhaps somewhat similar to the pigeons she might’ve kept. In truth, it looked more akin to quail, with some small plant like embellishments carved into it. There are a few scuffs and mistakes, another result of clumsy, less dexterous handiwork. The undead affords a rare smile.

“Happy Birthday, J. May you have many more happy returns of the day.” 

@ NP: Illanya kinda stopped celebrating her birthday with people after she died, and mostly is subdued with it since it’s a bit of a reminder that she will never age another day, and what she’s stuck with. Regardless, she would be appreciative of any kindness afforded to her.

Birthdays were irregularities in Durtarv. Rarely did one celebrate their birth, and even rarer did one request others do the same. Valnier had been in many cities, and many realms and met many people. But one constant that went through each small ritual of celebrating one's life were small presents wrapped. The problem was Valnier owned no wrapping that was not for the letters his job demanded he sent. So a compromise of a tied sack with the emblem of Durtarv was the compromise. 

His steps were swift through the claustrophobic stone walls of the army district. Each and every turn in this maze-like district was almost foreign to the witch hunter despite his heritage in this city. A few torches and candle lit the dark hallways that led to the sleeping quarters where his target slept. She had only been here half a year, but everyday he was beyond thankful his less-than-respectable means had brought her here. He pondered how he was going to present something so crude and- hastily assembled 

He found the door quickly after he began pondering, thankfully. His mind was not merciful in the slightest. Rapping his knuckles on the dark wood door he called out "Illanya!" he had put a a bit too much sharpness in his voice. He had realized this shortly after calling her. Inwardly sighing he held the sack out to her as she opened the door. "Happy Birthday, it is not much, but take it as a token of appreciation towards your work"

Inside the sack was a brand new whetstone and a repair kit "Your armaments are-" he failed to find the right words. He wanted to be mean, to keep that wall up. But that died in his throat "I wish you a happy day, take care of your things so that we may both see your next Birthday"

NP: Valnier is very prickly, any and all celebration for him will NOT be expected. But he appreciates anything

V (I- this is the best thing, thank you Twizzly)

(Pulling out the le Durtarv N’arfi for this shit)

The beast child was very excited for this day, probably more so than Valnier. The old man had just treated it as any other day so far. A few days ago, the child had stolen a piece of paper and a pen from the witch hunter’s office. He thought that he had put the paper to good use though, as he had drawn a big Ladybug on it. 

N’arfi had spent most of Valnier’s birthday away from home and the child had lied. Instead of walking to the school with Larcen, the child had taken the drawing with him and the guard had walked him over to Mary’s house. The kit had convinced her to help him bake something for Valnier’s birthday. As much as Mary despised the old man, she saw how much it meant to the child so she had agreed. It wasn’t anything fancy and in all honesty, quite a small cake.

N’arfi had helped to collect eggs and tried his best to help with the mixing process, leaving the kitchen in a complete mess. Attempts were made at cleaning it but Mary had told him to hurry home with the cake instead.  So Larcen walked the child back home, leaving the child at the door. He knew that N’arfi most likely wanted to share this moment with Valnier alone. 

The beast child knocked on the door, holding the small cake and drawing in his hands. When the door opened, he immediately started jumping up and down in excitement. “Happy birthday grandpa! Happy birthdayyyy!” The beast child held up his items as far up as he could above his head, waiting for the witch hunter to accept his thoughtful gift.

“Larcen and Mary helped me! So- it’s their gift too!” If there was one thing the child was good at, it was to get people to work together.

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Np: You can respond to IC. N’arfi’s birthday isn’t his official birthday as he doesn’t know when it is. Instead his adoption day is treated as a birthday. He’ll enjoy any gift from new weapons to food or alcohol. Anything goes, really