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

"Ooh, he's absolutely going to LOVE this," she smugly states, as a giggle follows as she imagines his likely response. As soon as she spots Ren coming around the corner, she hurriedly approaches the blonde and taps him on the shoulder. "Happy birthday, pretty boy!" she greeted him with a smile. She then began searching through her brown messenger bag for the gift and took out a sizable, unique bottle that was shaped like a square; it had a black label with the name "Jack Daniels" inscribed on it; it was a bottle of whiskey. "Ta-da~ Here's my present!" she announced, proudly showing off the whiskey. She watches as the man's expression changed to the look of disgust as soon as he saw the surprise. "Just kidding," she giggled, as she saw his reaction. "I know how much you hate alcohol; I just wanted to see your reaction!" She laughed once more as she slowly put the bottle back inside her bag. "Don't worry, I really got you something else. Hmm.. let me search for it first." She says, digging in her bag once more, and then bringing out a large round, tiny-headed fox plushie. "Ta-daaa~! I got this for you since it reminded me of you." She enthusiastically says as she flashes a closed-eye smile. "I hope you have a great day, dude!"
(apologies, i'm very new to this)

Next Person: Arthur doesn't really celebrate her birthday because she doesn't have anyone to celebrate it with. So she definitely will not expect it if someone does surprise her for her birthday. Arthur would feel incredibly touched; she appreciates anything!

"It's difficult celebrating birthdays... when..." When you didn't have anyone to really celebrate with. She understood that much, so when she heard it was Arthur's birthday... well, call it pity, if anything, though more immediately she seemed wary of the other woman's quarrelsome behaviors. She was used to her type, she would confess if given the chance, but that didn't make it any easier, at times feeling the need to walk on eggshells.

Arthur, at least, did not appear as harsh. She was fierce, for one thing, but not overly cruel to the point Maribelle had to keep her guard up -- though she did so anyway -- but for someone like herself...

Maribelle didn't really know what Arthur liked, admittedly. That made this whole ordeal a teensy bit more difficult. But, who in their right mind would ever hate receiving food for their birthday?

"I made curry, and some naan to go with it." Of course. The smell was pungent, even closed within the box Maribelle offered to Arthur, and no doubt opening it up would make it worse, all a miasma of spice. "I am not allowed to make things like this typically, given the financial situation and all, and my general not... being a fan. But. You struck me as someone who would better enjoy spicy food than him... oh. And, it's vegetable curry. I didn't know if you... liked meat..."

"..Still, happy birthday. I assume you would rather celebrate it with your fellow hunters rather than myself, but I wish you... peace... for the day, that your wishes be fulfilled. And so on and so forth."

@ NP: maribelle would probably forget her birthday, since her sense of time is completely shot, and nor does she really celebrate it anymore. do as you want, though, you can either celebrate it or ruin it. have fun.

feed your local rat today

     The drive back from school was awkwardly quiet. Alcott peeked at Maribelle every now and then. She was quiet, but he couldn't tell if it was her usual, brooding silence, or one connected to her birthday. Some students had said it to her briefly-- in fact, that was even how he found out. One of them had been talking about it about a week ago. She herself hadn't brought it up, did she want him to bring it up? Did she even know? Were the kids messing with her and it actually wasn't her birthday? If that was the case, oh boy.

     Alcott pulled up to his home. "I know, I know," he sighed, just knowing she was about to say something about McDonald's. "I left my wallet in the house, though. Let me go get it. Go put your backpack up too, while you're at it." Unlocking the front door and turning on the lights revealed a fresh cake on the kitchen, obviously homemade by the messy frosting on it, surrounded by McDonald's. "It's your birthday, right?" Her slight confusion didn't reassure him, but she acknowledged it soon after.
     They walked to the table, he pushed a small, wrapped gift towards her. It was a leather-bound journal with her name and a few bugs carved into it. Leathercraft gifts were given to all his kids. "You're part of the family now," he smiled lightly and pat her head.

v That was sweet, you've made an old man's day   

// skdjdk i hope this is alg- lmk if theres anything i need to change :> //

Cupid wasn't all that familiar with the Teacher. After all, she was only there to pick up a child that wasn't hers. But rather a worker of theirs. Someone who simply didn't have the time to be picking up their child from school. Cupid had no problem with it. But between them and the History teacher, at most they'd just acknowledge each other. Maybe discuss some things about the student if it was needed. 

Today however, was apparently Alcott's birthday. At least according to the kid. They mentioned it to their mother who then went on to say some things about presents and how she didn't have enough for gifts to thank him. So Cupid took it upon themselves to do it for her. Took a bit of digging to find what Alcott liked. But nothing was too out of the world for them.

The following day, Cupid stuck around a bit longer. Waiting for the classroom to clear out before knocking on the doorframe to announce their arrival. "Mr Northwind, I hope I'm not taking up too much of your time." Walking in, she stopped in front of his desk, a gentle smile on her face as she nodded her head in greeting. "It won't be too long. I just have some things to deliver"

Setting the bag on the table, Cupid rested a hand on their hip. "From the kid's mother. She wanted to thank you and say Happy Birthday." 

Inside the bag was a few packs of cigarettes, ones on the more higher end. But there were also familiar ones. A collection of different kinds of Marlboros. "I wasn't su- She... wasn't sure which brands you liked, feel free to do whatever you wish with the ones you don't use." Cupid paused for a moment, scanning over the other's face before continuing. As much as theyd like to lecture the man about his shitty smoking habit, now was not the time. And theyre sure hes heard it all already. So instead, She reached into her pocket, pulling out what looked like 5 tickets, and lightly set them on the desk. 

"I heard you enjoy sports, too. Forgive me, I wasn't quite sure which ones but... if they're not to your tastes- feel free to sell or give them away." 

And then it was done. Cupid didn't have any more to give. As much as she wish she did. It was also quite obvious, the fact that all the presents were bought with their money instead of the parents. She didn't mind though.

"Happy Birthday, Mr Northwind. Truly, I hope the rest of your day goes smoothly"

@ np Cupid doesn't celebrate their birthday and will turn down any attempt to do so. Using work as an excuse. Do whatever, she'll also try to turn down gifts and may be a Lil bit flustered if u celebrate-

v // SOBBING AT GRUG CONTENT THIS IS SO ;;; //

(Garden of Eden AU time)

Grug finished it. The perfect meal for his boss. With his oversized digits, grug laid the last decoration on the platter. Grug was never one for decorations of any kind, but he knew that things pleasing to the eye were a common want by most folk. The one's that aren't BIG. Big like him. His boss wasn't BIG. She was normal height. But she was the boss, and Grug looked out for his boss. He knew Cupid needed to be looked out for ever now and then. She was smaller, so the Big ones had to help. Grug's thoughts often circled in this spiraling motion. Always returning to Big and Cupid. But that was ok, he liked thinking like that. 

Placing his apron away in his closet, he covered the platter with a silver dome... just like he had seen the other chefs do for the very important guests. He thought that the Boss's birthday was special enough for the dome. With that finished Grug grabbed a woodcarving of the Angel's Lair and stuffed it into his breast pocket. He needed a free hand to open the doors, after all. He just hoped it didn't break. Walking out of his room with heavy, noisy steps, he made his way up to stairs and to the top floor. 

He was going to knock on the door for a moment but remembered he had SOME privileges with his position. So he just walked in, closing the door behind him. Before Cupid could even try to stop him, Grug carefully laid the platter down and lifted the dome. Three courses rested in a triangular pattern, with the main course in the front for Cupid to quickly access. Clearing his throat and puffing out his chest proudly, Grug grumbled out his explanation of the meal "First we ave Beef Borgniorn, wiff onions, carrots, and red potatas in it. Then we got uh snow crab cake, onna bead o cream corn. Den fer desert we ave a vanilla cake wiff a mellow chocolate glaze." 

Finishing his explanation Grug pulled the carving from his breast pocket and placed it between the 3 plates so it was practically a center piece. Grug straightened himself back and grumbled once more "Appy birff day boss, I knaw y'ain't too happy about birfdays...But- yer my boss an I'm appy to help"

NP: Grug forgot his birthday, but he acts like an excited child when its celebrated

     "Thanks again for helping me with that one monster. I didn't even know that was a monster, or that it had a bounty on it!" En grimaced and rotated his shoulder. The bleeding stopped, thankfully, but he had been in enough of these fights to know he'd be hurting in the morning. He'd only meant to stop this person from getting robbed, but the thief turned into a gigantic beast that would've ripped his arm off if Kol'hu hadn't come, though it took a minute for him to recognize that he wasn't someone to fight either. 

     "Oh, hey, check it out!" En pointed at some outdoor tables of a restaurant, one of which was surrounded by several waitresses and a cake with sparkling candles on it. They sang a happy birthday song variation to the flattered customer. "I've heard lots of places do that, but I've never gone to one. I'd like to, though. Wouldn't it be cool to eat during your birthday and get little surprises like that? Hey, when's your birthday?"
     With the way Kol'hu answered, it seemed like he wasn't too sure. Had he ever celebrated it before? En pursed his lips then smiled when an idea came. "Hey, why don't we go to that restaurant and treat it like your birthday? It'll make up for all the ones you've missed. We can use that bounty money-- I'm sure we could both use some food anyway, especially since you almost ate that monster."

You can reply to him, his evil AU, or his older self!
His older self celebrates the most out of the three. BrokEn doesn't celebrate and doesn't care. Normal En used to always celebrate with his mom and brother   it'll be his first time without them or a home

It was sad, really. A famous composer, a brilliant mind, all alone on her birthday. Maybe it was a choice, an intention to spend the day in a manner that didn't invoke grandeur or extravagance, but it was a choice worthy of a level of pity that Spark often reserved for those plagued with troubles strong enough to warp a whole landscape from their will. Certainly the pity was adulterated with hypocrisy, but chosen isolation was truly the emptiest way to live.

She passed Isolde's house returning from the grocery store, a task she hadn't done in over a decade. The groceries were intended for a pharmacist's assistant, who was working so much that she wouldn't even break for errands, but yet was well off enough that groceries from a better store than in her own municipality were warranted. As Spark's alabaster eyes lingered on Isolde's window, she clutched the paper bag tightly.

The decision was one with only the slightest hesitation behind it. Spark carried herself to Isolde's door, and knocking firmly on it in even bouts, was aware that it was in time with a metronome ticking somewhere inside. It sounded more even than the second hand or pendulum of her clocks. For a moment, she wondered if isolation with music was more or less comforting than her own vast expanse.

"Ah, hello," Spark greeted. "Are you Isolde Arasgain? You must be. You look like the right person."

Well, it wasn't the warmest of greetings, but it was something. Spark held the door open with one hand and looked up at Isolde with an even expression, remembering to muster a smile only after she had already given a cold temperament. 

"I don't mean to interrupt more than I should. You should spend this day as you wish, after all. However..." Spark searched for something to give Isolde -- she had picked up a few groceries of her own, though she didn't remember the last time she had needed to eat. Her hand wrapped around a small, cold fruit with a vaguely bumpy texture, and yet smooth to the touch. Even from the paper bag its aroma was potent and unmistakable as a tangerine. 

Spark extended the tangerine to Isolde, an offering from one distant person to another on a day that warranted something resembling connection. Was it enough to just hand it to her, and say nothing more? What was there to be said that a tangerine couldn't say, with its bright skin and lovely scent a better messenger than the one who delivered it? I'm sorry for whatever caused you to prefer a quiet birthday, the fruit said. I wish I could give you a good year ahead, it said. I hope someone has wished you happy birthday, it said. Would it taste like happy birthday, would it be enough of a gesture to last a year?

Just how much could be said by a fruit that couldn't speak? 

Spark hoped it would say more than she knew how to.

@ np, Spark has spent a lot of her birthdays alone without celebrating, but she does enjoy carnivals for times she does celebrate things. Though she is often monotonous, she gets really shy and bashful when others do nice things for her. If it helps to know the date, her birthday is January 30th. 

vvv this is amazing!! thank you so much!!!

Kvroii claim! :3

Luana quickly left her workplace the moment her shift ended. Leaving the building as if she was imprisoned there for an eternity. "Ugh, If I hear another one of Seth's damn lectures, I'd shoot myself," she said as she slammed the door shut of the driver's seat and drove off. Today was an important day for her- not for her, but for someone at the very least. Her destination was the carnival,  which recently had its grand opening, and she expected the route driving there to be tedious.

Luana eventually arrived at her destination after being stuck in traffic and was greeted by the euphonious sounds of the carnival. It was quite a sight to see: food stalls, thrill rides, mini-games and galore. Luana was pleasantly surprised by the scale of the carnival, but she had other priorities for today. After parking her car, she eagerly searched the crowds for the celebrant while carrying a luxurious black gift box tied with a beautiful yellow ribbon. Luana is quite proud of it and took her time in picking a gift for the celebrant. She took into consideration the fashion statement that the celebrant had and bought a gift that should match her taste.

Luana started to worry as she had a difficult time locating the celebrant, and she even pondered if the celebrant was in the carnival at all. The number of people moving around and the sheer size of the area added to the difficulty. Luana gave up and decided to dial the celebrant, only to realize that she doesn't know their number. "I can't believe how much of an idiot I am today." she cursed at herself. Running out of options, Luana tried to dial a friend for help but stopped herself when she spotted the celebrant amongst the crowd. She was clad in her beautiful checkered dress and charming accessories, peacefully sitting on a bench and watching the bustling masses from afar.

"Thank god, there she is!" Luana sighed a breath of relief as she eagerly approached the celebrant. "Good day, Ms Sparks. I hope you're doing well." she happily greeted. "I hope I didn't make you wait too long. The traffic today was dreadful." Then, Luana handed her the black gift box, "I love your style, and I hope my gift will be a great addition to your collection." she smiled softly. "Happy Birthday, Ms Sparks. I wish you the best, and may your years be filled with happy memories."

NP: When her birthday approaches, Luana requests a short break and visits her hometown. She celebrates her birthday with her mother and close friends and at the end of her birthday, she visits her father's grave alone and drinks her father's favorite wine.

Io trudged into a town she didn’t recognize. She was mighty tired, she’d’ve loved to fall asleep in a haystack just about now. However, a cacophony of cheers stirred her out of her dazed phase. 

‘Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Luana, happy birthday to you!’ Io located the source of the singing crowd, she smiled at the sight. She reckoned it was this Luana’s friends and family gathered around her. Now, she hadn’t any knowledge of who Luana might be, but she made her way towards her nonetheless, pulling out a navy blue crystal from the satchel around her torso, reminiscent of the other’s hair colour. Io scrunched themself in between the gaps of people till they could reach the birthday celebrant. 

‘Er- Hi! I heard it was your birthday so I wanted to give you something since it’s your day!’ Io felt a stone lump up in her stomach. It felt so silly and awkward to be randomly greeting someone. Yet, Luana smiled at her, thanking her and taking the crystal she had been offered. Io slowly felt her nerves calm.

Okay, maybe it wasn’t a bad idea after all. 

‘Erm, yep! Have a uhm- Aw- an amazing day, Miss Luana!’ she chirped, blushing with meek embarrassment at the realization that the people around them had been waiting for her to finish, so she quickly scurried off.

(I hope this is okay!  )
Reselda is a sorceress known for her generous and caring heart. She loved nothing more than making people feel special, and what better way to do that than with a homemade birthday present? Knowing that it was the special day of a certain celebrant, Reselda got to work in her cozy kitchen. Reselda had already gathered all the necessary ingredients: milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. As the warm milk simmered on the stove, she carefully whisked the egg yolks and sugar in a mixing bowl until they turned pale yellow. She added the vanilla extract and slowly poured the milk into the egg mixture while continuing to whisk vigorously to avert any lumps from developing. Once everything was thoroughly combined, she gently fill the custard cup with the egg mixture. Wrapped each cup with aluminum foil to prevent the surface from getting dry. She then put heated water in a pan and gently place the cup in it, and steamed the pudding for 18 to 20 minutes. As she waited, she thought about Io whose birthday it was. She hoped that she would enjoy it with a smile on her face.

When the pudding was ready, Reselda let it cool in the fridge and once it chilled enough, she gently took the custard pudding from the cup and carefully placed the custard puddings in a jar and set the jar in a pretty box tied with a red ribbon. Reselda went out with her winter coat and went around trying to find the celebrant. And finally found her in the heart of the snowy forest. She was met by the young celebrant with the brown hood along with the heterochromia eyes who seemed to be exploring. Delighted to have found Io, she went up to her and gently tapped her on the shoulder to catch her attention. Reselda presented her with the beautiful box. “Happy birthday, Io!” she greeted, her voice filled with warmth. “I heard that you liked custard pudding, so I wanted to make one for your special day.” She beamed, “Happy birthday, my dear. I hope you have a blast on this remarkable day.”

@ NP: On her birthday, Reselda typically spends time alone, visiting places she likes like the sea or her favorite local café to celebrate. If she's free from work, she also loves to make a trip to her hometown to visit her late father's grave.

     Hours and hours of practicing and still she had trouble with a certain part of her song. Frustrations were building, and with it came bad practicing habits, so Ennette decided to take a break and visit the beach near her home. There was a particular spot hidden away that had a fantastic view of the sea without running into anyone... at least that's what she thought until she noticed someone else there.

     "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone knew about this spot," Ennette said when she entered. She was about to leave when she recognized who the person was. "Lady Vale?" she gasped, a hand to her mouth. She was one of the most talented mages in the world! W-What was she doing here? Ah, and for Ennette to so rudely be interrupting-! Even as a princess she felt as if she were in front of someone of much higher standing, and it showed on her flustered face.

     "P-Pardon me, Lady Vale, but isn't today your birthday? Surely there must be some big festival being held for you to celebrate?" Silence settled, and Ennette looked over at the sea that so calmly reached out to them in gentle crashes. "Being here is just as nice, though, isn't it? It always calms me when my thoughts are all over the place." Like now. She let out a long sigh and felt the weight on her shoulders lift. Afterwards, she gave Reselda another smile. "I'll give you your peace. If you'd like, please feel free to stop by the castle nearby here. I live there, and it'd be great to have some tea with you!"