OPEN

[balthier-strahl.livejournal.com]

Who: Balthier, Squall, Fran and OPEN TO EVERYONE WHO CAN MAKE IT.
What: Squall's birthday party
Where: Balamb Town, hotel
When: Evening
Rating: TBA


It had taken a fair bit of planning, considering the guest of honour was practically in his pocket 24/7, but Balthier had finally finished preparations for Squall's birthday party. Sure, he was only turning 20, not truly a momentus birthday, but the teen needed cheering up. He was homeless, jobless, just about able to walk and his girlfriend had left him, taking their son with her. Any man in that state needed cheering up.

So, with the preparations set and the guests invited, Balthier took the lead in walking the teen and his Vieran fiancee to the hotel in Balamb Town. He had hold of Krja's reins as she walked by him and the moogles surely followed, though he made it a point not to even mention Squall's birthday.

Once they arrived in the hotel, Balthier led Squall to the bar, where a banner Sora and Roxas had made was hung, saying Happy 20th Birthday Squall! The room was filled with SeeDs and both the mentioned Keybladers were there.

It looked to be rather a memorable gathering. Though, Rinoa had yet to arrive with Squall's son.

Comments

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

It had taken a lot of coaxing to get Squall to tag along. He hadn't been much in the mood for venturing out of the Strahl. He hadn't mentioned his birthday. He hadn't wanted to seem like he was hinting at wanting gifts. It was just another day, right?

He walked at Balthier's side, using crutches to aid him, though his walking was growing ever more confident. As he was led into the bar, he gave a loud squeak, visibly blushing. He looked at Balthier, eyes widening. "Did you...?" His blush darkened, a soft laugh escaped him.

[xshatterheartx.livejournal.com]

Fran gave a soft laugh, pressing a kiss to Squall's blushing cheek. "Happy Birthday, love. Enjoy it. You deserve it." She smiled, rubbing his lower back gently.

Balthier really had been busy. Fran just hoped nothing would go wrong.

[balthier-strahl.livejournal.com]

Balthier chuckled and kissed the top of Squall's head, soon nudging him towards the bar. "This is your night, so enjoy. It'll be back to flying the skies and avoiding head hunters by morning," he murmured.

With a slight smile, he handed Squall a drink before taking one for himself, sipping it and glancing around the room.

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

Squall took his drink from Balthier, downing it in one gulp. He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, smiling at the older man, leaning up to kiss his jaw.

"Thank you." He purred, before pulling away to look around the room, noticing all the familiar faces.

[laguna-loirerp.livejournal.com]

"KIDDO!" Laguna bounced as he entered the hotel, dressed in a light tan pair of linen pants and a black shirt. Mismatching of course, but then again, it was Laguna. Nothing he ever did matched.

The over eager President had Kiros and Ward tailing him, not having trusted their friend with normal bodyguards, plus they had wanted to see their friends son.

He had no idea what to get his son, so in the end he had gotten about a dozen several gift cards for all sorts of shops, and restaurants. After all, he had already given his grandson the Ragnarok and Squall Raine's ring. He had no idea what else he could do. But he wanted the best for them all so.

He grinned madly, looking around for the guest of honour, having Kiros grab a hold of his belt as Laguna tripped, making sure he did not fall over in his over eagerness to find his son.

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

Squall caught sight of Laguna and his trusted friends. He couldn't help but smile. He broke away from Balthier and Fran's sides to walk over to the older man, kissing his cheek. "Hey Dad. Kiros. Ward." He smiled a little more, nodding to each aide in turn.

[laguna-loirerp.livejournal.com]

Laguna pulled his son into a loving hug, and handed him a small package. "Sorry, I could not decide which, so I sort off took them all." He smiled goofy, rubbing the back of his neck once he had let go of Squall.

He looked around, smiling. "You have way to many friends, Kiddo. Look at this!" he waved his arms around, Kiros and Ward both ducking as the eager man gestured wildly. "Its fantastic!"

"..." Ward nodded back to Squall in his silent greeting, the large man glancing around curiously. Kiros stepped forward, shaking Squalls hand. "Happy birthday, Mr Leonhart. " He smiled, talking in his deep, smooth voice with a wide smile.

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

Squall gave a soft squeak as Laguna pulled him into an embrace. He returned the hug and accepted the box, rattling it slightly. He blinked and opened it, laughing softly at the contents. "Thanks, Dad. These are great. They'll come in handy."

Squall huffed as Kiros shook his hand, pulling the older man into a hug. "Less of the formalities, Kiros. I'm just Squall. If you want to do things all formally, I shall call you Mr Seagill."

[laguna-loirerp.livejournal.com]

"I hope so. Had no idea what to give you at all." He smiled and rubbed his hand on the back of his head. "Kiros and Ward tagged along, as you see. They did not feel like having me ditch my body guards again. Silly that." he grinned sheepishly, getting a sharp look from his friends.

"Ngh.. now I just think of my father. Just thought I'd show Laguna how one is properly supposed to greet people. Not that he ever learn." The black man grinned, hugging Squall tightly. "I heard about what happened. How are you healing?" He let Squall so go, looking at him as Ward moved over and gave the brunette a hug, lifting him off the floor in the process.
"..."

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

Squall ran a hand through his hair, placing the box down on one of the tables, before turning his attention back to Kiros. "I'm healing well... I was completely bedridden, I was told the chances of me ever walking were minimal, yet here I am!" He smiled, flushing a little.

As Ward lifted him up in a hug, he squeaked, wincing a little. "Easy there, big guy!" He teased, patting the man's arm lightly.

[laguna-loirerp.livejournal.com]

Ward put him down again, patting Squall on the head, before stepping back. Kiros smiled wide. "You are a fighter Squall. You will make through anything you put your mind to."

Laguna smiled wide, nodding eagerly. "What he said!"

(ooc: Should Laguna and those react to the king appearing?)

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

Squall rolled his eyes a little, laughing moments later. "Yeah, yeah. So they tell me." He murmured, eyes scaning the room for any sign of Rinoa.

"Mind over matter. Strength of a lion. I've been told many things. I just did what I needed to do, and had great peopled helping me. Balthier. Fran. The Doc."

(ooc: if you want)

[keybladesky.livejournal.com]

It had taken a lot of work, but Sora had managed to convince Roxas to come to the party. Sure, the Nobody had helped to make the banner but apparently 'parties weren't his thing'. Not that it deterred the little Keyblade Master.

Snuggled up in his seat with his knees tucked against his chest, Sora smiled as he saw Leon enter. It was a nice thing to see him but he wasn't going to rush over and bother him. He knew Leon would be okay without having a million kids hanging around him. Now that he was an adult and all.

Sora wasn't sure if Riku was coming to the party. He hoped he was. He hoped Kairi was too, but he hadn't spoken to either of them about it. It was their choice. Roxas, on the other hand, had no choice. It was Sora's decision, or so said the Keyblader.

Leaning over to Roxas, nudging him slightly, he smiled. "So, think Kairi and Riku are gonna show up?"

[half-of-a-heart.livejournal.com]

He didn't want to be here. It wasn't his choice, though, according to Sora. Apparently, he had to be there. With a sigh, as Sora nudged him, he gave a slight shrug. "I don't know... maybe. I haven't heard anything from Axel or Namine... so I don't know if they'll show up, either."

Roxas sipped his drink - a coke to keep from getting in trouble - and glanced around, scrunching his nose up. There were so many people there but even still, most of them were older people. He and Sora were the youngest there. As usual. Always the kids.

[axel-rp.livejournal.com]

"Well you look really in the party mood, hm?" Axel stepped out of the few shadows that were there, having arrived by portal. He headed over to the two boys, smirking, hands in his pockets, a sly grin on his face.

"So, Big ol'ex Commander is turning old, hm?" he glanced up at the Guest of Honour. "Does he have a proper light on the candles of those cakes?" He grinned.

[king-of-heart.livejournal.com]

Mickey appeared in a swirl of darkness, another new form having made itself apparent. He was smirking in his decidedly evil fashion, but his skin was normal. The King's eyes were still Heartless-yellow, and he bore a Heartless Crest over the place he'd been injured, his stately attire in shades of red, black, yellow and white. His Keyblade was nowhere to be seen, though he exuded the dangerous aura of a predator among sheep.

"Well well, what have we here?" The King had appeared directly in front of Squall, and looked up at the young man, "Happy Birthday."

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

Squall's eyes widened at the sight of Mickey. He swallowed hard. His knees threatened to buckle beneath him, yet he steadied himself. Why was the King here?! What did he want? He gritted his teeth, brows knitting together in worry and question. He was far from fit. Walking took all his energy, but if he had to fight, he would.

"King Mickey..." He said, turning his gaze away slightly. "What brings you here?" The mass of hearts? Squall's weakened state? Surely it could not be a simple visit.

[king-of-heart.livejournal.com]

"Happy Birthday." he repeated with an amused look on his face, "Seeing as I can go anywhere I please, and I have no direct quarrel with you any longer, I figured I would come for the festivities Balthier has planned so well. Our confrontation is set for Kingdom Hearts, where I will either win, or lose, in the final hour of the Heartless." he spread his hands and smiled, "So any paltry struggle for this world is merely a diversion for my less than submissive minions. I am not interested any longer.. it is assured we shall face off where I wish, as it is indeed my side that will win if yours doesn't rise to stop me."

His smile turned pleasant, and he nodded to those closeby, "Laguna, Balthier, Fran. Pleasant day for a birthday." his attention returned to Squall, and he shrugged, "Even a Heartless can come to realize something is worthless compared to the big picture. So here we are, no reason for violence." he was so confident, and honest, just there, that he couldn't be lying.

[laguna-loirerp.livejournal.com]

Laguna tensed as the mouse who had once before taken his heart appeared. He could not help but to take a step back in fear, and immediately feeling shamed that he did. "Majesty." It came over his lips before he could think.

He looked at his son, tense as a bowstring. So was Kiros and Ward, moving in front of the President as a shield.

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

Squall still wasn't sure he trusted Mickey. He frowned, looking between mouse and man. He gave a nod, his gaze fixing on Mickey. "Right. Kingdom Hearts. We'll be there." He shifted on his feet, rubbing his back where the spike had pierced. "We'll end things once and for all."

"Let us enjoy the calm before the storm. As friends. As we once were. As I believe we still are."

[king-of-heart.livejournal.com]

Mickey shrugged absently to Squall's assertion that they were still friends, and smiled wickedly to everyone around, so tense and ready, as he slowly drew Squall's present from beneath his robe. It was a simple thing, really, just the type of present he'd have gotten the man when he was his old self. In a space where it shouldn't have existed, Mickey pulled out a Keychain, that was a Heartless symbol with Disney Castle's emblem within. "In the event that you win, remember me by this. In the event you lose, and darkness consumes your world, you will survive by this, as my friend." It would have fit nicely on a Keyblade, and one who knew of such things would have to wonder; what had it cost Mickey, personally, to craft it?

[laguna-loirerp.livejournal.com]

Laguna were tense, insecure, not at all certain how to handle the situation. he wanted to be brave for his son, but the small mouse terrified him! He could still feel the tug at his heart when he was around, as if the Kings very presence could steal his heart.

[leatheredlion.livejournal.com]

Squall took the gift in his hand, examining it. It was a little strange, perhaps slightly disturbing, yet at the same time it tugged at his heart. He gave a nod, smiling softly. "I shall cherish it. It shall be my good luck charm." He wished he had brought his gunblade with him so he could remove the Griever chain and replace it.

He crouched a little so he was at eye level with the King. "Thank you." He murmured, idly wondering where and how Mickey had obtained it.

[king-of-heart.livejournal.com]

Mickey shrugged softly, and tapped Squall on the nose. "It's symbolic. If you win, I don't wish to be forgotten. If I win, I will need a way to distinguish you in the darkness, and bring you back to me." it was a simple statement, ambiguous in design, but specific in intent. "It serves it's function in the case of either outcome.

The Heartless King glanced to Laguna, and tilted his head to one side, "Calm down, Laguna. I'm not here for anyone's Heart. Not yours, not Balthier's, and not your son's. What happened between us was, admittedly, unfortunate, but I have come to realize that what befalls this particular world is unimportant. The battle for Kingdom Hearts will be what decides it, so why continue to menace you?"