If Jean was a wizard, he'd be a man now.

[schachmeister]

Who: AoT cast, Borderlands cast, sad cat uncle, whoever else travelled in, lots of random pokemon, and hell, you, if you got any reason for stumbling on this birthday extravaganza.
Where: Sevii Island beach
When: Pre-dated a little to the Fifth of April.
Summary: There is no surprise birthday party more surprising than the one that happens two days before the guy's actual birthday.
Rating: G for Great presents.
Log:


[It's a mingle log, so really, do that mingle thing. Let your pokemon out to play! They deserve to have fun on a beach too. Find the (almost) birthday boy, he's probably around here somewhere. Meet some other guests and possibly watch your conversations devolve into awkward small talk. Wonder who thought it was a good idea to allow a literal psycho to man the barbeque, and really, does steak need that much fire?

Really.

It's just slightly concerning that is all.

Go acceptable amounts of crazy!]

Comments

[closed to Jean] Just a bit before the party!

[schachmeister]

[Armin waits, slightly nervously, on the path to the inn. Jean had set out early today, on his own, and based on Jean's usual habits, Armin thinks he ought to be coming back some time soon. Honestly, Jean setting off on his own had been an unexpected boon. It had allowed them to pull together a few last minute things, and for Angel and the others to arrive without Jean noticing. But now that they are all prepared, they are stuck waiting for the guest of honour.

Of course, Armin can always contact him via his gear, but requesting him to come back to the inn right now would absolutely make Jean very suspicious. And possibly argumentative. It's better if he catches him on the way home.

In all honesty, Armin doesn't think he'll be able to divert Jean to the beach entirely without some suspicion on Jean's part. It'll be too odd of a request, and really, Armin isn't very good at these sort of things. He is not a very good actor (quite the opposite really) but then again, when the only other two options are Bertolt (too easily cowed, Jean could bully a secret out of him in less than two minutes) or Eren (too easily distracted, they'd probably just get into a fist fight without supervision), he's the best they've got right now.

It's another five minutes before he spots the familiar lean form. Thank god Jean is more of a creature of habit than he'd probably like to admit to.]

Ah, Jean!

[Armin starts forward, before he realises something is off. He's used to seeing Blitz rolling back (or in front of) Jean. But there is one extra ball right now.

Momentarily diverted, his brows lifting into his bangs, he allows his curiosity to take over for just a moment.]

That's new.

[notvaljean]

Hey.

[It's a good thing Jean is feeling moody and caught up in his own thoughts, or he'd be suspicious about Armin waiting for him on the beach. He's been a bit in his own head lately, though; it's going to be his birthday soon, and the first one in three years that he hasn't celebrated with Marco. It's also the first of many (he thinks) where Marco won't be there, and that thought depresses him even more. He hasn't mentioned this to anyone, or brought up that it'll be his birthday in two days. Only one person in the 104th ever knew or cared, so Jean is expecting nothing.]

Yeah, he was caught in a tide pool and couldn't roll out. [Jean shrugs.] I fished him out and he's been following me ever since.

[The actual event had been more dramatic than that, complete with loud, frantic barking, lots of splashing, and Blitz pitching a fit over Jean handling a strange Pokemon, but he'd eventually got the newbie out of the tide pool where he'd been stuck. Both Jean and Blitz were soaked by the time it was over, and Jean had lain in the sun to dry off, expecting the other Pokemon to go away. It hadn't, despite Blitz harassing it, and is now rolling merrily along behind Jean.]

I didn't even try to catch him, but he won't go away.

[The Spheal looks up at Armin and barks cheerfully. Hello, new friend!]

[schachmeister]

[More than one person had known. Armin had never really celebrated Jean's birthday while they were still trainees, but he had found out about the date courtesy of Marco. Truthfully, the close proximity to Eren's birthday made it somewhat easy to remember. First there was his, then a bit over a week it was Jean's turn.

Armin had expected this downturn to occur. Mostly, Jean went about his business as normal, the same big talking, attention grabbing way he had always been, but Armin had noted that whenever a conversation, a topic or a date turned him towards thoughts of Marco, he'd become moody and withdrawn. His birthday, one he had only ever celebrated with Marco --and his mother before that, another person who wasn't here-- would likely engender the same reaction.

Which honestly didn't feel like any sort of way to pass your own birthday. Luckily, Angel, Anders and Krieg had agreed on that.

Armin makes a curious noise at Jean's explanation, squatting down to get a better look at this new pokemon. It honestly looks adorable. If Blitz is a murderball, then this little guy surely must be a cuddleball.]

Maybe he thinks you are his mother.

[He is only half joking.]

[brokencode]

[There was a lot to be done on the islands, and how Angel would do it all was a bit beyond her. First and foremost was greeting her friends, and the hosts of this little get together -- if there were any. Her first target was Jean, the star of this show. If he thought he was getting away without a hug, he was sorely mistaken.]

[Armin was her next target, who was greeted in a similar fashion, arms tight around him and her hands clutching his. Anders was also greeted in such a way.]

[Once greetings were done with, Angel finally made her way to the seaside. She was clad in a white suit cover, and wore a large, blue and white derby hat to keep her face and shoulders out of the sun. Her feet, bare as they were, sat at the water's edge, as if she were afraid to step forward into the gently churning waters.]

[Funny how the surf that had made her ill on the journey now served as something calming.]

[notvaljean]

Hi, Aaaaang...

[Oh gods what is this she's hugging him she's going in for a hug RED ALERT THIS IS NOT A DRILL THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!!1!1!!1]

[Jean freezes like the giant chump that he is, but only for a moment. Then he lifts one hand and awkwardly pats Angel's back.]

Hi, Angel.

[Gods, she smells so good. This is already the best birthday ever.]

[brokencode]

[The siren leaned back, head tilting to the side. Concern lined her face, and she looked him over as if she was searching for any kind of injury. Anything that could have explained why he had trailed off.]

I'm sorry, did I rub against a sunburn? [She retracted her arms slowly. hands coming to rest at her sides where they toyed idly with her swim suit cover.]

I've missed you, Jean. It's so good to see you!

[purramedic]

[Anders is absolutely here for Angel hugs. Who could possibly resist? Certainly not the little white poof bouncing and gekkering in a circle around them.]

Angel. I'm glad to see you again.

[schachmeister]

[Armin stiffens in surprise for a moment --he really is only used to receiving hugs from Mikasa and Eren-- but he relaxes soon enough, hugging her back with proper conviction. And to be absolutely honest, it is kind of nice to huge someone for a change who is actually shorter than him. This must be what tall people feel like all the time.



lucky bastards.]

Angel! I'm so glad you were able to make it here. Did your trip go well?

open to all

[notvaljean]

[Here he comes dat boi, the birthday boy himself. Jean is roaming around the gathering, followed by Blitz and his yet-unnamed Spheal, being surprisingly pleasant and cheerful and greeting all the guests. Maybe someone gave him some pointers earlier on how not to be a giant turd at a party thrown in your honor, or maybe that hug from Angel livened him up. Either way, whoever approaches will get the rarest and most shiny of all Jeans: the genuinely happy one.]

[bertall]

<sub>[Social gatherings never have been one of Bertolt's strong points, but Jean was someone he'd make exceptions for. Though of course it doesn't mean he's easy to find (especially with the heat starting to bother him), he still makes it a point to make himself known by having Marcel out and lounging against his side in the shade.

Well, lounging and also pinning Bertolt's legs down with his paws and head, but still.

Because he's a little pinned down, he decides to grab Jean's attention another way - there's a number of secrets he's kept hidden from everyone (some more harmful than others), but he figures now would be a good time to start letting them become known. Fishing around in his bag, Bertolt pulls out a ball and calls out his Delibird, and after some mumbling and gesturing, sends the little red and white bird to waddle as fast as his legs can carry him in Jean's direction.

HEY. HEY. HEY. HEY.]</sub>

[purramedic]

[SURPRISE, there's more hugs where that came from. This is just their standard greeting now, it's official, sorry, Anders doesn't make the rules. And look, he's in an honestly good mood too! Seeing people he cares about happy does that to him.]

Fancy seeing you here. Happy birthday, Jean. Almost.

[fuelthefire]

[When Krieg spots the birthday boy, he makes no bones about going right up to him and ruffling the hell out of his hair with one huge hand. He's grinning under his mask - not that anyone can see, though his one visible eye might give it away to anyone who's quick enough to look. He accompanies his obnoxiously friendly physical greeting with a warm and less manic than usual laugh.]

Put any more candles on the birthday boy's cake and we're gonna have a real bonfire!

and I'm like what up have a partycrasher

[faintwaves]

[...But not intentionally. In the form of a weird pink beachball looking seal rolling up to him, and around, and by, and generally being a curious sparkly nuisance.

Followed, of course, by a teen of small size looking embarrassed and trying to get the thing under control.]

Triton, nooo! Stop, hold still! Oh--geez--I'm so sorry about him, I'll get him out of the way!

[greatrage]

[Eren finds Jean a bit later in the party, followed by Stachel the Nidoking. Jean's gift had allowed Stachel to evolve, and... well, Stachel wanted to help celebrate! And honestly, Eren hadn't expected anything quite so nice from Jean of all people. Maybe being in this pokémon world was making Jean a better person?

Either way, it just meant that Eren had to get him an equally great gift.]

Hey, birthday boy.

[Eren tries not to smile and keep a nice, grouchy look on his face]

Stachel has a present for you.

[indeed! The nidoking is holding a small box, wrapped neatly in tropical-themed wrapping paper]

OTA

[purramedic]

[Anders' only company after greeting Jean and Angel is roughly half a party. He carries a suspiciously round bag and a curious Meowstic sticks close by him, but his other Pokemon are likely off causing their own flavors of trouble. There's a Luxray who's a little overenthusiastic about playing rough with smaller Pokemon (and people), and anyone with valuables or money should keep an eye on it lest it be discreetly nabbed by a grey Meowth with sticky paws. Of course, either one will deny their misbehavior, especially if it's brought up with their trainer...

The mage himself is amicable enough, feeling a bit out of place but quite glad to see Jean surrounded by friends. Though his general demeanor is rather reserved, Anders may introduce himself to strange faces or pleasantly greet familiar ones. And Pokemon who wander over will very likely receive sneaked treats.]

[schachmeister]

[It is the cat man!!

Six feet worth of uncomfortably buff, furry wrestler cat should not be allowed to move this stealthily, but move stealthily Magellan does. When he is close enough, he wraps his arms around Anders from behind, lifting him straight off his feet so he can sniff his hair and lick it with a raspy, throaty purr, before rubbing his chin over the top of Anders' head. Hello friend, do you have treats for him?

Also please ignore his small yellow trainer rushing up, babbling some nonsense about behaving and not doing that sort of thing.]

[greatrage]

[There's so many people here that Eren doesn't know. Somehow, all his friends managed to make different, weird friends behind his back. And Eren isn't.... entirely sure he cares to meet them.

But, unfortunately, one of his pokémon makes the decision for him. His brand new little cubone Ilma escapes from his arms and runs free over the beach. Her skull helmet slips and -- woops, bonk. Right into Anders]

[fuelthefire]

[Krieg arrives at the beach decked out in...not a whole lot. He's shirtless as always, and has simply traded his trademark cargo pants for a pair of long orange swim trunks, and his innocuous sneakers for a pair of black-and-blue flip-flops. That's right, no speedos for this Psycho. You're all welcome. He's also covered in a number of fist-sized bruises, most of which have already begun to pass from black and blue to the healing green and yellow stage. Feel free to bring those up if you want - he loves to show them off.]

KISS THE COOK
[It might surprise a certain individual Armin to see Krieg very attentively and competently managing an actual grill - charcoal briquettes, a well-controlled open flame, spatula in one hand and bottle of seasoning in the other. Whatever's in the bottle is a mystery - old psycho family secret, maybe? - but the meat on the grill smells absolutely heavenly. Come on up with a plate to get your BBQ - there's hamburger patties and weenies and shish kebobs. Also, don't be shy about asking for seconds!

No one can be intimidated by a guy in a "Kiss the Cook" apron, right? Right!]

[schachmeister]

[When Angel had first told Armin Krieg would be more than happy to provide the barbecue during the party, he had been skeptical. There's just-- Honestly, Armin has slowly been growing less wary of Krieg. If Krieg had designs to murder them all and eat their tasty tasty flesh, he probably would've done it already. He took good care of his pokemon. And he had proven to be a good friend to Angel, had been there for her when Armin's thoughtlessness had hurt her. In fact, so far, the only person he's heard Krieg threaten is Jack, and well, screw Jack.

But all of that doesn't necessarily mean Armin thought it was a super good idea to let Krieg tend, what was essentially, an open fire. He no longer suspects him of having malicious motives, but that doesn't mean he couldn't accidentally set an entire beach on fire.

Which means that, yes, Armin absolutely has his water pokemon on stand by, ready to douse Krieg in a tidal wave of water if there is even the faintest hint of a flame.

So far though. So far everything has been going well. And while Armin isn't entirely certain what Krieg has been slathering his meat with, it smells heavenly. He also isn't certain why Krieg is covered in huge bruises, but ah... maybe it is best not to ask?]

What are you putting on them?

[There is only curiosity in his voice. Back home, spices are expensive, and nobody is going to waste them on some child soldiers. As such, life and food here had been a Journey. A tasty, tasty journey.]

[bertall]

<sub>[It's the smell that draws him over first.

Food was always a good way to draw the shy ones out of hiding, and Bertolt was no different. He's been to quite a few restaurants during his travels with Armin and Jean, but he's never encountered something like this. It's different, but if Bertolt is honest with himself? It also smells oddly like "home".

Despite his curiosity, he doesn't fully approach yet, instead standing off to the side with his Houndoom leaning against his leg.]</sub>

...How are you cooking that? I-I mean, is there a name for it?

[purramedic]

[Hello, Krieg. Hello, hot dogs. Prepare to make very close friends with a hungry lion peering lustfully over the grill, not even caring whether her whiskers get singed by the heat. She might actually try to swipe half the barbecue in one bite if not for catching the eye of her trainer, who bounds over the second she opens her jaw to move in for the kill.]

Trixie, no! [Being caught red-pawed stuns her just long enough for Anders to catch up and shove her face away from the grill and turn to apologize to... what is almost undoubtedly a humanized Qunari manning the cookware. The Psycho's appearance, casual as it is, is definitely not something to be expected, and it shows as mild surprise in Anders' face.]

Ah... I'm terribly sorry. She didn't take anything, did she? [Or, y'know, shock Krieg, or get hair in the food, or any other number of naughty things.]

[kissmyaspis]

[This... none of this was Athena's scene. At all. Being on the beach wasn't particularly relaxing - the sand dunes could hide any number of aggressive Pokemon, like the Threshers back home. She didn't really grasp the concept of celebrating your birthday due to holding her own (which she couldn't even remember) in no importance. And the people? Well... Athena didn't dislike them, that's good! But they were angel's friends, not hers. So yeah, she was a bit out of place here.

But she still came, of course. Angel wanted her to, and she really couldn't say no to the girl. SO here she is, sitting against a tree a short ways away from the group. Her pokemon are all free and milling about with the others (save for Zeus, who's currently napping by her side), clearly interested in being more social than her trainer.

Thankfully, she doesn't look bored, she just... clearly prefers watching the festivities more than participating. Of course, that can't last forever now, can it everyone?]

[bertall]

<sub>[She's not the only one in that boat - Jean is his friend, one of his closest ones here now, and while it is his birthday, Bertolt never was the social one of the group. He had always preferred to act as someone's shadow, but unfortunately for him, 'his' shadow wasn't here. It's been rough trying to manage on his own, but he likes to think he's doing okay on most days.

Plus with the help of certain Pokemon, socialization usually ends up being a thing.

It's not often Bertolt sees other Arcanine, and the one romping around on the beach is definitely the first one he's seen that wasn't over the networks. And it's also the first one Marcel has seen too, which results in the massive Arcanine taking off into a full sprint towards what he hopes is a new friend that he can actually play with.]</sub>

Marcel! Marcel, wait! Heel!

[notvaljean]

[What's this? Another party pooper? Jean should introduce her to Bertolt, they can hide out together under separate palm trees and watch everything that's going on around them. Still, Jean doesn't know her, which means she came with either Angel and Krieg or Anders, and any friend of theirs is a friend of Jean's.]

Hi.

[Don't mind Jean sauntering over, with an irritated Electrode and cheerful Spheal rolling at his heels. He offers her one of the slightly squashed cupcakes Bertolt made him.]

Cupcake?

[schachmeister]

[Honestly, the party isn't entirely Armin's scene either. It's not that he doesn't like the people there. He does. Many of these people have become close friends of his. But between the people and the various pokemon running around, playing, it is a little busy. A little exhausting, really. He isn't as bad at it as when he first joining the training corps with Mikasa and Eren, but Armin has never really gotten to a point where he is completely comfortable in a crowd. And after some time in the middle of it all, he needs a break.

Intent on a little breather, Armin heads for the peace and shadow underneath the few dotted about trees, nearly running into Athena. This-- ah, yes, Angel had mentioned there was another person travelling with them. This must be her.]

Ah, I'm sorry. I hope I didn't disturb you.