partay

[steelmagnolias]

 [Well, Ren's here, just as he said he'd be. He'll buy drinks for any adults still alive that want to imbibe, but there's also a number of sodas in a cooler available for anyone who's a minor or just doesn't want to drink. He's also brought in some snacks from Yotsukoshi and a few of those crab buckets, although anyone else is certainly free to contribute their own food and drink to the pile. 

Ren finishes up his cigarette before setting up, letting it extinguish before everyone arrives. Look, he's being good, there's only one in the ashtray. 

Joey's got one of her dance routines planned, Ren already also had the King's Game set up, or people can just mingle.

It's just not good to be lonely.]

Comments

[greatfascinations]

[Who drew number 6? Actually, it doesn't seem to be anyone... until the Life Coach just pops up out of nowhere.]

H-huh? Like, what the heckie is that?

[steelmagnolias]

Truffle oil. Found it at Yotsukoshi, and I have to say that whoever made this stuff? Deserves to be in this mall. Right here, right now.

[Dislikes: mushrooms.]

[greatfascinations]

Jeez! This looks, like, totes sketch...

[But she will take it from him, frowning a bit as she uncaps it and takes a sniff.]

This better at least count for bravery. [mutter, but she's throwing it back!! Or trying anyway. Ffff]

[steelmagnolias]

[ He chuckles a bit, then lets something slip- ]

My daughter makes that same face when she has to eat something she doesn't like.

You'll probably be fine.

[incrediblystressedout]

Your daughter?

[Blank look.]

Wait, you said you didn't have any kids.

Unless this just happened in the last two weeks, in which case congratulations!

[steelmagnolias]

[ He's given small smiles out of politeness or shit-eating grins during his time here, but this is the first time Ren will give a genuine smile out of feelings other than basic courtesy or amusement. ]

Thanks, Joey-chan.

[incrediblystressedout]

...so did this actually somehow happen in the last two weeks, or did you just remember?

What's she like, either way?

[steelmagnolias]

I... think I just remembered. I don't know what your world is like, but it takes a little more than two weeks for that to happen in mine.

She's three.

[incrediblystressedout]

I'm a little young to remember Jude being born, but I'm pretty sure it's 36 weeks or so for humans everywhere.

[Just don't ask about her dad.]

That's the age where they're unstoppably adorable and actually know it, right?

[steelmagnolias]

Just about. Her mother's mostly immune to it, but I can't exactly say the same for myself.

[ This toddler is a total daddy's girl, okay. ]

[incrediblystressedout]

Heh, that's maybe...

[...a joke comes crashing to a halt in Joey's head a second after she starts it. Maybe she shouldn't be comparing herself to anyone who has two parents instead of barely one.]

...

We need to get you home, huh?