[RL - birthday party.]

[unknownrival]

[Anyone who's one of Issei's friends (that does not include you, Greed) received a handwritten invitation to Issei's temple on March 3rd. They were invited over to dinner and then to schmoozing afterwards.

Dinner was remarkably delicious for something prepared by monks, and the party is now in the 'random conversation in the largest room available' segment. There's also a cake on one of the tables.

Issei will be coming to chat up every guest, or they can talk amongst themselves.]

Comments

[croibhristeoir]

[Even with the amulet hidden under his shirt, Diarmuid kept mostly to himself. He stood off to the side, leaning against a wall and looking just a little uncomfortable. He was rapidly becoming aware that will he could handle him self with perfect confidence and calm in a fight, ordinary everyday encounters in this era were far too foreign for him to even begin to try.]

[unknownrival]

Diarmuid.

[Issei approached him with a small smile.]

There are only so many corners for people here to hide in.

[croibhristeoir]

I am certainly not hiding.

[unknownrival]

Sulking?

[croibhristeoir]

Why would I ever do something like that?

[unknownrival]

You're not being sociable, at least.

[croibhristeoir]

When last I looked, that was no requirement.

[aquaticrush]

*Retasu is a ball of nerves. Still, she's supposed to socialize, and when she notices Diarmuid standing off in a corner, naturally she's going to worry.*

U-um, is everything all right?

[croibhristeoir]

Ah--yes, fine. Why do you ask?

[aquaticrush]

You, um, you looked nervous.

[croibhristeoir]

I just...don't attend very many celebrations like this.

[aquaticrush]

It's a little intimidating, but Issei-san is a nice person and he cares about people's happiness.

[croibhristeoir]

Yes, of course he is. I'm just uncertain as to what to do here.

[jailbirds]

[hello diarmuid, there is a very sweet-looking little girl approaching you! just ignore the prison garb and the huge metal cuffs on her wrists.]

Hello!

[croibhristeoir]

[nope nothing strange here]

Hello. I'm sorry, have we met?

[jailbirds]

We haven't... But, you're Issei's boyfriend, right? Diarmuid?

[croibhristeoir]

I think that is the right term now, yes. Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, at your service.

[jailbirds]

Right. Well, I'm here on behalf of a friend to say that if you do anything at all to hurt that loser, I'll personally hunt you down, rip your arms off, cram them up your ✖✖✖ and fuck you with them until you bleed out of every slimy hole in your body. Okay?

[she doesn't stop smiling for a second, and even her voice is... still gentle and lovely.]

1/2

[croibhristeoir]

. . .

[croibhristeoir]

...I am glad that Issei has people so dedicated to his protection. But you need not worry about that.

[heavenlyhome]

[Was that...? Yes, it was, Diarmuid-san. It was to be expected to see him at Issei-kun's party, close as they are, but he did not seem to be enjoying himself as much as he should. He was new to the community, compared to some, perhaps he did not have many friends here. It would only be right to say hello.]

It's a lovely party, isn't it?

[croibhristeoir]

Oh...yes, it's nice.

[He smiled, though a little hesitantly.]

[heavenlyhome]

[Kasumi returned his smile brightly in a further effort to put him at ease. Parties were meant to be enjoyed, after all, mingling included.]

It is good to see others from the community, rather than from afar, though it can be strange to see them in person, at first.

[croibhristeoir]

I suppose it is just a little unusual. But there's a great deal of unusual things about the community in general.

[heavenlyhome]

That is true. I do not think there is anywhere else one might know others from such different places so easily.