HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY TIFA!

[loveandstrife.livejournal.com]

Characters: Everyone who wants to celebrate Tifa's (late) birthday!
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: It's late, but there's a party for her, since she missed her birthday.
Location: Strife-Lockhart Household, LUCA.
Date: 28th May 1804
Warnings: Shenanigans!


It had been difficult to distract Tifa all day. He couldn't talk, so conversations were entirely out of the question, and he was absolutely exhausted, considering he'd arrived home early morning and hadn't slept since two nights previous. Still, he'd achieved his difficult mission for the day and was headed back with her to their house.

The lights were out, as they should be with children in bed, but within the house were guests, all hiding in the dark. It was easy to make a text to Marlene to tell them to hide and turn the lights off.

Opening the door, Cloud flicked the lights on to a room full of guests springing up and shouting "SURPRISE!!"

--

With the party in full swing, a cake was made and decorations were put up by the children. Music was playing and there was a kitchen full of alcohol for the adults along with juice and snacks. Everything had been put together with effort and care, by a family that really did adore their mother figure.

A table stacked high with gifts, from everyone excluding Cloud, was against one wall and there were more coming with the guests that arrived later.

Now everything was done, Cloud sat himself at the dining table with a glass of amber coloured alcohol, out of the way of much of the noise, and soon fell asleep on his arms on the table. It had been a long day getting everything ready for Tifa.

Comments

ARRIVAL

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Tifa didn't suspect a thing. She'd been pleasantly surprised when Cloud had turned up and wanted to take her out for the day. He had looked like he needed some sleep, but he insisted on spending the day with her and Tifa soon gave in.

She stepped into the house behind him and her eyes widened in genuine shock. Tifa was speechless for several seconds before she found her voice, turning to Cloud.

"What's this for?"

If she sounded ungrateful, she didn't mean it, not at all - her expression showed exactly the opposite. Tifa had simply forgotten all about her ruined birthday.

Re: ARRIVAL

[loveandstrife.livejournal.com]

Cloud smiled just slightly, pointing to the large banner in all sorts of colours, specially hand made by the children, that stated HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY TIFA! It was messy, and colourful, but Cloud liked it anyway.

Kissing her cheek quickly, if only because he didn't want to be affectionate in front of people, he took a step back, letting her mingle and just soon making his way to find a seat.

ARRIVAL

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

"Oh!" A delighted smile lit up Tifa's face. "Oh - wow - what can I say? Thank you."

So many people were staring at her. She felt the heat rise to her cheeks, but this was her house, and Tifa was nothing if not a good hostess.

"Thank you so much," she continued. "This is... wonderful. And unexpected. I'm so glad that you all could make it."

That was enough of a speech; people were already starting to crowd around now, so Tifa just smiled and stepped forward, ready to mingle. She kept a particular eye out for Denzel and Marlene, since she was sure that they'd had a big hand in this. Tifa loved her family so much.

PARTYING, BABY

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

All of this, for her. The grandeur of Alexandria's ballroom and Lindblum Castle were nothing compared to this - it had all been put together out of love, and Tifa was genuinely moved by it. She wandered through the rooms, smiling and chatting to the guests. For the first time, this house was beginning to feel like home.

Re: PARTYING, BABY

[chaos-vessel.livejournal.com]

Some time toward the end of the party, Tifa's Sky Phone began to ring, cutting through the small sounds of the party that were still going on.

PARTYING, BABY

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

When her phone rang, Tifa excused herself from the other guests and slipped upstairs into the bathroom to answer it.

"Hello?"

Re: PARTYING, BABY

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

After searching around Luca for the best gift to give to the birthday girl, Aerith settled on giving Tifa a special bouquet of flowers to celebrate this special day. While she would have brought her something a little more tangible, Aerith didn’t know what sort of gift would fit her friend best. She did spot a few interesting items at the bazaar near her home, but she didn’t want to give Tifa anything she wouldn’t like. Besides, buying her a cowboy hat seemed a little tacky in her opinion considering that would probably spark up some bad memories for her. Sighing softly as she thought about the story, they(Cloud & Tifa) told her regarding Nibelheim, Aerith instantly perked herself up once she entered the house.

“Hello everyone!” She cheered merrily as she waltzed right in dressed in her Sunday’s best. Waving to everyone who greeted her, the flower girl made a beeline towards Tifa while holding up a rare bouquet of purple tulips with much pride. “Here!” She offered to the brunette.

“This is for you.”

PARTYING, BABY

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

"Aerith, hi!" Tifa took the bouquet with a big smile. "Oh, these are beautiful. Thank you so much."

It was times like this that she was especially glad that Aerith was alive and well. Aerith had never had the chance to come to her birthday party before. It felt right that she could share this experience with her.

PARTYING, BABY

[gtfomyhighwind.livejournal.com]

He had been in the kitchen making more last-minute drinks for everyone. Cid got a little shout in when Tifa came home to the surprise before darting off for the drinks. He set the adults drink out on a higher table and the kids drinks on a lower one.

Spotting the brunette from across the room, Cid grabbed the drink he made just for her, and headed over. "Now, I ain't no bartender but ya pick a few things up after drinkin' as long as I have!" He laughed, presenting the drink. "Happy belated birthday, darlin'."

PARTYING, BABY

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Tifa took the drink with a smile. "Thank you!" She tried a sip. "Hey, not bad. We could make a bartender out of you yet. How are you, Cid?"

PARTYING, BABY

[championofwutai.livejournal.com]

Since Yuffie couldn't be there either, Tifa's going to get another phone call.

PARTYING, BABY

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Which means Tifa had to scoot off again - into her bedroom this time.

"Hello?"

PARTYING, BABY

[xnotyetaherox.livejournal.com]

Denzel had taken to sitting under the table with a large plate of snacks and plenty to drink. Not so much hiding as... stealthy ninja hiding out - with the dog - who was also getting fed treats.

Dining Room. /naptime

[loveandstrife.livejournal.com]

After having got himself a drink, Cloud had seated himself in the quieter dining room, while the party pumped away in the rest of the house. He really was glad things had gone well, and he had got Tifa a gift, only he wasn't going to give it to her in front of everyone. This was something he wanted to do in private, even if it meant when they went to bed, which he expected would be late, or tomorrow.

He'd taken only two sips, if that, of his drink before he'd just fell asleep on his arms, draped over the dining table. Thankfully, the snacks were in the kitchen.

Dining Room. /naptime

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

And that was how Tifa found him when she'd extricated herself from the other guests. Smiling fondly at him, she picked up his drink and moved it away to somewhere safer, then sat down next to him and ruffled his hair.

"Cloud?"

[thisdesertrose.livejournal.com]

Firion leaned against the wall, merely watching the party for now and sipping lightly at his drink. It had been hard work, but it had also paid off. The party had been a success. He smiled softly.

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

"Firion," Tifa greeted him, walking over. "It's great to see you again. How are you?"

[loveandstrife.livejournal.com]

Cloud found his way to Firion while he left Tifa to mingle with the guests. He didn't need to be stuck at her side the whole time. Tapping a message on his phone, he held it out to his good friend, tilting his head a little.

"Are you okay?"

[littleprotector.livejournal.com]

Marlene came up after a little bit, a content smile on her face. "Thank you for helping, Firion."

Leave it to a Turk to show up late.

[piercedgloves.livejournal.com]

Rude had told Marlene that he'd be there; he just hadn't realized he would be there this late. He was there, though, and that was what counted (although his kitten hadn't been too pleased about staying behind). Trying to slip into the house unnoticed would have been much easier if most of these people didn't know who he was. In his experience, being known as a Turk made people notice you a lot faster, no matter what you looked like.

First thing first: he needed to find Marlene and give her the fireworks (nothing too dangerous, just some small things for her and the other kids to play with). Then he needed to find Tifa and wish her a happy birthday, and then he could leave.

Cloud sees you there, Turk. :|

[loveandstrife.livejournal.com]

He had been meaning to mingle between the guests more, just to say - well, nod - hello to everyone and then he could get a drink and go hide somewhere. He didn't deal well in social functions at the best of times, but when this many people invaded his space he couldn't help feeling choked, even if they were his friends.

The arrival was over, Tifa had been definitely surprised considering her birthday was weeks ago, but it was worth it to see the look on her face. However, just as he was attempting to escape with a drink, Cloud spotted Rude. He wanted to just slink away, but it was better he at least acknowledged him. Walking over, Cloud typed out a message on his sky phone. It was hard not having a voice, but as he approached the large Turk, he looked up at him, turning the phone around to show the message and sipping his drink.

"Didn't think I'd see you here." Which meant Reno was probably on his way, and that usually meant trouble.

[heartofheaven.livejournal.com]

Tifa could be found in the kitchen, mixing up some cocktails. The drinks were starting to run out faster than they had expected, and besides, she enjoyed it. She was still experimenting with new combinations using Gaian drinks.

[littleprotector.livejournal.com]

Sorry for a spazzy kid, Rude. Leave it to the party hostess to be running around. Combined with snacks and drinks and you've got a kid nearly bouncing off the wall.

"Rude! You made it!"

[flyboy-red.livejournal.com]

He hadn't really wanted to come, if only because this group of people always gave him looks like he was going to blow up part of their city. It was one time!! Still, Rude was going and Reno didn't want to be left home alone with just Puss and Rude's kitten for company.

No way in hell was Rude going to be the one at the party while he was home with the cats. That was just too strange for him.

Slipping in past Rude, he grinned at him before slinking off into the crowd and making his way into the crowds of people.

[littleprotector.livejournal.com]

Party hostess, coming through! Marlene had been mingling too, offering snacks when needed, so she had a little try in her hand with some things. When she broke through the crowd, she noticed the familiar suit.

"Reno, you made it!"