003 [BBS PMs/Action] {backdated to Tuesday Morning}

[nvrstrikestwice.livejournal.com]

[BBS PM to: Damian Razem]

I'd like to speak to you; please come to the cafeteria during lunch hour.

-Instructor Lightning Farron

[BBS PM to: Fang, Sazh, Serah, and Vanille]

It's Hope's birthday on Saturday, and Snow and I are planning on throwing him a surprise party in one of the classrooms. We could use the help, if you want to help, but I know he'd appreciate you all being there. Just let me know if you can help or not; there's a lot that still needs doing before then.

-Lightning

[Action: Dorms, Hall 2, Room 220]

[As just about everyone knows, construction is about to begin, and just about everyone's packed. Lightning is as well, as evident by the near overstuffed bag on her bed. So why, if her bag is packed, is she on her hands and knees on the floor like she's looking for something? Seems a little concerned, too.]

Comments

action; cafeteria

[nvrstrikestwice.livejournal.com]

It's his birthday this Saturday. I was wondering if you knew any of his friends to make a guest list.

[Damian, if he's friends with Hope like Lightning is thinking he might be, would be on that list as well.]

action; cafeteria

[bratbeyond.livejournal.com]

[Wait what.] It's this Saturday? Jeez... he never said anything about it! [Totally making a mental note to scold him about it later... but thankfully, he's distracted by the thought of a guest list.]

Yeah. I can prepare that, no problem. Do you need help with food too?

action; cafeteria

[nvrstrikestwice.livejournal.com]

[Huh. Odd that Hope never told his roommate about that...then again, it did take a while for him to tell Lightning about it.

So she'll just nod, then pause in thought for a moment. Maybe...]

You wouldn't happen to know how to bake a cake, would you? That's the only other problem we might have.

[bratbeyond.livejournal.com]

[In retrospect, it might've been mentioned once or twice... but Damian was too stubborn/oblivious to hear it.

Damian can't help smirking.] Actually, I'm pretty good at it. Though if you don't want mine, I know Alfred Pennyworth and Tiana also make pretty good cakes.

[nvrstrikestwice.livejournal.com]

[Either way, they did still have a few days to plan it all out, so there wasn't much need to be concerned about it.

That smirk, on the other hand...well, it does get Lightning wondering just what kind of person this Damian is.]

We're a bit pressed for time, so tracking down other people and asking them might be out of the question this year. Especially with all the construction going on.

[But she would be noting those names down; there were five other birthdays among her family. Always room for more cakes.]

[bratbeyond.livejournal.com]

[Ah, right.... the dorms are off-limits for the time being. Damian nods.]

Got it. I'll get the cake done too in time for the party. What time were you thinking of having it?

[nvrstrikestwice.livejournal.com]

In the evening, after classes are over. That way we have access to one of the classrooms and can have everyone together easier.

[Not the soundest plan, but it's better than everyone piling into the Inn and making a giant mess.]

[bratbeyond.livejournal.com]

[Damian doesn't see anything wrong with this plan--especially since he'll be able to eat by that time. (Darn Ramadan and its interfering with daytime plans!)] Got it.

I'm sure it'll be schway, especially since Hope's got metaschway family like you to help him out. [Day doesn't really mince words when it comes to family - or at least, his definition of the word.]

[nvrstrikestwice.livejournal.com]

[For a moment, Lightning tilts her head in confusion at that unknown word; "schway" isn't in her vocabulary, but the context is pretty clear and she nods after the moment passes.]

We'll see how it goes when it happens, but I don't think we'll have any problems. You'll let me know when the guest list is finished?

[Just so she knows how much food to get; Snow can eat enough for three people, at least.]

[bratbeyond.livejournal.com]

Easily. I'll send you a PM the moment I'm done.

[While he's not on super-duper great terms with Hope, Damian knows enough (or will know enough) to compile an entire list in a couple of hours.] Which should be after iftaar - I mean, when I break my fast - this evening, if that's okay?

[nvrstrikestwice.livejournal.com]

That's fine with me.

[She does mean those thanks; alone, she's pretty sure she'd have found a way to get a guest list done, but Damian should know who Hope hangs out with better than she does at the moment.]

I'll let you get back to what you were doing. Thanks for all your help.

[bratbeyond.livejournal.com]

It's really nothing, Instructor. [The smile this time is totally and completely genuine.] I'm sure Hope'll enjoy his party.

[He turns to leave, but glances over his shoulder:] Hang on.. is it a surprise party or not? I don't want to ruin it if it is.

[nvrstrikestwice.livejournal.com]

[And there's the thing Lightning had a niggling feeling she was forgetting. What's a surprise party without the surprise?]

It's a surprise. He might figure it out before then, but the longer we can keep him in the dark, the better.

[bratbeyond.livejournal.com]

[He can do that. If he's kept Hope in the dark about his superhero life for the past few months, he can certainly do it for one surprise party.]

Got it! That shouldn't be much of a problem. [Still, he can't help smirking a little as he waves before heading off for real. Maybe he should work on those genuine smiles one of these days.]