Let's eat cake (For the newly awakened Children)

Cain shrugged with a slight grin as the others spoke. They made all this social stuff look easy. Perhaps it was just practice, but Cain doubted that was the case. It was too simple. It was like everything in life, some people had it and some people didn't. For him, hugging someone else who was just a friend was completely strange, but apparently it was perfectly acceptable behavior. At least, between these two it was. He just didn't get it. Oh well, no use crying about it.

"Trust me, I'll be keeping the amateur theatrics where they belong: in my room, behind a locked door. I think that would be best for everyone." He said with a slight roll of the eyes. Normally he'd, make some comment about acting and truth or something, but that really didn't seem like 'party talk'. Well, not yet at least.

"Personally I'm glad the winter is gone. We cold-blooded ones tend to do poorly in the sleet and snow. Though don't you two think you're getting a little ahead of yourselves? You've barely started one party and you're planning a field trip?" He asked, with a bit of shock at how enthusiastic these two were.

"Not that it doesn't sound fun and all. I mean, I've always wanted to see a hot spring, and trying to build a sand castle sounds interesting." He added quickly, rubbing the back of his neck with his marked left hand. Hopefully they wouldn't think he was trying to insult them.

"So what have you two been up to? There never seems to be a dull moment when either of you are involved. Did you stumble across the map to Atlantis or discover aliens exist or something? The suspense is killing me!" He exclaimed with a cheerful expression Cain popped another piece of chicken into his mouth. Whatever the answer was, he doubted it would bore him.

Thinking about it, they could fight in Limbo. Cain was strong, and Gabby knew some interesting moves as seen in the battle. Who knows maybe they would be powerful together. Maybe she would have to learn some new tricks of her own at some point. “I dunno about you, but I am fairly interested in exploring Limbo. Seeing what it is and what can be done with it. We should go in sometime as a team,” she said, appreciating that Gabby gave a way to enter the subject of the conversation without having to suddenly shift to it. Lorielle would love to lead a charge into that world and take on more enemies. She was clearly enjoying the idea, but truly, she would have to be serious about it. She trusted the two of them, perhaps more so than Sagami, as she had not met him as much. Who knows what the three of them could do as a group? “But in any case. We always have that option if you want to talk about it. Or we can put on the music and dance of course,” she said, giving another option with a grin. She did not bring her music over for nothing. Then again, she did convey in what she said that she was perfectly willing to continue the matter, and whether they did or not was no big deal. Her music-playing "skills" at the club she had been honing had to have some use outside the club right?

In the meantime, Cain would be lightening the mood with his own words. “Cain, you better leave that door unlocked in case we have to check on you,” she said with a grin. It got even better when he said the spring sounded fun. “I am probably going to head to the spring in a week or two from now. I could seriously use a hot bath, and I have never been to that spring in Hayabusa. Though, I am unsure if it is a mixed spring, or separated from boys to girls….” She said, tilting her head as if pondering the idea. It would be interesting either way. Though Lorielle would give an obviously fake look of surprise. “Why Cain, maybe we should look for aliens together. They probably exist anyway. Then again, Atlantis would probably be cooler,” she said, laughing. Teasing him was easy and fun, especially when he knew she was teasing. She did not really know why, maybe because of Cain doing the same, but she grabbed another piece of chicken, and another piece of candy, eating them one at a time so the mixture of sugar and chicken would not kill her. It was chocolate candy luckily enough, so the taste of both pieces of food made her smile grow a bit wider.

“Going into Limbo.” She had to think about it for only a second before nodding, “Sure. We should all go and beat up some evil monsters.” Hippocamp seemed happy in the back of her head when she said that, “And after that, we can go on our field trip.” She looked at Cain and gave a smirk, “Of course, I believe it will probably be separate baths at the hot springs. That means I vote for the beach.” She was actually missing the feeling of sand between her toes. When the topic of dancing came up, she cringed, “Sorry. I don’t do the dancing thing. Not after I found out I’m not better than a chicken with her head cut off.” Then the conversation turned to aliens and Atlantis, and Gabby was lost. Such things were just myths, and she wouldn’t buy into them. She stood up to get some of the chicken she had made. Taking a piece and plopping it in her mouth, she could tell she wasn’t the best cook. She wasn’t a complete failure though, “Cain, it this is what you consider edible, remind me to never ask for your opinion on food again.”

"Whoa, twenty-four hour access to my room is a little much, don't you think? A guy needs his privacy; otherwise I'd lose my entire mystique!" Cain exclaimed as he threw up his hands quickly, with an expression on his face that, while initially seeming nervous had a hidden mirthfulness to it. He wasn't sure if he was actually having fun or not, but he was a bit less sorry he'd stopped by.

"You know, Gabriela with the way that you cook them up, claim they're inedible, and insult their dancing I'm starting to think you've got some issues with our little feathered friends! C'mon, what did the poor cluckers ever do to you?" He said before quickly finishing his small meal. Maybe Gabby was right and it really wasn't that great, but Cain liked it well enough. Especially considering what he'd been mentally preparing himself for. Perhaps it was hypocritical of him to think this, but Gabby could really do with a touch more confidence.

"Anyway, I'd be ready for hunting aliens or spirits or whatever it is we fought off in Foggsville whenever you're up to it. They're the most interesting thing I've seen in forever. Well, third most interesting thing at least." He said with a small laugh as he placed his hands into his pockets and strolled away from the table.

"You know, even if were the worst dancers in existence, some music wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I've heard a little of Lorielle's work before, so I'd trust any selection she'd make."

That comment Gabby had made her curious if nothing else. “So wait, does that imply you are disappointed that the boys and girls are separated? Didn’t see that coming from you,” she said, laughing. Gabby probably did not mean it that way, but that was how Lorielle took it. Lorielle was clearly joking, but hopefully it would help the mood, if it even needed help. “But it will be settled. Beach it is! But I still intend to check out the springs if anyone is interested. I don’t want any peeping Toms showing up,” she would say. She was not joking at Cain, as that would be too easy, and it was not as though she thought he would. Who knows what would happen there or at the beach.

“Well, we have to monitor you in case you do something out of taste. Cause if I catch you, I may have to throw you in a lake,” she said. Cain certainly did not have the greatest social skills, but no one could tell him he was a failure at learning. There was something odd about him that by all rights should expel Lorielle from him, but for whatever reason, perhaps his tendency to be funny or just his nature, she enjoyed his company. Gabby seemed to be the lady friend Lorielle always wished for. Trustworthy, smart, able to speak and able to be spoken to. Both of them were people she liked. “Oh come now Gabby. The chicken is fine. Tastes just like the junk food I love so much,” she said.

“Maybe we will go check it out during a weekend or after school if we are all up to it. Cain, I am getting your number tonight. I completely forgot to ask for it last time,” she said rubbing the back of her head, a blush on her face with embarrassment. It was not often she blushed, so even if it was the slightest shade of pink as it was now, it may be noticeable to some. Though the subject would turn to her music, and Cain’s compliment made her smile sincerely. “Cain trusts me and my tastes. Makes me feel good inside. But I brought different types of music that could help. It would be up to you guys. Or we could totally have me play music and make Gabby dance with you Cain,” she joked.

The blush came to her face again, “I’m not upset about that. I just mean that if it’s a get-together for all of us, it would defeat the purpose if we were all separated from each other.” As for the hot springs, “Sorry. I don’t think I’d join you there. Too many people in a very exposing situation.” She was getting better at being around people, but she wasn’t that bold yet, “Just make sure that you have someone play look out, or face away from any compromising places.”

Then, Lori was going to throw Cain in a lake, “Please tell me you know how to swim?” She would look at Cain with pleading eyes, missing the fact that it was only a joke, “As for chickens, I have nothing against them. They taste delicious.” She ate more of the chicken at that point, “I just don’t think this cooking is very good.” Then again, she basically grew up on convenience store food, which was very different. It was similar to how people always preferred their mother’s cooking, even if it was awful by normal standards, “Maybe if I could figure out how they make it…”

“Do I have to dance with Cain?” Gabby didn’t hate dancing, in fact, she loved it. Just not publicly and not as a pair, “Maybe some other time when I don’t feel like I’ll step on my partner’s foot. I’d still like to hear your music though. You said you’d bring some. I think now is a good time to make good on that promise of yours.” She would look at Cain and smile, “Don’t you agree?”

Kogami wasn’t too sure if he was invited to the party or not. He only heard about it and wanted to stop by, even for a moment., He wanted to see how the other users were doing, and he also brought something in a plastic bag. He heard from the grape vine from other killers, murders, and people who did no good that they seen them around. Kogami was wearing his usual hoodie and attire that went with it, it reminded him of his old school days. Kogami then casually walks in and slowly raises his hand, doing a waving motion to them all. Afterwards, he drops the big plastic bag on the nearest table. “Hey…. Umm…. Happy birthday?” No, it wasn’t anybodys birthday, it was just a gathering of friends, but kogami wasn’t sure that he fit in that category. Anyway, kogami bought a few things of his own for them. He goes through the bag and takes out a large piñata. It was a traditional style of, well….. partying. “Usually around this time, they celebrate the day of the dead in mexico. In America, and everywhere else, we call it Halloween… right?” Kogami then wonders where to hang it up. “Wasn’t sure if you would be into it.. but im sure you guys could have fun with this. Oh… and theres a box of magnum gold ice cream bars on the table, you should try some. They say theyre the best yet…maybe theyre right. …” Kogami mumbles that detail as he looks around to hang up the piñata, refusing to really make eye contact because he wasn’t sure about the emotional change if he actually looked at someone that didn’t really like him, but he still managed to keep a smile on anyway as soon as he entered.

"Yow, the only guy at the party and I still get rejected? Could my ego take a bigger hit?" Cain said with a pained expression on his face. He held his hand up to his heart and stumbled a bit as if he'd just been hit in the gut. Of course he did actually agree with Gabby. He wasn't exactly the dancing type, and doing it here would just embarrass everyone present, but that didn't mean he wouldn't give her a hard time about it.  He was about to try and find a nice change of topic, when Kogami entered. Say what you want about him, Cain was beginning to appreciate the guy's sense of timing.

"Aww, thanks. At least somebody remembered. You can get me a present any time it's convenient." Cain said as he held open his arms as if expecting a hug. Truthfully his birthday wasn't for a while, but he figured Kogami wouldn't be fooled by his words. He   quickly spun over to the plastic bag he'd brought and reached inside for the treats Kogami had promised, giving a flourish of the hand before grabbing one.

"Well, maybe this one's more to your liking, eh?" Cain said with a small gesture in Kogami's direction.
"He's dark, mysterious, brings ice cream to parties... everything one could want for a dance partner. What do you think, Lorielle ? Do these two make a good pair? You'd probably be a better judge of such things than I." He said with a slightly mischievous smirk beginning to emerge.

Lorielle would chuckle. “I am my own bodyguard. If someone wants to fight me, I slap them around a bit,” she said with a grin. She would not mind going it alone. That hot bath was sounding more and more appealing by the second. “Well, not necessarily. You guys just have to enjoy yourselves. Or dance, or I can dance with you,” she said with a smile. She would walk back and grab her laptop. It was a simple thing, that was mostly for her music. She turned it on and put it in a small space next to the food, opening things up. “Any ideas for what kind of music you want? I remember what you had in mind Cain last time we met, so I had something ready. I also have some kind of small song that loops a bit. It was just a little test. I have other things if you’d like…” she said. Lorielle was getting excited all of a sudden if she was not already. A bit more talkative and loving the fun. She would turn around and see outside the house something that dropped her mood completely. She did not expect Kogami of all people to stop by to Gabby’s party.

As much as she wanted to try and be friendly, cause she was at least grateful for his help in the battle, and she did not want to be biased, she still retained some of her animosity towards him. He still had a long way to go before earning her respect as far as being a person goes. She respected his ability to fight, so maybe that was something. She would have her music ready to go, but she would not put anything on until someone recommended it, as she is now focused on Kogami’s presence. How he found his way here was a mystery, which in and of itself, may be a bit creepy. Perhaps at this point Lorielle could probably expect him to do no harm, but that does not make up for what he tried to do the last time to her. Perhaps it should, but Lorielle would not, at least not right now.

Cain would actually save the moment with his jokes, though his loner joke got Lorielle a bit riled to him. “Oh don’t fret Cain. I promise you a dance next time you visit me at work. Deal?” she offered. She did laugh, but it was serious. Whether he took it seriously or not was up to him. Cain would move on to try and group Gabby and Kogami together to which Lorielle looked at Kogami for a second, this time sincerely trying to be pleasant to him. “He is taller than her, so he may have to lead if that is the case, but I am not expecting slow dances here,” she said smirking a bit. Hopefully this night would not be ruined. At the very least, Kogami brought ice cream.

“Oh no. I hurt his ego so much that he’s actually feeling physical pain.” Gabby wasn’t sure if she was joking or being serious. It was probably a mixture of the two. Sarcasm and jokes were still something she was adjusting to. She was getting better everyday though. She found some of them irrefutably annoying, however. When that happened, she grinned and bore with it. No need to start a rivalry or something so trivial, “Do you have anything with a dance beat?” She hadn’t actually heard many types of music, but she knew dance music was popular, "It's the best to get people dancing." Which was true. She knew that much at least.

She turned to look at the door as she heard it open. Kogami had arrived, and with ice cream. Her attention was taken by the sweets he had brought, only to then be taken by the piñata. She had never seen one before. She had only heard about them, and she knew what was inside. She would have to snap back to reality, “Well, I’m not sure where to put it. There are no hooks in the ceiling. We could just bash it with sticks while it sits on the ground. Like how they do with watermelons.” Her face turned red again, “Please stop recommending that I dance with other people. No offense, Kogami. I just don’t want to.” She would then go straight for the ice cream. The one thing she loved entirely. It could never do any wrong and was always delicious, “These are so good.” She would say biting into it, “I think I’ll put them in the freezer so they don’t melt though.” She would allow anyone to take what they wanted before bringing them to the kitchen.

Kogami then placed the Pinata on the floor and looked around the house for something to break it with. “Hmm, mind if I borrow your broom?” Kogami then picks up the broom and measures it carefully with the piñata. He then brings it down with a deciding smash, habing the head gush open with candy. Kogami then slowly places the broom down and proceeds o take all the jawbreakers and tootsie rolls.” Oh, they have my favorites. Im sure theres a miniature version of what you like in here guys. Mini snickers? Mini Twix? Mini Milky way, mini anything to be honest..” After Kogami took a few pieces of candy, he stands up with a lollipop. He casually puts it in his mouth and looks at gabby. “ I’m not following, but I cant dance. So its ok… you should only dance with someone you like right?” Kogami then frowned at the fact that he thought it was Cain’s birthday and he didn’t bring anything.

“Ill make it up to you some other time Cain. Probably a new hoodie or something, you seem to be more so towards the American eagle type clothing, shouldn’t be that hard right?” Kogami then takes out the lollipop and twirls it around a little bit. He then sits down and places a party hat on his head with a smile. Afterwards, he gives lori a glace, having the smile he had on before. “You know, I just noticed something. If we really wanted to, we could probably make a band. Not sure about the lead singer though, but I know for a fact that cain would be playing base guitar. “ It was a casual conversation, and it was a little chilly for Kogami. His hand shake occasionally, but it was discreet enough for people not to notice. It was only due to being outside for so long.

Cain spared a quick glance at Lori form the side of his eye. She'd made it clear to him how she felt about Kogami, but she seemed to be adjusting well enough. Personally he still saw no reason to dislike the young man. He seemed a little off, sure, but most everyone who wasn't a total bore to Cain had something off about them. Not to mention that he'd only been helpful so far. Still, it was best to never trust anyone completely, or assume you had people figured out. After all, who knew why he was helping them and what other agenda he could be hiding? Looking from that perspective, Cain was almost glad for Lorielle's unease. It meant they would watch each other, even if he missed something. Besides, it's not like they all had to be the best friends, right? Just as long as no-one stabbed anyone else in the back too readily.

"I'm a sensitive soul, Gabriela, a shy shrinking violet. I must be treated genteelly, or I'll just go all to pieces." Cain said with a bit of melancholia in his voice.  He wondered if there was something he should be doing. It was a party after all, so shouldn't he do something? Kogami had brought treats, and an unfortunate piñata which was having its candy containing cranium bashed open, Lori was playing music, and Gabby was the host. So what was his role supposed to be? He began feeling a bit out of place, and rocked a bit with his heels.
"If you want to make it up to me Kogami, just wait until April. I'm having a make-up birthday then. You know, since everyone forgot." He said as if he were trying his best to hide some deep sorrow. In a moment he put it past himself however and shrugged slightly.
"I must admit though, you've made me curious. What makes you so certain I should be a bassist? Is there some sort of tip off about that sort of thing?" He said with a slight tilt of the head.

"Not to mention we'd have to figure out what genre we'd play, what our lineup would be like, whether or not there's going to be some sort of dress code...  huh. Seems like this requires quite a bit of thought." Cain said as he rested a hand on his cheek. Of course he was the type to put a lot of thought into most anything.
"Hmm, you're the maestro here, Lorielle. Got any advice? I know you're probably more of a solo act, but it would be something to hear your opinions on the matter." He said before turning back to his ice cream.

Lorielle would think about the recommendations from Gabby and Cain. Well, Cain did not seem to mind either way, but she gave some thought for herself. She did have some dance tunes, and not much else apart from that. It was good she chose that idea cause she had some diverse music on there. On the other hand, Lorielle would smile at Kogami at his suggestion for a band. “Who knows. I am learning instruments myself. If all goes well maybe. But, that is something to think about another day,” she said. The thought sounded well enough, as well as being the rockstar that everyone else loves can be. Though when Cain suggested her opinion on who would be what, she brought a finger to her chin. “I suppose it does not matter who does what. Me personally, Cain seems like he could be a drummer or bassist. He has that subtle charm,” she said thinking still. “Kogami can be the guitarist maybe, as for Gabby…..she could be a bassist maybe, she is versatile…? Gah, anything could work really,” she said, finding it rather difficult to decide on what would be the best case scenario for the fantasy. Nonetheless, she would check her laptop and look for dance music.

Finally she found a fair song she could use. A simple test with autotune that she had a friend from the club use. She intended to premiere it at work a day or so from now, but it could not hurt to give the others a taste of it. “Hope you guys enjoy synth,” she said before hitting the play button. Her face was a bit heated from nervousness from them, and if you looked hard enough, you could probably see it yourself. She hoped they liked the tune.

Song (One More Time):

Lyrics:

“Since when is Cain sensitive?” She looked at him with obvious suspicion, “Unless it’s opposite day and I don’t know it.” Gabby shook her head at Lori’s suggestion, “I don’t know how to play anything except the Lali, and I haven’t touched one in years. I don’t think I could be in a band.” That, and she didn’t want to be. The idea of being in a band was terrifying, “I could be a manager.” She would actually smile at this. She could be part of the band without having to be on stage, “As for the outfits, I think Cain should be a cool clown, Kogami should look like a modern warrior, and Lori should  play up her flirty side with something in the cute category.” As soon as she realized what she said, she buried her face in her hands, “I’m sorry. That was so out of place for me to suggest. Just forget I said anything.” Lori would start up the music, giving her a chance to forget her mistake. It wasn’t a type of music she was used to, but it wasn’t bad. In fact, she had to laugh, “Is this the kind of music Lori makes. I can see everyone dancing along to the beat.” It did make her want to dance, but she wasn’t going to in front of everyone.

Kogami was nodding his head, he was appariently in his comfort zone the whole entire time once the music started. He also started tapping his feet with a small smirk on his face. Afterwards, he looked around to notice that no one was dancing. “Well, I think the music Is pretty good. It’s like my body is moving on its own,  good taste at least. Dance music is something anyone could pretty much get into. Out of all the genres, I feel as if there is enough diversity for everyone to like something about it. Even if there is only one thing they like about it. “ Kogami the does a sharp smile as he continues his small dancing pace from low profile to something Akin to high. He wanted to have fun, he came here to have fun, and that’s what he was going to do at least. He wanted to continue to have everyone feel comfortable around eachother, that was the building blocks of a good relationship, it was an even better idea to have everyone come together for something other than persona. Gabby had a good idea,  but Kogami wasn’t sure how he was going to thank her, but it didn’t stop him from thinking about it. “Yo lori! Im sure those mix cd’s will start selling in no time, just auto tune your voice with and echo or two as icing on the cake. “  Kogami then  Gabby with a big smile. That’s actually a good idea, my guitar would be like a sword, and I would have a case as a sheath.  Well.. the guitar would be highly detailed to look…like… well.. itll be a holloween special anyway! And im sure the fans would love it, right? Manager san?”