[Network & Log] Welcome Back Birthday Boy

[doubled_speed]

WHO: Tommy Shepherd and Everyone (Open for Mingling, so people can make own starters inside)
WHERE: Agrii Ship
WHAT: Birthday Boy Returns and Parties
WHEN: [Backdated] October 12th and 13th
WARNINGS: Potential spoilers for recent Empyre series comics


Network | Video October 12th

[The video goes on and look, it's a face that has been missing for a few days. Looking a few years older, his hair longer, and seeming... Well, he's using the VIDEO function rather than rapid speed texts so many that tells the story better than even the chill and half apologetic look on his face.]

Hey guys. So, apparently I've been missing for a few days? At least it was shorter than Lorna, or the people grabbed by the Graq, right? Uh, so, I'm back? Just, well, older? I got sent home by whoever is manipulating the Agrii for a bit, and a lot happened. But the important thing is I'm back, and it's me and the little bro's birthday tomorrow.

[His fingers slide easily through his far longer hair, offering a smile.]

Listen, I am pretty sure the party here wasn't long ago that Stark and I helped through, but I did wanna do something a bit nicer and more, I guess, intimate for our birthday? This year B and I get to have it together and that doesn't happen often. I'm gonna set up some small things in the cafeteria. No gifts required. I'll arrange everything. Just come share the birthday wishes because we've survived a year here. So join us tomorrow. Or don't. Not my problem.



Happy Birthday Green Boys! October 13th (Feel free to set up your own mingles/starters)

After all of the, you know, happy welcome back statements and that mess, Tommy sets out to spend the whole night preparing for what he wants to do. More 'ice cream'. He works on getting together other foods. He searches boxes in the hold for things to use like streamers. Tommy even rigs up some small decorative cloths that he put the excess not-quite-confetti of tons of small shiny pieces of colored plastic Tony had made at his failed party attempt into so he could pull a string later and make it rain down.

Tables are decorated, and Tommy spent HOURS trying to communicate to the Agrii what he was doing. The importance of solar cycles in his world, and how they were used to celebrate the growth of people. He thought they got the point because they helped him make a cake. Well, not QUITE a cake. It was more like... an oversized, multi-layered sandwich that was actually part ice cream because you know, small victories.

Which ultimately got him to, like, a five year old's idea of a party, so it was time to call in the big guns. One call to his brother, a hurried conversation, a SECOND hurried conversation after the first so Billy could reassure Tommy that it really was okay to want something so silly after so long, and the party theme was set.

Hope someone other than the twins appreciates the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles because there are balloons, and place settings and even Shell backpacks for people to wear. Goodie bags are offered to people with stickers and pogs not that Billy or Tommy know what those are. Hell, there are even Turtles themed snacks like turtle face pizza, cupcakes with the turtle's faces, and frozen Ninja Turtles branded yogurt pops. Oh, and if you wanna make noise, enjoy a noise maker.

And of course the karaoke machine was back, but this time there were other party games, like pin the weapon on the Foot Ninja, a Shredder pinata, limbo, twister, musical chairs (don't worry, Tommy DQ'd himself) and in one corner, a water balloon toss. Because, you know, there's no reason not to enjoy these things, no matter your age. Sometimes turning 20 and 22 meant you were old enough to just own up to wanting that one kind of birthday party you never had before.

And everyone arriving will of course be greeted by the older of the two guests of honor, who is grinning stupidly as he puts a party hat on people's heads, gives them a Ninja-mask and plastic weapons, and offers them a goody bag because he's nice like that.

"Laugh at the theme, and I'm tying you to one of the chairs on the creepy room where the Agri watch the Drift Fleet files. My boyfriend isn't here to tell me to be nice."

Comments

[doubled_speed]

Oh boy, those were questions that Raph had gone off on. Tommy sighs, fingers going up through his hair. Yeah, he's... Definitely smoother around the edges, but he had reasons for it.

"Yeah, I do. But when I was there, I didn't. Which blew, because if I'd known who good Vision could be, I would have just shown up at his door sooner, told him to be a fucking father, and been happier."

[rage_on]

They seem the most obvious things to ask, at least to Raphael. He frowns, the whole matter sounding a lot more complicated than he'd have hoped for.

"Weird. Yeah, I can see how it'd suck, not remembering things from here." Not that he knows who Vision is, but if there are things you can take back from here to apply back home... The thought's sobering, and he tries not to think about the implications of going home for good.

"Anyway," he says, shaking his head. He thumbs over at the dessert goodies. "Are you seriously encouraging people to eat us?" He can't quite hold the stern look as the corners of his mouth upturn in a grin.

[doubled_speed]

“Dude, I don’t control how the spell manifests,” Tommy grins, looking at Ralph and then back at the food. “It’s chocolate cupcakes. Pretty simple. Don’t tell me you aren’t tempted to take a bite out of Leo.”

Tommy rushes over toward Raph and then back with one of Mikey and he takes a bite.

“When I was a kid, I never got a party.”

[rage_on]

"That just sounds even worse," the turtle groans, but he allows himself to be directed over closer to the food. That doesn't keep him from making a face as Tommy chomps into Mikey, although he looks uncertain as to whether he should be disgusted or amused.

He picks up a cupcake of himself, brow arching as he gives it a critical look. Not that he supposes he should expect anything fancy from kiddie birthday party themes. He pops the cupcake into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "Well, least I can say I'm tasty." Raphael looks around again as Tommy speaks.

"We didn't have much by way of parties. At least nothing big like this. But it's always been just our father and us brothers, so small celebrations were enough. Lemmee tell you though, worm and algae cake doesn't even compare to actual cake." He picks up another cupcake, poking a finger at the blue mask frosting.

[doubled_speed]

Oh no, Raph just said something that sounds HORRIBLE out of context. And Tommy, still Tommy, snickers.

“Damn, that sounds like an invitation, and I need to pass on it.”

This was hardly a big party, or even the normal kind. But Tommy had always wanted a birthday that was a THING, so he accepts this. Takes it in stride and grins.

“Yeah, I’ll pass on worm and algae.”

[rage_on]

"Oh shut up," Raphael snorts, giving Tommy a shove.

The party setup definitely looks the way a party probably should. Once he gets past the whole suspiciously familiar looking turtle theme. "Imagine how much of a cut we could possibly get off of merchandise if this was an actual thing back home. ...then again, still weird."

He finishes polishing off the second cupcake, grinning at Tommy as he thumbs over towards the piñata. "That...is what I'm looking most forward to," he grins.

[doubled_speed]

They totally deserved royalties.

"Dude, there are action figures of me back home and I don't see a damn cent. It makes no sense, and it's super wrong. But hey, for you, I won't even ask for your eyes covered to take a whack at Shredder."

[rage_on]

At least they were in total agreement there. "What? Lame." At least Raphael doesn't dwell on it for long- seemed pointless to do so anyway. He smiles broadly at Tommy's offer.

"Sweet. I sure hope you got more than one piñata in that case." He doubts the piñata is as tough as their training dummy back home and that thing barely holds up against his hits as it is.

[doubled_speed]

"Well, secret identities and all that," Tommy noted, smirking to himself. So he can't make the money. Even if he deserves it. It's his likeness.

But he looks toward the pinata and shrugs. "I don't know if we do. Magic and all that."

[rage_on]

"Eh, true enough. Splinter got upset enough when someone caught footage of us on phone. Ninja should not be seen," Raphael says, presumably mimicking his father's voice and poise with the last.

For the piñata, he shrugs right back. "Well in that case, I better go last," he grins.

[doubled_speed]

"Dude, ninjas get seen all the time," Tommy dismisses. It's the ninjas you don't see that you need to worry about more, but it was a thing.

But nope, he's not accepting this. Tommy blurs off, grabbing the stick and coming back to offer it over.

"Break the bitch."

[rage_on]

"If they're seen then they're not very good ninja," Raphael counters, smirking. "When me and my brothers go full stealth, we're virtually invisible."

He blinks as he's suddenly offered a stick, right before he grins. It's not a nice grin, but it's his trademark 'you've just made my day' look. Raphael's his happiest when he's beating things up. "Awesome," he says, taking up the stick and giving it a twirl as he turns towards the unsuspecting piñata.

[doubled_speed]

It's hard to think of Raph being invisible, but Tommy will accept it. Still, Tommy grins. Candy is TOTALLY on the way.

"Dibs on chocolate."

[rage_on]

Raphael brings the stick up like a baseball player stepping up to bat, giving the thing a practice swivel before pointing at Tommy with a grin upon the speedster's call on chocolate.

"Stand back, I'm gonna make it rain." Or break the stick. Maybe both. He's already decided this Shredder has no chance.

[doubled_speed]

"Oh hell yes," Tommy grins, standing back. He doesn't have any problem with dodging if he has to. "I'll ask Billy for another pinata after."

[rage_on]

Dodging candy hasn't even come to Raphael's mind, but if he'd thought about it, he wouldn't have worried much, knowing Tommy. He winds up the way he's seen batters do so on the TV, ready to open up with a grand slam. Or...well, as much as one would be allowed with the stick he's been armed with.

He swings, the stick arcing beautifully before striking the piñata right in its tissue paper lined chestplate, adjusting his angle last minute as he figured aiming for the head would probably rip the thing from its rope. It's still satisfying as he hears and sees the stick smack soundly into its target, indenting cardboard, pushing on through. He feels the stick give as he continues with the motion, and it tears half of the piñata along with it, sending an explosion of candy that continues to scatter as Shredder goes swinging back and forth. Hopefully no one gets hit with Shredder's feet.

[doubled_speed]

Tommy laughs and catches the feet before they can fly far, scooping some candy into it. Yeah, this was good for him. Really good.

"Damn, man, maybe you should play pro ball. Or at least tee-ball."

He doesn't know if Raph can do that with a normal ball.

[rage_on]

Raphael grins, actually enjoying himself. It's been a while since he's been allowed to actually hit something. He'll have to try putting together a punching bag of some sort once they get back to Temba.

"Yeah? I dunno, never looked that interesting on TV. My brothers and I haven't played a whole lot of ball sports."

[doubled_speed]

Tommy would totally help with the punching bag thing.

“Honestly neither have I. I’m not much on teams.”

[rage_on]

Help in making something to beat up sure won't go refused. Raphael shrugs. "Teams aren't so bad so long as everyone's together. Guess it takes extra work when it's a sports team, with all those people."

[doubled_speed]

"Yeah, but everyone wants to be in charge with a sports team. Too many cooks," Tommy shrugs.

Far too many cooks.

[rage_on]

Raphael picks up one of the scattered candies, tugging at the wrapper before popping its contents into his mouth. At least this candy should taste like candy and not like surprise sundae bar.

"Eh well. Somehow they still manage. I guess I can respect that. Being head of a team's not easy." He thought it would be, but he'd learned the hard way just how much a leader actually had to deal with on the fly.

[doubled_speed]

Tommy wouldn't know. He's not the sort of person anyone would follow. And yeah, he respects it, but he was often left on his own anyway.

He pops some off-brand smarties into his mouth and grins.

"You ever try and take it?"

[rage_on]

"...take what? Being in charge? Yeah..." the ninja admits, his eyes scanning the rest of the random assortment of candy, probably for something chocolate.

"Leo an' I butt heads a lot." He figures that's probably no surprise to Tommy given how much the speedster seems to know about them. "...so one time he figured if we weren't gonna listen to him, he'd just quit being leader. I thought it'd be easy filling in, but it really isn't. Too much pressure." He shakes his head. "I'm fine with just throwing myself right into danger. But trying to give direction to my brothers, while being responsible for their safety? It's hard. Mikey took a beating that time, and I was panicking and couldn't tell Donnie to do anything more than keep attacking until he worked out a way for us to make a break for it. Apologizing to Leo was harder, but we worked it out."

[doubled_speed]

“Apologies are hard,” Tommy agrees. It was something Tommy had learned time and time again, and was only just getting to the point of managing. “And when it’s family, it’s worse. Because they say that family always has to take you back, but they don’t.”

He downs another piece of candy and looks contemplative and a touch sad.

“Billy took forever to get over some of his problems and apologize to me, and he’s better at family.”