[OPEN!!!]

[awokentospring]

Characters: Rock Lee, Hyuuga Neji, and EVERYONE WHO WANTS CAKE
Location: Watch HQ
Rating: Gen to PG-13, depending on if there are swearing characters
Time: BACKDATED: July 8th, all day
Description: Lee wound up sending a mass message inviting anyone who wanted to come celebrate Neji's birthday**! Stop in, wish Neji happy birthday, get cake, and go about your day~

Were it not for the one banner across the doorway as you enter Watch Headquarters, one might never have known there was a birthday going on at all. But as it is, you don't need fancy decorations to have a swell party!

Lee has bought some cakes and ginger ale, but otherwise it's hoped to be a relatively casual affair. People stop in, have cake, wish the birthday boy well, then are free to go about their day as usual. Lee knew Neji would not want a big surprise party that was too loud or crazy, so having this kind of stopping-in party was really for the best. Lee would have liked a bigger occasion himself but it was not his birthday so it was not his decision. Not really. Even though he was the one to plan this.

Lee knew some of their friends would show up, but he was also curious to see how many new faces might peek in...

-Wish well the birthday boy! (pssst! He just turned 18!)
-General Mingling
-Refreshments (Cake!!)

[ooc: **This is mostly handwaved, but you can see Lee planning the party in this post!]

Comments

[Open]

[heavenly_earth]

[Neji had come into work like any ordinary day to find cake, refreshments and a banner declaring its traitorous message strewn over an office archway. From Mello, he'd gleaned that Lee had told at least a few people, but he'd hoped to escape anything further by sheer virtue that they spent his actual birthday inside a shelter.

He's sure he knows the culprit, but aside from having a slice of cake, Neji hopes to make it through like any other- and not have too many people call into question his age]

[recitings]

[Unfortunately, there was one right now, who was conveniently at his desk to hand over reports from the Agency.]

Well, well. Looks like my boss has just taken his first step into adulthood... in terms of age, of course.

[heavenly_earth]

[Neji grimaces, resisting the urge to sigh and rub at his forehead. It's going to be a long day. But he accepts the reports and spends a moment searching among his paperwork, then hands over the Watch reports for the Agency]

According to this world, at any rate. I've been an adult for a few years now in my own.

[recitings]

Thank you.

[And Genesis takes those reports and puts them neatly into a folder.]

I see. I guess that's why you took on this job despite your age.

[heavenly_earth]

[Neji tips his head in a mind shrug]

I'm used to commanding small squads, rather than an entire organization. But in a way, I'm only directly commanding Zone Leaders. Moreover however, the organization was in a precarious position and without a leader to give it direction and pull it back together, it was going to fall apart. It wasn't my ideal, but I suppose now that I'm settled in, I don't mind it.

[recitings]

I see. And you do have a point there. [He chuckles.]

Well, at least you know that Auron and I are around for you.

[nofarplaneyet]

I guess you had to come out of hiding eventually. *Auron is eating a slice of cake. He's not normally into sweets but he's certainly not going to turn down free cake.*

[heavenly_earth]

[Neji briefly wonders how it feels for grown men to answer to a sevent- eighteen year old, but refrains from asking. He didn't immediately step into the commander position, after all]

I suppose. I just hope this doesn't provoke too much doubt over my capability. Worst-case scenario however, you'd take over.

[nofarplaneyet]

Yeah, it would be pretty bad if I took over. *He chuckles with self-mocking humor.* I've got no complaints about you. I just wish we had more people, but we can't do anything if BREW is on some waning cycle.

[heavenly_earth]

[Neji hums an amused note] I'm sure you'd be fine, but I appreciate your vote of confidence.

As for our roster.. BREW doesn't seem to intend to allow us to fill all of our shifts again. I was wondering your opinion on extending the shifts by two hours and having only two shifts per district, rather than three. Naturally, we'd need to get more opinions on such a change, but first, what do you think of it?

[nofarplaneyet]

I'd use two shifts and make them longer. It'd put a gap in, but it's not as though there's no one but us running around trying to keep the city safe. Shibusen has its own people.

[heavenly_earth]

[He nods, looking over their roster]

We're currently missing one shift in each district at the moment and I'm sure as Zone Leaders, it's tiring to continue to cover them after so long. This proposed change would certainly make up for those missing and hopefully keep the Watch personnel at a more manageable level..

I'll see about proposing the idea soon, and see if it meets too much opposition.

[nofarplaneyet]

I don't think there'll be a lot of fuss. The people we've got seem to have their heads on their shoulders.

[awokentospring]

[With a small smile, Lee tosses one of the colorful paper shuriken Cloud had made for them at Neji, giggling like a little kid. It was nice to take a break just to enjoy the company of their friends while they were here, and Lee thought Neji could use a little time to lighten up.]

Enjoying your day so far?

[heavenly_earth]

[Neji catches it between his fingers like any regular shuriken, then glances up, frowning as he turns it over. It's just paper, but it's good to know he still has his reflexes and situational awareness. He looks over at Lee and sits back, raising a brow]

You organized this.

[It's a mild observation rather than an accusation, and after a moment, he makes a small concession] The cake is rather good.

[awokentospring]

[Lee chuckles, rubbing behind his neck sheepishly.]

I did not originally intend to, but others seemed to think it would be a nice idea so...

[But Lee smiles. Obviously Neji isn't angry with him.]

It is! The Condesce-san is a very good baker and while I try not to overly indulge, her cakes are certainly worth a few extra sit-ups a day.

[heavenly_earth]

[He idly wonders who those others are, then shrugs]

You didn't need to make a fuss about it.

[A little disgruntled, but he actually appreciates the effort that went into all of it just for him]

But I suppose it is kind of nice, if somewhat embarassing.

[awokentospring]

There was no fuss made! Well, except perhaps according to Sephiroth-san. [And Lee frowns, not the sad, pouty little frown he usually holds. But an honest to goodness angry frown, with sharpened eyes under his thick brows. But he doesn't hold that scowl for long, instead turning a more pleasant smile to Neji.]

It is very nice! You should enjoy yourself and the extra company we have for now! It is usually so very boring here.

[heavenly_earth]

[That expression surprises him, and Neji makes a note to never work directly with Sephiroth in the future if they can avoid it]

You didn't tell any of them to gift me anything, did you?

[awokentospring]

No, I thought that would be a little much, considering everyone here needs to focus on taking care of themselves first and foremost.

[Lee smiles a bit brighter.]

I did say they should come and wish you a happy birthday, though! And to come by for cake!

[heavenly_earth]

[Neji nods, relieved, unwilling to ask more of anyone in the Watch than he already might be]

Fair enough then, I suppose. It's been awhile since we had time to relax.

[awokentospring]

You see? [Lee chuckled and moved closer. They couldn't really do anything in this public place, but Lee opened up their resonance so he could speak a bit more privately with Neji.]

I hope this assuages your fears that people will not take you seriously because of your age.

[heavenly_earth]

[Neji swallows as those words register through his mind and still doubt niggles at him. Struggling with that, he's silent for several moments]

If people don't have faith in their leader, then the team fails. I'm not the most likable person, Lee. If someone wants a reason to distrust me, there's that I'm a shinobi and I'm young.

The Erinyes sowed doubt into the citizens in the city, and the same could happen on a lesser scale if I don't prove that I'm fully capable of managing this organization.

[awokentospring]

I doubt the Erinyes' opinions will hold nearly as much sway after all they have done lately.

[Causing terror and putting the City in danger was no way to gain followers. If anything, they only showed how much the City needed Shibusen's help, as it was Shibusen and the guests that had cleared out the Kishin Eggs that had overrun the town after the sandstorm.]

And you are much too down upon yourself. It is not something you need to worry about. If someone has a qualm with you they can easily petition Shibusen or the Watch itself to address their issues.

[heavenly_earth]

[It wasn't really the point, but Neji tips his head]

I really don't need something like that right now, Lee. It already feels like it's falling apart sometimes.