So I know it's still a few days away, but posting at the "party" will last longer than a day. So here's my little RP of me as an anime version of my actual self getting started.-She/I am hanging decorations.

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Setting: Strawberry Mannor of course, my imaginary mansion where all of us live. :3 Down in a main room similar to the party room from The Princess Diaries 2, no mattress slide though lol. A small stage, stereo, snacks, present table dance floor and all that.

^^Like this maybe? but tables on either side for snacks and presents and all that. And pink balloons/streamers and maybe a shiny coral colored tile floor instead of carpet? :3
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Rin sighed happily humming with excitement from her place on the ladder as she hung a streamer. Was it desperate to be hanging decorations for her own party? She hoped it didn't make her look desperate, though she did fear it made her seem lonely. Regardless, she fashioned the pink streamers in place. She couldn't wait to wear her birthday outfit.

Thanks to a gift card she had gotten two years ago that had been forsaken and stuffed in her purse and retrieved less than a month ago, she had been able to buy a white maxi dress. It had called to here there on the rack, it's soft lace fabric made her feel like Queen Serenity in it's folds. She almost wisher her hair was long again so she could wear her hair in Odango like the cartoon hero, maybe a single bun with her white flower clip would do. Oh, she couldn't wait!

She looked around over the empty ballroom and climbed down from the latter, leaving the streamers only half-hung. It had been raining lately, and oddly chill for August, so she wore jeans and low-cut tee-shirt with a hood. She wished that somehow she had been able to get her knock-off converse shoes sent to her from her parents, and was angry they had lost one of them. They were her favorite shoes! Her ONLY pair of really good shoes! WHY had she left them behind to get lost and thus have to have a new pair? Worse than that, it wasn't like she could just go buy herself a new pair, she had to either go without or pray someone might be kind enough to lend her the money-or get the shoes alone.

She shook her head, glancing down at her pink socks with white flowers and toes. All this thought of lost shoes. Were things really that bad that a simple pair of sneakers was enough to throw a fit over? She was lucky to be having any sort of party with the way things had been going.

In an attempt to lighten her suddenly dark mood she walked and clicked on the music. The song "Dulaman" by Altan began with it's drums and the girl's light voice.

She loved this song, it made her want to skip around in circles, it reminded her of the Beltane festival she has gotten to attend once, and longed to again. Not thinking anyone was watching, she began to skip and leap and hop to the music, trying to lose herself in it. Today was her birthday, it was gonna be a good day. She danced a small sort of irish jig-or as close to one as she could manage. She wouldn't be able to dance like this when she put on her new dress. She didn't dare sing, lest her panting breath ruin the tune, even so, she hopped around, pretending she was in a dance circle. No doubt the music would soon attract her friends who lived elsewhere in the house.

By the time the next song began, she spotted movement and wondered when she should change. She glanced at the empty present table, then over at the covered cake on the snack table, excited for the strawberry/chocolate cake with it's butter-cream frosting and fresh strawberry accents, yes it would be a good day. A happy day. So she decided to to continue spinning and dancing, trying to remember moves from her ballet classes, executing turns and leaps broken between more irish-jigging as she gave into singing along to the tune. Upon noticing herself being watched she would promptly stop and laugh, there was more to be done after all.

words:613
notes: So this is me, as me, my thoughts if i was really there. I will post pictures of my dress, yep. :3

Figured I can do an anime version of me, too. ^^

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Time to get ready. And by that, she meant that she had been getting ready all day. Sure, she lived in the mansion with these people and they saw her every day - which meant that they had seen her at her worst - but she was still nervous as usual. Large groups of people. Dancing. Her heart raced and she pressed her forehead against the cool mirror, eyes closed as she tried to calm herself down. It was for Rin. She could survive a few hours, right?

Ai stepped back and assessed her image in the mirror. If she was going to leave the safety of her room, she was going to look her best. Every hair needed to be perfectly in place. She pressed her bangs down against her forehead and pouted at her reflection. Darn her many imperfections. Would people think she looked strange? Her dark, chest length hair styled in loose curls framing her pale, freckled face. Her favorite bright red lipstick covered her lips as they curled into a nervous smile.

She spun around, enjoying the feel of the silky cloth twirling around her. The indigo silk clung tightly to the sweetheart neckline at her chest and flared out into a bubble skirt that fell half-way to her knees. A black, short-sleeved shrug covered her shoulders and on her feet were black, strappy platform wedge heels. They had the added benefit of putting her over five feet tall and making her that much closer to average height. Ai's height was a constant source of frustration. The simple black choker fit comfortably around her neck and a small black flower was pinned to her hair, just above her ear.

Could she do this? She took a few tentative steps toward the door and looked back, checking whether she had missed anything. A few deep breaths later and she finally worked up the courage to leave her room and walk to where Rin had said they would be celebrating.

The doors loomed in front of her, but at the sound of music, she panicked. Was she late? She didn't have a watch on her and had never truly mastered the ability to tell time. Worried, she flung open the doors and ran in, stumbling slightly as she looked around. Ai had been wrong. She was early. Rin was the only one there. Too nervous and embarrassed at her early entry, and at the prospect of speaking, she shyly remained in place and watched, hands clasped in front of her and pressed against her lap as she seemed to shrink in on herself.

Rin allowed another spin, but she was already blushing and ready to stop and laugh at herself for being caught-even though she knew very well should could have stopped danced before Aika had burst in.

Akwardly she clasp her hands behind her back and rocked on her heels with a wide grin.

"Hi!" she walked forward, extending a hand to touch her friends shoulder and maybe even give a quick hug, "I like your dress," She complimented and stepped back, feeling weird in her own clothing and somehow wishing she could magically switch from this casual attire to her pretty dress as will without having to go through the trouble of changing.

"I was still setting up but got distracted..." She glanced at the music and moved-almost too fast to turn it down, then turned her gaze to the half-hung streamer. She could climb up and finish hanging it, but then what? She looked around, "Do you think there's enough decoration?"

A few streamers, the matching pink tablecloths and..balloons? Balloons!

The package of pink balloons and the helium canister sat near the present table looking rather dejected (for an inanimate object).

"The balloons! I could finish hanging that streamer," she pointed over her shoulder with a thumb, "want to help with the balloons? You fill I'll tie? You you tie I'll fill?" She was happy to see Aika arrive, the first friendly face on her birthday other than her own. It made her feel warm that she was no longer alone in the ballroom of Strawberry Mansion.

words:282
Notes: (lol I keep wanting to do a layout with the little header image xD)

It was the first time in many years since Chie was invited to a bday party. Upon receiving the invitation to Rin's party, Chie encountered several problems, the first one was what to get her and the second was to get an appropriate suit. And finally after a day searching in the malls, Chie managed to find a ghift and a suit that would fit. The present that was meant for Rin was a big teddy, I was the size of a chair.

Finally, the day of the celebration came and Chie was preparing when someone at the door knocked and said that he will be late. Judging by the voice, it turned out to be Nayuki that was expressing her concerns for Chie's late presence. "I'm almost ready, come in" , Chie responded almost immediately. It didn't take long for Chie to freshen up and off they went.

When the two people got closer to the door, they waited a moment so they could get ready and after that they entered. "Happy birthday Rin, I wish you to be happy untill your next birthday and that you would have less worries" Chie said as he handed Rin her gift. "This is for you, i hope that you will like it".

She had gone to hang the streamer, and in the midst of her balloon activities with Aika, Chie arrived. She stood to greet him, feeling that now that two people were here already, she should change, maybe could finish the balloons with Aika in a moment. First, she accepted the present with a smile and hugged the bear tightly and extended the hug to her friend.

"Thanks Chie," she said, still smiling and stepping back. She smiled down at the enormous bear, the first critter to inhabit her present table-or the area beside it. The sight of the bear beside the decorated table was a sweet sight. It was then she realized the ladder still needed to be put away. "Sorry," she told her friends and then took a short jog across the room, feeling awkward and wanting to go change. She got the ladder down,

"I'll be right back! Feel free to try the snacks or turn the music back up. Aika, I'm going to go change I'll help with the balloons again when I get back." She bounced a little, excited to put on her dress, and rushed up the stairs.

It was about forty five minutes before Rin returned, though she had tried to hurry. Now, with her makeup done with sparkling moon-white eye shadow. It wasn't gaudy, just just enough of an accent to make her wolflike golden hazel eyes look magical. A cherry lipgloss, to bring out some color.

Rather than wearing her hair up, it was parted down the middle, white lace and feather rose clip fastened just above her ear on the left side. Then, her favorite thing, a dress she had wanted to own for so long, and had also waited to wear just for this special day. A white strapless sleek dress, it was not fancy enough to be a gown, just a dress, it was sheer from the knees down, and she chose her pentacle as the necklace to go with it. Her shoes weren't impressive, just a pair of dollar store grey flip-flops, but still, she felt she looked nice.

She entered the ballroom again, unsure if she should feel proud or embarrassed. She came back down the stairs into the ballroom, smiling, deciding to forget what anyone thought of her outfit, she liked it and felt like a princess, and anyway modesty was always better. It seemed no one else had arrived yet. So she walked back to her guests Chie and Aika, (Who had been working on and finished the balloon task while she was gone?)

A card, two small wrapped boxes and rose sat on her gift table, more than likely gifts from Glenn delivered by a postman. He wouldn't be attending this party, but she smiled in knowing he still cared enough to leave a few gifts.

She wondered when she would get to open them, perhaps at more grown up parties, no one wanted to watch the birthday girl open gifts? Wasn't that a bit like showing off? It had been a while since she'd had a proper party, she couldn't remember proper birthday party etiquette, but never mind that.

"Wow thanks you guys," she said, looking up at the balloons, "this is great! So much pink!"

Aika smiled nervously as Rin came over, but despite her awkwardness, she opened her arms to give the other girl a hug. "Thank you," she mumbled at the compliment, determined not to make eye contact. She had never been one to take compliments, and although this was one of her favorite dresses and she knew that it was nice, it was an entirely different thing to hear it from someone else. She nodded her head in agreement when asked to help with the decorations and waited to be directed.

She was helping with the balloons and streamers when Chie and Nayu arrived. The teddy bear they brought was huge. She looked down at her own hands dejectedly. Why hadn't she brought anything? She had been so nervous about the fact that there would be people there, the fact that it was a party, that the thought of bringing something had been so far in the back of her mind that she had forgotten. How could she?

"I'm sorry," she mumbled so quietly that the others were unlikely to hear. Again, she nodded when Rin explained the plan and then left. While the birthday girl was gone, Aika and Chie finished the preparations, although the preparations were done mostly in silence.

Multiple times, the brunette opened her mouth to say something to fill the silence, but nothing had come out. Instead, she decided to turn the volume on the music back up. Hopefully, music would hide her fear of speaking. Forty long, silent, painful minutes later, Rin returned. Aika's chest had started to tighten and her nerves were bringing her to the edge of tears.

No, she could do this. She was determined. It was just one night.

The brunette turned at the sound of Rin's voice and almost lost her balance. Darn these tall shoes, but she needed every spare centimeter of extra height. "Thanks, she mumbled shyly in response to the compliment about everyone's combined efforts on the decorations. "You look really good, Rin," the young woman offered nervously. Was that a strange thing to say?

((I know what you mean, Rin. I'm sort of tempted to do the same thing. Lol.))

A few other girls filed in (our characters? since so far it's just s here?) Rin happily greeted them all. It was definitely party time, she changed the music from the soft celtic tunes to something more upbeat-but didn't make it too loud. Another card arrived along with the catering party bringing out the KFC chicken and nuggets and other manners of finger food.

Rin was so happy. Normally, she enjoyed dancing at parties, turning the place into dance with lights and lasers and crazy music. Maybe because she was getting older, or maybe because she didn't want things getting out of control, but she didn't want to thrash around and dance all crazy, (minus the irish-jiging she had been doing already; though her current dress wouldn't allow dancing anyway) She just smiled as everyone began to mingle, checking out the snacks herself. She was looking forward to her presents and cake. For everyone to sing to her. Birthdays seemed to be the one day where, if even a little bit, it was okay to be a little bit self-centered. Not that Rin was trying to be rude. She quietly wandered nearer to Aika after she finished snacking to dace, or sway quietly by herself.

Being an introvert, even at a big party like this full of friends. She felt a bit awkward dancing in front of everyone. She glanced over at her present table, a bear, two cards, two unopened presents, a rose, now a bouquet of brightly colored orange lilies with other colorful blossoms. She could read the cards when it came time for gifts. Cake would be first right? Mmmmm, strawberry cake with chocolate chips, the butter cream icing, and the tart taste of the strawberries, her mouth watered a little. That would be the best cake ever!

Before that though was partying, some of the girls were dancing together skipping around with clasped arms or spinning, She took a seat. Maybe someone (shoka lol) would invite her back to the dance floor, or invent a game to play. If not, she was just happy everyone was here. Song, cake and gifts were soon to come!

[Ive never roleplayed ME as me before so here goes...]]

Cho took in a few deep breaths as she headed for the party location, as usual panicking that she was late. Which perhaps she was. She shook her head a few times as she was let in with a crowd of other guests, and quickly the nervous teen sneaked over to a corner, hoping she wouldnt be noticed. It wasnt such a hard thing to do, she was used to fading into the background at parties. Cho and social gatherings just didnt mix, and she could hear her heart pounding in her chest.

As she stood there, partially hidden by a large pot plant, she watched the others having fun. Rin herself, the birthday girl, look beautiful in her dress. Cho thought she had under-dressed, only wearing a long black t-shirt with sequins and a pair of gray leggings, red and pink converse standing out more than anything else. Her hair too wasnt exactly done up nicely either, hanging in a shaggy mess across her face. Frowning, Cho blew the hair from her eyes, pushing her glasses up her nose and hesitantly crept forward.

There was no need to be afraid. These were her friends. Sure she hated parties, but she could try to join in for Rin's sake couldnt she?? Giving a small smile she lightly tapped Rin on the shoulder "H- hello Rinny, thank you so much for inviting me." she greeted in a quiet voice, quite contrasting to her gothic clothing "I'm sorry for being a little late, I... uhm.. I brought you a gift." she took a tiny purple box out of her pocket, containing a a little silver necklace with a strawberry pendant "Its not much, But I hope you like it." she bowed her head once the box was taken and then crept away again, her presence now known.

"I am glad that you liked it". Chie responded as he took Rin's right hand and kissed it as a sign of respect. Then the next thing that he did was to go and pour some juice in a plastic glass. For the next two minutes Chie stood watching the girls decorating the room. In a way it wasn't very gentleman of him to just sit there, so he finished his drink and added with a smile "Let me help you, you look like you need it".

After Rin left the room, he continued to help Ai finish decorating. Ai's silence made it a bit awkward for Chie, in a way, he was used to talking to people, but Ai was a special person that did not use to talk much. This was a thing that Chie understood and did not want to force her to talk if she did not want to. The two people continued to decorate it and after 40 minutes, the room was ready.As soon as the two finished decorating the room, Rin reappeared only to look as if she was a princess. Truth be told, she was actually a princess that day.

Chie had the thought of walking up to her and asking her to dance but on the other hand, he thought that he will disturb her sequence of moves. He sat leaning against a column watching her, waiting for the melody to finish so he could go up to her and invite her. Finally, after the melody stopped, Chie walk up to Rin slowly and stretching his right hand out to her, he asked her " Would you care to have a dance with me, my lovely lady?".

In a way Chie hopped that Rin would agree to dance with him a waltz. It had been a while since he last danced a waltz and since then he did not have a chance to do it again, but today it seemed a good occasion.