An Odd Question and a Birthday

[detectiveforhierophant]

Who: Dojima and Nanako
Which: Journal Post/Log
Where: Journals/The Dojima house
When: October 2nd for the Journal and October 4th for the Log
What: Time snuck up on Dojima, and he realised it was nearly Nanako's birthday. Help.



1. Needing Advice

[People would find a new message from Dojima on October 2nd, early in the morning; though this time wasn't a dire warning, but an almost sheepishly written question. Though Nanako wouldn't be able to see it herself.]

I don't know if I should ask here but

I really don't have any ideas

What do you get an 8 year old girl as a present?

Also does anyone know how to make pancakes? She said she wanted that for supper...

[Someone save this idiot single father from himself, please.]



2. Happy Birthday Dear Nanako

[Well, an attempt was made, and Nanako was getting her Birthday Pancakes. They were... a decent attempt? Only a few came out burnt, though his shapes left something to be desired. But he did manage to mix in some berries too, which was new to him.]

Where did I put the forks...?

[He was setting up at the table, though the door to the house was open... mostly to air out the smoke, but if anyone wanted to wander in, they probably could with ease.]

Comments

un: jiang yanli

[soups]

I've made a wheat cake before. I think my mind's eye view might be different than yours, but I know there's a more modern version that can be made. It wouldn't be too much trouble.

Would you like them made for you, or would you like to learn how to prepare them?

[detectiveforhierophant]

[ ... damn it. ]

Part of me desperately wants to say 'you do it', but I gotta learn how to do this on my own so she's not just raised on take out.

Sender: 76

[steadypulse]

Really?

Seen stranger birthday requests from kids.

[detectiveforhierophant]

Yeah, well usually we'd just get fancy food from the restaurant and pre-made things.

But I-- [He struck out what he was going to say, he was trying to not make excuses anymore--]

I'm not exactly handy in the kitchen.

But I want to try for her sake.

[indolentaxe]

[PRESENTS FOR A YOUNG GIRL, YOU SAY?]

Something cute! There are plenty of beautiful flowers here if you wanted to make her a necklace or a hair pin or something.

[detectiveforhierophant]

The flowers?

[ Huh, he hadn't thought of that, but... ]

She did always like making flower crowns.

[ Not that he was very good at making them. It was Chisato who taught Nanako that... ]

Birthday Girl; OTA

[welcome_home]

1. Best Birthday (closed to Dojima)

Here they are, dad!

[ Nanako comes around the corner, waving the missing silverware in one hand as she beams up at him, looking excited to be sharing her special birthday dinner with him this year. And then she spots the small mountain of mostly-perfect pancakes and her eyes widen in delight. ]

Ooooh! They look delicious! You made so many!

2. Celebrations are better with friends! (OTA/Wildcard)

[ Nanako hadn't realized that there would be people here other than her dad and Kanji that would know it's her birthday. Considering they're the only ones she's run into here that still know and remember her, she's expecting a quiet birthday this year - and honestly, she's okay with that. Even if she is missing some of her dear friends and her big brother, she's grateful for the family she is getting to celebrate with - her dad especially.

But should people stop by at some point during the day, it will be to find Nanako hanging around the treehouse she's been living in with her dad, hair done up in bright pink-ribboned pigtails and a cheerful smile on her face as she greets any of her new friends in this place who are totally just stopping by for a casual visit, right? ]

1. Best Birthday

[detectiveforhierophant]

Ah, thank you, Nanako.

[ He reached down to gently ruffle her hair-- not enough to mess anything up, as he took the forks from her and set them down. Her exclamation about them looking 'delicious' brought a soft smile to his face, and he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. ]

Hah, well... I tried. I had plenty of help.

[ On one hand, he knew it wasn't anything compared to what Souji or Jack could whip up.

On the other hand... seeing her so happy at the food gave Dojima an odd sense of... pride? He'd never felt before, not like this, anyway. It was sort of like getting congratulations for solving a case, only more personal. Knowing he was making Nanako happy through his efforts...

Was this why Souji always cooked so much, for the family and his friends? ]

Well... take a seat and eat up.

[noblegarnet]

[A casual visit... yes... definitely.

Though, really, Ferran wasn't planning to "visit" so much as drop something off anonymously. With enough snooping around the residential area and a limited number of people inhabiting the place, he was bound to find her eventually. Two days after that post, he's managed to finally spot the girl through a window, from where he's standing out on one of the bridges connecting the trees.

... except she's managed to spot him, too. Oops.]

birthday doggos get

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace doesn't normally do much for birthdays, but he can make exception for Nanako. So after rounding up and cleaning up the fairy dog family, as well as a last second, "well maybe could be a gift" he makes his way over to their dwelling.

Of course, the pups will catch Nanako's scent fairly quickly when they get near, and she'll be hearing excited pups barking as they run over.]

2

[fatedmahou]

[After the initial message finding out about Nanako's birthday, Mirai had to come by. She didn't really have any presents to give, so she figured if nothing else, maybe she could make Nanaki a flower crown as she did for Ferran?]

Oh! Happy Birthday, Nanako!

[galactichero]

[ Despite seeing the message in the journals a few days before, T'Challa hadn't really planned on stopping by. He had only met the girl once briefly, and honestly didn't know much about her. But the trail of smoke in the air had caused him to investigate, and once he realized where he was and what had happened, he figured he might as well drop by to greet the birthday girl. ]

[topgun_textiles]

[Holy crap, it's been another year already! He was fairly glad he was at least capable of gaining access to ingredients, but deep down, he wanted to conjure a goddamn dream cake because how cool would that be?

Still, he managed to move along with his prize at hand, a six-inch pink paper box balanced on a palm as he headed over to pay the Dojimas a visit. He hoped it wasn't going to be TOO busy- Nanako-chan seemed to really hit it off with a lot of the dreamers here... not surprised. She had a way with people. He admired her for that, especially as someone who still struggled with that himself.

Oh, there she was-]

Nanako-chan, hey! Happy birthday!

2

[oathkeeper]

[Sora heard through the grapevine (the magical journals) that it happens to be a certain little goddess's birthday. And while Sora has only met her one time he felt it was a good idea to stop by and say hello again. The girl was so sweet to him and after learning that they might have known each other in another universe... He really wanted to make the effort to make her day brighter.]

Hello!! Hey! Nanako!

[Sora waves from below the treehouse with a bright smile on his face. It also seems like he's got something tucked under his arm. Is that a gift?]

I heard it was someone's birthday today!

Happy Birthday, kiddo!

[allegedprisoner]

[ It's the smoke that gets Luca's attention. His first thought was to make sure that person's tree wasn't on fire, but thankfully there doesn't sound like anyone's panicking.

Then he heard someone- No, that was that man's voice he knew. Dojima? Now Luca's curious enough to go knock on the door. ]

[detectiveforhierophant]

[ Huh? -- Oh, right, he'd left the door ajar to air out the smoke. ]

Door's open, obviously.

[ A pause, before adding. ]

Take off your shoes too, please, if you're coming in.

[ Some people didn't do that, so better give them a heads up. Less of a clean up for him. ]

un: Bunta Marui

[volleygenius]

...Are you serious?

[detectiveforhierophant]

On which part?

I wouldn't post it if I wasn't.

Sender: Goro Akechi

[skews]

A knife.

[ NO..... ]

Goro Akechi

[detectiveforhierophant]

[ ...Hadn't he seen that name around before in the Index...? ]

Do you have any actual suggestions or just bad jokes?

Sender: Alvin

[opportunitycosts]

[Sorry, Dojima, he can't help but be a little amused.]

Sounds like you're having a rough time.

Usually kids will like whatever, but what are her interests?

[detectiveforhierophant]

[ Its fine, he'd be a bit amused if it wasn't him. ]

I feel bad for not realising her birthday was this close sooner, but in my defence, the whole 'shifting to another world after being in the Index for two years' threw off my internal calendar.

[ Surely Alvin could understand. ]

Interests... she really like the local department store Junes, for some reason. Like, really likes it.

[ It's kinda weird to be honest, but kids fixate on weird things. ]

Uh, there's this magical girl detective series she really likes. Witch Detectives? Something like that. Also she's a fan of this Idol that-- she's actually friends with, Rise Kujikawa.

But a lot of those things are specific to the world I'm from. General things... she seems to like gardening and flowers.

Sender: Mirai

[fatedmahou]

That depends on what she likes. I think any present would be happily accepted as long as it was out of love and consideration.

[That's probably not helpful.]

What about something she can use for a long time? Maybe jewelry or some sort of item that she might use for the hobbies she likes?

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to help you with the pancakes. I haven't really cooked much myself.

2

[galactichero]

[ T'Challa had been nearby when the sight of smoke caught his attention, and he'd been both curious and a little concerned. As he approached, he didn't see anything immediately wrong, but decided it was better to check anyway. ]

Is everything all right?

Sender: Noel Vermillion

[bulletic]

Oh, is it for her birthday?
If so, then a birthday cake is in order!
As for the present, you can't go wrong with a stuffed animal!
Maybe a panda... oh, or maybe a tapir, like the ones who greeted us!

I would be happy to help with both the cake and pancakes, too!
Cooking is a bit of a hobby of mine, so please let me know if you need any assistance!

[ Full disclosure: Noel is the worst cook in existence, albeit completely oblivious to the fact. Letting Nanako eat her science experiments would be better parenting than letting this girl anywhere near her birthday cake. ]

sender: sora

[oathkeeper]

hey i know how to make some mean pancakes!! with blueberries and syrup and everything! super mega fluffy!!

and i guess an eight-year-old girl would like stuff like pretty dresses? maybe some cute stuffed animals? do you know what her favourite animals are?

sender: tifa lockhart

[starshower]

I make some mean pancakes and eggs if you're still looking for a cook.

And closest I've had was for a four year old, but it can't be that different. What kinds of things is she into?

Sender: Zhao

[seemagicshit]

Pancakes, hunh? I've made a few. Not hard.

For a present for a kid though, can't quite help there. Although I met some nice kid a little bit ago trying to get some gummi fish out of a pond.

Sender: Naminé

[lethechained]

[ Never having been a young kid, Naminé doesn't feel especially qualified in this area. But she can appreciate somebody trying to be kind to one, so she spends a minute wracking her brain to try to come up with two cents to share, just on the off-chance it might be helpful. ]

Does she like dolls?

[ Really, that's almost the only youthful thing the blonde does have experience with. ]

Some children really seem to.