Surprise Birthday Party~

Aika looked up from the book she was reading.
"Sure, what can I do for you?"

((seriously... only a 1000 pieces?? He'll have that finished in no time... ))

((Bwahaha, I know~ At first I was planning on making it 10,000; should I change it to that? xD))

Fey entered the room and quietly shut the door, smiling and placing her books back as she fiddled with her fingers. "I know Mino-chan's always busy, and I always bother you with all these requests and stuff, but uhm..." She grabbed the sheet of paper and stuck her tongue out childishly. "I'm not very good when it comes to party planning, but I really want to make it a special birthday for Na--Near. I was thinking about how creative you are with everything, so uh..."

"Uhh depending on which way you are looking at it but Rayne is the creative one. The proof can be seen in L's office." Aika said, talking about the painting L had gotten for his 30th birthday. "But I am more than willing to help you with the birthday cake."

((yeah you should do that!! Like some sort of specially made puzzle cause they don't make one with so many pieces or something ))

((Oh my goodness, that's perfect! SEE WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAID YOU HAD A CREATIVE MIND~?! <3 I had an idea~! Would it be a little creepy if the puzzle made up the photo that they took together during the play~?))

Fey nodded in agreement, well aware of Rayne's artistic talent. "You'd make the cake~? I can't think of anyone else that's better than you are~" She smiled sweetly in appreciation. "I'll have to ask Rayne for help once she wakes up. I really hate bothering others..." The girl mumbled. "Now, what I do need the most help on is making sure it really is a surprise. Like, like, he'd never ever expect it. I was thinking about making him solve riddles that will lead him to the room where we'll set everything up, but solving riddles to him are as easy as the alphabet."

"We are talking about Near, sweetie." Aika said. "I'm afraid it's just as impossible to keep a secret for him as it is to keep one for L. Most likely he'll figure everything out within no time but he'll just act surprised when the moment is there. We can still do our best though. How about you ask L for help with the riddles... it takes his mind off the Kira case and he's smarter than the both of us combined."

((that would be creepy... though Fey did say she would heal his heart one piece at the time... or something like that so I suppose it would fit their situation.))

((Yeah, I figured it would be. o.O But I like the idea of her "piecing back his heart" together. I was thinking a picture of all of us as a family, but that sounds weird too... Maybe we'll think of something better as the time passes by, right~?))

Fey placed a finger on her chin and grinned. "That would be a good idea. But I was thinking... How about you and L discuss this~?" By discuss, she meant have a reason to visit his room more often without Aika's mother getting suspicious of anything. She grinned and winked. "I mean, he needs a break, and you need a break, so...~" She knew she didn't have to continue on for Mino to get the idea.

Fey flailed her arms and shook her head. "N-N-No, no no! I-I didn't mean it... Like, like that! It's just, uh, that I, uh..." She was lost for words, turning beet red and plopping down on the mattress as she leaned forward slightly. "I always thought it'd be hard for those in love to keep away from one another for so long; I may not know about love, but I have a feeling I'd probably get all sad after a day." She smiled. "Your relationship is really something though; the sacrifices you two make for one another... Ah, it's beautiful~"

Fey nodded with the plan, clasping her hands and bowing her head lightly to show her deep gratitude for her older sister. "Thank you very much in advance~ I have no doubts about anything since you all are involved. I'll have to head out to some stores tomorrow to get a custom-made puzzle set designed." She grinned. "I'll ask Rayne first thing in the morning--well, after her coffee, of course~" Fey giggled, sliding under her covers and stretching her arms up. "For now, sleep is what I need~ You can leave the light on, Mino-chan~"

((Shall we continue this topic when the birthday approaches closer, or did you have something else in mind~? ;DD))

"No, I'm going to sleep too... I finished the chapter anyway." Aika said after which she turned the light off. "Good night, Fey."

((uhh fine by me... but you can start it now if you like... seeing as the three day visit from Aika's parents started eleven days ago for us so it doesn't really matter if Near's birthday topic starts two days earlier))

"Goodnight, Mino-chan~"

((Alrighty then~ I'll start it now~ ^^))

Two Days Later

Fey wore her colorful work outfit, pretending like she was heading out for another busy day, when it was all really just a way to get out of the house and get everything in order. There were a few last minute things she had to do, and with Near in the house, it would be pretty hard to hide--considering how he could pick up on the slightest odd behavior. The girl sighed. She felt like a complete jerk having to pretend to have forgotten Near's birthday. If she could slip by and out the house without encountering him, it would be better than just greeting him with a "hello" and walking by.

Fey quickly titpoed down the stairs and headed into the kitchen, more than happy that Aika was there, carefully focusing on the details of the cake. Knowing how smart Aika was, she'd easily come up with a good cover-up if Near grew curious--but it would be unlikely. Fey grinned and peeked her head from the wall. "I love you so much, Mino-chan~ <3"

Meanwhile, on the busy streets of town

"Alright...alright. I've got the puzzle. Check. Candles. Check. Balloons. Check. Sticky notes. Check." May had to stop at the alley for a while to rest, placing the many bags she held down as she let out a sigh. She was stressing out way too much about this, probably because she wanted things to go perfectly. Near was family, and if the others were working this hard, then she had to too.
She looked at the time; it was probably best for her to head back. So as she drove quietly into the driveway, she made sure she walked as quickly as possible, carrying all the bags down to the basement to set up out in the garden soon. She checked her time again; time was passing by pretty quickly. She paced back and forth, tapping her finger on her chin as she made her way upstairs and headed off to her bedroom, choosing to lay out some clothes for later.

((I edited this just so we could pick up the pace. xD))

"I have no intention of making her cry..." Near said just before he walked back inside.

"I only have one dress I could wear to a party. The one I wore to the restaurant." Sarah said as she walked to Fey's closet.
By now she had learned which fabric would be right for certain types of parties. Satin or something with lace would be to formal for a birthday party, unless it's just as accessory... something made of cotton would be good. But most of the things she felt were made of that. Next thing she realized was that the dress needed to have some sleeves because it wasn't all that warm today.
Eventually she picked out three dresses, since she did not know the colors or patterns on the dress. One had butterfly sleeves, one had short sleeves but it felt like they were made of lace (the rest of the dress felt smooth) and the third one had three-quarter sleeves and a v-neck.
"How about one of these?" Sarah asked hesitantly.

((I just made up some random models... ^^"))