Tessai folded his arms and surveyed the scene slowly, giving it a final appraisal. Though it was a quarter to ten the night of December 31, the artificial sky had been set to ‘sunset’ and would flow gradually through ‘twilight’ to ‘night’ over the next two hours. It was part of the ambience, as were the many multicolored lighting effects creating a festive glow. He had spent most of the prior week preparing for this joint celebration, an annual event ever since he’d had done with the prior disregard for Urahara-dono and Yoruichi-dono’s birthdays, falling, as they did, around the New Year holiday. They would not be forgotten, not on his watch. Thus, the tradition continued, and invitations had been sent out.
The setting sun was square-shaped. The rocky outcroppings and distant cliff walls of the Shōten underground area, guests would notice, had taken on an unusual blocky appearance, replete with lava flows and waterfalls. A holographic reference to Minecraft as this year’s decorating theme had been Jinta’s idea, and Tessai was all too amused to implement the scene as an homage to the honorees’ penchant for kitting out subterranean spaces. In a prominent area, cleverly blending in with the aesthetic, was a meter-high karaoke stage. A banquet table stood nearby, already laid out with a buffet of savories and sweets. Conveniently close but discreetly obscured by scenery, he had set up a field kitchen, putting to heavy use Yoruichi’s Christmas gifts of the Roccbox pizza oven and the American-style outdoor grill and smoker, and she, along with the rest of his guests, would soon taste the depth of his appreciation. A 7-kilogram hunk of Australian wagyu beef brisket had been occupying the latter, marinating in a smoldering haze from locally-sourced cherry wood for the past fifteen hours.
“Oi! Mic check!” came Jinta’s amplified voice from the PA system. “Testing, testing – three, two one –” The following explosion of beatboxing drew a smile from Tessai. The young man had talent, and he’d earned a moment to enjoy the equipment he’d just set up.
“They’ll be here soon!” Ururu called down from a square-shaped hole in the sky at the top of the old ladder. For some time now, guests had no longer had to brave this awkward descent, but direct access from the dining room still had its conveniences.
“Is the freight elevator prepared?”
“The projectors are on, if that’s what you mean.” The illusion would begin the moment they stepped into what appeared to be an oversized mine cart to begin their virtual descent through the ‘shaft.’ “I’m ready to show them in.”
Tessai nodded, then gave one final scan, satisfied that all the various and sundry activities were prepared to his standards. He was, after all, an excellent host.
The party was in full swing, swirling with guests, music, lights and life. The keg had been tapped and Jinta was challenging Grimmjow (@deivorous) at beer pong, seeming to relish having found a worthy opponent. Since coming of age, he’d dedicated himself to mastering the sport. Ururu, meanwhile, was teaching hanetsuki to Udyati (@dvarapala) and Nemuri (@kxrotsuchi) as Tōshirō (@ryusxnka) and Mayuri (@kxrotsuchi) looked on, both clearly appreciating the training far more than the gauche and garish soirée around them. Tessai was pleased to see that the two less-sociable captains had deigned to attend at all, and had both found some sort of acceptable entertainment. Off in an obscure corner, the Hōgyoku (@sphaeraa) stood on the ceiling in scowling observation, and Tessai smiled at his sudden inversion of posture and attitude upon Shutara’s (@behindthestrings) fashionably late and characteristically dramatic entrance.
Hiyori (@viciousvizard) had found the brisket and appeared bent on challenging Yoruichi (@midnightactual) to some sort of eating contest. Alas, she must wait; the latter was holding forth on the karaoke stage while Yuuno (@ice-cold-shihoin), Kouta (@the-lightning-underdog), and Soi Fon (@waspandr) cheered their encouragement. It must have been the spinning disco ball that inspired Shinji (@hirako5hinji) to swing himself up and join her in an impromptu duet of Donna Summer’s This Time I Know It’s for Real. Kūkaku (@crashingheavens), the apparent target of Yoruichi’s eye contact, returned it with an exuberant grin. Tessai was certain his guests were looking forward to her midnight fireworks display, as, of course, was he. Near the buffet table stood Adelha (@adelha-mathilde), recently returned from Germany just in time to attend, chatting pleasantly with Isshin (@hisdaddy) and Ryuuken (@xyuuken) beneath a small cloud of tobacco smoke.
Tessai’s brow furrowed as he peered about. Where had Kisuke slipped off to? ...Aha – there he was. The gleaming white lab coat he’d donned (a recent gift from Ryuuken) made him easier to track. That had been his concession to heartfelt pleas to dress nicely. Beneath it, he wore a button-down shirt and tie — and had left the hat behind. He was watching the stage from a quieter vantage point, engaged in conversation with their newest and perhaps most unexpected resident, Szayelapporo Granz (@behindthestrings), as Birdy (@cosmacy) and Kara (@orphanedshadow) curiously looked on. Heaven and Hell appeared to be well-represented.
Satisfied with his work, Tessai turned to replenish the buffet table, only to encounter Akane (@akanekishimoto). “Ah! It is good to have you with us again, Akane-dono.” He gestured to the spread. “Have you sampled the Smörgåsbord?”
“This is good.” Tessai recognized at once both the presence and voice of Benihime (@crimsonprincessbenihime), manifested and towering behind him, offering him her praise. He found his glasses fogging, and raised a hand to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.
“Thank you, Hidenka-sama.” Yes, it was good… to see all of them enjoying themselves.
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