fissionmailed | Happy Birthday to you~

[Not only was it New Years Eve in the Nexus, but it was also a certain someone's birthday. Ocelot had spent his time preparing for the event on the rooftops for a few days now and he was finally happy with the end result.]

[Green balloons were wrapped around the railings, and there was a huge buffet table set out, along with the grill to cook the various assortment of meat (yes, that included snakes and treefrogs for any of the younger versions of Big Boss around). He had a little help from a particular individual to hunt down said species, but it was worth it in the end.]

[If snake-meat wasn't to your liking, there also happened to be a various selection of 'party' food, too. Potato chips, sausages, cupcakes, cheese, crackers, anything and everything to suit the tastes of all individuals. There was a cooler for beer, but also some fizzy cola out for any of the younger kids that decide to come by.]

[Ocelot had even decided to put up a banner congratulating the birthdate of Big Boss, and demanded people who turned up to bring presents, or food.]

[Of course, in the center of the table was a massive cake for the lucky birthday boys.]

_{((ooc: Any Big Boss that celebrates their birthday today, this is for you. 8D))}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Damn it all. He mistakingly complimented him!]

...

[Don't worry. John is oblivious to how that could possibly be a compliment.]

...What?

Oh nothing. You just don't look that old.

There's a reason for that, actually...

[He furrows his brows.]

Let me guess; plenty of vegetables and sunshine?

No, actually...

Being comatose, transplants, and possibly some gene therapy. God-only-knows what all they did to me.

You went through gene therapy?

So that's what Brother was talking about...

[Thank God Snake never told him who had 'helped' maintain Big Boss' life.]

It was either that or...

[Yeah, he is NOT going to finish his thought about the transplants and peeling and grafting of skin or any of that.]

...Hn. Don't mind me. I was out for most of it. I really can't say exactly what they did except for what I can see.

I see.

[He folds his arms in distaste.] You never really died then? Snake was never able to kill you?

I came very close. Might have died for a minute or so, but I wasn't ever allowed to stay dead...

Ah yes. But you're one of the 'good' ones, aren't you? And should you have remained dead, Brother would never have such a desirably close bond to you.

[Who said anything about being jealous?]

Hnnn...

[He gives his Son an odd look.]

I never thought that he would want to be close to me. I figured that he'd be more like you.

He and I are very alike in certain respects. However, when it comes to you, we both hold very different beliefs.

[Liquid folds his arms across his chest.] You're his priority, it seems.

Really? Me?

[Old John is a little surprised at James' admission.]

I am not sure that is a good thing. I hope I can be a good Father this time to you both.

Brother seems to think so.

My obsession with you barely touches to his own obsession. You are his cardinal of thoughts, Father.

Is that so?

This is worrysome...

[He still seems to have issues with others hold him in high regard.]

I would have thought you of all people would lap up the knowledge that he holds you in such high regard.

...

[Of course he desires this but he feels that he doesn't deserve it.]

Face it, Big Boss. Everyone wants to be surrounded by you... Whether engaged in a heated battle, or the father figure everyone desires once in their lifetime.

You are a person who touches many lives, regardless of whether you enjoy that fact.