🎭 Furina’s Birthday Event – Hosted by PopupGamingNYC

Date: October 2025
Location: Mango Mango Dessert, New York City
Traveler’s Notes by Ank-22

✨ Prelude: When the Curtain First Rose

I was fortunate enough to attend one of the initial planning sessions for this event, hosted by the wonderful team at PopupGamingNYC. Watching them brainstorm, plan, and source every little piece—from themed decor to raffle prize- felt like witnessing the formation of a Fontainean opera behind the scenes. Every note, every prop, every flourish had meaning.

And so, when the day of Furina’s Birthday Event finally arrived, I knew I had to be there no matter the distance, no matter the journey.

🚆 The Journey Begins

Though the event was set in New York City, I resided far away in Boston. Yet something inside me refused to stay put. Call it wanderlust, call it Furina’s divine calling, or perhaps just sheer determination like a Traveler answering a world quest.

So at 2:00 AM, under the moonlit sky, I boarded a night bus with my ever-patient companion Rins Archer (apologies, and I hope you had fun!). Our route to NYC was meant to end around 7:00 AM, giving us time before the event’s opening at 11:00.

But what is an adventure without a few side quests?
We explored Roosevelt Island, admired the sunrise over the East River, and later wandered into Flushing, where food stalls and hidden cafes awaited discovery.

(A full post on here " Click me!!! " )

🎉 The Main Event: A Birthday Worthy of the Hydro Archon

Arriving early, I found the PopupGamingNYC team still setting up inside Mango Mango Dessert—a charming little haven glowing with birthday decorations. It was my first time at Mango Mango, and my excitement doubled: celebrating my favorite character and trying a new dessert spot? A Fontainean delight indeed.

I helped where I could, passing supplies, chatting with the organizers, and mostly soaking in the atmosphere of shared enthusiasm.

The event was happening in one more location set up at Next Move Cafe.

🗺️ The Stamp Rally Quest

The event featured a Stamp Rally, a mini-questline of four fun tasks:

1. Follow @mangomangodessertusa and @popupgamingnyc on Instagram.
2. Make a social post about the event.
3. Purchase one of the themed menu items.
4. Play the mini-game: Balance a Mora coin atop a floating Bulle Fruit!

Completing all four earned you a Furina Ticket, redeemable for a spin at the Gasha Pon Machine.

My rewards? Two adorable stickers and a custom badge, which I even got to make myself! Yeppy! 🎉

🍰 Themed Delicacies from Fontaine

Two delightful menu items graced the day:

• Furina’s Fresh Passionfruit Tea with Seeds ($8.50)
  A refreshing mix of sweet and tangy—like the Hydro Archon herself. The seeds added a playful crunch, each sip bursting with flavor and energy.
• Furina’s Tiramisu Slice ($9.50)
  Accompanied by a scoop of silky ice cream, this dessert melted like a dream. Soft, creamy, perfectly balanced in sweetness. I nearly ordered another, but alas, calories exist even outside Teyvat.

💫 A Sea of Fans and Joy

Though it was a fan-organized event, the dedication was real. Cosplayers strolled about, merchants displayed acrylic stands, badges, and prints, and the hum of excitement filled the cafe like the gentle bubbling of Fontaine’s fountains.

They were doing a photo shoot (instant polaroid) for $5; I should have done one, but I was worried about my budget, and now I feel bad.

The Gasha Pon Machine was a crowd favorite. Each pull cost $5, and the 5-star prize, a luminous Furina Light Charm, became the talk of the event. I even saw one daring soul empty the entire machine in pursuit of their Hydro Archon’s blessing. True dedication, or divine madness, perhaps both.

⚖️ The Mora-Balancing Mini-Game

This game tested both patience and precision: balancing a Mora coin on a floating fruit. Players could use their own coins or buy extras for more tries.

It wasn’t about the rewards. It was about proving oneself.
Every cheer, every gasp when the coin tipped over—it felt like a small adventure of its own.

🎨 The Artist’s Booth

Outside, the talented artist Blue had set up a small booth featuring keychains and character merch. Their designs were irresistibly cute, especially the cat-eared versions of Genshin characters. I couldn’t resist adding a few to my collection.

🎟️ Raffle

Every purchase also earned a raffle ticket—one for every $5 spent. Some fans had an entire pouch full, ready to test their luck in the closing raffle.

🌊 Reflections of a Traveler

This event was more than just a celebration—it was a gathering of kindred spirits. Seeing the effort that went into it, from the initial planning to the final cheers, reminded me why I love this community so deeply.

Though I couldn’t visit the second location, my friends shared photos and clips from there—so the experience still felt whole.

And honestly? One day, I’d love to host a similar event in Boston. If the stars align, perhaps that dream will take shape soon.

💬 Companion’s Review

"The dessert menu was great, the cosplayers were amazing, and the event itself was super fun…  
but that fruit-balancing mini-game? Total scam—those fruits flip like Hydro slimes!"

🎓 Epilogue

Apologies for the delay in sharing this tale—the past few months have been a whirlwind. Some highs, some lows… but one very bright highlight:
I graduated with my Master’s degree from Northeastern University! 🎓✨

This trip to NYC was more than just an event; it was a reset, a breath of Fontainean air amidst life’s storms. That week, a lot of things happened, and I was just thinking, what was going on in my life!

Until next time,
– Ank-22

© 2025 Ankit Sinha. All content on this site, including text and original images (unless otherwise credited), is created and owned by me. Reproduction, redistribution, or unauthorized use of any material without permission is strictly prohibited.