Video(ish)-- Ecruteak Inn, Birthday Bash!

[brokencode]

[The moment the video clicked on, Angel let out a sigh. A small hand lifted, pinching the bridge of her nose, before lowering once more, settling onto the back of a new face-- a Glameow. Finally, she offered the device a thin smile.]

I had a plan to offer a sentimental message about growing older, but it seems I was preempted. [She laughed, but it came without humor.] What you heard was correct, today is my birthday.

[A pair of feelers announced the approach of 'Dora, the sylveon, who wrapped his appendages around her in a gesture of comfort.]

It also would appear that I've been here six months now. It's a lot to consider -- celebrating my first birthday on my own, six months after I broke free from my father. To be honest, it's the first time I've recognized it in almost a decade.

It's... a big deal.

[One final sigh, before a smile broke through. It was perhaps a little sad, but still genuine.]

My door will be open today, for anyone who might want to stop by. You can meet my new friend, Princess Smoosherella. [The cat mewled a greeting.] We can all get ice cream together!

[[Right here's the catch-all I've been promising! Feel free to put anything you need in here, in-person or otherwise! Angel's still at the Ecruteak in for a few days longer.]]

Comments

Video

[thedifferencebetween]

....Happy birthday, sweetheart.

Which...I have said to you every year. On your birthday.

[What the hell, Angel? Jack's tone clearly conveys that sentiment. Why is she still going out of her way to shit on him publicly?]

And look, I'm just saying...the whole 'escaped my evil dad' angle kinda...y'know. Loses some punch when the whole planet sees us getting along just fine. Just saying.

But anyway...I hope you have a great day today, Angel. I hope you're as happy today as I was the first time I ever held ya. You were the tiniest little friggin thing...

I uh, I did get ya something, if that's cool.

[brokencode]

Let's... not make a big deal of this, okay. We're going to see each other today, let's not preface that by squabbling with one another. I am happy and that's what should matter -- we decided on that much before.

You can give it to me when we meet, alright? It's... fine that you got me something.

[thedifferencebetween]

You're right, you're right, I'm sorry. Just...y'know. Automatic reaction. Not cool.

[It's much easier to present that facade that he's in the wrong on a public channel.]

Well alright. I'm uh...I'm looking forward to seeing you, sweetheart.

[action]

[kissmyaspis]

[Athena overhears Angel as she makes her announcement, but won't interrupt until the girl is finished fiddling with her device. She may not know much in the way of social events and such, but even Athena can understand that birthdays are important things. She can still remember how horrified Janey had been when Athena had ever-so-bluntly told her that she couldn't remember her own birthday, and how she shook off any attempts by her girlfriend to sort of... create a new one. It had bothered her too much, knowing that this was just one more thing that Atlas had taken from her.

So the fact that Angel is able to talk about her own birthday like that... it makes Athena. Well. Happy? It's such a weird thing to admit, but... yeah. Seems like that's what she's feeling now.]

Freedom. It's hard to find a better gift for a day like this.

[brokencode]

[Just as Angel had gotten used to Krieg's loud approach, so to had she managed to adjust to the stealthy approach of her caretaker. Though less predictable, she at least didn't jump at the sound of her voice appearing out of nowhere anymore. Certainly, her pulse jumped in the slightest but it was better than where she had been.]

[She turned to the woman with a small smile, shaking her head in the slightest.]

I can think of one thing. Family. Real family.

[kissmyaspis]

... Family, huh...

[... There it is again. Family. That had been stuck in her head for ages now, since Janey had jokingly called Angel our girl over dinner that one night. The thought had been strange at first. Then, sort of terrifying. She had family, once. A family whose blood coated her hands. That word should have meant nothing but bad things to Athena...

... But it didn't. Because as much as she tried to rationalize her attachment to Angel as just... her getting really into her duty, she knew deep down it was a lie. She cared about her, as more than just someone to protect and teach like Fiona had been. And, from Angel's words... it seems she felt that sort of connection to.]

You really think that?

text.

[torsion]

Birthdays are precious things you don't really appreciate until you can't have one, I think.

Any idea how the distance is from around Azalea?

[brokencode]

I guess I don't know what I'm missing. We never really... did anyhting back home. Maybe I got a gift and told to have a good one but... Well. That part doesn't matter.

[torsion]

What matters is what you want to matter, Angel.

[video]

[purramedic]

[Cat. New cat! A beautiful, darling grey and white cat that... actually almost matches the one Anders is currently stroking. But now isn't the time to get wrapped up in cats.]

Happy birthday, my dear. I'm very glad to hear it means so much to you.

Princess Smoosherella is lovely, though I'm afraid I cannot meet her just yet...

[Sweet Maker, please let the Pidgey have arrived already.]

[brokencode]

[Any time is a good time to get wrapped up in cats, don't be silly, Anders!!!! And likely would have been a better subject, seeing as how the man's voice still seemed to do strange things to her. She had to take a moment to compose herself (mostly to make sure her flushed cheeks weren't particularly obvious), before flicking her video on.]

Thank you, Anders. I am sure she will be delighted to meet you, when the time comes. Anyone would be honored to meet a man as sweet as you. [The cat glanced up, gave a curious mewl, before settling back down once more.] She... was admittedly a bit too curious about the pidgey you sent, but now she's calm and it is nesting. I was sure to give it lots of berries, and even a pokepuff.

[Angel reached to her pocket, then pulled out the star piece that had been delivered. She held it out to the camera for him.]

It's a beautiful gift, friend. I hope to get it made into a necklace of sorts. Thank you so much for it.

[styxiedust]

It is, and you have every right to be happy about it. Happy birthday, Angel!

[Though Botan can't be there today, Angel will still find a familiar Honchkrow waiting for her later on with a special package. Vanilla caramel fudge ice cream cake and some berry tarts for her Pokemon to celebrate with her.]

[brokencode]

[!!!!]

[This sweet Honchkrow is getting one of those tarts, as well as a pokepuff and a few sweet headpats. Once he was rested and then sent on his way, Angel plucked up her gear and pulled up her channel with Botan.]

You are an impossibly sweet woman. Thank you very much for these gifts. And for this --

Botan does this cake have ice cream in it?

text.

[radfield]

Sorry if you planned a small get-together for your party, but happy birthday regardless! Look forward to package soon—both from me and Jill—since we've just made it to Azalea.

Haha, though it looks like you got a thing for ice cream? All right, that gives us ideas!

[brokencode]

Nothing's been planned, Chris. Just enjoying the day at the moment. Perhaps later I will go out with my family but for now I'm enjoying my time.

I look forward to it, though you do not have to send anything.

(And I adore ice cream...)

Video;

[schachmeister]

[Probably some time in the afternoon. Also, he is on a boat. No flippie-floppies though.]

Happy birthday, Angel.

Did, uhm, Did Amadeus manage to find you all right?

Amadeus is a Good Owl, but Armin hasn't used him on many deliveries yet.]

[brokencode]

[But did Jean fuck a mermaid?]

He did! You two are some of the best friends I could ever ask for. It was a beautiful gift, though I think Adorababy is going to be quite jealous of the stuffed pokemon. I plan on cuddling it quite a bit.

In regards to your note, I hope to see you again soon as well. Hopefully we will have made it to Olivine at some point -- then we can go to the beach together.

Thank you again, and let Jean know how happy it made me as well, since I have not heard from him.

[Text]

[callbacks]

happy birthday and also welcome to your new friend with the best name e fucking ver
pleasure to meet you your nyajesty

[brokencode]

Nyajesty!

Dave that's perfection! I think even Smoosh approves of it, she's purring and everything! See, purr-fection!

action

[fuelthefire]

[It's the morning of Angel's birthday, and Krieg has a present for her! Unlike her Valentine, he wants to give this one in person, so he waits - impatiently - for it to be a not godawful hour, before knocking on her bedroom door.]

[brokencode]

[She'd know that loud knock from anywhere. Lifting Smoosh up and cradling her carefully, Angel shuffled to the door and swung it open. She greeted him with her customary beaming smile. Hey bestie.]

Good morning, friend.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Birthdays have never been a particularly big cause for celebration to Heather-- for a few reasons, really.]

[But she's always been more than happy to make a big deal about other peoples' birthdays!]

[THIS video, however, caught her attention for other reasons...]</sub>

... Broke free?

Sounds like you didn't come from the best of places, huh.

[brokencode]

[What, Heather, did you not like the whole birthing/vomiting up God thing?]

[Angel regarded the blond in the video quietly, expression clearly distraught. As public as she had been about the whole affair, it was surprising that some people still weren't aware of her relationship with her father and where she had come from. Not that she blamed the woman for not knowing. Not everyone could monitor the network at all times.]


Not even slightly. [Despite the mood, despite the subject, Angel managed a tight and unamused smirk.]

[video]

[beastofasister]

[Manaka is supposed to see Angel later today, along with Jack. Still, she wants to say something to her now, to avoid any awkwardness later—and maybe even to set her nerves at ease, if she's nervous about seeing Jack in person.]

Happy birthday! [Manaka's greeting is even brighter than normal, her usual bubbliness a notch or two higher.] I have a present for you I think you're going to like!

[brokencode]

Manaka!

[The siren couldn't help her delighted little outburst. She had hoped to see the girl later in the day, which meant such an earlier "visit" was an unexpected treat. She was still ambivalent about being wished a happy birthday, of course, but it was a lot easier to stomach when it was her friends offering her best wishes.]

You didn't have to get me anything. I hope Jack didn't make you feel like you did.