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

[brokencode]

[It was a little early, but in Angel's eyes, it meant that she could challenge herself just a little more. They were going to be leaving soon, which meant walking for days on end. She couldn't always rely on Krieg for piggyback rides (not that she doubted he would give them -- she wouldn't even have to ask).]

I think that would be lovely. [She stood, moving to put on her shoes.] Where to this time, my friend?

[fuelthefire]

[He's dragged her up, down, back and forth all of the various paths and routes near Ecruteak by now - through the woods and fields, up the mountain path, out west toward MooMoo Farm (though they'd never yet quite made it all the way to the farm proper), and, of course, many times to Krieg's favorite place...]

Out to the lake! The trees are full of tiny pink and green popcorn and the birds and the bugs never shut up!

[It's still a little early for the season change proper, but Spring is definitely in the air.]

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Birds and bugs, huh? [If she hadn't been up and down the path before and if she hadn't witnessed the changing of the seasons herself, Angel might not have been sold on his description. But seeing as how their shared favorite places, and as they weren't long for this town, it seemed as good of a time as any to set out on a journey.]

To the lake then. [Angel turned to her team, a hand on her hip. Adorababy pranced forward, taking her place at Angel's side, while Skagbait simply nodded quietly and stood. The others settled back in to rest.]

[Lazybones.]

[fuelthefire]

[The only flying things on Pandora that had made much of an impression on Krieg were rakks, and the only buggy things there were stalkers. It had taken him a while to get used to the softer ambient noises of this world, where every avian screech or insectoid buzzing doesn't actually indicate an imminent slaughter.

Only occasional ones do.

But he's grown used to the sounds of the natural world, here. Winter had been very quiet, when everything had been blanketed in snow, but there had still been some occasional wildlife activity. As the snow melts and things warm up, however, the world itself seems to be waking up, and Krieg is having the time of his life witnessing the gradual changes as the days pass.]

Yeah!

[She's got her shoes on, and he's ready as always to go out. Mud Pony and Torch Dragon are nestled - comfortably, he assumes - in their Pokeballs on his belt, but Murder Chicken out as always and ready to join the Sylveon and the Riolu for walkies.

Krieg stands up from his seat on the bed and ducks out through the doorway into the hall, where he pauses to wait for her before leading the way outdoors.]

[brokencode]

[Adorababy is quick to greet Murder Chicken, his feelers wrapping gently the Blaziken's talons. He let out a trill, his normal whistled greeting, before prancing back to his trainer.]

[Angel was quick to follow her friend, and even quicker to burst outside. She had grown used to the feeling of wind on her face and the smell of the outdoors, but she still had to stop for a moment simply to take it in. She imagined that, once upon a time, she might have taken such things for granted, had been too young to really understand what it all meant. Never again would she do so.]

[Once she acclimated herself, a hand slipped out, taking hold of Krieg's gingerly. She lifted her eyebrows, then tilted her head in the direction of the lake.]

Shall we?

[fuelthefire]

[MC makes a quiet squawk in response to 'Dora's greeting, happy as always to say hello, before following his own trainer out of the Inn.

Once outside, Krieg turns and watches Angel emerge from indoors. It's become something like a ritual for them both; he leads, she follows, and once outdoors she pauses while he waits patiently. He's not sure if she's simply taking a moment to feel the breeze on her skin, or to acclimate to the difference in lighting between indoors or out, or if there's another reason that he can't guess. Whatever it is only ever takes a moment or so before she's reaching for his arm or his hand, and they're on their way. Today is no different, and it's only a brief time before she slips her hand into his. He curls his fingers carefully around hers, his large palm engulfing her small one, and grins under his mask.]

Let's go let's go let's go!

[Although, despite the exuberance in his words, the pace he sets once he begins to walk is an easy one he knows she can match.]

Can't wait to say goodbye forever to the snow.

[brokencode]

[Krieg might not have intended to rush Angel, but his enthusiasm certainly got her moving. She set off down the usual path, quickly passing him with her brisk pace. After a moment, she turned back, a playful look on her face.]

[She'd spent the winter training with Athena and walking with Krieg. It was finally time to show her companion that she was no longer the frail, baby bird he'd had to tend to in the first few months of being in Johto. She could make this walk, and she could do it at this pace.]

[Hopefully, at least.]

It's a lovely day, isn't it?

[fuelthefire]

[He definitely notices the speed and strength with which Angel sets off down the path, quickly overtaking him and the gentle pace he'd begun. The strength and confidence in her movement, as well as the playful smile she turns on him when she asks her question, have him grinning with pride under his mask.]

Every day is lovely when you're in it!

[Then he laughs a little, a happy, nearly normal sound of mirth, and adds, as he lengthens his stride in order to catch up with her - ]

And the weather is nice today, too.

[brokencode]

[Angel's cheeks, ones that were sunken and pale all those months ago, lit up, brightening past its normal, healthy flush and into embarrassed territory. She quickly turned away from the psycho, focusing on the ground ahead of them for the time being as they walked.]

So it is. [The woman was starting to wonder if sirens and eridians somehow shared biological traits with flowers. It would only make sense, considering the way she blossomed under a nice breeze and a kiss from the rays of the sun.]

I think I will miss the snow though. [The cold was just as nice as the warmth of the sun, and Ecruteak under blankets of snow was a beautiful sight to behold. The only thing she didn't like about it was how much more difficult it was to enjoy ice cream in the winter.]

[Not that she hadn't scarfed her beloved treats down even in the snow. No, she didn't have a problem.]

[fuelthefire]

[It seems like a lot of the things he says to her make her blush. Mostly it seems to happen when he praises or compliments her, which...kind of makes sense...he thinks. He's pretty sure, anyway. She's sweet and modest, the complete opposite of Krieg, so that's probably a normal reaction. He feels a little bad, because he doesn't like to be the cause of her embarrassment, but at the same time, she never seems unhappy when he praises her, so...

Navigating emotions sure is complicated. He's not sure if this is the sort of thing he should bring up or if he should let it go. For the time being, however, he'll let it go. He's pretty good at pretending not to notice when she blushes, anyway, and in the past that's seemed to help the embarrassment fade faster, so he'll just stick with it unless it stops working or until a better solution presents itself.]

Mngh...Won't miss the shirts!

[Lust had given him a couple of shirts, which he'd worn with the sweater Angel had made for him during the absolute coldest months, and he'd torn the seams through the shoulders and sleeves on them both, several times, over the course of the winter. The clothing had fit, quite well, in fact, but there was some trick or care needed to wear a shirt successfully, and Krieg had either forgotten the knack entirely with the rest of his pre-Pandora history, or he had never known it in the first place.]

It's easier to eat ice cream in the sun!

[...And Angel's not the only one who's hugely fond of the frozen treat.]

[brokencode]

[Unlike with some of her other companions, whom Angel embarrassed herself in front of regularly, the flustering Angel experienced around Krieg was relatively innocuous. She was just unused to being the infallible object of someone's affections.]

[Not after being around Jack, who would berate even the smallest of missteps, even a mispronunciation.]

[Not that she wanted to be infallible, of course, simply being treated like a normal person would have been nice enough. And amidst the adoration, Krieg did just that.]

You know, you may have to wear one on occasion. What if we went to a fancy place to... [She paused. What would they ever do in a fancy place anyways?] Never mind...

[She couldn't help but grin when Krieg nailed her thoughts. That was one of the other benefits of becoming so close to him, one of the things she absolutely adored about the man. He knew what she was thinking, knew what she wanted.]

Ice cream in the sun sounds perfect.

[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!

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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.

[beastofasister]

Oh, don't worry about that! [She couldn't help but giggle at Angel's concern. It was a moot point, considering Jack would be the one paying either way, but...] I wanted to, and it didn't cost me anything, anyway.

[brokencode]

Well, that is good then. I wouldn't want to put you out. [Manaka's giggle was almost contagious -- the siren couldn't help but join her.] I'm very excited to see you later! Not because of the present, though. I... really look forward to meeting you face to face.

[beastofasister]

Oh! I guess it's true that we haven't talked in person yet, huh? [That makes Manaka pause, lifting the tip of one finger to her chin.] I guess it can be easy to forget, sometimes, especially when you feel like you have a lot in common with someone.

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I agree. It feels as if we've known each other for a long time.

[A grin lazily stretched itself over Angel's lips. Excitement pooled within her chest and gut -- meeting Manaka had been on her mind for some amount of time, and now it was finally happening. Yes, Jack cast a shadow over the whole thing, but the siren was confident that she could still enjoy this meeting.]

[beastofasister]

Mm... It's funny! Everyone I've met here has come from a world completely different from mine, but I've found more people here that are "like me" than I ever did at home.

I was really happy when Jack said you wanted me to come too, you know!

[brokencode]

I agree. Though... I didn't exactly have the opportunity to meet or make friends back home. The point still stands.

Well, how could I not want to see you? Birthdays are meant to be spent with friends, and you are a very dear one to me.

[foolishwren]

_{[Fortunately, or... well, unfortunately, Heather is probably far from the only other person Angel will meet with such bad luck in common. If there's one thing Heather's picked up in her years here... it's that the place seems to, for better or for worse, pick up people who could really benefit from a new life apart from their old world.]}

Likewise-- hah, again.

Angel's one heck of a cool name.

You know, I knew someone who thought this place was Paradise and that the Pokemon were angels. Kind of weird, huh? But after awhile, I can sort of see why.

[brokencode]

[It was unfortunate, but true, and Angel already knew it. Many of her friends had come from, if not similar situations then at least similar worlds. The universe, or perhaps universes, were cruel in that way.]

[But at least there was, as Heather's former companion had implied, one paradise out there.]

It's funny but... I thought I was in heaven when I first woke up here.

[Of course, that was mostly because she had died to get here but... details.]

[beastofasister]

Angel... You're so sweet! [If they had been face-to-face, she would have reached for her hand, or maybe even up to touch her face. Instead, she cocks her head to the side, still smiling, in a way that makes her hair bounce around her face.] It makes me really happy that you feel like that about me, too! I know things were different for you, but... That's another thing that's funny, isn't it? How two people can feel more connected by their similarities than divided by their differences.

[That last part sounds closer to academic musing. She never had experienced that phenomenon before coming here, and it still fascinates her.]

[brokencode]

[The expression made Angel's heart twist, a pang of adoration surging through her. She'd managed to get so lucky, having friends as sweet and darling as Manaka. It was unfortunate that she'd gotten caught up with Jack, but she'd also made it clear that she was capable of taking care of herself.]

[In some ways, Angel wanted to be more like the girl.]

It's very funny! [Especially in the context of her thoughts.] And I am glad to have met you and exchanged both similarities and differences.

[foolishwren]

It's kinda hard to blame people for thinking that.

I mean... some folks do come here after they die. I've known a ton like that.

And compared to a lot of places, I mean...

_{[She doesn't think this is Paradise and never has. But it's sure better than the world she came from.]}

[brokencode]

[Angel thought it best not to bring up the fact that she was one of those. Heather had already seemed affected enough by their conversation -- it was best not to make it any worse.]

Those were my thoughts. It is at least close enough to the concept of both heaven and paradise, and certainly far enough away from anything I have ever known.