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

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[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

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[That was... slightly troublesome. She tilted her head up slightly, gazing at the older woman with both curiosity and concern. Athena had been a friend, perhaps even a parent to her. And she'd already made it clear that she had similar feelings. All the same...]

You know that I think of you as more than a bodyguard, right? [A pause, then a tight furrowing of the brow.] Wait, did you say Lilith?

[Angel had always been... ambivalent about the fiery siren, who had all but basked in the attention of assumed godhood. She thought the woman arrogant, above the chain of command. She'd proven it time and time again, no less. Her appearance could have doomed the mission to the Control Core.]

[Imagine if Jack had gotten a hold of her.]

I'd think that family is purpose. If nothing more, Janey and making her happy is important, right? Keeping them safe, doing right by them, that has to mean something.

[kissmyaspis]

The Siren, yes. Even after Jack's death, the Crimson Raiders fought hard to loosen Hyperion's grip on Pandora, and track down all of his old accomplices. With Wilhelm and Nisha dead and Claptrap on their side, I was one of their highest priority targets.

[There's no real animosity in her voice, nah. Honestly, even putting aside how she completely understands that, it... kind of helped her?? If she hadn't been captured, Fiona wouldn't have had to confront Janey, she wouldn't have covered for her, and she and Janey might not have had their big discussion. So... thanks, Lilith???]

... I didn't mean to imply that was all I thought this was. ["Our girl" echoes in her head again...] I... haven't considered this just a job for a long time now.

[She mulls those words over in her head for a moment. She always thought this... family situation was supposed to be a sort of... side? Of course she'll protect Janey (and Angel, and Tim) with her life, but that's not... something she has to work for? In the sense of actually working, or literally fighting.

... Maybe that's one of the things that got her into trouble, now that she thinks about it. Well, shit.]

I could... try and see if staying close to home works out, I suppose.

[She took crappy "common" jobs anywhere she could before she came here. Maybe, once they're brought back to Pandora, she can try and narrow her searches down to Hollow Point for a while.