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.

[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.

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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[brokencode]

I'm... I think it might be fun. What time works for you?

[thedifferencebetween]

Anytime, sweetheart! Name a time, I'll make it happen.

[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?

[brokencode]

[Angel shrugged, stomach twisting in the slightest. She didn't want to make the woman uneasy with the concept. She'd heard rumors and whispers from Jack about Athena's own history, but never enough to make any guesses as to what happened. Still, family being a strange, perhaps sore subject wasn't surprising, considering the solitary nature of the woman.]

[It wasn't as if Angel could judge. If asked at the beginning of her journey, she would have shaken the idea off. Family had never been a positive concept for the siren, either. Why associate obviously good people like Athena and Janey with something related to Jack.]

[But by now she'd realized that this little group nestled in the Inn was family by action, whereas Jack bore the title only by blood. It was the sort of thing that she'd gladly attribute to them.]

I don't know about specifics, what role we all might play with one another, but I do know that there is no one else that I trust more. And you all have been taking such good care of both myself and everyone else in this group. If not family, then what are we?

[brokencode]

Early afternoon then, how about that? I can meet you both at the Pokemon center.

[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.]

[thedifferencebetween]

Sounds good! There's a real nice little lunch place, just down the street. Thought we'd go there?

[kissmyaspis]

... Yeah. You're right.

[Athena's voice doesn't shake at that, but the hard edges seem to just fall away, giving Angel a hint as to just how... kind of vulnerable Athena feels right now. Because Angel is right, of course. Athena's been on all sorts of teams, worked with plenty of Vault Hunters. Those groups were just that. Groups. They looked out for each other and protected each other, but at the end of that day, it was just work. This... this hasn't been work in a long time.]

Didn't think I'd get a second chance at that sort of thing.

[torsion]

What matters is what you want to matter, Angel.

[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.]

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]

[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.

[brokencode]

[Little had her nervous, but the rest of it sounded pleasant enough.]

Very well then. I... I look forward to it.

[brokencode]

[Even the slightest hint of emotion was a lot for Athena, at least as far as Angel had observed. While she wasn't typically reserved about physical affection, she usually hesitated when it came to the gladiator. Dragging her along a few weeks back was about as far as she had come of late.]

[This time though, the siren didn't hesitate. She laid a hand against Athena's own, and met her gaze with a soft sort of smile.]

Neither did I. But I am glad I met you, and I am overjoyed that I did get a second chance in the end. You and Janey have been exceptionally kind to me.

[brokencode]

All I mean is that today is supposed to be a happy day. I don't want to get caught up in more bad memories.

[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?

[purramedic]

[Despite his very real embarrassment at her compliment, Anders' face lights up at the confirmation of Pidgey's arrival.]

Thank you for tending the little one.

I'm delighted to hear you like your gift, but it is Sly here you should thank. [The Meowth with him puffs out its chest while being very careful to maintain a quietly smug expression.] It was part of his personal collection before we met, and he offered it when we heard your birthday was coming up.

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.]