007 - [Non-copyrighted Birthday Song Goes Here!]

[brokencode]

[The video feed from Angel's Pokegear opens not to the siren's face, but to the large eyes of a mischievous Sylveon. In the background, a Lucario watches with faint disapproval. She doesn't do anything to stop the pink gremlin from pawing at the camera.

After three bats, the 'Gear rotates around to show a calendar. The date, March 3rd, is circled several times. There's a cute little doodle of some balloons and a little birthday cake. Adorababy taps the date a few times for good measure, then lopes back over to the camera. He hunkers down with -- is that wink?]

Adorababy? Skagbait? Are you two still in there?

[Somewhere off screen, a door opens. In the background, Skagbait shakes her head and moves toward the door. Adorababy, on the other hand, swipes a paw out, quick as possible, ending the video just as quick as it started.

Well. You know what to do!]

Comments

[ video ]

[fortuna_tenax]

[ She's definitely giggling when she responds- but hey, she doesn't look quite as tired anymore, and her voice sounds way better than the last time they talked! ]

I think your... fluffy ribbon monster just ratted you out for your birthday.

[ And she's very glad none of hers did the same. ]

Buuut hey! Happy birthday, Angel.

[brokencode]

[Well this certainly is humiliating. Angel's pretty pink in the face by the time she opens her video feed.]

Emphasis on monster [Off screen, there's a delighted little trill.] Thank you, though. It's... very sweet of you to say. I appreciate it.

[fortuna_tenax]

I think it's pleased with itself. Dastardly, truly. --Oh, no problem. [ that's what you're supposed to say right ]

[brokencode]

He's just a menace. I don't know where he learned it from -- He used to be so sweet.

[Angel's pretty sure that's what you're supposed to say.]

When is your birthday? So I can remember!

[fortuna_tenax]

It's always the cute ones.

Oh- it's... February 22nd. So it's already passed, here.

[ Would she still be sixteen when she goes back home? Or would she be 15 again? What a weird thing to think about. Don't spoil her on the fact that none of this "matters" back home she doesn't need the existential nightmare. ]

[brokencode]

February 22nd? [Angel's brow furrows. She tries to count back in her head, to recall the posts she's seen on the network.]

Did you say anything about it? Did your friends? [The longer she talks, the more worried she looks.] You celebrated, right?

[fortuna_tenax]

Ah... well. The original plans were a little... derailed, but we'll be seeing to fixing that soon... but. My. [ uhhhhhhhhhh fuck ] My teacher took me to see a ballet. That was really nice.

I didn't say anything about it. It felt a little... weird, I guess. Back home, in my neck of the woods you didn't really do that sort of thing.

You've got nice plans too, right? [ Since you're asking her and all. ]

[Video]

[cyan_maid]

[Oh, haha, that's cute.]

So I do believe a little Sylveon has just told me your birthday is today?

[brokencode]

[Oh, the humiliation!]

I... Believe that may be true.

[cyan_maid]

Well then, happy birthday!

[Hey so how fast do you think Pidgey Post can get like, a cake out to the Sevii Islands, just wondering]

I suppose it's a little weird for someone you haven't spoken to a lot to just, um, wish you well out of the blue? But I do wish you well!

[brokencode]

[It might be faster to Ubird Eats it, but that isn't Jane's style. In any case, Angel probably has enough cake to last her, well... However long it takes for anything Jane makes to get there.]

Oh, well. I wouldn't think that in general. But I also don't think you're a stranger? I remember talking to you not long after I arrived. I think it was about learning to knit? But then... that was years ago, so perhaps I am misremembering.

But we also spoke other times, as well. We chatted about the Wooloo when they arrived. As far as I am concerned, you are a very dear friend.

So... Perhaps I'm the weird one.

[cyan_maid]

[Jane does remember - there's a spark of recognition in her eyes when Angel brings those up.]

You know, I did try to do some knitting after that? It didn't end up working out, so I tried crochet next...and that also did not work out well. But I tried it, and therefore I cannot say I didn't! [She chuckles a little.] So then I think that does make us friends, huh?

[brokencode]

It's always good to try new things. Even if it... doesn't end as it should. [Angel has tried and failed at a great many hobbies since arriving here. Or just forgotten about them entirely.]

It's nice to have the opportunity, in the end. But you're right... I think we are friends. So... nothing strange about you stopping by to wish me well!

Some time earlier

[schachmeister]

[It takes Armin just a moment to understand what is happening, before it all clicks, and he quickly reaches underneath his pillow, shutting off the alarm on his buzzing gear. Right. Angel's birthday. He had set an alarm to wake up just a bit earlier than their normal wake-up time so he could get a few things together.

He stays still for a few moments, just to make sure Angel hadn't woken up as well. Ever since Valentine, they had been sharing his bed more often; not every night, but more frequently. Not that Armin still doesn't get that giddy feeling waking up and seeing her face first thing in the morning, smushed into a pillow. It makes him want to lay there and she just watch her sleep, but no! He's got things to do.

Also, that would be a little creepy, right?

As careful as he can, he extracts himself from the blankets, frequently stopping to make sure Angel didn't wake up. He then quickly dresses and slips out of the room. When he returns some time later, he looks fairly pleased with himself. All preparations are done, now it's time to wake up the birthday girl.He'd let her sleep but he doesn't think it's best to leave her present alone for too long.

Leaning over her, he brushes her hair away from her ear, before pressing a light kiss to its shell, his voice a soft murmur.]

Angel. Wake up.

[brokencode]

[Cuddled up with Armin as she is, Angel is completely and utterly relaxed. Sleeping beside someone has always helped her sleep better, at least since arriving her. It was why she spent so much time in Krieg's room. And while Armin might not be quite as big, or as warm as Krieg, he still has plenty of strong points.

Like being absolutely adorable.

As it is, she hardly even stirs at the touch to her ear. She hears her name, but it might as well be a dream for all she cares. She noses into her pillow all the further, breathing out as she does. A smile spreads over her lips and --

It's in that moment that she feels a faint tinge of moisture at the corner of her mouth. Her eyes fly open, and her hand slaps to her mouth, hoping to cover up that faint streak of drool. What ever would she do, if Armin learned she drooled. The Indeedee had, and she still hadn't gotten over that humiliation!]

Mm -- Armin? Is something going on?

[schachmeister]

[Unfortunately for Angel, her secret has already been revealed. Armin is fully aware of her slight propensity towards drooling in her sleep, but honestly, at this point, he is so charmed by everything she does, he finds it adorable.

But drool is not what is on his mind right now. Instead, when Angel shows herself to be awake, Armin noses another kiss against her neck, adding:]

Nothing much. Just the cutest person on this island's birthday.

[brokencode]

[There's a brief moment of tension on Angel's face. Her brow pinches tightly, clearly struggling with some thought or another. Thankfully, it's nothing more than the arrangement of dates -- nothing terribly dramatic, but slowed considerably by the fact that her brain is still sleep addled.

Finally, a small smile curls over her lips. The rest of her face smooths out.]

It's not your birthday. It's mine.

[schachmeister]

I don't think I get to argue with you about that on your birthday.

[The birthday girl is always right, right?]

I would've let you sleep a bit longer, but I've got a gift waiting for you.

[brokencode]

You're right. You don't.

[With a small sound, Angel stretches out her arms. Slowly, she forces herself up to a seated position. She's currently wearing a pilfered button up, one that drapes off of her shoulder just a little. It's also a little bit too long for her arms.

All in all? Adorable.]

A gift? [She muffles a yawn behind a sleeve.] Can I scold you for getting me something now or later?

[angewiesen]

[Jean learned from Armin that Angel's birthday was coming up, so he managed to get her a gift in time.]

[In a box that he didn't bother to wrap are a pair of some real good Fuck-Off Boots. They should fit her well, and they're not too heavy, but they'll be good for hiking, and may aid in curb-stomping anyone who would try and bother her. He felt like black would be the safest color.]

Happy birthday, Angel.

[brokencode]

[Angel's... a little surprised, actually. She hadn't made a point of talking about her birthday, after all. Of course, there was a little blond birdie that they both seemed to know. She was going to have to have words with him.

In any case, these are some high quality fuck-off boots. Angel has to marvel at them, honestly. Especially since she's been recently informed of her "punk rock" aesthetic. This seems like a sign for her to lean into it!]

The second they're taken out of the box, Angel starts to work on putting them on. She doesn't lace them up just yet -- rather, she holds her leg out rather awkwardly and grins at him.]

How do I look?

[angewiesen]

[It is definitely a little blonde birdie's fault. But Angel is one of a very small and exclusive club. Jean's ride-and-die crew. And there are some pretty decent perks that come with that membership.]

Like you're ready to crack some heads. [This pleases Jean immensely.] Or at least win some Gym battles.

[brokencode]

Who says I can't do both? [She shakes her fist at Jean, looking very menacing for .2 seconds. Or at least she might have to a Pidgey. For Jean, it's probably just laughable.] I could win a gym battle and then knock over the leader when I take their badge. Or... at least kick them in the shin.

[She smiles down at her booted leg, before absolutely beaming up at Jean. Look at what you did, buddy. You made her happy.]

They're perfect. Not to mention incredibly thoughtful. Thank you, Jean.

[angewiesen]

[It is highly laughable, and Jean actually does. It's kind of ugly, because he's trying to hold it back, but it's fond too. It's not every day that he manages to make a girl genuinely happy.]

You're welcome. I'm glad you like 'em.

[brokencode]

[It may be ugly, but Angel looks absolutely charmed all the same. Jean had always seemed so subdued, though that could just as easily have been because of the more somber subjects they seemed to focus on with one another. Regardless, the fact that he's laughing is a great sign.]

They'll be perfect for when we set out, I think. If... you still wanted to travel together, that is.