Ninth -- Thirty First Birthday Party

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

[action]
[For the last few days, Lachesis has been scarce within the compound.  Despite the excitement over the integration of Aethr, something perhaps equally important has been on her mind.  Every now and then, she can be seen running down the hall carrying a bundle of something or another; more often, she can be found entering and exiting the Gate Compound repeatedly, looking worn out, yet pleased.

Nearer to 5:00 in the afternoon, she has changed out of her armor for once and sits in the lounge in an attractive red and gold dress, nervously flipping through the television channels and looking at the clock every five seconds or so.

And at 5:30. . . ]

[voice, to Lockon]
Oh, Lyle . . . I am sorry the day's fallen simultaneously with such an important event.  If you'd prefer to join the party in Aethr, I understand.  We can do something nice just as well tomorrow.  It's your birthday, after all.

Comments

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

That, I wouldn't mind doing all day.

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

[Munch munch.]

The food, by the way? As delicious as it looks.

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

[A small flush creeps across her cheeks.]

I'm glad you approve. I . . . helped with this one.

[She points at a small pan of what appears to be baked ziti.]

And somewhat with the sea insects.

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

Then I'll try that next.

[He reaches for the ziti.]

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

Oh, please, allow me.

[Lachesis stands up a little to serve Lyle. ... Probably more than is necessary because when she means 'helps', she means this is the only thing on the table she made herself. Then holds her breath.

Two decades of being a princess didn't lend much to one's culinary skills.]

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

[Well, he's had better...]

Not bad.

[But he's also had worse.]

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

[Well, there were far worse reactions, although it wasn't the one she had hoped for. ... To be realistic, though, it wasn't very likely that baked pasta made by anyone could cause the ecstasies of joy she had briefly envisioned.]

I appreciate the honesty. ... That was honest, wasn't it?

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

...Of course it was!

h-html fail.... she sounds vaguely evil now

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

Then have as much as you'd like.

. . . But perhaps not too much. Save some room.

I thought that might be the case.

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

Oh, I will. I know how to pace myself.

[He reaches for a lobster tail now.]

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

Ah, I forgot! Weren't there special tools you needed to eat that? Should I get my sword?

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

No, this one's already open. I just need melted butter and I'm set.

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

. . . I'll be right back.

[Lachesis stands up abruptly and walks in as dignified a manner as she can around the corner. ... Not so coincidentally, Lyle may have realized the table had been set up right behind the entrance to the grounds from the cafeteria.

She returns in about three minutes with a stick of butter on a plate.]

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

You didn't have to get up and get that yourself, you know.

[Nevertheless, he grabbed a nearby butter tower, took out his lighter, and lit the candle. He put some butter in the dish and let it melt.]

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

[Was that what it was for? She had intended to light the candle once the sun had set for mood. Luckily, Lyle didn't know this and so she smoothly slides it closer to him with a smile.]

Your birthday, Lyle. Whatever you'd like tonight is what you're going to get.

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

Well, if you insist.

[He begins to cut up the lobster tail and put the chunks in the butter.]

Tell me if you'd rather not skip a little

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

[Lachesis watches for a few moments before finally beginning to eat something more substantial herself. And the meal passes peacefully, quietly. Perhaps, lovingly.

As they are down to the last bits and pieces here and there, Lachesis glances up and smiles.]

As I said earlier, I hope you've saved some room.

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, I kept that in mind. I could still eat more, but I won't.

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

[The sun has mostly set by this time and it is the light of the ... butter tower that illuminates their faces, now. Lachesis nods and rises slowly.]

Then please stay here for a moment.

[And she vanishes once again around the corner. A few cafeteria workers come out after that to quietly pack up the plates, but they disperse quickly enough, leaving Lyle alone at the table.

A few minutes pass . . .

Then, suddenly, the sky is lit brightly by an explosion of flames and sparks. They appear to be normal fireworks at first, and probably, they are, but as the light show continues, it grows more and more impressive until it becomes quite clear that these weren't natural effects. Balls of fire morph into dragons that roar through the air as they circle about each other, a ball of light sets off a chained explosion of colorful bursts that pepper the entire night sky, a beautiful flower blossoms forth from a single firecracker before dissolving into a crystal shower of sparks.

The effects continue to change as they progress, subtly becoming more and more film-like in nature until Lyle is watching a series of movie scenes projected into the night sky. Two figures dancing slowly in a massive room within a large castle . . . the same figures watching a parade go by, then in a bar, then in the simulation room training with mechs, at a dinner, fighting together in missions, at yet another dance . . .

On a ship watching icebergs drifting by . . .

Floating, somehow, on a train car . . .

Then finally, locked together in an embrace as brightly wrapped presents lie about them.

Hopefully, all of this is distracting enough that Lyle does not notice Lachesis having returned to stand beside him. Certainly, he won't notice the Fire and Light tomes she had hidden under a bush, or the technicians who were already beginning to leave.

Eventually, though, he will probably notice there is a glow from behind him that casts shadows forward. Lachesis stands with a cake in her hands.]

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

[He notices and turns around.]

How much did you have to pay to set all of that up?

[Note that he's eying the cake.]

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

Less than what it was worth.

[She set the cake on the table underneath the light. It's painted with a scene similar to this (http://www.ladycakes.com/DOS/beach%20painted%20cake.jpg), with softer pastel colors. A blonde woman and a red-haired man sit by the beach, the woman's head resting against the man's shoulder.]

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

That's an impressive cake. And I see you picked one of my favorite memories to go with it.

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

It was a day to remember.

[She agrees simply before sitting down across from him.]

I know Earth has customs about this sort of thing, but I'd rather not mess them up. Go on and do what you need to do.

[becomethesniper.livejournal.com]

Will do.

[With one deep breath and one violent exhalation, he blows out the candles.]

[herbrotherslove.livejournal.com]

[Wasn't there something about singing? She was sure there was a song involved. Regardless, she blinks for a few moments, then hands him the knife to cut the cake.]