Birthday Threads

[hurricane_chris]

1. Pick a character below and leave a comment with their name in the title
2. Make sure the prompt is birthday-related.
3. Have fun!

Comments

[blue_flames]

[Ahaha. What the hell was this...besides the worst acting ever? Exactly whose benefit was this for? Ike would have laughed if he hadn't been downright bewildered.]

...Right. I think I'll just do that.

[He turns the doorknob and pushes it open.]

[classier]

[Ike will be greeted by the sight of a rosy glow arising from a set of candles carefully placed upon a two-layer cake topped with strawberries and fresh cream. Given Maribelle is Maribelle, her room is, of course, in a state of perfect cleanliness and... well, rather pink all around. The overall effect is quite nice, given that the cake matches the interior decoration.

Beside the cake is a small package wrapped in similar colors.

It wasn't the most masculine birthday party ever, but hopefully Ike didn't expect much along those lines out of Maribelle.]

Surprise!

[Her voice echoes from the doorway as she claps her hands together a few times.]

I'm sure you've had a half-dozen celebrations already today, but I've been meaning to use up some of our spare ingredients, anyway. The strawberries were certainly going to spoil.

[And no one likes Maribelle and her exacting standards enough to help with a party she hosts, anyway.]

[blue_flames]

...Whoa!

[No need to act; Ike was surprised to see something that elaborate. He wasn't a fan of most desserts, but he felt he'd have no problem eating this cake.]

I wasn't expecting you to go to that kind of trouble. Thanks!

[classier]

Oh, it was nothing.

[Maribelle waves the comment off as she continues to hover outside her door.]

I do try to stay abreast of noble pursuits. It isn't every day one has a chance to practice the more refined culinary arts.

[A short, slightly awkward pause.]

Well! I'll just... leave you to it, then.

[blue_flames]

Huh? Wait, you're not leaving me to enjoy this alone, are you?

[classier]

Er.

You don't suggest we sit alone in the same room eating cake together by candlelight? It would hardly be proper.

Besides, it isn't my birthday.

[blue_flames]

But celebrations are meant to be among a group of people. What kind of person would decide to spend his birthday all alone?

[classier]

...

[For whatever reason, she looks slightly embarrassed after that statement.]

That isn't very fair. There are many good reasons one might spend one's birthdays alone. Such as... illness. Or - some people simply prefer being alone, you know.

[...]

Oh, I suppose you're right. [a frown.] This was a bit silly of me, wasn't it? Who's ever heard of a two person birthday celebration?

[blue_flames]

More people than who have heard of somebody celebrating a lonely birthday, I can guarantee that. Come on, let's take a seat.

[classier]

I suppose I just... -- Oh, never mind. If you insist.

[Maribelle takes a step inside and glances at the door. If she closes it, it will look like they're doing something untoward if anyone hears the sound of voices but if she opens it horror of horrors someone might see them this is truly a terrible dilemma. Her hand almost twitches as it hesitates between closing it and not before she finally decides on leaving it partly closed.

She pulls up a chair.]

Well then. ...Perhaps we can make this educational. Why don't you explain how these things are meant to go? I can't say I know much about... commoner traditions.

[blue_flames]

[Maribelle's last sentence earns her a rather perplexed look.]

You aren't saying you've never celebrated a birthday before, are you?

[Ike is certain it was not what she intended to say, but he felt he needed to ask.]

[classier]

O-Of course I have! My father spared no expense on ensuring that my birthday soirees were the talk of the town!

[Sadly the talk of the town was largely that no one ever bothered attending except her butlers and her maids.]

I meant to ask about simple celebrations. Less... extravagant affairs.

[blue_flames]

Right, right.

[Maybe he knew that? His face certainly isn't giving anything away.]

The way we did it when I was growing up was just a private party for the whole company. Someone would usually go into town and buy a cake from the baker, and we'd splurge a bit on food.

I've always grown up feeling like birthdays are a time to spend with people you care about. Doesn't matter if you're a common mercenary or of the nobility. Everyone's got loved ones, and any reason to spend more time with them is a welcome one.

[classier]

Oh. I see. That does sound rather... charming.

[A short pause as Maribelle contemplates her boots.]

Naturally, my birthdays operated along the same... sentiments and such, but there was an awful lot of fuss and unnecessary waste involved. Perhaps I should try it the commoner way the next time. The mark of sophistication is to expose oneself to different... cultures, after all.

What did you say your 'company' was like, again?

[blue_flames]

I'd call that a mark of general worldliness. And hey, sometimes simple is the way to go.

My father founded it when I was still a child. We picked up all sorts of people, including two former knights of Crimea. We teased each other a lot, and sometimes we didn't always get along.

[Looking at you, Shinon.]

But what my father said about us was true. It didn't matter what our blood ties were -- we were a family.

[classier]

Family, yes...

[Maribelle continues to contemplate her boots for a few more moments before glancing back up with a perhaps unnaturally cheery expression.]

Hold a moment. There's no good having a birthday party if the candles burn down to the stubs and we end up sitting in the dark.

Here. You cut the cake and I'll prepare some flatware. And you can tell me more in the meantime.

[She bounces up and quickly makes her way to a drawer.]

[blue_flames]

...Yes, true.

[Without further delay, Ike picks up the knife and carefully cuts two pieces, both roughly medium-sized.]

[classier]

[Maribelle, for some reason, will reveal the fact that she keeps fancy plates and silverware in her luggage, although careful thought may make the conclusion that this isn't terribly surprising. She lays the fine china on the table.]

Oh! Perhaps a bit too much for me there. ...Would you mind keeping some of it for yourself?

[blue_flames]

...Huh? But I tried to cut them the same size.

Or are you concerned about your weight? You look fine to me.

[Ike: Master of tact.]

1/2

[classier]

Wha -- Excuse me?!

[classier]

I'll have you know I maintain a strict regimen of aerobic exercise and daily strength training in addition to the natural athleticism required for proper equestrian form!

...

Now hurry up and cut that piece in halves again!

[blue_flames]

Hey, hey, I was just --

--actually, wait. I should just shut my mouth now.

[Resigning himself to cutting the pieces smaller.]

[classier]

Hmph.

[Maribelle huffs before settling back down in her seat.]

Now. Where were we again?...

Oh, yes, your company. Carry on.

[blue_flames]

...Oh. Right. Well...

I told you about my father, right? When I inherited the company from him, I made sure to keep pressing down that road. I know the company values that belief just as much as I do.

[classier]

[Maribelle draws her plate closer and holds it in her lap as Ike speaks.]

...Yes, I believe I understand what you mean. ...It seems you've opened my mind - I'd never considered it in this light before, but I suppose it's much the same way with our company here. Perhaps we aren't all... friendly with each other, but we are, still, family. It's why I strive to ensure that I am of use to Lord Chrom, no matter what the task may be.

...And why I tolerate the buffoonery of Vaike, but that's an insight for another day.