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]

[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.

[blue_flames]

[That gets a laugh.]

He's quite a character, isn't he? I didn't think axemen could get more boisterous than Boyd, but he smashed those expectations. You know how many times he's challenged me to duels?