owaininglight | IC Inbox [Labyrinthum]

[ A birthday is a precious thing, to celebrate one's presence in the world and realize all the lives you've touched, even without knowing just how far one's bonds have extended.

It's why Haru is so adamant that she comes over and celebrate it with Owain, even if it's a small affair between the two. When this young man has shown her nothing but kindness and come to her rescue, without asking anything in return, she feels it's the least she can do.

When Owain greets her, Haru holds up a container with a small strawberry shortcake, a warm smile across her face. ]

Happy belated birthday, Owain!

[While Owain had celebrated his birthday before, they were usually small and low-key affairs, given that he and his peers were constantly caught up in battle or living on the run in a ruined world. Not to mention that it lost some of its magic after his parents were gone. But now, he finds himself having lived through his first birthday having traveled back in time. He thought that Inigo's acknowledgement of it had been enough!

But now, he sees a piece of the experience he's been missing in the form of this cake that's been presented to him, by someone he's known for a few months. He does feel truly touched as he opens the container, and he looks it over with a soft smile.]

I- I acknowledge and heartily accept your well wishes, with overwhelming gratitude! [His eyes light up as he looks over the shortcake.] This confection has truly been crafted to perfection. It's like a work of art! I almost feel bad that it's fated to be consumed entirely. Almost, but not quite!

[ Owain's flowery description of the cake gets a laugh out of her. It wasn't so complicated to make, but it ended up being a small cake that could only serve two because she couldn't dig up enough ingredients in such short notice. ]

Oh, that's kind of you! But please don't worry about it at all. A birthday cake is meant to be eaten!

'Tis true! And do it shall be. First, I shall immortalize its image, to accompany tales of its glory...

[He whips out his ORACLE and takes a moment to frame it just right before taking a picture!]

And now, I believe it is time to cleave it asunder!

[With that, he draws his sword and holds it above the shortcake!]

[ The colour rapidly depletes from Haru's face. ]

Owain?! Let's cut it inside! On the table!

Ah - right!

[A weal laugh, slightly embarrassed as that's pointed out. He sheaths his sword while still holding the container in his other hand.]

My apologies. I outpaced my mind for a moment there! Let it be cut in twain at the appropriate location... Come along!

[With that, he'll head inside, to set the container down on the dining table. And draw his sword once more!]

[ Her heartbeat lessens when the sword is sheathed once again.

Oh... that was a bit of a thrill! But not exactly a welcome one.

When she follows after him, she sees him drawing the sword again and she jumps, putting her arms up but not daring to move close lest she get in the way of a sharp blade. ]

A knife would be easier! And more concise!

[He does hesitate as Haru points that out.]

I suppose you raise some good points! I thought it would be really cool to use my sword, and I did make sure to clean and polish it so that the blood of my enemies would not mingle with this dessert of my dreams... yet I cannot deny that this cake is sized for a knife.

[Reluctantly, he sheathes his sword and steps over towards a knife holder on the kitchen counter, from which he pulls a knife that seems large enough for the job.]

Mayhaps this should suffice!

[ She thinks for a moment about using her axe to slice cakes, but then thinks of all the Shadow goo and bits that have touched the end of her blade many times over.

Well, it's probably cleaner than Owain's sword, since Shadows simply disappear...

But once Owain pulls out a knife instead, she feels a lot better. The cute cake is going to be eaten regardless, but she would feel safer knowing it wasn't going to be splattered against the walls and floor with a swing of a heavy blade. ]

Oh! Wait, I brought a candle! I could only find the one, but... [ She digs into her purse, producing a tiny, thin wax candle. ] You have to make a wish first.

[Thankfully Owain doesn't have any passion for flamethrowers. He just looks intrigued as the candle is produced.]

Ah yes! That is a part of it, isn't it? I feel like in the months I've been here, I've ended up thinking more about wishes than I had ever before in my life...

[He gives a short laugh. At least this wish definitely seems to be of an innocent nature.]

Very well. I shall wish a joyous wish on this occasion!

[ Haru is walking out that door if pyrotechnics go off. ]

I've never thought so much about them either until here... I mean, there was a brief period, I guess.

[ The desire in her heart, a wish unfulfilled that Maruki was able to bring to reality. ]

Do you have any matches? If not, I brought some in case.

[ She puts the candle in the middle of the cake, trying not to push it in too deep, lest the entire thing begin to crumble from the force. ]

[Coming from a ruined future, there's no shortage of things he would like to wish for! But he thinks about focusing on something specific to this world.]

I appreciate that you came prepared, but fear not, for I have some number of matches stocked! You can save those for the next birthday.

[He smirks as he takes some matches out of the drawer and brings them to the table.]

Now, to ignite that flame which symbolizes a truly legendary birth...

[ She giggles. Owain is so impassioned!

Haru pushes the cake closest to Owain, but not too close so he can lean over it safely when the candle is lit.

She strikes a match, bringing to life a tiny, tiny flame that she then uses to light the candle. She pulls her arm back, waving the match so the small flame goes out and steps back to let Owain in. ]

Close your eyes and make a wish! I hope it comes true.

Yes! The time is nigh.

[He watches intently as the candle is lit! At the same time, he homes in on a wish in his mind.

He grips the table and closes his eyes with intense focus]

Forces that govern the cycles of birth and death! I call upon you to honor this wish I now cast out in my mind! By the name of Owain, born to Lissa and Vaike... Birthday wish technique activate!

[With that, he blows out that candle! While keeping his mind focused on his wish.

I hereby wish for the joy and prosperity of those trapped in this world!]

[ She watches on with curiosity, committing the names Lissa and Vaike to memory.

When the candle is blown out, Haru immediately claps. Maybe she should have seen about finding a streamer at least, but she makes sure her clapping is vigorous enough for the small celebration. ]

Congrats on 18 years, Owain! I hope it's a good year for you!

[The applause is enough to please Owain! It's like his entire existence is being applauded, which is like food for his ego. He even gives a small bow.]

Thank you, Haru! Your actions, fueled by a purest sincerity, have ensured that this year is off to a most splendid start! And it gives me faith that the rest of this chapter might truly be of a similarly pleasant nature.

[Now he goes for the knife.]

Now do we cleave the cake?

[ Thank god it's the knife and not the sword. ]

Yeah! You can cut into it and take however big a slice you want.

[ She's okay with a smaller slice, honestly. ]

Yes! [He chimes excitedly.] As the hero of the hour, I shall be indulgent and take part in a sizeable piece...

[He chops the knife downward like bringing a sword down onto a foe! And cuts himself a nice, big chunk.]

There, I have staked my claim! Let me cut out a piece for you as well, Haru!

[ Haru definitely moves back a step or two. ]

[ Okay! Cake is cut!

Is it safe to come closer? She watches a bit cautiously. ]

O-Okay! A small piece is fine, since this cake is for you!

[ Anyway... ]

How do you normally celebrate your birthday back home?

[It's fine! Everything's safe! It just might have been a tad forceful. He pulls out his piece while listening to her and nods.]

Very well then. Of course, you have every right to share in this cake as its maker! But I shall prepare a slice to your specifications...

[With that, and with a little more restraint, he cuts her smaller piece.]

As for back home, well, they tended to be small celebrations. Some confections and gifts. We did not tend to go all-out with our birthdays as, well, there was a lot going on. [He's not sure if this is the right time to talk about hailing from a world that had fallen into ruin... That would really bring down the mood!] So it is quite nice to be able to appreciate this one in peace! For that I thank you, Haru.

You're very welcome.

[ It's not as if she has extravagant stories of her own birthday to share either. Once her father had brought Okumura Foods back on the map and helped to make it exceedingly profitable, birthdays were a thing of the past.

Even her last birthday, missed because of how important their mission was back home.

Maybe this year will be different. ]

With everyone coming from such different places and cultures, I had wondered if you had anything specific with how you celebrated birthdays.

But it's nice to know it's still the same as most places!

Indeed! It is a very interesting subject. I do wonder what different kinds of birthday rituals exist out there! And if there are any in my own world that have been lost to time.

[He hands her slice over to her.]

Given this whole gesture, I must ask. On what day were you born?

[ She takes it and moves to take a seat, so she properly eat. ]

I've seen in some cultures they have huge celebrations for when the girls reach a certain age. I think one of them is called a quinceañera? They look kind of fun, I won't lie.

[ A beat. ]

Mine is the fifth of December. So it's not for a while!

[Owain takes his own seat while preparing to dig into his own slice. He listens to her mention of such celebrations with a note of intrigue.]

That name sounds almost melodic! I'm sure such parties must be quite fun. Now I feel my own curiosity expanding when it comes to different sorts of celebrations.

[He raises his fork, with a piece of cake attached to it.]

Of course I shall commit your own birthday to memory - and I shall be sure to prepare for when that day comes! Make sure to approach that day exactly how you wish I had approached mine!

[He offers a smile, just before biting into the piece.]

IC Inbox [Labyrinthum]

( BIRTHDAYYYY )

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DGHESFJSKL OWAIN NO

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do you want to start wrapping this before the aug event?

Sure, seems like a good time to wrap!

wrapped!