owaininglight | IC Inbox [Labyrinthum]

[ 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.]

[ She takes a dainty bite of hers, covering her mouth as she chews, then swallows before she says anything further: ]

You know... I'm not sure what I'd like to do for my birthday this time.

[ She would really like to celebrate it with all her friends, but that isn't possible in this world.

Not unless every single one of them showed up suddenly, even Sophia. ]

[Owain smiles as he chews on his first piece. His mouth remains closed until he's swallowed it, but he does make a 'Mmm' sound!]

It tastes wonderful, Haru! Such a sublime sweetness... You've certainly done well!

[He goes to pick at his next piece! While considering what she said.]

Of course, at least you have plenty of time to consider the options when it comes to your own celebration!

Thanks!

[ She's never had that chance and she won't get to have it with the PTs this time, but it doesn't mean she can't enjoy a celebration with all the new friends in this world. ]

Celebrating it with my friends is enough for me. But you're right; I have time to think on it! So I'll look forward to that day.

IC Inbox [Labyrinthum]

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

Sure, seems like a good time to wrap!

wrapped!