owaininglight | IC Inbox [Labyrinthum]

[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.

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

Sure, seems like a good time to wrap!

wrapped!