002 ✧ every birthday, every day is a gift.

[clarius]

FEATURING Lorem Laurel and OPEN.

WHAT'S HAPPENING? It's Lorem's birthday and she's celebrating it the way she always does - Giving treats and parcels.

DAY 030, feb 14.

CONTENT WARNINGS None for now.

NOTES Both prose and brackets are welcomed, I'll match whatever the other player's preferred style is. If you’d like your own closed prompt/interaction with Lore, please feel free to hit up my plurk or my HMD.

i; no tricks, just treats (house one residents).

[ where lorem is from the birthday celebrant would attempt to offer gifts to those they're sharing a residence with. in order to show their appreciation for them for all they've been through. normally its practical things like blankets or pillows or the like. more often than not it was food or food product that can be shared with each other.

but with resources scarce in the town, and with lorem not having a lot of ways to cook thanks to the need to make no noise, she decides to do something simpler (and, admittedly, easier) instead for the special occassion.

on the morning of her birthday, she can be found setting some things down on the table that's located in the kitchen. when she sees that someone is in the room, she looks up and smiles at them, friendly and bright, and points to the things she had set up. a few jars that seem to be filled with juice. a plate that has a collection of small doughy balls that seem to have filling in them. a few small cards that say [ONE (1) FREE SCARF] or [ONE (1) HANDKERCHIEF].

if approached, lorem will quickly send a message: ]

Hi! Feel free to take whatever you want from the table. the cards mean i'll be happy to make the item for you, free of charge.

It's my present to you all and I hope you like it.

ii; special delivery! (afternoon).

[ hefting a heavier than usual bag in tow, lorem now goes about her business in the town. she first goes to the houses who have expressed their need for her help in sewing and mending. she then does rounds to see who needs emergency help. she stops by certain houses to see the children, keeping her friendship alive with them by seeing how they're doing.

today happens to be a little bit different thanks to the special day of hers. for whenever she comes across a familiar or friendly face that she knows, she'll attempt to flag them down or approach them before she loses sight of them.

when close enough, lorem will send them a short and sweet message to explain its her birthday and, as tradition, she's to give them a gift due to their close ties. usually her treat to them is a handkerchief or a scarf she made herself. maybe a little glass jar filled with juice or a small (small) baked treat if she's particularly good friends with the person. ]

iii;; wildcard!!!

[ want to do something else? use this prompt or hit me up via my hmd or my plurk, prognostic, if you want to plot specifics! ]

Comments

ii

[justbeingknife]

[ Majima had never spoken to Lorem ever in his life, but it was hard not to notice her tooling around town handing things out and chatting with people. So he made a point of stopping to greet her with a silent wave, and then pulling out his phone. ]

That's some bag you're haulin' around. There somethin' going on?

[clarius]

[ she had just finished speaking with one of the seamstresses of the town when she noticed someone trying to wave her over. without wasting time, she hurries her way over to see what he needed from her.

after she reads his message, she's quick to give a reply: ]

It’s my birthday! As per tradition, I'm trying to hand out gifts and presents out.

[justbeingknife]

[ Not a tradition he was familiar with, but it was nice to see people going about their business -- even under a situation as nuts as the one he'd found himself in here. Majima smiled a little. ]

Never heard that one before... but happy birthday.

Actually, is that a thing around here? 'Cause I definitely don't have anything to hand out.

[clarius]

Thank you! [ her beam is bright and genuine at the well-wishes. despite her struggling with the bag and its many, many items she had shoved inside of it, lorem's mood is undeniably a happy one.

the question he asks has her smiling and shaking her head in assurance. ]

Don't worry- It seems to be only a thing where I'm from. Some of the families and the others were pretty confused when I gave them their gifts.

I take that's not the case where you're from too?

[justbeingknife]

Yeah, not at all. Birthdays kinda stop being a big thing past 20 or so. Kids get a lot of presents, though.

[ He tilted his head at her bag. ]

Want any help? Or do you have to do everything yourself?

[clarius]

[ she seems sad to hear how birthdays aren't as celebrated after twenty years of age. as if finding that very strange. hearing that the children still get a lot of attention - and get gifts - is a comfort at least.

she wants to take her time to think on the offer, not wanting to be a bother, but her shoulder's muscles protest - again - when the strap of her bag shifts.

she's quick to nod. ]

Getting help with handing out the packages is allowed! And very much appreciated. I'll be visiting the Moreau family and I have a lot of things to hand out to them.

[justbeingknife]

The Moreau family?

[ Majima held out a hand -- load him up, and don't be shy, the gesture seemed to say. ]

2

[priwen]

[ When she arrives at the house that Alexandre had set up in, she'll be greeted by Priwen at the porch. The doll peeks out from a window before vanishing, and a second later the house door opens to reveal Alex in a scarf.

He'll motion for her to come in, shutting the door to restore the soundproof quality of the entrance. Does she want to sit down? ]

[clarius]

[ thank goodness he's here! it looked like she was about to pass out from how tired she is. lorem is quick to come inside, flashing a smile at alex while also looking around for his little friend.

when she can't see priwen yet, she decides greeting then can yet. for now she's quick to start digging around her open bag from where she stands, very intent in her mission of whatever she's trying to get out.

... !!!

judging by the grin she shows to alex now, she's found whatever it is. when she pulls it out, it looks like a bundle that happens to be wrapped in a wrap of clean cloth. ]

[priwen]

[ Alex hovers a short distance away, unsure if he should take the package from her hands; but exhaustion is written plainly over her face and he's holding the wrapped object before he fully processes what he has just done.

Hopefully this means she's free to sit down - Priwen floats over from where it had been by the windowsill, free for Lorem to interact with while Alex gets some water. ]

[clarius]

[ at last, lore finally sits down. secure in the knowledge that she safely got the package to her friend, lorem finally relaxes long enough to ease herself into a seat and take a moment to catch her breath.

seeing priwen certainly helps matters - she perks up, visibly so, and offers her hand out to priwen as an invitation for them to come closer if interested.]

Hello there! [ oh dear. after spending so much time not speaking or avoiding sound, her voice sounds rather rough.

hopefully it clears up the more she speaks. carefully, fo course. ] It's so good to see you again. I hope you and Alex enjoy the gift I made for you two.

[priwen]

[ The work put into soundproofing his house has paid off - while he is able to hear his own mind, he highly doubts others can, given how they do not have the same aetheric sensitivity. If he can offer this sort of comfort, it'll contribute to making everyone feel better.

Priwen settles itself on Lorem's hand, wings flapping lazily once it sits down. It gives a nod, as it cannot speak. ]

I'm sure we will. [ His voice is soft, perhaps overly so - which he realizes, and his next sentence is said a little louder. ] Happy birthday.

[ ... he doesn't really know how old she is now, though. ]

[clarius]

Thank you! I can’t believe I’m twenty-five now! [ she had no idea she’d live long enough to see that number, truth be told.

given how... extraordinary the last few years have been for her, lorem knows she should count herself very, very lucky to get this far in life. ever since she was sixteen and accidentally got kidnapped by yellowjacket it has been a wild ride. sixteen. wow. funny how time flies and suddenly it's almost a decade since that fateful day.

but hmm- no. no remincising of the past for now. at the moment, she wants to focus on the present and that means spending time with a dear friend. ]

Please- Open your gifts. I would love to hear your feedback on the items. [ the jar of apple juice. the scarf (for alex) and the little caplet (for priwen). saint valentine's feast food - pastry bites that were sweet and filled with red jam. she had gone out of her way to make sure they were from the best resources she had at the time. ] I tried to make sure the sweater would fit Priwen but I had to eyeball their size and all so... yeah.

[priwen]

[ It's a step up from Alex's case. He doesn't even know his own age. Of course, it's possible to guess the age of the body he had inherited, but nothing more than that.

He nods at her words, unfolding the package with the delicate touch of a weaver, setting each item on the counter with reverence. The Echo speaks for him while he tries to find something to reply - a soft gratitude radiating from him into his surroundings, accompanied by a small smile. ]

I think it's perfect. Your stitching isn't out of place. [ He can see some small imperfections, but they didn't matter at all. Priwen comes over to try on the cape made for it - he fastens the strap around its neck; it does a little twirl in the air so that the fabric can flow. ] They love it too.

ii

[magnes]

[ Beth is snuggled in her hidey-hole of a home, which happens to be beneath some poor asshole's porch, when she spots Lorem walking past. She's on the opposite side of the street, which gives Beth a good look at the huge package she has in tow. She's pretty curious. Now, if this were her Earth, Beth would simply follow the girl around like a weird, non-existant shadow to see what was up. Listen in on her gossip. Stuff like that. (It's definitely not creepy when you have literally nothing else to do, ok???)

But since she can actually ask first hand and get a response, Beth's curiosity is doubled. So she wiggles out from under the porch and trots quietly over, waving to get her attention. ]

Dyou need help?

[clarius]

[ maybe she bit off more than she could chew, she thought while she tried to keep her huffs quiet. she tried to resist the urge to slide the bag off her shoulder and simply drag it across the ground.

when she notices that someone is approaching her, the waving being caught in the corner of her eye, lore stops long enough for them to catch up with her.

when she gets the message, her face can't help but light up in relief. ]

I really do. Could you help me get this bag to a bench nearby? [ before her back gave out? or her shoulder popped? ]

[magnes]

[ Death by shoulder pop would be an unfortunate way to go. Regardless, Beth doesn't really hesitate. She looks at the bag and nods quickly before shooing Lorem away. She's got serious farmwork under her belt and is...mostly sure that strength is still there. She doesn't age, why would she lose muscle? ]

I'll get it there, you'll hurt yourself if you keep goin.

[clarius]

Thank you so much! I owe you. I really do. [ looking like she will fall over - but from relief this time - lorem happily allows beth to take over. after she takes a peek inside the bag to make sure the contents were safe.

it's open enough to allow beth a look of what's in there during lorem's inspection - wrapped jars filled with fruit or small baked goods. scarves or handkerchiefs. maybe a bundle of notes. no wonder she's having difficulty hauling this about. ]

I

[darksmokerising]

[Merlan's gloved fingers touch a card as she smiles at Lorem in return. She has already enjoyed her own free item, really. But she sits as she gets the message, her eyes wide and bright.]

All of these things are well made, Lorem. What is the occasion for these presents? I haven't had much to celebrate, so this is lovely.

[clarius]

[ she sends merlan a bright smile, waving to her in greeting first before she looks around for her device.

apparently she has a message at the ready for the question too. because it isn't long before merlan gets another reply: ] It's my birthday and these are my gifts to you all!

I hope you enjoy them. It's not a lot but I hope they'll be useful in the long run or, at the very least, enjoyable now.

[darksmokerising]

All of them are wonderful, perhaps more so in this place. Happy birthday to you! It's tradition for you to give out presents, yeah? Most places are big on the person celebrating their birth getting them.

Would it be inappropriate for me to offer you something?

[Curiosity alone prompts the question, really, but the woman's been really welcoming and Merlan's never been one not to give. Her very nature compels her to give, even if it's a bit of magic here and there.]

[clarius]

It is. We don't have a lot of resources where I'm from. So there's always been an emphasis of giving back and sharing with your loved ones if possible in our holidays and traditions.

I didn't know people got gifts regularly on their birthday. I only learned it here!

[ as for the last question... lorem doesn't answer that one yet, flustered enough that she can't compose a reply just yet. her face is turning red from shock and flattery, touched that someone would be willing to do that for her.

finally, she does regain enough of her senses. ]

It's rare to do but not discouraged. I'm sure of that much. [ it's what she and leeds did for laura when her birthday came and laura had gone out of her way to give them something special on her nineteenth birthday. ] If you'd like to, feel free but you shouldn't feel pressured to do so. Knowing you and the others are safe here in the house is enough for me.

awww

[darksmokerising]

[If her mind hadn't been made up before, it surely was now.]

If it's rare, then I suppose you ought to have a present. Especially here where these things are probably even rarer..

[She took the card she had touched earlier and smiled, setting it in the palm of her hands. As she concentrated, she reshaped and refashioned the paper, giving it metallic qualities while keeping soft yet incredibly strong, it glowed softly when she was done and she held it up for Lorem's approval. The paper card has been transformed into delicate leaf necklace that had been strung upon a chain. It would make no noise like something actually metallic might and emitted the softest of glows.

The leaf itself was not very large, no larger than the tip of her own thumb to its first joint. It also seemed to differ in colour depending on what angle it was held at, sometimes silver, sometimes emerald green or copper. ]

these two are so cute oh my gosh

[clarius]

[ her face lit up at the display of magic, unable to hide her awe and joy at seeing the necklace coming to life before her very eyes. this is a type of magic she's never seen before since her arrival here and it shows with the look of wonder and delight on lorem's face.

when she's handed the necklace, lorem holds it as delicately as she could in her hands to better admire the craftsmanship and level of detail that has been put into the piece of jewellery. she doesn't even need to think about it - lorem is quick to put it on, adding a necklace to the the one she already wears around her neck. ]

Thank you so much! That was amazing. I'm so thankful for this, Merlan. I really am.

But are you okay? You're not feeling faint, are you?

[ she recalls the last time she had witnessed merman using magic. it had tired her out and she wonders if this would be the case too. ]

They are!

[darksmokerising]

You're very welcome and you've been nothing less than lovely since I arrived. It's the very least I can do.

[Merlan shakes her head a little a smile curving her lips.]

I'm alright, this is pretty tiny alteration magic compared to the heating. I find it easier working small. There's something a little extra in that as well. If you ever need me for anything, touch it and think of me.

I'll come find you.

In this world, we need to keep each other safe more than ever.