[ accidental audio/private text ]

[halffreckled]

[ there's nothing on the screen but there is a loud THUNK that comes through the device. it's quiet, save for a few mouse clicks and then something that sounded like a printer running ]

...I missed my birthday. I don't...

[ he voice is mono-toned, almost like he's trying to not make himself upset. he didn't really know what to do or even say about it. that party had been a bust that he had gone to and he had been in the dumps ever since he was told that he was dead back home. it just...seemed like everything he did didn't really help anything. even this job ]

I don't think it really even matters. I think I need a vacation...somewhere.

private text to jean

Hey Jean, I'm not coming home tonight. I need some time to myself... I'm sorry.

I don't want to be a burden on anyone either. Especially with what everyone knows. They probably think I'll drop dead at any second.

Whatever that was the other night... I don't want it to hurt any of us. I'm going to be training to be stronger so that I can protect all of you.

I don't want to be weak.

Anyway, I'll see you around.

Comments

[whyppleatpotatoes]

We missed it???

[halffreckled]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm any of you. I noticed the date and...

It's not a big deal, honestly. I'll have another one next year! Unless I go back home.

i'm.... sorry miss bossy mom, sort of almost maybe :'D

[scoutingangel]

WAIT! What is this about missing your birthday? If you missed it, we all missed it... And it totally matters, a lot, so we're going to celebrate it belatedly!

[...So hold your vacation plans until then, young man! petra, he's not that much younger than you]

[whyppleatpotatoes]

Marco! You can't miss your birthday! Do you know what they do for birthdays here?


They eat cake! [ this is actually more dire than cake, but she's not going to let him know that. ]

[halffreckled]

[ ...even though this is a completely serious situation, as soon as she tells him that, he can't help but to start laughing ]

A whole cake?

Video

[my_martyrdom]

Your birthday!? T-That's not good at all, Marco!

We have to do something special for you today!

he appreciates it!

[halffreckled]

That's... We don't have to! I'll have another one next year! I just...

I had been so wrapped up in my work that I hadn't even noticed.

Video

[halffreckled]

You don't have to... I hadn't noticed, that's all I was saying. I'll have another next year!

<3

[scoutingangel]

Of course we'll have to -- and we're going to celebrate it on the right day next year!

...Well, I'm glad you remembered it now.

[whyppleatpotatoes]

Yeah! A whole cake! Can you believe it?!

[halffreckled]

A whole cake to yourself? Isn't that a little selfish?

[halffreckled]

Petra, we really don't have to... But next year is fine.

[scoutingangel]

Next year and this year are both important and I'm sure everyone agrees, that yes, we have to. [Especially because these two can't... back... home.]

[halffreckled]

[ that's what really has him torn up about his bday... he makes an audible sigh, though it's not like he's frustrated. it's more like an "okay, you win" one ]

If you guys want to. But I'm not pressuring any of you to do this.

[scoutingangel]

[She's good at winning these fights. Sometimes. And also good at not being torn about her birthday, not that it's not going to be a sad day too but well...]

No one said anything about pressuring, no one would even think of that. Oh, what kind of cakes do you like?

[Since she's going to make a huge cake with everyone, who wants to help with that. Or she'll help others make a huge cake, you know, same thing just said differently.]

[halffreckled]

I don't really know, actually. I think we only had cake once back home. I'll leave it in your hands to decide. [ he smiles a little ]

[scoutingangel]

[She's quiet in surprise for a moment.]

... Maybe I can take you to my work place sometime. Or bring stuff home from there or maybe we should bake at home... [Sound of clapping her hands together.] But okay, it will be a surprise then! [Hopefully he'll like it.]

[whyppleatpotatoes]

Or you can share it with your best [ her ] friends!

[halffreckled]

I could help you bake, if you just let me know what to do. I don't want you to go out of your way for this.

[halffreckled]

Are you sure that you're not the one who's wanting the cake all to herself?

[whyppleatpotatoes]

You caught me!

...But, really, Marco, I'd share the cake with you. Even if it wasn't your birthday.

[halffreckled]

[ that's actually sweet, since he knows just how much she loves food. he can't help but laugh ]

I appreciate it, Sasha. Honestly.

Video

[rulerofme]

Why doesn't it matter? It was your birthday. You can still go out and do something.

Video

[my_martyrdom]

But- but you're here now and we should celebrate! If anyone deserves it, you surely do, Marco.

Video

[halffreckled]

[ did he deserve it? if he went home... there wouldn't be another. the thought choked him up a little ]

I-I really appreciate that. But I don't want you to go out of your way for me.