IC: CONTACT

[vartex]

"First Lieutenant Messer Ihlefeld."

[ voice | text | video | action ]

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[axi]

[And inside is a coffee table with a small cake on it to greet him. There's a chair on either side, one where Kaname's currently sitting. She grins at him and gives a wave.]

Happy birthday, Messer.

[vartex]

[....

Oh, right. That's today, huh.

He takes a moment to absorb the unexpected scene that greets him - he'd expected her, of course, but the cake is a surprise. If that was her goal, it's been accomplished.]

You remembered it better than I, it seems.

[axi]

[She can't help the chuckle, nodding.]

Yes, I remembered. [How could she not? Especially considering their circumstances. Eyeing the chair across from her, she waits for him to take a seat, knowing he won't if she's up and doing things.]

I promise it's not poison. I didn't make it, so you're safe.

[vartex]

[He clears his throat and moves to sit down, somewhat awkward. That wasn't the impression he'd meant to give, but...]

I doubt you'd manage to poison a cake by accident.

[And certainly not on purpose. Being somewhat... less than stellar... in the kitchen doesn't mean her meals are deadly.]

[axi]

That's not the point, and you know it.

[Once Messer's seated, Kaname stands up! The minx. She goes to the next room and comes back with two glasses of... milk? and a bag hanging off one arm. The drinks are set on the table, and the bag is set to the side of her chair.]

Help yourself. It's chocolate, so it should be pretty good.

[vartex]

[Wh- oh, okay. The bag is a source of intrigue, but he'll wait until she's good and ready, so he goes ahead and cuts himself a slice of cake, though not before offering one out to her first, of course. True to her word it looks fine, and who doesn't like chocolate?]

Thank you for doing this. You didn't have to.

[axi]

[Of course she takes it with a grin. After having a bite, she shakes her head and swallows.]

But I wanted to. [For obvious reasons.] It's not much, but I didn't think you'd be the type for a party.

[Kaname hesitates, then decides to try a topic.]

At home, we had a party for Freyja's birthday at Ragnyanyan. Hayate ended up making it snow for her.

[vartex]

Snow... [As unpleasant as he's found this planet in general, thinking of the Windermearan girl here is kind of a sweet image.] It's too bad she isn't still in the fleet. She'd probably have liked it here.

[What a surprisingly thoughtful gift for Hayate to give her.]

[axi]

Last winter, before you arrived, we were on a snow covered planet as well. She did love it, and we had a wonderful time. [Kaname grins at the memory.] She actually taught me how to ice skate. I fell a number of times.

[Taking another bite of cake, the singer nudges Messer's leg under the table with her foot.]

I probably know the answer to this, but is there anything you want for your birthday? Specifically?

[vartex]

I think you know the answer because you're asking me on the day of, when you've already prepared something.

[He's making assumptions, sure, but this is Kaname. She wouldn't do this if she didn't have a plan already.

...Plus she has a cake, so that counts.]

Regardless, no. There isn't anything I want that you can give me.

[axi]

Please stop with your logical conclusions. [It's hard to take that statement at face value when she's grinning like she is.]

You're not wrong, of course, but I wanted to see anyway. Eat your cake.

[As she takes another bite of hers.]

[vartex]

You are the one who asked me, you know.

[He does go back to his cake, though, obediently. As expected.]

[axi]

[As the mature leader of Walkure, she normally has to set an example for the others and does a damn good job at it. But here? Here is different.

So Kaname sticks her tongue out at him as she reaches into the tote and places a plainly wrapped box on the table between their plates.]

[vartex]

[He's a big fella with a big mouth, so he's about halfway through the cake piece when she puts the box between them, hand pausing between plate and mouth.]

I confess it's a little strange to feel... excited about a birthday. It's been a long time.

[Not that he looks especially excited, compared to the sort of people Kaname is usually surrounded by, but even so. A gift! From Kaname! It's a nice surprise.]

[axi]

[Aww, Messer. Kaname looks a little surprised by the statement, then a warm smile crosses her face.]

I'm glad I could help you feel that way again. It's not much, but it should work out somehow.

[vartex]

I've never required much to begin with.

[So it means a lot that she even puts the slightest effort into it- and she often goes above and beyond what he'd expect.]

[axi]

That means nothing on your birthday.

[Receiving presents isn't about requiring, at least not when it comes to his level of scarcity.]

You can open it now.

[vartex]

Hm, alright...

[He's about done anyway, so he eats his last bit of cake and sets it aside, carefully and methodically opening the box as if even the wrapping is precious. He's not an animal and he's intent on putting the same effort into it as she did.]

[axi]

[Inside the box past all the paper is a piece of cloth. Upon looking closer, it's a navy blue t-shirt with the Walkure logo on it.

Kaname's biting back a grin. She probably doesn't actually expect him to wear that.]

[vartex]

[He holds it up in front of himself for a long moment, trying to keep a stone faced expression, but a little of his confusion seeps through. Of all the things he might have expected to pull out of the box, this... is not it. Uh.]

Where did you... find this?

[axi]

You'd be surprised what you can get people to make.

[She actually winks at him.]

Don't worry, that's not the only thing.

[vartex]

[oh thank god Okay, that's not all that surprising. A Walkure shirt is a bit arrogant for a real gift, and Kaname isn't like that.

His lips quirk into a very small Messer-typical smile, and he tucks the shirt neatly to the side, reaching into the box once more.]

[axi]

[Well he'll sure feel silly when he finds the box empty. Kaname chuckles and pulls another one out of the bag to set on the table.

Gotta unwrap another.]

Another present means another to open. That's how it generally works.

[vartex]

[Oh goddammit. She got him good.]

...You'll forgive me if I'm out of practice.

[He'll just... try to play it off by unwrapping this one.]

[axi]

[Inside he'll find more fabric. ... a lot more. When he takes it out, he'll discover a white flag with the Delta Flight symbol emblazoned in the center, large and clearly meant for display.]

You room needs something to hang on the walls. [She is clearly pleased with herself.]