[ Aoba spends a little time reading that message. There's a warm spot, right in the middle of his chest, and he holds his phone close against it while he waits for Ren to come down.
When he does, he'll see a couple things set up on the dining room table.
First and foremost, a cake. It's not the biggest cake, and it's certainly not the most professional. The icing is a bit sloppy and the shape is a bit lopsided - someone tried to stake two layers, unsuccessfully - and even the writing that spells out Happy Birthday Ren was done by someone that doesn't quite know how to handle a dispenser. But it's finished and the smell is sweet without being overpowering. The flavor is chocolate and there's twenty-four candles set in a circle around the edge.
Secondly, a present, a flat box wrapped in shiny blue and yellow paper.
Aoba's waiting by the table, his arms behind his back, a pleased, if a little embarrassed, smile on his face. ]
[It's clear he's confused the moment he sets eyes on the setup, and then Aoba's words. He's never had a birthday before, though it makes sense he'd share one with Aoba, since he'd once been a part of him. But it hadn't occurred to him, even with his sentience, that would need or have or want one. But with all of the clear dedication Aoba put into this surprise for him, his heart races and it's something he could get used to. No, something he wants to get used to.
He steps over to the table, looking down at the cake with a sort of awed look, like he doesn't know how he should respond to this wonderful gesture. He finally settles with a touched smile.]
A birthday... I didn't realize I had one. [He looks between the cake and the present, not sure which he should reach for first. He looks up at Aoba, overwhelmed.] Thank you.
If I have one, that means you do, too. [ The smile sends a clear, growing warmth through him. He wasn't sure how this was going to go over, but...this is what he'd hoped. ] You're welcome.
[ To help him along, he picks up the cake. He'd thought to light the candles first. ]
You always make a wish first by blowing out the candles. Then we can eat and you can open your present.
[All of this makes when Ren want to do something special for Aoba's birthday. Aoba had put so much work into this that Ren wants to do the same now that he has actually has the ability to do so with a human body. He doesn't know anything about baking, but you can bet he's going to try to make one for Aoba later that day. Because they definitely need two cakes, right?]
It is customary that the wish is a secret, correct? Or it will not come true?
[He looks down at the cake, concentrating and looking very thoughtful. It has to be a good wish, since Aoba did all of this just for him. In the end, it all comes back to one wish. I wish to be with Aoba always. It's not selfish if it's a birthday wish, is it?
[ The unfortunate combination of Ren cooking for the first time plus cake is far from Aoba's mind, especially not when the chance for a little teasing lands in his lap like this. Sure, it's something you tell to little kids, and Ren is definitely not a kid, but -
Aoba nods, watching him blow out the candles. ] That's right. You can never breathe a word of it to anybody. If you go the whole year without telling anyone, then it'll be true.
[ He puts the cake down, dutifully starting the process of removing the candles and cutting a piece for both of them. It's too much for two people, but he supposes he can leave some for their housemates, if they ever show their faces. ]
I see. Do people generally believe superstitions of that nature? [He needs to know if he should be prepared to be gullible! He makes it way too easy for other people to troll him, someone really needs to teach him to wise up.
Ren sits down at the table dutifully though when Aoba starts cutting the cake.]
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pomerenian) wrote2023-07-11 12:57 am
no subject
AI is prepped for travel as well, and should be waiting in one of the drives by the computers.
Be safe.
[date of receipt: 1 day prior to your ic mission.]
text - backdated to yesterday \o/
i have something to talk about with you
text 1/2
text -> action
Happy Birthday, Aoba.
[Which he could have just said to him face to face since he's now rounding the corner into the kitchen.]
What do we need to discuss?
action
When he does, he'll see a couple things set up on the dining room table.
First and foremost, a cake. It's not the biggest cake, and it's certainly not the most professional. The icing is a bit sloppy and the shape is a bit lopsided - someone tried to stake two layers, unsuccessfully - and even the writing that spells out Happy Birthday Ren was done by someone that doesn't quite know how to handle a dispenser. But it's finished and the smell is sweet without being overpowering. The flavor is chocolate and there's twenty-four candles set in a circle around the edge.
Secondly, a present, a flat box wrapped in shiny blue and yellow paper.
Aoba's waiting by the table, his arms behind his back, a pleased, if a little embarrassed, smile on his face. ]
Happy Birthday, Ren.
action
He steps over to the table, looking down at the cake with a sort of awed look, like he doesn't know how he should respond to this wonderful gesture. He finally settles with a touched smile.]
A birthday... I didn't realize I had one. [He looks between the cake and the present, not sure which he should reach for first. He looks up at Aoba, overwhelmed.] Thank you.
action
[ To help him along, he picks up the cake. He'd thought to light the candles first. ]
You always make a wish first by blowing out the candles. Then we can eat and you can open your present.
action
It is customary that the wish is a secret, correct? Or it will not come true?
[He looks down at the cake, concentrating and looking very thoughtful. It has to be a good wish, since Aoba did all of this just for him. In the end, it all comes back to one wish. I wish to be with Aoba always. It's not selfish if it's a birthday wish, is it?
He blows out the candles as instructed.]
action
Aoba nods, watching him blow out the candles. ] That's right. You can never breathe a word of it to anybody. If you go the whole year without telling anyone, then it'll be true.
[ He puts the cake down, dutifully starting the process of removing the candles and cutting a piece for both of them. It's too much for two people, but he supposes he can leave some for their housemates, if they ever show their faces. ]
So don't tell anyone, not even me.
action
Ren sits down at the table dutifully though when Aoba starts cutting the cake.]
I will keep it a secret if that is the case.