video

[rathercommon]

Hi. It's Kitty.

[ She gives an awkward little wave to the camera. She feels ridiculously uncomfortable posting about this right now, and it shows; she looks anxious and displeased. But - ]

I know there was a bit of talk of having a birthday party for me today, but it's been cancelled. For...rather obvious reasons. So just - if you were going to come, do stay home. [ Then, with a quick attempt at some comforting levity: ] Spend the time you would have at my party finding a good cause, and then when all of this is over with, volunteer with them.

[ Okay. Her attempt at a smile fades, and then she continues on: ]

Anyway. That's not...quite it. There've been a few people who've gone. Simon Newton, for one, and John Mitchell. And just recently, John Mandrake. [ This last...She does not look happy about that. ] And I know sometimes people come back without memories, so if you find them back, and they've forgotten something, please let me know. I think - they might not know to contact me, if they lose memories, so I'd like to know if they return.

[ Translation: "Mandrake was my blood enemy, but now we're friends, and won't it just be my luck if he comes back forgetting that second part."

Her next attempt to shake off her gloom looks like almost a physical effort. She just about twitches like a cat shifting its attention. ]

Anyway. While we're avoiding getting each other ill, why don't we do something to keep our spirits up? Has anyone read those books about the vampires falling in love? Billy gave me one, and they are bloody ghastly, aren't they? So, go on, then, tell me about the absolute worst book you've ever read.

Comments

video; comm tag is "Hiro"

[microbrobotics]

You're not having a party at all? I was looking forward to repaying the favor ...

video; comm tag is "Hiro"

[rathercommon]

[ Oh. For Hiro, at least, she can scare up a smile, and it's a real one - a bit on the tender side, too. ]

I don't know. I guess - What about if we have it after? Once all of this is through. You do owe me, after all, and I'm not about to forget about that.

[onthegroundsofbrooklyn]

[THIS IS THE MOST UNIMPRESSED FACE.]

Why can't you read chapbooks and pulp magazines like the rest of us?

[rathercommon]

Oh -

[ She wrinkles her nose. Talking about books is good and distracting. ]

Chapbooks are dreadful. Books don't get good until they've got at least a hundred pages to them.

[resipiscent]

John Mandrake lives with me. I'll let you know if he shows up again. I think we should still have a party, though. Just later, okay?

[rathercommon]

[ Oh. She lets out a little bit of a breath. She hadn't known that - Mandrake's never really forthcoming with personal details - but she feels better knowing it now, and retroactively, knowing someone like Riku was close at hand the whole time. Not that Bartimaeus wouldn't protect Mandrake, too, if it came down to it...she thinks. ]

Thanks, Riku. And - don't let him know. That you're letting me know.

voice

[siriusly]

[wow. when it rains...

what's he supposed to say, even? not like he knows her all that well. but that doesn't stop him from feeling compelled to at least try (and bite the heck on his tongue on all the questions her remarks about missing persons...):]

You're... [shoulda thought up a response before talking, but hey.] That is, you're keeping yourself safe over there, right?

voice

[rathercommon]

[ She gives him a little smile - maybe not visible, but a little bit audible in her voice. ]

Yeah. How about you? Haven't been hit any time lately, I hope.

video;

[servesthehuman]

I didn't know today was your birthday.

video;

[rathercommon]

Oh.

[ She gives a slightly shy smile. ]

Yeah. I'm turning nineteen, which feels mad.

video;

[brushoff]

Simon's been gone for a while, [ Dorian remarked, obviously a bit torn up about the whole 'Simon leaving' thing.

and wow Dorian, no mention of your former coworker, you are a freaking star. ]

video;

[rathercommon]

I know.

[ Her voice is tired. She can't even work up the energy to be snitty to Dorian. ]

I just sort of kept hoping...he'd show up again.

video;

[daimeinashi]

Happy birthday, Kitty.

[And here there's a pause because she always gets really weird about Mandrake but he does need to say something.]

...Have you decided what you will do if Mandrake does not remember you?

video;

[rathercommon]

Thanks, Sai. And thanks for - organizing all of that. I'm really so sorry that you put so much work in and then it just got cancelled.

[ And she hesitates, looking off to the side, then firms her chin and says: ]

And if he doesn't remember me, then I'll just work on rebuilding what we had. It didn't take so long; it can be done again.

Permavid

[governorkang]

Just as Riku is doing, I will watch for Mandrake. I understand that situation well.

[To inject a little humor into it:]

And no, Miss Kitty. If you ever visited our shared residence, you wouldn't have to worry about a mess. I can't confirm Mandrake's room, though.

Permavid

[rathercommon]

[ A little noise, and a half-smile of gratitude. She fiddles a bit with her hair. ]

Yeah, I wonder. He's sort of fussy, to be sure, but he's also always had others to clean up after him. It might go either way.

AUDIO.

[selfimage]

The Porter seems keen on all types lately.

[ "the porter" is kind of laughable. maybe he means Lachesis. ]

AUDIO.

[rathercommon]

[ Oh. Loki. Kitty blinks a little, then says hesitantly: ]

Erm - yeah. Mitchell...He worked for you, yeah?

action because misery loves company

[footnoting]

If you're looking for entertaining stories, I could provide something far better than romantic vampires.

[Says the cat that's been sulking on the windowsill.

Just. Not as a cat until literally two seconds ago. He's been a sad little cobweb for most of the day, lost in thought and eternally grumpy over the fact that he was-- moderately... upset... over Mandrake vanishing.]

action you're the best

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty grabs a pillow and puts it on her lap. It's a sort of careless, unassuming, tacit invitation for that sullen-looking cat to jump up in her lap (with the protection of a few inches of foam, just to protect his essence from any resilience coming off of her. ]

I'd like that.

[ She feels a little better, seeing that Bartimaeus is a little upset and worried too. (That's what she assumes the twitching tail and hunched posture mean.) It makes her feel a bit less alone. ]

A good, rousing tale would be lovely right now.

voice

[paintjobs]

Oh, is it your birth day? [ it's said a little awkwardly, you can just hear the space in it ] That's the one with the presents, isn't it? A pity you don't like those vampire love books, I could've offered you the next installment.

voice

[rathercommon]

[ Oh - Knock Out. Kitty's voice immediately becomes more genuinely warm. ]

I'd have been furious with you if you did. Those books are so dreadful, Knock Out. Have you read them? Dreadful.

[ text ]

[bestversion]

do you want some company?

[ text ]

[rathercommon]

[ A slight hesitation. ]

Yeah. I think I might. Do you think it's safe? To meet with one another. With the disease and all.

permatext

[deadtective]

I read the entirety of War & Peace on a bus trip once. I mean, I've definitely read worse actual books, but that was probably the most heinous reading experience I've ever had.

[no mention of the heavier stuff in her post. Hazel doesn't know Kitty at all, but she figures that if the girl's going through a rough time she could use something harmless to focus on - she could use the same thing herself, which was partially what had prompted a reply.]

[rathercommon]

What's that book? I've not heard of it.

video.

[nitidus]

I have read many books about vampires falling in love. I'm afraid I can't recall one that was particularly heinous. Inaccurate, maybe.

[kitty, her preference is wizard fanfiction. ]

video.

[rathercommon]

[ Oh? ]

Do you know vampires, then?

[inmyothertights]

....oh.

[rathercommon]

[ A hesitation - ]

I'm sorry. I - ought to have talked to you first.

video;

[notyourfathersosborn]

Happy Birthday. Though I wish it were under better circumstances.

[Offers her a small smile.]

I'm afraid I don't know those people, but I can offer you a story about the worst book I've ever read. It involved a guy who murdered people by turning into a car.

video;

[rathercommon]

[ All right - here, she smiles incredulously. ]

Hold on. Like - he wanted to kill people, so he turned into a car.

video;

[flowerette]

Happy birthday, Kitty. It's a shame about your party. Frederick and I were hoping to pay a visit. But as long as you're staying safe in the meantime, that's the most important thing.

video;

[rathercommon]

[ She smiles and nods in return, a confirmation that: yes, staying safe. Though, a hesitation, and cautiously, hoping she's not about to be embarrassed because she's forgotten someone's name: ]

Frederick?

[shuckit]

That's a good idea. The more people are around each other right now, even if they feel fine, the faster it'll spread.

[ it's mechanical, thomas trying to keep his head on straight for all of this. truth being, he's scared out of his mind. ]

Symptoms don't show up for about a week.

[rathercommon]

[ She can tell how scared he is. She thinks. So she pitches her voice gentle, speaks a little softly to Thomas. ]

Yeah. Avoiding big gatherings - it only makes sense.

[ And then a breath. ]

You're immune. Right?

[notasaviour]

Billy gave you that book? Was he trying to be funny, or did he actually recommend it as a good book?

[He hesitates. He can do concern, even for people he isn't entirely sure about just yet, but he's not entirely sure how it's going to be taken.]

I'm sorry. That's a lot of bad news for one birthday. And I thought mine was bad.

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty gives an uncomfortable half-smile, struggling to continue to seem positive even as she's bowed under the weight of that bad news. She's not about to succumb to the grimness of it all, but it's still...hard. So she focuses on that first part: ]

You know, I honestly don't know what he was thinking. He gave it to me while I was in hospital, and I truly don't know whether he did that ironically or out of a genuine desire to help me through.