8. Time Marches On

[continuousgroaning]

[When Tina clicks the feed on, she's looking a little happier than she has over the past few weeks.]

What's your idea of a perfect birthday party? I'm not asking for any particular reason... heh... heh...

[The nervous laughter peters out before she admits-]

Okay, okay, I'm asking because it's my birthday next month and I'm finally turning 14 and I really want it to be special. For me, it'd be perfect if it involves my mom and all my friends being there. And if horses are involved in some way. But I'm open for ideas to try something new, too.

Oh, and I've been coming up with lots of burger ideas lately, if anybody wants me to make one for them.

Thanks!

Comments

[beyourzoomer]

[Max has never seen this girl before, but they're the same age and...well. She doesn't have any girl friends.]

Video games and skateboarding for me, probably.

[A pause.]

You make burgers?

[continuousgroaning]

Oh, I've never been skateboarding before! ... though that's mostly because I'm afraid I'd fall over a lot.

[She nods eagerly.]

I grew up helping in my dad's restaurant, and his specialty is burgers.

[beyourzoomer]

Yeah that's definitely a part of it when you're learning. It's a lot of fun though, once you get the hang of it.

[She smiles a little at that.]

That's cool. You said you had a lot of ideas for different kinds? I've pretty much only ever had the plain kind. And with bacon.

[continuousgroaning]

And come to think of it, one of my superpowers is intangibility, so I can just use that if I fall. ... theoretically.

[She nods.]

Well, Dad's thing is coming up with a different special every day and giving it a pun for a name. Like, uh, "I Fought The Slaw And The Slaw Won", topped with coleslaw. I'm trying to follow in his footsteps.

[beyourzoomer]

[She cocks her head at that, thinking.] Intangibility? Like...you can't touch stuff? [Which in theory, Max guesses, she wouldn't feel it when she hit the ground if she fell. Huh.

A short chuckle escapes her at that. It's clever.]

I've had coleslaw with a burger before, but never literally on top of it. [She pauses, considering.] Is he here, too? Your dad?

[continuousgroaning]

Mmhmm. I can do it at will, so I'm afraid I might just hurt myself if I forget to turn it on...

[She shakes her head at that, then brightens.]

No. I was the only person from my world here for a while, but my mom got here last month.

[beyourzoomer]

I sprained my wrist my first time on a board. [Which...probably doesn't help the other girl want to learn how to skateboard.]

[She smiles when the other girl's expression brightens.]

That's cool.

[Her mom would be so unhappy here if Neil wasn't here, too, and...nobody wants Neil Hargrove around.]

Maybe your dad will show up too.

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[articulations]

[ For the first time in the last few trying weeks, Leia smiles at her comm. ]

Peace and quiet. That would be ideal. No celebration.

Fourteen is quite the age. I'm sure you'll have a good time.

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[continuousgroaning]

[Tina returns the smile warmly.]

That's not something we've had enough of lately, so I can see why.

I hope so! I want everything to be perfect, as perfect as it was at my 13th birthday party. [Her expression falters just slightly as she remembers that it was her first kiss with Jimmy Jr., but she covers it as best she can.]

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[livesfastdiesung]

Friends! It's gotta be everyone you love and a whole bunch of cake. Nothing else matters.

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[continuousgroaning]

I'd normally want to invite a bunch of boys, too, but... I'm actually pretty happy with the guy I'm dating here. So yeah, friends and cake would be the best parts of it.

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[livesfastdiesung]

Make sure it's a biiiig cake too! You can't go wrong with big cakes!

Once you got all that, you've got everythin' you need for a good birthday, though.

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[continuousgroaning]

But now the question becomes what kind of cake. And how it should be decorated. I mean, I'd go with horses, but maybe I should do something different and surprise people.

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[livesfastdiesung]

What kinda cake do you like? It's your party, so it should be whatever you wanna eat.

Ehhh, as for horses, is there anything else you like as much as them?

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[continuousgroaning]

Vanilla. And chocolate. But my powers make me such a good cook, I'd like anything I'd make for myself...

Well, boys. But it's kind of hard to make a boy-themed cake. Plus, my boyfriend might get jealous. [That last part is said with a smile to show she's kidding.]

[partoftheirheart]

I haven't celebrated a birthday in a while.... but friends would make it great! As long as you're with people who make you happy!

What about a party on the beach?? Lots of space to run around! Plus you could probably get horses to hang out on the beach too, if you find any!

[Sora's not a miracle worker, but he's sure someone has a horse.]

[continuousgroaning]

That's definitely the plan.

Oh, I'd like that, actually. I grew up near the ocean, but Maurtia Falls isn't near the beach, so I kinda forget it's still an option. It may be too cold for that, though... I'd have to check the forecast. I could always go to Heropa for it.

[partoftheirheart]

Yeah! The weather is real nice here in Heropa! Even if it's a little cool. You might be able to pull off a fun little party!

I can help out, if you need it!!

[continuousgroaning]

If not swimming, we could do a fire and have a barbecue, maybe. That's always a good idea to keep warm.

Thanks!

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[lasersounds]

The goal is to make it something you want, right? I mean it is your birthday.

...But I've always been a beach party kind of guy myself. I know you're up in the Falls, but if you need somewhere sunny, the Beach House of Lions can definitely host a 14th birthday party for ya, T.

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[continuousgroaning]

Yeah- but I'm having trouble deciding what I want. My 13th birthday was really special, but I have a lot more friends here. More options.

Thanks, Lance. I might take you up on that, 'cause I do like the idea of a beach party.

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[lasersounds]

I'm sure you'll figure it out and it will be perfect.


[He grins widely.] Any time. Anything for a friend--especially for their birthday.

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[continuousgroaning]

[She smiles shyly in reply.]

And I have some time to think about it, too. And to make arrangements... like, say, if I wanted to have horse rides.

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[lasersounds]

Hey, horse rides on the beach could be awesome. At the very least we can help set you up with some awesome digs.

[And then there's a robot lion in the video, nudging Lance and staring at the camera. It's not Blue, but Red's just as good.]

Oh uh...Red might be willing to help too. It's not a horse but...Red is rideable.

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[continuousgroaning]

Oh, I think a robot lion would be even better. Cheaper, too, now that I think about it... I'm trying not to go overboard, but I'm not used to having extra money to spend on stuff either.

[She pauses before it sinks in-]

Is Red yours? Or does he belong to someone else?