006 Happy Birthday to Me

[losteveryone]

[It’s Carol’s birthday today.

It’s Carol’s birthday and she hasn’t told anyone about it. Maybe because she doesn’t want anyone to make a big deal about it, maybe because she doesn’t think anyone would really be that interested in celebrating it with her. Either way she doesn’t exactly want anyone to know.

But there are subtle hints from her behaviour throughout the day. She walks through the trees outside the Castle and through the corridors of the Castle itself, unconsciously humming ‘Happy Birthday’ under her breath. Anyone with a good ear would most likely catch it.

Anyone who’s in the kitchens during the day might spot her at the side counter, a single cupcake with a candle in it. She blows it out.] Another year older…

[Come and say Happy Birthday to the birthday girl!]

Comments

[biggestdreamer]

[Takato looks over in surprise.]

It's your birthday?

[losteveryone]

[Carol looks over in the direction of the voice with an equal amount of surprise. She thought she was alone after all. Seeing the familiar face though she smiles a little and nods.]

Yeah, it's my birthday. I thought I'd at least celebrate it somehow.

[biggestdreamer]

[He jumps and comes over smiling.]

Happy birthday, then! [As Takato looks over her single candle a slight look of worry comes over his face.]

But don't you want to celebrate more than that?

[losteveryone]

[Carol's smile widens even more as he jumps over and wishes her a Happy Birthday]

Thank you. [Oh no, don't look worried.]

No...well, I didn't tell anyone it was my birthday. This is enough celebration for one person, don't you think?

[biggestdreamer]

But aren't birthdays supposed to be times to celebrate with all your friends?

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra just happens to be in there to make some tea when she spots that cupcake. What Carol says next doesn't leave any room for doubt in her mind.] ... Today is your birthday?

[losteveryone]

[Carol did notice Elektra coming into the kitchen but she didn't think the other woman was paying any attention to what she was doing over here in the corner. She didn't speak as quietly as she thought. She turns at the sound of her voice, smiling slightly and nodding.]

...Yes, it's my birthday. I thought I'd celebrate with a cupcake.

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra is an observant woman. She crosses her arms across her chest. Yes, she's still confused.] By yourself? You don't like parties?

[That was her excuse to avoid her birthday until recently.]

[losteveryone]

[Well, that would explain things then. Well, she wishes that was her excuse for not wanting to celebrate more...]

No, no it's not that...I didn't tell anyone about my birthday. I didn't celebrate it last year it even feels strange celebrating alone this year.

[likethetragedy]

[Elektra hesitates before saying:] You wouldn't have to spend it alone. I could have thrown a party. I actually used to be pretty good at it.

[persequor]

[ And following the pattern of questions-- ]

Why did you put a candle in the cake?

[losteveryone]

[Ahh, all the questions~

Carol is reluctant to tell her the answer to that. However, even though she was willing not to tell anyone outright about her birthday she's also not in the habit of lying to people when they ask her a pretty simple question so she opts for the truth]

Well...because it's my birthday today.

[persequor]

So why would you put a candle there?

[losteveryone]

[Sometimes she tends to forget that the people around here are all from different times, different places. She had assumed the girl would know the answer to her question already.

It seems not.]

Oh, well it's a tradition where I'm from to blow out a candle on your birthday. Everyone does it...I'm not exactly sure why though.

[persequor]

It seems like a waste of candles. [ Then she remembers the keyword in this conversation. ] But it's your named—birthday. So if you want to blow one out, I guess you can.

Dictated

[the_effect_she_has]

Oh ... it's your birthday?

[Oh hell, awkward time.]

Uhm. I don't know how to bake a cake.

Dictated

[losteveryone]

Yes, it is.

[Oh, Katniss there's no need to feel awkward.]

It's okay Katniss, I wasn't expecting anything. That's why I didn't tell anyone it was my birthday, I didn't want anyone to go to any trouble.

Re: Dictated

[the_effect_she_has]

Well, you should have something ... it's your birthday.

[losteveryone]

I didn't get the change to celebrate my birthday last year. I guess I just wanted to start out with something small.

Besides, [A small smile, even though Katniss cannot see it.] when you get to my age birthday's become less and less important.

[the_effect_she_has]

Funny ... in my world, birthdays are always important. It means you lived another year.

Action

[squirrelhunter]

There a reason you kept this a secret?

[Daryl's leant against the doorframe, watching. He looks fully-healed.]

Action

[losteveryone]

[Carol turns at the familiar voice, just as she finishes saying those words to herself.]

I didn't want anyone to make a big deal about it. Because it's not. A big deal I mean.

[Have an attempt to change the subject?] You look a lot better, Daryl. You've healed well.

Re: Action

[squirrelhunter]

Got healed in that Kono place. [He's just going to walk right in and flop into a spare chair, watching her.] You okay?

[losteveryone]

Good, I'm glad.

[Carol nods and moves from where she was standing at the side counter to sit at the table. The cupcake is now on a plate and sitting in front of her, still uneaten.] I'm good. Just...not really up for celebrating much that's all.

[squirrelhunter]

Right.

[He eyes the cupcake.]

You should still eat that. Ya never know how many ya got left.