IC Contact Post

[timehalt]

Ah-hello! I, ah, wasn't able to get to the tablet in time so if you could please leave your name I'll try to contact you back--ah! And your number! Please.

Ah...

Is that it...?

Comments

action, backdated to the 1st

[anklets]

[ it's a new year, Lenalee thinks, and though there have been no fireworks or drinks to ring it in, she weaves her way to where Miranda is staying not long after midnight, trusting she'll likely be awake

rap rap raps her knuckles on the doorway ]

action;

[timehalt]

[ Miranda was awake--about forty minutes ago; right before she fell asleep at the table, face half-smothered in a book. She startles upright at the knocking, almost stumbling out of her seat in her haste to answer the door. ]

Y-yes? [ She asks, breathless and wide-eyed; a dark smudge on her cheek. ]

[anklets]

[Still dressed. This smile is soft, apologetic and knowing.]

...Happy birthday, Miranda. I woke you, didn't I?

1/?? we just don't know

[timehalt]

Lenalee?

[ She blinks at her blearily, scrubbing her face with a clumsy hand. ]

What's going on? Is everything all...

2/?

[timehalt]

[ wait. ]

3/?

[timehalt]

[ birthday? whose? ]

4/?

[timehalt]

[ She did say birthday, right? but whose? surely not hers! That isn't until January! ]

5/6

[timehalt]

[ That's right, it's in January! And January isn't for another...

She counts the days out on her fingers; fumbling through her numbers as her sleep-addled mind tries to remember what day it is now--and whose birthday should be closest. Surely there's someone before hers, and Lenalee's here to remind her of it! Yes, that's it! What a good friend, even if Miranda is horribly (and obviously) not.

And yet the numbers she comes up with don't lie, even when she repeats the count. ]

6/6

[timehalt]

[ And even then she still can't quite believe someone else would bother to remember. ]

Is it...? [ Really? ]

oh my god this is adorable

[anklets]

It is!

cutie alert, find the insulin!

[timehalt]

When did that happen...?

[ She's honestly bewildered. Usually there's a bit more notice. ]

[anklets]

Only a little while ago! [ brightly, for what it's worth ] Time seems to have gotten ahead of us.

[timehalt]

Ah, yes, it must have.

[ Oh no! ]

Oh! I'm sorry! [ She opens the door wider, waving her inside. ] You should come inside! It's too cold to be outside for long!

[anklets]

[ IT SURE IS ] I don't mean to push myself onto you.

[timehalt]

[ Brightly. ] It's no trouble! Are you cold? Should I get a blanket?

[anklets]

[Well! Invading Miranda's space, then.]

I'll insist it be shared, if you do.

[timehalt]

[ Come, sit down. she doesn't have much of a space, but it's as homey as someone used to too little can make it! ]

It's alright. I'm warm enough. Besides, I don't think it's big enough for two and you're my guest!

[anklets]

[Sitting does not exempt you from Lenalee's dogged kindness.] Miranda, I really do insist.

[timehalt]

[ But she is her guest, even if she doesn't want to disappoint Lenalee, ever. ]

It, it really isn't big enough for two.

[anklets]

[ deflates a little ]

We ought to remedy that, in the morning.

[timehalt]

Oh, it's nothing to trouble yourself over!

[ And here is the blanket to prove it! It may be a bit patched over in several places, and a bit ugly with its mottled patterns and colors, but thousands of finger pricks later and it's a sturdy addition to any wardrobe. Provided shounens never find it. ]

Is there anything else you'd like? Tea? Well, I don't really have much for tea but I could warm up some water too, if that's what you want!

[anklets]

[Endearment makes a valiant battle against her concern and loses, as it always, inevitably, does.]

Water is fine, you needn't do anything to it. But! The least I could do for your birthday is a housewarming gift.

[ did you, did you see what she did there ]

1/2

[timehalt]

[ Miranda's midway into the motion to pull out some refreshments when everything stops. Her birthday. Oh, god, it's her birthday. It's her birthday and there's someone here to wish her a happy one. ]

2/2

[timehalt]

[ She has to be dreaming. It must be--she's never been this lucky before.No one's ever--not for--wh-what should she do?

She starts to tremble, her movements shaky as she continues getting the tea ready, trying to hide how the tears just won't stop, or how her voice is husky and tear-filled. ]

A-Ah housewarming gift?