2023-01-07: A Second Birthday
- Cutscene: A Second Birthday
- Cast: Eight York, Licia Chovan, Lavnadim Orlodhari
- Where: The Ra Mari, Space
- Date: Jan 07 0097
- Summary: Eight is brooding, whatever else she would call it. Licia comes to help her with what's on her mind, and has brought Lavnadim in on the issue.
OBSERVATION DECK, RA MARI
1000
Eight York is seated at a small table on the observation deck, looking out into the stars through the viewport. Her red eyes are unfocused, though; she's thinking more than she's looking. Dressed as usual in her Londo Bell uniform, the Captain sits quietly for the moment.
She's not without her ways of noticing somebody sneaking up on her, though. So she 'senses' her friend's presence before black-haired Licia Chovan actually finishes walking up to her, and turns to look her way.
Their eyes meet; Licia smiles at Eight. "Hi there," she greets the Captain. "I had a feeling I could get you to stop staring at the window if I just walked up."
"Ha, ha," Eight answers. "Was I staring? …I guess I was–"
"Brooding," Licia preempts cheerfully. "Right? You were brooding! Because you don't want to talk to your Winter Wonderland friends about–"
"Okay," Eight interrupts, with a little sigh that doesn't entirely break her smile. It goes lopsided, though. "You're right. I'm not sure what to do. But I don't just want to let the day go unremarked, either."
"Right. Your…" Chovan thinks how to phrase it, "Well, your birthday!"
"Yes. Not that I don't already have one…"
"You know," Licia delivers wryly, "Most people would be happy at having two birthdays, instead of feeling guilty about it. …You'll figure out a way to talk to them about it eventually. In the meantime, come with me!"
"Sure," Eight starts, "But I don't want them to feel like I don't value the life I already have, just because I'm thinking about–" The blonde pauses. "Eh? Go with you?"
Licia's already reaching out to take Eight's hands and gently pulls her up from the table. "Yes! Come with me! I have a surprise for you!"
"Oh!" Eight stands up, pulled along by Licia's hands. Her longer strides mean she doesn't have to stumble back away from her, but Licia lets go of her hands once they're a yard or so from the chair, and she's sure Eight isn't going to sit back down.
So they walk! They walk through the corridors, and after a little while Eight recognizes where they are. "The officers' quarters," she reflects. "Hey–this is the way to Lavhi's–"
"Yep!" Licia interrupts again. She grins at Eight. "That's exactly right! The surprise is there!"
—
They arrive. Licia reaches up to put her hands over the much-taller EIght's eyes and says, "Lavhi! We're here!"
"Oh, yes," comes a voice, muffled by the door, and then the door slides open. Licia guides Eight inside, and…
"Surprise!"
Eight's eyes open, uncovered, and she looks around the room. Lavhi's quarters are large, given that he's a high-ranking officer on the ship, but instead of just his usual posters of interesting schematics, pictures of his family (and Eight), and other knick-knacks, there is a banner that reads 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' in colorful lettering.
Lavhi himself is wearing a party hat, pointed and bright. The broad green man lifts a kazoo. "Bzwooooo," it reports.
"Happy birthday," he says. "I know that you are still grappling with what to do… but I am willing to simply celebrate for you twice!"
"Happy birthday!" Licia says, suddenly /also/ wearing a party hat, though she doesn't have a kazoo. "Eight, or Dimara… No matter what you call yourself, you're our friend. And our Captain! And we aim to keep it that way."
"Yes," Lavhi says. "You are thinking, because you have much to consider. You can tell them the details in your own time; they will support you when you do, I am sure of it. As are you, I think. You simply feel anxiety. …And you do not wish to show it, because you are strong. But it is all right to show to your friends. And Rena will recognize it regardless."
"That's true," Eight answers. "...Friends, huh? And…"
"And Captain!" Licia is insistent on that point. "...But we'll support you, too."
"Guys…" Eight looks between both of them, touched, and hesitates in her response. "I…" Eight bites her lip.
"No tears!" Licia insists. "Confidence looks better on you! Ask him!"
"Well," Lavhi says, "I enjoy many of her expressions."
"Not helping!" Licia crosses her arms.
Eight laughs. "It's okay, it's okay. I was just surprised. I should've expected you to do something, since you were there when I found out about it…"
"Yep! Sure should've! But I will forgive your oversight," Licia says magnanimously, "So long as you have some cake."
"Ooh, cake." Eight brightens.
Lavhi says, "I tried a recipe that Mister Astelian gave me. He does not know, of course, but he knows that I desired cake. And now we have it!"
"Well, count me in!" Eight is cheerful.
"Yes!"