19th Lullaby ♫ - Private to Athrun | Backdated October 29

[the_whitequeen]

[ A Pokeball was delivered to Athrun with a Skarmory inside with a message. ]

Happy Birthday, Athrun.

- From Kira and Lacus

Comments

[Action]

[infinitejustice]

[...Huh. Athrun hadn't been expecting this. Well, time to go look for Lacus and Kira. Starting with their hotel room(s).]

[Action]

[thewhite_symphony]

[ Lacus was the one who opened the door. ]

Athrun, happy birthday! We weren't expecting you until much later.

[infinitejustice]

Well, I had to come over when I got your gift.

[He holds up the Poké Ball.]

[thewhite_symphony]

[ She smiles and closes her hands on his. ]

It is the least we could do for you. [ She wraps her arms around him and gives him a friendly hug. ] Happy birthday again, Athrun.

How old are you? Twenty-one?

[infinitejustice]

And yet no one's given me something this significant for my birthday here...but still, thanks.

If we go by years here, yeah. That's right.

[thewhite_symphony]

I gave you a present last year. Did you forget?

[infinitejustice]

Oh...oh, right. Your performance, right?

[thewhite_symphony]

I know it wasn't my best performance, but it was the best I could considering the circumstances.

This year was different, Kira was with me to help me decide. It seems ... in some way, he does know you a bit more than I do.

[infinitejustice]

Maybe just a little bit. I think he just wanted to make sure I'd have something practical.

[thewhite_symphony]

I believe you are right. I suggested we buy you a jacket ...

He thought that this might be more appropriate.

[infinitejustice]

[A chuckle.]

Yeah, between the jacket I came with and my uniform, I'm set.

[thewhite_symphony]

[ She just wanted an excuse to go shopping. ]

Kira will probably be back soon. You want to thank him too, don't you?

Do you want to wait?

[infinitejustice]

Sure. I'd be more than happy to wait.

[thewhite_symphony]

I'll make some tea.

[ Lacus begins moving around the kitchen. Lacus was always smiling, but there was a glow about her now that hadn't been there for a long while.

She was humming a bit as she moved around and her eyes were glowing. Yes, Kira's appearance was making her joy sickeningly obvious. ]

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun takes a seat. He watches Lacus glide to and fro patiently.]

[thewhite_symphony]

[ When she finishes, she joins Athrun and hands a cup of Earl Gray tea to him. ]

Did you find anything in your current investigation?

[infinitejustice]

[And Athrun takes the cup.]

Not yet, no. It'll take more time, I'm afraid.

[thewhite_symphony]

Is there any way I could possibly help?

[infinitejustice]

Just keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. That's all I can ask.

[thewhite_symphony]

It doesn't help that such information isn't very easy to come by.

[infinitejustice]

Naturally. If it was easy, Team Rocket would have been shut down a long time ago.

[the_whitequeen]

There will be plenty enough opportunities for that.

The organization is not without mistakes.

[infinitejustice]

Even moreso on an individual level. I've seen some real clowns as members of the organization.

[thewhite_symphony]

Yes, but even they prove to be dangerous.

[infinitejustice]

They do. Fortunately, I've been able to stay a step ahead for the most part. The one member got a head start on me only once.

[thewhite_symphony]

You have been doing well so far ...

[ Smiles. ] ... I hope this success continues.

[infinitejustice]

Me, too. The sooner the better. We already have enough problems as it is, between being displaced from our homes and some of the events that have occurred here. The last thing we need is a crime syndicate.

[replantsflowers]

[If you were looking for Kira, he'll enter the room now - coming back from training a little. He still doesn't like it, but he knows it's necessary so he does it.]

Oh, Athrun. Happy Birthday.

[thewhite_symphony]

[ Lacus's eyes are still practically sparkling when he enters. She still finds it a little hard to believe that he was actually here. ]

Kira! You're back.

[infinitejustice]

Thanks, Kira. And thanks for the gift. I've been looking to get a Skarmory for a while now.

...Should I excuse myself now?

[replantsflowers]

Good to know it was the right choice, then.

[And as much as he likes to spend time alone with Lacus, he has to ask.]

Wouldn't you like to celebrate your birthday with us?

[infinitejustice]

Huh? Well, yes, but I assumed...

[He trails off, realizing how foolish he sounds.]

[the_whitequeen]

[ Lacus smiled. She did love spending time with Kira --- but that doesn't mean she'd forgotten Athrun. ]

Athrun ... today is special. PLease? celebrate it with us.

[infinitejustice]

A-ah...! Y-yes! Of course. My apologies. I hadn't intended to imply that I didn't want to...

[replantsflowers]

[Kira laughs a little.]

You don't have to think of us too much, Athrun. We have plenty of time to be together alone in the first place... I think we can spare some time to celebrate with you.

[thewhite_symphony]

Besides, I made a birthday cake too. What is a celebration without one? And I didn't have time to make you one last year, so allow me to make up for it now.

While you tell us what you're going to be up to.

[infinitejustice]

[A chuckle escaped at that last bit.]

So, you're turning this into an interrogation? That's quite straightforward to say.

[He was kidding. Mostly.]

But if you'll have me, I can't really say no to a cake, now can I? Where should I sit?

[replantsflowers]

Well, we wouldn't need to if you told us about what you do more often.

[Yes, he's aware he wasn't too serious.]

[thewhite_symphony]

I left it in the kitchen. I will just be a moment ... but does it really surprise you? This isn't the first time I had to begin with an interrogation for answers, is it?

Ah! --- I believe this will be the idea time to have coffee as well.

[infinitejustice]

Perhaps not. I'm just surprised you'd bribe me with cake to that end.

Decaf for me, please.