15th Screw - backdated to August 7th

[all_wound_up]

[Action]

[Today is Nano's birthday, but she hasn't told anyone.  She's not really the type to call that much attention to herself over something like this, and it seems sort of insignificant to her compared to all of the problems in Hinoto-Ri.  But two years is a long time - at least, to her it is - and the past year especially has been full of so many chances to learn new things and meet new people, so she feels that she at least owes a little bit of celebration to herself.

And that's why she's at the bakery today, picking out a cupcake to enjoy while she wishes herself well for the next year.  Once she's got the tasty treat in hand, she takes it outside to one of the small tables set up near the street for customers to enjoy their snacks, pulling two small candles out and lighting them with a small fire spell that she learned from Namine.  After she hums a short little birthday song, she closes her eyes to send up a silent wish, smiles, and blows the candles out.]

Comments

[all_wound_up]

Oh, good.

[Nano nods, letting out a relieved breath.]

My name is Nano Shinonome. It's nice to meet you, Riku-san.

[all_wound_up]

I thought it would be a good idea to learn how to fight myself without relying so much on my Persona all the time, just in case. And it's been a good chance to make better friends with Xion-san and Namine-san, too.

[Nano smiles, nodding before her expression turns back to one of slight apprehension at the return to the other topic.]

O-oh! Um... yes! It's an anniversary! That's right.

[Which isn't entirely a lie!]

[all_wound_up]

Yes, well, this was, um...

[Nano isn't exactly sure how to answer that one, but thankfully, Hinata pulls a 90-degree turn in conversation and makes sure she doesn't have to.]

Do I... huh?

[tyrantball]

Desco BEAMS.

"Yaaaay! Miss Nano likes it!"

Have another hug.

[resipiscent]

Likewise.

[Don't mind him, he's just gonna sit down opposite you, Nano.]

So... you're celebrating?

[selematpagi]

[ Yukko grins shamelessly and gives Nano a wordless nod. She takes a seat at Nano's table, scooting her chair up. Her hands brace the table in excitement, her eyes flicking between the cupcake and her friend. It's now that she takes notice of the candles. She looks at her, trying not to look confused. ]

Hey, what's up with the candles?

[ She doesn't seem to mind just yet. Her mind doesn't connect all of the dots, and she has no problem scooting up closer to Nano! ]

[otakuro]

...Two weeks since that business with the tournament ended? ...Although there's probably a few days until that, too.

[Atsuro is probably not being purposefully obtuse. Probably.]

[all_wound_up]

I'll be sure to wear it around.

[all_wound_up]

Ah, this...? Y-yes, you could say that.

[all_wound_up]

Ah...

[Nano looks down at the blown-out candles, blushing just a little as she draws them out and sets them on a napkin next to the cupcake.]

I didn't want to make a big event out of it, but actually, today is my birthday.

[She sheepishly holds up two fingers.]

Two candles for two years old.

[all_wound_up]

Actually, it's... um...

[Nano glances back and forth nervously, as if she's going to see something in her periphery that will provide a convenient cover story. It's not working.]

[tyrantball]

Desco gives her VERY BEST shark grin before settling herself down on the chair across from Nano, resting her chin on her interlocked claws and staring happily.

Seems like she's waiting for Nano to finish her cupcake.

[resipiscent]

Your birthday, maybe?

[Why else would she have a cupcake with candles in it?]

[frequent_flyer]

I mean, are you having the cupcake for fun, or do you actually need to eat..?

Since you're a robot and all...

[He seems a little awkward about asking. Is it rude to ask a girl about her robotic tendencies, similar to how it's rude to ask about her weight? He's not sure.]

[all_wound_up]

[She'll never get used to that shark grin, but she finishes her cupcake all the same.]

[all_wound_up]

W-what? How did you know?

[all_wound_up]

W-well, no, I don't really need to...

[weh :(]

[tyrantball]

With that done, Desco slips underneath the table, scurries across, and worms her way into Nano's lap, extending her tail and wrapping it around Nano's midsection in a makeshift hug.

"Miss Nano? Desco wants to thank you."

She tilts her head upwards at this pronouncement, just enough to let the golden eye on her forehead catch a glimpse of Nano's face.

[all_wound_up]

[Nano smiles, bringing her arms up to hug Desco back, holding her there like she would a small child.]

Hm? Thank me?

[tyrantball]

"You helped save Uncle Johnny last month."

[frequent_flyer]

[Uh oh, looks like he hit a nerve with that one.]

[ABANDON MISSION. ABORT ABORT.]

T-that's okay! I was just wondering! I still had to eat after I died so I guess I was just wondering if robots had to do that too or if they could just kind of keep going and I guess you have a key in your back that would keep you going maybe I should just stop talking now...

[Unfortunately, his attempts at making her feel better end with him talking way too much and rambling.]

[resipiscent]

Isn't that what people usually do on their birthdays?

[She looks so astonished, he can't help but laugh.]

Sorry.

[poppetstrings]

[Well, Xion has a gift for Nano! Not that she knows it's the girls birthday, or even what a birthday in particular is. It's more just a thanks for being her friend.]

Nano! Hey!

[all_wound_up]

Oh... you're welcome, then, Desco-chan.

[Nano smiles, patting her head softly.]

I could never have done it alone, though.

[all_wound_up]

After you... what?

[Did he say 'died?']

But you look fine to me...