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]

Well... I'm happy for you, then! I think.

[frequent_flyer]

[This question of his mortality is way too existential for him, he feels the need to switch focus.]

So... are you a full robot or just like... a cyborg..?

[all_wound_up]

[Whoa sudden topic change again. Nano blinks a few times before answering.]

Oh... um... no, I'm all robot.

[frequent_flyer]

[It doesn't occur to him until afterwards that he might be delving, once again, into personal information territory. He can't help himself! Robots are cool...]

U-um..! I should probably leave you alone so you can eat your cupcake, huh!? [Note to self, learn how to talk to little girls without being weird ASAP.]

[all_wound_up]

It's all right! I've just never had someone ask me that question before, so I didn't know how to answer right away.

[frequent_flyer]

[At least she doesn't seem upset... he visibly relaxes a little.]

Are you sure it's alright..? [Because he has so many questions.]

[all_wound_up]

Yes, it's fine, really.

[Fine if he stays, that is. She has no idea what he's actually going to do is keep asking her questions about being a robot.]

[frequent_flyer]

[Did she just give him a free pass to be a fanboy? Hot damn! He looks like she just told him Christmas was coming early.]

So do you have rocket feet!?

[all_wound_up]

W-w-what would make you think that...!

[The look on her face says 'yes' - or more accurately 'how did you guess that?']

[frequent_flyer]

Oh, well when I was a kid I used to watch this show called Astro Lad...

[HINATA STOP.]

So maybe it's like that...

[all_wound_up]

[Nano stares down at her cupcake, fidgeting awkwardly in place as she covers one foot with the other.]

[frequent_flyer]

[NANO ISN'T A TV SHOW YOU MORON.]

[Realizing he's... making an asshole of himself, he forces an awkward laugh, trying to come up with something that doesn't involve deep invasive questions about Nano's robotics.]

D-do you like video games!?

[all_wound_up]

Oh, um... I've never played those before.

[Though she is grateful for the topic change.]

[frequent_flyer]

N-never!?

[BLASPHEMY. It wasn't like he'd never met anyone who didn't play games, it just always seemed... unnatural to him. Who wouldn't like video games!? Obviously, he should indoctrinate her.]

I work at the arcade... why don't you come sometime?

[all_wound_up]

All right, if you don't mind... I probably won't be very good at the games.

[frequent_flyer]

That's fine, you can learn from a professional!

[Meaning him, of course.]

[all_wound_up]

People pay you to play video games? Is that a hard job to get? I have a friend who would be very good at it!

[frequent_flyer]

[He gets paid to wipe the cheeto dust off the games, not play them, but she doesn't need to know that.]

Yeah! I got the job because one of my- [Friends? Is he friends with Hizumi?] -f...riends works there.

[Come to think of it... the arcade had been pretty dead lately. Maybe Nano coming and bringing a friend along would be good for business!] Why don't you bring them with you? I can ask if there are any jobs open!

[all_wound_up]

[It doesn't take much to impress Nano.]

Okay! I'm sure she'd really enjoy that.

[frequent_flyer]

Great! Then I'll- [How long has he been standing here. He glances down at his watch.]

..!? I'm late! [He was supposed to meet Otonashi at the park half an hour ago.] B-but come to the arcade, Nano-chan! I'd like to see you!

[And with that, he hurriedly jogs off down the street, hurriedly typing an apology to his friend for his ability to get easily sidetracked.] Enjoy your cupcake..!