[Video]

[unbroken_chain]

When the feed turns on, Kotoha looks a little sheepish.

"Hey, uh...so I just found out it is entirely possible to get so caught up in something you forget about little things. Like birthdays."

Slight pause.

"As it turns out, I turned sixteen four months ago, but I was so busy writing that new Visitor Pamphlet I completely forgot about it until...just now. Is that normal? It probably isn't, is it?"

Comments

Video

[terminally_clever]

Perfectly normal.

[Which should be her best indication that it's not.]

[unbroken_chain]

...yeah, that's a pretty good sign it's not normal. Kotoha's not actually going to say that out loud, of course.

"It's happened to you?"

[terminally_clever]

I don't see the point in keeping track of meaningless anniversaries.

[unbroken_chain]

"In other words, you only kept track when it gave you new legal privileges, right?"

[terminally_clever]

Not entirely, but I think you get the idea. It's easy enough to hack public records databases, after all.

[unbroken_chain]

Kotoha does not even bat an eye at this.

"Oh, that's something Laplace can do! How's he doing, anyway?"

[terminally_clever]

He's been quite helpful.

[And currently exists as a happy little icon on Fumi's end of the communication, doing a two-frame smiley dance in the corner of the view screen.]

voice;

[softreset]

[ Four months ago? ]

No, not really. Is this the first time you remembered?

voice

[unbroken_chain]

"Yeah. Hugh always told me that I got too wrapped up in my hobbies, but I always figured he was just messing with me."

[softreset]

It should fine if you don't let it bug you.

[ pause. ]

What do you intend to do now?

[unbroken_chain]

"Be sixteen, I guess? Maybe stop doing so many things I lose track of stuff like birthdays, that might be a good idea."

[softreset]

Ah, no. I was wondering if you were going to have a party for it.

That's customary, isn't it?

[ does it still apply if you're four months overdue? ]

[unbroken_chain]

"Well, I'm moving into a new place soon, and I was gonna throw a housewarming party. Guess I could fold a belated birthday party into it."

Slight pause.

"You interested?"

[softreset]

[ reluctantly, after some time. ]

Do you normally hold parties for strangers to attend?

[unbroken_chain]

Her response is instant.

"Yep! I'm a people person."

[softreset]

I see.

No thank you. I wouldn't want to impose.

[unbroken_chain]

"Well, that's fine, I guess. Nice meeting you!"

Pause.

"My name's Kotoha, by the way."

[softreset]

Homura.

Good luck with moving.

[Video]

[spiritofjustice]

Four months ago?! [Bobby looks so shocked it's bordering on horrified. He shakes it off quick enough, though.] Well, that just won't do! Birthdays are there to be celebrated!

[Video]

[unbroken_chain]

"Yeah, I'm gonna be folding my birthday party into my planned housewarming party. You wanna come?"

[Video]

[spiritofjustice]

Hahaha, I don't think you'll want an old rot like me mingling with you youngsters, but it won't stop me from dropping by with a present!

[unbroken_chain]

"Well, in that case, you can at least stay long enough to have some refreshments, right?"

[spiritofjustice]

Sure! ...If I'm off duty, I mean. Justice can't just take time off, even if it is a birthday party.

Do you have a time and date planned?

[unbroken_chain]

"Yeah, I'll be moving in on the 20th, and the party's on the 21st after I finish unpacking."

[spiritofjustice]

Perfect! If you give me the address, I can stop by sometime in the afternoon.

[unbroken_chain]

"Libra district...I think 37 Scale Road? Apparently the house used to belong to a couple of Visitors that aren't here anymore, so it stands out a fair bit."

Audio:

[empiricalpride]

While I'd hardly call it normal behaviour for a person your age, I've never understood the fuss about them myself...

Audio

[unbroken_chain]

There are so many things Kotoha could say to that, but she'll refrain.

"They're milestones. A birthday is a good excuse to get together with your friends and have fun eating cake and telling jokes and stuff."

Re: Audio

[empiricalpride]

[Even'd be very surprised. It's a statement, not a value judgement! Then again, no-one ever accused him of tact.]

Hm. There are worse reasons to celebrate, I suppose.

[unbroken_chain]

"Yep! I'm folding my birthday party into my housewarming party if you want to come? It'll be on the 21st."

[empiricalpride]

I'm... hardly the sort for parties. [Understatement of the century, right there... he's got to be social? What?] It's a - very kind offer, all the same.

[unbroken_chain]

"Okay. See you around, then!"

Text

[anotherdirkstrider]

Happy belated birthday, Kotoha. Hope it's been a good four months, at least.

Text

[unbroken_chain]

I've been having fun! Although I think maybe I should throttle back on all the projects I've been doing; I'm spreading myself too thin.

[hello_mgann]

You forgot your birthday? That's terrible. We should celebrate it now. I'll make a cake and bring Conner over. What kind of cake do you like?

visual

[unbroken_chain]

"Well, you don't have to come over right now; I'm gonna be having a party on the 21st!"

Slight pause.

"And, uh, I'll handle the cake, I don't eat things with eggs in."

[electricyousei]

"If it helps, someone always had to remind me of my birthday."

[unbroken_chain]

"July 7th. I looked it up."

[electricyousei]

"Yes, I think that's when it is. Omoikane knows, and Yurika and Minato knew. When is yours?"

[unbroken_chain]

"October 8th. Apparently that makes me a Libra under the system they use here."

[electricyousei]

"Well, a belated happy birthday then. Maybe when things calm down we can get a cake for you."

[unbroken_chain]

"I have a recipe for egg-free chocolate cake my aunt gave me!"