14 | video

[spiria]

[ Wow, there's a very sheepish smile on that Kohaku right now. ]

If anybody was worried or looking for me over the past week, I'm sorry. Due to a certain something that was said, I had to go and make sure I was away from people in general until things calmed down. I only really let the people living with me know about this, and I probably should have let others know as well. So, um. For that, I'm sorry.

[ Thank you, anonymous rumor starter. You know who you are. ]

While I was in my little hidey hole, though, I had a lot of time to think ... and I realized something.

I've actually been in this place for over a year now.

[ The sheepish smile becomes a genuine one. ]

A lot has happened in the past year, some good, some bad, some just downright weird. I've met a lot of people, made a lot of friends, and have even gained some family. I really am very lucky ...

So, thank you. To everybody here who I've come to befriend and love, whether as family or as friends ... whether they're still here or have already gone back home. You guys have been there for me, helped me through some rough times, and I really couldn't be more grateful to have all of you.

[ She pauses for a moment, looking a bit thoughtful. ]

O-Oh, I ... I guess this means I'm 18 now, huh? My birthday's passed already ...

Comments

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[oursomalink]

A full year...

[ Hi girlfriend. Have your boyfriend musing a little on that time here in Vatheon. ]

... that's a really long time to be in one place, now that you mention it...

[ video ]

[spiria]

Not really. We spent sixteen and seventeen years back on Celirand, if you think about it.

But in somewhere other than our home world, yeah, I guess it is!

[ video ]

[oursomalink]

Mm-hmm... I don't think I've been away from home for quite this long...

[ He blushes a little as he turns away. ]

Though I guess I didn't notice because you've been here with me this whole time, too...

[ video ]

[spiria]

That's true ...

[ smiles happily at him. ]

I'm glad you're with me. I don't know what I would do without you, Shing.

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[oursomalink]

Neither would I, if I were here without you...

[ Probably suffer and emote greatly, if August was any indication. ]

... you want to do anything special for your first full year here?

[ video ]

[spiria]

[ you emote even when I'm here, baby. she makes you emote alllllll the time ;D ]

Is it really something to celebrate, do you think? I mean, a lot of good things have happened since coming here, but we've also been away from home for that much longer ...

[ video ]

[oursomalink]

... I suppose it isn't, now that I think of it.

[ He pauses, frowning a little and sighing. ]

I'm glad that I've met so many new friends here, but... part of me wants to know if we're ever going to go home eventually...

[ video ]

[spiria]

Shing, if we worry about that all the time, then we won't be able to enjoy the time we have here. I miss everyone at home, but ... I can't spend every second thinking about it, right? It'll just make me depressed if I do.

And it's the same for you, I know.

[ video ]

[oursomalink]

I know...

It's not like I mean to do it, but... sometimes I find myself thinking about it, you know?

[ A quiet sigh. ]

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[takesyoubytheheart]

Yer birthday, huh? We gotta do somethin' about that!

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[spiria]

O-Oh, no, It was actually a while ago, I just didn't realize it had passed until I realized I'd been here for so long! It's not a big deal, really.

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[takesyoubytheheart]

Aw, c'mon, no presents? Not even a cake?

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[spiria]

Ah, well ... if you want to, I won't stop you?

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[takesyoubytheheart]

Great! Everyone should always take the reason ta have cake!

[he may have a sweet tooth.]

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[spiria]

[ well, cake is pretty delicious. ]

Awesome! Cake sounds great, thank you!

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[takesyoubytheheart]

I'll have one sent yer way by the end of the day, that's a promise!

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[spiria]

I look forward to it!

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[diehardreaper]

A year...? Blimey, I've heard of that happening but I didn't think I'd actually meet someone who's been here a year.

[ Have a small smile though. ]

Pity a sweet bird like you had to spend her birthday away from everyone. Should prolly fix that. And... I know I'm not your friend yet but I'd like to be. I mean... s'long as you don't mind my intruding and all.

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[spiria]

Haha, yeah ... it definitely does happen. It just kinda flew by, you know?

[ and now she's sheepish. ]

My birthday was actually a while back, I just hadn't realized it had passed between everything that's happened in the past several months.

As for friends, I'm always happy to make a new friend! It's nice to meet you! I'm Kohaku.

...

Out of curiosity, though, do you call everyone a bird?

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[diehardreaper]

[ Have a laugh for that. ]

Nah. Only if they're cute. Something I picked up off the streets. S'what we call a lady sometimes.

[ Ah, dontcha just love verbal ticks? But back to the matter at hand. ]

Pleasure's all mine, Miss Kohaku. You can call me Ronald. Ron, if you'd like. If time passes like that, enough to make you forget your birthday then I'd wager the city's not so boring, eh?

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[spiria]

[ Oh. Well. That's interesting! She laughs a little bit, though the entertained laugh becomes a sheepish one. ]

Ah ... yeah. A lot has happened in the past year.

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[diehardreaper]

A year's a pretty long while to go by if you ask me.

[ There's a small grin from that. ]

Hey, mind if I ask how the city's been treating you? The curses, the people... that sort of thing.

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[spiria]

Well, I'm fortunate enough to have my boyfriend here with me .... and I've made a lot of friends here. A lot of it has been really good.

[ she looks away from the camera. ]

Some of it ... hasn't been too great, though. I guess it's to be expected, even in our own worlds though.

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[diehardreaper]

Y... your boyfriend? Begging your pardon then, didn't mean to tread.

[ Mental note: tone down flirting. He's had too many brushes with jealous boyfriends than he was comfy with. But he listens anyway, head tilted in a measure of curiosity. ]

That right? Sorry to hear 'bout that... but... s'not so bad though, is it? I mean, you get by, you look alright...

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[spiria]

[ It's an interesting thought, though .... what would Shing do if she were being flirted with? Kohaku can usually handle herself pretty well. 8O ]

... w-well, yeah, now I do. A few months back I wasn't looking so great though.

[ she sighs and smiles, though. ]

It's something I'd rather not think about. It's over and done with, and I've been given a second chance thanks to this place, so it's best to just keep on going.