( OPEN ) maybe i'll see you in another life

[huntergames]

WHO: SASHA BLOUSE and YOU
WHERE: Heropa.
WHEN: All day of 7/26.
WHAT: A catch-all log for the day for Sasha's birthday! If you would like a prompt with her, please feel free to contact me at kitties or on this journal so we can discuss a scenario!
WARNINGS: Possible AoT spoilers and talk of gore/death.

---

( starters will be in the comments below! )

Comments

( laurie collins ▸ clara's )

[huntergames]

[ Sasha had been noticeably jittery, full of too much nervous energy, as she and Laurie hurried into the jewelry and accessory shop Clara's for Sasha's ear piercing appointment. Having never had a sharp needle stabbed through her ear or navel before (whatever it was they did), Sasha had been worried up until they actually managed to pierce the skin without her feeling much, only a minor pinch. She still winces and mumbles "ow" for no particular reason the both times, but the tension deep in her shoulders besides to subside once the worst of it is over. ]

Is it over now?

[ Never mind this had all been her idea. She looks to Laurie anyway, her face a firm shade of red. There's a strong temptation to poke at her ears and stomach, but the employee told her to avoid that. ]

Huh... it didn't hurt!

[fridgeflower]

I told you it wouldn't.

[ Laurie had attempted to be as reassuring as possible. She'd gotten her ears pierced when she was ten, and she remembered the healing over as being more wince-worthy than the actual puncturing. Granted, she'd been less sure about the belly button aspect of this whole venture, but she was mostly sure it was going to be a cinch! And here they are! ]

Did you want to shop around for earrings now, or do you wanna wait until everything's healed up?

[huntergames]

[ A small, excited gasp escapes her when she remembers all the earrings available in the store for her to purchase. For now she's got small, fake diamond studs in her ears, but as soon as Laurie brings up shopping her eyes dart to the various displays. She hops out of her seat, putting down the peroxide she's been given to clean her piercings with and hurries over to one of the displays. ]

Yes, let's get earrings! I saw they had a cheeseburger one! And they have so many other shapes like dogs, foxes, pizza... I don't know what I'll choose!

[ She really doesn't with an overwhelming amount of choices. Most people might have just taken simple earrings, but Sasha is perusing over the wacky shapes and colours instead. ]

What should I get?

[fridgeflower]

[ Yeah, Laurie will just hold onto the peroxide. She slips it into her purse while tossing the piercer a quick, apologetic glance for the sheer enthusiasm that they've suddenly released on the store. She then follows Sasha over to her section of choice, and... They're certainly interesting! And it really suits Sasha to wants cute foodstuffs and little animals hanging from her ears.

Oh, look. Here's one that's the best of both worlds! Laurie plucks the set from the column and passes them over. ]

Aww, look! Weiner dogs!

[huntergames]

[ She takes them from Laurie, careful not to drop them even if they are just plastic for the most part and holds them up closely to see. Her eyes light up when she sees what Laurie means and she laughs aloud, covering her mouth with a hand. ]

These are perfect! [ She immediately decides she's going to get that pair, but her eyes continue to wander over to the other racks. ] What kind of earrings do you like to wear, Laurie?

[ Her eyes flick over to Laurie's ears, peering closely to get an idea of what other kinds she should nab while they're here. ]

[fridgeflower]

Oh, me? [ Laurie moves to push her hair back behind her ears so that Sasha can see her earrings. They're the most basic of stud earrings, but they're rose gold and well cared for. ] I usually just wear these. They're... My mom got them for me when I turned sixteen. I'm kind of paranoid about losing them, actually, so I only take them off for special occasions and stuff.

Other than that... I'm a sucker for flowers, and light, dangly ones. I try to keep it simple.

[huntergames]

Oh.

[ Sasha had thought she had seen those ones before, but she hadn't realized they were the same ones Laurie always wore. Despite all the choices they have around them, she doesn't want to pressure her friend into wearing something that doesn't carry the same sentimental value as the earrings her mother gave her. Nothing wrong with preserving those memories. ]

There are some cute flower ones here if you want. [ They're quite small, but simple in their designs. Rose, lily and dandelions. ] I don't wear a lot of jewelry... just a couple of the ones I got as gifts here.

[ Sasha flicks her wrist to show Laurie the charm bracelet she's got on. ]

[fridgeflower]

I'm kinda the same way. [ Laurie's just got the earrings and the friendship bracelet that Sasha gave her on Christmas as regular jewelry, with the occasional pendant necklace thrown in the mix. She looks from the floral earring and she takes them off of their hook, down to Sasha's wrist. ]

Oh, yeah. It's really pretty. Who got that for you?

[huntergames]

You can always get something for yourself. The sign says buy two and get one free.

[ It might be her birthday and she's new to accessorizing, but Sasha can't fathom who would need more than two packs of earrings. She's severely underestimating the power of fashion. ]

Isn't it? [ She glances at her own wrist, flicking it so it makes a soft jingling sound. ] Oh, I got it on Valentine's from Reggie.

( will graham ▸ casa ludgate-graham )

[huntergames]

[ A couple of hours after she's spent some time out with Laurie, Sasha's next stop is Will and April's house. Teleporting herself to the front door, she finishes up the tiny piece of what was once an ice cream cone left, popping it into her mouth for quick chewing. Once she swallows, she rubs her fingers on her skirt and raps lightly on the door.

She can't wait to show off her cute, new hot dog earrings to Will. She knows he would appreciate a good pun, too. ]

[infomodder]

[She is, of course, greeted by barking. Barking to let Will know, just in case he didn't hear any knocking, that someone is outside. There is something that needs his attention. And no it's not the mailman coming by again to murder everyone. People are just so thankless sometimes, who knows how many times a good dog barking at any and every passerby has saved human lives.

He opens the door shortly after a few barks of his own (That's enough! and various tsk-ing), all dumpy faded plaid and torn worn jeans. Even in the whole tossed away look, though, his smile when he spots Sasha is beaming. Diamond in the rough!]

Hey. [He opens the door wider so she can mosey on in if she wants. Multiple sets of animal eyes watch behind him. Every tail wags when they see who it is.] Comin' in?

[huntergames]

[ The barking is a comfort at this point; if she didn't hear them barking at her from behind the door she might worry they had all gotten out somehow. Before Will can open the door she's already whispering hello to them in a giddy voice, though as soon as the door opens she's standing up properly and smoothing down her skirt. ]

Hello, Will! And yes, thank you. [ She doesn't hesitate to skip on in, like a girl of nine rather than someone transitioning into a young woman. ] Hello everyone.

[ She reaches out to pet one dog's head, but then she's got to pat everyone else's. As she greets every dog individually, she looks over at Will. ]

How are you?

[infomodder]

[Everyone is just so happy to see Sasha. Shortly after she may realize they've all come to sit in a sort of half circle to patiently wait their turn of being greeted. Will recognizes it right off and can't keep the dopey smile off his face.]

Doing well. [Better now with this adorable sight taking place.] And you? Seem like you've had a good day.

[And now she has one of the smaller raccoons taking her place by sitting on Sasha's shoe and wrapping little arms around her ankle like this is her human now.]

[huntergames]

[ Oh, hello there. Sasha's long gotten used to all these animals clinging to her, so she takes wide steps to venture further into the house, trying not to move too far ahead of Will. She pushes back some of her hair, angling her head to show off her ear to him and the earring piece she has on. ]

It's been very good so far. I thought it would hurt, but... [ She pokes the weiner dog earring. ] I got my ears pierced and they had these great hot dog earrings on sale!

[infomodder]

[It would hurt? He doesn't get the connection at first, despite the fact it's literally staring him in the face (a common problem he's been dealing with for ages), and there's a moment of worry to show as much. Why would anything hurt? What? Tuesdays aren't that bad, come on...oh!

Those furrowed brows become curiosity instead of concern. He leans in, lifting one hand to help get a better view of what the charm is. What a nice ear. What a nice—]

Oh my God. [Said in the good, amazed sort of way.] Those are great.

[Sounds more like he means cute or adorable, because he does. They are greatly ahhhhhh awwww how adorable. He steps back from her personal space, shoulder becoming a rest for a stealthy raccoon.]

Celebrating something or just wanted to get it done?

[huntergames]

I know! There's this store that sells so many earrings and they have animals and foods and then those emoji faces, too! Also stars, flowers... it was just full of all kinds.

[ She's starting to regret not getting more than two packages. Her initial thought had been that even two was too many, but with all those designs she could pair them with anything she wears...

And she's gotten her navel pierced, but she's not about to pull up her shirt to show Will. Maybe a day she's wearing a crop top. ]

Oh, Laurie and I were celebrating my birthday! And then I had a free cake at this diner where the whole staff sang to me!

[infomodder]

Your...

[Surprise is plastered all over his face. The raccoon gives Sasha's leg a tight hug, complete with a few pats. Little furry way to say happy birthday, girl until later when glitter or macaroni masterpieces can be crafted. Meanwhile, Will just stands there, staring at her dumbly.]

Your birthday. Is it...it's today?

( malms vovokosi ▸ local diner )

[huntergames]

[ This tiny little diner sitting on the edge of a street in downtown Heropa, situated by a small parking lot, is not a regular location Sasha dines at, but she saw a sign on their window that mentioned birthdays got free slices of either pie or ice cream cake.

So in she goes, having herself a lovely meal that consisted of steak skewer and scrambled eggs. Only a couple of minutes after her meal is done is when a group of the diner employees come out with a slice of ice cream cake on a plate, a sparkler atop of it lit up as they march towards Sasha singing her a song. Having not expected a full song, she's a bit startled at first, but quickly her eyes light up like fireworks themselves and excitedly takes the slice of cake. ]

Oh, thank you so very much! You are all very generous and kind!

[tactical_lalafel]

[It's easy to miss Malms in a place like a diner, especially if he's not up on a stool, and after a day of playing glorified prop for Illusion's latest ad campaign the privacy of a booth is wonderful.

That said, when the sound of a birthday celebration begins, the Lalafel is curious, and hops up on his seat to see. Blinking in surprised recognition at the honored guest, he jumps down and makes his way over.]

Well, this is a pleasant surprise! May I join you for your birthday repast?

[huntergames]

[ Using the spoon they've left for her on the table, Sasha begins scooping a large piece of that cake, ready to shovel it into her mouth when she overhears a familiar voice. She glances downwards to see Malms and her dazed expression quickly morphs into a happier one. ]

Hello, Malms! [ She nods and gestures to the seat across from her. She's by herself in the diner, although that doesn't appear to bother her. She's got a free slice of cake to keep her company. ] Do you eat here a lot?

[tactical_lalafel]

[Hopping up on the indicated seat, he waves over the server and explains why he's moving tables, ordering a slice of pie for himself at the same time. That done, he turns back to Sasha.]

I'm here, oh, semi-regularly? There's a game store heavily involved in the competitive Illusion circuit, so I have to be there regularly for events. I alternate between here and a little noodle shop someone recommended to me. Fortune smiled on me to choose here today, clearly!

So, [he nods towards the cake she's eating,] how old are you, if you don't mind my asking?

[huntergames]

[ She's about to ask about this Illusion circuit, but Malms questions her first so she lowers her spoon again and says: ]

I am nineteen years old.

[ There's a slight pause when she says that, as if she has something to add. Really though, it's surreal to think she was sixteen when she first arrived here, that she's actually survived this long. ]

[tactical_lalafel]

Ah, so you're not much younger than I am! It'll be my twenty-first birthday come March, if my estimates on the calendars here and at home match up.

[His pie arrives, and he takes a bite himself.]

I'm glad your birthday's proving happier than my nineteenth was. Have you done anything else special to celebrate?

[huntergames]

When is your birthday exactly?

[ She tells herself for the future she'll be sure to buy him some kind of present if they're both still here by then. Malms deserves something for how kind and understanding he's been toward her since the day they met. She's glad she's met him as well, he's an interesting fellow himself, even if she doesn't understand everything he says. ]

You'll be "drinking age" then! They have laws against us drinking alcohol under twenty-one... maybe we should go to Canada.

Um, [ a slight pause before she gestures to her ears ] I got earrings and my friend came with me. I'm going to see Will after and then probably my boyfriend.

[tactical_lalafel]

I'm no astrologian, so I wouldn't count on this for anything critical, but as best I can figure between the Eorzean calendar and here, my birthday would be the 14th of March.

[Astrology is a battle art in Eorzea, harnessing the power of the stars to shift the tide of fate in battle, providing aid to one's allies and bane to one's foes. Malms was saddened to learn the state of the art here on earth.

But then she mentions drinking age, and the tiny black mage blinks in surprise.]

Oh! Oh. Well, I had better stop pushing my luck, then, and find someone else to buy my rum for me. Thank you for the warning!

[At her description of the day and the display of her newly-acquired earrings, he smiles happily.] That sounds like exactly the sort of day a birthday should be, then. I'm glad the stars aligned that I could be part of it!