Rehearsal 5 (6/09): [Voice, from Astralfield]

[forgotten_vows]

[There's a hiss of static, and then Victor's voice comes on mid-sigh -- clearly he's turned his communicator on by accident.]

I've really got to get out of this habit of having depressing birthdays. . .especially when there's no Alice around to cheer me up. Of course, I don't even know if it's really -- wait, why is the light --

[There's a distinct pause, and then Victor speaks again, now sounding a little embarrassed.]

Ah, e-excuse that everyone, I just --

Well, I may as well own up to it. It's apparently my birthday today. I don't know if I'm actually a year older, given that I seem to have skipped over a few months when I arrived here from home, but. . .for simplicity's sake we'll say it's my birthday. And yes, I am feeling slightly blue. Missing home. I'm -- I'm sure you all understand.

[Another, slightly-anxious pause.]

I do hope I haven't upset anyone. I --

I just miss her. A lot.

Comments

[Action]

[forgotten_vows]

[Which is only good sense, of which Kaname must have plenty.

Well, if you keep doing that, you can expect a lot of that reaction out of Victor. He's jumpy when he's startled. And sometimes when he's not. He nods, getting himself back under control.]

Y-yes, thank you.

[primumsanguis]

[Quite an abundance.

He should be careful when dealing with Victor then. He wouldn't want to kill Victor.]

I'm not sure what flavour you'd like, so I went with the usual.. Chocolate buttercreme

[Action]

[forgotten_vows]

[Victor's not likely to drop over dead from it -- just jump and possibly get increasingly annoyed. Today, though, any annoyance is a bit short-circuited by the reveal of cake.]

Chocolate's just fine, thank you. I'm a great lover of chocolate.

[He moves a few animals and pillows around to make it a bit easier to sit.]

[Action]

[primumsanguis]

[Kaname rarely does a trick twice.]

I'm glad to hear that. [Kaname helps free some chairspace for Victor.]

Anyway, Happy Birthday.

[Action]

[forgotten_vows]

[Well good.]

Thank you. [Victor sits down amidst the lot.] It really is kind of you to do this. My last birthday was a bit lacking.

[Except for Alice's present, but -- he's trying not to think about that.]

[Action]

[primumsanguis]

You deserve to be happy on your special day. Next time, I'd hope you be able to bring your friends to celebrate your birthday properly, if you don't mind. [He smiles at Victor. Being alone is something nobody deserves, at least in Kaname's mind.]

[Action]

[forgotten_vows]

I'm still in the process of making friends here. [Though Terra surely counts by now. . .perhaps he'll bring a slice of cake her way.] Though I am pleased to find so many friendly people. That was a bit lacking where I was before as well.

[Action]

[primumsanguis]

It's certainly not easy to make friends is it?


Lacking?

[Action]

[forgotten_vows]

[Victor shrugs a little.] Particularly not when you're a bit shy.

[He makes a face.] Before I found myself on Lochwell's streets, I was living in the absolute worst neighborhood in London -- Whitechapel. I don't know if you're familiar with it, but -- it's smelly, crime-ridden, and just all-around horrible.

[Action]

[primumsanguis]

[He nods at that, though he's not sure if he can empathize with him. He's not particularly shy.]

So are you telling me that Lochwell is much better then?

[Action]

[forgotten_vows]

Yes, even if it is run by that particularly bossy Queen. . .I actually live in Astralfield now, but even a place where dreams come to life and run around each day is better. At least there's more to look at than smog and trash.