tushanshu | ✦ 014 ✦ [VIDEO] ✦ (Open to ACTION) ✦

[Another day, another morning of having to ration her tea and breakfast. Of residual smoke lingering in the air from the explosions that had gone off down the street. Of the near radio silence and informational uncertainty that came with it. Of having to stare at the ugly remodeled palace and remember that, whatever was inside it, it had been enough to scare certain people into staying as far away as possible.]

[There was something particularly special about this day, however...or, at least, there was supposed to be.]

[The good news was that Zatanna seemed to be feeling a lot better. You'd never know from her expression, though, as she stared dully into the camera for a fleeting moment, before calmly holding up a sign (in English):]

WORST
"SWEET" SIXTEEN
EVER

[It was the most trivial of teen trivial things, but she didn't care. Malicant wanted to listen in on everybody's conversations? Find out what they were talking about? Fine. She would rant and rave all she wanted, and he would have no choice but to listen.]

[Because #F*@kYouMalicant]

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[Upon seeing her message, Armin offers a sorry smile and quickly scribbles a note on his desk to hold up in return.]

Happy? Birthday

[Oh! She remembered him. The boy who came for a tarot card reading...how long ago was that?]

Thank you.
[She managed a warm smile for him. None of this was his fault, after all.]

Long Time, No See.

[He pauses to scrawl another note-- he can't help his verbosity even when it would benefit him to be short.]

I'm afraid circumstances have prevented our prior plans

[She can be patient. Not everybody had the ability to magically write up a response in less than three seconds. Which is what she proceeded to do once she read his response.]

It's not too late, if you have time later this week.

[The rest of at least today would, she had a hunch, be otherwise booked.]

I do. It's gotten rather lonely around here as of late. I don't even have work.

[She could sympathize. It was only because her own boss' stubbornness--and an unsurprising increase in kedan desires for protection charms--that kept the shop she worked at open for business.]

[Although she had been on sick leave for a long while this month.]

No friends?
[...in hindsight, that probably came off a lot meaner than she'd intended it to. Sorry, Armin.]

[Armin's mouth twists in a wry smile, and he shakes his head. No, no friends. He doesn't blame her at all for making the assumption, he practically exudes loneliness sometimes.]

Most everyone I knew has left this place.

[Her shoulders slumped. He'd mentioned that the last time they spoke, but she had just assumed he would...make new ones?]

[Okay, yeah, that sounded bad, even in her head.]

Maybe I can introduce you to some of mine.

That would be nice.

[He pauses for a moment, and then adds:]

My friends at home would scold me for being such a hermit.

Your friends would be right.
[And she lowered the card just long enough to give him a playful wink, showing she was just teasing. Tone was so hard to convey through written word alone, and she didn't want him to think she was purposely insulting him.]

Then again, I don't blame people for wanting to stay inside after everything.

Me neither. I'm used to these sorts of conditions, but I wouldn't wish them on anyone.

No kidding. You're think SOME people would have a little courtesy for their house guests in this world.
[HEAR THAT, MALLY?]

[Armin can't help but laugh a little.]

And we've been so compliant. Do you know how much Kirin poop I've shoveled?

I can honestly say that is a question I would have never thought to ask anybody, ever.

[His smile turns a little sly.]

So much. Piles. Mountains. I was an expert. And then when I was hitting my real stride, they set my barn on fire.

I've been so bored.

[He seems rather proud of himself for making even the smallest joke.]

[...ew?]

I'll be honest; if that's all that was in there, I might've been tempted to set it on fire, too.

[lol]

oh no, I suppose they throw that overboard, or use it for something. but if you find a Kirin wandering around, please return it to the Wood sector. the Boss at least has a pen rebuilt.

What's a Kirin?

You know, the little deer-beasts the kedan use to pull carts and such.

Oh, right. That's what they're called.

I'll be on the lookout. Promise.

[He nods.]

Thank you.

If you would like something for your birthday, I could try and dig it up. Juulan still persuades some kedan.

[Unexpected. But oh so very sweet; her expression warmed.]

You don't have to do that.

It would give me something to do. Don't worry, I won't make a beggar of myself.

No, really. I'll be fine. I promise.

You said as much yourself. You're out of work? Don't you need the money for yourself?

I've amassed a frankly absurd amount over the months. But I'll let it lie if you insist.

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