[video]

[unetrustworthy]

[From the moment the camera turned on, Midii looked...almost as if she were regretting the decision. Public speaking was never her strong suit, which was why she so rarely made videos like these. But there was something on her mind. For once...something personal. And after a few seconds of hesitation, her resolve won out.]

It's...strange to think about.

[Maybe it would have been better if she'd gathered more of her thoughts before doing this, but she hadn't wanted to give herself a chance to back out.]

I cam here when I was eleven. Today, I'm sixteen. [Ah, there was one point of motivation; she'd never publicly announced her birthday before. There truly was a first time for everything.] And I've had so much time to think about what that means. That I've lived here for so long that I...I almost forgot what it was like to live in the world I grew up in. That...that's a good thing. Because when I came here, I didn't trust anybody. I couldn't. I was scared and small and...didn't think I deserved the kindness that people were suddenly showing me. I tried turning them away. I figured that they'd get over it and move on sooner or later and leave me alone.

But...they didn't. Leave me alone, that is. Five years later, and people still won't leave me alone. [Despite her words, she spoke them with hints of a smile. Humor. Her attempt at a joke.] I've never been more grateful for those people as I am today. And I wish...that I could tell the ones who are gone that. I wish they could know how much they meant to me. More than even I knew then.

[A pause. She took a deep breath and stared into the camera greatly. Then let out a sheepish smile.]

I'm...not even sure what I was trying to say anymore. I guess...for those of you who are still finding it hard to deal with having been brought here...I just wanted you to know that there are good things that have come out of it. I'm living proof of that.

[Because she was still alive.]

[Although, just when it looked like Midii was about to (awkwardly) sign off...one last thought came to her. And in a rare show of her age, her nose wrinkled slightly in distaste.]

I still don't think I'll ever get used to the magic here, though. It's too....unpredictable.

Comments

[lasergrenades]

[Pepper was smiling softly when she turned on the feed, something a bit less energetic than her usual.]

You know people are usually supposed to give you gifts on your birthday, not the other way around, right? [It's gentle teasing. She appreciated the sentiment Midii was sharing.] It seems like a lot of us find family here. I'm glad you did.

[Pepper brightened a little.]

Happy birthday, by the way. Mine's today too - I'm having a party if you want to come. I mean, obviously you don't have to, but there'll be plenty of cake to share.

video

[spoilsfun]

Five years? [Conan looks intrigued through the video feed.] I don't think I've met anyone here who's been here longer.

[He makes a face at the last comment.]

Is there such a thing as predictable magic? [He was still offended at being forced to accept that any kind of magic was legitimate in the first place. ]

video;

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine smiles softly, apparently taking no offense about the magic comment. It's true that there's a great number of different traditions here, and trying to discern how they interact when you're not already used to magic can be... complicated. At least Midii doesn't deny it.]

Happy birthday.

I've often thought that the chance Keeliai offers people is an invaluable one.

[She hesitates over what she's about to say, brow furrowing slightly as she hunts for words.]

Some of my students would say that those people surely knew how you felt, or that even now, your hearts are connected. It's... something I would like to believe, I think.

As for the here and now, however-- I'm glad we met.

[shroudofgray]

I am very happy you have found friends and a place to belong. It is important not to be left alone.

[purrns]

Happy birthday, Midii. Is there anything you'd like? For your birthday, I mean.

[Because he sure will give her whatever gift she desires. Birthdays are important, he doesn't want anyone to miss out on theirs like he did his for so long. ]

Sorry but not sorry for never leaving you alone.

video;

[jinzhong]

Hey. Happy birthday.

I know I leave you alone a lot, [a little smile here,] but do you want to hang out or something?

video, private;

[wrathfulkhan]

I get it...forgetting what it's like where you came from when you're spending so much time here. And I get feeling like that's a good thing. I've changed here, for the better.

I don't know if I'd go back, if I had the choice.

And happy birthday. I mean it.

[luckyspots]

I'm glad they didn't. [Okay, speaking isn't her strong suit either.] Leave you alone, that is.

I haven't been here near that long but-- I still like thinking of you as a friend.

[She's probably quicker to throw that word around, but still... Marinette truly meant it regardless.]

...A-anyway. It's not much but-- if you wanted... I'd like to bake you a little something for your birthday.