voidseeing | Appointments Post

[Elizabeth doesn't have anything planned that comes even close to what Gai did for her birthday. And for a while she was nearly frantic trying to come up with something that would be big and grand and impressive. But after a few days of thinking and planning and scrapping ideas, Elizabeth thinks that maybe she's having such a hard time thinking of something because Gai enjoyed simpler things.]

[So she arrives at Gai's door in the afternoon, with self-baked cake in hand. When she gets into the building, she lights the candle on the top and actually knocks on the door. The fact that she's not breaking into his apartment like she usually does is clearly part of the surprise.]

[Also hands full of cake.]

[The knock comes as a bit of a surprise to Gai-- he isn't expecting company, nor does he even really think much of the fact that today is the date he decided upon for his birthday. Still, there are only two people who would bother stopping by his apartment, so that narrows the list of possible suspects down a great deal.

He's definitely surprised when he opens the door to Elizabeth bearing a cake, however, as the look on his face makes clear. The fact that she remembered the date is both startling and touching, and he isn't really sure how to respond at first beyond just sort of staring at the cake.]

Edited 2014-03-24 03:09 (UTC)

[Elizabeth looks happy and hopeful when Gai opens the door, but the staring is bringing her down a little. She looks nervously at the cake then back up at Gai.]

...You don't like strawberries. [She'd been afraid of that as she'd carefully layered them into the filling, but by then it was too late.] It's alright! I brought-- [She goes into her shoulderbag and tries to awkwardly pull a bottle out one-handed.] --champagne!

[Seeing the look on Elizabeth's face, he immediately realizes what happened: she saw him staring and misinterpreted it as being disgust rather than surprise. So he's quick to allay her fears with a smile and a shake of his head, giving the cake a more appreciative look this time.]

I love them. I just wasn't expecting anyone to remember my birthday.

[And the cake does look delicious, he can't deny that.]

Did you make it yourself?

Well you remembered mine-- I would be a terrible fiancee if I forgot the birthday of the man I'm going to marry. [She blushes, a mix of shy and pleased by how openly she can say things like that now. It still feels a little unreal, but she's getting there.]

I did make it. I thought about what I could do that would be impressive or flashy, like when you gave me Paris. But then I thought maybe you'd just like something quiet. And simple?

You read my mind.

[And he ducks his head to drop a kiss on her forehead, not wanting to get too close to her for fear of dislodging either the cake or the champagne in the process.]

I've had enough impressive and flashy to last a lifetime. Quiet and simple is a nice change, especially if it's just for the two of us. This is perfect-- thank you.

[Elizabeth also shifts things a little so Gai can avoid the lit candle on the cake while he kisses her.] Just the two of us. Oh, but Booker might come by later, I invited him. Was that alright?

[Her grin says she's kidding. Because goodness knows what they'll be up to later.] Can I come in?

Sure, if he doesn't mind being locked out for a few hours. Or until tomorrow.

[He'll see her that grin and raise her some snarky commentary, because he was thinking exactly the same thing.]

Come on in. I can put some tea on if you want.

[He isn't sure quite when he started being so domestic, but he's also pretty sure he likes it.]

Yeah, I guess he never was very good at opening doors by himself... [She laughs and moves into the apartment, immediately finding a place to set the bottle and cake.]

Wait, wait! [Elizabeth goes back into the bag and produces more candles. Eighteen, actually.] should I light them now? Or tea first?

Edited (1910S BIRTHDAY RESEARCH GO!) 2014-03-26 05:08 (UTC)

Might as well light the rest of them now so we don't finish our tea to a puddle of wax on the top of the cake. It looks too tasty the way it is to want wax as an added topping.

[The one is already lit, after all, and it won't burn forever. Unless it's one of those trick candles, but he doubts Elizabeth even knows what those are.]

Oh don't worry, they're paraffin. [She smiles and lights the other candles via the one in the center, sticking them in a semi-stylized design. But close together, so he can get them all in one breath.]

Still doesn't mean I want to eat it.

[But he smiles, waiting for her to place the other candles so that he can blow them out.]

Should I go for it, or do you want to sing for me?

[She laughs lightly as she finishes lighting the candles-- 20 of them. It takes a while, but she finishes it and stands back.]

Nineteen and one for good luck. [Elizabeth turns around and steps to the side so Gai can stand in front of the cake. She takes his hand, smiles, and sings quietly.]

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday... ...my dearest. [She squeezes his hand and lays her head on his shoulder to finish.] Happy Birthday to you.

And many, many more.

[Elizabeth has a beautiful voice, there's no denying that. It makes even 'Happy Birthday' into something lovely and melodic, and for a moment Gai is lost in just listening to her sing and the feeling of her holding his hand. Maybe birthdays aren't so bad after all if they're going to be like this.]

Many more for us to celebrate together.

[He gives her a squeeze and kisses her hair. For the first time, there's actually the certainty that he'll live to see another birthday, and he finds himself happy with that thought.]

Yes, many more. [She looks up and puts a short peck on Gai's lips.]

Come on, make a wish and blow them out! Before we have a wax cake to eat. [Elizabeth grins and looks back at the cake. It does look very pretty, lit with so many candles.]

I'm not sure what I have left to wish for when I already have everything I could ever want.

[Sappy, perhaps, but true as far as he's concerned. Well, almost everything, but there's no rush to have a family. He'd like to have Elizabeth all to himself for at least a few years first.]

Then wish for something more immediate. [She smiles, maybe a little suggestively, up at him and then back at the cake.] Something I can make happen.

[Oho. His own smile takes on a more mischievous bent, and there's a decided sparkle to his eye now.]

Now that I think I can do. I've got a few ideas for some immediate gratification...

I'm sure you do. You always have 'a few ideas', don't you? [She grins back and nods to the cake.] I think you're only allowed one wish per cake, though.

Does it really count as a wish if it's something you want too?

[If he can get off on a technicality, then hell yes he's going to go for it, partly because he just loves bantering with her like this. It's relaxing and intimate, and he loves that she teases him right back and keeps up with everything he dishes out. It's part of what made him fall in love with her in the first place.

Of course it does. You can wish for a lot of things that I might want too-- [Elizabeth's own mischievous grin comes out and she shoulders him lightly.] That doesn't mean I'll give it to you right away, though. Even if it is your birthday.

That's exactly the way I like it. Having to work for it just makes it all that much better when you finally get it. Besides, there's nothing as exciting as a good challenge.

[But the candles are starting to melt, so he'll hold that thought there while he leans over to blow them out now.]

[When Gai extinguishes them all in one go, Elizabeth is hardly surprised but very delighted. It's exciting for her, too-- celebrating Gai's birthday for the first time.]

I always knew you had good lungs. [She laughs and starts pulling the candles out of the cake.] Dessert first, then? Or are you going to tell me what your wish was?

I'd rather leave you to try and guess while we eat. Who knows, maybe your imagination can come up with a few things I hadn't even thought of.

[Things they would both benefit from, no doubt. Right now, though, that cake looks absolutely delicious, and Gai can't wait to try it, especially since Elizabeth made it herself.]

So cruel! Didn't I just make you a cake? [She laughs and goes to Gai's kitchen to get some plates and utensils. And glasses for the champagne.]

But I might have gotten you something that could help with that. It's in my bag.

[It's a book-shaped parcel wrapped in brown paper and red ribbon. And inside is the gift that will probably keep on giving...]

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st

[Action] March 21st