12;

[axeofoath]

Is this working--There!

Excuse me, but I have a very important announcement to make: This Friday happens to be the young master's six--oh--ah, Young Master Tyr's birthday! I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of meeting all the friends he has made here in the City, so I would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to all those who are acquainted with him.

We will be holding a modest lunch party at our apartment--number 108 in building ten. I would be honoured if his friends could take the time to attend. And, of course, the young master will be pleased, too!

Now, the city had better not cause any curses to ruin the occasion...

Comments

[axeofoath]

[It is! He'd feel so ashamed that he doesn't know, too!]

Ah--That's right. [He'd just been so excited to mention it...] My apologies, Young Master. Should I send out more formal invitations for you?

[stargathering]

[ So he'll just sorta assume he's sixteen!? ]

[ Tyr shakes his head. ] That's not necessary. This'll do now...

But...

[axeofoath]

[...Yes. Sob. It's not like Tyr can be much older than that, right? Right?]

But...? Is everything all right? I'll do my best to make any adjustments you'd like.

[stargathering]

[ Of course not! That would be silly. I mean, he LOOKS like he could be sixteen... ]

No, it's nothing like that, I just... [ wait a second ] --You've already made plans?

[axeofoath]

[And there's no way there could be that many years between their timelines...]

Only as far as holding it here in the apartment, Young Master, but I can certainly change that if you wish.

[stargathering]

[ That would just be silly. ]

No, we should keep it here. Especially if the City keeps the rest of this up...

[stargathering]

[ ANYWAY ] But my six what?

[axeofoath]

[Absolutely!]

Yes, you're right. Of all the times for these events to keep occurring--they could at least stop for your birthday! [Huff! Because Tyr's birthday is that important!

But at the question, he wrings his hands with a little uncertainty.] Ah, well...I know that the times we come from are a little different, Young Master, so I thought it might be your sixteenth birthday, but--I'm ashamed to say I don't know for certain.

[stargathering]

[ huff, dang right my birthday is important. ] Maybe they'll do something nice for my birthday like they had last year... [ Not sounding too certain here.

At that answer though, Tyr give a short little 'heh'. ] I'm a little older than that now... There's actually a lot of time between us.

[axeofoath]

Something nice occurred last year? [Well, he's relieved to hear that

...Although Tyr saying starts to make him wonder.] A-a lot...? I hate to have to ask, Young Master, but...How old will you be?

[stargathering]

Yeah. [ He's always happy to recall this. ] The City gave me a plenty of cake.

[ Tyr tries to remember how old Gremio is... But very simply: ] Twenty-two.

1/2

[axeofoath]

That's wonderful, Young Master! Although I hope you didn't eat too much.

[At first, he just nods.] Ah, you're already...

[axeofoath]

[AND THEN IT STARTS TO ACTUALLY REGISTER. Tyr is only two years younger than him.]

T-t-twenty--twenty-two?!

1/2

[stargathering]

I held back a little...

[stargathering]

[ Oh, he can see the fretting already. He explains a little awkwardly. ]

I've been here over a year, and the war lasted for three years, then after that... A lot of time has passed.

[axeofoath]

[He's still stunned. So many years have gone by for Tyr, and Gremio has no idea what's happened during that time. And, really, he just wasn't prepared to expect such a large gap between their timelines.]

Y-Young Master, I--I had no idea...it's been so long for you.

[stargathering]

[ Tyr just puts his hands in his pockets and looks to Gremio's shoulder. He can only imagine what's going through Gremio's mind right now. Maybe it's like when Tyr realised Gremio hadn't even been revived yet. ]

It's fine. It's not like it's immediately obvious...

[axeofoath]

[It's true that Tyr barely looks any older than Gremio remembers. He could tell that his master had gained maturity, but to think it had been that long...Gremio still has trouble wrapping his head around the idea.

However, Tyr is still Tyr. A few years' difference can't change that, even if Gremio wishes he could have already gone through them along with his master.]

Ah, yes...I-I'm just a little surprised, but--Young Master, you truly have grown up.

[stargathering]

[ At least to Tyr, Gremio has been with him more than he hasn't. It's this in-between state that Tyr can't stand. He smiles at Gremio in a bit of amusement. ]

Since I'm almost your age, aren't I?

[axeofoath]

[Gremio doesn't quite realize Tyr's discomfort. Although he isn't exactly about to forget that he's dead, he gives it no thought. In any case, Tyr's smile helps him calm down a little.]

Yes...Yes, you are. Young Master... [There are plenty of thoughts running through his head, mostly along the lines of "the young master is so grown up" and "I'm so proud!", but he replies simply-] I'll know how many candles to put on your birthday cake now!

[stargathering]

[ Tyr is still trying to hide it to keep his plan from being realised. It'll be fine when he can fix things...

But Gremio saying that? That breaks whatever tense mood there was. ] Haha. If anyone can fit that many candles on a cake, it's you.

[axeofoath]

[That's right, he'd better hide it. Gremio would have none of it if he knew!]

Fitting twenty-two candles won't be a problem at all, Young Master. [Since he plans to bake a large one.] Is chocolate acceptable, or do you have another preference?

[stargathering]

[ And Gremio reprimanding him is the worst! :( ]

Ah. [ He thinks of it for a moment - it is his birthday cake, after all. ] It depends on the kind of chocolate cake.

[axeofoath]

[He does it out of love! >:]

[And Tyr will get any kind of cake he desires.] On the kind? Is there are a particular kind you would prefer?

[stargathering]

[ he's not going to do anything too bad... ]

Mm... [ Still...thinking about it. ] You know, strawberries are in season...