[log] 4 + (4*6) + (4*3)

[piquedbutler]

Ah, April 16 in 2012. What a day to turn 24.

Chives didn't actually go to bed. He spent his Hour scribbling in his notes in anticipation. It's made sense of his paranoia, fixed him out of his funk and into a Proper State for celebrating his birthday. Because he's meant to be Happy today. The Numbers tell him so

Comments

[quicktocut]

She waits for him to come to her, knowing that it's as inevitable as Death itself. When he does, steaming cup of tea set beside her, she reaches down beside her seat, sliding a box over to him. "It's from India. I figured you might like an assortment. There's loose leaf and blooming teas. Happy birthday, Declan."

[piquedbutler]

The delivery of Tea and Sustenance is not to be stopped. It's all Entirely Necessary to the continued survival of Every Spade--including the reluctant and constantly hidden. So of course he insists Maeve come Sit and Eat Something before long.

And of course the appearance of the box has his fingers pausing, entire body briefly caught in perfect Stillness as he analyzes the gesture before carefully, carefully lifting the present to smooth fingers over the box's neat angles. "...you oughtn't have, Miss."

[quicktocut]

"I do as I please, Declan. You know that by now. And getting you a gift not only pleased me, it seemed appropriate. You're welcome." She's trying not to smile slightly as she picks up her tea and sips, slightly.

[piquedbutler]

"I do, Miss Maeve." There's a definite understated Fondness to the addition of her name to the honourific. It takes just a moment to carefully lift the box the rest of the way to his chest, clutching it there quietly with the same blank Nothing on his face. "It remains a great and unnecessary kindness on your part."

He's getting to 'thank you.' There's just a lot of Processing first. In the past, people have barely known his birthday existed, let alone attempted to mark the occasion.

[quicktocut]

He likes it. She gets that much, at least. And it pleases her. "I'll decide what's necessary and what isn't in regards to me and my actions, thank you."

And she always knows, Declan. Always. She just hadn't been here the last six years to do more than ensure he at least got a card from her.

[piquedbutler]

The hum that comes briefly to his lips is entirely pleased, almost with a faint tune to it. His head ducks not so much to hide an actual smile as because he's become accustomed to using the gesture in place of one.

"Entirely correct, mistress," he responds, head still down. "And... thank you."

[quicktocut]

Her eyes flick up to him at the hum, that almost-smile of hers coming again. "You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it. I wasn't too sure about your interest in Outside teas, but I thought this might be something you could dabble with."

[piquedbutler]

"They can be quite interesting, Miss." And Special. It was always nice to have Special things. She could expect to be drinking much of the contents of the gift herself over the next few months while he Experimented with the leaves. "Incredibly thoughtful of you."

[quicktocut]

She'd have to find a way to suffer through it; something she wouldn't do for someone who wasn't a favorite. "It's your birthday. Considering the thought of you taking it off is ridiculous, you can at least enjoy a few gifts. I'm sure I'm not the only one to show their appreciation."

[piquedbutler]

Up lifts his chin briefly in agreement. Taking a day off was reserved for once a year--and that would come in May. Beyond that, there was never a day that he wouldn't rather be Serving than Sitting. "Each in their own way, I expect, Miss Six."

[quicktocut]

"Would you have preferred if I'd needed help with my hair this morning?" Not that she ever did, but it seemed to make him Happy, and she preferred that as opposed to Sulking - or worse.

[piquedbutler]

Of course his head tilts sharply to the side.

"...I should never object to assisting with your hair, Miss."

There's still time. She can give him a brush Right Now. It would be a Fantastic present.

[quicktocut]

There might be a brush in one of the upper drawers of her desk, if one were inclined to look. "Why is that, hmm?" Curiosity begged her to ask.

[piquedbutler]

"You have always been a distinct pleasure to serve, Miss Maeve." A true enough fact; his head tilts a little further in a calm, broken-necked expression of thought. "And it's quite lovely to handle well-kept hair."

Also true enough.

[quicktocut]

The drawer is slid open, an ebony-handled brush being set on top of the desk. "If you feel so inclined, and it would make you happy, you're welcome to."

Followed by another sip of her tea. It was the man's birthday, after all.

[piquedbutler]

Oh, Maeve. What a sweet, thoughtful girl. His lips purse into a briefly Pleased Expression before he carefully takes the brush.

"If you'll sit a touch straighter, Miss."

What a lovely, lovely birthday.