A birthday party on Aiur, Thursday

[moonbrain_tam]

It was her birthday today, and following Kerrigan's advice, River had let Raynor know a few days ahead. She had just mentioned it briefly, but he couldn't keep his plans from her; he was planning a birthday celebration.

It was a very human thing, and camouflaging as human she would have to seem happy.

She had climbed up a tree and now sat on a thick

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[on_her_korhal]

"River?" Jim called, digging through the jungle. It wasn't as dangerous out here as it used to be, but he was still gonna be worried when the kid took off. "You out here, sweetheart?"

[moonbrain_tam]

She let out a giggle. It should be enough for him to find her, she guessed, but she swung her legs too, making the leaves rustle.

[on_her_korhal]

"There you are," he sighed in relief, and came up to the tree she was sitting in. "What're you doing up there, kiddo? You know you gotta watch out for stray Zerg."

[moonbrain_tam]

"Am a good fighter," River reminded him as she jumped down on to the ground in front of him. "You were looking for me."

[on_her_korhal]

"Yeah, well, Zerg got teeth, hun," he sighed. He'd have this argument with her a million times, he knew it. "We got a job for you back at camp. Nothin' fancy, but it'll help you keep busy."

[moonbrain_tam]

She nodded, pretending to take this seriously, and followed Raynor. "Do you dance?" she asked.

[on_her_korhal]

He smiled a bit. "Used to," Jim admitted, making his way through the now-familiar bushes, "Used to be pretty good, too."

[moonbrain_tam]

"I used to be good," River told him. "I miss dancing." She had done quite a lot of dancing before arriving here though, but of the more violent kind.

[on_her_korhal]

"I'm sure you can find a couple of folks who'd be happy to," he said. He really liked the kid-- she had spirit.

His steps quickly brought him towards the camp-- and the barracks they'd spruced up for the occasion. He could already see Fenix's exoskeleton gleam between the trees up ahead. "Raiders can use a dance from time to time, huh?"

[moonbrain_tam]

"Yes," River said as they approached the barracks. "Makes worries disappear momentarily."

[on_her_korhal]

"River makes a point of utmost importance." Fenix's mind-voice greeted them as they reached camp.

"Yeah, I'd like to see you dance, you old metal bastard," Raynor chuckled, smirking up at the exoskeleton that held Fenix's broken form.

"I was once, as you Terrans would put it, 'the shit'," the Protoss deadpanned.

[moonbrain_tam]

"I would dance with you," River told Fenix with a smile. "And with you too," she added, poking Raynor's arm.

[on_her_korhal]

"If I grow new legs," Fenix promised her, "I'll take your offer, young River."

Raynor poked her back. "Don't listen to him," he said, "C'mon." He nodded his head at the barracks. "You got clean and repair to do, kid."

[moonbrain_tam]

She grinned at Fenix and at Raynor, but said nothing. She couldn't help it; this amused her. She turned and walked towards the barracks.

[on_her_korhal]

The barracks seemed dark. Very, very dark, without a spark of light...

Until the lights went on. The room full of people smiled back at her.

"Surprise," Raynor grinned. There was even a cake, even if it was a crappy one made of ration wafers and some stuff they'd managed to pilfer from the Protoss ruins, but it was something.

They needed to make the kid feel at home.

[moonbrain_tam]

River had planned her reaction. She laughed, trying to come across as surprised and happy. She was supposed to be human and this was her human birthday. It came easier than she had expected, and she remembered birthdays and other celebrations from her human past.

She missed Kerrigan, her mind instinctively reaching out for her, recalling that time when she got her to dance.

Turning to Raynor, River smiled sweetly. "As it's my birthday, will you dance with me?"