(no subject)

[axiomed]

Who: Charles Xavier and YOU
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Heron
When: July 13th

[ Video ]

[ The video starts, shaky before it focuses on Charles. Well, Charles and the suddenly large box that drops in his path, effectively blocking him. For a minute, he glances around, surprised before he tentatively opens the box --

And the music starts, tinny and loud. He winces as he pulls out the swimming caps from the box. The note attached says, "Congratulations on getting closer to baldness!". Charles drops the caps back in the box. ]

Charming. I don't suppose anyone wants these? Free of charge

[ Action - locked to Erik, Raven, Hank and Moira ]

[ They had decided on the beach . . . though it seems that as though the plans were made ahead of time. Charles isn't bothered, more amused and touched by the amount of preparation and dedication that had gone into the event. He hadn't celebrated his birthday in years, years spent with Hank in an empty mansion, trying to down out each other's mutual sorrow.

Now . . . he's not sure how to feel about it, but the feeling of appreciation hasn't wavered yet. It's close to late evening and the sun is setting over the vast sea. ]

( Charles can be found on the Heron for most of the day, save for the evening )

Comments

action

[grandstanding]

[He had prepared, all right. Enough to bring a decent amount of food with them when they set off for the beach. Some of it was ready-made snacks bought from the market, but others he had cooked himself. A couple of pies, a container of baked vegetables (the ones most similar to potatoes).

The sunset was worth the choice of location, he thinks to himself as he unloads the goods onto the blanket in the sand. It's unlikely any of them would go swimming, yet that wouldn't put a damper on anything.]

At least we won't need an umbrella.

Re: action

[axiomed]

[ Charles frowns briefly at the sand clinging to his wheels before drinking in the sight. What a beautiful place. ]

Good weather is on our side today. I would think a place like this sees more far more rain than we're used to.

[grandstanding]

Most likely, especially on the coast.

[He sits back on his heels, watching the water for a moment.]

I meant in terms of the sun as well.

[axiomed]

[ He chuckles softly. ]

It sounds as if you had all this planned perfectly.

[grandstanding]

That's flattering, but I wasn't the only one doing the planning.

action

[athru]

[ Raven can remember a time when birthdays at the mansion were just her and Charles, secreting each other away and spending the hours together, tucked into nooks and crannies of the house where no one would find them. Each year was another year to celebrate, not just because they were getting older but because it was another year together, another year of having a brother or a sister at their side, another year of loving someone so much it hurt.

Then there had been Cuba, and then there had been ten years of remembering the date and wondering if she ought to send a card, or something, if she should even bother, if Charles would have wanted it... And ultimately deciding not to. She hadn't wanted to hurt either of them with something they might never be able to have again, and she knows that reminding Charles of those years together would taint it, somehow.

Here, on the fleet, however, things are different, and with Charles looking out over the setting sun Raven can move, shifting her body so that she can lean over, her arm trapping him so she can leave a kiss on his cheek. ]

Are you ready for your present, old man?

[axiomed]

Ready as I'll ever be.

[ He takes her hand, kissing her palm lightly. He wasn't concerned with the presents but there was something . . . fantastical and unreal about all of them being together like this.

The last time, he had fractured ribs. So this was certainly an improvement. ]

[athru]

Your excitement is overwhelming me.

[ She's teasing, though, and nudges Charles gently, letting her hand brush against his cheek with a carefulness she can't disguise. It still feels a little miraculous, being here with the lot of them, and she imagines that, maybe, Charles feels the same. Maybe the group of them being together is present enough for him.

Settling down in front of him, she grabs the bag that had been settled at her side and draws out a small box. She doesn't let him have a good look before she takes it out and picks up a chain, reaching out to snap it closed behind Charles' neck - then she does the same for herself and, oh, look, they're a matching pair.

It's almost as if she planned it.

Careful, Raven draws the two lockets together and watches with her eyes lifting to Charles as the two snap together, forming an awkward heart - but each locket has their initials on it; CFX, RD. ]

There's space for pictures inside - I couldn't do that here, obviously. But they go together, even though they're two different things.

[ There's symbolism there, but she doesn't really need to make that part more obvious. ]

I made them myself.

[ With a bit of help from the locals. ]

[axiomed]

Oh.

[ It's a quiet, awed sound as he touches the locket around his neck. Vividly, Charles recalls Raven's picture on the nightstand, how he would look upon it when the serum was at its peak, stealing away the grief and pain locked in his heart. Charles wipes his eyes discreetly with his thumb and lets a quiet, touched smile emerge. ]

It's perfect. Thank you.

[athru]

Of course.

[ Careful, she leans in and presses a kiss to his forehead, her arms looping around his neck for a moment before she settles back, one hand touching his cheek. She can't look away, not for a long time, and she breathes out for a moment before, carefully, she touches her forehead to his. ]

It doesn't make up for ten years of missed birthdays, but - it's a start, right?

action;

[beathach]

[Hank had brought food along as well, making sure not to double up on anything Erik had bought or made. Snacks and the like, mostly, things that wouldn't spoil if it sat there untouched for a while. That and drinks, and he made sure to find something that wasn't alcoholic as well (Sorry, Charles)

He waits until the others have given their gifts and offered their birthday wishes before he sets a package in Charles' lap, briefly clasping his shoulder before standing up straight. It'd been years since the last time either of them had celebrated a birthday, but he's glad that at least this time around, it isn't just another day in a lonely mansion]

Happy birthday, Charles.

[axiomed]

[ He blinks before patting Hank's arm. ]

Thank you, Hank. Really, you shouldn't have. All this trouble . . .

[beathach]

It wasn't my idea. [he isn't taking credit for any of this; it was all Erik, and he went along with it because it was a good idea] Besides - you deserve to celebrate it for once.

[with people, outside]

[axiomed]

[ He glances at Erik, with a soft smile. ]

Well, I would hardly complain on my birthday.

[beathach]

I'd hope no one or nothing would give you a reason to.

video;

[winn]

[ he's 100% sure he's missing the joke, but...he's equally sure he got the point. ]

..happy birthday?

Re: video;

[axiomed]

Thank you.

[ He waves the swimming caps, wry. ] As far as jokes go, this isn't very subtle.

video;

[winn]

I don't think I'm getting it -

[ what's the joke? he hates not understanding things. ]

Re: video;

[axiomed]

Oh, I go bald in the future. That's what they're implying.

video;

[thetruehistorian]

Is it common to receive packages out of nowhere like that?

Re: video;

[axiomed]

Common? To some degree. The audience at times bestows packages to certain members of the Fleet - a sign of their approval. Or enjoyment.

[ The last part is said more sarcastically. ]

video;

[thetruehistorian]

I see. And is there a special occasion this one intended to commemorate?

Re: video;

[axiomed]

[ Huh. ]

My birthday, apparently.

action;

[noprophecies]

[when Charles returns for the night, after the festivities, there's a gift on his bed. It's a carved picture Charles and Erik, carefully etched into wood. How she managed to get this so quickly is a mystery.

There's a note attached, written in flowing Elvish script, with it written out in English underneath:]

Garo arad-o-onnad 'elir, mellon.

- Aurae

PS: Flip it over.

[and if he flips over the carving . . . well, there's a sketch attached, of two certain characters from a certain group of books. Because she thinks she's funny]

Re: action;

[axiomed]

[ He smiles fondly and tucks it away in a corner. Close by, so he could spot it easily. ]