(no subject)

[castrationfist]

Who: Caster, everyone, and one unfortunate victim.
Broadcast: Text! Anonymous text. She's so sneaky.
Action: On the Vanquish!
When: Backdated to yesterday, the 19th!

[Bright and early in the morning, there's an anonymous text post flagged as urgent to the network. Does the network even have urgent flags? It apparently does now. Magic is great.]

ATTENTION, FLEET:
Today is the birthday of an incredibly amazing and talented person! The Vanquish's very own Hermione Granger!
It seems like she's keeping it secret, because she's humble along with everything else, but that won't do at all! People of importance have to be recognized!
So, be sure to shower her plenty of love and praise today, and also gifts! Birthday presents are important too!
All celebrators are to come to the Vanquish immediately!
This is how birthdays work, right?

Comments

[brainiest]

[ She's used to putting on a brave face with everyone - and, admittedly, sometimes she forgets that Charles can see more than most. She's too used to him as well. ]

I can't change her, and I'm happy just knowing she's here. That's enough for me.

[axiomed]

[ Abruptly. ]

No, it's not. Because it feels like they're so close but you can't bridge the gap.

[ He purses his lips, irritated with himself. ]

[brainiest]

[ Hermione pauses, struck, for a moment, before she breathes out. ]

No. Maybe - maybe you can't. But at least they're here, and not somewhere else where you can't see them or help them.

[axiomed]

. . . Is that really better? One's help isn't always necessary. Or needed.

[brainiest]

Maybe it's not necessary, and maybe they don't need it, but they might want it all the same. Or... Or maybe they need something to ground them, to make things easier.

[ She shakes her head, pursing her lips as she pots around making tea. ]

It's not the best, being here. But at least they're here with someone that loves them.

[axiomed]

[ Is he? Charles wonders. Erik doesn't want to be here. He didn't want that even before they had their comas. Not that it matters. Nothing before or after seems to matter. Except for Erik's well-being. ]

No. We all have to make do.

[brainiest]

It's easier for some people more than others.

[ Sitting down for a moment, Hermione just... Stops. ]

I don't really know how to explain it. It's... Not that you choose to accept it, maybe, perhaps it's more that you just... Do? You don't have another option. We can't go home from here, so... We try to manage.

[axiomed]

[ He nods. ]

While I agree, I think it's also important that we're conscious of those choices and it's something we believe in more than just something we do.

text; private.

[castrationfist]

Then I'll have it ready tonight. Look forward to it, okay?

[castrationfist]

Wait, really?
I mean, I like flashy displays of excess as much as anyone, but isn't that a little much?

[castrationfist]

[Aha. Here's a new face after her announcement! Caster materializes out of the air nearby. There's a force preventing her mind from being read, as well, thanks to long-standing paranoia.]

Ooh? You must be here for Hermione?

[brainiest]

Oh, yes, of course. Everything we do is a choice. I learned the hard way what consequences choices can bring.

[ Memories of literal starvation and exhaustion to the point of passing out flicker through her mind before she shakes her head. ]

It's just hard to balance being there for someone and smothering them.

text; private.

[brainiest]

I always look forward to spending time with you, Tamamo.

text; private.

[castrationfist]

Be careful, Hermione! If you keep using lines like that, you might trigger a new flag!

[someone save this poor thirsty fox]

[preformthisneigh]

Wellll, maybe we'll bring a little LESS than a literal ton.

Like a quarter of a ton.

[axiomed]

[ Huh. This must be the servant Hermione had mentioned. ]

Yes. Caster, correct?

[axiomed]

[ This, Charles thinks bleakly, is not a conversation I'm prepared for. Still, he remains placid on the topic. ]

It certainly is, but I'm sure you'll manage.

[castrationfist]

Oh! My reputation precedes me, I see! As you heard, I am the beautiful vulpine bride, Caster. It's a pleasure~!

[axiomed]

Something like that. Hermione mentioned you a while ago.

I'm Charles. Charles Xavier.

[castrationfist]

-- She did? What did she say?

[IGNORING EVERYTHING ELSE TO FOCUS ON THAT ONE POINT

sorry charles]

[axiomed]

Ah . . . not much, I'm afraid. Just that she had formed a contract with a Servant.

[ He remembers having one with Mars - or Nero as she was called later. ]

[castrationfist]

[Sadly, Caster's from another route, and doesn't know her.]

Ahh... Well, still, that's something! Any words are a sign of caring, so I won't get disheartened!

[axiomed]

Is there a reason you would be disheartened?

[castrationfist]

Of course there is.

[... she's not saying what it is, though...]

[axiomed]

[ Interesting. ]

Well, I won't pry. It's between you and Hermione.