[Closed]

[exothermia]

Who: Erik, Charles and Raven
Broadcast: N/A
Action: a birthday on the Iskaulit
When: November 3rd

It was some time in the early morning, between fits of sleep, that Erik realised he was fifty-three. He had known it was coming for days, in the back of his mind, but it strikes him suddenly when he wakes from another unremembered dream and knows it must be nearly morning. The knowledge sinks into him like a stone, having broken the surface just as suddenly. It doesn't take long for the grief and loneliness to seize his heart again, always waiting for a moment to strike. He curls up under his blanket in the dark and wills himself to be silent, unseen.

His last birthday had been a happier affair. They were never grand or exuberant, but he didn't need or want them to be. Having a family to celebrate with was gift enough to Erik's mind. He vividly remembers the paper party hats Nina had made for the three of them to wear, the breakfast Magda had served up before he had to go to work. It was shocking to think he'd almost become used to it, after those initial few years where he hadn't been the most receptive to Magda's insistence that they do something. Even just a dinner.

Now he was to have his birthday in outer space, far from Earth and where his family lay beneath it. It was hardly worth acknowledging... just like all the years before they'd entered his life. His broken heart begs to differ, though, so he has to give it its due.

After a while, he wipes his face and gets up. Charles wants to spend time with him today, so he sets about having an early shower and shave (down to faint stubble, at the least). Another couple of hours listening to the terrible music the communicators have on offer, in the company of his fluff slug, was enough to settle his turbulent feelings into something manageable.

By the time Charles knocks on his door and they head to the Iskaulit, he's put himself back together.

Comments

[axiomed]

[ Erik was never one for grand affairs, so Charles had kept it simple. A small spot in the garden with drinks, a few snacks and a cake that he had made himself (and something he's sure Erik will comment on). Still, small as it was, he's proud of managing to bring it together.

Charles discreetly sends a message to Raven. She knew that they were meeting there, but it was best to let her know that they were already on their way. ]

You're very quiet today.

[exothermia]

Am I? [He's quiet a lot of the time, though he supposes he's been more talkative lately. He shakes his head a bit, as they walk through the corridors.] It's probably tiredness. I should have had the tea last night.

[axiomed]

So you have been taking it lately?

[ He's vaguely surprised, but pleased all the same. ]

[exothermia]

When I need it. [He's not inclined to use it as a crutch perpetually. Only when he feels dead on his feet and can't manage to sleep any other way.] It's bitter stuff.

[axiomed]

[ He nods. ]

Probably to offset any kind of addiction.

[ Charles turns his chair towards the gardens. ]

[exothermia]

Or the plant just isn't that pleasant. Bitterness does have its place, though.

[Everything exists in opposition to something else. Otherwise, how would they know the difference, what was preferred? Sweetness and bitterness. Heat and cold. Mutant and human. He shrugs, putting his hands into his pockets.]

I've wondered if any of the plants on the world here could be used in tea.

[axiomed]

We can probably test it in the lab.

[ Testing for sugars and other properties needed for edible plants. ]

If we collect enough samples, I'd be able to tell.

[exothermia]

[He hums his agreement, mulling over the plants he had already brought back. None of those, but maybe others...]

Hank tested all the ones we got from the shipwreck, so I imagine you can do a similar test.

[axiomed]

[ Charles huffs good-naturedly. ]

I see Hank gets preferential treatment over myself.

[exothermia]

Hardly. He just already had his hands on the goods.

[axiomed]

The advantages of travel, I suppose.

[ Finally, they arrive at a small corner near a couple of flowering bushes. There's a cloth laid on the ground along with a basket full of goodies and the cake neatly displayed. ]

[exothermia]

[He smiles briefly, but it fades in surprise when they reach the neatly arranged corner of the garden. Erik stops, taking in the spread, and thinks that maybe his heart stutters for a moment.

When he looks to Charles there's a question in his expression, though he knows full well why. He hadn't expected this.]

[axiomed]

[ He smiles widely. ]

Happy birthday Erik.

[exothermia]

[He's both surprised, and yet not. He hadn't thought this day would pass with any mention from another person. But of course if anyone was going to, it would be Charles. It's nearly overwhelming.

Shaking his head slightly in bewilderment, he steps forward slightly to get a better look at the food laid out in front of them.]

Where did you even get all of this?

[axiomed]

Oh, I gathered some supplies on the sly. Bucky had given me his cake supplies, as you might recall and I had set some aside for later. Just in case. The rest was less tricky.

[exothermia]

[Erik's eyes catch on the cake and the knowledge that Charles actually made it hits him somewhere unexpectedly tender. Charles wasn't fond of baking; he knows for a fact that he found the idea of manually beating eggs to be tedious. But he had gone and done this anyway.

A treacherous thought flits by: You don't deserve this. He shuts his eyes against it and takes a breath. Even if that were true, Charles evidently doesn't think so, and Erik is gratefully past the point where the idea plagues him endlessly. It still lies there in the shadows of his mind, along with his memory of this morning and what it felt like. It's not the only thing there, though. And the vice grip of loneliness has eased, allowing gratitude to fill some of the gap.

Erik turns back to Charles, eyes a bit too bright.]

Thank you.

[axiomed]

[ Charles just smiles back. If he's aware of Erik's thoughts, he doesn't show it. ]

Why don't you take a seat and try it out?

[exothermia]

[He turns to the spread again, scrubbing a hand across his face in the process. Moving to sit down on the blanket, he glances at the cake again.]

How long did this take you to make?

[axiomed]

[ Charles waits before he opens his chair and slowly lowers himself onto the ground. ]

That, my friend, is an embarrassing number and as such, I plead the fifth.

[exothermia]

[Snorting a bit, Erik picks up a knife and starts cutting into the cake.]

Oh, dear. Well I'll let you keep your secret then, and just imagine a number of my own.

[axiomed]

I'm sure it's a very generous number.

[ He adjusts his legs before sitting comfortably. ]

[exothermia]

It is.

[If more than one attempt was needed, that should still bring it in at three hours or less... at least by Erik's estimation. His lips quirk a bit.] It looks good, however long it took.

[axiomed]

[ He's in good humour, not letting him get flustered over those remarks. ]

Let's hope it tastes good as well.

[exothermia]

[Erik slides a piece of cake onto a plate and hands it over to Charles, before cutting his own.]

I'm sure it will. [There's more to baking than just the final product. The sentiment behind the making of it has its own merit.]

[axiomed]

[ He takes it politely. ]

If only you had that kind of faith in my gardening skills.