❧ 003 video;

[noprophecies]

Who: Tempest
Broadcast: fleetwide video
Action: The Golden
When: now!

[she doesn't normally use the video option, but today she has a reason - of course, the network is gifted with her grumpy face first]

I have been sent tiny bottles of wine for my - today. [her nose wrinkles at the almost slip and she holds up a little bottle for the camera to see] They have - what I can only assume are meant to be elf ears attached to it. They think they are being cute.

[sure enough, little rubber elf ears are on the bottle. She huffs and puts it down]

Whatever it is certainly doesn't taste like wine, but if anyone would like a bottle, you are more than welcome to come to the Golden and take one. Surely one of you will enjoy the taste.

Comments

[noprophecies]

Mmm.

But you know I have a terrible bias.

[exothermia]

[He has to tilt his head at that, because he does know Tempest's preferences. She's mentioned it often enough. Still, he has his own. He clears his throat.]

It's not so severe as you make it out to be.

[noprophecies]

[she raises both eyebrows]

My, I can assure you my bias is very severe.

[that isn't what he means and she knows it]

[exothermia]

If you say so.

[noprophecies]

[she nudges him gently]

But what did you really mean?

[exothermia]

[He pauses, giving her a questioning look.]

[noprophecies]

[she tilts her head]

Unless you really were speaking of my biases.

[exothermia]

[He sighs eventually, looking away at one of the plants. Not hard, when they're all over the place.]

I meant that you aren't wrong.

[noprophecies]

Oh. [well, she wasn't expecting that. She watches him, head still tilted, before she leans over to grab one of the bottles she received] I'm usually not.

[the teasing doesn't have her usual lilt, though. She sits back, and starts tugging at one of the ears on the bottle. After a moment:]

Shall I change the subject to something a bit - mm, safer?

[exothermia]

[He had already said as much, but it's still a bit awkward. Running a hand back through his hair, he shrugs.]

Like what?

[noprophecies]

. . . [her nose wrinkles]

I may have lied a bit when I said the wine was random. [she gets the ear off and turns ito ver in her hand]

[exothermia]

Did you?

[noprophecies]

[with a sigh, she tosses the ear towards the other bottles]

I turned twenty-nine today.

[exothermia]

[He had guessed correctly. Erik lets out a breath, watching the ear tumble to the floor.]

I see.

You're really getting on in years.

[noprophecies]

[she has to resist the urge to snicker]

Are you calling me old?

[exothermia]

I'm afraid so.

[noprophecies]

My. I suppose I am getting up there.

But that is quite the thing to say, coming from someone almost twice my age.

[exothermia]

It's the voice of experience.

[He knows it's absurd, considering he was only a couple of years older than Tempest when they first met.]

[noprophecies]

Mmhmm. I think it is you have simply been waiting for a chance to turn the tables.

[exothermia]

[He makes no comment to that.]

Happy birthday, Aurae.

[noprophecies]

[her expression softens a little as she ducks her head]

Thank you.