(no subject)

[hearsthesea]

Who: Shirley, Huntress, and friends
Broadcast: None
Action: Huntress
When: May 12

[With some math and a little bit of fudging, Shirley's more or less worked out that by this point she should have hit her sixteenth birthday. This is the first time she's actually had friends to celebrate it with, so she wastes no effort in decorating and preparing food for everyone she's invited. There's sandwiches, drinks, a couple of different baked goods...she may have spent a while on this and hogged the ship galley accordingly. But now it's party time, and there's ample room for everyone to eat and hang out!]

Comments

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley is, of course, celebrating! She's also playing hostess, checking around the ship to make sure everyone attending is having a good time. But of course she's more than open to striking up a conversation, and it looks like she has something on her mind too...]

[save_the_souls]

[Allen sees Shirley at one point, and of course, her being the birthday girl, he'll go to say hello. So he approaches with a smile]

Happy Birthday, Shirley!

[hearsthesea]

Thank you!

[Shirley's obviously really pleased, and it shows in the way she bounces a tiny bit.]

I'm glad you could come today. It's...special, having everyone together like this.

[save_the_souls]

[He smiles] I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

And oh- [He reaches into his coat to dig out something] I know you said I didn't have to bring anything, but in my world...it's traditional to give someone a present on their birthday.

[He pulls out a small, wrapped box from his coat pocket and offers it to her] Here.

[hearsthesea]

A present?

[She remembers the same tradition from when she was younger, but...well, it's been a long time since anyone besides Senel and Stella gave her anything because they were close, rather than because of her status. Not much less since she had anyone but Senel to celebrate birthdays with. It feels really good, honestly, and Shirley can't help but smile.]

You didn't have to, but--thank you. I'm sure I'll love whatever it is.

[serves]

[Cullen feels old. So old. But he does make an appearance, seeing as it's their ship, and so he makes sure to find Shirley and greets her with a little bow, and a smile with it.]

Congratulations, Shirley.

[hearsthesea]

Cullen.

[She blushes a little at the bow, but otherwise maintains her composure.]

Thank you. I think it's been a good year, despite everything.

[serves]

How old are you, now? Sixteen?

[hearsthesea]

Yes, sixteen. I know it's not very old in comparison to everyone else, but...it's still meaningful, in some ways.

[catamite]

[though snacks and drinks and people are all great, Nel is there specifically for Shirley. so, after milling around enough to briefly check everything out, he hunts the birthday girl down.

and he waves across the little galley space when he sees her!]

Hey!

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley's pouring herself a drink when Nel calls out to her, so she waves back and holds up a second cup.]

Nel, it's good to see you! Do you want something to drink?

[catamite]

Sure!

[as he bops his way on over. this might not exactly be his usual sort of party, but it's close enough to boost his mood up high.]

This all looks great! The decorations are really cute.

[though, the decorations could have been made out of paper towels and pipecleaners and he would have been impressed.]

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley pours Nel some soda water and heads in his direction as well, offering the cup to him once their paths have met.]

Thank you. I wanted everyone to enjoy being here today, so I did my best with putting together this event.

[princessia]

[ By the time Shirley comes across Elize, the little girl is stuffing her face with sandwiches. She doesn't realize that she may have been kind of rude by not greeting the birthday girl first. She really wanted to eat.

Her chewing slows down and she makes sure she swallows her food before speaking. She's embarrassed. ]

H-happy birthday, Shirley.

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley just laughs when she sees Elize, shaking her head as she does.]

If you're hungry, go ahead and eat. I don't want to stop you.

[princessia]

I've had enough to eat!

[ Maybe. She might be itching to grab more sandwiches and pastries. But she should at least take a moment to give Shirley her thanks. ]

Thank you for inviting me. [ And thank you for the food and drink. ] This is the first birthday party I've ever been to.

[hearsthesea]

It's the first birthday party I've ever had, too, so you're not alone.

[Shirley looks a little embarrassed as she says it - but it is true.]

[blindoptimism]

Shirley! [when Nunnally spots her, she rolls her chair in her direction and waves]

Happy Birthday.

[hearsthesea]

Nunnally!

[Shirley waves back and hurries towards her on sight, smiling.]

Thank you, I'm glad everyone could come today. How have you been?

[blindoptimism]

[As she lowers her hands, she rests them on her lap... On top of a cute little package? :3 Myyyyyyyyyysteryyyyyyyyyy what could it beeeeee]

Very well. After all the trouble in the last few months the Red Fish is back on its feet and the crew it doing well.

[she tilts her head to ask] And how are you? This is a lovely party!

[hearsthesea]

[Oh, another gift! Shirley really hasn't been expecting it, but maybe she should have? Everyone's being so nice.]

I've been well. I've been busy today getting everything ready, but otherwise it's been quiet on the Huntress. It's livelier today...I like it, to be honest.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

[he did say he'd stop by! so about halfway through the festivities, Robin quietly shows up and approaches her... with a little bow.]

So? How old are you now?

[hearsthesea]

[What a smooth operator. Shirley's more amused than charmed, but it gets her smiling anyway.]

I'm sixteen now. Thank you for coming today, Robin.

[birdsbirdsbirds]

Of course. Happy birthday.

[he seems pretty charmed himself--though by what, it's hard to tell. maybe he just really likes birthdays? he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a little paper-wrapped bundle, about the size of his palm.]

This is definitely not me giving you a present.

[hearsthesea]

You didn't...thank you.

[Shirley's still not used to all these gifts, having spent her past three birthdays with just Senel, but she knows better than to argue and takes the bundle instead.]