video: un; apparition

[unphase]

[Tinya is sitting at an almost obscenely long dining table with a red velvet cupcake with a single candle in it sitting in front of her.

the light of the candle is all that's there in the room]

Today is my twentieth birthday.

I've had more birthdays away from home than I've had at home. Two more, in fact. How does that work, I wonder.

Anyway. Happy birthday to me?

[and she blows out the candle, leaving everything in darkness]

Comments

[fogsong]

I can see how you'd feel that way. There are definitely days when I realize certain things about this place and... Impossible is the right word.

I'll come over then. I can't say no when there are cupcakes involved. [ As if she'd deny Tinya anything on her birthday. ]

[unphase]

Yeah...there are days when I don't recognize the me who's staring back. That makes me really worried.

[but a warm, genuine smile] I'll leave the front door unlocked. Carmilla will be waiting.

[fogsong]

We have to change to survive places like these, Tinya, but... If it helps any, the you I see is the you I became friends with.

Front door unlocked, got it. I'll be there in maybe a half hour, give or take. [ She's gotta pick some stuff up first, of course. ]

[unphase]

[she sounds genuinely happy] Thank you. I really appreciate it.

Okay. Just follow the fluttering batkitten. [Carmilla meows loudly at that]

[fogsong]

[ It takes about forty-five minutes before Sharon finally enters Tinya's place. She had a few stops to make. She's never been all that great with birthdays. For a girl who grew up poor without friends, birthdays were bleak, but she knows that wasn't the case for Tinya.

She follows Carmilla to Tinya and smiles gently when she sees her. ] Hey there, birthday girl.

[unphase]

[Tinya doesn't mind. after all, it's not like she's going somewhere. she wants to feel as excited about turning twenty as she thinks she should be, but that's hard when it means she's been away from home as long as she's been.

and Tinya smiles warmly at Sharon when she arrives, the built in lamp on, enough to light up the room, but not enough to completely banish the shadows] Hey there, prettier sister. Feel free to have a seat. And there are more cupcakes. [she says, gesturing to a large plate absolutely covered with red velvet cupcakes]

[fogsong]

You have to be the prettier sister today. Sorry, it's your birthday, and thems the rules. [ She tries to be easy-going but Tinya's death still lingers in the back of Sharon's mind even though it was some time ago. Between that and her own recent death, she's mentally sore and trying desperately to be normal.

She pulls her leather satchel from her shoulder and sets it on the table. It clinks. She begins to pull things out. First, there's a bottle of aged cabernet sauvignon and then it's followed up by a carefully packed container of what looks like pretzels and then a mason jar of bright orange cheese, labeled in Sharon's sharp, slanted writing. Finally, she pulls out a rectangular wooden box with a golden latch and hinges. She slides it over to Tinya.

Inside, are a variety of carefully filled paint pans, each color iridescent or duo-chrome, reflective even in the dim light. There's a blue shade awfully similar to the color of their coldblood. ]

I might have paid attention to that anonymous post about seeking help with trauma. I wasn't going to drag a bunch of canvases over but... I have them, brushes, and an extra easel back at my place for you. It's not therapy but I've heard it helps.

[unphase]

[Tinya grins and pretends to sigh gustily] Oh, all right. You win! But just for today. [her own death still lingers. that had been something she'd only done on her own world. die.

but she'd argue that she'd gotten too complacent, too cocky, too sure of herself, her coldblood abilities. that if she'd avoided those traps, she'd have survived. maybe. maybe not? there's no way to be sure.

but she watches what Sharon pulls from her shoulder bag with great curiosity. the wine, the pretzels, the cheese, fairly self-explanatory. but the box...

when she opens it, she gasps out loud. it's a wealth of paints of every color, something she hadn't expected but something she wants to cling to like a security blanket since she knows Sharon's not a big hugger

in a joyful hush] ...really? This is--I can't--it's perfect! Really, it is. I may not be much good--or at least not to start off with, but practice brings improvement. Thank you. Thank you so much. [the last sounds choked up, even as she smiles]

[fogsong]

[ Just for today? Fine, she'll take it with a grin.

Sharon crosses over to Tinya to lean down and wrap her arms around her in a tight, full hug. It wasn't just a birthday, it was Tinya's birthday. She was alive. She was breathing and eating and overthinking and alive. ]

Happy birthday. [ She murmurs warmly, grip tightening briefly before she pulls back and away, though one hand remains on the other woman's upper bicep. ] Painting isn't always about being good but I think you'll do beautifully. You've got an artist's eye. [ She'll need to practice, just like she'd said, but Sharon knows what kind of a perfectionist Tinya is and just how talented she is. She's got no doubts she'll take to this like she's taken to everything else in her life. ]

We can make a whole day of it whenever you want. Like a wine, cheese, and painting day. Maybe outside when it's nice. [ It'd be a good girls outing for them. A new way for them to bond. ]

[unphase]

[for today and today only!

and she hugs Sharon with everything she has. she hadn't expected much of coming to this world after the other one, but. she's found a wealth of things she hadn't found in the other world. namely, a sister. Sharon. who she loves with all of the strength her heart provides. dying to save her, even in some small way? a better trade, she couldn't think of, at least not here]

Thank you. [Tinya says, meaning everything she has to thank Sharon for. her steadfast belief in and support of in particular] Maaaaaaybe. But I want to be good! [Tinya's perfectionism kicking in again, but she'll do her best to rein it in for the sake of her sister] I hope I do. I still want to open that center for Night Walkers. Your paintings will be taking center stage.

That. Sounds. Perfect. Really, it does! [and there's the real Tinya, the one who isn't afraid of seeming dopey, the one who is okay with not being in her pretty pretty princess hair and makeup all of the time]

[fogsong]

[ Sharon waves away the gratitude. It's the least she can give to Tinya. They've known one another for so long now, since Sharon first arrived, and she wants to give the other girl everything she can. Support her where she can. Save her when she can. ]

You'll be great, just like that center will be when you open it up. [ She says with certainty. She knows what this princess is capable of when she puts her mind to it.

Tinya's enthusiastic response makes Sharon beam. She can see the real her at this moment; the part of her that she doesn't show often. ] Good. Awesome. I'm glad the princess approves. [ She teases gently. ]

[unphase]

[nope. nope nope nope, Sharon's going to get gratitude and she's going to like it. so there! but, she felt an instant link to Sharon for as long as the other girl has been here, she's always been someone Tinya wanted her to be proud of her]

I hope so. [she draws in a fortifying breath and lets it out] I know it will be. Both of them will be.

[and Tinya's just. grinning from ear to ear] Oh, she does. She very much does. Oh! And I have wine which says it has red velvet notes, chocolate and cream cheese. Sounds like an exaggeration, but want to find out?

[fogsong]

It does sound a little fake but what do I know? I still don't get the whole point of notes. [ She snorts under her breath, rolling her eyes gently, grin still pasted on. Even after all these months, she's still just as clueless about wines and spirits as she was the day her mother left. None of it manages to stick.

She does know what legs are now. Finally. ] But I'm happy to try. I mean, if it really tastes like red velvet then I'm going to need to know who you traded this from so I can go and get their whole stock.

[unphase]

Mmm. Like wines like to say that they have notes of mint, fresh apple, and leather. Have you ever chewed on leather? I haven't, but I can't imagine that it's any good. [Tinya says with a laugh. she's died. she was dead again.

it happens.

she's grateful that if she had to die again, it was in defense of her sister] Oh no! I'm not giving up my sources that easily! Especially not on my birthday!

[fogsong]

Leather tastes how it smells. [ ...Yes, she's chewed on leather before. It was mostly a curiosity thing than anything else. And, no, she didn't mind the taste. ]

Oh, in that case, I can just hire a detective. [ She exaggerates the words and her movements, leaning into some silly role. ] There's one here in Trench that owes me a favor and I'm sure he's got the brains to uncover such a source!

[unphase]

...oh no. Leather? Really? [Tinya asks in a broad parody of disbelief, laying the back of her hand against her forehead while pretending to be faint and everything] Please tell me you didn't eat leather.

[because there is such a thing as a bridge too far and that's it] No. No, no, no. My source will continue to be...my source! Mine. Belonging to me! I'll find out who owes you that favor and I'll--I'll buy them off! [she says with an attempt at triumph]

[fogsong]

I didn't eat it. I just sorta... chewed on it. [ Sharon giggles at the dramatics, though. Don't judge her! ]

Oh, you are welcome to try. [ She crosses her arms and shrugs ] I'll even give you his name: Light Yagami. But I know for a fact he won't fall for your pathetic attempts. I bought him lunch once. [ She laughs at that, unable to continue the overdramatized acting. ]

[unphase]

Chewed on it? [Tinya wrinkles her nose] How does that work?

Game on! [she says with a broad grin] My attempts are amazing, not pathetic! After all, I can cook a four-star meal, not just take him out for them! [so the other world was good for something and that was: teaching Tinya how to cook very very well]

[fogsong]

[ Sharon lifts her arm up, brings the sleeve of her leather hunter's coat to her mouth, and bites down. Like this, Tinya. Like this. ]

Wait, wait, four-star meals? [ She sighs deeply as if she knows she's been defeated. ] You might very well have him, Tinya. How can I top that?

[unphase]

[Tinya gives an exaggerated expression of horror] Ewwww!

Mm-hmm! I'm especially good at Italian and I've made vast improvements in fish and shellfish. Mostly because that's almost all Trench has and one must make do. [and Tinya smiles beatifically] I'm willing to share.

[fogsong]

Would you be willing to teach me? [ She likes to bake every now and again but she's not exactly a chef. ]

[unphase]

Absolutely! It's fun to be able to cook well and I'd be happy to share what I've learned!

[fogsong]

Are you the one who made these cupcakes? [ Sharon asks as she finally grabs one of them and takes a bite. Oh. They don't get a ton of desserts like this in Trench and she grins. ]

[unphase]

I did! [Tinya announced proudly. and she used a lot of trade goods to get the right ingredients, especially the cream cheese. #worthit]

[fogsong]

[ Her brows shoot up in surprise and she can't help the way she beams. ] Well [ She starts, mouth a little full, before she swallows. ] I kind of think you should start a bakery in addition to the Dove.

[ These are 10 out of 10. She would pay for these. ]