deernet | video: un; apparition

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video: un; apparition

[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]

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[ 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. ]

[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]

[ 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. ]

[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?

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.

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!

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!

...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]

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. ]

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]

[ 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?

[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.

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

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

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. ]

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

[ 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. ]

[is it sad that even after years away from her mother, she's still not used to unmitigated praise?] Really? You think so? [smiling in something like amazed disbelief]

Oh my god, Tinya, have you tasted your own cupcakes? [ Sharply but a touch humorous. She knows just how Tinya can get. Lost in striving for perfection without ever realizing she's already there. ] If everything you make is this good, I think you could put my favorite bakery out of business.

Well. I have? [she's still uncertain, but her smile looks a little less tentative than before] But I don't want to put anyone out of business! [a beat] Unless they operate a Night Walker bar slash nightclub?

You clearly haven't if you have any doubts over how fucking good these are. [ Sharon gently shoves Tinya as she takes another bite. Goddamn. Her eyes flutter. God, she hasn't had a cupcake in a long while, let alone one this good. ] I think you could make the usual Night Walker clubs go under just by offering cupcakes.

[Tinya sways with the shove, grinning broadly, and giggles] Then I'll have to consider it! After all, there are plenty of wine pairings for just about any kind of cupcake.

See? I think everything you do for the Dove will be a hit, Tinya. You just gotta take the plunge. [ She thinks this will be good for her. It'll give her something real to focus on, give her a chance to set in roots. Sharon knows she misses her husband and her son but... This should be home until she's able to truly go home.]

Edited 2023-05-05 17:53 (UTC)

I hope so? [she says with a tone of nervous optimism] I'm on the verge of closing on an all-red brick Victorian. Classy, you know? With a level for civilians to be attended to by Night Walkers, a level of more...intimate pursuits, and a level for Night Walkers and Night Walkers only. After all, who else would understand what we're going through? We need care, attention, and affection too.

[and she does desperately miss her husband and her son. she's trying to come to terms with the idea that she'll never see them again. the idea of having a permanent place to ply her wares helps]

You really have got this all planned out. [ Sharon especially appreciates Tinya's consideration of her fellow Night Walkers. ] If there's anything I can do to help you complete this, let me know, all right? Even if you just need a few more paintings.

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unphase - 2023-05-06 19:39 (UTC) - Expand

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