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[ Oh. It's not even a work of fiction, which makes sense given that these are the Archives, but still... Ori is always in awe that Trahearne enjoys reading this stuff. Unfortunately, she's only paying half attention to the reading material and misses the juicy gossip - because getting to explain tree gossip is much more fun, for her. ]

What? Is that silly?

[ She puts the book back down and smiles. ]

It's a little bit like how animals hibernate for the winter. They drop their leaves to conserve energy through the cold weather. Well - some trees do, at least. Maybe that makes you and your siblings a bit more like evergreen trees... Hmm?

[ She blinks curiously at the white paper bag, tilting her head to one side. ]

[ He isn't even reading for fun... This is all work. He honestly doesn't even know what "reading for fun" is.

Trahearne turns back to her, listening. ]

It's not silly at all--it makes perfect sense. It only seems a bit strange from a sylvari's perspective, I suppose.

[ And she's noticed the bag! Of course, it is here for her to notice, after all. With a bright smile he hands it to her, hand underneath to keep the contents supported. ]

You honestly didn't expect me to get you something after you told me it was your birthday? This is for you.

[ Inside the bag is a small cake housed in a little box, accompanied by what seems like a portable travel cup that magically seems to keep drinks warm decorated with fall imagery. The mug isn't empty, though. It's filled with a warm, sweet coffee concoction with which Trahearne himself recently became acquainted with: a pumpkin spice latte. ]

Happy birthday, Ori.

Edited (SAME ICON TWICE) 2022-10-28 13:36 (UTC)

[ Ori takes the bag, shooting Trahearne an incredulous look as she goes about opening it very, very carefully, like she's rarely ever received birthday presents before.

(Likely because she hasn't.)

And once she sees what's within - that adorable cake, and that adorable cup - her fingers curl into the bag and she looks down, taking a deep breath before biting down at her lip. This is... so incredibly thoughtful of him, and it reminds her so much of the small things Valphi used to get her when they were growing up. Birthdays growing up amongst mercenaries were almost never wholesome, and almost always filled with much rowdy revelry that Ori herself barely took part in, but Val always made sure she at least had a small sweet or pastry for it.

"Happy birthday, sister," she would say quietly, slipping her a small batch of cookies while the rest of the Fangs were drunk and often brawling just a few paces away.

When she looks back up at Trahearne, her eyes are brimming with tears. ]

Thank you, Trahearne...

[ Once Trahearne hands the bag over to Ori, his attention is quickly stolen away by a guest with a question. He's still technically at work, after all. So as she's taking in the gift, he's concentrating on something else--he doesn't get to study her as she processes it, as he would normally like to do.

And so when he looks back, he's honestly surprised to see her with tears in her eyes. And since he is no mindreader, he is none the wiser to the history she has with birthdays and her sister. His brows raise, and he looks down in concern. ]

Ori? Is everything all right?

[ Is it really that bad...? He did just swing by the nearby café--maybe he should have spent more time searching for something nicer... ]

[ She knows, as soon as she finds concern in his face, that he thinks she dislikes the gesture when in fact she appreciates it so much that she's been moved to tears, along with the fact that it's reminded her of better days with Valphi. Not for the first time, Ori wishes that she were here, so that she could meet Trahearne. She imagines that... If they had an older brother like Trahearne, things would have been different.

So at his question, she tries to smile and shakes her head, making sure the bag is securely held in one hand so that she can use the other to wipe at the tears on her face. ]

Everything is alright, I promise! I just—

My sister would do things like this, too. She was the only person who ever actually cared that it was my birthday. So... Thank you, and I mean it.

[ Trahearne watches as Ori speaks. And when she brings up her sister, his expression softens; a fond smile crosses his face. He's touched that his little act reminds her of her sister, but...at the same time, why didn't that bard guy she was in love with care about her birthday? Should he ever show his face here, he'll...

Okay, not starting down that thought process right now.

He takes a step towards her. ] Of course. To know another's birthday is valuable information, especially so when it's that of a dear friend. I'll always want to celebrate with you.

[ Luckily for Ori, she has conditioned him to think that Ori tears=time for hug. He loosely wraps his arms around her in a caring gesture, careful not to crush the present. ] I'm glad.

[ Oh...! She's usually the one initiating hugs, so she's surprised when he comes in and gives her one. Naturally, her free arm wraps around him in turn and she sighs, both in relief and in gratitude for his friendship. ]

I really, really appreciate that. I'm glad I told you. To be honest, you and Val are the only people who know...

[ Yeah... she hasn't told Diluc. ]

What's inside the cup?

[ Something about that strikes Trahearne as strange; why only him and Valphi? Is it...a family only affair for her people? A deeply private occasion?

Maybe he'll prod her another time. The question has him pulling back, and he smiles down at her. ]

It's a sweet coffee concoction called a pumpkin spice latte. [ The words feel foreign on his tongue. He's only said them a few times in his life, and it feels like quite a mouthful still. Memories of his first time having such a drink rush back to him, and his smile widens. ] Aerith introduced them to me, when we went on a d-- [ --wait. ] --visited a café not far from here. I thought you might like it.

[ It's...unusual for Trahearne to trip over his own words. Inwardly, he's wincing at how inelegantly he went about that. ]

Edited (making it worse) 2022-11-01 16:16 (UTC)

[ oh, she caught that. ]

When you and Aerith went on—?

[ it sounds like the end of that sentence should have been date. ]

...Did you and Aerith go on a date?

[ Of course she would.

A slight golden flush settles on his cheeks, and his eyes dart away. Why is he embarrassed about this. Because he is. ]

I-- [ He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing else comes out. He closes his mouth, huffs, and tries again. ]

In my defence, I did not realise it was a date at the time.

[ Of course he didn't.

But Ori mercifully doesn't say as much out loud. Instead, her expression fills with a genuine delight despite his apparent flustering. ]

You don't need to defend yourself, silly. I'm glad you went on one!

[ One (1) date.

Though... It was with Aerith, who is no longer here. A pang of sympathy flashes across her face. ]

Did you have a good time?

[ Is it because Ori knows he's hopeless... His first and only date.

But the delight does ease him some, and he can't help the smile that tugs at his lips. He nods. ]

I did. I had a wonderful time.

[ It was a strange little bright spot in the aftermath of Eustace's incident. He huffs a breath, somewhere between a chuckle and a sigh. Unfortunately for him, Ori has seen him sigh in a similar manner before.

He spots the books he'd been minding earlier and scoops them up again into his arms. ]

She owed me a second, but it's all right. I just hope she's faring okay in the waking world. [ What he saw of her in Tifa's dream...does not get his hopes up, but that's a different topic. He tilts his head and gives Ori a pointed look. ] And I hope you have had a good birthday.

[ Deflecting. ]

Oh, well, it's certainly better now, with this present...

[ —But wait! He's deflecting! And she almost let him get away with it! To think of such a thing... especially when he Sighed that same kind of Sigh as before.

She regards him for another long, contemplative moment as he gathers his materials back up before she speaks up again. ]

... Hmm. I'm sorry that things didn't work out with Aerith. But... I'm really proud of you, you know. You're moving forward, step by step.

[ And she caught him. Of course she would. Trahearne presses his lips into a thin line in his pause, turning to pick up work where he left off, shelving the books in his pile.

His eyes drop when she apologizes. In all honesty, he didn't think things would work out at all. To the point that when she saw her name gone from the journal he thought to himself, "Of course." And it only cemented in his mind that relationship here is a bad idea, especially since he has nowhere else to go and others do.

But he isn't expecting Ori to say that. He glances at her quizzically. ]

...I don't think it's anything that warrants pride.

[ Her gaze only leaves him for but a moment so that she can extract the travel mug from this gift bag and inspect it. Otherwise, she is watching him do what he always does when faced with a problem: bury himself in books and work.

His quizzical glance meets a rather unimpressed expression on the tiefling. ]

Well, it's not up to you to decide what I think warrants pride, is it?

[ She's proud of him and he can't tell her not to be! ]

... Have you been spending all of your time here?

[ Trahearne only stares back at her unimpressed expression in turn. That's fair. It's still...odd to hear others express their pride for them, especially when he doesn't think he's done anything in particular.

He shrugs and returns to minding his books. He doesn't even look at her as he continues his work, even when she asks that question. Even when he immediately sniffs out the other meaning behind it. ]

I have. [ His tone is nonchalant, as though hoping she'll take his casual attitude at face value. ] There's a lot of work to do.

[ Work that he has created entirely for himself. ]

Huh...

[ She looks... Entirely unconvinced. Because she Knows...! ]

But it's all work that you created for yourself. Surely Reverein won't fall apart if you decide to stop organizing the Archives over and over for a break.

I'm worried about you, Trahearne.

[ Trahearne flinches when she says that, his hand momentarily pausing. What she says cuts deeper than she could ever know, one that tears at the seams of his very being. Maybe Reverein won't fall apart, but he might. If he cannot help like this, then what else is he supposed to do?

Without his work, he feels, he is nothing. ]

I assure you, there's nothing to worry about. [ Despite what's going on inside, he keeps a calm façade. He spares her a brief glance. ] Besides, I thought you're here to celebrate your birthday?

[ He'd much rather do that. ]

Well, no, technically I came here to drop some fruits off for you, remember?

[ With that, she carefully deposits the gift bag onto a nearby table along with the travel mug, for now, before she shuffles her pack over to her front and rummages through for some persimmons and elderberries— ]

Hold on. Do you have anything I can put these in...?

Edited (i am sent to dwrp jail for using the same icon twice) 2022-11-07 17:08 (UTC)

[ That is. Correct. But he would like to pretend this visit is about Ori and not about him.

Trahearne puts the last of the books away and watches her rummage around in her bag. Did she just...put stuff in her bag like that... To be fair, though. That's a really sylvari thing to do. ]

I think I might. [ He doesn't wait for a reply from Ori; he whirls on his heels back to his office, and emerges later with a small paper bag. It seems he keeps his take out food bags...

And he hands it to her. Go on, then. ]

[ Ori understands completely, because she is the same way...

She accepts the proffered takeout bag with a nod of thanks, and starts going about depositing the fruits and other foraged goodies within. ]

There! And next time I go, I'll drag you along with me for some fresh air, and then we'll stop at the winery on the way home to say hello to Diluc and relax with some drinks.

[ It is a Mandatory Sibling Date and he will not be able to escape. ]

[ As Ori fills the bag, Trahearne offers her a serene smile and a firm nod. ]

You know I wouldn't say no to that. I always like spending time with you, and seeing Diluc.

[ He is at least making an effort.

He neatly folds the top of the bag and places it on the table beside him. He pats the side, the nuts and fruit making little clacking noise as they bump against each other. ]

Thank you, Ori.

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