∞ 95: A quaint birthday [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[An early birthday dinner. That was what Albert had proposed, knowing it was likely Caesar would want to nap as soon as he was full. And so, with Caesar's Luceti birthday having arrived, there were light preparations for a quiet celebration. After all, Silverbergs were intensely private as it was, so there would be no invited guests unless Caesar himself decided to invite them.]

Comments

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar frowns at his brother when he takes away the bowl. He knows he's getting a kick out of this, the jerk. When he finally does finish his food, he sinks into his seat and shoves the plate away from him on the table. He shrugs as he responds.]

I'm ready for anything.

[wise_maiden]

[When Albert starts the process of clearing the table, Raine moves to get the dessert plates ready. Smaller than dinner plates, with a fresh fork and knife. Quite a lot of dishes to do after dinner. The meal in question is hidden under a cover. All the more suspense for the younger strategist.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Once Albert is finished clearing the table, he sits back down and waits on Raine, all the while commenting to Caesar.]

Don't look so apprehensive. [Even if Caesar doesn't look apprehensive at all.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar rests his chin in his hand, idly watching as the table is cleared up and set again for dessert.]

Shut up. [He just manages to refrain from adding a comment like "idiot" or "jerk" in there.] Let's just get this show on the road, shall we?

[wise_maiden]

[Raine moves in to set the dessert plates and utensils down, though stays an extra moment with her back to the pair as she removes the lid of the dish and lights a candle with a little trick of magic, before bringing it over to the table, setting it down in front of Caesar.

It's a warm apple shortcake, the outer layer coated with lemon sauce. Not exactly a traditional birthday cake, but hopefully suitable enough for the occasion.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Yes, Caesar, it is actually as edible as it looks. Albert folds his hands on the edge of the table, gauging his brother's reaction as he speaks.]

Happy birthday.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[He'll reserve his judgements about the cake, but it doesn't really matter whether or not the cake is edible. (...though it would be a plus.) What mattered was that there was effort put into this whole thing.

Of course, it's because of that effort that Caesar can't help feeling a little embarrassed, unused to being the center of this kind of attention. He focuses on the cake so he won't have to look either of them in the eye.]

Thank you.

[wise_maiden]

Happy birthday, Caesar. [She smiles encouragingly.] Why don't you go ahead and make a wish?

[chikaidestroyer]

[Since Raine is doing the encouraging, Albert remains silent and waits for Caesar to decide upon something.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

I'm no good at this stuff. [But even so, he regards the cake a moment longer to make it seem as if he's thinking of something. People waiting on him like this is weird, and he's still kind of embarrassed, so it won't be long before he just goes ahead and blows out the candle. He can think of a proper wish later. ...that'd still totally count.] There.

[wise_maiden]

[She nods, with a small smile, and gestures to the knife on the table so he can cut himself his first slice.]

Would you like anything to drink with it? [That question is given to Albert as well, with a glance.]

[chikaidestroyer]

There should be some coffee leftover from earlier. I will have some of that, if you please.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[He tilts his head as he reaches for the knife. Hmm. Milk might taste better, but...]

More soda. [Just in case. With the knife, he carefully cuts into the cake. Unsurprisingly, he's measuring a small piece for himself.]

[wise_maiden]

Understood. [She moves away to get fresh glasses for all of them while Caesar works on his slicing. A mug of coffee for Albert, a glass of soda for Caesar, and eventually readying milk with just a hint of coffee in it for herself.

It's almost time for the verdict. How exciting.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert waits patiently for Caesar to finish with his cutting before offering to take over. He'll cut himself and Raine a pair of similar-sized cake slices. Of course, he's still waiting for Caesar to eat first.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar cuts into the piece of cake on his plate with his fork, but he won't take a bite of it until the glass of soda is set down in front of him.]

Thanks. [Gratitude for the drink. As soon as he has it, he'll take a bite of the cake. The lemon sauce tastes out of place, but the cake itself is alright, so he comments on that.] Surprisingly not bad.

[wise_maiden]

[She takes her seat again with her drink, waiting patiently for Caesar to take his bite. Is that a complement? With Caesar, one has to take what they can get.]

Really? Have as much as you like.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Once Caesar has started in on his shortcake, Albert begins eating as well. He doesn't have any problem with the dessert, though it had taken awhile to warm up to the combination of apple and lemon.

Not a bad birthday dinner at all.]