「deux」♫ video (action for roommates @ 127/north wing)

[galactically]

[Now here is someone who's been absent throughout the mutiny mess, if the confused look on her face that appears briefly is of any indication. Gently combing through her wavy hair with a free hand, manicured fingers wiggling in and out, Sheryl lets out a soft sigh as she purses her lips to frown deeply.]

Well, well, well... if what I'm getting from hearsay is all true, then I'm so relieved to miss the disaster completely!

[She parts her mouth like she's about to say more. Angry rants at the people involved, massive scolding for dragging the rest of the Transports into their troubles and causing destruction, nicely-worded yet sharp insults at their direction. Instead, she slowly pushes the momentary look of anger aside, gaining her composure while she rubs her cheek and sits up straight, blue eyes locked on to anyone viewing this feed. Sheryl appears calm now, but she's nowhere near her boisterous self, not after learning what happened to Jesse (or what he did).

Still, she manages to sound happy enough. Only a little.]

Anyway, there's something I've been very curious about and I'm hoping to hear excellent answers from you. Now be good people and lend me your ears, all right? It'll only be for a moment.

[A faint smile morphs on her lips, but it lasts for a split second before she frowns, looking thoughtful. Cue the long pause.]

Have you ever wondered if you feel any differently after growing up in this war for so long? I'm not talking about emotions alone, but if you've changed completely after dealing with the Initiative, the UE, that irritating AI, these missions... everything. I've been here for almost a year now, and there were so many experiences I'd never thought I could possess. I wonder, does this mean I should feel older because of it? There's something to be said about war causing people to grow up so fast, after all...

[Like joining forces with a resistance to fight another country, using her own songs to drive the enemy soldiers literally down to their knees. The way she speaks contains genuine ruefulness to her tone, but it's not too long before she smiles once more.]

As of today, I'm officially eighteen, and yet I still feel like I'm seventeen.

Comments

ACTION

[ardor]

[Kallen's sitting one of the bottom bunks, gazing at Sheryl from outside the camera's range. Once the singer's finished her message, the redhead motions for her to take the other half of the bed. There's a small smile on her face, and she can't help chuckling as well.]

C'mere.

[galactically]

[Shutting off the tablet and placing it back on the table, Sheryl strolls over and practically flops down to the other half of the bed, knees gathered against her chest with her arms around them. The smile on her face stays put for now.]

Miss me, Kallen?

[ardor]

I guess so, if you want to put a label on it.

[She leans back with her eyes still on Sheryl.]

Sometimes I forget you're still only eighteen.

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[charming_jerk]

Happy birthday, then. If I'm still here come January, it'll be my second one here. [He shakes his head. Time flies when you're fighting a war.] I'll be 22 but I feel like I'd be turnin' 52. I sure as hell feel older.

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[galactically]

Thank you, Johnny. Ah, so you've celebrated your birthday here, then?

[Her eyes widen a little.]

52? Oh, my... then I suppose there is truth to the saying, after all. It isn't fair for you to mentally age like that, though!

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[charming_jerk]

Yeah. I got here in like, August last year.

I dunno, I think I'm just tired or somethin', ya know? Been too much shit goin' on. [He rubs his eyes a little] I think we all need a break.

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[onehundredswords]

18, huh? Aw, you'll be lookin' back on your youth in no time, pinin' for those lost years.

[onehundredswords]

Happy birthday.

[galactically]

Huh? My years won't be wasted at all, thank you very much! I plan to live however I want.

[A beat.]

... Thank you, Gin.

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[jailbreaks]

Not sure if growing up in war makes you more mature, but hell, it's stuff that helps you grow in one way or another.

[He smirks a bit, before he lets out a chortle.]

Guess I should say 'happy birthday', huh? Here's to a year of your surviving here.

[He may have purposefully made that sound kind of depressing.]

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[galactically]

Life-changing experiences are supposed to make your mind and heart grow, or something along those lines.

[She gives Yuri a mock pout before shaking her head with an amused smile.]

Hey, you're making it sound like I'll only live a year! Geez!

[stonewall]

Guess I should still call you kiddo, then. [ ha ha ]

[galactically]

Snow!

[Harrumphs!]

But being eighteen means I'm nearing adulthood! Just because you're my boss doesn't mean I get to be teased.

[stonewall]

It's nothing to do with bein' your boss, kiddo. [ IT'S JUST THE WAY HE IS (unfortunately) ] Tell you what. I'll go easy if you invite me to the party.

[ not that she mentioned one but he's just making sure ]

video 5ever

[pomerenian]

Do people really mature quickly because of war? I have not noticed that.

Ah. Happy birthday, as well. I did not know I was older than you.

[galactically]

Supposedly, but I think it's different with each person.

[Don't mind as Sheryl blinks incredulously at Mr. Fluffy Pomeranian here.]

Thank you, Ren! But... aaaah, exactly how old are you? Don't tell me you're 100 years old or anything like that.

[pomerenian]

Many things can influence the rate of a person's maturity. Tragedy, trauma, outside influence, friends- to single out just war seems peculiar.

Technically speaking, I am twenty-three. Do I seem younger?

[crocodilesmiles]

Happy Birthday, Sheryl!

[galactically]

Thank you so much, Collette!

[A grin of appreciation coming from Sheryl.]

How have you been since the Thanksgiving feast?

[crocodilesmiles]

Uh -- busy! The good kind of busy. I think. How about you? How have you been? Oh! Are you doing anything special for your birthday?

[video]

[therealrisette]

[Going on that mission with Sheryl had definitely broken the ice between them... at least, in Rise's mind. There probably never really was anything between them, just a lot of factors in Rise's own head that made her almost afraid to talk to her beloved senpai.

But now that they've been out together again, it's like she can't wait to talk to her! At the slightest chance. They don't see each other every day anymore, since the café is gone, but she can at least keep up over the network!

She's all smiles when she answers at first, too.]

I didn't know it was your birthday already!

[She would have gotten a gift for her if she'd known! ... Maybe she can still arrange for something simple?

But her smile drops as she really considers what Sheryl's saying about this place... the war, and growing up.]

... It's kind of complicated, isn't it? I don't know if I've changed completely or if I'm just still the same, and everything else is different.

But... I don't feel any older. [If anything, she'd feel the opposite.] I don't even feel fifteen... and I didn't really even get a chance to celebrate my birthday...

[And then as she's talking, it finally hits her what Sheryl said.]

Wait... you're only eighteen, Sheryl-senpai?! I always thought you were a little older...

[video] 1/2

[galactically]

[Sheryl remembers the mission all too well, mishaps and tiny complications over the proper budget and emotions running wild. Truthfully, she misses talking to Rise — not as two idols, but as normal people. Just like it should be. No pointless awkwardness! But as people, awkwardness is expected.

Either way, the idol is all smiles for a different reason: it's her birthday.]

Well, now you know! I'd mention it a lot sooner, but certain things got in my way.

[A pause before Sheryl looks thoughtful.]

You didn't celebrate your birthday here? Or do you mean back home?

[video]

[galactically]

[But as soon as she sees Rise's shock, Sheryl immediately laughs in a jovial manner, complete with a gentle shake of her head.]

First Kallen and now you! My, is it really that much of a surprise? But yeah, people always seem to think that I'm much older. It works so well to my advantage, especially when it comes to my workplace.

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[transuniversal]

Do you come from a world where this sort of thing is not commonplace?

[Come on this is like superhero Tuesday.]

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[galactically]

War? Oh no, it's actually common where I come from. It usually involves aliens from another world, though...