voice;

[redheadcarrier]

[Asuka clears her throat and pauses before actually launching into her little spiel.]

So, I thought you all deserved to know that I turn sixteen tomorrow! Maybe I'm finally getting used to living here after a year. Or something. Hell if I know!

The only problem is that we're still stuck on this stupid rock, so it's not exactly the best place for celebrating much of anything. Anyone have suggestions? And none of that virtual reality crap! They're neat, but they kinda give me the creeps. Maybe I'll just try and take over part of the dining hall...

Comments

voice;

[blondtactician]

Happy birthday in advance. [This boy sounds close to Asuka's age.] This isn't exactly a fun place to have a birthday.

You've really been here a year?

permavoice;

[redheadcarrier]

Hey, it could be worse.

[She could be dead!]

Yeah. It's kind of weird to think about.

[blondtactician]

That's one way to look at it.

Any tips for someone who's only been here a few months?

[redheadcarrier]

I don't know. Keep your head down?

[blondtactician]

Good advice. [Self-deprecatingly:] I've been trying to do just that for as long as I've been here.

I'm Armin, by the way.

[redheadcarrier]

Asuka Langley Soryu. When'd you get here, newbie?

[blondtactician]

About four months ago, but it feels like it hasn't been that long.

[redheadcarrier]

Yeah. I know what you mean.

[blondtactician]

[Well. This is depressing. Armin forces some cheer.]

Do you have any birthday traditions? Perhaps we can think of a way you could carry one out while you're here.

[redheadcarrier]

Not really. I usually just have a cake or something.

[blondtactician]

Perhaps you could scrape together enough supplies to make one? Or make one of your friends do it or something.

[redheadcarrier]

Well, I thin someone's going to try and do that for me.

[blondtactician]

Sounds like you have good friends, then.