Fifth Page | Action | The Loneliest Birthday (backdated to The 7th)

[theboywiththebook]

Who: Henry and You!
What: Henry's birthday is today. But there's no celebration though. 
Where: Outside Random Cafe A at one of the patio tables. (Edited due to Espresso yourself not actually being open yet)
When: May 7th


Henry had pretty much decided to forgo the idea of telling his foster parents about his birthday. They were too busy with the other kids in the house to ever really have time to do birthday things. But, he felt there was no point to it at all. Even if he did mention it he was likely going to get the "well you're a bit old for birthday parties" or some other excuse not to have a cake and friends to attend. Not that he would even have the latter of the two. Plus, the Trills were on edge with him lately. Skipping school, talking back, not coming home on time. He was pretty sure he wouldn't receive any type of Birthday celebration just because he had to be a super hero.

It made him bitter at it all sometimes. Sure, being a hero was fun, but he also had to pay special care not to let them know or else endanger them. But, because of that he was getting in trouble with them more. Not that he cared; it just seemed so unfair. In his mind they would probably say they'd rather punish him than celebrate his eleventh birthday.

So, after a day of disappointing day of school, Henry decided not to go home on the bus as he was supposed to. Instead, he wandered down to the usual cafe he had been taking respite in with that storybook he received awhile back. When he arrived he took a seat outside at one of the metal tables, where he felt he'd be very much alone and tried to forget that his birthday was today when he started to read the only few stories in the book.

It didn't last for long though because his mind kept gnawing away at him and continued to give him the painful reminders. In the end, he conceited defeat and picking a leaf off the ground (and taking care that his hands were under the table with it) he just imagined it into a big chocolate cupcake, dolloped in a large amount of blue icing with a single star shaped candle that was lit. Setting the magic'd cake onto the table he rested his shoulders on the surface and placed his chin on his arms and sadly sang in almost a whisper to himself: "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear, Henry...Happy Birthday to you..."


(Ooc: feel free to stumble upon him when he's reading his book or when he's singing to himself.)

Comments

[allformii_ko]

"We were talking on the thingy." She taps on the surface of the table, as if that were any good indication. "The-- The network."

At least she has the sense to suddenly lower her voice at that part. "Except now I look like a human, too!"

[theboywiththebook]

When the girl brings up the network, Henry's instant reaction was to try and shove his hand over her mouth. But, with the damage being done he moved it away from her now looking a bit skiddish. "Don't mention it in public! It's secret for a reason!" His voice in a very hushed whisper. "And whaddya mean "look like a human too"? What were you before?"

[allformii_ko]

Ack, hand over her mouth. That's not very nice! She looks a little less pleased after the fact, although she also matches his tone quietly.

"I'm a cat!"

[theboywiththebook]

"A cat?" He looks befuddled. Even repeating the words makes it sound weird. But, either this girl was playing make believe and he had to go along with it or she was a network person. But, since she knew about the network it was pretty obvious of which two she was. "So you can just turn into a human now? Wait a sec..." There was only one cat he had ever talked to. "Mimi?"

[allformii_ko]

There we go! She nods quickly, the smile returning to her face.

"That's me! I'm Mimi!"

Hurray, he remembered her!

[theboywiththebook]

"How...you were human in your last life?" This was confusing. Why would someone who was human be born as a cat? Than again why were people who used to be aliens being born as humans? He's just internally glad he was human in his past.

[allformii_ko]

Now she's shaking her head again. "I was a cat then, too. But I can make myself look like a human."

...She looks pretty pleased about it all, really. "Elly forgot about all the network stuff, so I decided to learn how to act like you humans so I can talk to her again! 'Cause I promised not to talk to people who don't know about it when I'm a cat." Though it took the efforts of many others to alert her to that particular loophole.

[theboywiththebook]

"You mean your owner doesn't remember anything?" That must've been heart breaking, he thought. After all, a cat that could talk to their owner must be an experience, probably a good one he hoped. "So, how do you get out of the house if you have to look like a cat there?"

[allformii_ko]

"No, she doesn't. But that's why I'm going to be friends with her as a human."

She doesn't seem too bothered by the idea, at least. As long as Elly is still around, there's still a chance that she'll be able to talk to her one day...!

"I just wait until Elly leaves and then I can go out! I have to go back before she comes home, though."

[theboywiththebook]

Henry on the other hand didn't think it was the best of ideas. If Mimi forgot everything too that'd raise questions for her owner's new found friend suddenly disappearing. But, he'd keep that to himself.

"How do you even manage to get out though? It must be tricky without leaving anything unlocked."

[allformii_ko]

"Nobody notices as long as I shut it really tight."

It can't really be helped. She may know how to unlock things now, but she never really figured out keys. That, and there wouldn't be an extra key for her to use anyway.

[theboywiththebook]

"Might want to be careful than. Someone might break in one day."

Because, she's a cat he felt the need that it was important to let her know what some people would do when they find an unlocked apartment.

[allformii_ko]

"Break in? Break in what? Like a plate?"

...She's definitely got a ways to go with this whole human language thing.