witnessingone | robowest CR CMO

[No peeking!!!

Though Barnham is not...very good at this.

When they come in the kitchen he just kind of...hesitates.

Ah.

Ahem!!]

...Yes, well--surprise.

[NAILED IT]

[ Russell is going to try really hard to peek... He's a curious boy! Okay, but no he'll do his best...

Well, at least when Barnham says his (REALLY LAME, BY THE WAY) surprise, Russell takes that as a hint to uncover his eyes!

And -- Oh?? Oh!

........ He feels awkward... How is he suppose to respond to this. The last time he saw a cake it literally attacked him, Gardenia and Tabasa and they had to kill it??? ]

What is this for?

[ He's ready to Run. ]

[ Sara is giving Barnham a faintly exasperated look (because really, THAT WAS SO LAME) before she turns back to Russell and tilts her head with a smile. ]

It's for you. A part of learning how to value yourself is realizing that other people value you, so-- Happy Birthday, Russell!

[Look. LOOK!! he tried. Sort of.

Aha...]

Indeed, Happy Birthday. Many congratulations on this day.

[FOR LIVING TO THE RIPE OLD AGE OF "still a tiny child".]

[ Come on, Barnham, you can do better than that. Learn a bit from Sara.

Okay, but... Really, he's never had a birthday party before... He's been to some, but they weren't for him. He's touched?

There's this bubbly feeling in his chest that he doesn't really know what it is..!!! Happiness, maybe? He places a hand over his chest, and clenches some of his vest fabric.

Well, instead of guessing that he's just happy -- his immediate response is: ]

I... Think I'm dying?

[ Just because she's observing where his hand is, and knowing Russell-- ]

Unless it's acute chest pain radiating through every inch of your body, I think you're fine. Can you describe it for me?

[ She's strangely calm about this announcement. ]

[Seriously Russell... Barnham is going to just go ahead and let Sara do the talking so they don't overwhelm the poor kid.

Uh huh. No dying allowed.]

[ Stop??? He's dying???? Is there medicine for chest pains? Is he suppose to have chest pains at the age of fourteen?? The Real questions!!! Oh god, he's dying.

But... As calm as usual- Russell's hand returns to his side and ponders for a moment. ]

Uhm, it's like.... It doesn't hurt exactly, but it feels kind of bubbly. My heart started beating a bit faster, too......

[ Which he can't tell if it's from excitement or what! ]

... [ She's just going to ruffle his hair. ]

Believe it or not, it means you're happy. Maybe a little excited.

[For his part, Barnham just looks indulgently pleased--Russell feeling emotions other than SAD is always a good thing to his mind.]

It is merely a start, of course--but a birthday is to be celebrated every year.

[THEY'VE GOT YEARS OF PARTIES TO GO]

[ Oh man, so this is what happiness is like. Well, actually, he's been pretty happy ever since coming home with Sara and Barnham ... Maybe that happy feeling wasn't as overwhelming as it is right now.

Hmm.... Feelings. Still confusing. He'll get the hang of it sooner or later. ]

Oh... I see. [ Russell just looks down at his feet. ]

Thank you...

[ Now he feels kind of shy! WHAT DO YOU DO AT BIRTHDAY PARTIES (that isn't murdering someone)? ]

Thanks can come later! For now, cake and presents!

[ And a fistpump, apparently. ] This is an important event that only happens once a year, so let's go all out!

[ This is why Barnham is the steadying force in this relationship. ]

Indeed.

[He's the steadying force but he also wants Russell to enjoy himself?? So for now he's not doing any steadying at all.]

There are gifts, there is the cake, and I believe if there is anything you should otherwise like to do today, Russell, we shall be more than willing to do so as well.

[ Define "all out", though? Keep an eye on Sara, just in case, Barnham...

But god, he feels so awkward. He's trying his best not to think about the murderous birthday cake from his dreams, but also...... Well, you know, a birthday party for him sounds nice -- IN THEORY!!! Now that it's actually here, what does he do? ]

Uhm.... Give me a moment...

[ Approaching the cake, assuming there's silverware around, he's going to pick up a fork and--

Poke the cake. Carefully. Gently. He flinches, bracing himself for anything--

Aaand, nothing! Thank god.

It's not alive. ]

...

I can promise you there's nothing in there that's going to bite you.

robowest CR CMO

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