'Were you going to deign to mention your birthday to me, or was I supposed to find out from Eirika!' A familiar voice emerges from behind Ephraim, a bundle of pink dahlias in tow. 'You should count your blessings that I am so adept in the art of boutonnière!' L'Arachel really had planned to give birthday wishes and nothing more, but as usual her devastatingly noble intentions had been waylaid by indignation. Looking down at the bundle she had arranged, she pauses, before handing them over - slightly abashed.
It was after all, still his birthday. Perhaps she say a few words. That was customary on such a day, no? And, while she was a humble enough holy woman to recognise this wasn't the most memorable moment in his entire life, there was no question it must be the most memorable of his birthdays. It wasn't everyday you were gifted something by the Princess of Rausten! She should give him something that'll endure even after the flowers wilt. Clearing her throat, she draws on all her faculties: her sparkling wit, her sharp tongue, her agile mind. 'Don't... don't eat any cake without telling me about it! Birthdays are a time for sharing, after all.'
Ah. Yes. As always, she had exceeded expectation.
today was a day much like any other, whether it be here in fodlan or back home in renais. ephraim started his day before the sun began to rise, and drug himself to the training grounds where he'd wake up properly with some drills. the simplest of his movements, simply to keep muscles moving and mind sharp. it was like every day, except that today would technically be, his birthday. he had never paid it too much mind, but eventually he'd grown a distaste for the event altogether. it was more his sister's birthday than his, and he was happy to treat it as such.
what was there to celebrate now, anyway, with his mother and father lost to him, and the remnants of his friendship with lyon scattered and lost to him. these days only seemed to serve as a reminder for what was not waiting for him anymore. he felt like a child, lamenting the loss of a toy they had been denied... but he simply could not take the empty wishes and useless gifts. even on a normal day he held little energy for such things, but today only seemed to deplete his social resources further. so, like many times before this, he would keep to himself, and have a quiet celebration with his sister later in the night.
he sorted through gift ideas for her as he mindlessly pierced the morning air with his training spear. a necklace, a book, or perhaps some flowers? all seemed like promising candidates to him, but his sister was hard to read. she would smile and accept whatever she gave him simply because it was from him. this year, he would like to surprise her with some insightful gift. it was easier said then done, however, and so he decided to put a hold on that thought for the moment.
for now, he would need to pack up and prepare himself for a day of browsing the markets. with a start, he placed the lance back in it's proper resting spot before grabbing a towel to wipe the light sheen of sweat he'd built up from his motions. when he felt satisfied, ephraim began the tedious process if placing his shirt on and buttoning each shirt agonizingly slow. after that, was a black vest, which he loathed as much as the shirt he'd just put on. before he could vanish from the monastery, though, an early visitor was quick to stop him in his tracks.
as perceptive as ever, or perhaps simply driven by the advice of his nosy sister... she had, of course, found him. his sister... she always thought she was helping, but this time she had not hit the nail on the head. with a sigh, he turned to greet the eccentric princess with a casual wave. "princess l'arachel... you're up rather early, are you not-" he began flatly, his eyes content to be anywhere but where hers were. first her shoes, then her gloves, next... the bright flowers gently clutched in them. they were quickly shot at him, lacking any of the grace he had expected from her. with hesitance, he received them from here, fumbling for a moment before finding the right kind of grip.
why would he even put such effort into protecting flowers he had no need for was beyond him. he bore into the flowers as if they held a secret message for him, stealing glances at the bashful princess in between. these flowers were ugly to say the least, and he had absolutely no use for them. there were no vases in his dorm, and he hated responsibility like this... so why was this gift so endearing to him? why... just why did they bring a smile to his face? he hated gifts... he hated this day. he'd only ever tolerated such displays from his sister, only because she knew him. such a mystery this was... and there it was, a mystery, just like l'arachel, a mystery to him as well.
he relented, and pressed the flowers to his chest with great care, not wanting to crush them with his calloused hands. "you have my gratitude, princess l'arachel. these flowers... they're exactly what i wanted." finally, ephraim is able to meet her eyes, all with a smile on his face, however small it was. "if it's cake you were really after, though... i think i can arrange for that too." it was hard not to poke fun and tease her, especially when it was this easy. he understood her position all too well, which was not something he could say often. he understood someone, and he... wished that one day others would understand him too.
perhaps his sister had made the right call after all...
"before that cake, though... i might ask a favor of you, princess. i need to get a gift for my sister, something to pay her back for spilling all my secrets. you'll help me, won't you?"
