#childebirthday2k21

[tartabinger]

@ofruin​ sent: Albedo isn't the best on what to do for people's birthdays, xe often is unsure and second-guesses what gifts to get. ( And third, fourth, fifth.... )  But now xe holds a bag to Childe, blue eyes staring up to him and the faintest smile on xyr lips.

The bag itself is simple, a grey bag with white tissue paper that serves no other purpose than simplicity. There are two boxes in it, containing two different gifts. The smaller box containing a simple necklace with a vial that's little more than ink and glitter both colored gold.  The second is a bit larger, a custom knife that has varunada lazurite made into the handle.

"Happy birthday, beloved."

Birthday Asks

Childe didn’t expect his boyfriend to get him anything; xyr presence in his life was more than enough of a gift for him. He catches the smile as xe holds the grey bag out to him and he takes it for himself, reassured by the tiny expression.

He makes a note to himself that he should try to get Albedo to emote some more; xe’s gorgeous when xe smiles, after all.

The larger box comes out first, curiosity tugging at his mind, and Childe removes the lid to find the knife inside. Blue eyes find themselves attracted to their mirror, raking over the sight of Varunada Lazurite with the darker blue of the Hydro symbol. Gloved thumb runs over the handle before his hand plucks it out of the box to test the knife’s weight. It’s perfect for decoration and he thinks, with a little tweaking of his garments, he would be able to hold it in the strap around his leg.

Knife returned to box for safe keeping, the Harbinger turns his attention to the smaller box. Eyes flick upwards toward beautiful morning blue before he opens its lid to reveal a lovely necklace that reminds him of his partner. Pulling it out of its box, Childe returns the box to the bag and observes the vial as the mini-concoction swirls around.

Without wasting any more time, the man fastens it around his neck and watches as it comes to rest upon the fold of his jacket. Its colour matches his other golden accessories and if his opinion were to be asked, he would only have high praises for the gift.

Albedo catches his attention and feels the look he gives xem is swollen with admiration, particularly as his lips separate into a soft open mouthed smile.        Xe has amazing taste in gifts.

“How did I get so lucky to have such a special person like you in my life?” Reaching for the back of xyr head, Childe pulls Albedo in to a presses a kiss to xyr forehead. “I love them, милый мой.”

[tartabinger]

@mrcyclopsfan​ sent: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" He's made a card that looks like a Narwhal and a bag of cookies.

Birthday Asks

“Aw, thank you, Teucer!” Childe sets the gifts aside and scoops his baby brother up into his arms, giving him a biiiiiiig squeeze with a light laugh. He puts his brother back down, ruffling his hair under his hat, reads the card and smiles at the handmade design; Tonia must have helped him pick out the materials. Tucking the card into an internal pocket for safekeeping, Ajax then grabs the bag of cookies in one hand and takes Teucer’s hand in the other.

“What do you say we go out for some food and then eat the cookies together, hm? Treats are best eaten when shared with those you care about, after all.”

[tartabinger]

@dikiyvter​ sent: "Lord tarta- I mean, my- lord ch-- Mister Childe!" A certain jingly little clown comes scrambling up to the harbinger-- quickly offering to him... a cupcake! "Happy birthday! Look, I got us both a cupcake! Yours has a little narwhal on it, and mine has a clown face! Isn't it neat?" 

Birthday Asks

Childe laughs and reaches out to ruffle Gio’s hair. The automaton is trying his best and that’s all Childe will ever ask for. He takes the cupcake and studies it; a green (supposedly) vanilla cupcake decorated with blue icing and other decorations to make a smiling face and a narwhal horn.

“Thank you, Gio,” he says, still staring at the cupcake as his mouth pulls into a fond smile. His siblings would enjoy them, so he makes a mental note to ask where he can purchase some or if he can acquire the recipe.

“This was very thoughtful of you. Perhaps I’ll ask my sister to make me one the size of a full cake when I return home. She would be more than delighted to do so, I’m sure.”

[tartabinger]

@astralreflections​​ sent: " Tartaglia. " The astrologist's voice came coldly as arms crossed over her chest, pearly eyes narrowed as her head tilted. "I would have come with a gift but seeing as you did just recently tried to take me out i popted to give you words of advice instead! After all what better gift than feedback fro the stars!" hands clasping together as her chin raised, Mona's expression turned smug. "Despite heroic intents those whose goals require bloodshed have nothing but misfortune to come. Happy birthday!"  Extending a hand out in his direction, an envelope rested on his palms. Within it, a blank Liyue citizenship rested. The same one he had snuck in her mail a while back. 

Birthday Asks

A snort turned into laughter as the situation between them unfolded. It would seem even their birthdays would not go on without shenanigans - but Childe wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Well it seems to me you planned this out regardless,” he says as he takes the blank form and studies it. “It’s a shame, maybe I’ll have to put in a request to temporarily transfer to Mondstadt if you won’t come to Liyue.” The man laughs as he crumples up the paper and stuffs it into his pocket.

“Perhaps you will indulge me in a spar one day - I promise I’ll go easy on you. Ah... the thought of Hydro versus Hydro is an intriguing one, wouldn’t you say, Great Astrologist Mona?”

[tartabinger]

@mcuntainbcrn​ sent: A hum left her as she approached the Harbinger, moving to press a small vial into his hand as she passed him filled with giant hogweed sap, "My gift to you - for safety purposes if you ever get yourself into a bind you can't get yourself out of; break that open and it will protect you I assure you." she knew Childe well - the way he chased danger like a lost puppy, there was always that chance.

She paused, allowing her weight to press lightly against his side, "...happy birthday."

Birthday Asks

Childe fondled the vial in his hand, gloved thumb rubbing over the glass as knowledgeable eyes raked over the contained liquid. He was aware of its effects when it made contact with skin, having seen said effects first hand when an enemy with poor aim failed to strike him and instead caught their colleague.

Their screams were easily forgotten.

Flashing a smile, Childe pocketed the vial before he gave Maggie a playful nudge. “Aww, you really do have a soft spot for me!” he teased with a laugh. Allowing a moment to pass, he then schools his expression into something a little more serious. As much as he would have loved to continue teasing, the item was a gift and the Harbinger greatly appreciated said gift.

“Thank you, Maggie. I promise I’ll do my best to avoid any situations where the sap will be needed,”

[tartabinger]

@mysteryunknown​ sent: "I have acquired a meal tonight for you," A smile plays at Zhongli's lips, distantly self satisfied. They are rather peculiarly dressed down, jacket and tie absent with the aroma of spices clinging to them.

"While I will not be able to dine with you, I will be present. Please come to Wanmin when you so have the time." Though there were other high class restaurants that could cater to a celebration as such━ Wanmin was not only familiar, but welcoming still to the Fatui. It would not do to make such an occasion discomforting.

And Chef Mao was rather gracious in allowing them to work off such a hefty bill. It'd been quite some time since they'd done menial work like cooking and waiting tables. It was quite refreshing. "I must go now, Happy Birthday, Childe."

Birthday Asks

“Oh?” Childe cocks a brow at his dear friend’s words and his own smile grows on his face. Blue eyes roam down and up their form, drinking in the choice of clothes. They look nice on them; Zhongli has always had an impeccable sense of style. And the scent of spice is not lost on Childe, in fact, it raises some questions.

But if Zhongli wishes to keep their secrets then so be it, their words seem to hint that Childe will learn of the surprise sooner or later.

“Wow, Zhongli, you really know how to treat a guy, don’t you?” he teases, chin resting in his palm. He believes it to be the first time Zhongli has paid for a meal for- him, not them both, and a small frown yanks at his features before he schools his expression. Zhongli seems proud of themself, and Childe chooses to trust them in whatever they’ve done.

A warm smile relaxes across his face despite the goodbye and he almost forgets to speak in return. Almost.        “Thank you, Xiansheng! I won’t be long. I just need to finish this report and then I’ll head right on over.”

And that’s exactly what he does; finishes his report, informs Ekaterina of his intentions, and makes his way to Chihu Rock - and if anyone catches him with a pep in his step, they will know better than to speak of it.

[tartabinger]

@abyssmalice​ sent: There is a pie. Its delicate layers of puff pastry criss-cross a soft and sweet ensemble of fruit and nuts, creating a warm and heady aroma of what smells like apples and caramels spiced with a touch of cinnamon. A classic, traditional pie by every means.

The pie is also brightly, dangerously purple.

“—ahh, I hope I’m not too late! Or too early. It’s always a little hard to track time in the Abyss,” Tonia says, fidgeting with her fingers, “Does it taste alright? Fruits aren’t exactly common down there so I had to use a few substitutes—but this is a recipe I’ve been working on for years so I think it should be okay... I hope...”

A soft laugh, tinged with uncertainty around the edges. It’s been a long time since she’s had to look at a calendar - to manage one. To be expectant with a little bit of trepidation.

Still, she smiles gently at him as she offers her present.

“с днем рождения, Ajax.” A giggle. “If you don’t have any plans for your birthday today... oh, how about we go on a picnic somewhere? I hear Liyue has a lot of beautiful places for hiking - we can climb one of the hills and eat your birthday cake while watching the view! How about that?”

Birthday Asks

Childe has remained staring at the pie since the moment Tonia placed it down in front of him. He doesn’t stare for the colour itself - no, it may have been almost ten years now but he could never forget having to work out substitutes for food (he swallows down the unforgotten taste of meat, there’s no need to think about that) - he stares because of the particular day he receives the thoughtful gift.

“No, actually, you’re right on time,” pulling a knife from his desk drawer, he extends a hand to invite his sister to sit across from him and he cuts out a section of the pie, “and even if you weren’t, there’s no need to apologise.” He realises he doesn’t have any plates or napkins with him so he reaches into another drawer for some sheets of paper to use as makeshift napkins. Childe places his slice on his own paper before cutting and placing Tonia’s slice in front of her.

The flavour is... existent, he supposes; it’s nothing to complain about, at least. He remembers his old master’s laughter as he tried to get accustomed to the food he would have to eat for the foreseeable future. “Food from the Abyss isn’t known for being kind to human bodies,” he remembers her saying. Which reminds him, he probably shouldn’t leave traces of the pie for any of his subordinates to taste test.

“You made it with love, what difference does it make if it tastes bad or good?” He pauses to take another bite, free hand cupped near his chin to catch any extras that fall from his eating. “It tastes fine, by the way. You did really well given what limited resources you had.”

He returns her smile in kind, old and familial warmth seeping into the crevices of his existence. ‘I don’t deserve such an amazing sister,’ he thinks as he takes another bite of his pie and notes that he’ll need to cut himself a second slice soon.

Though that thought scatters much like the pie that no longer resides in his mouth as some of his food goes down the wrong pipe. Waving any concerns off, he reaches for his glass of water and gives one big cough before drinking down the remaining pie.

“Cake?” Childe rasps and then swallows more water. He takes a moment to clear his throat before continuing to speak. “Are you saying you made a cake as well?” Setting down the bite-sized remainder of the slice, he blinks at his sister. “The pie was more than enough, but you’re treating me to a hike and a picnic too?”

The man takes a moment to laugh to himself as he places an elbow on his desk and rests his chin in the palm of his hand.

“It’s not often a fierce princess will spoil her knight, you know?”