IRIS MESSAGE - MARCH 24, AFTER DINNER

[angeliaforos]

[Finally. Finally, he's got it, and he's so excited about this. At least, the cake part. (Thanks, Jehan.)

There's a part of turning 18 that scares the everloving crap out of Gabriel, especially being here, of all places, but he's not going to think about that right now. No. Right now, he's going to think about how freaking great this cake is going to be.

But first he's got a little matter to settle of who he's going to share his birthday cake with. He sends out an IM, the giant cake very visible in the rainbow.]

Really, guys? You're gonna let me sit up here by myself and eat the whole thing? By myself? Really, guys?

[He's teasing, of course. That was his idea of an invitation.]

Comments

[toeverywhere]

[Elizabeth makes a big show of looking around.] Nope. I only see eligible bachelors around here.

[She happily accepts the cake and takes a seat next to him.] So here's the question: if I technically liked anything I like before it was cool, does that make me a hipster?

[angeliaforos]

Eligible bachelors.

[He repeats it quietly, not really loud enough for anyone but himself to hear. Honestly, he's not sure so much of that anymore...but he's not really ready to put it into words quite yet.

Then, there's a little shrug, a teasing grin.]

Oh, it makes you a super hipster. All you need is an oversized sweater and a pastel scarf and you'll fit right in.

[toeverywhere]

[Hey, Liz is great at advice. If you need any.]

And the glasses. We can't forget big glasses.

[She smirks.]

Text messages? I only use telegrams. It's okay, you've probably never heard of them

[angeliaforos]

[It's not that he needs advice. It's that he can barely put what happened into words. What the hell are he and Grantaire, anyway? Not that things are weird or have changed between them - and, hey. He's all for being casual.

But...what the hell?]

I have. Sad to say I don't know Morse Code, and apparently I'm not a great singer - though I beg to differ - so you won't be getting any singing telegrams from me.

[toeverywhere]

[Pierre is pretty chill, so who really knows?

Yes. Grantaire is still Pierre. Always and forever.]

Really? Great, now my entire reason for living is gone. 116 years and you won't give me a singing telegram.

[angeliaforos]

[He's also not sure how much she'd be able to help him out, being that, y'know, she swore to stay a virgin forever. Or at least swear off the company of men. Gabe's not too sure how that works.]

Do you really want me to sing for you?

[toeverywhere]

[No hanky-panky. Hugs are okay. Cheek kisses are acceptable. The intention is really the most important thing, if Elizabeth had learned anything in all her years.]

Why not? Though it's your birthday, so I should probably be the one singing to you.

[angeliaforos]

[Yeah, that he knows. It's the fact that...he's not even quite sure if any of his feelings have changed, what's changed, if anything's supposed to change. He tries so damn hard to pretend he's great at being casual with everything but he's not so sure, and he can barely put it into words.

And that scares him, but Gabriel's not sure whether to run or to just ignore the fear.]

Y'know, I was gonna say that myself.

[toeverywhere]

[Ignore it. Don't run.]

Alright. Whatcha wanna hear?

[angeliaforos]

[Ignoring things and playing it off cool is his talent. That he can do. What the hell are these feelings? Gabriel doesn't have feelings.]

I don't know. You sing something and I'll...maybe I'll rock it with ya, if I feel up to it.

[toeverywhere]

[Liar.]

Oh come on. It's your birthday. Choose what I'm gonna serenade you with.

[angeliaforos]

[He thinks a little before responding.]

We're singing Pink Floyd. Go.

[toeverywhere]

Done.

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

[angeliaforos]

[Gabe grins a little and pats her knee, and his voice rings out following her. It's nothing special, but it gets the point across fine, and he's on key, at least.]

Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees, hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change - and did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage??

[toeverywhere]

[With him joining in, it isn't hard to finish up the song.]

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
And how we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

[angeliaforos]

[He gives her a little smirk at the end, elbowing her in the ribs.]

You don't have a bad voice, y'know.

[toeverywhere]

Thanks. [She smiles at him.] So there. Happy Birthday.