[video] Happy Birthday, Laura!

[shoplifter]

[Laura has not really been on the network much, since the kidnappings had happened. She had been scarce in general; just because she was held captive all her life, after all, did not make it any easier to be thrust back into that terrible sort of world. But now she's back and has at least had some time to try and heal from those nasty little metaphoricalwounds, chewing on her pencil thoughtfully before lowering it and smiling a little from where she sits at a table in the community housing..]

I am twelve now... I have never had a birthday before, so I am not sure what to do other than to say so; since I have been here for a year now, I have decided that August is my birth month.

[She grins a bit, rather impish.]

And since I do not have the exact day, I guess every day in August will have to be my birthday. Gracias.

[LAURA NO—

Oh, the feed ended on that note.

Guess August is National Laura Month, so sorry.]

Comments

video

[shoplifter]

... Wednesday. Wednesday is a good day. Do you think so?

[video]

[shoplifter]

[She shakes her head.]

I am a mutant. The next evolution of humans, they call it.

... It makes us scary to them.

video

[shoplifter]

[All perfectly acceptable, what a true inspiration to children, Magnus.]

... Will it be edible?

[She's just sayin'. Don't poison her with bad cake, man.]

[shoplifter]

[She nods in agreement.]

And it does not impact me negatively, since my body repairs itself and keeps fit.

It seems wise to take advantage of my mutation.

[shoplifter]

[She cocks her head in consideration.]

What do you like to do with your friends?

video

[shoplifter]

Gracias.

[She feels nice, hearing that sort of thing. It's new and strange — but nice.]

... I am not sure. I've never had a party before. It is easier to just meet friends somewhere nice, I guess. But I am not used to having many friends in one place, here.

[shoplifter]

[She looks so very pleased with herself.]

People do not have to get that many.

But International Laura Month is very long.

[shoplifter]

I would not know the first thing in planning a party.

It seems like a lot.

[shoplifter]

I think I can think of a few numbers.
I would use 23, but it is part of my identification from before, and I do not think it's very appropriate.

[ video ]

[shoplifter]

... That would be nice. It's fun to swim and enjoy the summer.

[Spoken as if she's just parroting what certain social workers tell her. But it's true, at least.]

Do you like it there?

[dothelokimotion]

I do not require practice. It is not a skill I intend to develop.

video

[armcollector]

[Magnus takes maybe too much offense to that.]

Yes! It will! It's not hard to follow the directions on the back of some cake mix! I'm not that bad!!

It's going to be the best cake you've ever had just to show you how wrong you are!! Best... tasting. Maybe not the prettiest. I can't do shit with fondant or whatever.

[video]

[compartmentalise]

Humans are always afraid of those who are different.

[breqintopieces]

So you are.

[She leans back in her seat in the communal housing, giving Laura a brief and unimpressive glimpse of the ceiling before she settles the device properly again.]

What kind of celebrations do you want?

[goblinemperor]

It is inappropriate, or do you not like it?

[ Identification? Like... her name? Maia is not certain enough about the other cultures in this place to have the instinct that someone being given a number might be a sign of some real fucked up shit. ]

video

[democratically]

A fine way to break up the middle of the week. I'll meet you back at the residence then, after you're done your schooling for the day?

[11calls]

If you want, I can help. Every International Laura Month needs a party!

[shoplifter]

I thought you enjoyed excelling at most things. Doodles are easy, no?

video

[shoplifter]

I was going to say — it's okay if it's not.

Food poisoning does not work on me, and I will appreciate your cake whether it is edible or not.

But I'm glad it's not that bad.

[video]

[shoplifter]

Sí, así es. Many are. There are some good people, but it is sometimes hard to tell which is which.

[shoplifter]

... I do not know...

It feels strange, to think about that kind of thing. I like spending time with friends.

Maybe at the zoo, or at the waterpark.

[dothelokimotion]

You're trying to con me into drawing for you, little hellion.

[shoplifter]

My identification was my subject number, before, when I was in captivity.

I'm used to it, but

I have been trying to move away from it.

[shoplifter]

I am merely trying to inspire you into trying new things.

[:)))))]

video

[shoplifter]

Yes, that would be nice.

[It pays to be roomies, huh? Easy to find one another.]

I will make sure my homework is done quickly in class, for sure.