[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

[11calls]

We can definitely do the waterpark if you'd like to, Laura! But it might be a bit big there, or a lot of people. I wouldn't want your first party to be really overwhelming for you.

How about we start smaller with deciding other things. Like what kind of cake or food would you want to have there? What sort of colors do you like if you could have anything.

[Alex has faith that Richard can pull anything off. He's Richard Strand after all.]

[shoplifter]

[She listens very intently, nodding. She trusts Alex enough to be honest with these things, anyway.]

If there's somewhere smaller, then I think that would be okay.

I like any food... Any cake. What kind of food is normal for a birthday?

[11calls]

Well, there is our house. It's big enough that it won't be claustrophobic, and cosy enough that it doesn't feel too big.

[Anymore, now that Stan and Simon were living there too, and the house was more of a home than a mausoleum to Howard Strand's own personal brand of being a dick.]

And as for food? It definitely should be all of your favorite kinds, so you're going to need to let me know what you like the best, honestly. What's your favorite color?

[So Alex knows for the cake, of course.]

[shoplifter]

That would be a good place to have it, yes.

[She stares for a long moment, as if the question is so very difficult.]

My favorite color...?

[A very grave pause.]

I like rainbows.

[11calls]

Oh, we can definitely do a rainbow cake without a problem.

[Well, Richard can. Alex is going to do her part by staying out of the way and not even looking at the oven.]

Anything in particular you'd like for food?

[shoplifter]

... I like all kinds of food.

What could be nice for a birthday?

[You're her only hope, she's flying blind here.]

[11calls]

Hmm. It depends on what kind of party you want to have. Pizza is always good, or having a barbecue in the backyard with hamburgers and hot dogs and steaks is nice too. We can do salads to go along with them.

[shoplifter]

[!!!!]

Someone was upset once that I have never been to a bar-be-cue.

[Clearly this means we should have one.]

[11calls]

Good choice! I know we have a grill, so it'll be easy to do!

[For Richard. No one in their right mind lets Alex Reagan anywhere near anything that cooks for the health and safety of herself and others around her.]

[shoplifter]

Then a bar-be-cue it is. Should we send... messages? For people who are invited?

I can make a card.

[11calls]

Yeah, we definitely can do that! You make em, and invite who you want, and I'll make sure you have our address and stuff.

And you can come over earlier if you want to make sure that Richard's not going to mess up the cooking.

[By which Alex means: let me feed you, small friend.]

[shoplifter]

I will come over with my art supplies. That way it will be very accurate!

[SHE'S DETERMINED NOW, what with having a task to do.

It's kind of exciting.]

[11calls]

Okay cool. I'll let Richard and Stan and Simon know you're coming.