8718/Scotland at 21

Scotland at 21
Date of Scene:	18 November 2021
Location:	Muir Island
Synopsis:	Rahne's 21st birthday doesn't end in drinks, but in the Northern Lights and the gift of joy.
Cast of Characters:	Rahne Sinclair, Clarice Ferguson

---

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
There be a party goin' on!

"Rahne Sinclair turns 21 today," the scientist says. "A Lady indeed, and welcome." Party balloons are pushed at the little lady, who squeals with delight. Other similar fun happens...Moira gives her a key, a Scottish tradition which signifies full adulthood. She's given her first vehicle. She's treated like a lady.

She can only handle it for so long, and after the biggest bits are done, she sneaks outside.

"Ooh, quiet. Thank th' Laird," she says softly. Which is totally when someone would sneak up behind her.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice has been there for the fun. A little distracted, perhaps - but Pete is with Theo, and her phone is on her if there is trouble - and Rahne deserves to be celebrated. Unfamiliar with most of the people present, Clarice had tried to stay out of the spotlight, while still being present for the woman she so desperately cared for - but when Rahne goes outside, she's happy to follow her, padding up on quiet feet to wrap her in a sudden hug. She even tries to sneak up on her from down-wind - years growing up under Mister Creed's care has taught her a little bit about evading people with keen senses.
    "Happy Birthday," she murmurs.

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
Even if she did scent Clarice incoming, Rahne wouldn't ruin that kind of effort. She squeaks, grins, and then leans back into her bestest friend. She mews softly into the lady's hair, and reaches backward and up to run her fingers over Clarice's head. Through her long hair, making little happy sounds.

"Thank ye." The accent will never die, it seems. Years in america, and fifteen minutes back home bring it right back to the surface. "Ah was na'er good at bein' made a big deal about. Es not like ah be anyone different today."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Of course not," Clarice agrees. "Well. Other'n the fact that we all change, little by little, day by day. But no more different today than you will be tomorrow. Yeah?" She's waxing philosophic tonight, apparently. She nuzzles into Rahne's neck, smiling as the other woman fiddles with her hair. For the moment, at least, she's simply present and content. The honest truth was //she// needs this right now. "But you should let the people who love you celebrate you. Your mother's proud of you - she has every right to be."

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
The wind is picking up a little, so Rahne is happy to have someone to snuggle with. She grows a little bit of fur to help keep warm, and closes her eyes. It's a good moment. "Es true," she says gently. Then she grins, knowing that normally people would expect her to deny it.

"False modesty be ano'er form o' lyin. Ah try m' best, an' ah could hae done worse wi' who ah am today. If ah be judged by God, tha' dinnae be somethin' for me tae take on m'self."

Then she turns a little, slipping a kiss onto Clarice. Not a big, long, life-changing kiss. Just a moment, and happiness. "Tell me a secret. Somethin' about y'sel." That's what she wants, a secret? It's a small enough gift, but also huge.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "A secret?" Clarice repeats with surprise, after the kiss. What could she tell Rahne? Was there anything she kept from her? Not something solemn, and dark, and blood soaked - she would hate to ruin the moment. "Give me a moment to think?" she asks, snuggling against Rahne still, as she runs over moments of her life for something she hasn't shared with Rahne yet - that feels significant enough.
    Finally she murmurs quietly, "After I was rescued from the Mutate Program, the first real decision I remember making - was whether I wanted a hamburger, or a steak. I still remember how terrifying it felt to have to //choose// instead of just being told." There's a momentary pause before she adds, "I had the hamburger. Will you tell me a secret?"

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
It makes her smile, that secret. She nods, snuggling a little bit closer. "I ken that," she says softly. She's not rushing, it's a beautiful moment and if she's going to start a new year, she's going to do it with happiness.

"Ah still remember m' first meal. Es odd, ah couldnae bring m' tummy tae accept a hamburger for weeks after ah was saved my Mum." She blinks, then nods again.

"Um. Yah." She obviously wasn't expecting to say anything either, and needs a moment. Then, "Oh! Ah ne'er learned how tae whistle. Es somethin' ah always was jealous about everybody about." She turns, trying to look at Clarice, and asks, "Es that an okay one?"

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "It's fine," Clarice replies with amusement - gracing Rahne with a playful kiss as the woman tries to peer at her features. "I never really stopped to realize," she adds in a quiet, musing voice, "that we would have had the same trouble - with having had all our decisions made for us, for so long. But I guess- that does make sense. It took a long time to recover from that. I mean - I don't know that I'm really recovered, even now, seeing as... when Raven and Lydia were asking me to take up some hobbies I- I wanted them to //tell me// what hobbies I should try. Choices can still be overwhelming, especially if there isn't a few finite options."

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
"Well...we be different on that, a'least," the little redhead says with a smile. "I want tae do everything. Ah keep tryin' new things, all th' time. Ah ne'er finish though. Probably not th' best way tae do it all."

She turns in Clarice's arms, so she can see her more properly. "Ah dinnae want t' be limited, ever again. So ah do it all like today be m' last day on earth. Too many choices, not enou time." She looks a little concerned though. For Clarice.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I try things. I //like// trying things - I just, I never really know what //to// try until someone points it out, somehow," Clarice explains. She sees that concern in Rahne's face, and she reaches up to run her hand over her cheek, before leaning in to press their foreheads together. "I'm fine, you know," she promises the other girl. "I know our pasts have left scars on both of us - I know there are things that will always be a struggle. And there are always difficult days - that's part of life, but when have I ever been as happy as I have been this past year?" she asks quietly.
    "My life is more full than it's ever been. I'm lucky."

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
The little werewolf (more of just Rahne with facial fuzziness right now) doesn't seem too upset by the touching. She reaches and captures Clarice's hand, but then doesn't seem to know what to do with it. One of those awkward moments that people writing movies find so endearing.

But she doesn't seem to know what to say. She stays quiet a bit longer, letting what Clarice said be the focus. She's happy. Clarice feels lucky. So she says...that.

"Wot else could ah want?" I don't deserve this. But I'm holding it tight anyway.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Anything you wanted, I would try to give you, you know," Clarice murmurs quietly, still leaning in against Rahne with her eyes closed.
    "...I got you a present," she adds in a quiet voice. "Do you want to see it?" It would mean pulling away from Rahne - at least a little - and she seems in no real rush to do so.

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
"Y' already gave me everythin' ah want," Rahne says. If Clarice has any talent at all with detecting lies, she'll know that this is one of those moments of half-truth. It's true now, but of -course- Rahne wants more. She'll just get around to realizing it in a little while. For the moment though, she totally means it.

Oh Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Give up thy name..

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Well - regardless, I got you a present anyways," Clarice remarks in an amused tone. She pulls away enough to look at her phone - and grins, at whatever it is she sees there, tucking it away in her pocket. "Would you mind if we left Muir Island just for a little bit - so I can show you?" she offers.

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
"Oh Laird no!" Rahne gets to her feet quick, happy to get out of here. "I got tae be back in fifteen minutes though. M' mum wants tae talk tae me abou' somethin, an ah keep gettin these 'arranged marraige' vibes from her lately. Either that or she wants tae harvest m' skin for th' aliens."

She pauses, just checking Clarice to see if she believes it. "Kidding! Ah know tha' kind o' thing be believable in our crowd sometimes."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice looks puzzled at Rahne's claims. The arranged marriage might be possible - she doesn't know Moira well - maybe marriage is important to her? The skin harvesting she doesn't buy though.
    "If fifteen minutes is all I get, I'll take it," she remarks as she climbs to her feet. She moves in against Rahne, putting an arm around her, and giving her another kiss - utterly unnecessary for managing a teleport, but that is what they do, as it's suddenly much darker - and colder. But sitting nearby is a thick, thermally insulated blanket, some coats, a thermos of hot tea with just enough brandy mixed in, and a jewelry box. Above them - the Northern Lights dance in greens, and purples across the sky - providing almost the only available light.

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
Rahne had closed her eyes into the kiss, but when she opens them and sees the Northern Lights, she loses her ability to breathe. She appreciates the fur now, but her eyes on the skies take it in greedily. I want to do everything, I want every day to be like it's my last day on earth. I want it all.

"Maybe ah can stay a bit longer," she says around her own heart, not pulling away from Clarice at all. It may be a little hard to see by, but it's also...

"It's beautiful."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "I thought you'd appreciate it," Clarice remarks giving Rahne another little peck - before stepping away from her. Rahne may have fur - but Clarice does not! And Rahne may be from Scotland - Clarice is from //tropical islands//. She grabs up the thick coat she had waiting, and hurriedly slips into it, zipping it up and letting out a laugh. "It's freezing here! But it's worth it," she decides - drawing Rahne towards the blanket so they can sit together.

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
Rahne takes a moment to run her fingers through Clarice's fur, grinning at the opportunity. "You be all fuzzy!" she says, then she laughs and puts her head on Clarice's chest for a moment. Then, they do sit and Rahne wonders if she was meant to join Clary in the coat. Honestly this being in a relationship is still a bit weird.

"Wot's this?" she asks, looking at the box.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Your gift," Clarice replies simply. "I was- well. I wasn't sure what to get, but I tried," she admits with a wry smile. She's happy to snuggle up with Rahne - even as she pulls out her cellphone, to use as a flashlight.
    Inside the jewelry box was a golden chain - and on it, a golden key, with a top in light blue enamel with decorative keyholes cut in it. Something was visible through the keyholes, and swinging open the little locket that was the top of the key - painted inside was a miniature of both Rahne and Clarice, smiling and leaning in close to one another. Next to the key, was a small, clear glass bottle filled with a shimmering blue liquid. Secured to the bottle was a little golden label with 'drink me' etched into it.

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
Rahne lifts it to the light, letting the flashlight and Earth's own bring it to her eyes. She lets it turn, the softest of winds caressing it, and slowly brings it up close so she can see the tiny figures, the littlest secret of the key.

A moment later she's coming close to Clarice, pressing her red lips to those magenta ones, and kissing her. The kiss earlier was not the same at all. One of Rahne's hands grasps at Clarice's coat, keeping her close. The other has a key, and it won't let go.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    Clarice returns the kiss happily - finally parting so she can breathe, and let out a little, breathless laugh. "You like it, then," she remarks with amusement - giving the woman another kiss, that ends with her simply holding her close, resting with her cheek against Rahne's.
    "It's supposed to be Alice's little golden key," she murmurs needlessly, as if Rahne can't figure that out for herself. "Because I- Because I read the book for you. Because you like it so much."
    Clarice, you talk too much.

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
Rahne laughs, letting Clarice talk. She does that. "Oh, I dinnae like it," she says. "Alice be a seriously weird book, hon. But it always holds a place en m' heart, even if ah dinnee really like th' book so much." She tickles a little, just a bit, then gives Clarice's nosetip a tiny little wolf-lick.

"If y' want a book tha' ah like, come wi' me when we get back. Ah want tae give y' one tha's actually fun, an inspiring. A book can be both."

Then, after a pause, she whispers, "Thank you. For readin' it for me. Now, ah want ye to read things for you."

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "You don't-" Clarice says in bafflement, before bursting into giggles. She doesn't even like it that much! Somehow, that amuses the hell out of her. She pulls Rahne even closer - even as she reaches up to brush the tip of her nose dry with the back of her free hand.
    "I do read for myself now. Well - and to practice, so I can get better. I read all the Lumberjanes. I like comics more than books so far. It's- all the pictures make it less intimidating, somehow," she explains.
    She tilts her gaze back towards the sky before she asks, "What book do you have in mind?"

Rahne Sinclair has posed:
Rahne's own laugh is easy. "I know! I talked it up so much, and Alice be just nae a good place t' start. Ah ken it, an' ah was kickin m'sel for doing tae you what was done tae me!" She grins, then she kisses Clarice's hand. Then puts it back in the coat to be warm.

"No, if ah was choosin' for you, ah'd give ye a story with a girl who reminds me of ye. Like, Talia." She says that easily, like she's had time to think it over. "Arrows of th' Queen. You and Talia, you hae a lot in common. Ah'll let y' find out for yourself though. It be a good ride, an' a happy ending."

She holds Clarice then, her eyes smiling in fur. In the dark, under the lights.

Clarice Ferguson has posed:
    "Talia?" Clarice repeats. Like TJ? "I'll take a look at it," she promises, before lapsing into silence - her gaze trained up on the dancing lights above them, a small and content smile playing across her features.
    After a while she adds in a quiet voice, "I love you, Rahne. Happy Birthday."