Owner	Pose
Jane Foster	At some point when the sun starts to set, Blackagar Boltagon cannot escape the inevitable that awaits him. The inescapable path spun by the Fates at his birth leads to this moment, this place in time. A delighted little sound from Jane as she slides the chilled plate across the counter, a sparkler merrily fizzing in lieu of an actual candle. Probably two hundred LED faerie lights around the kitchen will do that instead. "Happy birthday to you!" she sings -- not half-bad, either. She's got a good voice for it. Also, asking the Midnight King to blow out a candle is just too easy. "Happy birthday to you!"
Blackagar Boltagon	The celebration of a birthday, while not really a tradition expressed in this manner in Attilan was something that he had done in turn for Jane with much acclaim. Dinner out, some travel, jewelry. All those things were very Earth based traditions. The cake with the sparkler in it had not been what he had expected, despite the multiple media demonstrations. But the humor that is on his face, delight present as well, at the display along with the singing indicates that despite the silliness of it all, he is warmed over with the demonstration. Of course he isn't going to blow out any candle. Of course he isn't going to sing or laugh. And of course through it all Jane could feel all the bubbling enjoyment he is getting. Of course, cake certainly helps as well. <<You know it is unnecessary but wonderfully appreciated, yes?>>
Jane Foster	Attilan's myriad customs diverge heavily from Earthly ones, for all Attilan /is/ a terrestrial culture. Jane adopts the expected mores as she discovers them and where practical, for Blackagar does deserve certain traditions to be upheld or at least acknowledged. Small reminders of home, perhaps. Birthdays for someone without siblings, and adrift in the world, follow the anticipated model. For this case, it's key lime pie. How many discarded, dead citrus fruits dwell in the bin to be composted? More than one could admit. But this is a pie that rewards effort, unlike the mille crepe cake saturated in a fine blend of flavours, each wafer thin. That's still in the fridge, hidden in a box. "Happy birthday, beloved, deliciously wonderful Blackaga--------ar." How long can she hold that vowel? Her lung capacity hasn't diminished and neither has she the need to breathe. Pretty long! Her hands clap together, the starry glitter in the dusk-strewn night made that much more radiant. "Happy birthday to you!" <<If you expect me to jump out of a cake, we're going to need a much bigger cake.>> Case made as his own happiness and delight are reflected at him at full strength, governed by a celebratory joy, and a skimming affection. She'll risk the sparkler crackling too close to her loose sweater to kiss him. <<I do. These gestures mean everything.>>
Blackagar Boltagon	Blackagar lifts an eyebrow at the sustained note, tilting his head as she continues holding it out longer and longer until finally it ends and his own eyes roll slightly in amusement with feigned surprise. <<You missed your true calling in being a diva upon the stage.>> The lamentation comes with that thought fully weighted with amusement. A noted error is exploited, for when Jane leans over to kiss him gently his hand lifts and Blackagar pulls her towards him and the awaiting seat that would consist of his lap. <<I don't expect anything of the sort, unless you truly had your heart set on it. In which case we could look into getting a large cake. I've often wondered how it is people breathe inside of those though.>>
Jane Foster	<<Have you ever tried being heard over a battlefield? Nope, probably not. You get a set of pipes if you want to get attention. Myths say my sisters sang dirges over the clash of weapons, but that seems a fine way to be targeted.>> Jane breaks into a sheepish grin, putting her hand to her chest. Only for a moment, they need to cut said key lime pie with the blessings of a proper knife and pie lifter. Or a fork and just eating it right from the tin. <<I adore the space diva from Fifth Element though, even I get Leeloo's role more now.>> Fond memories of orange-haired space heroines follow said classic. If they haven't watched it, they will. Cutlery disposed of, she pivots to join him, settling in his lap. Never turning that one down. A sigh of contentment settles in. <<The cake is hollow inside. Sorry to disappoint you, but the structure of six feet of cake would smother the average person.>> Her finger dabs whipped cream on his nose and she grins. <<I do have a present or two for you, though one is an experience over a thing. If that's okay?>>
Blackagar Boltagon	The look of shock and being aghast definitively conflicts with the aura of emotions that are present. He is putting on that show of looking upset or disappointed in truth he is far from that. <<I /suppose/ that it is alright.>> That clear teasing comes with pulling Jane a bit closer to him, considering while doing so. <<Although you have really piqued my interest with the way you have phrased that.>> A significant pause comes, his gaze very much on her before a sly little smile appears, <<You know other than company I really do not ask for anything, nor need anything...>> But the appreciation is clearly there. Her pivoted settling makes him smile, arms entwining about her waist. <<And that is such a glorious movie, for it is where I learned that I am truly nothing more than a meat popsicle.>>
Jane Foster	<<Are you inviting the liberal demolition of a cake?>> Jane's demure expression meets with the horror and the wonder sculpted across Blackagar's face. Handsome and devastating in equal measures, him, as elemental as a storm in those embellished convictions. All cast with a tuft of whipped cream on his nose, that's a talent. <<You could have been an impressive actor on the stage.>> She rests against his chest, the round of her shoulder tucked to him so that he can attack the pie as he sees fit. Best not get between the king and his birthday dessert. <<What do you get for the man who has almost everything? A conundrum I face all the time. Clever socks, an interesting book, a wine subscription? I have to think outside the box, and in our case, outside planetary bounds occasionally.>> His arms are steady on her and she, in turn, braces her hands closely over his. <<You don't have to fear meat popsicles. Staying with me or Grani will prevent that.>>
Blackagar Boltagon	The pie is delicately attacked rather than furiously charged, with a forkful being taken for him and then another for her as he takes the opportunity to offer it to the woman while in conversation without speaking. <<It is a difficult question, what to get for someone who has anything or could get anything if they so desire it. Until you consider that gifts are more about the who rather than the what. This is the only thing I want you know.>> The bite of pie offered to her is followed with another for him. <<You both can keep me safe from being a meat popsicle?>> The consideration he has is lingering for a few moments before he adds, <<Now you have my interest though; planetary bounds?>>
Jane Foster	Tenderness brings a softening to her expression, though not entirely won on that front. <<You forget, I want to delight you and find something meaningful. That sets a high bar. Certain tendencies for excellence prevent me from tossing the towel in with a card, a movie, and after-dinner walks.>> Jane kisses the tip of Blackagar's nose and comes away blotted by the bit of whipped cream she dabbed there earlier. Fun is only fun if both partners engage, after all. The bite of key lime juice in the creamy body of the pie proves intense, and her lips pucker slightly in sheer delight. Lime oil is the secret for a killer pie, that said. <<We've been to farflung planets and asteroids before. But this one...>> A trailing thought draws lines into the stars, hints of a shimmering red light on the horizon, cooler than anything sustained in Sol's reaches. <<Do you want me to spoil the surprise or will knowing the destination change any of that? Jessica's necklace of Saturnian 'pearls' made from dust and ice collected from the rings got me thinking. I may have used my duties to scout out somewhere interesting. I think you'll find it timely and interesting.>>