♘ duel the eleventh. ( video. action. )

[revolutionized]

I. video.

[Utena had been scarce after the night of the fireworks - the cold did not agree with her, and even her basketball court had been abandoned for the time being. The Vine unfurls to show her using the magic dirt for something, perched in the window sill of one of the high, arching windows of her room. A piece of the Tower, here in the Gardens. It looks as if she just got back in the room - she's still dressed for the outside, with her jacket and gloves, not caring that they are covered in dirt. Her cheeks are flushed with cold.

There are birds outside of the window, a number of them, and if one listens carefully, they are singing a familiar song. Finally, Utena speaks:]

Would you cut it out? Geez. I can't even count how many snowballs I threw at all of you. [The dirt in her hands changes shape into what looks like a picture frame. Utena makes a triumphant noise, goes to place the frame with a set of others. The Vine pans in on the frames - primarily images of other teenagers with strangely colored hair, and continues to follow her, until she eventually catches sight of it.]

You might as well make yourself useful. [She kneels in front of the mirror.] Say, does anyone know how to get rid of these birds? They've been following me all day.

II. action.

[A little after Utena makes her last picture, she's headed outside again for a walk! Unfortunately, her new feathered friends are following her around too, trilling the "Happy Birthday" song. One perches on her shoulder, and she irritably waves it away.

She'll be all over the Gardens today, trying to escape the birds. Bother her! Or throw a snowball at her...or build a snowman! Or just wish her a happy birthday, that works too.]

[ooc: Utena's birthday is today, so...the birds are wishing her a happy birthday. Or maybe messing around with the magic dirt has got them following her, whichever works.]

Comments

Video

[ritsu-kouyou.livejournal.com]

That happened to me last month. And no, they won't go away, even if they're killed. More will just show up.

In theory they'll leave you alone come tomorrow.

Video

[revolutionized]

I don't want to kill them. Isn't that against the rules?

[She sighs.] Great. Do you know any way to drown out the noise? If they're not going to go away, I could try to block out the sound.

Video

[ritsu-kouyou.livejournal.com]

Killing them is pointless anyways. And no. You will have to endure.

Video

[tookupthesword.livejournal.com]

... Happy Birthday?

[Well, it's being announced rather loudly...]

Video

[revolutionized]

I guess it is. Thanks. [She turns her gaze to the window again.] Sayaka-san, right?

Video

[tookupthesword.livejournal.com]

Sayaka Miki, yeah.

[heretolookhot.livejournal.com]

[Santana sings a much better Happy Birthday than those dumb birds. And can prove it!]

[revolutionized]

[Oh, wow. Utena is flattered, and smiles, tucking her knees to her chest.]

Whoa..that's really nice. A lot better than the birds. Thanks, Santana.

[heretolookhot.livejournal.com]

No problem, sweetie. Going alright so far?

video

[gun-cata.livejournal.com]

So, uh... I guess it's your birthday, isn't it?

[ She doesn't look as interested as she otherwise might be, sighing as she peers at the image. ]

Unless those birds are confused.

video

[revolutionized]

Yeah. I haven't been paying a lot of attention, and there aren't any calendars...but if Christmas passed already, it makes sense.

[gun-cata.livejournal.com]

Then happy birthday, even if it's not exactly the right day.

[headedforhope]

[Mami is preoccupied with making a snowman! Well, more like "finishing up" - the body is complete, all that's left to do is give it some branches for arms and also a face. Humming quietly to herself, she begins to carefully sculpt an expression with her thumbs. The gold eyes are reflective, all thoughts turned inward.

When Utena passes by with her flock of feathered "friends", Mami's startled out of her thoughts and ducks out of sight behind the snowman. For a moment, she just....watches, ignoring the increased thud of her heartbeat.]

[revolutionized]

[Utena is grumbling under her breath, hands tucked into her pockets and walking briskly. She does not appear to be in the best of moods, to use an understatement.]

Stupid hocus pocus. [A bird flits to land on her head and sing. She sighs heavily, but seems disinclined to fight it this time. Another flutters in front of her face, and she allows it to take roost on her hand.] I guess you aren't going to leave me alone, huh? [Both birds chirp, as if in agreement.] I'm not good with pets, y'know. Not like Himemiya.

[Something changes in her expression at that, and she glances up to the sky.] Another birthday here...

[headedforhope]

[Mami listens, can't help but take in every word as she peeks around the snowman's head. It strikes her, now as much as it had before, that Utena is protective of this Himemiya....thinks about her often, worries for her well-being, misses her terribly.

It's always about Himemiya, isn't it? Always. Good, Mami thinks to herself with a strange disappointment that goes unacknowledged, that's how it should be. Utena has her own promises to keep.

The fact of her hiding here and eavesdropping suddenly strikes Mami as juvenile, embarrassing. A nasty twinge of shame enough to make her wince.....and brings her out from behind the snowman, the smile on her face calm and self-assured and nothing more than a brave effort to smother painful, conflicting feelings.]

Ah, Utena-san! It's good to see you....how have you been?

[doihavepanties.livejournal.com]

Ah, congratulations on your birthday!

[revolutionized]

Oh, thanks! [She tries for a smile.] I would've missed it if it weren't for these birds.

[plasmabeam.livejournal.com]

So that's how the "magic dirt" works.

[revolutionized]

[nodnod.] That's right. It can make bigger stuff too, but you've gotta be careful.

[mnementomori]

It's your birthday, Utena? How old are you now?

[revolutionized]

Uh-huh. That means it must be December 29th. The year went by fast...

[She has to think on that one.] The first time I got here, I was fourteen. But I spent the winter here, so...[She frowns, brings a finger to her chin.] That means two birthdays. I'm sixteen now. [She blinks, and then in a somewhat mystified tone of voice:] Sixteen...I didn't know that much time had gone by.

[Video]

[tomboyishcandy.livejournal.com]

[Pinoko listens closely to the birds, then smiles.]

Awww, it's your birthday, isn't it? The birdies musht be wishing you a happy birthday!

[Video]

[revolutionized]

[Utena smiles too. Cute kid...she didn't know people so young ended up here.]

Yeah, I think they are. It's nice of 'em to do that, I guess.

[Video]

[heartovertime]

[It's hard not to recognize one of the most widespread songs in your world.] Tenjou-san...?

Could it be that it's your birthday?

[Video]

[revolutionized]

Hey, Homura-san. Mm, that's right. Today's my birthday.