video | c.fraser

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Is this not about a medical thing, this time? Seems so. Claire's a bit more relaxed than she usually is when using the network, and it might have something to do with that glass of wine in front of her.]

It's my fifty-first birthday this weekend. Do I win the award for most elderly amongst us refugees?

It's hard to believe I was in my late twenties when I first came to Olympia. Stasis is... strange, to say the least, but I'm sure any of us here for an amount of time realize that.

[Now, let's see who's going to be a smartass and make a grandma comment. She's waiting. It's there, in her smile. Do it.]

Comments

un: onceandfuturescot

[givingback]

[ She's got to change her username but whatever. ]

Don't you mean closer to a hundred? Technically, I mean.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Even if there wasn't a video here, she could probably sense Claire's frown.]

Ha-ha. Hilarious, darling.

[givingback]

I think a hundred candles might be a bit too much for a cake. Even over fifty might be too many.

[ She can't help it okay, she'll be done soon. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

Perhaps on that blob you conjure up and call a cake.

[Where does Bree get it? No clue.]

[givingback]

Wow, there goes my nice planned breakfast in bed for you.

[ She's kidding, and there's a momentary pause before she continues. ]

I don't really think of you as the age you are. I think there's something to it, like never wanting to acknowledge that your parents ever get older. So, don't worry. You look as beautiful as you always have, mama.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[This young lady knows how to melt her mother's heart. For as much as Claire realizes Bree must feel she hasn't really known her mother for long, she most certainly has no problem moving her.]

So, is that permission to claim I'm your older sister?

[Kidding.]

[givingback]

[ Bree laughs, loudly at that. ]

Sure, let's see how many people buy it before I slip and call you 'mom' on accident.

[nineteenfortyfive]

You're going to catch flies, hawing like that.

[Bree!!! Of course, Claire's not fussed. This is all in good fun.]

[givingback]

You suggested it!

[ She's still grinning though, and it fades into something a little warmer. ]

I do have an actual present for you. It's only a few days. I could give it to you now, if you want.

[ She really did plan on breakfast in bed anyway, so there will still be something on her mother's actual birthday. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

Bree, you didn't need to do that. [Cliche as it is, having her here is the best gift of all.]

action;

[givingback]

I know. But I wanted to. You deserve it. Hang on, I'll bring it.

[ They are in the same house, after all, and she has it already wrapped in a little box. Putting her device down, she wanders to find Claire, smiling a little when she does. ]

You really don't look your age. I meant that.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She's not hard to find, sitting in the living room on the sofa, relaxing for the evening. The best time for posting to the network, of course, but she's happy to put it away, patting the spot next to her.]

It's a good thing. Means you'll likely age similarly, if you take care of yourself.

[givingback]

Hmm, well, I'm not giving up midnight pancakes so I might have to give up something else.

[ She won't, but it's a nice thought. Sitting down, Bree hands over the box. Inside is a new topaz necklace and she'll explain why after it's open. ]

Working with you wasn't just for bonding, even though it's been nice. I was saving the money.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[It does feel a lot like that last night, sitting in front of the Christmas tree and opening gifts. It had felt a bit morbid, then--like some sort of wake, but this is much better. And she smiles upon seeing another necklace.]

I can keep this one, this time.

[No stones to go through, destroying it.]

It's perfect.

[givingback]

That's why I picked it.

[ She smiles, leaning back on the couch as she gazes at her mother. ]

You said you lost gems both times, and your watch. I figured your Christmas present hadn't made it through whole.

[ Leaning forward again, this time Bree hugs her, resting her chin on her shoulder. ]

Happy birthday, mama.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Unfortunately, no. All Claire was left with was the chain and empty pendant. So, she felt a little less guilty for borrowing Bree's blouse. For a time, it even still smelled like her.]

Thank you, sweetheart. [She squeezes her tightly, turning her face to kiss her cheek.] I'll wear it every day.

[givingback]

[ She's pleased with herself, that she could do something to make her mother this happy, especially after thinking there would never be gift giving again between them. ]

So, what do you want to do on your big day? Sleep in? Lounge around? Business as usual?

[nineteenfortyfive]

Definitely not business as usual. [The clinic and the rest of the city can deal without her. At least for the weekend.]

Sleeping in sounds wonderful. Maybe some... [She taps her chin, like she needs to think.] Shopping?

[givingback]

[ Bree brightens immediately. ]

Shopping? I think I can handle that. You could use some updated blouses.

[ She's teasing, and kisses her cheek. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

What? I should borrow yours, you say?

[SORRY OLD LADY HEARING LOSS.]

[givingback]

Well, I do have a very good fashion sense, so I wouldn't blame you.

[ Bree smiles smugly. ]

You could dress more modern, you know.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Where do you think you got your fashion sense?

[... still, she looks down at herself.]

[givingback]

Cosmopolitan magazine.

[ The new hip thing, and Bree delivers that deadpanned. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[In of which the clothing isn't bad, it's just the literature that alarms Claire.]

Your father threatened to burn those more than once, didn't he?

[It must be a certain day when Claire brings up Frank Randall without prompting. It's simply because it was a thing they both agreed upon.]

[givingback]

See what happens when you leave me alone?

[ Bree raises an eyebrow, but there's a smile tugging at her lips. ]

You taught me too well to believe I need to do things with my body to make men happy, I promise.

[ The articles are garbage but she loves the fashion spreads. ]