Birthday Time!

[nurturing]

Hello there, Noman's Land! This is Navigation Officer of SEEDS Ship 5, Rem Saverem, now broadcasting on a more personal note.

Today is my two wonderful boys' birthday, and since there's so many of them in this strange place right now, I figured this is the easiest way to reach as many as possible.

Happy birthday, Vash and Nai! I love you both so much, and if you have a moment feel free to stop by my station and I'll try to make a cake.








For everyone else out there, please take care and be safe. If it starts raining, be on the lookout for any flooding. If you need more information about the effects of heavy rain in dry climates, you can reach me on this radio designation.

Comments

[goldenglasses]

[He had been mentally bracing himself. He's played this scenario out a couple times in his mind and it rarely went well. He thought he was ready for the look of disappointment, maybe even horror, but this look of concern? It throws him for a loop.]

Aren't you... disappointed? Or even just a little mad? Rem, a lot of people suffered and died because I couldn't keep control of myself. Even if I didn't mean it, there were so many good people who would still be here if not for me. [And mostly Knives, but even now he doesn't feel right throwing his twin under the bus.]

[nurturing]

[ Her legs are shaking and she looks stricken, but there's no fear or disappointment there, just shock. Instead she carefully holds out a hand to him, knowing full well that sometimes touch was too much for her Vashes. ]

Vash, why would I be any of those things? You're telling me it was an accident. It's horrifying to hear that so many people were lost, but sweetheart. You didn't mean to, and sometimes accidents happen... even absolutely terrible ones like this.

[ Rem shakes her head a little. ]

It doesn't make you a bad person, not being aware of how to control your power. You're one of two completely unique beings, Vash. I'm sure many things that happen with your plant abilities is new and strange, sometimes even to you.

[ Arm cannons, feathers, angel wings... she doesn't know how right she is. ]

[goldenglasses]

[This Vash is happy to be touched by Rem. Something he's dreamed about for so long. Even though he doesn't think he deserves it, he can't help but lean into her hand. Feeling slightly like a kid again.]

That certainly is one way to put it. [The smile he wears is still pained, but there is a bit of hope to it now.] So... you're really not disappointed in me? Because, it's alright if you are. You can be honest with me. [It would hurt like crazy, but he always wanted her to be honest with him.]

[nurturing]

[ She gently rubs her thumb over his cheek, just below that little beauty mark. Rem looks so fond, a gentle smile on her lips as he speaks.

...but what he says makes her shake her head again. ] Look me in the eyes, Vash. I am not disappointed in you. I never will be, because I love you and I know how hard you try.

[goldenglasses]

[He doesn't want to cry in front of her, but he can't stop himself as he looks into her eyes because it's true. He doesn't see any disappointment at all.] I love you too. [At least it's not joyful tears falling from his face.] I've missed you, Rem. Every single day I've thought about you and loved you. Every day.

[nurturing]

[ Rem's eyes are a little teary, too, smiling as he tells her that she's been loved every day. What a good thought that is, to have given him some comfort over all the years.

She gently guides his head down so that she can place a kiss on his forehead. ]

You're so loved, honey. No matter what.

[goldenglasses]

Thank you, Rem. [He feels overwhelmed with the need to hug her that he doesn't hold back. Squeezing her tightly and smiling honestly for the first time in a long time.] This may be the best birthday I've ever had.

[nurturing]

[ She leans into his embrace - that's one of the good things about him being so big, now. ]

You're always welcome, Vash. How about you come have some tea with me and tell me how you've been doing since you got here?

[ That's safer than asking him to tell her about his life. She's still not sure if she can take it, hearing how much he has suffered. ]

[goldenglasses]

Oh, you know, not much. [No, she wouldn't really know and it's never 'not much' when it comes to any Vash.] But I would love to have some tea with you. Plus... I think you might have said something about a cake?

[nurturing]

[ 'Not much' is what she expected, honestly. Her boys keep protecting her from the truth, and Rem isn't sure if that's a good idea or not. She's... going through a lot, but she's a mom. Her children always come first, no matter how many hundred years they are.

At the mention of the cake, though, she laughs. ]

Oh, I tried, I really did, but the ingredients I could get my hands on here were... not the best. It's mostly goop.

[goldenglasses]

I'm sure you did. [Then he winces thinking about how different things must be compared to the mother ship.] I know No Man's Land doesn't always have the uh, freshest ingredients.

[nurturing]

[ She made bug soup, Vash! It was... a learning curve. ]

It's been a bit of a struggle, but I managed to secure some 'double dollars' by giving out information about how to use some of the tech that's just lying around, so at least I can feed myself and the little twins.

[goldenglasses]

Just be a little careful giving out too much-- [Wait.]

The little twins?

[nurturing]

Oh, I'm sorry! There's... a lot of versions of you here. From different time periods. We think the plants opened some kind of reality rift.

[ She gestures to the rest of the house. ]

There's a little version of you and Nai... before the fall. They live here with me, but they're off playing right now.

[ Rem isn't sure how 'on a playdate with Tessla at Knives' would go over with this Vash. ]

[goldenglasses]

Nai? [It's not a name he's heard before. Another him? That he was use to, but a child?]

Do they-- are they aware of-- her? About Tesla?"

[nurturing]

Oh, right... it's Knives for some of you. He's called Nai or Kni in my reality. Then he... well. Took that name.

[ There's a pause again, and Rem gives a sigh of relief. ]

Oh, you know about her. Yes, that's who they're off playing with back at adult Knives.

[goldenglasses]

[There is a brief honest smile that comes across his features. It brings him some honest joy to picture a reality where he and his brother could play as children with their older sister. With Rem baking them something to eat once they come home.

There is just one thing that concerns him.] Knives's hair, the Knives they're with, is it all black? [He's met an all black haired Knives in a different world far away from No Man's Land. He trusts the kids with him. A younger version? That will make him nervous.]

[nurturing]

He... doesn't really want to see me, so we only meet at a distance when he's picking up or dropping off the kids. I think it's fully black, though.

[ None of that light blonde she's used to. Rem still isn't sure what that means, but... they look more like her. ]

There's a version of you with completely dark hair, too.

[goldenglasses]

I think... as long as he has black hair it should be alright. Just-- be careful around him. [He still doesn't think Knives killed Rem on purpose, but it has happened and he never wants to loose her again now that she's been returned to him.]

How much do you know about what happens? Why we're here on this planet?

[nurturing]

...why does his hair color matter?

[ Rem asks, because it's come up before and he's definitely hinting at something here that isn't just a fashion choice.

At the heavy, heavy question, though, she reaches to take his flesh hand. ]

I know about the Fall. [ She starts, shaking her head. ] I know... I know Nai did it. I know he grows up to hurt a lot of people. I know you have to fight him. I know you've both been terribly lonely.

[ Rem moves her other hand up to cup Vash's cheek gently. ]

I know you've suffered. That guilt eats you alive and you have the world on your shoulders.

[goldenglasses]

It... depending on how much black there is can tell me how old we all are. [He doesn't want to mention that it's also a sign of them nearing the end. He tries to avoid saying that definitively.

He leans into that hand on his cheek. Feeling the tears stinging his eyes and he can't tell if they're for joy or a remorse for what could have been. He reaches up to put his hand on top of the one on his face.] I'm sorry, Rem. I should have-- I keep playing it over in my mind. That I should have known something or that I should have done something more to save you.

[nurturing]

[ Oh. Well, that was an interesting revelation. Does that mean her fully dark-haired Vash was an old man? He looked more haggard, but not physically older. Rem frowns slightly, but then nods and gently rubs her thumb over his cheek. ]

Honey, please. Please don't put more guilt on your shoulders. You were a child. Just a boy. I chose to stay back to try to save as many people as I could. None of it is your fault.

[ She gives him a saddened smile. ]

If anything, you should be angry I abandoned you two to survive on your own. That's not what a good mother does.

[goldenglasses]

You saved people's lives. [He looks at her with pure adoration in his eyes.] You wouldn't be you if you turned your back on all those people. The people here, all of them. They're your legacy. No one here would be alive if it wasn't for you.

[nurturing]

[ The way he looks at her... it makes her heart clench and Rem leans into his arms again. ]

That'... a lot. I always saw you two my legacy. My boys. [ However, he's not wrong. She did everything she could. ]

[goldenglasses]

Then, I've done my best to live up to your legacy, Rem. I wanted to make that peaceful world for you.

[nurturing]

I'm so proud of you, Vash. I only wish it didn't cause you so much pain.

[ She never wanted her boys to suffer. Especially not while trying to fulfill her desires and ideals. ]

[goldenglasses]

It didn't cause me pain. [His body covered in scars says otherwise.] It's been an honor, Rem.

[nurturing]

[ What a lie. Rem still smiles, though. Vash always seemed to hide his pain from her as much as he could, but she could tell. Mothers could always tell... and she's seen nothing but sad Vashes since she got here, burdened by her ideals.

It still makes her proud, don't get her wrong. It just seems to have done a lot of harm at the same time. ]

It's my honor, to have two wonderful children... and to see you grown, Vash.

[goldenglasses]

I love you, Rem. [He can't help himself. He moves to hug her once again.] I've wanted to hear your voice for so long.

[He shouldn't ask. He shouldn't be so selfish.] Rem... would you? If it's not too much to ask, would you sing for me?

[nurturing]

[ She hugs Vash back, and when he asks her that she holds him there like she did when her boys were small, gently humming the melody to him. ]

"Soo... on the first celestial evening..."

[ ...and then she sings, light and comforting while one hand reaches up to stroke his hair. ]

[goldenglasses]

[He holds her tightly. A true smile spreading over his face as he just feels so... happy. This is all he's ever wanted for his birthday and had never dreamed possible. Her forgiveness and love is all he's ever wanted.

A tear of pure joy slips out of his eyes and down his face. He closes his eyes and basks in this moment. Wishing that it never ends.]