[Voice + Action for Shepherds]

[grizzly_tea]

Ahem! Attention fellow Shepherds. I know things have been rather busy as of late, and no doubt you are all distracted by these ominous flower petals, but I have a bit of an announcement to make. Today is a very special day for a member of our little crew, because today is Gaius' birthday!

All crew members are encouraged to congratulate him, offer him sweets, and join for a celebration on deck. Happy birthday Gaius, and many happy returns.

Comments

[Action]

[willwork4sugar]

Huh. Even in a place like this someone'd remember.

Thanks, Twinkles.

[Action]

[grizzly_tea]

Must you always refer to me as Twinkles? It's hardly the most dignified nickname you've ever given someone, and it makes me sound like your fairy godmother or some such.

[Maribelle shakes her head before reaching behind her for a large candy cane.]

Here you go Gaius... I was thinking of holding onto it to bribe you at some point, but you deserve it.

[Action]

[willwork4sugar]

Nicknames aren't supposed to be dignified in general. [Smirk.]

[Oh, but his eyes brighten at the sight of that baby.]

Never thought you of all people would sink to bribery! But isn't this your share?

[Not that such is stopping him from taking said candy cane.]

[Action] 1/2

[grizzly_tea]

Well... I suppose it could be worse, you could be calling me Belly.

[Her look of disgust at that, is only matched by her disgust for Gaius saying she'd *sink* to bribery.]

I prefer to think of it as rewarding success thank you.

[Action] 2/2

[grizzly_tea]

[After an indignant huff, she nods to his other question.]

Well yes, but I've never been one for hard candies. I'm a delicate lady, and crunching on hard candies isn't my idea of a good time, and sucking on them his hardly dignified. So my first thought of course was the sweetest sweet tooth in the Shepherds.

[This time it's Maribelle who smirks a little]

Of course, Lissa isn't here, so I settled for you.

[willwork4sugar]

"Belly?" Come on, I give better names than that!

[And he's not quite buying that write-off for bribery either. Anyway, he's already trying to get an idea of just how long he can make this sucker last, bouncing the candy cane lightly in hand-

...and then he pauses, eying the blonde.]

Wait, so are you saying I'm sweet? [Wat.]

[grizzly_tea]

I'm sure Blue would love to agree with you.

[Okay... she's just going to laugh at that one.]

Well seeing as it's your birthday, I won't correct you.

[willwork4sugar]

[He snorts. What was wrong with "Blue?"]

....

Okay, I'm not sure if I should take that as a good thing or not.

[He needs to keep up his reputation, after all!]

[grizzly_tea]

[Maribelle merely shrugs, still trying to contain a chuckle at the idea that Gaius might be worried about being called sweet.]

Think of it however you like, it's your birthday party after all. If you'd prefer to think I was merely calling you sweet for the pun to save your tough rogue reputation by all means. Of course, you'd likely be much more popular with certain ladies on this crew if they thought you were sweet. So whichever way the coin lands for you.

[willwork4sugar]

[No, that's not a pout. He'll just...rest this candy cane over a shoulder.]

I don't needa be popular with the ladies to score some sweets. I already got a bag of marshmallows the other day- those things are amazing, have you tried 'em?

[grizzly_tea]

True, but the kitchen is run by a young lady, so it certainly wouldn't hurt your chances.

[A bag of what?]

What... if I dare ask, is a Marshmallow? I can't help but be skeptical of any sweets that are grown in a marsh.

[willwork4sugar]

[Tch.]

...oh, it's nothing like how it sounds.

[He pulls out the bag he's been carefully rationing because who knows when they'll go back to that place to request another.]

Here, try one!

1/3

[grizzly_tea]

Well... I suppose one couldn't hurt. Though if this is a practical joke on your part, I'm going to be very cross with you.

[Maribelle reaches into the bag for one of them, and holds it in her hand to experimentally squish it a few times. What a bizarre consistency. Without further ado, she pops it in her mouth and then...]

2/3

[grizzly_tea]

Oh goodness... that's... that's quite different than what I expected. Softer than some of the finest cakes, yet almost a bit like... like when jam reaches a certain consistency... Hmm...

3/3

[grizzly_tea]

Hah, will you look at me? One bite of one of your sweets, and I'm starting to sound like a sugar critic and connoisseur. Thank you Gaius, that was very generous of you.

[willwork4sugar]

Hey, when have I ever joked about sweets?

[He smiles and watches though, helping himself to a marshmallow as well.]

Oh, I don't mind it. For the record, you sounded pretty convincing. I'll bet you've had your share of high-class sweets though, so it's interesting hearing your thoughts on it.

[grizzly_tea]

Well I wouldn't necessarily put it past you. My darling Lissa has been known to be quite the prankster, so let's just say I take everything with a grain of salt.

[Maribelle it seems, has pulled a steaming hot cup of tea out of seemingly nowhere while Gaius was distracted. Perhaps it's a noblewoman thing? Taking a sip, Maribelle considers his point.]

Well admittedly, I suppose I have had a share of royal pastries in my time. Though from what I hear, you have connections in all sorts of places in Ylisse for your sugar fixes. Still, I suppose if you'd like to have my amateur opinion on any other sweets of yours I won't entirely object. Up to a certain point at least, I do have a figure to maintain after all.

[willwork4sugar]

[Gaius shrugs at that, although at the sudden appearance of a tea cup, he has to take pause. How the...never mind.]

Just because people live in palaces doesn't always mean they have the best confections. Better access to ingredients, maybe, but unless you got someone specialized in making desserts and that kinda thing, I guess it's a toss up.

I do make it a point to know where to find some good stuff though. Wonder if there are any places well known for candy in this world...

[He strokes his chin thoughtfully at that thought.]

-oh, but I think I just might take you up on that offer.

[abundantlove]

It's Gaius-san's birthday?! I'll make him a cake!

[grizzly_tea]

That's exactly the kind of thing I was hoping you might say. His fondness for sweets is... rather legendary in the Shepherds to be perfectly honest.

[abundantlove]

Ha ha! He'd get along well with my friend Aguri, then! She's a practical sweets gourmet!