#all the blood rushing RIGHT to his head hKJDGSHKSJH

[utsuboarchive]

@paramythas asked: "Ja-aaaaade-! I finally found you!" Not that he's hard to find, usually, but birthdays at NRC are always difficult to navigate if you don't want a crowd. Not that Kalim would mind, necessarily, but he wants to offer up his present without too many spectators. Someone might get it in their head to be nosy about his gift, and that's the last thing he wants. He doesn't think too hard about why, he just goes along with it, smiling brightly despite the fact that he's keeping the gift in question floating along behind him with a good chunk of his concentration.

Once he has Jade's attention, he floats the gift into his waiting hands, surprised when he doesn't even shift under the weight.

Well, that's all the better, isn't it?

"I know you're always out looking for mushrooms and things when you hike, so I thought you might like some from someplace you might not be able to go right now!" Whisking the cover off of what is by now obviously a terrarium, Kalim gestures at the small, white and red mushrooms within, their caps glinting with dew. As soon as the light hits them, they shift. Wriggle. And then start hopping toward the small alcove of water in the very center of the setup. "They're from the Land of Dragons," he explains, peeking up at Jade halfway through the glass. His eyes glint just as brightly as the mushrooms themselves, hopeful. "Apparently, they hop around during the daytime to try and get close to water, and then bunch up at night to protect the smaller ones."

They creep him out a little, if he's honest, but he can appreciate that they're so unique. He hopes Jade does too.

"Umm... they should live a pretty long time- I have a book with directions back in my room that I can bring by later, but I wanted to let you have them first!" If Jade didn't like them, then Kalim would take care of them himself- or at least try. He smiles brightly, leaning up- and up, and up, geez, Jade is so tall- to kiss him on the cheek.

"Happy birthday, Jade! I hope you like them!"

jade was quite surprised by how many people had come. there were two of them so it was a rather big party, but that didn't change that the party included so many of their classmates from each dorm. it was very different from parties at home. not to say he didn't enjoy those as well-- but this felt more personable. there were not extra guests, no sycophants and sell outs. it was just for them.

unfortunately, despite all these guests- kalim had still not shown. or, maybe he just hadn't spotted him. the scarabia dorm lead was quite popular, and probably got caught up in group after group. it was still early, and floyd had even made a point of telling him to cool it. oh was he that obvious? that's embarrassing. jade normally prided himself on his level head, but... he finds himself starved for a much more bubbly sort of company.

he's just grown content with waiting, when kalim found him. over at the table, getting more food of course.

" ah, kalim. " beaming at him without consciously meaning to. " indeed you have, i'm sorry if i've made it difficult. " to which kalim shakes his head, as he nudges over a covered object with his pen. as soon as it's uncovered, jade stares in awe. ah! little mushrooms in a very nicely made home. did kalim make this himself? just when jade thinks he cannot be more amazed by his gift; they move! they're living, breathing fungus- from a place he's never been. fascinating-

his attention momentarily drifts from the mushrooms, to kalim. who watches him through the tank. it reminds him a bit of the aquarium walls that make up a good majority of the octavinelle dorm. like he's suddenly on display, like kalim hopes he's going to like it- enjoy something he had carefully chosen for him. everything starts to just narrow down to the two of them; no sound, no lights-- it's so...

he should say something shouldn't he? it's his birthday.

and while jade is still a bit dumbfounded by his gift, kalim-- kalim leans up and plants a kiss on his cheek. now jade knows he's overly affectionate with everyone. but he cannot help but feel incredibly overwhelmed suddenly. his face growing hot and well beyond the point of flushed. he's bright red- red as can be. it's just a kiss, not even a proper kiss. and it means nothing! still! still!! it is by some miracle he has not dropped anything, or stumbled, or made a fool of himself.

" thank you. it's a very thoughtful gift, kalim. " he hopes his voice comes out as smoothly as he intends. his face has mostly returned to normal- but his ears are still warm. " i should really put this in my room as soon as possible. that way nothing happens to them. " he moves to turn, so he can leave with his gift. but pauses first to ask: " after i return, we should discuss how you managed to find these. "

birthday asks