enodia_gpsl | DM to Enoch Waldinger, 1/30 @ 9:00AM

It was a seven before you asked this question.

Is it just always a seven?

Sometimes it's [...] lower. But I am aware of the date, and you've been radiating a dodgy energy lately.

And you've been doing such a good job at not asking me questions about it.

I assumed you knew I would hate it and act accordingly, but now you have exactly ten minutes to convince me to not find you in person and start an interrogation.

Why don't you come interrogate me in the rec room at about 7pm?

[...] Oh, you are not serious.

Please?

Crysta?

I told her I wasn't a good person for this job.

She never does anything without reason. She must think you can convince me to attend a surprise party, even though she knows perfectly well that I don't want a party.

Well I've already resorted to begging and that didn't work, so I guess her confidence in me was unearned.

That was you begging?

I'll come make my case in person if you promise not to ask questions.

Exactly how involved are you in the planning of this party?

God, I'm too weak-willed for this. [...] I really don't know that much about it.

So you don't know if this is all an elaborate prank to embarrass me.

I don't think she's trying to embarrass you. [...] Would it really be that bad, also?

Birthday parties are ego demonstrations for the benefit of other people. I don't see the point in celebrating an increment of age; it's not as though I've done anything to achieve it. [...] Also, there are a maximum of four people at this Station who don't find me to be an intolerably arrogant prick.

I think they're more for general appreciation than celebrating the accomplishment of aging. It's kind of just a convenient excuse. And it's only once a year.

[...] I'm not going to argue with this but I think people might like you more than you think they do. Cairo thinks he's friends with you.

~~Maybe I want to argue~~

Because I'm likely the only person in existence who's read every one of his meandering, half-baked papers from beginning to end, and I assure you, it is not because I'm his friend. [...] Do you think I'm being unnecessarily obstinate?

About the birthday party? I don't know. I told Crysta I didn't think you'd like a big surprise party but she was very "k whatever" about it. I just assume she has secret evil plans I don't know about.

[...] And I think more than four people would show up. I just figured that was a con and not a pro for you.

All of her plans are evil. And obviously I don't want a big party. ~~I don't care if people like~~ ~~I've never had a good~~ ~~The last time I even celebrated~~ [...] Never mind. It's not worth explaining.

Would you like me to go to the rec room at 7 pm?

[...] Tell me anyway?

On the one hand I don't actually want to make you go to a party you don't want to go to, but on the other hand it would go straight to my head if you went to a surprise party just because I said please.

[...] You can get the explanation or you can get a promise I'll go. You choose.

Explanation.

Ugh.

Okay, how about: why isn't it worth explaining?

Because it's not worth dredging up ancient history because of a silly surprise party. I can suffer through a few hours if it'll please ~~you and~~ Crysta.

[...] Fine. The last time anyone bothered to get me to celebrate my birthday was two years ago. My brother. Like I said, it doesn't matter.

[...] What'd you guys do?

Nothing. [...] We went to the bar and played pool, powers allowed. I told Gavin that if anybody sang, wished me happy birthday or brought out a cake, I'd leave. [...] There was a cake, but I never saw it. And I suspect he let me win our last game, but I can't conclusively prove it.

Well if he hadn't messed with you at least a little it wouldn't really have been the perfect birthday party for you.

[...] I was thinking about you. Last year.

The real gift is validating my baseline levels of paranoia.

Grateful you didn't have to worry about getting me anything?

Maybe that's what Crysta's doing.

No. [...] I mean, probably a little. I was experiencing an unreasonable number of emotions simultaneously.

Maybe. I suppose it's irrational to be angry that I refused to allow my dead brother to celebrate my birthday, and then do the same to my living sister.

Name one of the emotions, then.

In your defense, she is a menace. But I have faith in her. Besides, she put me in charge of planning her birthday party, so you'll have an opportunity to get her back if she tries anything.

I think it was mostly shame. [...] I'd been thinking about it when we were together. Making plans. I felt stupid looking at it in retrospect.

Edited (you do not need to tag this i was just annoyed i dropped the convo there) 2024-04-24 06:43 (UTC)

Interesting. You think you can get me to forgive you by playing at treachery.

[...] I didn't expect anything. You must know that.

DM to Enoch Waldinger, 1/30 @ 9:00AM

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