Lana looked at everyone, "I want to thank you all so much. You have no idea what this day has meant to, well, both of us."
"Our birthday was the day we'd get used or old clothing that was too big. It was the only day we'd get clothes all year," Dobin added.
Lana smiled brightly, "now I can't wait for phase 2 so we can wear our new clothes!"
Blaine smiled at her, "I think we are all looking forward to that. You have a better life now."
Lana smiled at him. "I have to admit I don't miss the nightly recital of not expecting to wake in the morning."
"Did you have another nightmare last night? You looked tired again this morning."
Kattie answered Blaine for her, "this time it was Sven. He got hungry."
"Oh," he chuckled.
Alto decided to comment since no one else seemed to do so, "this strawberry shortcake is literally the best I have ever had. I truly am grateful for having the two of you in my life."
Lana smiled, "it's true, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
Blaine softly scolded her again, "there you go cheapening a compliment again."
Lana sighed, took a deep breath and replied, "I'm glad you enjoyed the food, Alto."
Blaine smiled brightly, "that's better!"
Blaine then looked at the group. "Here's what I'm thinking. The birthday twins should go pack up their old clothes to be burned. I need to go copy a fire ability. Since Kattie helped prepare the food, would you," he looked at Alto, "and Almin like to clean the dishes and this kitchen up a bit?"
Dobin added, "I'm bringing the leftovers up to my room when I go up."
Lana nodded, "of course. You'll be hungry again in an hour." Lana chuckled wondering if her guess would be correct given the amount he ate for dinner.
Lana and Dobin got up so the others did as well. Dobin and Blaine left the room. Lana shoved all her old ratty clothing in her bag then hung up all her new clothes. She folded all her new bedding and put it in her closet, needing to wait for the day she was moved up to Phase 2. She put the blanket Dobin gave her on top, though. She planned to sleep with it covertly.
Kattie walked up to her and grabbed both her hands in hers. "Did you have a good day?"
"I feel like I'm dreaming."
Kattie smiled, "do you know Blaine gave you a designer dress? You probably wouldn't know and I'm willing to bet he didn't want you to know but he spent a good deal of money to make sure you had something really nice."
"Did you feel the fabric?" Lana asked her.
Kattie shook her head and the girls stood in front of her closet. Kattie felt the fabric and was in awe that Lana would be soon wearing such a beautiful dress.
"Feel this quilt from the set from Chekof!" Lana said.
"WOW!" Kattie exclaimed. She bent down to rub the fabric against her cheek. "Now I'm envious!" She smiled brightly.
"How did I get so lucky?"
Kattie smiled at her friend, "you suffered for so long, your luck was bound to change."
Soon Dobin returned. Blaine took a little longer. Lana wondered where he needed to go to get a fire ability. Once he arrived, all four took Sven to the park. All the clothing was taken from the bag and placed on the ground. Dobin used his earth ability to create a clearing for the fire then found some sticks. Blaine piled all the clothes near the clearing. Lana took advantage of empty bags and decided to fill them. While the boys were preparing fire, Lana was growing food.
Sven had taken flight as soon as they arrived in the park, having gotten used to the routine. Lana watched as Dobin tossed an article of clothing on the fire, one at a time, making sure not to drown the fire in his old clothes. Soon it was her turn. She thought it looked fun seeing Dobin do it but her level of satisfaction far exceeded what she thought it would. She needed this.
Inside her heart, it felt like severing ties with the devil. An ending of an age she never needed to go back to. Her days there were truly over with. She could move forward and focus on the future. Contrary to what she was raised to believe, she did have a future.
"Thank you, Blaine. While I really loved the dress… I think… I needed this more." She turned to look at him. "Did you know this would help me?"
"Actually, I just thought if I was in your shoes, what would I want to do. And that's why I suggested this."
Lana nodded and smiled as she continued slowly feeding the fire.
Sven flew over, noticed they had a fire going and decided to fly around some more. Once it was put out, about 30 minutes later, he returned.
They marched back to the dorms. Lana dumped the food in Dobin's bag into her sink so Dobin could return to his room. Blaine insisted on giving her a hug before departing.
While it was getting late, Lana decided to go ahead and make another gyro for Paul. She had an ulterior motive. She wanted to know the birthdays of her friends. Thirty minutes later she was heading up to the third floor where she knocked lightly. The door swung open and she entered. Paul deeply inhaled and a bright smile appeared on his face. She had heard laughter for the corridor before knocking and was quite curious what could put him in such humor.
"Is that for me? It smells like heaven if heaven had a smell." Paul took it from her like he was receiving something sacred, unwrapped it with slightly trembling hands and took a bite. He closed his eyes and Lana wondered if he needed to be alone with his gyro. She was looking around for a screen to hide behind or if she should text him of her questions. She had never seen someone make love to food before and she wasn't sure she wanted to watch it now.
Paul suddenly remembered he wasn't alone in his room. He stopped mid-chew noticing her discomfort. "Did you have a question?" He covered his mouth as he spoke so his food wouldn't fall out. He considered it a capital crime for a single morsel to escape the impending doom of his digestive system.
"I was wondering if you could get me the birthdates of people? I celebrated my birthday today and no one will tell me when theirs is.
Paul nodded. "Oh, I do need to tell you, when you bring gyros, you can just scan your finger at the door and leave it here on my desk and go so I can keep working unless you need to ask me something. I also added my contact information to your watch so you don't need to come all this way just to ask me something. It's really close to phase 1 curfew so just send the names to me from your room."
Lana nodded, thanked him and left before the gyro show resumed.
[The names I need birthdays for:
Almin Dester, room 2217
Alto Funnel, room 2217
Kattie Beastiary, room 2120
Chekof Starskiy, room 2215
Karlen Carpenter, room 2215
Blaine Abel, room 2215]
A few minutes later, Lana got a message from Paul.
[Almin Dester, room 2217, December 11
Alto Funnel, room 2217, November 5
Kattie Beastiary, room 2120, June 24
Chekof Starskiy, room 2215, February 29
Karlen Carpenter, room 2215, April 1
Blaine Abel, room 2215, January 24
Would you like me to add these to your calendar?]
Lana smiled, [That would be wonderful! Thank you!]
Her watch dinged again.
[Happy Birthday!]
Then a system message came in which she found quite strange.
[Paul Techno wishes to transfer a gift of 1,000 credits for good birthday wishes and well-tidings. Does Lana Plantwell accept his gift?]
[Yes/No]
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