#ekha

Wake up, eat rice balls, walk, fight monsters, walk, be thirsty, walk some more, fight more, try to steal Jade's canteen, wonder about own stupidity, let Guy pretend he didn't let you steal his canteen, walk, see a river from the distance, run like a madman, fight three monsters alone for almost a full minute until the others catch up, seriously wonder about own stupidity, finally arrive at river, refill canteen, even offer to refill Jade's canteen, get pushed into river, decide it's lunch time, accept no buts, accept to prepare meal, feel deep regret, eat soggy rice balls, walk, fight monsters, walk, suddenly realize the sun is setting. Let Tear pick tree to rest under tonight. Sit down. 

Remember your last birthday. Think sadly about that awesome sword master Van got for you, how childishly happy you had been while eating mother's chocolate, try to remember why father was away... try to remember a single time father was home for your birthday, come empty handed, realize it doesn't even make you sad anymore, remember how angry you were about it last year, miss your bed, stretch on the grass, really miss your bed, wonder if you have the right ingredients for cake, realize you would die of shame if you have to ask Tear about that, hope Guys knows how to bake one, realize you don't have an oven, sigh.

Keep thinking about this last year of your life, try to wish it all had never happened, fail miserably, be glad, smile, realize this is not even your birthday, stop smiling, think about Asch, feel pity, hope the Dark Wings found out and gave him hell for it the whole day, smile.

Have ears pierced by high pitched "MAAASTEEEER" cry, stop breathing thanks to cheagel landing on your chest, lift creature up, be unable to come up with a proper response because of said lack of breath, be wished a "Happy birthday master!!! It was a surprise so I had to wait the whoooole day to tell you! It was very hard but I did it! I saw you write in your diary yesterday that today was your birthday! How old are you master?" miss the rest of the conversation, be very surprised, realize there is a heavenly smell in the air.

Sit up, turn all around, be surrounded by smiling faces, see Guy approaching with plate, be offered dish along with a "Happy birthday Luke. Did you think I would forget?", look at plate, contemplate heaps of roasted chicken, feel sudden urge to cry, receive more congratulations, don't even hesitate to participate in group hug, eat until you explode.

And smile.