#sebusai

She closed her eyes – an attempt to soak up the minimal rest she could get in these last few minutes – and dropped her hand into her lap, trying to find the hair line of the person's head lying there. She found it rather quickly and moved her fingertips along the silver strands. Sice only let out an irritated breath and continued her sleep. A sleep Seven would have had this night gladly. It was supposed to be a special day today, one they all trained so hard for, or so Mother said. But for some reason she couldn't find any rest this night, no matter what she tried – her heart was beating too fast, her body had an inner uneasiness she couldn't point out. As if her soul knew something she wasn't aware of. I can sleep when the mission is over. I should focus on preparing the mission now. Seven's mind was a jumble in that tired state, but when it came to executing tasks for Mother, she was on high alert no matter what. Like a switch that got turned around. And with that thought in the front, she blocked out the tiredness lingering in her as if it didn't bother her the whole night and turned her head down to Sice. Her hand was still tracing over her, playing with a loose strand that hung in front of her face. Seven didn't know why she always ended up watching her, especially when Sice came over to her bed and slept beside her instead of staying in her own, but whenever Sice did that, a familiar feeling flooded through her, provided her with warmth in this cold facility she spent the majority of her life in. A warmth she wanted to treasure with her heart. Seven shook her head and caught a glimpse of her clock in the corner of her eye. Aqu. XII 842, shortly after 3am. We should get going. “Sice.” She whispered and turned her head down to her again, gliding one last time her fingers over her head. “We need to prepare. Mother will come soon.” “Ughg, I know.” Sice mumbled in return, apparently not as deep asleep as she pretended to be. “Give me a minute.” And with that she rolled off Seven, stretching herself as if she just had the best sleep ever, including making noises where Seven had to hide her smile from. She sat up then right beside Seven, rubbing briefly her eyes before she seemed to be ready for whatever would come next, too. “Let's go.” Seven nodded, though she couldn't shake off the feeling that this mission was about the bring them a change of their lives. A new beginning.

She woke up alone earlier, meaning that Seven must have been on her feet already, which didn't surprise her at all. Though today she wished that Seven would have stayed in bed with her, keeping her company until she properly got her mind going. (Though knowing herself, this would have taking all day, considering how much she rather wanted to stay in bed and enjoy the quietness of the day for once.) So Seven must have been somewhere, already jumping right into the day to make the most of it. The house wasn't that big, finding her shouldn't be that of a problem. Downside was that Sice really wasn't that awake, her mind still foggy and on a level she shouldn't be allowed to get up. Maybe it was because her muscles were still sleeping and sore from yesterday night, aching in places she felt the gentle touches on. But that's a story for another time. Her body just wanted to soak up anything that brought her comfort, especially today, because she couldn't believe another year went pass again already. Since the days got quieter, since her whole life got quieter, she actually could enjoy her time for once, away from the past she no longer wanted to remember. Time went on peacefully and she wanted to embrace every single second of it. … Which meant her mission was to find Seven, the main source of her comfort, and maybe, just maybe Seven had a surprise for her, considering it was her birthday today. Seven could be a cheesy one, no doubt she had something in store for today. Sice reached the living room downstairs, poking her head inside for a brief while, only to notice it was empty. The rays of the sun through the glass front gave a beautiful spectacle, but Sice longed for something different right now and carried on her search. Her stomach began to grumble and in her tired state she was so ready to just fall into Seven's arms and continue sleeping. There could only be one place where Seven could be and Sice was sure her next stop would finally bring her satisfaction. She ambled along the hallway, following her instinct and eventually picked up a faint smell that definitely let her stomach grumble even more. A groan left her at the sweet smell, rich and even fruity, at least according to her tired mind. With a smile on her face she reached the kitchen, and her grin even intensified when she made out Seven standing with the back to her, seemingly busy with whatever she was doing right now. Almost on autopilot Sice made her way over to Seven, her bare feet padding over the tiles in an attempt to make as less noises as possible. Her slender arms hugged Seven close when she reached her, face pressed into her shoulder as she took a deep breath to inhale the scent that stimulated her sense to no end. She felt Seven lean into her hug and her exhale from the small laugh that left her. “Please don't burn down my kitchen.” Sice murmured against the fabric of Seven's shirt, her eyes spying over her shoulder to see what Seven did, though getting it blocked by kitchen utensils. “Don't worry, I have it under control.” Seven laid her hands on Sice's ones on her stomach, taking them with her when she turned around to face her, though Sice immediately continued burying her face into Seven's shoulder, finally being there where she wanted all morning. “Good morning, birthday girl.” Seven snickered as Sice yawned against her, not making any intentions in moving soon. Seven's hand glided through her white hair, trying to make eye contact with her, but she only received a tired groan. “Still that tired, huh.” A beep came from behind them and Seven tilted her head over her shoulder, then down to the oven. “Oh, looks like one of your presents is almost ready.” “Huh?” Finally Sice lifted her head up to see what Seven meant, curiously looking downwards to get a glimpse of what was in the oven. Yet Seven stood right in front of it, blocking the view for the pouting Sice. “Almost ready, I said.” She grinned as she lifted Sice's chin up again, stroking over her pouting lips. “Unfair.” “... But I can show you the other thing.” Seven turned around again to the stove, feeling Sice's gaze over her shoulder as she revealed what she hid beneath the pan lid. “Pancakes!” Her eyes lit up like those from a little girl and immediately all her tiredness she felt in her body before seemed to be washed away by the single sight of the wonderful breakfast. “Seven, I love you.” Seven had to laugh at Sice's reaction, mentally patting on her shoulder to congratulate herself for that idea. Well, to be fair, giving Sice food was never wrong. “So, you're ready to eat?” “Yes!” And so the tired Sice changed into a very enthusiastic one, grabbing the plates to not waste any second now. Now that was a way to start her birthday and Seven couldn't wait to give her her birthday cake that still baked inside the oven.