Cherubplay

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"I know so, or else I wouldn't of bought it. You're certainly worth it."

2015-09-08 08:31:02

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I stared silently at the pendant for a moment. She said I was worth /this/? And it certainly wasn't worthless. Unless the gold was fake. .....just like me. Sure, I seem valuable, and pretty, but in reality I'm just a worthless piece of trash, and she just wasn't capable of seeing that...... I was jolted very suddenly out of my funk and back to reality by a hug from behind. "Seth! Happy birthday!!" ....oh. "Sweet mother of mercy, Russell, you nearly gave me a heart attack."

2015-09-08 08:37:23

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Someone quickly moved passed her, making her jolt. Oh sweet Jesus! She looked to the unfamiliar person. Oh. Looks like Seculus knew him?

2015-09-08 08:38:56

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He knew my birthday? ...well, of course he did. "This is Russell. He's someone from.....my.....old life. Russell, this is Ivory, and please get away from my neck...?" "Oh, cool, he has another friend. I got you something!" "Wait, no, not you too, /please/ will everyone keep their money in their bank accounts."

2015-09-08 08:42:45

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"No." She grinned, teeth exposed.

2015-09-08 08:43:38

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"What's that?" He pointed to my new necklace. "It looks just like your old one! But shinier! That's great!" He pulled a plastic container out of his pocket and let go of me to hand it to me with a grin, baring his fangs. Reluctantly, I took it. It was a..............................what is this. Something moved inside and I yelped. "I saw this cute little guy in the pet store, and I remembered how much you always liked animals, so I figured, hey, why not?" "What were you doing in a /pet store/ of all places?!" "Looking for your present! He got a little pissy on the way over here, but he should be okay now. Animals like you back, right?" He handed me the corresponding caretaking manual, which I held in my free hand. I stared at all this in confusion.

2015-09-08 08:49:25

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Ivory took a step back. Yeah, whatever it was, probably wouldn't be best to give it a heart attack. Especially since it's a gift.

2015-09-08 08:59:14

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I held it up to look inside. ".....a hamster. /Why/, if I may ask?" "Better question, why not?" The tiny rodent was orange and quivering. .........oh, poor thing. You don't want to be here at all, do you? "What'll you call him?" "I think it's female. I don't know, maybe...Pluto?" I'd gone through distinguishing features and people I know pretty quickly. Hey, it was a nice night out, why not name her after the one celestial body that was just as pointless as I was. ....ehem.

2015-09-08 09:13:10

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"I actually think that Pluto is a cool name." Ivory spoke up.

2015-09-08 09:15:48

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"Oh. Good. It seemed kind of random." "Yeah! It's cool!" Also, it occurred to me now, Pluto is the Roman god of death. ....that part wasn't intentional. I think. "Thank you?" "No problem, big bro. I knew you'd like her."

2015-09-08 09:19:56

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She thought it was a lovely present. Who knows? Maybe it'd help him with things. Weren't pets supposed to be therapeutic? She thought so. She stayed silent, however. Let them have their moment.

2015-09-08 09:23:35

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With 'things'? ...hm. Well. Talking to him was still a bit awkward. "Can I turn you now?" "No. You still can't." At least that question was reliable. "Is this your girlfriend, then? She's real pretty." ".....no. I mean, she is, but she isn't. My girlfriend."

2015-09-08 09:27:30

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Turning. Ah-hahaha....hahaha. She kept a blank expression on that question. No. Please don't talk about that in front of her. Somewhere else, please. Oh. Good. The subject changed. Ha...haha. "We're just friends." She answered. "But thank you."

2015-09-08 09:30:54

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Well, I'm glad he dropped it. I shot Ivory a concerned glance. "Aw, too bad. You're welcome!" He grinned at her. "How's Rayne doing?" "Oh, she's great. She keeps going out on dates with Kinsley. I still need to meet him though. Speaking of which, are you gay?" "Not even a little bit. ..../why/, by the way?" "Just a bet. Looks like I win. Would you mind putting that into writing for me?" "First, I don't appreciate people betting on my sexuality, or the idea that it's that debatable, and second, you have nothing to write on or with." ".........sorry, Seth. I have the receipt for Pluto." ".....it's fine, Russell, just please don't do it again. And a pen?" "No." "Then I'm afraid not." "Aw. Oh well, she'll take my word for it, maybe." "Somehow I doubt it, unfortunately."

2015-09-08 09:40:41

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A...oh. Bet. She looked the other way, as if checking if anyone else around. Well this is....a turn of events. Just don't say anything. Just don't say anything.

2015-09-08 09:43:46

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Oh dear. "You know, I believe Rayne will be missing you shortly. Perhaps you should go check on her." "What? But she can take care of herself." "If you don't go home right this second and check on her, I'm suspending your allowance for a month." "Aw, what, but I didn't -- hey, hold on, I don't have an allowance anymore!" "/Go/. Thank you for the lovely present, I'll see you again soon." "/Fiiiiine/. Later, Seth! Later, Ivory!" He hugged me again and disappeared back towards the pawn shop. I immediately turned to Ivory. "I'm so sorry about that, he's never been the most sensitive, and....oh, God. I'm sorry." I hugged Pluto's case to my chest.

2015-09-08 09:50:33

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She turned back to him, a small smile still on her face. Please don't be worried. "No, No. I'm fine! Really. You're not allowed to be sad on your birthday, I'm okay." A complete lie, but she wasn't going to budge with this.

2015-09-08 09:53:06

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"Well, you're not allowed to be sad on my birthday either. That's a new rule."

2015-09-08 09:56:58

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"Done. Though there might be a problem. You might want to get home before I piss off Taseek more by keeping you out."

2015-09-08 09:59:26

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I frowned a little. She was still breaking it. "....that's true. Let me walk you home first, though."

2015-09-08 10:02:29

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"That's probably a good idea." Once more, she offered her hand out to Seculus to hold as they walked.

2015-09-08 10:04:31

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I took it with much less hesitation this time. She needed it more than I did.

2015-09-08 10:05:54

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Once they made it back to the shop, she stopped. "Looks like this is goodbye for now." She hugged him tightly. "Happy Birthday, Seculus."

2015-09-08 10:08:22

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I hugged her back, then leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "Thank you for tonight. It meant a lot to me."

2015-09-08 10:11:10

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When his lips touched her forehead, she smiled and hugged him a bit tighter. "You're welcome. I'll make sure to do it again next year too."

2015-09-08 10:14:15