One Year Older and Wiser, Too (Sam et Dymphna)

[Denen Sunsinger]

12 Winter Birthdays are a funny thing. Denen had never spent a birthday away from his family, though he'd spent the last two without celebration. He didn't think much of it, having decided that perhaps it was a silly thing to waste time and energy on celebrating another year when he could be perfectly content just focusing on his tonics and poultices. He remembered being a little boy and running around telling everyone in his Pavilion that he was a big boy now, because he was six. It seemed so long ago, thinking of it now. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he tied back his scarf, an absolute essential for his ears when the weather was cold, and tugged on his tunic. Trousers followed, and then boots. He didn't want to get sick, after all. He had too many things to worry about! A wide smile crossed the boy's features as he stepped out, taking a deep, long breath of the morning air and then letting it out in a rush. He didn't expect the celebrate his birthday today, but he did want to have a good day, and perhaps spend some time doing something other than herbs and medicines. As it was, the boy wandered around their little Pavilion, peeking around tents to try and catch a glimpse of his friends. He had the great misfortune, however, of being clumsy, and when his foot caught on a stake, he went toppling towards the earth with a shout of alarm. It was a twisted sound, muted and awkward, and followed by a grunt when his palms skidded across the ground. "Ow," he mumbled, pushing himself up. Stupid feet, anyway.

[Dymphna]

Dymphna had been up for quite some time, getting up early in the morning to tend to her pavilion’s business. And she, being a sneaky girl, slipped off from her family’s home then to go crawl next to Sam for a nap. Of course, she couldn’t really get back to sleep. Her head poked out of the tent, looking about. The sight of Denen caused her to grin brightly, though she felt kind of bad since he was in the process of picking himself off the ground. She gave him a quick wave. She disappeared for only a moment so she could put her coat on. She stepped out, buttoning up, and carefully closed the tent flap again. She didn’t think Sam was awake quite yet… Again, at least. The thought caused her to blush. “Good morning, Denen! Are you okay?” she asked in sign.

[Denen Sunsinger]

Denen dusted off his knees and twisted his lips in frustration. His stupid feet. They always seemed to get in the way. He wasn't sure if Dymphna was around or not, but hoped she would be. He liked spending time with her, and with Sam joining them, it would be all the more enjoyable. He caught sight of Dymphna's fluttering hand, and gave a wide smile, despite his scratched palms. He gave a wave of his own, and tucked his hair behind his ear. The scarf had come a bit loose, and the boy adjusted it as best he could. He waited for her to reappear, and approached her with a welcoming, happy smile. "I'm fine," he assured. "I trip all the time." And it was true, too. He was incredibly clumsy. He reached out for her hand, and blushed. She had, after all, been coming from Sam's tent. "How are you? When did you get here?" He offered her his arm, after hugging her warmly.

[Dymphna]

She gave Denen a tight hug and a friendly little kiss to the cheek – The girl being all hugs and kisses as soon as she fully warmed up to a person. She set about adjusting his scarf for him, tightening it with deft little fingers as she just grinned dumbly for a moment. “It’s a good thing our future pavilion has two healers… Among the three of us, we’re going to need them.” Dymphna was sure, after all, that Denen was going to join their pavilion. Not that Sam would protest, but Dymphna wasn’t afraid to pull out the spoiled brat moves to get her way. “I’m good. I’ve been here for about three bells… Maybe four. I was on water duty this morning, so I got it done so I could come see everyone. No one was up, though.” It would be noted at that point that Dymphna had no concept of time.

[Denen Sunsinger]

Denen blushed as she kissed his cheek. Dymphna was sweet, and he was already quite fond of her. He ducked his head a bit, so that she could readjust his scarf, and the beamed up to her. He returned the light kiss to her cheek, and then smiled again. He laughed, the same, silent, shaking laugh as always. His body shook, and he hugged her again. It was so nice to have people to hug, people who wanted him around. Friends. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, taking in her scent, as it was one of the best ways he had to identify people. He took her hand and tugged her towards Sam's Tent. "We should wake him up. It's a beautiful day today, don't you think?" Besides, it would be fun to be together. All of them. He supposed that would be the best birthday he could think of. He smiled again and stepped over the stake this time, not wanting to trip and hurt himself again. "You look pretty today, Dymphna."

[Dymphna]

“Thank you!” She giggled and blushed at the compliment. “Yes, let’s go wake him up… It’ll be fun. She just kept giggling. Denen had that effect on her, and she found she liked that. She wrapped her fingers in Denen’s and swung her arms a little as they moved around. She skipped just a touch. This was Dymphna at her best. There was a glance at Denen before she let out what could only be described as a lion’s roar as she threw open the tent flap. And, still holding his hand, she launched herself onto poor Sam.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

The would-be Ankal was warmly dozing amid his blankets, rather less dressed than he had been when Dymphna found him, but still with one foot in Nysel's realm when he was suddenly buried in flailing limbs and laughing playmates, at the bottom of the dog pile. He groused and grumbled like an out of sorts toddler, his head full of sand and his eyelids heavy. Whatever the other two were about, he was aiming an arm around each of them to pull them down to nap like proper people. "Arseholes," he grumbled, and because even in this state he was dimly aware that Denen couldn't hear him, he poked a finger at the slender healer's bum.

[Denen Sunsinger]

Denen grinned wickedly, a plotting grin that had developed quite well in recent days, especially since he had begun to spend more time with Dymphna. The two of them could be, when together, quite devious, as today was proving. He trundled after Dymphna, giggling and laughing happily, but silently. In the next moment, the two of them were piling onto their future Ankal, laughing and grinning like two children. They were, however, taken into Sam's arms and held against him, which brought laughter from the two, and flailing limbs. In the next minute, he was poked in the rump, and he squeaked and jumped, giggling. He wriggled around, so that he could face Sam, and see what he was saying. "Good morning," he signed, and then scooted back a bit, so that Sam could sit up if he wished. He leaned forward and ruffled Sam's hair playfully. "W-We wanted...t-to show you h-how b-b-bea...pretty it is outs-side."

[Dymphna]

When Sam’s arm went around her, she fell to the ground, lanky arms and legs flailing about in a mock-attempt to get back up. She was giggling so hard that she was gasping for breath. But eventually she calmed down enough to at least breathe through her giggles. A smile was flashed at Denen as she nuzzled her cheek against Sam’s arm. “But Sam… It’s beautiful outside. You should be up and enjoying it with us, lazy. I brought breakfast to share. Plus… Plus…” She looked to Denen to finish the thought for her.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

A blustery, sleepy sigh escaped him, but he blinked blearily at Dymphna and then to Denen to see what he would add to the proceedings. It was certainly warmer with the two of them in his tent. That was odd, but nice. "Is it even dawn yet?" he complained. "What is going on? What are you two doing?"