Chapter Text
Humans still celebrate birthdays, right?
“Um, Miss Goldet?” I wander up to the desk at Wanghshu inn in a manner that was meant to be casual but is turning out to be more awkward than anything.
“Yes, An?” As always, Verr is unfazed by my constant strange habits. Allowing an adeptus to stay here for so long must have gotten her used to such odd things.
“Do humans, um, still celebrate birthdays?” She looks up from her record-keeping with a strange, slightly amused, look on her face.
“We do, yes.” I can see the gears turning in her head, and piece by piece she puts together my intentions before I have the chance to say them. “You figured out that Xiao’s birthday is soon, didn’t you?” I feel my face flush a little, Verr is aware of our relationship but I’m still quite horrible at talking about it. I’m certain Xiao is as well, so no doubt Verr is used to our strange antics.
“I- um, I did yes.” I take a deep breath and feel my face begin to cool a bit as I regain composure. “I remember my mother telling me stories of things they, um you, or- well, we?” My sentence falls apart as I run into the common problem of not knowing how to refer to humans as a group again.
“I know what you mean.”
“Thank you. She told me stories of what humans would do at those celebrations, and I was thinking we could arrange a small something for Xiao?” Verr thinks for a moment, and then two, and as she thinks I feel my nervousness grow.
“It doesn’t have to be anything expensive!” I blurt it out, my anxiety finally reaching a breaking point. “Actually it probably shouldn’t be, Xiao isn’t fond of crowds I’m sure you know that, but I was thinking a small get together of sorts, maybe with just us from the inn and some food, and I was hoping to prepare a small gift, a surprise for him actually, and of course it’s Xiao so he won’t want a lot of attention or grandiose celebrations but I thought that something simple like that might still be appreciated and I really do want to make sure that he knows we care about him, he’s so bad about that honestly, so I thought that perhaps-“
“An, please.”
“-it’s alright if, oh. Right, sorry.” I tense up at her words, but relax upon seeing her face. She’s as patient as ever, and there’s a certain fondness in her eyes as she smiles.
“I’m more than happy to help with whatever plans you have. We are all thankful for what Xiao does, and I’m sure he would like to know. Besides, after all you’ve done for the inn as well I couldn’t possibly say no.” Her eyes tell me there’s more to it than just that, but I don’t pry, too relieved that she agreed to help.
“Thank you so much Miss Goldet! I honestly don’t need much from you except for you to section off the balcony, ask Yanxiao to lend me the kitchen, and a small favor the day of that I’ll tell you about later.” I run over the plan again in my head, there’s one more thing I’ll need. “Oh! And your signature on this little slip of paper.”
“I- my signature? What for?” She looks genuinely concerned at this, and I remember the status of Wangshu. Her signature is likely a powerful thing to have access to considering her ties to Ningguang; of course she’s alarmed.
“Well, um. Honestly I don’t trust that Xiao can’t hear us right now, so I’d rather not explain. I promise I will afterward if you still need me to!”
“A surprise? You could write it down, I doubt he can see us right now.”
“That’s a good idea in theory, but well, you have to keep in mind my um, literacy level.” Verr’s eyes shoot open at my comment.
“I completely forgot! I’m sorry, An. You speak so well, it’s still strange to think about.” She looks like she feels guilty, and I’m quick to push that aside. It’s not her fault I struggle with those things.
“It’s fine Miss Goldet, really. I understand why you forgot, it’s strange.” She gives a small sigh of relief before offering me an apologetic smile.
“Of course, you really are almost too forgiving.” I lightly laugh at that, too forgiving? There is no such thing. “Well, I suppose I can give a signature, but be careful.”
“I’m aware Miss Goldet. Though, I must ask, is everyone going to want an explanation?”
“Everyone? Who else’s signatures do you need?”
“I was just planning on you, Huai’an, and Yanxiao from the inn.” There are a few from other places, but I should be able to explain to them why I need it without concern of Xiao overhearing me.
“Yes, they probably will. Why don’t I get all their signatures for you?” She takes the paper and tucks it underneath the cover of the binder she was writing in.
“Perfect! I just need it by the night before.” I give her a smile, and mentally check those things off my list. After this I need to head to the harbor for supplies and to hunt down a few people.
“I can do that. Good luck with these plans of yours.”
“Thank you! I may well need it.” I offer a small laugh at her bemused look before heading out of the inn.