salivation | 006 - Happy birthday to you

[At Kaibus' apartment, there are more or less three types of knocks that can be heard at the door. Standard knocking, loud, impatient knocking (accompanied with phrases like "hey! Open up!", courtesy of Hatsuya), and soft, timid knocking. The softer knocking almost always indicates that Yuteru is at his door, but every so often, he receives a surprise visitor that almost always gets knocked right off of her feet.

By now, Holly is more than used to being just short of attacked by Kaibus whenever she knocks at his apartment door, so she's always careful to set her belongings on the ground before doing so. If she didn't, Kaibus would be hugging a large bag to his chest instead of the smiling little girl that he'd intended to wrap his arms around.]

Hollyyyyyyyyy!

[Gabriel usually doesn't go to the door with Kaibus, and opts to hide in his room instead. However, when the excited squeals reach Gabriel's ears, he starts to wander out. He's become a little more courageous about visitors now, and "Holly" isn't someone that he's met, so...]

Ah, uhm...

[He enters the room slowly, and freezes upon seeing Holly, immediately taking three steps back and retreating into the hallway like a bumbling, shy puppy.]

[Even before Gabriel's voice reaches her ears, Holly can tell that someone else is in Kaibus' apartment, and she peeks her head out to see who it is. Kaibus is thankfully perceptive enough to realize that Holly has noticed his house guest, and frees her from his grasp.]

Wait.... please don't go!

[Damn. She saw him. Gabriel remains against the wall for another few seconds before peeking out, wings folded tightly against his back and eyes wary.]

...

[Kaibus say something please.]

Come on, Gabe! Don't be shy! Come meet my sister!

[While Kaibus runs over and tugs on Gabriel's sleeve, Holly adjusts her jacket to make sure that it's not in danger of falling off. She doesn't take more than a few steps into the apartment, and though her voice is still soft, she addresses Gabriel once again.]

It's okay.... please don't be scared.

["Sister..."

Gabriel recalls now the pictures that Kaibus has around the house of a small girl. Could this be her? Did Kaibus have a sister? He's a bit apprehensive, but he finally walks out. However, he stands at least five feet away from her, not saying a word for several seconds before finally breathing out.]

Hello...

[While Kaibus stands off to the side with his usual grin, Holly steps forward another foot or so and smiles softly.]

I'm Holly Trueheart. It's nice to meet you. [Kaibus had called this boy "Gabe", but she doesn't want to make any assumptions. Besides, it would be rude to not ask him to introduce himself.] What's your name?

Uhm... I'm...

[Gabriel glances towards Kaibus helplessly, then back at Holly.]

I'm Gabriel...

Gabriel? That's a nice name. [Holly's smile is soft and sincere, but she's a little worried that Gabriel is still so nervous even with this much space between them. Kaibus' strange charm must definitely work in ways that she doesn't quite understand, given the fact that they seem rather close.] Are you one of my big brother's friends?

[Kaibus only smiles broadly and watches the interaction play out. Gabe doesn't need his help....!]

Yeah, he's staying with me! Right, Gabe? [That's it. There's no other explanation.]

A lot of things happened, and now I'm here...

[That's all he says. It takes him a moment to realize that she probably needs a better explanation. A strange guy with white hair and wings usually needs a little more backstory.]

I'm an angel... Kinda... I'm not from around here.

[Such specific. Wow. Amaze.]

[Do you see how her eyes light up, Gabriel? She looks positively fascinated, smile bright, and it's very clear with just one glance that she and Kaibus are related.]

An angel? That's amazing! Your wings are so pretty!

The color is good, since most angels have multi-colored wings, but... they're kind of small, aren't they?

[His smile is awkward, but genuine.]

Uhm... Thank you, though.

They do?! Whoa! [This time it's Kaibus who interjects, apparently very excited that two of his favourite people are meeting.] White's the best colour for wings anyway!

[Holly gives a small nod, unsure of how to continue and make Gabriel relax, but she soon realizes that all of her belongings are still in the doorway.]

Um, do you like cake, Mr. Gabriel? If you'd like, we can celebrate my brother's birthday together.

I didn't tell you? [He glances at Kaibus apologetically and then back at Holly, perking a little bit at the mention of cake. He hasn't had cake since first meeting Kaibus! Cake is really good! Gabriel looks really excited suddenly.] Uhm...

If you don't mind, I'd love some.

[His smile is a little less awkward now.]

Okay! [In turn, Holly's shoulders relax a bit as her smile brightens in a similar manner to her brother's. As much as Kaibus hates putting effort into things, he gladly carries Holly's overnight bag into his bedroom as she moves the cake to the table and removes its cover.] Do you like strawberries, Mr. Gabriel? My brother asked me to make him a strawberry cake.

Yes...

[It's spoken nervously, but it's obvious that Gabriel really enjoys strawberries. You can see it in the look on his face and the way he gazes longingly at the now uncovered cake.]

I'm glad to hear that. I've already sliced it, but you're free to have more than one piece. [With a quiet giggle under her breath, she glances up to Gabriel again.] Have you been staying with my brother long?

It's probably been about a month now... It seems a lot longer than that though. [He smiles a little, eyes never truly leaving the cake.]

Have you known... Kaibus... [Damn it he knows it's coming out wrong but he can't stop it from coming out.] ...long?

[She's his sister, of course she has. It's obvious with the look of horror on his face that he hadn't intended to ask such an awkward question.]

Uhm...

It's okay. You don't need to be nervous. [As she smiles again, Kaibus comes bounding in the room and practically jumps on Gabriel from behind, standing on his toes and locking his arms around his neck. He's not nearly tall enough to see over his shoulders from here, but he's trying to pull himself up anyway.] Hey, don't talk about me when I'm not in the room!

[Gabriel seems receptive to the sudden hold, and even leans back a little, spreading his wings a little so they don't get smushed. He's more than used to physical contact with Kaibus by now, after all.]

We didn't say any bad things...

[Gabriel blushes and turns away, embarrassed.]

But I wanna hear! [Although she's a little worried about Gabriel, Holly can easily sense a deep connection between them, and the slightest bit of colour rises to her pale cheeks. Instead of embarrassment, it's a flushed sort of happiness. She hasn't seen Kaibus this happy in quite some time.]

I was just thinking that you must be close.... that's all. [And with another gentle smile, she retrieves three paper plates and forks from their usual places.]

[Gabriel doesn't have much to say to that. His pale skin takes on a pinkish tint as he scratches the back of his head and stares at Kaibus. It's a little embarrassing... when people might know about the nature of their relationship. He can't quite explain why. But can she tell? He hopes not...]

Be careful with that...

[He gestures towards the knife. Not only does he not want her to get hurt, but he really can't have the scent of her blood anywhere near him. While he's sure that he could control himself with ease, memories of the massacre flash before his mind, and he just can't be too careful.]

[Although she doesn't know the specifics, Holly can definitely tell that they mutually care for each other quite a lot. She can read Kaibus better than others, being his sister, but she can feel it from Gabriel's side as well.]

I will be. Please don't worry. [Presumably to keep Kaibus from using a knife later, she cuts the cake into even slices. In the meantime, Kaibus is talking away happily, still a little too excited that two of his favourite people are meeting.]

So you need to get to know each other!

[As Kaibus continues to talk, Gabriel simply sits and listens. He's pretty accustomed to just listening. It's all he's really done since he was young, after all. At his last statement though, he blinks, and raises his hands up defensively with a casual smile.]

I'm really not all that interesting. [He glances at Holly.] Uhm... How about you? How old are you, Holly?

Come on, Gabe! You're the most interesting person I know, and that's saying a lot! [Kaibus is rather happy that Gabriel seems to have calmed down a little, and Holly seems to be a little less tense as well.]

I'm 12 years old. Since my birthday is in March, I'm four and a half years younger than my brother. [And she offers another gentle smile.]

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