I was very quick, I don't think they'd even started yelling before I was out the door.

[ if alina's lingering is embarrassing then it's only offset by the way that nick visibly beams at the presence of the little bell ringing away around kettlewing's neck. there are more important matters at hand though, namely ushering alina's hands away before she can successfully get the cake out of his. there are rituals to uphold, after all. ]

Hang on, look.

[ he hadn't managed to snag a birthday candle exactly, but it's slim enough to pass for one and do the job well enough — and yes, maybe nick could have fished the lighter out of his pocket to light it once it was stuck securely into the middle of the cake, but he opts to touch the tip of his finger to the wick and briefly close his eyes to light it instead.

showing off, maybe, a tiny bit, but only a little. ]

Here, see, you blow it out and make a wish.