Sallie's birthday.

[realmrsreynolds]

Today is Sallie's birthday, and she's not overly thrilled with that notion.

She'll live with it, though (like she does every year), and when she gets out of bed she finds that one of the Loompas has started making the birthday present deliveries earlier than usual - there is a potted mini-rosebush sitting on one of her kitchen countertops.

Dinner tomorrow? I know you must have a date tonight.
Happy birthday, Mother. Wo ai ni.

Malcolm

Sallie just laughs, sticking the card into one of the pockets of her robe as she starts to move around and make herself some morning coffee. Not a bad day's start.

Comments

[realmrsreynolds]

"Clearly we will put that to good use. Truth though, this is perfect. Thank you very much - what a good start to the day."

Also: muffin. Sallie digs out a couple of plates and starts to fish around in her refrigerator for the preserves.

[mnr_splinter]

"You are most welcome," he says placing the basket on the counter. A second later he's on the hunt for a frying pan and turning the burner on her stove to medium.

"There are blueberry, cranberry walnut, carrot, apple spice."

[realmrsreynolds]

"...You heat up muffins on the stovetop?"

It's possible!

[mnr_splinter]

"To toast them, yes."

He reaches into one of his sleeves and retrieves the knife he'll use to slice the muffin in half, then places the muffin cut side down on the frying pan.

[realmrsreynolds]

"I own those, you know. Knives. Mike even gave me one."

Really, she's quite an armed old lady.

[mnr_splinter]

His head tilts to one side in puzzlement, until he realizes he's holding one of his throwing knives in his hand.

"Force of habit," he says as sheepishly as he ever gets.

[realmrsreynolds]

Sallie shrugs with a grin. She doesn't expect Splinter to be different than he is.

It's another quiet few minutes preparing and gathering, but soon enough Sallie's got blueberry muffin halves on a plate next to her on the table and Splinter looking rather pleased with himself, really.

"Very impressive, baobei."

[mnr_splinter]

"I am glad they meet with your approval.


...

Also that they are edible."

[realmrsreynolds]

"You have any other surprises up today?"

[mnr_splinter]

"Why do you ask? Is today a special day for some reason?"

He lies like a rug.

[realmrsreynolds]

"It's Tuesday. Tuesdays are always special."

Geez, Splinter.

"Also there were muffins. That makes me think you find today to be a particularly impressive Tuesday."

[mnr_splinter]

"Perhaps I was merely attempting to make Tuesday feel like less of a..." he pauses to clear his throat. A sheer sign he's going to repeat something one of his sons has said in passing. "Red-headed stepchild of the week."

[realmrsreynolds]

"Hmm. I suppose.

"Or you wanted a euphemism for butterin' up somethin'. Either or."

[mnr_splinter]

"That must be it. There is precious little I approve of more than a good euphemism."

Dignity, always dignity.

[realmrsreynolds]

Splinter wins this round - Sallie guffaws over her muffin in an absolutely undignified wheeze.

[mnr_splinter]

He watches her, an eyebrow slowly raising.
As if silently daring her to, That's what she said.

[realmrsreynolds]

After a minute: "I'm still goin' to need to get dressed and all such things, but afterward, what do you want to do today?"

[mnr_splinter]

"Considering that it is Tuesday, I was thinking of keeping my daily activities rather low key. A walk by the Lake. Possibly a picnic lunch. Then perhaps taking in dinner and a show in Beijing."

You know...as one does.

[realmrsreynolds]

"Um. Duibuqi what now?"

Cue Sallie's suddenly-blooming astonished face.

[mnr_splinter]

He reaches into one of his sleeves, and from a pocket retrieves two tickets to an evening's performance at the Beijing Opera House.

"Happy Birthday, Sallie," he says as he places them on the table.

[realmrsreynolds]

"How did you even -- When did -- Oooh this is going to be so fantastic! Thank you!"

Sallie is out of her chair and clapping her arms around Splinter in a couple of seconds flat.

[mnr_splinter]

"My powers are veiled in mystery," is all he manages to say before Sallie catches him in a hug. After that he's merely chuckles softly.

[realmrsreynolds]

"You're very smug, on the whole."

This comes out awfully complimentary.

When she pulls back: "When do we need to leave?"

[mnr_splinter]

"Years of practice."

His his a proud smile.

"Not until later tonight. We will be traveling by chalk, so our afternoon is our own. Curtain is at eight, and our dinner reservations are at five thirty. If that is all right."

[realmrsreynolds]

"It's perfect. Show off."

Now I get to figure out what I'm going to wear! Oh boy.

"...Will there be English though? Somewhere? I don't want you to be bored."