And It's Way Nicer This Year Too

[save_us_alice]

Oh yes, you know the drill. Birthday times for Alice! We've got blue and white streamers held up with little cardboard Vorpal Blades, and a splash of red confetti across the tables and floor. The jukebox is on too, and playing a medley from both the original game and "Alice: Madness Returns" -- because while this Alice may be from the first game only, she still likes her sequel. Come, eat, drink, and be merry!

Comments

[flightattendantguy]

Simon's the first up, with a grin and a small package wrapped in bright blue. "Happy birthday, Alice! I'm sort of paying back your gift to me."

[save_us_alice]

"Are you now?" Alice opens up the gift -- to find a little first-aid kit, with a roll of bandages, some generic band-aids, ointment, cotton gauze, and medical tape. "Oh! Yes, I see," she giggles.

[flightattendantguy]

"Yup -- I thought that would be useful whenever you're injured somewhere where you can't get to metaessence," Simon nods. "You never know what'll happen."

[save_us_alice]

"No, you don't -- and with us on a road trip in our little Nexus storyline of the moment, this'll be useful, I'm sure," Alice nods. "Thank you very much, Simon."

[flightattendantguy]

"You're welcome! Just returning the favor," Simon says, giving her a little salute.

[misslucysleeches]

Lucy's up next, bearing another little box in bright green. "I think you'll like this -- I may have gotten inspiration from Butterfly Boy's tumblr," she says, nodding at their local science-obsessed Victor.

[save_us_alice]

"I'm already intrigued," Alice says, pulling off the paper. Inside is a little box, and inside that box is a silver bracelet shaped like a circle of butterflies, connected wing to wing. The bodies are made of emeralds, and the wings filled in with a variety of colored glass. "Oooh -- goodness, it's beautiful," she whispers.

[misslucysleeches]

"I thought so! He occasionally likes butterfly-patterned jewelry, and that's what gave me the idea," Lucy says, nodding at Butterfly Boy again. "I'm glad you like it!"

[save_us_alice]

"It's lovely," Alice says with a grin, fitting it over her wrist and admiring the way the light catches the colors. "Thank you!"

[misslucysleeches]

"You're welcome! Happy birthday!"

[secundus_cast]

As Butterfly Boy steps up, Doc, Marty, and Alice from Secundus appear at the door. "Hey! Have we missed the gift-giving?" Marty asks.

"I was just about to give my gift to Save Us," Butterfly Boy tells them, then presents his present, wrapped in copper-colored paper. "I think you'll enjoy this."

[save_us_alice]

"You're just in time," Alice nods, before accepting her present. "Thank you." She opens it to find -- "Oooh, colored pencils! I don't usually work in these," she says, examining the pack with interest.

[butterflyboy]

"Oh, they're a little more than that -- they change color as you draw," Butterfly Boy chuckles. "Perhaps not the best for actually coloring things in, but for doodling and the like? I thought they were interesting."

[save_us_alice]

"Really?! Your world will never cease to amaze me," Alice says, shaking her head with a bright smile. "I'll have to try them out before the day's done. Thank you very much!"

[butterflyboy]

"You're very welcome! Happy birthday!" Turning to his own Alice, Butterfly Boy adds, "And happy birthday to you as well! This is from me and Save Us." He presents her with a rather larger box in checkered white and red.

[secundus_cast]

"Thank you both," Secundus Alice says with a returning smile, taking the box. Opening it reveals -- the Checkmate DLC dress from "Alice: Madness Returns." "Oh! A new gown! Lewis's chess pieces will like this one," Secundus Alice comments, running her fingers along the knight-shaped sleeves.

[save_us_alice]

"You will too -- it comes with a special power," Alice smirks. "Double damage for all weapons. And it's actually pretty close to armored, so it should offer at least a little more protection than the standard blue."

[butterflyboy]

"Since you're the brave knight of Secundus, we thought it was appropriate," Butterfly Boy nods.

[secundus_cast]

"Really. . ." Secundus Alice's own lips quirk up in a dangerous smirk. "Well, thank you both very much." She kisses Butterfly Boy's cheek, then pokes him gently in the shoulder. "I hope you have something just as nice for your Delusional-Beauty!"

[save_us_alice]

"Oh yes -- this is your first birthday together on tumblr, isn't it?" Alice adds, looking up at Butterfly Boy expectantly.

[butterflyboy]

"Don't worry -- I've got something special planned," Butterfly Boy assures them with a smile. "There's a reason I like all that butterfly-themed jewelry, you know."

[secundus_cast]

"Good," Secundus Alice nods. "I hope you two have a wonderful day together."

[save_us_alice]

"Me too," Alice agrees. "You deserve it."

[butterflyboy]

"Thank you -- I"m sure we will."

[forgotten_vows]

Forgotten Vows decides to step up next, carrying a long, thin present wrapped in dark blue. "Happy birthday, Alice," he says, handing it to her. "I do hope you like it."