[OTA] To The Day

[intotherough]

Thirty-eight years ago in Aberdeen, Scotland, Benjamin Caillean Mackinnon was born to Anthony Mackinnon - a cardiologist affiliated with the hospital his only son was born in - and Sine Barrie Mackinnon, a historian. The date is no secret, and was neatly noted by the Diamond who met him at the Castle four years ago, when he arrived in Deck.

Still, Ben isn't really one for throwing a birthday parade, and so he's gone through his day the way he goes through all his days. Up in the morning and out with Charlie, because that dog has more energy than Ben does even under the influence of an entire pot of coffee. Then to the pub, to frown at inventory and the books and open the place up in time for lunch business. Then he's largely busy; his birthday went and fell on Friday this year, after all, and that's the day that everyone seems to be coming by.

Sometime in late afternoon, though, he leaves the pub in the semi-capable hands of his cook and goes for a wander in Town. He might buy himself a book or a blade, or just end up at one of the cafes for tea and - probably, because he was human - cake. He does have birthday rituals, even if they're not flashy ones.

One of them involves not working the entire day.

Comments

[intotherough]

He eyed her as he poured the beer. Eyed her while he set the coaster down and put the pilsner on top of it. Eyed her as he leaned his elbows on the bar. "Why?" He finally asks.

[standlikestone]

"Well, considering Mom doesn't have any older brothers-- anymore," she speeds through that, "and all her other brothers don't live here, so I need to be the one asking."

[intotherough]

His brows go up, and he considers telling her, gently, that he and Rita aren't dating. A few dances at the party and a kiss - though he doubted Riley knew about that one - don't make for dating. Just flirting.

"Three years," he says instead.

[standlikestone]

"... I don't actually have an application for you," she says slowly. "Though this is making me realize I should probably write one up."

After a moment, she perks up. "Wait! I have another question. What are your intentions? That's what they always ask, right?"

[intotherough]

"You know," he says. "Your mother and I are friends. We're not dating." Maybe they would, if things progressed beyond flirting, but they weren't anywhere near changing that yet. "Right now, my intentions are to enjoy the company of a beautiful, charming, intelligent woman who likes raspberry daiquiris and swing dancing. If that were to change..." He began, giving her an incisive sort of look.

"I think you'd know that your mother is an intelligent woman who could decide what she wants to do herself. And that you'd trust her."

[standlikestone]

She makes a face. "I know Mama's intelligent and leads her own life and all that. She's a James Woman. Just..." Sniff. "Not all men are worthy of James Women, that's all."

[intotherough]

He hid the glint of amusement pretty well, considering, and he wasn't really laughing at Riley. He'd likely feel the same if his parents divorced and somewhere dared to take his mother out. "Should I fill out the application now in case your mother decides to date me, or hold off on that one?"

[standlikestone]

"You probably should. Just- preemptively, you know? It's always good to be prepared for every scenario." She pauses and wrinkles her nose. "Why are you such a chill dude? I was sort of looking forward to finding out that you were a pig and beating you up."

[intotherough]

"Well. Get me a copy and I'll be certain to provide my dental records and a blood sample." And make up a good half of the other shit, but he'd been doing that since before the Deck. It was habit by this point. As for the other, he shrugged. "Doesn't make much sense to be an ass," he says. "They rarely get anything they'd like."

[standlikestone]

"Don't forget your Zodiacs - Eastern and Western. Need to make sure you're compatible," she says with a little laugh.

[intotherough]

"Taurus," Ben says with the utmost seriousness. "Year of the Rabbit, Yin Wood." What, you didn't expect him to know?

[standlikestone]

"Ooh, very good. You get brownie points for even knowing that off the top of your head. I mean, Yin Wood? Really?"

[intotherough]

"It means I'm a steady, solid sort." He's making that up. He has no fucking clue what Yin Wood means.