[M] Sniped Through the Heart (Iwazuma x Hannelorian)

[Iwazuma]

Even though Regina was quickly feeling the world close in around her, Anke's voice pierced the veil enough to get the troubled soldier to listen to her. Regina wasn't sure what was off with her comparison of dueling pianos, but she seemed more content with giving some credit to the rest of the orchestra instead. Regina didn't ask, focused on the metaphor. "An...organist..." Regina wasn't sure what the inherent difference was. They were both piano-like instruments, but Regina also wasn't sure what made her an organist as opposed to a drummer or a trumpeter. "I don't understand, but...it's okay." Regina seemed to understand, at the very least, that some things weren't necessarily meant to be understood, but merely accepted. Anke's insistence that she be the pianist was one of them.

"If we were...getting into the logistics of instruments..." Regina seemed to be recovering from her near-spiral, sitting up in the bed again. "I would akin myself closer to the drummer. Prefers to keep to the background and just do my job so that everyone else can. I follow my superior, but if I am disarrayed, so will everyone else. Without me, the orchestra has nothing to listen back to." Regina seemed to have calmed down a bit more, able to analyze the situation a bit before she shook her head. "And I am the one everyone hears, even if I'm not always the featured instrument." Regina sighed, then shook her head, evidently still lost on something.

Regina, however, began to grow a bit agitated at Anke's take on scars. Yes, nobody was perfect, but..."You don't get it." Regina's voice was quiet, but had fallen back to the emotionless neutral she defaulted to in times of need. "It is my job to be perfect. I don't get to strive to be perfect, my orders are to be perfect. If I am not, then someone else will. I cannot simply choose to fail. Anything that is a reminder of why I'm not perfect...." Regina shook her head. "It is unacceptable. If I want to continue to serve the people who gave me that chance in the first place, then I have no choice but to continue to do what you deem as impossible. These scars...they are a reminder that once I was not. And I don't need to give myself or my superiors any reminders of what I am at my worst...." Regina shook her head, evidently displeased with herself even at Anke's reassurance that not being ready was okay. "If I'm not perfect, I have no value beyond being a data point. Something to help Osnen find the perfect soldier." Regina sighed, then shivered a bit.

After a moment, Regina seemed to give up on being strong, moving to rest her head on Anke's shoulder. "I'm afraid." Regina spoke softly, shaking her head on the headrest she'd taken. "One day, I'm going to fail. And then I'm going to...." Regina shivered, a tiny sound coming from her throat. "They'll make me...better." Regina seemed to know exactly what she meant by that vague phrase. "Or they'll throw me out...and make someone else better." For once, Regina seemed honest about the expectations placed on her.

[Hannelorian]

It was a moment of friction for the two would be lovers, the two girlfriends? Partners? As of now it would seem putting a convenient label on them would be difficult. As Regina grew agitated with Anke's views, Anke too would grow irritated with Reginas. The drive for perfection, it was something that killed more often than not succeeded. It was something that pained Anke greatly, and something Anke felt would stop Regina from making the progress she so desperately needed to make. For a while, Anke couldn't see what Regina saw. That perfection was the only thing truly keeping her relevant, alive. In the beginning it seemed so petty, like the feelings of anger a younger Anke would have had if she felt someone was better than her.

A lack of perfection was not failure. Regina's excellence was a reality. Regina was still the top of the heep and would likely remain that way. There was no one alive who could beat Regina's time or accuracy. Anke had come close on certain fronts, but remained miles away on others. Anke was, to be rather blunt, better than most of the people here, than every other sniper or soldier in the unit but even Anke could see the gulf between herself and Regina. If any of that gulf had closed, it was by feet, and not the necessary miles. Anke was tired of it, at least that is what she felt. "Alright." Was all Anke had to say at first, Anke knew she would not convince Regina otherwise, and perhaps that was the most frustrating thing of all. Anke was not used to be being the least stubborn person in a room. Granted in this case it was in a room of exactly two.

Then Regina's walls seemed to come down, and with a head rested on her shoulder, Anke finally understood and felt her own frustrations ease a bit. Regina was scared. Regina was scared that she was just a failure away from being a few horrible things. When Regina said 'made better' Anke assumed that meant either more mental conditioning, or at most extreme, the replacement of more organic limbs. But really, perhaps her biggest fear was being replaced, relegated to a pile of failed experiments, and that all of this would have been for nothing. "Oh Regina." Anke turned her head and leaned her forehead down into Regina's hair before placing a soft kiss atop her head. Instinctively, Anke had adjusted and moved to wrap her arms warmly around Regina.

"I can't take that fear away, and I can't tell you that you're wrong..." Anke had to drive herself to the point of reality, Osnen was, at the end of the day, a corporation. A corporation with vast resources and high level goals, if those they employed were not meeting those goals, they could be cast aside. This was now resonating with Anke in a different way than it had before. "We won't let that happen." For the moment that was the best Anke could do. "You're still the best, and you're getting better right?" Regina had mentioned that being around Anke, or thinking of her seemed to improve her performance. "So let's embrace it, and make sure you stay at the summit." Anke's heart was aching to see Regina in such pain, even if Anke was grateful for the vulnerability, the openness which Regina was now expressing. Anke did not like to see Regina hurt. Not now, not ever.

"You're right to be scared, and it's okay to have that feeling... you just need to make sure, as you always have, that they never see it. That's the kind of emotion you save for me, for a space away from prying eyes." That was real advice, but even if it was fear, Regina was now expressing emotions, that was clear. That was progress.

[Iwazuma]

Regina's fear was met with concern and compassion, something the hardened soldier hadn't been entirely expecting when she gave herself up to Anke's shoulder. She felt the gentle, calming touch of Anke's lips on her forehead, felt the way her arms softly and comfortingly took her in, reminded her she had someone who listened, someone who cared. It was...a strange experience, to say the least, one Regina was not used to. She didn't know what to say as Anke spoke gently, reminding her that in spite of her fears, in spite of her personal failings, she was still the best, still the most powerful soldier in Osnen. Still improving, finding ways to make that gulf even more impossible to beat. Regina seemed not fully reassured by the kind words, but for the moment her small sounds of fear were silenced as she simply buried herself in Anke's embrace.

It was strange to feel wanted, to feel cared for and appreciated. Anke was doing everything she could to brighten Regina's mood, and it did not go unnoticed, even if she felt undeserving of it. Regina simply kept her eyes squeezed shut, the artificial darkness of her eyelids and Anke's shoulder being all the comfort she needed for that brief moment in time. She wasn't sure if it truly was okay to be afraid. Regardless of if it was or not...she certainly was afraid. But Anke was there, and she was keeping strong for her. Someone to lean on-quite literally-when she herself lacked the strength to stand upright. It was odd. Was this what relationships were always like? Regina didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to go out and train again, but she could already guess that Anke would have no interest in doing such a thing. She wanted to do something...something to express her appreciation. Something only Regina could do. Her mind drifted to the paper again, with that infuriating drawing. Anke seemed to have liked it, or at least the idea of Regina drawing it...

After a while, Regina abandoned the thought and lifted her head, her hair messily surrounding her face, which seemed unsure what position to take up. After a moment, she closed the distance between them, placing a soft, nervous kiss at the corner of Anke's lip. "Th-thank you." Regina awkwardly thanked the pianist for being there for her, for giving her a chance to grow that Osnen had afforded her. She glanced about her room, noting that it was getting quite late-if she was to keep up her training, she would need to get some rest soon. She ignored the fact that she had just come off surgery-she was going to need to get her sleep schedule back on track if she was going to be effective. It had been too long since her last call to action-the resistance seemed to mostly be in a lull, and Regina anticipated there wouldn't be long until her next deployment. Perhaps Anke would go with her. Regina usually ran as a solo operative adjacent to her squadron, but with Anke around, perhaps they might have to work in tandem.

"We should...get some sleep soon." Regina offered quietly, glancing down at her fatigues with a frown. "I won't ask you to leave....I mean...if you don't want to." Regina looked away, flushing somewhat as she fought to keep her expression neutral once again. She was allowed to express emotion...but it didn't mean she always wanted to. Sometimes she wanted to be unreadable, threatening. Or maybe she didn't want Anke to read her mind as she had a few times before. "I will need to change and get ready. Tomorrow I want to get back to proper training." Training with Anke, though...the two had only watched each other to that point beyond the simple shooting they had done on their date. "And if we are supposed to convince the others of...us." Regina didn't seem to know if 'girlfriend' was the right word...or 'love'. Anke didn't seem certain yet. But she did know a public precedent had been set. It was like a new mission-convince everyone of their affection. "I might need...new training." Regina's voice quieted, and she looked at the floor. "Er....relationship...training." She didn't have a clue what to do to prove it to others. It wasn't like she could just do with Anke what she did in private. She had at least that much sense. But she only knew of relationships through observing others, and what distant, hazy memories of Lyse she could bring up. She was growing more and more certain Lyse had been what Anke was slowly growing into...but there was still too much uncertain.

[Hannelorian]

Anke had lost track of the time. It felt like only minutes had passed but in reality it was much more than that. "Ahh... right." Anke let out a soft sigh as she began to move to reconfigure herself. It had seemed like the evening had come to an end, but at least it was largely positive. Anke supposed she felt relieved now, somehow more settled into her ways, into the rhythm of potentially being someone's partner. Not just someone, Regina. That was a whole other situation, but it was her situation.

There was the idea of training, and Anke shook her head. "You aren't some kind of dog, you don't need to be trained." Though at least there was a smile on her face, Anke found it cute, admirable that Regina wanted to try to be better, or at the very least to fit the public image of them that Anke had been key in creating. "But for your first... lesson." Anke slightly cringed at the word, that didn't seem like the right choice. "Instead of insisting you aren't asking me to leave, you might consider asking me to stay."

Without missing a beat, Anke was swiftly returning her clothes to her body, putting her shoes on and turning to face Regina. "And we don't have to be seen together at all times. You can train and work as your normally would. But when we are together, you'll need to feel free to touch me, be affectionate. Not overt public displays of affections. But simple acts." Anke had faith that Regina would, in time, adjust and figure it out. The two of them seemed to be able to learn quickly about each other.

"I feel like you're nervous about this... but the truth is that if you over think it, it'll only be harder." Regina was made for over thinking, that seemed like it was a given, or perhaps easier said than done. "You're doing just fine, but none of this should be disruptive... at least I don't think so." Anke nodded. But one thing had not escaped her mind. It was the kiss that Regina had given Anke, just the hint of sweetness, of thought and kindness. "Though if you are asking me to say, I'll need to get a few things while you... prepare."

[Iwazuma]

The comment of Regina not being a dog caused her to recoil slightly, though her expression did not change. She always referred to learning more as training. That's what it was-working on her abilities to do something. She never considered the possible connotation of making her some kind of hound. Regina mused on the subject for a moment before snapping to attention at Anke's words. Her first 'lesson', as Anke had put pause and emphasis on the word. Invite her in, rather than not have her leave? Regina wasn't dead certain what the difference was. Were they not the same, essentially? Regina mused again. She supposed one declared intent, while the other left more agency...Regina paced in a small circle, seeming to work out the information in her own head, having completely forgotten about Anke for a brief moment before she turned back to her. Anke had slept in this room before...it wasn't weird. Even if they were working on being something more. Regina repeated this to herself. Anke wanted her to take agency into her own hands. Show preferences.

Regina paused for a moment, noting how quickly Anke had gotten herself dressed again. She had done this before...probably many times, if she herself was to be believed. Regina wondered if she was planning on leaving...if she was, Regina wanted to stop that. Anke spoke about her nerves, which had Regina suddenly extremely focused on that fact. She was nervous. Regina was always calculating how things could go horribly wrong, and how to avert it...in her life on and off the battlefield. It was when she didn't have an immediate response that Regina became antsy. This was one of those moments...as many of them had been with Anke nearby. And Anke's warning about thinking it over only made her think more. It was a vicious cycle, one that had Regina growing impatient with herself. Only when she looked up at Anke again did Regina find a hint of nerve.

"I..." Why is this so hard? "I would, ah..." She was so used to being told what to do. All she wanted was to serve, to be able to give herself body and mind in service. When that was off the table...what did she even want? "I would...much prefer it if you would choose to remain with me." Regina managed to stammer out her internal desire, making it clear that Regina wanted Anke in the room that evening. It seemed appropriate...and perhaps she might a slightly more comforting sleep. What times Anke had spent with the sleeping supersoldier had been some of her most peaceful, and Anke's presence was quickly becoming a calming one. Most of the time, anyways. Regina nodded once, confirming her own thoughts as Anke noted her need to go collect some things. It made sense. Regina wasn't about to expect Anke to sleep over with no sundries or personal items. She nodded again, understanding Anke's needs. "Understood. I'll get myself ready, then." Regina looked away. "I..." She wanted to say something, but couldn't find the proper words. After a moment, she gave up. "Never mind...I'll see you soon." Regina turned towards the bathroom, walking perhaps just a bit faster than normal and disappearing into its safety and solitude.

Regina sank to the floor, her back pressed against the door. Anke made her...so nervous. Her mind often struggled to keep itself composed when she was near...always challenging everything she knew-or thought she knew. Though being in close proximity left her nervous...differently. It wasn't quite as paralyzing as it often was when she felt herself running out of options. No, this was...somewhat pleasant, even. Regina closed her eyes for a minute, letting her breathing return to full normalcy, before she prepared for bed. She brushed her teeth quietly, staring at herself in the mirror as she did so. Something was different. Maybe it was just the way she felt after such an eventful few days, but something felt just a touch changed. Not for the worse, but...different. She wasn't sure how else to put it. Her fatigues hit the floor, and she calmly changed into a set of flannels, albeit with the left sides cut to let her metallic side show. As Osnen dictated. Regina sighed, shaking her head as she continued to prepare herself; she didn't want to have Anke thinking something was amiss. So much she did, just to try to make Anke happy...

Only once she was certain she was ready did she step back through the bathroom door, moving to sit over by the bed, simply staring at the wall and sifting through her gently swirling thoughts as she waited for Anke to return. Thoughts about Lyse, her past...just what was she like, before the accident? A question she'd never properly considered before. What about Regina from then had changed in five years and an ongoing bout with amnesia? So many wonders, so many questions she doubted she'd ever get all the answers to...

[Hannelorian]

Anke, left to her own devices sighed deeply as Regina disappeared into her bathroom. Making her way through the corridors back to her bunk Anke could still feel eyes upon her. Every man, and even a few women seemed to be jealous. As though somehow they were entitled to a first attempt at seizing the pianist, her body, her spirit. But they had all just been to late. And to think that the Terminator of all people had been the one to claim Anke for her own. Such was their lot in life.

Anke, once having arrived at her bunk took only a few minutes to put together a small bag of items, a fresh set of fatigues, a few pieces of make-up and her perfume. Just a few things to make sure she was prepared for the next morning. Without any effort, Anke had removed her clothing entirely, placing the requisite items into her laundry sack. She donned her typical garb for bed, a silk champagne coloured night gown, spaghetti strap sleeves of black, as well as the hem, it hugged her frame perfectly, and sank down her thighs just above the knees, and a pair of slippers to match. Pulling a makeup wipe as though from thin air, Anke had removed the faint touches she had on her face, revealing perfectly porcelain skin. Anke could have doubled as an excellent statue in another life.

Grabbing the bag and her sniper case, Anke slipped out without an incident and made her way toward Regina's now. And now this time she knew all eyes were truly on her. But Anke walked with her head held high, a smile spread broadly across her face, she was satisfied, pleased even to be an object of lust and desire. Anke held her power in her looks and she knew it, and she would never let it go. Anke slipped quietly back into Regina's room, the door having been left unlocked. "Flannel?" Anke realized that though she had spent the night with Regina on a couple of occasions, she hadn't actually seen Regina's bed clothing. "It's cute." Anke completed her statement and watched Regina's every move. But only for a moment before she went to dig into the bag withdrawing a toothbrush.

"This... lives here now." Anke, full of grace and confidence strode into Regina's bathroom and let the toothbrush slide into the little cup meant to hold them. "Perfect." Anke withdrew from the bathroom and pulled back the covers on Regina's bed. "Shall we to do bed then?" She asked rather coyly.

[Iwazuma]

Regina had left the door unlocked for Anke's return, and return she did, a grin on her face and her rifle case in her hand. Regina raised an eyebrow at the question about her flannel nightwear. "It's functional and inexpensive. I need sleepwear to keep me warm. I do not usually...sleep...with others." Regina understood the unintended double entendre of her words, and looked away as Anke went to the bathroom with her toothbrush. Apparently that was staying? Was that some sort of relationship symbol of some kind? Regina wondered if she would go to Anke's dorm at some point. She'd never been around others socially on purpose; usually her most social moments involved barking out orders to privates on a command mission. And even those were relatively uncommon. But if it was what she had to do to have a 'healthy' relationship...maybe it wouldn't be so bad. As she'd seen, Anke would ferociously guard her against negative gossip.

As Anke emerged from the bathroom, Regina walked over to her with a gentle nod. "Yeah. Definitely time for a good rest." Regina got into the covers first, scooting her body closer to the edge to leave room for Anke. The last time they'd slept in this room, it had been impromptu, the two of them asleep atop the covers in their fatigues. Today, they were very consciously choosing to rest. Regina watched Anke with wide eyes the entire time she clambered into bed, then closed her own eyes, trying to silence her mind. Just do what feels...natural. Regina repeated this mantra to herself, trying to will her body to move of its own accord, rather than what Regina felt was the correct choice to make. Eventually, her arms settled at Anke's waist, gently pulling the pianist close as Regina settled herself in bed. "Sleep well, Anke." Regina softly breathed into Anke's neck, her final words before she fell silent, letting exhaustion from the last day of improper sleep finally drag her back to the realm she often feared.

This time, however, her dreams were not to plague her. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Regina slept peacefully, her grip only tightening on the woman in her grasp once or twice in the night. Her breathing was soft and gentle, and her movements minimal as the night dragged into morning. Even the expression on her face, usually either a forced neutral or one of barely noticed pain, had melted away into a peaceful calm. Regina slept as long as she dared, the body gently pressed against hers acting as an anchor of sorts to tie her worries to, to keep her righted in the uncertain storm that often was her dreamscape. Regina nestled into Anke's neck in her sleep, feeling just the slightest bit reassured that all would be okay when she awoke.

And awake she would, just as the sun's rays began to peek through her window. Regina blinked once, staring about her room curiously. Something felt off, and it took a moment to figure out why. A glance over to her desk revealed what had changed; an orange-frosted cupcake sat atop it, a small tag hanging off of it. Regina sat up in bed, then very carefully stepped over Anke, doing her best to try not to wake her up. Regina stalked over to the cupcake, picking it up and carefully examining the tag. Happy Birthday. "...huh..." Regina set the cupcake back down, folding her arms. "I completely forgot..." Not that it mattered much; Regina's birthday only had a single notable difference in that Osnen quietly snuck a cupcake into her room. She never put much thought beyond it, and it wasn't like she did anything differently....

[Hannelorian]

Sleep, perchance to dream. Anke felt the pull of Regina whose arms had wrapped around her, the feeling of her breath against her neck. Anke had longed for this, to simply be held. To be kept safe and warm. And so she had fallen asleep rather quickly that night. Her mind was quiet, her dreams unremarkable. But importantly, they weren't nightmares. Anke's mind and body were at peace an incredible rarity. But Regina too was a rare creation, and one that seemed to be the only person in the world who could bring Anke some kind of quiet. This only reaffirmed that Anke had deeper feelings and likely could confirm that she was in fact, in love with Regina.

Regina's awakening did not disturb Anke, nor did her careful attempt to climb out of bed. When Regina left, Anke's body instinctively moved, turning over and nestling back into a comfortable position. For a few minutes more Anke slept still and silently. Only when the sun shone through the window at the exact right angle that she could feel it's warmth did Anke finally begin to stir beneath the blankets. First there was a sort of sigh, and the sound of gentle rustling coming from the bed as Anke opened her eyes. For a moment, a brief moment, she had to remind herself where she was, that this was not her own bed, but rather Regina's.

Pressing her hand into the mattress Anke pushed herself up, her legs moving upward, sliding along the sheet until they rested now rather compact. The blankets and sheet slid off her other arm and Anke looked out at Regina. "Mmm....good morning." Anke finally pushed out, now seating herself upright properly her arms extended upward into the air stretching. "How did you slee...." Anke paused just before completing the word. There was something in Regina's hands, an orange frosted cupcake with a tag attached. "...where did that come from?" Anke supposed Regina could have gone out and retrieved such an item... but the tag attached implied that it was simply left there, inside the room. The thought was disturbing.

Anke slowly pushed herself up from the bed and made her way across the room to Regina, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek before looking at the cupcake, and taking the tag into her hand. Her eyes widened as she read it. Suddenly the idea that someone had entered Regina's room while the two of them slept with the ability to do God only knew what was no longer in the front of her mind. Instead all she could think about were the two words written there. Happy. Birthday.

It was Regina's birthday? How had Anke not known that? Why hadn't Regina said anything? "It's your birthday today?" Anke's tone was not angry or hostile, but one of genuine curiosity. "Why didn't you tell me? I feel awful that I don't have anything for you." Anke enjoyed giving gifts, and while that was not the crux of love or a happy relationship per se, it was something that made her happy, to express what she felt for someone in a thoughtful way. Now Anke would have to figure out something to do for Regina. Knowing Regina, she probably thought this day wasn't a big deal, but Anke could not be more different in that light.

[Iwazuma]

Regina was left in slightly befuddled thought for long enough that she didn't notice Anke stirring in the bed to her left. Regina glanced over in her direction at her sleepy greeting. "Oh...good morning." Regina responded distractedly, watching as Anke's gaze locked onto the cupcake in her hand. "Hm? The cupcake?" Regina supposed it really wasn't natural to have objects seemingly materialize in what was considered a locked room. "I get one every year..." To Regina, this had become normalized. A small token of acknowledgement from Osnen with regards to her birthday, and that was that. She'd never really put any thought into it. It wasn't like Osnen had ever done anything with her privacy beyond deliver cupcakes, so she had never considered that she was actually in any immediate danger. Instead, she'd simply accepted it and moved on.

Regina drew a hand to her cheek as Anke kissed it, her cheeks flaring slightly as she accepted the morning greeting. She definitely wasn't used to being treated so affectionately. It was going to take some time to normalize the interactions in her head. She allowed Anke to inspect the cupcake, just so she could understand there truly wasn't anything to be worried about, but Regina saw her eyes widen, as though something was wrong with it. Regina cocked her head, but took a step back, ready to grab her pistol and shoot the cupcake if Anke deemed it unacceptable. However, she was not forced to destroy the confectionary; rather, Anke simply asked the obvious question, and lamented...not having a gift for her. Strange.

Regina shook her head. "I suppose it is. Osnen has delivered me a cupcake on this day the last few years. I cannot recall any day in particular that I could confirm as my birthday, though." Regina did not have any distinct memories revolving around a birthday. Rather, she couldn't even properly confirm that Osnen even had the day right. "I trust that they would know, even if I didn't, but I forget every single year." Regina folded her arms. "I cannot expect you to get something when even I'm not properly aware of it. Besides, it's just another day. I planned on going to the gym, then the shooting range as usual today. You'd be welcome to join me if you want to, of course." This was a development on Regina's case that she wasn't entirely expecting. Regina usually preferred to work alone, but Anke had...shifted that dynamic. If Anke was around, Regina would not complain, even in her normally required solitude of the shooting range. She didn't mind if Anke watched her try to beat her own records over and over...though if she threatened them, Regina would not hold back in attempting to quash such numbers in their entirety. But why did Anke seem so serious about this whole birthday thing, anyways?

[Hannelorian]

"You weren't aware?" Anke blinked slightly, there was a look of confusion that washed over her. Like she was somehow in a deep state of disbelief over this admission. Of course, if she had stopped to think about it for a moment she would have realized... of course Regina wasn't aware her birthday was coming up. That just makes sense, she's not overly sentimental or emotional. To her of course it would just be another day. But Anke would not have it, not this time around. "It's your birthday. The anniversary of your entry into the world, isn't that something significant or special to you?" Anke did not intend to appear overly hostile in her questioning, but rather she sought information rather than her own assumptions.

"It is a day to be celebrated. You're a gift to the world, and it is our time to give back for all you do." Anke had a smile on her face, and within a moment had thrown her arms around Regina, squeezing her somewhat too tightly for just a bit before releasing. "I have to find you a gift." Anke raised her right hand to her head and scratched at her temple ever so gently, thoughts and ideas swirling in her head. What do you get for the girl who wants nothing? There had to be something she could do. "And then if you like, I can meet you at the shooting range."

There was no possible way Anke could let this occasion pass without some kind of marker, even if it was just a small one. One thing was for certain, Anke would not be preparing some kind of meal, that she was terrible at and barely remembered to eat herself. What kind of object screams Regina? Anke could write a song, though composing was not her forte. But even so, would that be enough?

"It's your fucking birthday, Regina. And we are going to enjoy it." It was interesting to note how animated Anke was, how desperate she was to convince Regina that this was something special. Not just another marker of the passage of time. That would be terribly bleak. Anke moved quickly to grab the bag she brought with her, and without much of a thought simply removed her clothing to put on the fatigues. Regina could see her, if she wanted to. Anke would not hide from her, not anymore.

"Okay. Okay?" Anke seemed to be spiraling in her thoughts, but in a genuinely jovial and happy sort of way. This was a new challenge, a fun challenge. Something for the two of them, but mostly for Regina. "Oh! I didn't even say it, happy birthday darling!" Anke clapped her hands and moved once more to kiss Regina on the cheek. Anke was excited and Anke had an idea.