Tears of Themis – Luke’s Birthday Event “Luke All-Year Round” (end)
Luke’s birthday falls on 5th December and for those of you who are Luke stans, the spotlight is now on your childhood friend who has returned back to your side after 8 years.
The event will run between 28 November till 9 November for a total of 10 days. Lucky guy, how many of us celebrate our birthdays over 10 days?! Here are a few things to look out for during this event –
Complete event tasks to obtain Sincere Gift and Energy Bar
Use Sincere Gift to unlock birthday venue decorations
Unlock all decorations to read birthday exclusive story
Conduct field investigations (ala debate battles) using Energy Bar to progress the story. Only Luke cards can be used in these investigations and you can only conduct a maximum of 11 investigations per day. The power requirements for these battles range from 11,215 to 30,304 (higher than Vyn’s apparently). Each time you use the Energy Bar, it unlocks 4 new contacts/battles on the map. Alternatively, you can wait 1hr for new contacts to appear.
Complete event tasks and birthday story for rewards
- R card ‘Quietly Waiting’
- No Doubts invitation
- Commemorative badge Top Surprise
- Voice call on his birthday, and
- Tears of Themis!
Luke also has a birthday event SSR card where the artwork features a cozy white winter with him, quite unlike Vyn’s birthday event SSR which is more glamourous. Birthday exclusive Shadow of Themis has its own banner and the guaranteed count will carry over to the next birthday-limited banner. I’m unlikely to pull on this banner though as I’ve had the luck of draw and gotten all of Luke’s event cards consecutively from the Mysteries of Lost Gold, Symphony of the Night and Romantic Rail Getaway. I’ll save up my S-chips for the Christmas Partyland event which will have both Marius and Artem event exclusive SSR banner.
By the way, congratulations Mihoyo for Tears of Themis winning the Google Best Game Changer award in 2021! Attorneys will be rewarded with 5 Tears of Themis for helping to build Stellis.
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01.11 – It’s that time of the year again. You recollected before Luke had left to the National Central University, he had promised that he would return to celebrate his birthday every year. However, he didn’t come back that year and how one year turned into eight years. Now that Luke is finally back and staying, there was so much you wanted to do to make it up to him.
#1 While shopping in an electronic shop, you bumped into Lewis, a lawyer from Baldr. When he talked about how the place is known for their camera accessories, you inadvertently brought up about your friend Luke who is into photography as well. Apparently knows him as he had approached Luke (who is always carrying a camera around with him) to help him with a case between a rich man and a star. However Luke had turned him down despite the hefty reward. While Lewis called him stupid, you said Luke is a man with principles and asked him not to approach Luke with such shady cases in future.
#2 While walking back to your office, you met a white collar man who asked you for directions to Time’s Antiquities. When probed further you learnt that he is looking for Luke to help him with a case of a missing proposal ring. He understands that Luke doesn’t take all cases so he wondered if you knew what kinds he wouldn’t take. You told him that Luke won’t take cases that violate the law, have any ethical issues and also jobs that have to do with romance (huh? why?)
11.11 It was the second weekend consecutively that you were trying to knit a pair of gloves for Luke but was failing terribly at the project. Just then your doorbell rang. It was Luke at the door who had called in to check on you and to pass you a nutritional shake. When you appeared flustered, Luke spies the ball of yarn on the couch and asked you about it. You complained that you’ve been trying to learn to knit but to no avail. Luke who is very good with his hands offered to learn from the tutorial videos you were watching and then demonstrate them to you.
“It’s okay. That’s because you didn’t have a good teacher.”
After watching the video, Luke got down to practising on his own and you mused at how dashing he looked while in complete focus. After Luke got the hang of it himself, he goes behind you, gently enclosing you with his arms. Lightly holding your hands, he guided you on how to knit until you managed to get into a good rhythm of knitting yourself. He then left you to your own devices to finish it up. When he asked you why you were suddenly knitting a pair of gloves, you got flustered again and hurriedly shooed him away, saying that you’re busy.
Outside your apartment, Luke count down the days and hopes that he would be able to look forward to the gift. “In a few days, it’ll be… can… I look forward to this?” (Gosh either you’re so bad in keeping a secret or the guys you hang around with are just too smart!)
#3 While shopping for an old radio at a store, the attendant, a junior at Stellis University, shared that she is new and would need to ask the owner. She had always loved old things which was why she took up this job. The owner who is away on a buying trip replied that he has one such unit in a locked storeroom which she doesn’t have access to. You’d need to come back another time once she gets her hand on it.
#4 While out shopping, you met Winnie from chapter 1 who is working in an import gift shop in the mall. When you asked after Grandpa Vern, Winnie shared that he’s been doing well and has been thinking of inviting you and Luke over for a meal. She also teased you by telling you not to miss the chance with Luke. You asked Winnie if they stock deerstalkers, a type of cap worn by Sherlock Holmes. After checking her inventory, Winnie said they only have it available in their overseas main shop and she could place and order to ship it over in time for Luke’s birthday.
#5 On your way to Luke’s place, you are stopped by a male college student who studies in a film school. He had just approached Luke for references of a thriller film he wanted to produce but was turned away by Luke due to client confidentiality. In view of this, he is now thinking of making a mini-documentary of the life of a detective but had also been turned away by Luke. He has seen photos of you in Luke’s office so he suspected that you are his close friend. He hoped you could help put in a good word for him.
#6 While hunting for a photo studio to help restore some old photos, you stopped a young man for directions. After he gave you directions, you chatted with him a bit. Noticing that he was reading a detective novel, you asked about his interest. He shared that he’s always wanted to be a detective but didn’t think it would earn him enough for a living. You suggested that he check out a detective club to understand the industry better. He replied that he did join one but Luke wasn’t in the club – apparently Luke’s quite the household name in Stellis’ detective world.
20.11 You have hunted all over Stellis for the first edition of Sherlock Holmes’ novel as a present to Luke and all your leads have narrowed down to this last used book store. The old man tending the shop asked you why you were looking for the first edition since there were so many other similar collections you could have bought. You shared that this was for a very important person who had reappeared in your life after 8 years. He commented that 8 years is a very long time and this friend may no longer appreciate the same things. You begged to differ and responded that after reuniting, it felt that both you and Luke had never been apart.
The old man then shared that he actually have a first-edition Sherlock Holmes set in his personal collection but he seemed very unwilling to part with it. He asked you what you would do if he didn’t have it. You replied that you would promise in advance while continuing to hunt for it no matter how long it will take you to fulfil it. The old man laughed at your big words and mused about his own younger years. He offered to give you the collection if you helped him complete organising his books, thus you spent the rest of the afternoon with him.
As promised, the old man handed you the collection after you completed the task. You felt bad for taking it away for free and offered to still pay for it. It was then that you learnt that the old man never liked Sherlock Holmes but had only kept it for an important woman, who had left him and never returned. Thus there was no more value for him to hang on to them. Not too soon after you left, Luke appeared in the shop, eager to persuade the old man to sell him the Sherlock Holmes’ collection. To his disappointment the old man had already sold it, to someone who would never sell it to Luke. Though he was upset, Luke nevertheless offered to continue his ritual of playing chess with the old man.
#7 While on the way to a thrift shop, you bumped into Grandpa Vern. He had hoped to invite you and Luke to dinner as a show of appreciation. You also learnt that he’s been recovering with Winnie’s help and is now just taking regular orders for his restaurant just to pass time. He’s also looking into creating dishes that are less greasy.
#8 You met a helpful saleslady who helped you to get a discount off a wide-angle lens you wanted to buy for Luke’s camera. The camera was launched by Pax a year ago. (You actually got a free level up item from this!)
27.11 You decide to bake a mango tiramisu cake for Luke’s birthday with the help of a baking instructor. You’ve been working hard on cake making these few days and have purposefully avoided Luke for fear of him finding out. However you think it’s time that you call him back or he might get worried.
Meanwhile in Luke’s shop, Luke is fussing over what had happened after the glove knitting episode with you. He is concerned that he made you upset much to the frustration of Aaron who told him to just chill it, as you could really just be busy.
“I’ve been thinking about whether I made her angry, but I don’t know what went wrong. Aaron, help me figure this out…” To which, his good buddy and partner replied, “Luke, we’ve been through this eight times!”
So Luke had originally thought that the gloves were for his birthday, but given your recent spate of avoiding him, he concluded that he may have been overthinking and that you have actually forgotten his birthday afterall he had been gone for 8 years.
“She still resents me for disappearing eight years ago! I had promised to celebrate my birthday with her but in the end, I didn’t even give her a call… knowing her, she stayed up and waited for me. She must’ve been so angry and disappointed.”
Aaron, ever the voice of calm reason, told Luke that since you knew what Luke had been up to all these time, surely you would be understanding. Perhaps she was just busy preparing a birthday surprise for you. Luke thought that the gloves were the only surprise and he didn’t think you would have had the time out of your busy schedule to do more for him. With that he sinks into depression again.
Awww… that’s pretty cute of Luke. Considering that he’s that great detective that everyone looks up to, and how he behaves like such an alpha male with the other guys, he’s surprisingly meek when it comes to you.
“Luke, even if I’m not single, you can’t torture me like this. Can I go now?” Poor Aaron! Only the MC can save Luke.
Upon reaching home, worn out from the baking class, you decided to drop Luke a call anyway to keep him from worrying. Luke unloads his plethora of mothering on you until you tell him that it’s time to call it a day. Before ending the call, Luke hinted that there was a day that’s coming up. Quick to avoid the topic, you asked him nonchalantly what it was, to which Luke decided not to pursue (probably out of fear of rejection) as he bids you goodnight in a pained voice.
After hanging up, Luke falls into depression as he is convinced that you have absolutely forgotten his birthday which he felt was punishment for him not keeping his promise anyway.
“Guess I’ll keep waiting and give her time until she accepts me again…”
#9 At a photography studio, you enquired about their services to restore photos of you and Luke from your childhood. The owner said he would be able to restore most of them except one. He suggested that you try out Luke from Time’s Antiquities as his photo restoration skills are top-notch. Though Luke’s shop is his competitor, the owner was willing to recommend him to support his endeavour to revive a sunset industry. When you revealed that you know Luke, he was surprised that you didn’t approach Luke instead. You told him that you’re preparing a surprise birthday party for Luke. When he asked if both of you are a couple, you couldn’t reply immediately so he offered to try his best to restore the photos.
#10 You bumped into an injured man while walking on the street and he immediately recognises you as a friend of Luke. When you don’t register the connection, he tells you that Luke is unlikely to introduce him to you because he is a journalist who specialises in digging up dirt on big shots and thus putting those around him potentially in danger. He works with Luke as an informant on occasions while Luke helps him with some investigative work.
#11 While visiting around your old neighbourhood, you met Dr Angelo, your neighbour who watched you and Luke grow up. You asked his opinion about Luke’s preference for a watch – modern fashionably chic watch or a classic mechanical watch (I vote for the latter!). Dr Angelo replied that Luke would prefer the classic watch, and better still if it was broken. =)
#12 You wanted to add a bouquet of golden camellias for Luke’s birthday surprise as those flowers represent his sunshine and warmth. The florist was curious over your choice of flowers since they are known more for their medicinal qualities than beauty. Nonetheless she agrees to help you order them.
#13 You met Irvin in Stellis City (from chapter 5) while he is here to visit an old friend. He wondered why Luke isn’t accompanying you and you tell him you are planning a secret birthday party for him. He also updates you that Opaline Village is doing better with the new mayor but he is concerned over the well being of Huey. You assure him Huey has the opportunity to rise above his circumstances.
#14 It was time to collect the deerstalker from Winnie who had helped you to wrap it up.
#15 While resting on a bench in a park, you strike up a conversation with the middle aged man sharing your seat. You learnt that he is a private investigator and muses that it is getting harder to compete against younger detectives like Luke and Sphynx.
#16 You return to the shop to pick up the old radio and was surprised to find it all cleaned up. The lady attendant surmised that it was a gift. When you challenged her to guess who it might be for, she said it had to be someone who like detective stories or is a detective because the radio only had one channel which broadcast detective stories. You complimented her for her sleuthing skills and later learnt that she knows Luke as well and found him to be very calm and mature. She asked you to wish him happy birthday too.
#17 You approached a bakery to learn how to make a mango tiramisu cake for Luke. The owner told you that you should be able to pick up the skills within 2 weeks, and on top of it, you also get 50% off your own customised doll topper for the birthday cake. When you asked the owner whether teaching others to bake would affect her own cake business, she said it wouldn’t as they are always pushing out new products and she could also use these interactions as an opportunity to get inspiration.
#18 You last port of call for Luke’s birthday preparation is to pick up the bouquet of golden camillias from the florist. You were surprised that the florist is able to get you the flowers despite it being a flower that typically blooms in July and August only. She told you with proper care, it is possible for these flowers to continue flowering into March.
5.12 Finally Luke’s birthday arrived. With the last touches added to his birthday surprise you called Luke who seemed to be eagerly waiting for your call. You told him you needed a favour from him and hoped that he could come by 221B Baker Street (code name for the attic in your old house). He agreed without any hesitation.
When Luke hurriedly enters the room, you popped the party popper and wished him happy birthday. Luke looked like he was surprised beyond understanding and remained silent for much too long. When you called his name, he suddenly pulled you into an embrace.
“Don’t talk. Just give me a moment.” Awwwww….
After he recovered, Luke muttered under his breath that you were really preparing a birthday for him and he had thought you were angry with him. You chuckled that you were finally able to best him by keeping him in the dark until now. Then you excitedly showed him the presents that you have painstakingly prepared for him. Luke was extremely touched by everyone of them but wondered why there was a need to give him so many.
That was when you reprimanded him for breaking his promise 8 years ago and did not return home for his birthday and how you had waited all night for him. Luke apologises for this and you told him it was alright since he didn’t have a choice. However you asked him to pinky promise that he would make it up to you from now on.
It didn’t occur to me until the phone call that you had prepared a total of 8 presents for Luke for every one of the birthdays he had missed –
- Knitted gloves
- First edition Sherlock Holmes collection
- Mango tiramisu cake
- Wide angle lens for camera
- Deerstalker cap
- Old radio
- Album of childhood photo
- Golden camellia flowers