July 8th was quickly approaching! Most people would say that July 8th was just like any other day. Some Humans would tell you, that July 8th was "National Ice Cream Sunday Day", but other than that, the day was rather...average.

Not for Toaster though! July 8th was a special day! July 8th would be the Gem's very FIRST Birthday!

...

The small Gem knew this wasn't (technically) her FIRST birthday (supossedly, she was much older than Gamma, and perhaps even Acapella!). Still so though..Toaster had never celebrated such a ritual, and was overly enthusiastic to see how the practice worked!

All the Ruby knew, was that the festivities involved friends, presents, and incredibly sugary things...all stuff she enjoyed!


Gamma had asked the small Gem: "What kind of a birthday do you want Toaster?"

"THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS?!"

"Sort of...you can choose a theme! Like...erm...pirates! Or...bananas...or um...I don't know...like your favorite book or movie or...something?"

"Gamma...I can't choose a theme...I like too much stuff..."

The frog laughed. "Well, we could try going to the party store...just to see what they have..."

"THERE'S SUCH THING AS A PARTY STORE?!"

"The Crystal Gems said there was one nearby..."

"GAMMA! I-I WANNA GO TO THE PARTY STORE! THAT SOUNDS AMAZING!" Toaster began to hop with enthusiasm!

The Keronian laughed. "Alright! Alright! I'll ask them tomorrow! Calm down Toaster. It's starting to feel like a sauna in here..."

"Ahh! Sorry..." the Ruby began to calm down sheepishly.


The next day, Steven and Garnet were more than happy to accompany Gamma and Toaster to the party store: "Streamers and Stuff". While the store itself kind of smelled like plastic, latex, and expired candy- the group could tell instantly that the little Ruby was incredibly impressed by the massive amount of choices.

"Wow..." Toaster had stars in her eyes, before becoming somewhat perplexed. Her smile transformed into a frustrated frown.

Steven seemed concerned. "What's wrong Toaster?"

"This...this is GREAT and WONDERFULS...but...but...there are still too many choices! Too much..." Toaster suddenly seemed over-stimulated.

"That's ok! That's why we brought Garnet! She can help us choose the best stuff with her future vision!"

"I can also carry everything easily." The fusion nodded before smiling.

Toaster nodded in agreement! "That's a very smart thing to do! Garnet and Steven are super smart!"

The fusion blushed at the compliment. "Steven's the REAL party expert...NOT me. He actually threw US a birthday party a while ago..."

"REALLY?!" The Ruby looked at Steven with stars in her eyes as the half-human sweated nervously.

"YEEAAHH...Those parties weren't a...BIG success...but don't worry! Your party is going to be awesome! I promise!" Steven smiled!


As it turned out, bringing Garnet along was an excellent decision...MOST of the time. Toaster was having the most difficult time making choices on decor and themes.

The Ruby held up two streamers- one with a bird print...and another with a "Fred the Slice Of Bread" print. Toaster seemed completely confused. The little Gem was frozen with indecision. Garnet snatched both streamers, and nodded in intrigue. To Gamma's frustration, the fusion kept both streamers in her hand before moving to the next isle.

Steven insisted on a piñata. Toaster's eyes widened in wonderment when she saw one shaped like a parrot, but Garnet shook her head, and decided on a colorfully-decorated oval-shaped one. The Ruby seemed a bit disappointed, but trusted the fusion with her decisions. Gamma couldn't help himself: "What was wrong with the parrot?"

"Piñatas require the party hanging the decoration from the ceiling, and beating it with a massive stick." The fusion mumbled.

"Ahh..." Gamma nodded. Yes...all of her friends beating a parrot with a massive stick...Gamma could certainly see Toaster finding the activity disturbing if it was shaped like any animal.

Steven helped Toaster find an amazing array of candy to stuff the piñata with. Garnet found some hats and fun party favors (which she proceeded to hide from the Ruby as a special treat).

Overall, the shopping experience was most enjoyable! The Ruby was even more excited than ever!


Finally, the morning of July 8th arrived!

It was probably one of the first nights on planet Earth that the little Gem could not sleep. Both Gamma and Acapella had informed Toaster that she wasn't allowed to leave her room until they said so. Still, the Ruby began to hear rustling downstairs as things were being set up...

Being patient was hard.

Toaster decided to occupy her time by playing with her Parakeet, Chirp. The Gem stuck her finger in the cage, and the bird was more than happy to ablige by hopping upon it, eagerly waiting to get some exercise.

Toaster pearched the bird on top of the cage, and watched in fascination as Chirp flew around the room several times, before landing on the carpet. The parakeet proceeded to fluff itself, and began to groom it's feathers.

The Ruby decided to join her friend. In a brilliant light, she transformed into a parakeet herself, and joined her pet on the floor.

The bird glanced at Toaster for a second, before continuing to preen. It seemed that the animal had become somewhat immune to this odd circumstance. Toaster sat on the carpet in a very awkward manner. Parakeet legs were not the best for sitting, but the Ruby knew she was going to be down here for a while.

Toaster began to speak. "Today's my birthday Chirp! I've never had a birthday before...Steven said you get to make a wish on your birthday...I wonder what I should wish for..."

Chirp continued to clean herself, listening to the conversation while doing so. Toaster transformed back into a regular Gem, before proceeding to pull one of her massive marbles from her gemstone. The Ruby shed a tear as she examined the giant sphere.

"I...I wonder if they are ok...my platoon...see? They made this for me..." Toaster placed the marble on the floor. Chirp immediately interrupted her bath, and approached the massive object with curiosity. She tapped on the glass several times using her beak, before stairing up at the Ruby in confusion.

"It's a sand ball!" Toaster attempted to explain. The bird tapped on the glass sphere several more times before continuing her bath.

The Ruby sighed, before placing the marble back into her gemstone. "I don't know Chirp...what if Yellow Diamond shattered them? I'll...I'll never know..."

For it being her special day, the Gem suddenly felt incredibly depressed. She put Chirp back in her cage before lying on her massive bed to nap. Sleeping typically made her feel better during times like these.


There was a knock on the bedroom door about three hours later.

Gamma's voice radiated from the opposite side. "Toaster? Time to get up! Today's your special day!"

The Ruby bolted from her slumber with a start! Her initial excitement completely distracted her from her previous thoughts from earlier! Toaster bounded from her bed, and opened the door in such a rush, that it made the Keronian jump a bit!

As Toaster ran down the stairs she was greeted by all of her Earth friends! "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOASTER!" The Ruby screamed internally with excitement!


As it turns out, Toaster REALLY SUPER-DOOPER liked birthday parties!

Acapella had gone a bit overboard and created a massive cake. The thing was red velvet on the inside and vanilla frosting on the outside. It featured pictures of toasters, bread, and parakeets around the edges that had been molded from sugar. The thing was also the size of a five-layered wedding cake.

"WOW!" Toaster was impressed by the massive confection! "It's taller than I am! What is this?! Wha? Whaaa?!"

The Yellow Pearl looked proud of herself. It was obvious that the cake had fulfilled it's purpose.


Steven showed Toaster how the piñata worked. He smacked it with a stick, which resulted in a massive amount of candy spilling out.

Toaster looked at the activity with wonderment. "See? Now YOU try!" The boy handed Toaster the stick, and she proceeded to tap the piñata softly (not wanting to send the thing into the stratosphere). The colorful decoration spewed several more candy bits. Toaster seemed proud of herself for doing the activity correctly...even if her pathetic tap only resulted in a few sweets falling from the sky.


Presents were than distributed! At first, the Gem thought everyone had just brought her a pile of really neatly-colored boxes (which had already excited the Gem greatly). Once Pearl explained the concept that the boxes had items inside, the little Gem's enthusiasm went completely bananas!

Toaster attempted to carefully unwrap each gift, before Amethyst gave her permission to shred the wrapping paper to pieces.

The Ruby tore through the gifts, and soon found herself faced with all sorts of neat things! Pearl had bought a massive collection of books featuring different types of pet breeds and wild Earth animals. Garnet had managed to find a super soft blanket with "Fred the Slice of Bread" on the front.

Even Gamma's family called through the live chat on the computer, as Toaster opened a special box that had been sent all the way from Japan! The massive box was filled with Japanese candy and various merchandise from the Parakeet show "Inko Colors- the Animation!".

Ruby remembered her manners from Pearl's lessons, and thanked everyone for all the gifts!

...not that the thanks was needed per-say. The Gem's joyful expressions were worth more than a thousand words.


Toaster blew out the candles on her cake and made a wish REEEAL hard! Steven informed her not to tell anyone the wish, in the risk that it might not come true.

After cake, Gamma emerged with two separate surprise gifts!

The first one was an absolutely beautiful sculpture of a parakeet- whittled from wood. It's wings were extended like an angel taking flight!

The crowd gasped in amazement! Apparently, the bird was hand-carved!

The very last gift confused the Ruby greatly. It was simply a framed piece of paper. Gamma had expected this reaction...especially after the birth certificate Garnet had given her. Gamma decided to explain the significance of the present.

"I had to jump through hoops to get that paper...the MIB fought me legally- tooth and nail! It's not exactly a...common practice..."

"Oh! What is it Gamma?" The Ruby tilted her head in confusion.

"It's Erm...well it's adoption papers..." The Keronian blushed terribly.

Pearl made an odd squealing noise at this. Garnet suddenly had stars in her eyes. Pretty much everyone else in the room made a "DAWWWW!" sound. Acapella looked clueless.

Toaster was still incredibly confused, but smiled with ignorant bliss at everyone else's reactions.

Gamma attempted to explain again: "These papers make it official Toaster! I'm your legal guardian now..."

"Wait...am I like a Pearl? Do you own me Gamma?" the Gem seemed slightly appalled at this.

"WHAT?! NO!" The Keronian was surprised by the inquiry.

Garnet chuckled to herself. She decided to explain the situation to the Ruby in the most simplistic way possible: "Toaster...this piece of paper makes it official!-"

The little Gem tilted her head.

"-this piece of paper means that Gamma is your "mother"!"

Toaster turned to Gamma with stars in her eyes! "Gamma! Is that true?! Are you my real ma nows?!"

The frog nodded, before receiving a massive hug from the Ruby!

Atmomo and Prolulu looked over the scene from the computer screen proudly. "You hear that Prolulu? We have a granddaughter!"

"We're going to have to spoil her rotten!" Prolulu laughed at herself.


Toaster couldn't stop smiling! Birthdays were the most AWESOME days EVER!