She sent him on a wild goose chase. Her riddles written in a messy script across notebook paper lead him all across the city. In the end it sends him back to the manor. Damian treads the steps mildly annoyed and opens the door.

"-Surprise!" Announces two people that stand right before the entrance.

"What is this?"

"A birthday party," explains Maps, "for you."

"Yeah Happy Birthday." Adds Colin.

There is a break in the conversation that prompts Damian to ask, "What happens now?"

Maps jumps up. "Whatever you want! There's movies and cake and I busted out Settlers of Catan which might be hard to play with three people but we'll manage and-"

"Maps," says Damian stopping her, "breathe."

"Later, but first, what do you want to do?"

Damian looks over at Colin who gives him a shrug so the boy just says, "the last thing."

"Great. It's in here." Maps leads them into the dining room where the game is already set up across the table. "The idea is simple," she begins, "you try to collect resources so that you can build settlements and CONQUER THE WORLD!" The last part comes out dramatically.

"Sounds fun." notes Colin as they all take a seat.

"What color do you want Dami?"

"Red." He responds sharply.

"Colin?"

"I'll be orange."

"Okay and I'll be white." She sorts out the pieces. "So you start with two settlements on the pieces intersections and you get a resource from each of the adjacent pieces when that number is rolled. You then cash them into the bank, that'll be me, to buy more roads and settlements or dev cards. They give you stuff. Got it?"

"-I guess-" says Colin while Damian goes, "-of course-"

"Dami, why don't you pick first since it's your birthday." He momentarily studies the board and carefully places his two settlements in what Maps realizes are two very good spots. Colin goes next placing his with less planning and she realizes that it will hurt him. Finally, Maps put her pieces down on spots that she thinks are okay, but wishes she had Damian's. Maybe going easy won't work.

The game gets underway and Maps quickly realizes how much of a strategist Damian can be. With that she also realizes that Colin really isn't, but he seems to be having fun. Maps strikes an alliance with him, hoping to draw the game close, but gives up after watch Damian pull in 14 wood with 1 roll. "Are you sure you never played this before?"

"Yes."

"Beginner's luck?" suggests Colin looking down at his dismal amount of cards.

"There is no luck. Grandfather taught me strategies for conquering, this is a much simplified version. They still apply, especially when your opponents have no idea you're using them.

"Dami, we are never playing Risk."

"Agreed." remarks Colin.

They finish cleaning up the game and Damian watches as Maps whispers something into Colin's ear. They share a look before moving in opposite directions. Colin cuts the lights while Maps hurries into the kitchen. "What are you doing?" asks the birthday boy to no response. The only noise is a whispered, "Thanks Alfred" from the kitchen.

Then both of his friends start singing. "Happy Birthday to you..." Maps walks forward holding a candle lit cake. She sets it before Damian and when the song ends he looks at the cake for a moment before blowing the candles out. Colin hits the light.

"What'd you wish for?"

"Colin, you're not suppose to ask!" Remarks Maps personally offended.

"I did not make a wish." Says the birthday boy.

"What!?" responds Maps. "We have to re do it. I'll get the lighter." Damian looks over to his friend confused as Maps leaves the room. She returns and relights all the candles and cuts the light. The song is performed terribly off key one more time and Damian blows all the candles out again. "Did you make a wish this time?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now we can eat cake." Maps sitting down at the table

"Um, Maps, we don't have plates or a knife."

Running back to the kitchen she says, "knew I forgot something!" She passes the knife to Dami telling him to cut the cake. They all take a slice and then, happily dig in.