A year had passed since the twins' birth and the summer sun had just begun to warm the land of Ooo. It was four days after the summer solstice and most importantly of all, the bubblevamps' first birthday.
"Marceline, do you think you could run down to the market and get some streamers?" Princess Bubblegum called from the kitchen where she was preparing a large birthday cake. It was to be a vanilla sponge with strawberry jam and buttercream filling.
"Okay," Marceline called back, "I'll get some balloons while I'm at it. Is there anything else we need?"
"I don't think so," replied the Princess, "Wait, yes, could you get some party hats too?"
"Sure thing, on my list," called Marceline as she picked up her sunhat and gloves before heading out the door. She glided down the street towards the party store. It was a big multi-storey store which was hardly surprising given the populace's tendency to break out into random celebration at the slightest event. She had no doubt that there'd be a few parties tonight. She pushed the door open and a bell above the door jingled.
"Hey there Marceline," called the shopkeeper, a lollipop wearing a party hat and a pair of googly eyed glasses.
"Hey, Hootenanny," replied Marceline. Harry, or Hootenanny Harry as he was better known, was reputed to be the biggest partygoer in Ooo, second only to the Party God.
"Let me guess, you're looking for some party products," grinned Hootenanny.
"How perceptive of you," Marceline replied sarcastically but it was all in good fun. She had regularly gone to Hootenanny's before when she was organizing house parties either at her place or in the Nightosphere. He was the only one in Ooo that carried real screaming firecrackers and howling rockets.
"So, what's the big occasion?" asked Hootenanny, leaning his elbows on the counter.
"It's Bonnie and I's kids' first birthday," replied Marceline.
"Has it been a year already?" said Hootenanny in surprise.
"I know, it doesn't seem possible," replied Marceline.
"Well then, I think I have just the thing," smiled Hootenanny. He rummaged around in the cupboards and drawers below the counter.
"Aha, here it is," he said, lifting out a brightly coloured box, "Everything you'll need for a kid's first party. Streamers, balloons, party hats, you name it, it's all in here."
"How much?" asked Marceline.
"Well, normally it goes for ten dollars but for you, Marceline, five dollars," replied Hootenanny with a wink.
"That'll do great, thanks, Hoot," said Marceline, handing him the money, "Will you be coming to the party?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," replied Hootenanny with a grin, "When's it at?"
"This afternoon," said Marceline, "In the palace gardens."
"See you there," replied Hootenanny as Marceline headed for the door. She said goodbye before gliding back up the street towards the palace.
By midafternoon the party was in full swing. All the royals from the neighbouring kingdoms had been invited as well as the courtiers from the Candy Kingdom and of course, all their friends. The young prince and princess were playing with the other children out in the gardens. They had since found that while Simon showed no aversion to the sun other than burning a little easier than most children, Winona had inherited her mother's vampirism so she was wearing a sunhat and gloves like her mother who was playing her bass for some of the children. Princess Bubblegum was wearing a light blue dress and was setting out the snacks on a large table near the archway. Simon and Winona had soon gathered together a little friendship group around them and they seemed to be chattering away to each other in a language consisting of gestures, pointing and a lot of giggling.
One of the kids pointed up to a plate of cookies that was sitting up on the table. Simon nodded and watched, waiting until it looked like all the adults were far too busy to notice. He then glided up and grabbed the plate of cookies from the table and a handful of strawberries for his sister. They then disappeared underneath the table, the tablecloth hiding the cunning cookie robbers from view.
"What the-?" said the Princess as she set a plate of sandwiches down on the table, "I could've sworn I already put out a plate of cookies." It was then that she heard a giggle coming from beneath the table. She bent down and lifted the table cloth, revealing the guilty bunch of cookie thieves.
"I should've known," she grinned. Simon dropped the cookie he was holding.
"Come on kids, those cookies are for everyone," said Princess Bubblegum. Simon meekly handed her the plate of cookies before morphing into a polecat and darting off across the garden, leaving the Princess and the other children staring after him in surprise.
"Marceline," called Princess Bubblegum as she hurried over to the stage, "Marceline."
"Yikes Bon, what's with all the commotion?" asked Marceline, putting down her bass.
"Simon, he just transformed," replied Princess Bubblegum, "A totally perfect transformation the first time."
"What did he transform into?" asked Marceline eagerly.
"A polecat," replied Princess Bubblegum, "He ran off in the direction of the fountain." They hurried over to the fountain where they found the polecat prince looking at himself in the fountain. The transformation had surprised him as much as it had the other children.
"Well done, Simon," said Marceline, "Your first transformation." Simon gave her what looked like a whiskery smile.
"How's he change back?" asked Princess Bubblegum.
"Don't worry," replied Marceline, "Young demons can't hold their transformations for very long. That takes practice. I can't imagine bubblevamps will be any different."
A few minutes later, as Marceline predicted, Simon morphed back into his humanoid form. He laughed, clapping his hands before running back to join his sister and the other children. They decided to go find Uncle Finn and Auntie Flame Princess and began searching through the crowds. Before long they spotted them by the punch bowl. Jake and BMO were with them while Lady and LSP were at the other end of the garden, chatting with the other female guests.
"Hey kids," said Finn when he noticed the children approaching.
"In," cried Winona happily. This was the nearest she could get to saying Finn, "Ja!" They crowded around Jake and watched as he transformed into different things. Winona watched them thoughtfully and it was quite easy to guess what she was thinking. Jake could transform, her brother could transform, maybe she could too. She had no idea how Simon had done it. Perhaps she just had to imagine. But imagine what? She had seen many creatures when she and Marmee had gone down to the lake. One memory came to mind of a blue bird with an orange chest. It had been perching on a twig, staring intently at the water with beady eyes. She imagined herself becoming such a bird. She looked down at herself. Where are little pink legs had been were now two stick like legs with talons. But something didn't feel quite right. To her surprise she saw that she still had her arms and hands but they were now covered in blue plumage. Her head was the same.
"Hey, check it out, Winona's transforming," said Finn. He hesitated.
"I think she's having a bit of trouble," added Flame Princess.
"Let me handle this," Jake said confidently, "You're talking to a natural here." He sat down in front of Winona.
"Come on, you can do it," he said encouragingly, "Imagine you've got a pair of wings and you're flying." He flapped his arms and made movements that suggested flying to illustrate his point. Winona flapped her arms but nothing happened. Jake showed her his own arms becoming wings, hoping this would help her figure things out. She tried again and this time her arms shrunk and changed in structure to form little wings. She turned her attention to her head, imagining a sharp beak and beady black eyes. The audience that had gathered around them watched as the changes took place before their eyes. A short blue tail appeared, closely followed by orange plumage on the front of her body. Finally, standing before them was a kingfisher. She flapped her wings and glided a few paces before landing again, looking very pleased with herself. Simon took the form of an eagle and they tumbled about in the air for a few minutes before their transformations came to an end and they rejoined their friends on the ground. But this wasn't the final surprise in store for the day.
Princess Bubblegum brought out the cake and she, Marceline and the other guests sang happy birthday. Party popper were let off and the cake was served. The the games began. They played hide and go seek and tag and blind man's buff. Winona and Simon now used their powers to their advantage, flying above the other players' heads before Marceline told them to play fair.
At last the party came to an end. Princess Bubblegum and Marceline said farewell to the guests before helping Peppermint Butler clear away the decorations. Winona and Simon hurried over to the Princess and the Vampire Queen. They had gathered together a bunch of daisies they had picked and were holding them between them.
"Mama, mama," they chorused, holding up the flowers.
"Oh my Glob," cried Princess Bubblegum, lifting them up and kissing them. She looked teary eyed as she accepted the little bouquet from them, "Your first words. This is wonderful." Marceline put her arms around them.
"You guys are growing up so fast," she smiled, "We're so proud of you."
They went inside and set the bouquet in a vase by the window. Then it was time for bed. It had been a long and eventful day and both children were sleepy. Simon, eager to use his powers one more time that day, turned into a fieldmouse and climbed up into the cot. Winona followed him in the form of the squirrel.
"They've already tried more forms than I did at their age," observed Marceline, "I'd better watch I don't get outmatched," she laughed, nudging the Princess.
"Let's just hope they don't throw too many tantrums," replied Princess Bubblegum, "I imagine it's quite difficult to calm a rhino or a tiger."
"Don't worry," said Marceline reassuringly, "The bigger the animal, the harder it is to make a perfect transformation. You won't have to deal with anything bigger than a cat."
"That's alright then," smiled Princess Bubblegum as they exited the room, "Wanna go watch a movie before bed?"
"Sure," replied Marceline, "But I get first pick."
"Oh please, not a horror film," protested the Princess, "I was planning on sleeping tonight."
"Oh, were you?" smiled Marceline.