Season 3 - close after the final


Today is an important day, a very special one.

Still a little drowsy, Lashanie stretches, sitting in her bed. The small raccoon that slept by her side, cuddled up against her stomach, let's out a loud yawn.

"Time to get up, my friend." Lashanie scratches Rhonda's ear, to which the animal responds, by purring like a cat.

Buoyant, the teen pulls back the blanket and swings her legs out the bed. One more stretch and she pushes herself up from the mattress.

Lashanie points at Rhonda, who isn't as eager, to leave the warm bed. "You know what day it is?", the girl asks. The respond is another loud yawn. "It's Varian's birthday, my dear Rhonda. We can't just sleep in."

Rhonda turns her back on Lashanie, rolling herself up, to get comfortable on the bed, she's got all to herself now. Shaking her head, Lashanie turns to her closet.

.

Since Old Corona's reconstruction was completed a few weeks ago, both her and Varian, are back to live in their own houses again. She looks around in her room - a lot of things in here, are still the same as in her their old house, in her old room. Before the rocks forced everyone to abandon their homes. And yet, it all feels different.

After she's been sharing a room with Varian for quite a long time, this place seems kinda empty to her. She never thought she'd miss to find his things scattered all across the room, notes he made everywhere she looks. But she does, no matter how silly it might be.

.

Though, there's one good thing about it. Lashanie could wear the prettiest of her dresses, putting her hair in a charming updo, without him seeing it before she was done. Maybe he'd like that?

The brunette examines her reflection in the mirror, while holding up a short, frilly dress with lacy arms in front of her. Even though her hair's still messy, the mirror shows an image she finds to enjoy. A soft smile forms on her face.

"What do you say Rhonda?" Lashanie asks and receives a silent snoring as answer.

Or this would be all for naught. They haven't talked about Varian's plans for today yet. If they still have to make preparations for a party, that kind of clothing would just be a bother...

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Lashanie puts the dress back into her closet and her eyes fall on her casual attire. She picks up the clothes, from the stool that's standing by the dressing table. One more time before she leaves to the bathroom, the teen turns to her pet raccoon.

"Once I've taken a shower and got dressed, we're leaving. So maybe you want to get up and eat something before we do."

Rhonda's ears twitch.


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An hour later - Varian's home

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"He forgot his own birthday?" Lashanie tilts her head.

And Quirin nods in response. "Yes, it seems so. I just got up and wanted to make breakfast for us, when he ran past me, leaving on the words, that he had work to do in the castle." He rubs his eyes, after pouring boiling water into his mug. The smell of herbs start to fill the air. Slowly, Quirin sinks down on his chair, holding his tea.

"Unbelivable! I know he has really burst into bloom through his new job, but..." the young girl responds.

It doesn't take any words from Varian's father, Lashanie can clearly read from his face - I know right.

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The girl's eyes stick to the present Quirin placed on the table. It seems, he really tried his best to wrap it nicely.

"Maybe, it's even better this way...", she says to herself.

Quirin raises an eyebrow. "Because?"

A bright grin adorns the pretty face of his future daughter in law. "Because... now we can set up a surprise birthday party for him!" Excitedly, she claps her hands.

"Hmm... I guess we could do that." Varian's dad starts to scratch Rhonda's neck, after that curious raccoon climbed the table next to him. "But where?"

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His eyes, just like Lashanie's, wander around the room. Sure, this house isn't exactly small, but still in no way the perfect place for a celebration.

"Don't worry about that! I'll just ask Pinky, if we can use the theater for the party."

After taking one more sip from his mug, Quirin shakes his head. "Lashanie, dear, are you sure -" "Yes, really! I'm sure he will be okay with that." The girl interrupts with a kind smile. And with a slight nod, Varian's dad argrees to her idea.


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On her way to the castle

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Everything seems to be going fine. Just as she expected, Pinky allowed for her, to throw Varian's birthday party in his theater, as long as they'd clean afterwards. And that should be no problem at all. Now she only has to invite their friends. Maybe some of them are even be able to help her decorate.

Xavier's shop lies pretty close to the theater and so he was the first one she invited. With that firendly smile he usually wears, he offered his help, without her even asking for it.

Next, Lashanie will go to the castle, to invite Rapunzel and Eugene. Max probably won't mind being in charge for half a day. At the same time, Rhonda is carrying an invitation to Lance and the girls.

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With every step, Lashanie feels more joyful and cheery. She'd throw a nice party for her boyfriend, together with the people he cherishes and after that, she'll show him her special surprise.

Happily, she greets everyone who comes across her way. Even ignoring the remarks of some gossiping woman. She can already imagine Varian's surprised face that starts to light up, when he realizes that they're all gathering there, to celebrate his big day. And nothing could take away the sheer bliss she feels, thinking about that.

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The luck seems to be with her that day aswell. Lashanie doesn't have to look for Rapunzel and Eugene first - at the castle gates, she directly runs into them, still smiling from ear to ear.

"Oh Lashanie!" The princess wraps her friend in a tight hug, while Eugene puts down a hand on her shoulder "Good to see you, Singing Bird."

A slight giggle comes from the younger girl. "I'm happy to see you too."

Rapunzel lets go of the embrace and grins at Lashanie. "But you came here for Varian, right?"

"Well, not only for him."


.

"Oh! This is a wonderful idea!" Rapunzel shouts out, almost as excited, as Lashanie was herself when she told her about it.

"So you two and Pascal, you'll be there?"

"Of course. But I also want to help with the preparations!" The princess responds instantly. This is so typical for her and Eugene's just giving his sunshine this lovedrunk eyes.

But Lashanie eagerly shakes her head, bringing a jingling sound from her earring. "No, no you really don't have to! It's more than enough, when you both take the time to show up!"

Rapunzel crosses her arms and pays her a pout. She doesn't want to be treated differently from their other friends, when it comes to things like this. "Don't be silly. I'm finished with my duties for today. And I wouldn't want to miss the fun, such preps bring with them."

Again, Eugene places his hand on Lashanie's shoulder. "Look, with more people helping, the outcome will only get better. Even more, when you've only got little time, right?"

Greatful, the brunette nods at them. "Right... thank you."

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With a soft mien, Rapunzel returns the smile Lashanie shows her, before she declares "Great! I'm going to tell my parents, Eugene will enlighten Max and you'll ", she points at Lashanie, "go and make sure Varian will be there." She's obviously ready for action.

Giggling, Lashanie salutes to the princess "Got ya! We'll meet again at the gate." Satisfied, she turns to make her way down to the boiler room.


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"Argh, come on!"

The boiler coughs out a cloud of steam, but it doesn't start to run again.

"You must be kiddin me..." Varian puts his goggles on and crawls down under the huge construction.

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When Lashanie walks in, she can only spot him by his shoes and his muttered curses. But Ruddiger notices the girl and is about to run to her. Yet, she holds up her finger to her mouth, motioning him to keep quiet. Silently, she kneels down beside the boiler, smothering a giggle, as Varian keeps scolding the machine.

Suddenly, he reaches out from under it. "Ruddiger! The screwdriver, please!"

Lashanie grabs the tool he asked for and places it inside his hand.

"Thanks, bud."

In a lower voice, trying to immitate, how Ruddiger might sound if he could talk, she answers "No problem, bud." Followed by a soft giggle.

.

Varian shoots up and hits his head at the boiler. "Ouw! DAMN!" He crawls back to light, rubbing his forehead.

"OH! Oh Vary! Are you alright?" Nervously, Lashanie examines the red spot, where he hit himself. When she's sure he'll be fine, she covers his forehead in small kisses, after stating "There, I'll kiss it better."

Varian laughs. "Stop that, Birdy. You're keeping me from working."

"You're right." His girl shows him an innocent smile, before she gets back up and lends him a hand, to pull him back to his feet.

Gladly, he accepts her help and when they're standing face to face, he gives her a quick kiss. "Hi there."

Lashanie shakes her head, smiling like a fool in an ecstasy of love.

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Varian is about to caress her cheek, when he can stop himself just right in time. "Oh, I better do not..." He holds his open palms to her, showing the dirt, that working with machines just brings with it. "Unless you want to try a new look." A snorty laugh follows.

"Funny!" Lashanie puts her hands on his shoulders to get better balance, when she stands on her toes and breathes against the glasses of his goggles, causing them to fog up.

Laughing even harder, Varian pushes them to his hair. "Come on, you had your fun when I was lying under that boiler." Carefully he puts his arms around her waist, making sure she won't get dirty from his gloves.

"Alright. I guess we're even." she mumbles into his chest, as she's pressing her face to it.

.

The boiler blows steam into the air again and Varian gently frees himself from Lashanie's touch. With a sorry smile and a shrug, he walks over to his tools. "So, you just came to see me? Or you need my help with something?"

"Actually, I got a request. Would you go on a date with me later?"

Surprised, Varian turns to look her in the face. "A date? I thought there was a show tonight... you don't have to practice?"

With her hands folded behind her back, Lashanie shakes her head, putting it in a light tilt and lowering her chin slightly. Varian knows that move all too well, her puppy dog eyes. And yet, he falls for them everytime still.

"Well then, sure - yeah, let's go on a date."

She smiles brightly. "Great!"

"And where you wanna go?" he asks, while searching for the right kind of tool, to finally get the boiler fixed.

Lashanie picks up a combination pliers from the ground and hands it to her boyfriend. "Oh, I'll think of something."

With an approving smile, he takes the pliers from her. "Of course you will." Before giving her a peck.

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The machine behind them, makes an unpleasant loud noise. Lashanie pulls a wry face and points at the construction.

"How long will it take you to fix it?"

"I'll be done in no time." The boy puts his goggles back on and one hand on his skinny hips, while holding the pliers in the other, motioning to the boiler with it. A confident smirk gracing his face. "But I better put on some clean clothes before we meet, so... let's say two hours?"

"Fine." The nod she gives him, goes with the jingling sound of her earring again. "Pick me up at the theater in two hours."

One kiss to his cheek and another to his lips, and while walking back to the stairs, she gives Ruddiger a stroke. And then, she's gone - on her way, to meet Rapunzel and Eugene at the castle gate.


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About two hours later - Pinky's theater

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He didn't feel like dressin up today, so hopefully his Birdy doesn't plan to do anything real fancy. With an amused smile, Varian imagines how they'd sit in a nice restaurant, Lashanie looking like a precious diamond and him to her opposite, still wearing his apron. He giggles and turns to Ruddiger "You think we'd get a good table at a restaurant like this?" While saying that, he pulls his apron, like ladies do with their skirts when they make a curtsy.

But Ruddiger doesn't even pay attention to him. His friend has spotted Rhonda at the theater's entrance and runs off, without looking back at Varian. They head inside, moving fast on their little feet.

.

"Figures." Varian shrugs.

Outside, it's bright sunlight, but inside the building, it's as dark, as if the night has fallen already. And there was no sign telling about tonight's show, so his Birdy was right. Seems like even Pinky grants his staff some freetime...

Carefully, Varian walks in further, stretching out his hands, to avoid running into a wall. Lashanie could have at least lit up some candles, so he wouldn't have to wander through the dark...

.

Finally, he arrives at the auditorium, where he usually finds her, when he comes here to pick her up and no shows playing. Most times, she's sitting in one of the red outboard seats, her legs hanging from the armrest.

But to his surprise, it's just as dark in here.

.

It's ridiculous. There's no reason for him to get nervous, but still... Varian can feel his heartbeat increase slowly, his breath going faster.

"Lashanie?" he calls and his voice perfectly reflects the tension, that's growing inside him.

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Unexpectedly and all of a sudden, the stage gets illuminated by bright shining lights, blending him for a few seconds, so he can only see the silhouettes of a few people. And hear them sing.

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday, dear Varian

Happy Birthday to you

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With his mouth standing wide open, he stares at the stage.

There's Lance at the piano, Angry and Catalina next to him. Xavier, Ludwig and Anne to the other side. In the middle, there's Eugene and Rapunzel, who's carrying Pascal on her shoulder. And of course his dad and Lashanie in the center of all that.

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His girl jumps down from the stage, landing in front of him. "Surprise!" She wears the biggest smile. "Happy Birthday, my angel."

He's still just blinking at her, not moving another muscle. So Lashanie takes him by his collar and presses a kiss to his cheek, to which the Schnitz family responds with silly cheering.

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Slowly, the others start to come down to him aswell. Pulling him into hugs, patting his back or shoulders and congratulating him. Varian can feel how his cheeks get warm, as they all are so incredibly sweet towards him.

Catalina's standing on one of the seats, so she can put her arms around his neck, while Rapunzel calls "I brought the tasties cake ever. Come blow out the candles and make a wish, so we can hand it out."

Varian chuckles, as he walks up to Rapunzel, Catalina still hanging from his neck. She lets herself drop back to the floor, when Varian's standing in front of the cake. And Pascal, who's been sitting on the top of his head, switches back to his favourite place - Rapunzel's shoulder.

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For a moment, the birthday boy just stares in awe at the little work of art. It's almost too good to eat. Lashanie's takes his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

He takes a deep breath - and blows out all seventeen candles at once. The others start to cheer, as if he had done something great.

They hand out a piece of cake to everyone and soon they're having a lively conversation. At some point, Quirin laughs, holding up his fork "You wouldn't think, someone as conscientious as my son, would forget his own birthday - but here we are!" He puts his arm around Varian's shoulder, as they both laugh along with the others. Except for Lashanie, her eyes rest on Varian's face...


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Everyone's having great fun at the party - they eat and drink and play some games, which either Rapunzel or Eugene win. Let, the Schnitz family doesn't find a way to cheat, with Lance trying to talk them out, should they get caught.

Time flies, and when the sun starts to set, everyone helps cleaning, before they make their ways home.


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Late evening - Old Corona

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Loud laughter echoes through the kitchen, coming from Ludwig and Quirin. They're having a beer or two, while Lashanie helps her mom prepare the dinner for the two families.

As Lashanie places the sauce boat on the table, the man are busy envisioning the great future of their childs.

"Where's Varian?" she asks, pointing at the empty seat, where he sat the last time she looked.

Referring to their conversation, her dad jokingly replies "He went to get a ring for you, dear." And both him and Quirin burst out into laughter, patting the other one's back.

Lashanie's cheeks instantly turn red, while she stands in front of them, her arms crossed and her lips shaped into a big pout.

While walking past her daughter, Anne touches Lashanie's shoulder. "I think he went outside. Tell him dinner's ready."

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Before the girl pulls the door shut behind her, Rhonda and Ruddiger come running through the small gap that's still left open. Lashanie giggles "Yeah, I too think you're better off with me."

She only has to walk a small distance, until she finds Varian, sitting on the lawn and watching the stars.

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"You could at least have warned me!" the brunette shouts as she walks up to her lover.

He knit his brows and chuckles "Warn you? About what?"

"Don't say you didn't run from the really, extremely funny jokes, our dads are coming up with." Lashanie rolls her eyes and sits down by Varian's side. The air is a quite cool, just like the ground and she's starting to tremble slightly. To fight the cold, she presses her slender body against his.

Varian laughs, shaking his head. "No, no really. When I left, it wasn't that bad."

"Lucky you." While closing her arms around him, Lashanie puts her lips to his shoulder.

"I am." With his eyes directed to the twinkling stars, he explains "It's just that I needed to catch a breath. Today was really..." he pauses.

"Exhausting?" his girl asks, when he seems to get lost in his own thoughts.

"Exciting."

Lashanie tilts her head, trying to catch his eyes. "You want to be alone for a while?"

But Varian just leans back in her embrace, getting quite comfortable even on the cold ground. "No. Stay with me."

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For a few minutes, there's no talking between them. Calmly, they watch the stars, while the sounds of that night only get disturbed, by Rhonda and Ruddiger, who are straining themselves to catch a single cricket.

.

A bright light illuminates the sky above them and Varian smiles like a child "Look, a shooting star!" He cuddles up even a closer to Lashanie. "You know, dad once told me, everytime you see one, there's a soul going to heaven."

"I like that." She rubs her face against his. "Don't you want to wish on it?"

"Why? What should I wish for?" Gently, he squeezes her hand.

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"Vary? ...you didn't forget about your birthday, right?"

It doesn't even surprise him she noticed. After all this time, she knows him all too well. Varian shakes his head. "No, but I thought everyone else would, if I just kept quiet about it."

"But why?"

"I don't know but..." Varian nervously scratches the back of his hand. "It just feels like - like you shouldn't have to dedicate your entire day to me."

Lashanie gently stops him from his nervous gesture. Of course he still wasn't able, to leave his past behind. She knew. Even now, that he already paid dearly for his deeds, there are still times, when they run into guards on the street and for a short moment, Varian looks so shocked. Or the nights when he comes climbing through her window, after her parents went to bed. Saying he longs for her touch, when they both know, that he simply can't fall asleep alone.

Lashanie notices how much his whole body tensed up and she ruffles his hair. "Oh Vary, sure we didn't have to. We wanted to!"

He grumbles, as he brings his hair back into place. Yet, wearing a greatful smile. Giggling, his Birdy leaves a peck on his cheek.

.

After grabbing something from behind her back, Lashanie announces "I still got something for you."

The face she makes, assures him it must be something special and he asks "A present?", while stretching his neck, to get a glimpse at her hand.

"Well, yes. But it's nothing you can keep."

Lashanie lifts a small orb into the air, holding it between two fingers. It looks similar to the ones Varian used to make, just a bit smaller. Curious for it's purpose, the boy reaches out. When his fingertips touch the little object, Lashanie squeezes the orb and it bursts into a glowing light. From it's center, little sparks emerge, looking like falling stars. With a bright smile, Varian watches, still resting in his lover's arms. He sure didn't expect this.

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More and even more sparks are falling to the ground. One of them drops on Ruddigers nose, which he takes as a personal attack. After that, he tries to catch those sparks, that come close to him or Rhonda.

Varian holds his open hand up, directed towards the sky. "It's really..." A few of the tiny falling stars, land on his palm. "...pretty."

"I knew you'd like it." Lashanie whispers.

-x.ღ.x-