Niles had been waiting for the right moment to steal him away from all the festivity yet the opportune time had yet to make itself known. He kept watch on Keaton from afar, against whatever structure there was to lean on, knowing the moment he'd stand properly his balance would be lost. A chalice was in hand between his fingers, stiring what might have been his fourth or possibly fifth glass of wine that evening. Despite the archer's anticipation, he was not angry. In fact, he was positively joyful seeing Keaton being celebrated. It was customary for one's birthday to be acknowledge by loved ones, but when it had slipped during a fateful conversation that wolfskin customs were a little different, that Keaton hadn't ever experienced a human style birthday party, Niles had taken up the efforts to make sure everything was perfect as well as festive. A full moon, a celebration of life, good harvest, and spirits.

In Norhian culture this was considered the day of harvest, a time to finish reaping the crops before the long winter, but also of hauntings and demons. And so, this time of year people were accustomed to dressing up in ghoulish garb to blend in with the undead, safe from harm. Pumpkins and turnips were carved to light the country streets and scare the real demons away until the following morning, all the while the children playing pretend were welcome to received candy from any shop keepers they tried to scare. Only today, just about everyone was dressed up, no matter their age.

In Hoshido? It was a time of passing. The line between the world of the living, and the great beyond had come to its thinnest point. Niles never bought into superstition as much as others, but to some in the army it was important to acknowledge. It was apparently believed that the spirits of those who had passed on would cross over to visit their loved ones still alive and give their blessings of health and good fortune. Silly, Niles thought it to be, but not one he would taunt them for, knowing he full well did much that others found disturbing if not completely immoral. Who was he to say what was right or wrong, so long as everyone was happy on such a day with much to be happy for?

Keaton, on the other hand, tho happy that so many had remembered his birthday, was feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the new experiences. Most had been joyful, but still a bit strange. Some human style party games were troublesome, the most peculiar one featuring a large metal pail of cold water and apples floating in it. The goal? To pluck an apple from the pool using only one's teeth. Elise had advised that the trick was to snag the wooden stem of the fruit, but Keaton himself had no difficulty otherwise, being able to easily stab into the apple's tissue with his fangs. What was the point of this game, thou? All it accomplished was obtaining a small snack he could have purchased from any fruit vendor in town, and without getting himself cold and soaked in the process!

Another custom? A more common game for children he had seen was to be blindfolded and given a large stick to try and beat a large paper doll with until sweets exploded from its insides. This, he actually enjoyed for a multitude of reasons. First, he could to break something without it being considered rude. More so, he could to rip apart what resembled a human without being viewed as barbaric or monstrous. Sure, sugar spilled instead of blood but the real prize was not the candy. Instead, Keaton was more than happy to make off with the destroyed pinata and add it to his collection of treasures. The flakey texture of the tissue paper used for construction would provide hours of wonder as he tranced the tip of his finger along the tattered edges of such, feeling the roughness of the cardboard used for the inner lining all while admiring the bright colors of what was still intact. Any candy was just a plus, but most would find its way to Asugi by the end of the night.

The supposed big treat that no birthday was complete without? A cake. This, Keaton was actually familiar with, thanks to him getting lost in large cities whenever he ventured away from the mountains. He had seen several before displayed in shop windows, in bakeries, each looking like fine works of art that humans had praised and hung in their fancy castles and galleries. Thou, Keaton didn't exactly see them in the same fashion. While he was sure they tasted great, he was more interested in just how any of it was put together. Even after watching Felicia having made small ones before, he could ever understand how flour, eggs, and sugar could be mixed together and then somehow just turned into a soft, sponge-like food that in no way resembled anything used to make it. Who discovered this to begin with? How did a baker decorate it to be different colors, even have creamy flowers on it that were perfectly safe to eat? Today, he'd finally learn. Keaton would be able to see a cake up close, to touch it and learn all its secrets...after he was done chewing on the remains of his newly acquired pinata.

"My my, aren't you having fun?" Niles teased as he swayed his way, half drunkenly over to where Keaton was squatting down in a patch of grass, teeth sinking into colored paper and cardboard. "Had I known you'd be happy with more trash I wouldn't have wasted time finding you something more special." Yet another glass of wine was in hand, but in the other was a gift neatly wrapped in brown paper and tied with tattered string. He outstretched his arm towards the wolf as he sat down beside him and ever so casually moved have an arm drape around his shoulders.

His costume was...devilish, to say the least. Niles was clad in a dark outfit that hugged every curve accordingly, not at all shy in showing off his body to anyone. Boots went all the way up past his knee, shiny as the leather trousers he had on. They tight, drawing much attention to a very particular region that made Takumi quick to cover Sakura's eyes whenever he walked by. A deep, plunging neckline left little to the imagination with his chest exposed. For modesty's sake...at least Niles's arms were covered, and he was wearing a cape? Even Keaton knew he wasn't fooling anyone, nor did he want to. Topped off with some bat wings and red horns, Niles had said he was an incubus, whatever that was. Keaton had dismissed it as some simple kind of bat-devil from a legend he had never heard of. As far as the wolf cared, Niles had come dressed as...himself.

Meanwhile, Keaton had allowed other members of the army to assist him with choosing what to dress up as. In celebration for tonight, they had painted his face an ugly color green, and even put fake warts on his face. He looked hideous, but that was the point, wasn't it? They had said because of his ears, they could easily make him look like a 'goblin,' another monster he hadn't the faintest idea what it actually was, since he had never seen one in real life. He felt more like a fuzzy green furball than anything else. But it was all in good fun, and he was enjoying himself despite how much confusion he also felt.

The archer's breath was sharp with the slightest hint of citrus and floral, having drunk so much. Keaton's nose twitched as he politely tried to created a bit of distance between the two, had it not been for Niles's arm around him. "You do know that gifts are a custom, right? Play nice and later tonight...mayhaps I'll play dirty and give you a much bigger gift." Ever as upfront and crude, more so when under the influence. Yet, Niles just smiled and relaxed as he held up the uninteresting looking package for Keaton to take. "Happy Birthday, Keaton."

He just stared at it for a moment, a bit surprised. "Of course I know ya give gifts on birthdays!" It wasn't his first birthday, afterall. Doing so had been a common practice for the wolfskin as well, but it was normally clothes. Plus, he had done so for several people in the army already. Keaton's wasn't the first they had ever celebrated. Still, it seemed a bit weird, being given something even from members that he had grown closer to in his time since joining alongside Kaden. After much hesitation, Keaton set aside his large chew toy and took whatever it was that Niles had gotten him. "...what's it do?" he asked, attempting to sound unimpressed with a pout on his face.

"You have open it, silly. Don't be stupid. I know you're smarter than that."

"..." So even drunk, Niles could see right through him. He blushed as his ears spiked up, slightly offended but unable to really be angry or blame the other. "Fine! Gosh…" Keaton was careful to not shred the paper into a dozen pieces right away, using only the tips of his fingers and claws to untie the string bindings. The parchment crinkled as it slowly came up, unfolding slightly from where it sat on the grass before them both. Keaton's ears flicked, catching the disturbing sound of Niles slurping away at his cup, watching and waiting for him to finally open it the rest of the way. The wolf grumbled, but proceeded.

When he had finally pulled the paper aside enough to see what it was it became impossible to contain his excitement despite his silence. His tail was beating to ground behind him madly, and jaw dropped. His ears stretched as high as his hair as he pulled the present from the ground up close to his face, eyes darting all about it. Hands kept turning it around, from side to side while admiring the smoothness of the wooden frame work. Keaton had to be careful to not breath so heavy and fog up the glass surface of the framework, lest make it difficult to admire the contents. Never had he seen such bugs in his life, so beautiful and majestic even in death. They were so still, so unnaturally laid across as if pinned in place on the inside of the case. The way they were sitting almost made it impossible to believe that they were real had it not been for the shine coming off their large, colorful wings.

Butterflies.

"You'll have to thank Subaki for finding them for me. It's not exactly easy for Norhian folk to obtain goods such as these from Hoshidan borders."

They were Hoshidan Butterflies?! That explained why he had never seen these particular insects before. Keaton noted he most certain would be thanking Subaki in his aid, but Niles had thought of it. There was such craftsmanship and care put into what had been just a mere few moments of exchanging someone a gift. Keaton almost felt himself disassociating with his surroundings, his body feeling light and warm. Was this normal? Was this part of human culture and the experience that came with a birthday party? Had...had the others in the army felt this way when he had given then birthday gifts? Keaton certainly hoped so. Feeling this special, this...well-thought of, it was something he could only wish everyone else had gotten a chance to know.

"I knew you'd like it, my dirty little green goblin, you," Niles purred as he dropped his now-empty cup and put his other arm around Keaton's waist. He practically tumbled over the wolf to the ground with how sloppy he was in keeping balance, had it not been for the other's monstrous strength to stay put.

Keaton's ears flicked and tail swished as he raised his arms to prevent himself from dropping his precious butterflies. His face was glowing bright pink with embarrassment. "Wh-what? NO! No I-I don't." Even he knew it was obvious how much he loved what Niles had given him, but he wasn't about ot let it show so easily. Quickly, he set it down. "I-I was just wonderin' w-why ya bothered ta use a glass case ta uh-" His eyes fell down on the paper used as wrapping. Immediately he snatched it up to crumple it. "-ta make this paper look all neat. I mean, look at it now! It's all scratchy and makes a bunch'a noise, too! Ain't that somethin' cool?! A-and this string!" Keaton wasn't about to waste any effort in this act, as he was quick to also pick up the thin rope from the grass. "Just look at it, man! It's all old and prickly! It's got split ends pokin' out from everywhere all over!"

Niles just chuckled before taking the paper ball from Keaton and tossed it in his hand. "If that's how ya feel then how about ya go and- fetch!" He hurled the paper ball in any direction his eye was looking, paying no real attention, and laughed as Keaton immediately began chasing after it, quick to catch it in his mouth before it landed on the ground. It was as if Keaton was an actual pet in that moment...just one that could talk and maul him at any time.

"You knew I'd do that, didn't you?"

The archer shrugged as he collected himself and held out his hand for Keaton to help him stand. "You knew I wouldn't resist a chance to toy with you," he admitted as he bent over to pick up the string and let it fall into Keaton's hand. Another treasure for his collection. The insect case was tucked away under the wolf's arm. "Come, I think it's time for cake, don't you? I promise there isn't a stripper in it, this time."

Cake? Oh, that was right. Finally Keaton's burning curiosity would come to a close. The very idea almost seemed surreal time him, having wondered what it was that made cake so special, so magical, and- wait a second. A what? Keaton raised an eyebrow at Niles. He had never heard that word before, let alone used in relation to a cake. Was it some kind of meat? "Wh-...what's a stripper?"

"Me. I'm a stripper," Niles answered without hesitation.

Niles was...a stripper? So 'stripper' was just another word for an archer? Keaton's nose twitched, getting a feeling that wasn't the correct answer. Then again, Niles was a lot of things, which meant that the real answer could have meant a many number of things. Still, if Niles was a stripper then why would he be inside a cake? Keaton wasn't even aware humans could be in a cake. If Niles, or any human for that matter could, then couldn't he so long as he was a stripper, too? It made sense. It was then that an idea dawned upon him. If Keaton could become a stripper then he could be inside a cake, and thus learn all the secrets there were that he wasn't learning from the outside!

"Alright then, can I be a stripper, too? I wanna be inside a cake! Come on, teach me!"

"Sure. You can be the stripper inside the cake at my birthday!" Clearly, Niles's unknown number of glasses of wine were all hitting him at that very moment, too drunk to really care about what he was saying. "Laslow can help. I hear from Odin that he's actually pretty good at that sort of thing."

"Oh boy! I can't wait. I'll be sure to learn all I can. I'll be a master stripper for your birthday, Niles! I'm sure you and Laslow will be fine teachers! Hell, I'll start pestering him to teach me right away! He owes me from all the bugs I've left in his bed as friendship gifts." Completely unaware of what any of this entailed, Keaton just continued to display nothing but confidence and excitement. His eyes sparkled with eagerness, tail swishing about as they made their way to the confection table where others were already starting to gather, waiting for him.

"Ohhh? Be a good boy and maybe I'll put on a show for you later in our tent." One of Niles's hand lowered from where it was on Keaton's waist to his belt line, fingers toying and feeling around until they found a small area where the other's shirt and become rattled out of place, able to slip under the fabric and tease at his skin. "It's one of my many hidden talents," he hissed into Keaton's ear.

Well...that answered one question: it wasn't archery. Niles being an archer wasn't a hidden talent. Now...why exactly was Niles tickling his sides like that? It must have just been the alcohol having an affect on him, not that Keaton minded. As creepy, and often invasive Niles could be, Keaton had come to understand that so long as he remained adamant and pushed him away, the other would halt his actions. "S-stop that, Niles! C-com'on! It tickles," he giggled as he playfully shoved Niles in his sides.

As if on cue, he stopped all while maintaining his signature cheeky grin. His hand felt its way back up to his waist, only holding on to Keaton's side for support. "Very well, then…."

When it finally came time to sing to Keaton everyone couldn't help but look around. Everyone was really celebrating something different that day, whether it be Hallow's Eve or Obon, yet they were all there at the same time for a friend. It was oddly sound, having been enemies at any other time but coming together for someone who others spread nothing but joy...and trash to everyone he met. Yet, Keaton just looked at the cake Felicia and Flora had worked so hard to make. It...was a lot smaller than a full sized human, he noted.

"Huh...how would a stripper fit inside the cake?" he asked out loud, to which everyone almost immediately turned to Niles. No doubt this had to be his doing.

He remained silent, feigning being half asleep, head resting on Keaton's shoulder.

The more Keaton learned about what cake was capable of the more confused he became. He almost didn't even realize everyone was singing to him, wishing him a joyful day, which seemed a little odd considering that it was night time. Still, a happy day it had been. He was practically capable of pouncing on everyone out of happiness, wanting to only return all the love they had shown him that day. And then...it was finally his; a large slice of chocolate cake was presented to him on a humble tea dish with a small fork, not that he specifically would need it. Right now, he just wanted to take it in slowly.

First, the scent. It was sweet, to say the least. It reminded him of various sweets that Laslow had once tried to convince him were poisonous, saying something about chocolate not being good for dogs. It was as beautiful as just about any other cake he had seen in a bakery window. Yet none of this was aiding him and understanding just how cake came to be. There...was only one thing left to do. Slowly...he inched his face closer to his plate on the table and stuck his tongue out until finally…

LICK!

It...was sweet. It was soft. It was...it was….Keaton's eyes lit up along with his tail and ears. One bite and then- he was hooked. Within seconds cake was smeared about on his face as he dug in, shoving his snout into the plate and then into a second slice given to him. Chocolate was getting everyone, on his clothes, on the table cloth, and on everything Keaton touched afterwards.

"If only you would eat my cake with that much enthusiasm," Niles commented with his fork in his mouth, earning an elbow to his ribs from Camilla sitting beside him.

"Huh, what?" Keaton exclaimed, looking up for his plate. Chocolate was all over his face, as were crumbs clinging to the edge of his lips. It was a good look for him, Niles thought. "You don't want yours, Niles? Hell, I'll eat your cake for you if you want!"

"Splendid! I'll give it to you after dessert!" With that, he took another bite, laughing all the while Camilla proceed another attempt to silence him.

Confused as ever, Keaton tilted his head before shrugging his shoulders. There was plenty to go around, no matter how fickle Niles was being in sharing.

Everyone could only giggle, finding it a bit expected (except for Kaden. No doubt he'd be lecturing Keaton later on grooming his hair later). It may not have been normal, but then again nothing about that night had been normal to begin with. A wolfskin's birthday was being celebrated in a human fashion, nor was it all that normal that anyone's birthday happened to be during a holiday, nor for Norhians and Hoshidans to share their practices together. Perhaps tho, that's what made it such a special day to begin with.

Needless the say, the Great Cake Mystery remained unsolved.