Important A/N: Omigosh! I am such a jerk! (bops head) I'm sorry! This isn't the final chapter! I repeat! This isn't the final chapter! My calculations were INCORRECT! (dies) You may throw knives at me now.

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Hehe, (imagines Vincent all crispy) Aw… oh dear. O.o;
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Disclaimer: Nothing beeloonngggss to me… only… lesse… Damian, his brother, Trinity, Tran and his friends, and Tad! So much T's… Whoo! I love original characters… (hug) Oh and… the… chocobo dude. Well… not really.

My Little Star
Chapter Nine

You're Invited!

"Oh, oh! How about this one? Oh, wait! This one's cute too!"

"…Papa, it's going to be a beach party. I don't think a pink poofy dress would help me in the water…"

"B-But!"

"Ooookay, okay."

I sighed as Papa continued searching for a dress I should wear on my birthday. It was kind of embarrassing, but also very funny. He was so interested about my party, he started to shop in every single store. We haven't bought anything yet, but sooner or later we would. I perked my head up as Papa plucked out a cute-looking dress. I smiled and tugged the bottom of it. It looked like my pink one, but it was blue and it had frilly-looking sleeves… and it had the yellow bow on the collar. I smiled and nodded my head. What could I say? I liked dresses like that! Besides, Papa also agreed and he was already searching for my shoes. He picked out a really cute-looking pair of shiny black shoes. I nodded my head and smiled. After buying a pair of white socks and a hair tie, we were finally out of the store. I held Papa's hand as we entered another store. We bought a few invitations (with a picture of Costa del Sol on it) then finally headed back home.

I made my way to the kitchen and waited until Papa handed me the invitations. A smile appeared on my face whenever I saw the picture of Costa del Sol. I've never been there, but from the way it looked, it seemed like a fun place to be! I could just picture everyone enjoying themselves… even Uncle Vincent! I grinned at the thought of him playing in the ocean. I knew he wouldn't dare, but… anything could happen! Papa handed me a blank sheet of paper and a pretty blue pen (that we bought with the invitations) and sat next to me.

"Okay, we need a list of guests that you want to invite."

I scratched my chin at that. "Well, I wanna invite everyone!"

Papa lifted an eyebrow. "Really? I don't think Costa del Sol can fit the whole population of the world."

"Hehe, nooo! I mean, my friends! Tifa, Uncle Vincent, Cloud, Uncle Cid… and, I want to invite my new friend, Damian!" I felt my face burn up at that. Papa nodded his head as I wrote Damian's name on the list. I really hoped he could come. I knew he wanted to be with his older brother, but… I really wanted to see him so badly.

After writing down all the names, I had a total of seventeen guests (including the Turks, Damian and his brother and Trinity, even Tran and his three friends.) The number of guests actually went down… if I compared my last year's party. I had it at the Gold Saucer and it was incredibly chaotic. I honestly didn't recall anything that went on there. I figured I wanted to have a relaxing birthday at the beach. Besides, ever since Tifa and Uncle Vincent came, I wanted to go there so badly!

As soon as I finished with the invitations, Papa told me that I could go to the post office to mail it. I nodded and ran out of the house. After I mailed my invitations, I noticed a huge crowd forming at the entrance. I slowly made my way there, and spotted the Chocobo rider again! I waved my hands around at the man, and I finally got him my attention. He jumped off of Geezabel and patted my head.

"Well, hello there again!" he said with a smile.

"Hi! Why did you come back?"

"Oh, well, I'm here to deliver mail like I always do."

My eyebrows skyrocketed at that. "Y-You deliver the mail?"

"Yep. Just started my own little business."

I sighed in relief at that. I thought that I had been missing out on a lot of things. Since it was quite rare to see Chocobo riders here and all. That certainly surprised me. The man climbed back on Geezabel and snapped his reins gently. The crowd moved away as I followed the Chocobo to the post office. I couldn't help but notice… he didn't have Raizon with him. The man shifted around, finally noticing that I had been following him for some time.

"Is there something wrong, little one?" he asked.

I shook my head. "N-No… well… I was wondering about Raizon."

"Ohoh! That little rascal? Don't let him worry you too much. He's safe and sound back at my farm. He's being taken care of by my grandchild."

A smile appeared on my face. "Oh, well, that's good to hear!" I watched as the man took out the mail from the mailbox. I noticed my invitations in the bunch. "Make sure my invitations get delivered safely!"

"…Are you having a birthday?"

"Yep! At Costa del Sol! It's my first time there."

"Well, it's great you're having it there. I've never been there also, but you can call me as a, non-beach-like person."

"Aw, I was gonna say if you wanted to come."

He chuckled at that. "That's really sweet, but I've got my delivery service now. Thanks though," he paused for a second. "Say, have you ever heard of, The Legend of the Silver Chocobo Feather?" I swished my head side-to-side. I've heard of the Gold Chocobo… but… not the Silver Chocobo. The man pointed up. "It is said that there is only one existing, and that's way up there. Once every ten years, a single silver Chocobo feather comes dancing towards the ground. And, a couple that finds it together will be bound to each other for all eternity."

I blinked at that. "Really? Is it true?"

"H'oh yes. I swear it. I've seen it a couple of times in my life. And you know what? I think… next week'll be the ten year mark."

"Ooh! How do you know where it'll appear? Is it… by chance?"

"No, not at all. Y'see, the silver feather only appears to those who don't seem like couples, but they deserve to be with each other."

I smiled at that. "That's really sweet."

"Yep!" he gently jerked his reins, making Geezabel turn around. "Thought I'd tell you this. Who knows? Maybe you'll see the silver feather yourself at your party, aye?"

"I really hope so!"

"Happy Birthday!" The rider snapped his reins, sending Geezabel right out of Kalm in a blink of an eye. I waved goodbye and skipped around in circles. That really made my day! Maybe I would see the silver Chocobo feather at my party! I wonder whom it'll appear to…?

The next day, I already received calls from Tifa and the Turks. And, I was glad to hear that they could come! I think I overheard someone in the back cheering in a very high-pitched squeal (sounded like a man though…). After I finished talking, my Papa and I began to plan out my party. We agreed that once the guests arrived, they could relax and do anything. Then, we would have our dinner (my party actually starts right after lunch) at the beach, and the dessert would be cake! (ice cream caaaake…) After everything else, we could hang out again. Of course, anything we ever plan out never goes according to plan. Everything just sort of… flowed along. Papa and I giggled and agreed that we would try our best to follow our plan by all means.

Lunchtime came, and I received calls from Cloud, Red, and Tran (and his friends). Everyone said that they were happy to come! Of course, Tran started to bug me about my 'lover-boy' Damian. I asked him if he was coming, but he said he wasn't sure. They still haven't heard from him in a while. I just sighed and hoped that he could come (his older brother and Trinity were coming as well). I really wanted to see him. It felt like an eternity since I last saw him back in Wutai. I shrugged at the thought and continued eating my tuna sandwich.

That night, I got a call from Yuffie at like… midnight! Luckily, Papa and I had been watching a movie on TV and we were wide-awake. I answered for Papa, since he had been soooo into the movie (we were watching a very weird movie…). Yuffie said that she would be really happy to come! She also mentioned about why she called so late. It had something to do with her father and taking care of some 'chores'. I grinned nervously and said my goodbyes. As soon as I hung up, I felt really tired. So, I climbed next to Papa and fell asleep on his lap.

A few days have passed and I've only gotten calls from, Tifa, Yuffie, Cloud, Red, Tran, the Turks, Uncle Cid, and Cait Sith (I had a very strange conversation with Cait…). But, that was okay, everyone still had only… three days to call! I fidgeted around the couch and leaned towards the phone. I wondered what could possibly take them so long to call? At least call if they weren't coming or something. Papa sat next to me and pulled me away from the phone.

"I'm sure they'll call in sooner or later," he assured.

I sighed. "I know… but I thought that Damian or even Uncle Vincent would call much earlier."

"Don't worry about it too much. Now, come on. We've been cooped up in this house ever since. Let's go take a walk around, hm?"

After one final glance at the phone, I nodded my head and followed Papa out the door. I've been rather obsessive lately… I think I was coming down with an "obsessive disease". I sighed and glanced at all the villagers and stores. Everyone seemed really busy today, I wondered why? Papa tugged me toward one of his friend's houses. He knocked on the door and his friend, Tad, answered. Tad was a young man who lived by himself. He's really nice and likes to play with me (but, he was always busy with his work…). We made our way inside and sat on his couch.

"Hey, I thought you would have work today?" Papa asked as he leaned back.

Tad nodded. "Yeah, I know. But, since everyone at my work is so obsessive with this Silver Feathered Chocobo, they've been taking breaks nonstop. So, I decided, why not? It's been a while since the last one."

I lifted my eyebrows at that. "I heard about that a few days ago! That Chocobo rider told me all about it!… is… that why everyone is so busy today?"

He nodded. "Yeah, there's always a small festival here, devoted to that Silver Chocobo. Ten years ago, it was really beautiful. The feather even made an appearance right here in Kalm! That couple looked really happy."

I smiled. "Are they here? Can we see the feather?"

"I'm afraid they don't live here anymore. They moved to Midgar to work. Haven't heard from them since then."

"Oh… I see…"

"Oh, yeah… that thing!" Papa leaned forward. "I remember that. Back in Corel, everyone used to go gaa-gaa over it. They were… well, all over the place. Quite literally I may add."

Tad stood up. "Well, the ten year mark will be three days from now. Let's see if it'll make yet another appearance here."

"That's the day of my birthday! I hope it comes to Costa del Sol!"

He laughed. "Well then, a little competition?"

"Nah, but, I would really like to see it right when it falls."

"Oh, it's really beautiful…" he smiled and patted my head. "Happy Birthday, Marlene."

Two whole days have passed… and I still haven't received a call from Uncle Vincent or Damian! I was starting to panic all around the house. Up and down the stairs, in and out of the house. Still no call! I thought I was going to explode from waiting so much! I really hoped that nothing happened. I bit my lower lip and fidgeted around next to the phone.

"Riiing… riiiiinnngggggggg…"

Papa sighed and lifted me off from the couch. "Stop fidgeting around! You're gonna make me start doing that too!" he placed me on his shoulder. "I know! Let's visit them and see what's going on?"

I gently kicked my feet back and forth. "Nnnn… I don't really wanna bother them…"

"…hm. Huh, duh! Let's call them on my cell!"

I smiled. "Yay!"

Papa took out his phone and dialed Uncle Vincent's number. There was a weird voice coming out from the other end. It didn't sound like him at all. Papa grumbled and hung up. I tilted my head.

"Who was that?"

"Service is bad somehow. We can't contact him at all… unless he calls us instead."

I frowned. I had a feeling where he was, but I didn't want to speak up. I think… he was in Nibelheim. He did say he had memories back there. I didn't want to interrupt him on… whatever he was doing. I shrugged as Papa placed me back on the ground.

"We'll just hope for the best, okay?" Papa said calmly.

I nodded. "O-Okay…"

That night, I couldn't sleep a wink. I've been thinking about my party tomorrow. I couldn't wait for that, however! I was pumped to play in the ocean and build sandcastles with my friends! But… it wouldn't feel right without the rest of my friends. I would understand if they had other things to do… but still.

I pulled the blankets off and walked out of my room. I needed to walk around for a while (in the house, of course). I hopped off the last step on the staircase and dragged myself to the kitchen. Papa left his cellphone out… again. Whenever he does that, he gets really grumpy and sometimes has trouble finding it… when it's right underneath his nose. I shook my head and carefully took it off the table.

"I should give this to Papa," I tiptoed towards his room and creaked the door open. His loud snores suddenly filled the empty hallway. I immediately shut the door at that. It always gave me spooks in the middle of the night, especially when it echoed throughout. I sighed. "Maybe… I should hang on to this for a while," I made my way up the stairs and into my room. As soon as I placed the phone on my bedside table, it started to ring loudly. I panicked and tried muffling up the noise. When I glanced onto the screen to see who was calling, it had Uncle Vincent's phone number! I looked around and pressed the 'talk' button.

"H-Hello?" I cautiously said.

"Marlene?" a deep voice answered.

I sighed in relief at that. "Ah! Uncle Vincent!"

"I'm sorry to have call you so late, but I think you tried to contact me earlier?"

I nodded to myself. "Yeah, but something happened," he didn't respond to that. I fake-coughed and finally said, "So… uhm… yeah. Papa and I were wondering if you… got my invitation?"

"… you knew where I was?"

"Oh… I just… had a very strong feeling," I smiled victoriously at that.

He paused for a while then finally answered. "I see. Well, I'm sorry, but I didn't receive anything."

"O-Oh, okay. But eh… if you can… would you be able to come to my birthday party tomorrow at three in Costa del Sol?"

"…"

I smiled nervously. "I-I invited everyone and eh… I-I know you probably don't-"

"…you'll be five-years-old, right?"

I sat up. "Yep!"

"Then… I'll go."

A huge smile formed on my face. "Ah! Really! You'll come?"

"Yes."

"With your bathing suit too, right?" I joked.

"…let's… not get too carried away."

I giggled at that. "I know, I know. Papa bought me a new outfit… I think he expects me to swim in it," I twitched. "I'll be too poofy…" I heard a little 'heh' on the other end. I closed my eyes halfway and yawned. It was getting really late now… and I knew Papa would throw a fit if he caught me up this late.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I yawned.

"I will. Sleep well, Marlene."

A/N: End of chapter nine! Ah! So much original characters! (thumbs up) You know what? I really wanna draw out my story. That'd be so neat! Like… Marlene and Vincent baking cookies together! (falls over from cuteness) Omigersh! Anyways, uhm… most likely the next chapter will be the last one, but knowing me ('cause I'm me, heh) I'll probably extend it even further. I just need more ideas for my story. Anyways! Hope you liked and please tell me how you thought of it!