Today was an important day, everyone knew, they had it memorized and marked down. Since the day the heard about it, everything needed to be perfect or go as perfect as possible. Everyone would come who was close to be apart of this, plans had went started months in advance for it to happen. Orders and payments, calls and payments...money, money was spent. Money that was meant to be used, because, again it had to be wonderful, it had to be perfect no matter what.
It was good thing, this special event was happening before they had to start their newest assignment. How well calculated really, it was quite a surprise. If it wasn't they'd have to figure out a way to do both. Thankfully it didn't come to that. Gifts where picked out, the venue too. The theme...though cringing...was to be done. Even if it seemed a bit...too much and...bright. It was what they wanted so, how could he deny them that? After all they've been through, from what he found out and heard from the others...he...Ciel had to at least do this much. The basically chatted his ear away on what they wanted.
Of course kittenishly they showed him their...umm...drawings on what they wanted. How they wanted it, asking politely with eyes full of hope he might actually be able to deliver. Which he could, just not...the other part they wanted...so badly for this special day.
This day, sprung everyone's spirits, Finnian and the others couldn't wait for it come. Especially Finnian and Snake. The two of them where the most illuminated out of everyone. Finnian expressed it nearly everyday. He almost spilled it if not for the others who hushed him and Sebastian who threated him. Did he manage to keep quite. That and some tape.
NO one was allowed to say a single word, it best not too. Just to carry on like any normal day, as normal as a day could get. Till the day came and once it did...
You rose early, earlier than usual. Crept quietly as you could out of your room, across the hall to Harmony's, opened the door and peeked your head in. She was still sleeping with her bunny and tiger. A soft smile rose to your lips. Softly you close the door, holding your breath. Good, she was sleeping, she wouldn't be woken up jet yet, which meant you had time to do what you needed to. What you've done for her the past couple of years.
Make her, her birthday breakfast. Going back to your room, grab your robe, slip it on it and tie the slash hurry your way carefully with the minimal pain that rose. Ignoring it, make your way down the hall, towards the kitchen. Taking the stairs hurry down, spryly. Humming merrily to yourself, you loved this day...it meant so much to you. No one understood why, not even Harmony. The day out of whole year where you became your most brightest and cheerful. Everything to you was airy, nothing brought you down.
Nothing at all.
Reaching the bottom, briskly hurry across the foyer to the kitchen. The sun hadn't risen, but it was slowly...very slowly coming. The lighting was on already, so it made it easy to find your way to the kitchen. Slowing your pace, tip-toe and cautiously peek inside. There was no one...yet...you had you assumptions on where they might be. Meaning the kitchen was completely yours, giddily rubbing your hands together, throw your hair up into a messy ponytail waste no time and start.
Taking out everything you needed, what Harmony would want...thinking of something new she'd want to eat. She always loved when you made something different, as you began to prepare...Madam Red came to your mind. By the time the sun...you remembered rose into the sky she'd be here. Gifts and all, she'd come bursting through the door announcing herself. Her butler...Grell behind her steadily as they could carrying all of Harmony's gifts. A couple almost fell, but they managed to catch them. The moment Madam Red announced herself...Harmony came rushing down and into the woman's arms. Receiving a tight and loving embrace, she'd then launched herself to Grell, knocking the poor...butler, then down. Causing all the presents to topple and the two of them became buried in them. Harmony just laughed it off, with Grell's glasses on, accidently.
Smiling bittersweetly at the memory...this was going to be the first time, you realized Madam Red wouldn't be coming. Harmony wouldn't be greeted or woken up by her...stop kneading for a moment...lament on the thought. Who would wake her now? Your shoulder's drop at the question. They drop even further with the other thoughts.
Who could come in carrying her gifts? Who would sing her happy birthday over and over again? Who would cheer for her when she opened her gifts? Who...Who would...
This was going to be her first birthday without...the thought rose in the tightness of your throat, swallowing was hard. But you did, swallowed the lump...quickly remind yourself, now was not the time. Today was not the day to be such a way. It was a day of celebration, for Harmony. You had to put more into this than anyone, you had to put more into her breakfast, which you started up again, than anyone.
Kneading the dough again, get all the air bubbles out, slab it down, pick up a rolling pin smooth it out. Finding some cookie cutters, make the shape. With the stove or stoves heated, place the small circle shapes you had on a tray and stick them in the oven. Now, on to something else. Grabbing another bowl, start cracking a few eggs. Stop for a moment, remembering something, opening a few cabinets find an iron skillet and set on fire, add just a bit of butter. Let it warm, place a few pieces of meat in it. Once it started to slowly sizzle, you return back to the eggs, scoop some flour into it, with some sugar, and a few other things.
All before watching furtive red eyes that remained at the entrance of the kitchen, their lips rather flatten trying hard not to turn into amused smirk, and eyes narrowing with a roll. They watched you bounce lightly back and further humming merrily for some reason, they knew why, it was just fun to watch. Going back and forth. You nearly tripped, almost caused a chuckle to slip from their lips. But, they held it back, not wanting to be noticed. Clearly you were working rather hard, that messy pony tail was starting to become undone. Taking out their pocket watch, read the time, it was time to start breakfast right now. Even if you where doing it yourself, for Harmony, they still needed to make it for you and Ciel.
This entertainment was amusing, but, work needed to be done. Tucking the watch away, stepped a foot in, something fast zipped past them. Just barely grazing their cheek, nothing came from it, but a look of shock, and your burning golden-yellow eyes glaring at him. Hard. Harder than he'd ever seen, harder than and darker than when you did so with Undertaker...it was easily classified as demonic. The way you looked at him.
Warning...not threating him not to come a step closer until you finished. Or...else. He wasn't sure why but feet didn't dare move again...actually his whole body remained frozen...and...trembled? It trembled and not in that way either...the temperature seem to rise in the room and silence between you two. He wasn't sure how or why, except his feet moved him back to the were he was, at the entrance of the room.
Where he stayed.
Curious...he tried to step in again, your head and eyes whipped...no lashed hard at him. He took his foot back and remained where he was. Huffing hard, pinching his temples, muttering something to the side. To get snapped at by you, he thought for a moment he heard Francis's voice, stiffened quickly. To realized it was just you.
Scary.
Taking out his pocket watch, looked at the time, it was way past the time he should be have had breakfast started. What was the young master going to think? Sighing, quickly pulled it back. Checked to see if you heard him, you hadn't.
Good.
Wait? What where you doing now? His eyes moved up and down, watching you jump and down to reach something, waving your arm wildly. To get...what was put up high. Covering his mouth behind his hand, turned away and released a soft laugh. To the side.
Stopped from the sharp snap, turned back finding you standing before him, arms tightly crossed over your chest, brows pinched together tight at him, unfold an arm and point to what you were trying to get.
He rose a brow, you clear your throat. "If you're done laughing, get it down!" You growl. Lowly.
Sighing, he does as you say, and gets the item down. "There," he said with an attitude. "now," taking out his pocket watch. "I must start breakfast, the young master is expecting it. Your little parade has cost me valuable time needed to-"
"Done!" you exclaim, clasping your hands together, completely ignoring him. Eyes on the tray before you, everything you made for Harmony's birthday breakfast. It looked delicious, she was going to love it. "You don't mind clean up for me do you?" you fan a hand to him. Picking up the tray. Leave. "Thanks. Got to go. The kitchen is yours."
Indeed it was, Sebastian took a good look at what you had left him...extra work to do. More than he needed. "Wonderful," he grumbled. "this will cut into my time significantly. The young master will not be pleased with a late breakfast." Growled. Reminding himself, you'd pay later. Right now, pushing up his sleeves, it was time to get to work.
The same with a couple of others, in other house holds, who were looking forward to this day. They couldn't wait to celebrate it, standing before their mirror deciding what to wear.
No. Not that. Nope.
Ah! Perfect!
Pleased, they hurried to finish their own meal for the morning, while making sure they had their gifts ready and accounted for. It would be easy to send them, it just wouldn't mean the same if giving them in person. All gifts there and accounted for, they had them loaded. Once done with breakfast, it was time to load in the carriage. It was going to take some time to get there, but it was worth it.
Indeed it was, worth it, every year you told yourself walking up the stairs towards Harmony's room. Smiling from ear to ear, she was going to love this breakfast, it was fresh and adorable, the decoration you noticed where coming along well. She was going to love it, all of this. Hearing Dottie's belting in the distance, made you laugh a bit. You wondered for a moment who was tending to her, from Bardloy's shout, it was him. Chuckling to yourself shake your head, everyone really loved Harmony, to deal with Dottie.
Reaching Harmony's room, you find to your surprise, though not really Finnian and Snake at her door. Both holding festive noise markers. "AH! Baroness!" Finnian smiled. "I hope you don't mind, but we came to wake up Lady Harmony for her birthday!"
His words stunned you for a moment...you didn't know what to say. Except nod. "Alright! Ready Snake?" Finnian turned to him, Snake nods giving a thumbs up, his snakes around him...you noticed looking closer had...noise makers in their mouths.
With a hand on the knob, Finnian turned and burst in. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY! LADY HARMONY!"
He and Snake, with his snakes start up the noise makers. Blowing and waving them. Shouting, Happy Birthday over and over again. You come in and quickly move to the side, just as something rushed and tackled Finnian. He caught it without a single knock down. Laughing heartily. Squeezing and swinging Harmony in his arms. She giggled being tossed up and down by him. Snake and his snakes smiled watching it.
"Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!" Finnian kept going, swinging her around and around. "It's your special day today! I'm so happy!"
Harmony's giggles turned into giddy laughter that remained endless. Only stopping when she noticed you and pointed. "May! OH!" Her eyes fell on the tray. "Yeah! Breakfast!"
At that Finnian stopped, catching her, turned around to you. You smile holding the tray up. In a voice as kind as a breeze and happy as a chirping bird, "Happy Birthday, Harmony!"
Wiggling out of Finnian's hold, he let her down, she goes to you and hugged your leg. Squealing. Jumping up and down. "Thank you! Thank you!"
It was hard not to laugh, but you did. "You're very welcome, would you like to eat it now?" She nodded eagerly. "Alright, come and rest in your bed." She did as you told and hurried back to her, jumped and pushed herself up into it.
Setting herself right, waited for you to come over, you do with Finnian and Snake. Lay the tray before her, watched her eyes swell like silver-coins. Each item her eyes landed on they grew. Smell of freshness was overwhelming and heavenly. Her cheeks burned from the joy of it. Picking up a fork she wasted no time, after praying and thank you, dug in. Gushing with each bite.
As she enjoyed her breakfast, everything was nearly finished be decorated. Mey-Rin managed to do so, with Baldory's help. Flowers...and more flowers of all kind nearly everywhere. They hung them nearly all around...even outside it was made to look...like a place for a Flower Princess. To look well...magical. Getting the flower collar on Dottie was a task all in itself, Baldory wished Snake or Finnian would have done. The sheep put up a fight.
"There." Mey-Rin tied the last of the decoration, smiled at the job well done. The doorbell rang. "Oh?" She looked towards the direction of it. "I wonder who that could be?" Climbing down, she hurried over to answer it. Opened. "Yes? Hello?"
There was no answer for a moment. "Yes, hello. I've got a few packages for a Harmony Dallas-Burnett." The carrier said.
"Oh, umm, yes the for the Lady Harmony?" Mey-Rin asked. The nodded. "Yes, please, come in." She opened the door, allowing them with the gifts for Harmony. "Please, put them over here." She directs.
Forgetting to close the door, Dottie ran right out. "Get back here to stupid sheep!" Baldory yelled. Chasing after it.
The carrier placed the gifts down, Mey-Rin signed for it and walked them back. Thanking them once again, just about shuts the door, Dottie came running back in with Baldory behind him. Diving for the animal. She watched them puzzled, shuts the door all the way.
Back with Harmony she finished her breakfast, licking her fingers, something she shouldn't do. But didn't care right now, that breakfast was delicious. Finnian and Snake did the same, she had shared her breakfast with them.
You where glad she enjoyed it. Give her a kiss, a knock came to the door. "Lady Harmony," it was Tenaka. In his full form, "I have to dress you." He opened the door, a warm smile and kind eyes cast to Harmony. Bows. "Good morning and Happy Birthday, Lady Harmony."
Harmony gushed. And bowed her head back. "Thank you, Mr. Tenaka. May made me a special breakfast!" She showed him.
"So I see, well, how kind." He looked to you warmly. "Nothing less of the Baroness. Now," he walked over holding out a hand. "it is time to be dressed. Come I shall clean you."
He removed the tray handing it to Finnian, took her by the hand, and helped her off. Led her away. Harmony skipped next to her, about how happy she was. With that you rise and turn to Finnian and Snake. "Thank you, both very much." you tell them sincerely. "You have no idea how special that was to her."
They both flush softly, and nod. "You're welcome," Finnian spoke for them both. Scratching the back of his head. "we was looking forward to doing that for her. It's her birthday, so she needed to be greeted in a special way."
You couldn't agree more, thanking them once more, take your leave. The day wasn't done yet. There was much more ahead. Making it back to your room, find Mey-Rin waiting for you. She told you the water was ready, holding your robe and towel. Led you to the bathroom, opened the door, and went to work. She picked out some nice fragrance that would go well. She washed your hair, helped you dry it, and everything else. You both return back to the room, she quickly went to fetch your outfit for today. Held up for you, waiting for your approval which you gave.
She smiled and went to work in dressing you, the same with Harmony. Tenaka cleaned her well, and took her back to dress her. She played a few games with him, he didn't mind. However long it took her to get ready, was fine by him. Ciel instructed him to keep her busy as possible and on the second floor so everything could be ready for her. After a few games of chase, he caught her. Dried her off and dressed her into a cream colored dress with satin ruffled sleeves. Embordered flowers aligning the dress on the edges. Stocking and brown boots. First the time, all of it was new. The last part, her hair accessory. A simple two feathered clip, he left her down though curled slightly at the end. Giving them a bounce. He stood back admiring her.
Yes, his smiled. She looked well.
Harmony looked at herself and marveled. She gave a small spin. Her dress went with her, rested softly. "I love it!" She squealed, jumping up and down, giving herself another twirl.
"You do indeed." Tenaka complimented. "A true lady, Lady Harmony."
Pinching the edge of her dress lightly, Harmony bowed back. "Thank you."
Coming back up, Tenaka checked the time on her grandfather clock, it was nearing the time. "Lady Harmony," he cleared his throat. Holding out his hand. "why don't we go and show everyone. Hmm?"
She couldn't agree more, took his hand and went with him. On the way down the hall, Harmony couldn't stop spinning around and around, Tenaka didn't mind and helped her. She was jumping with jiggles, her mouth too. Talking nearly non-stop to him, about her previous birthdays. Even expressing how she hoped Madam Red would be here, he kept his smile up. Nodding. The reached the stairs and he carefully leads her down. On the way, she expressed her desire of a birthday that was both magical and filled with flowers. Everywhere...all around...like the gardens back at the palace. She wanted something like that...and...
Stopped, she stopped talking, her words vanished, replaced with a wide eyes growing bigger by the second, a mouth that almost fell open, instead turned into a bright wide smile. With rosy cheeks. Set before her, all around, hanging here and there...set there and here. Scents of nature and Spring everywhere...colors of different kinds. It was like a dream...garlands hung about...streamers too...it was...it was...
She wasn't sure what to call it, what to make of it. All this...all of it, the whole foyer...the whole first floor transformed into something completely different, into a world she drew many, many times. Here before her, and to share in it, standing before her as well. Everyone, her sister, Ciel, everyone from the manor, even Dottie. Lizzy and her family. Soma and Agni. Even Lau and Ran-Mau. Even Irene. With smiles, happy and loving smiles, on just for her. Adoring eyes beaming at her.
Flustered her smile more. Even more so when Ciel came over and rested a crown of flowers on her head.
"There a crown fit for a Princess of Flowers." He told her, loud enough for everyone to hear.
At that moment, he along with everyone welcomed her with, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HARMONY!"
