The Star of my Heart
Story by: Phoenix710&Merigirl
Summary: In this chapter, Al Dente returns to the Palace to inform Princess Vi that he's completed his errands. Satisfied, she dismisses him, and he heads home for the night. Meanwhile, Speedy decides to take Polly out to dinner at her favorite restaurant, and the others use the opportunity to finish their preparations for Polly's birthday, which is now a week away. Let's see what happens.
Disclaimer: Neither Merigirl nor myself claim any rights to Samurai Pizza Cats, or any of the characters associated with the series. Samurai Pizza Cats, and all associated characters, are property of Saban. The game Journeyman Project Turbo is property of Sanctuary Woods Studios. Tiramisu, which is the dessert that Speedy and Polly will be having here, is an Italian dessert, made from ladyfinger cookies, espresso coffee, mascarpone cheese, eggs, cream, sugar, and cocoa. Some versions include Marsala wine and rum as well, but, since Samurai Pizza Cats is a kids' show, Speedy and Polly's dessert won't have any wine or rum in it.
Chapter Five: A Romantic Night Out
Exhausted from his errands, Al Dente returned to the Palace, and asked one of the guards where Princess Vi was. The guard replied, "I believe the Princess is currently listening to the Royal Musicians' latest draft of their song about her, which they've titled 'Ode To Our Fair Princess'." Al thanked the guard, then headed down to the auditorium. Sure enough, he heard them hard at work. Once they'd finished playing, he heard Princess Vi's voice, as she said, "That's wonderful! This is the song I want played for me at the party when I introduce my new star! Musicians, you're dismissed." They filed out, and went back to their homes. Al Dente entered, and bowed before Princess Vi. He said, "Your Highness, I've finished delivering the balloons and pendants to everyone in the city, and they said they'd all make sure to be in attendance at your party." Vi smiled, and said, "Perfect! You've done a splendid job, Al. You can head home now." He bowed again, thanked her, and hurried home, eager to be free from having to run any more humiliating errands, at least for tonight. However, he was concerned about how Speedy would be able to celebrate Polly's birthday, without Princess Vi blowing up for them not attending her Star-Naming party. He supposed he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.
Once Guido, Good Bird, and Polly returned from making the day's last delivery rounds, they began helping Speedy, Lucille, and Francine with the usual clean-up work. Meowzma, Spritz, BatCat, and General Catton waved goodbye to their friends, and headed home. They closed up early tonight, since there hadn't been much business after 6:30pm. Carla walked in and hugged Good Bird, and then started helping him fix one of the game machines. Once that was done, they clocked out, then went home. Speedy looked over at Polly, and said, "Hey, Polly…how about I take you out to dinner tonight, just you and I. That should take your mind off the Princess's whole "Star Of Violet" thing. Polly smiled, and replied, "Speedy, that's a wonderful idea! I'll go upstairs and change, as soon as I finish wiping down the last of the tables." Once she finished, she punched out, and headed upstairs. After a brief shower, she put on her red and white evening dress, which Speedy had purchased for her, as a pre-wedding gift. Speedy came in, showered, and changed into his white and blue suit jacket and matching pants. Speedy looked Polly over, and said, "Polly…you look so beautiful…gods, you're an angel!" She kissed him, and said, "You're quite charming too, my handsome Samurai. Now, let's go while the evening's still young." Speedy and Polly informed Francine that they'd be back around 11:30. Once Speedy and Polly left, Francine motioned to Guido and Lucille to join her. Good Bird and Carla hadn't actually gone home, they'd just hidden up on the roof of the restaurant, waiting for Speedy and Polly to leave. Once Good Bird saw the two happy felines head out for dinner, he and Carla walked back inside, and Francine began detailing what she wanted them all to do, to make this Polly's best birthday ever. She said, "Guido, you and Lucille, head out and pick up the stuff to make her a cake, and the other stuff we'll need to cook the rest of the food." They both nodded, and headed out. Francine then turned to Good Bird and Carla, and said, "I'm trusting you two to pick up any decorations we don't have already, that you think would help. Meanwhile, I'll stay here, and keep an eye on the place. I'll see you when you get back. Oh, and remember…be back before 11:30!" Good Bird nodded, as did Carla, and the two crows then headed outside, and flew off. Once they were gone, Francine counted up the money they'd made for that day, then pulled out the newspaper, and started working on the Sudoku puzzle.
Meanwhile, with Speedy and Polly…
Speedy walked into the main lobby of the best steakhouse/sushi restaurant in Little Tokyo, The Seaside Steakhouse. He'd called in a reservation for the two of them, and, due to their celebrity status, they were promptly seated at a table for two by the window. Their waiter brought them a glass of ice water, and handed them both a menu. Once the waiter left, so that they could both decide on what they wanted for dinner, Speedy said, "Polly, I want you to know that you are the most beautiful girl I've ever laid my eyes on, and you're also the bravest, strongest, and most honest person I've ever had the privilege to meet." Polly blushed, then said, "Speedy, you're the nicest man I've ever known, as well as the most honorable, loyal, and courageous, and I love you more than anything else in this world." Speedy kissed her hand, then said, "I love you too, Polly." Their waiter returned, and asked, "What can I get for you tonight?" Polly said, "I'll have the lobster, with lemon juice, a Chicken Caesar Salad, and a Pepsi." The waiter took down Polly's order, then turned to Speedy. He said, "I'll have Chateau Briande, cooked medium rare, a side order of fries, a salad with ranch dressing, and a Coke Classic." The man took his order down, accepted their menus, then headed off to turn their order into the kitchen, after letting them know it'd be about thirty minutes for their food to arrive. While they waited, Speedy began chatting with Polly again. He said, "Polly, there's times when Vi REALLY goes too far. I mean, having a STAR named after her? She's going a little overboard if you ask me." Polly giggled, then said, "Yeah, but keep it down. I don't want to have someone overhear us, and then end up getting sent to Prisoners' Island." Speedy said, "Polly, she wouldn't exile us. We're the heroes of the city, and it'd be really bad for her if she threw us out." Polly was about to reply, when their food arrived. They forgot all about Vi's party for awhile, and just focused on enjoying their time together.
Lucille and Guido were picking up cake batter, frosting, and other baking needs, after a quick stop to buy some presents. Lucille had purchased a book of sheet music, with one thousand songs playable with a flute, and Guido had bought her a set of scented bath salts, since he knew that she enjoyed bubble baths. Lucille called out, "Guido, do you think we have enough food here, or should we buy more?" Guido looked into the carts that both he and Lucille had, and said, "I think this is enough. Let's pay for this stuff, then get home, so we can stow it before Speedy and Polly come back from dinner." They paid for their stuff, then headed for home.
Good Bird and Carla were at the party supply shop, picking up additional streamers and other assorted supplies. They'd also stopped off to pick up presents. Good Bird bought Polly a new whetstone to sharpen her Kodachi with, and Carla bought her a new bathrobe, since her old one was getting rather worn out. Once they finished their supply run, they paid for their purchases, and flew off back to the Pizza Parlor.
Francine had long since finished her Sudoku puzzle, and was now amusing herself with one of the video games she'd programmed into her laptop, Journeyman Project Turbo. She'd just retrieved the biochips from the first of the enemy robots, Ares, when Guido and Lucille walked in, followed closely by Good Bird and Carla. She saved her game, then shut off her laptop. She looked over what everyone had purchased, then helped put it all away. She'd bought Polly a new brush for her fur, and a new TV that she and Speedy could put in their bedroom. Once they all finished putting the stuff away, Good Bird and Carla went home, Guido went upstairs for a shower, as did Lucille, and Francine started up her game again from where she'd saved it.
Speedy and Polly finished their meal, then had some Tiramisu for dessert. When they'd finished, Speedy and Polly each paid half of the bill, then headed for home. They arrived back at 11:25pm, had a quick chat with the others, then they all went to bed for the night. Speedy happily pulled Polly into his arms, and fell asleep, thinking to himself how lucky he was to have this beautiful female cat all to himself. Polly was truly one of a kind, and he hoped that he'd be able to surprise her with the wonderful birthday he and the others were planning, and also, he hoped that Princess Vi didn't decide to ruin it, since Speedy was dead set on spending next Friday celebrating his wife's special day, instead of showing up at Vi's extravagant bash.