Morning, Birthday Girl!
Golden sunbeams were creeping through the cracks in the closed shutters before the windows in Ameena's house. It was morning, and Katchie was mewing loudly to get his owner's attention.
''Meow, meow!''
''Katch... a few minutes?'' Ameena groaned, crawling deeper under her woolen blankets. ''It's not like you'll starve if you don't get your breakfast immediately...''
Apparently, the young Kittyfloss didn't agree with that at all. No, to prove how hungry he was, the kitten jumped on the bed to start licking the unmasked Tigermisu girl.
''Okay, okay, I get it!'', she giggled. ''I was pretty much awake anyway... and this day's too beautiful to waste away sleeping...''
Ameena threw the blankets off her, yawned, stretched, and walked towards the sideboard.
It had been two days since her somber conversation with Seedos, and even though she gave him as much attention as her work in the garden would allow her to, he didn't look the tiniest bit more cheerful or happy.
Actually, he seemed to be doing a lot worse. Jardineiro was constantly picking on him, and his Shellybeans started to grow more and more disgruntled. Leafos had tried to brighten his mood with a self-baked blueberry cake yesterday, but Seedos had murmured that he was allergic to blue fruits or something, which didn't sound very legit to Ameena. She had served him blueberry tea once, and he'd told her he loved it.
The good news was, that the omnious feeling of two evenings before had vanished completely. The weather had cleared up even more now and for some reason she didn't fear the shadows as much anymore...
''Ah... there it is!''
''Meow!'' Katchie started to bounce up and down enthusiastically as Ameena took a box of cat food out of the cupboard.
'''Kelly Kelson's Kittyfloss Kandy'! With actual Moozipan candy and tuna! Strange... there doesn't seem to be anything like a fish piñata... You've Newtgats, but I'd consider those salamanders... I'd have to ask Leafos about this!" With a big smile, Ameena handed Katchie the bowl of cat food. The Kittyfloss flew towards it immediately. ''And that's what I'm going to do right now!''
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''Happy birthday!''
''Huh?'' Ameena was stunned. As soon as she'd walked out of the door, a small crowd of people welcomed her... It was only nine o'clock in the morning yet!
Not that that was that early - the average gardener got up before the crack of dawn, usually to harvest their fruits before they went bad in the scorching afternoon sun - but her guests seemed to have decorated her entire garden...
Garlands were hung around every single tree and piñata house, a huge dining table had been set up - it carried the most delicious looking cakes - and everyone present carried a bunch of balloons...
''What do you think?'', Leafos grinned. ''Not that bad of a felicitation, eh?''
''I-I...'' Ameena was speechless. She had completely forgotten about her birthday herself, yet her best friend seemed to have remembered it very well - she had even informed the others and thrown a small party... ''I don't know what to say...''
''Don't say anything!'', Jardineiro exclaimed, his stern and gruff voice sounding merry and joyful now. ''Take a slice of cake... My lovely daughter's baked it... You should try it... She is a great cook...''
Leafos blushed under her mask, not used to receiving so much praise from her father, and started to cut a gooseberry pie in equal parts. ''I... I think that this one's the nicest for breakfast... I've baked several, as you can see.''
Ameena nodded. She still couldn't believe that all those people were here for her!
Leafos, Jardineiro and Seedos of course, but also Storkos, Lottie, Willy, Fannie and this girl she'd only met once or twice before, Sahari.
Most of them were chatting loudly and had hurried towards the cake, but the latter smiled at Ameena and said: ''Don't worry. More people are planning to come later on the day!''
''I... I think that there are a lot of people already...''
''Oh, come on!'' Fannie giggled, with a pink paper plate in her hand, on which lied a big slice of pie. ''Aren't you missing someone?''
''A young and handsome doctor, perhaps?'' Lottie mixed into the conversation, winking at Ameena.
With a small shock she realized that there were actually people that knew something was going on between her and Patch. Or at least that she wanted something to be going on between them...
Had Leafos told someone, or had they figured it out some other way? Was Patch aware of the gossips? Did he mind them? Maybe he had he spreaded them himself...
''Ameena, right?'', she heard a vaguely familiar voice say.
''Yes?'' Ameena awoke from her pondering and looked down to see a younger girl in a Flutterscotch costume. She knew that outfit... ''You're Baboschka, right?''
''True'', the girl nodded proudly.
''I love your costume.'' Ameena smiled. Baboschka smiled back at her.
''Thank you! My parents made it me - they are the owners of Indignante's, the only and most beautiful clothing store in the Village! - because I will become a real Flutterscotch one day when I get older! I need to practice now, you know!''
''Oh, I fully understand. Practice makes perfect, after all!''
''Exactly!'', Baboschka beamed.
''Haha, let's get us some cake then, Flutterscotch Princess...''
''No, no, no! I can't do that... As much as I love cake, I can't stay for long.''
''No?'', Ameena asked, tilting her head a little.
''No, I'm sorry, one of my teddybears is having his birthday today as well, and as the Queen of Stuffed Animals I just have to come to his birthday party! I'm only here to deliver you a present!''
''A present? You don't have to -''
''Please, pretty Tigermisu lady! I want to give you this.'' The younger girl handed her a small package, which was wrapped in glittery pink packing paper. ''You'll love it!''
''Okay then.'' Ameena smiled as she unwrapped the gift. It turned out to be a little box, and when she opened it, a plastic, but incredibly shiny ring was glistening at her. ''Wow, why... this is gorgeous Baboschka!''
That was a lie. The ring was hideous and actually reminded her of the totally fake jewelry you could win at the local fair or something, but of course she wouldn't be so rude to say that in the little girl's face.
Baboschka grinned from ear to ear. ''I KNEW you'd like it! I have one in purple myself, and it's one of my favorites! I'll give you a matching necklace next year, if you want, or - do you have your ears pierced?''
Ameena shook her head. ''I've always wanted earrings, but I'm too much of a coward to even enter a piercing shop!''
''Oh. That's a pity. I got my ears pierced for my sixth birthday, and it didn't hurt, I swear! Great Gods!'' The little girl glanced at her pink, oversized watch. ''It's getting late! I promised Sugarbisquit to arrive at his party on time! I can't dissappoint him, he's my most loyal servant... I have to run, Miss Tigermisu, I'm so sorry...''
''I fully understand'', Ameena smiled. ''Being a Queen can't be easy...''
''Finally someone who understands how tough the duties of a stateswoman can be!'', Baboschka yelled joyfully as she turned around and ran off home without even greeting anyone.
Ameena chuckled, putting the kitschy ring on her pinky finger. It was at least two sizes too small...
''She's cute...'', Sahari sniggered. Suddenly Ameena realized that the desert girl had been standing near her and Baboschka all the time, and that she had probably heard their entire conversation. ''... but a little strange... Are you actually going to wear that?''
''I think I will, it was a nice gesture of hers to give me this...''
''Sorta agree'', Sahari shrugged. ''Anyway... let's FINALLY get us some cake. I haven't had breakfast yet, and I'm starving!''
The two girls walked towards the wooden table and both grabbed a plate.
''Oh, before I forget about it'', Fannie said as Storkos was pouring her a glass of lemonade, ''a big, huge package from your family arrived at the Post Office this morning.'' She grinned widely. ''Your brother Atsou seems like a really cute guy. What does he look like?''
''He's only fourteen...'' Ameena giggled, as she got all warm and fussy inside.
She hadn't heard from her family for ages! It would be great to finally read a letter from them again, even though she hadn't thought much about home lately, the sense of 'missing something' had subconciously been on her mind all the time.
''When can I pick it up?'', she asked with a big, bright smile on her face.
''I can get it you now, if you want!'' Fannie took a sip of her lemonade. ''As soon as I've finished this glass, of course... This stuff's great, and it's so much fun here! Oh, hey, there's Petula. Hi Petula!''
The thin girl waved so awkwardly at her best friend, that she almost punched Sahari in the face.
''Hey, watch it!'', she shouted, but Fannie didn't seem to hear it.
''Birthday girl!'' Petula purred. ''And hey, Miss Mailbox!''
Without even giving her enthusiastic friend a glance, Petula ran towards Ameena to give her a big, tight birthday hug.
''Ehm...'' Ameena stumbled. Even though she really appreciated Petula's fondness of her, she couldn't believe that someone would ignore their BFF like that!
''I've got you, like, a nice present! Great Gods, you're eighteen already, I'll have to wait for two months still, it's sooooo annoying...''
''I'm... I'm at the Post Office... 'll be right back'', Fannie whispered, somewhat dissappointed in the cold way Petula had just greeted her.
''Thank you.'' Ameena grimaced. She knew that Petula's behaviour wasn't her fault, but she somehow felt responsible for the other girl's pain.
''It's nothing, I'm happy to go.'' Fannie smiled Goobaishly.
''So, like, Ameena, cupcake...'' Petula said happily as Fannie had started to joggle towards the Village. ''I won't leave you in suspense any longer! Please, unpack your present!''
Petula handed Ameena the a yellow box, and the latter started to loosen the purple lint that was wrapped around it.
''I'm sorry if the packaging isn't, like, all too fancy, but I got it from Paper Pets and my parents are greedy to pay for trendy packing paper like that, they say that the store doesn't need such extras to do good business...''
''Oh, that's alright'', Ameena assured her. ''This is... Holy Moozipan, Petula, this is wonderful!''
The sober box with the clashing colors contained something far beyond Ameena's expectation of a good birthday present; namely, a Cleopatra necklace, which was actually of good quality, in contrast to the plastic ring Baboschka had just given her.
''Wow...'' Ameena sighed, as she carefully put on the necklace and cautiously touched the huge emerald in the middle. ''Is this..?''
''Real? Of course it is! Only the best for my friends, you know!''
''That is so nice...''
''Aww, well, of course I'm fully aware of my kindness... Oh Great Gods, that's like, the cutest little Kittyfloss I've ever seen!"'
The ever curious Katchie had climbed out the window and was making his way to the festivities right now. He just couldn't resist the scent of pie and candy that hung in the air, and the garden was suddenly crowded with people who would probably make the time to cuddle them.
Katchie's unexpected presence nearly gave Ameena a stroke, though. She had sort of 'stolen' him from Petula after all, and even though she was the best owner Katchie could possibly get, she knew that taking people's 'merchandise' without paying for it was illegal.
Fortunately, Petula didn't seem to recognize the kitten.
''Kitty cat! Come here, like, what's his name, Ameena?''
''It's Katchie'', she grinned.
''Kaaatchie!'' Petula called in a high-pitched voice, but the Kittyfloss wasn't that interested in his previous care-taker. Instead of greeting her or even looking her way, he gamboled to the food table. ''Now that's a let down.''
''Don't worry about that. That young cat has a bit too much of an own will... It's nothing personal, he generally likes people.''
''Yeah...'' Petula said with an uninterested eyeroll. Then, suddenly over-excited, she exclaimed: ''Oh, look whose car that is!''
Ameena looked over her shoulder and her heart skipped a beat. Patch's red idling car was approaching her garden with its maxinum speed, which was probably a meager 20 mph.
Petula giggled girlishly. ''I... I don't mean to be rude or anything, but, like, your boyfriend's ride is pretty damn lame...''
Ameena shrugged and ran towards the doctor, whose car had gotten stuck in the muddy bank of her small pond near the garden entrance.
''Need any help?'', she asked while shoving a few bullrushes aside. ''I'm sorry for digging that thing at such an inconvenient place... I better re-cover it with soil tomorrow...''
''That's not necessary.'' Doc Patch looked up and realized that he was actually talking to the love of his life. ''H-h-happy birthday, b-by the way...''
''Thanks! I, ehm... How about you get out your car first, and then we pull it back to...''
''Yes... of course...''
Patch had just stumbled out of his clownish-looking automobile when Leafos came hurrying towards them.
''I'll take care of that'', she said as she winked at Ameena. ''Just enjoy yourself, you two!''
A tad bit uncomfortable, the couple walked away from the mere, to plump down under an outstandingly well-fertilized apple tree. They remained quiet for half a minute, an awkward tension hanging between them.
''Y-you look stun-n-ning with t-that necklace on...'' Patch stuttered finally.
''Thank you... Petula gave it to me. What do you think of my new ring?''
She showed Patchingo the piece of plastic jewelry. He had no idea what to say about it, the thing was downright ugly, but he didn't want to come off as a jerk.
Besides, who had given her that thing? Only guys could have such a horrible taste...
Slightly agitated, he muttered: ''Ehm... I w-wouldn't use t-that as an eng-g-gagement ring, y-you deserve diamond-ds...''
Ameena sniggered softly. ''This ain't no engagement ring, Patchie. It was a gift from Baboschka...''
''Oh'', Patch sighed, obviously relieved. ''I-in that case... It's cute, I-I think, very cute.''
''Hello, lovebirds!''
Fannie was back, and she was holding a small brown crate on which a purple enveloppe was pinned. Ameena jumped up elatedly.
''My package from home?''
''Yes! Go ahead open it!''
''First the letter... Oh, Atsou's handwriting just never seems to improve!'' she giggled, slightly endeared about the fact that at least one thing about her little brother's personality was exactly the same as when she left him.
Hi sis! :D
Happy birthday oh my God youre eighteen! Now thats ancient. I hope youre having a great time in your sunny garden have a blast! :D
Im studying a lot myself. Its so boring. I hardly ever have time left to play soccer or anything like that. :( I hope that this message arrives on time. If youre reading this on 12 May Im getting mom and me a cake today to celebrate your birthday haha! :P
But no jokes mama and I are missing you. We wanted to book a flight to Pinata Island to come over and surprise you but as you know we have to go to school and work. :(
I hope you write us soon girl! :D Of course we bought you presents just look inside the package! :D
Have you made friends yet? (If so are they hot just curious.) If you ever get in trouble mom says money health or boy problems doesnt matter then you have to go straight home to us cause well take care of you.
We love you. :P
Atsou and mom!
XXX 3
''Aww, I'm glad to hear from them again!''
''Go open that crate!''
''I will!''
Inside the crate Ameena found photographs, her favorite baseball cap she had accidently left home and a lot of candy that was - ironically enough - not aviable on Piñata Island. She was glad that her family had thought about her, and her day had genuinely been great so far, but her biggest birthday surprise was yet to come.
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That surprise came in the late afternoon, when even more guests had arrived in Ameena's garden. Bear, Seedos' archenemy, had brought a jukebox to the party and everyone was either dancing in the sun or eating slices of one of the amazing pizzas Leafos had made the day before.
Suddenly someone, and that someone turned out to be a flamboyant young man named Eddie Lizard, shouted: ''Look! It's Gretchen!''
In less than two seconds, all eyes were on the remarkably tall figure of Gretchen Fetchem, the huntress, who was approaching the baffled party-goers.
''Hey folks'', she said in that husky voice of hers. ''I'm here to felicitate Ameena, and ehm, oh, consider these a gift...''
She moved her inexisting chin in the direction of the two Mallowolves she was holding on a leash, which were the reason that everyone had fallen silent.
Gretchen had never given away piñatas for free before, not even on the birthdays of the most talented gardeners, and although Ameena's gardening skills were undisputedly excellent, these ones seemed to be of a rare breed only the most experienced piñata tamers would be able to take care of properly.
Not only were they slightly more thin and elegant than ordinary Mallowolves, their colors also were completely different of those of their congeners. One of them was sky blue, while the other was a bright, vibrant pink.
''Those are lovely...'' Eddie muttered, an expression on sheer admiration on his face. ''Are they... are they variants?''
''Who knows'' Gretchen laughed.
''Whatever they are, I've never seen Mallowolves like those before... I bet that they'd do amazing at the P-Factor...''
''Sure, Lizard,'' Miss Fetchem grinned, ''but would you be so kind to get out of the way? I want to hand these little gems to Ameena...''
Ameena was stunned, just like the rest of the crowd. The difference between them and her was that she knew what these wolves were, though.
''Gretchen...'' she mumbled uncertainly as the Huntress handed her the leash.
''They have very soft personalities'', the older woman assured her. ''You can handle these, and I'm fully convinced that you will take care of them properly... I've heard great things about you, Miss Ameena, you're very talented. You are ready for this.''
''But these are -'' the girl whispered.
''Yes, they're rather special. Just like you. I'm convinced that you'll get along well. However... no, thank you, Leafos'', she told Jardineiro's daughter who offered her a plate filled with anchovy pizza. ''Consider them a challenge. I'd love to tell you more about their lovely characters, but I'm afraid I've got to go now... I'm sorry about the briefness of my visit, I hope you don't mind, Ameena, birthday girl? It's just... Someone in a neighbouring village has requested an Elephanilla, and he's willing to pay good for it... He's not so keen on waiting, though...''
''I understand'' Ameena said, but she had an inkling that Gretchen actually wanted to get away from the party as quickly as possible... Then there was also the feeling that the Huntress knew the origins of the Mallowolves just as well as she did...
''Great. I might pay you a visit later on, sweetie.''
Was it just her or did the usually so intimidating woman wink at her?
Everyone remained silent as the Huntress calmly walked away, and when Ameena glanced at her new wolf friends, she could've sworn she saw one of them blink to her as well.
''So there is something going on'', she maundered to herself quietly when the music had been turned up again fifteen minutes later.
''Wrawoo!'' The blue wolf started to howl, as if he had heard and understood her.
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He would never admit it, but now that he had observed the girl for a while, Dastardos actually started to appreciate Ameena's efforts.
Sure, she was lame, naive, soft, and spoke in an unbearable, sugary voice with a stupid accent, but she had taken care of his younger brother quite well, and he had to admit that she had some mad gardening skills going on... Even his dad - the conceited jerk! - hadn't managed to build up such an impressive garden from ashes in only a month and a half...
The reaper looked around his sojourn. He still slept in the burial chamber of the Priest and Priestess, together with Chamkele and a few VIJs, Very Important Jerks as he liked to call the overly-ambitious, cocky bats.
Those things really had a problem, they were more arrogant than you'd even believe Sherbats could be and they always glared daggers at him, because he was an 'intruder'.
They probably were jealous of his close friendship with their leader, and in a way he understood it. He'd never set a step in the temple before, and suddenly he was all that to the tribe. He was allowed to come up the higher storeys of the temple, he shared meals with the Kelele elite and he actually wasn't even a bat.
The fact that he was a 'God' hardly even impressed the piñatas, even for a New God, his deitification had come pretty recent, just like the Old Gods, most of the Kelele bats saw him as a joke.
However, he was alone in the chamber now. All those nuisances were fluttering, singing and 'dancing' in the main hall, and even though Dastardos - with his floating abilities - could have joined them if he wanted to, he preferred to spend some quality time by himself above participating in the ridiculous spectacle downstairs.
Not that he would pass his precious alone-time in this dim, murky room. He would do what he always did when there were no Sherbats around to guard him.
A smug smile appearing on his mask, Dastardos floated towards one of the small windows. He didn't know why the architect had placed them in the walls of a tomb, but he couldn't complain.
The corpses in the sarcophagus didn't seem to care wether they got fresh air and illuminating beams of moonlight or not, but they sure proved servicable for one dead guy...
With an ''Oof!'', an ''Ah!'' and an ''Ouch!'', Dastardos managed to squeeze himself through the window that was probably the widest. His nightly escapades were fun, but he had to pay the prize of a few grazes and scratches for them...
The reaper made a face and descended carefully. It was the perfect night to sneak around for a reaper, the sky was cloudy and the crescent only showed up on occasion, when the cumuluses got blown away by the wind.
At the point that there were only twenty centimetres left between the lush grass on the ground and the soles of his feet, Dastardos stopped lowering in altitude. Instead, he started to float forward, straight towards Ameena's house.
She wouldn't see him coming. There was no light burning behind the closed curtains, so she was most probably sleeping. She wouldn't hear him either of course, he moved as quietly as the night itself, and no piñata would be so stupid to alarm to their owner that the man with the Wacking Stick was floating through her garden...
Just before her front door, he came to a standstill. He didn't do this very often, but he had basically traumatized the girl and she was a pretty good kid, so why wouldn't he? It was fine as long as it wouldn't become a habit...
Dastardos pulled out a beautiful golden cuff bracelet out of a pocket of his old, drizzly pants. A long time ago he had kept buttercup seeds in there... But the times that he had enjoyed gardening laid far behind him now.
Without further delay, he placed the ancient ornament on Ameena's doormat. It was a pricey present - probably even pricier than that stupid Cleopatra necklace that Paper Pets bitch had given her - but that didn't matter much, since he'd stolen it out of the Priest's treasure house...
The thing wouldn't been missed anyway. The Priest's wife was dead and gone. Even if she'd been alive now, she had an entire chamber filled with golden jewelry, so no way she would even notice the disappearance of one costly bauble.
''Have fun with it, Ameena!'' Dastardos whispered to the silence. ''But don't expect me to get you anything for Christmas!''
With those words, he floated off into the night again.
Little did he know that he weren't the only one keeping an undead eye on the recent developments in Ameena's life...