Author's Note: This one I'm particularly proud of. Hope everyone enjoys it!

Birthday Party

In a rather secluded wooden cabin home in the mountains, Marina, a well-known sniper from the Gallian war was checking her mail. It was a rather rare occurrence since she rarely got mail from anyone due to her persistence on living alone.

"Not much here to read let alone care about…" Marina said to herself. She would've left it there but one letter then got her sincere attention. It was addressed to her from Alicia and Welkin. She was almost curious as to why they would send her a letter. Marina wasn't really close to anyone during those days in the war with the Empire, However she did always respected Welkin's leadership and Alicia was always kind to her. She even managed to have a brief conversation with her, a rare moment where she was actually social with someone.

Marina thought about throwing it away, but something deep inside made her not want to. Despite being anti-social and not wanting to get close to anyone, she was slowly becoming lonely inside, she had felt this way a little bit during her teenage years but had gotten over it. But it was back and this time it stayed and it was starting to eat away at her. Marina wasn't really half-aware of it but she was starting to fall into a deep depression to the point where she couldn't hunt very well sometimes much to her disgust.

Slowly she choose to open the letter Welkin and Alicia had sent and realized it was more than just a letter, she began to read it.

Dear Marina Wulfstan,

I hope you've been doing well since the war ended. I'm not sure if you're interested but our daughter Isara is turning 5 and we're having a party to celebrate with a few of our comrades. I know you weren't really close with anyone unless of course you count Hans, but I'm hoping to know if you would like to come. I understand you're not really social but the invatation is there if you want it.

Regards,

Alicia & Welkin Gunther

Marina read the letter and noticed that a postcard was included in the letter. It was picture of Alicia, Welkin and their daughter in front of a fireplace. Marina just looked at it and took a deep breath.

"Maybe, maybe just this once, I'll do it." Marina thought.

Guuuu~

Marina then heard a growling noise. She looked around and noticed her pet fox that she had adopted was looking at her with quite a hungry face.

"I'll feed you soon, okay." Marina responded gently to her pet. Despite having a cold personality, she really did love cute little animals despite being a hunter.

As she fed her pet fox a decent meal, she finally decided on going to the party.

"Guess I'll have to go get a present." Marina said to herself slightly smiling a little.

—

"Mama, when's everyone coming?" Isara asked her mother.

"Everyone should be here in about an hour Isara." Alicia responded to her daughter. She was busy setting up the living room and kitchen for the party which, of course, included fresh baked bread. She was hoping at least everyone would come, Zaka had to cancel due to personal reasons but had sent his regards to Isara.

"Welkin, when you're finished with the donkey drawing, could you help me hang this up please?" Alicia asked her husband holding a homemade "Happy Birthday Isara" banner in the living room.

"Sure, Alicia." Welkin said, putting down his pencil and proceeded to help Alicia hang up the banner.

Meanwhile, Hans, the Gunther family pet pig, was sleeping peacefully on the kitchen floor.

Suddenly there was knock at the front door. Much to the surprise of both Alicia and Welkin.

"They're here!" Isara squealed, she had never knew or met her parents friends before but she was excited to have people celebrate her birthday with her. She quickly ran to the door and opened it.

"Hello there!" Isara said to the guest in front of her.

"H-happy birthday…Isara." Marina said nervously but kindly, she held a present in her left hand wrapped in blue and pink paper with a green ribbon. She was trying really hard to be social but it felt like an uphill battle. She really wasn't used to this.

"M-Marina!? I didn't knew you would actually come!" Alicia said shocked.

"Hello Alicia, Hello Welkin. Where should I put the present?" asked Marina.

"Oh, right here." Alicia said as she directed Marina to a small table in the living room.

"Wow, you're here an hour early. How've you been?" Welkin said.

"I-I am?" said Marina almost surprised.

"Wait, where's Hans?" Marina asked trying to change the subject.

"Sleeping right next to you on the kitchen floor." Welkin said almost chuckling.

Marina quickly looked down and poked Hans a little.

"Hey, Hans, do you remember me?" Marina asked the pig in a gentle and friendly matter.

Hans quickly woke up and embraced Marina.

"Heh, I missed you too Hans." Marina said hugging Hans.

"So, Marina, how's everything been? Do you enjoy living in the cabin out in the mountains?" Alicia asked Marina.

Something emotional in Marina almost awoke inside of her. It practically took everything in her to hold back her emotions.

"Everything…is fine. I've been alright." Marina responded but her facial expression told a different story.

Welkin had noticed this and really wanted to ask her about it but decided not to until afterwards. It was his daughter's birthday today and he wanted to be able it enjoy it with her and everyone else first and foremost.

—

More knocks on the door were soon heard afterwards, Welkin went to the door this time and opened it.

"Leon! Kreis!" Welkin said.

"Hey bro! Long time no see!" Leon said in his typical energetic tone.

"Hello Welkin. It's really been a while." Kreis said.

"It's great to see you two again!" Welkin said cheerfully.

"Hey, bro, I hope you like the present we got for Isara! Kreis and I worked around the clock on it!" Leon said very excited this time around.

"Yeah, it was crazy, you wouldn't even let me leave to use the bathroom! We had to pee in-ouch!" Kreis said wincing in pain after being elbowed by Leon.

"Too much information bro." Leon said through his teeth to Kreis.

"S-sorry." Kreis said now rubbing his elbow.

"Hey, come on in. The breads almost ready." Welkin said.

"What, the mechanics are here too? What a surprise." a tall muscular man with sideburns said.

"Yeah, whatever. Largo do you have the present?" a tall red haired woman beside him replied.

"Yep. Sure do Rosie. Can't wait for the reaction." Largo said almost pumped.

"Just remember it's on you if Alicia gets furious at us for that present." Rosie said in a annoyed voice.

"Understood…" Largo sighed.

"Rosie! Largo! Long time no see!" Welkin said excitedly.

"Hey chump. Have you've been a good father?" Largo said almost grinning. Rosie could only facepalm.

"O-of course, Isara loves her family very much." Welkin said almost perplexed.

"Oh, where should we put the present?" Largo asked.

"Come on in and I'll show you." Welkin said as he greeted both Largo and Rosie into his home.

Welkin was about to close the door when…

"Hello Lt. Gunther. Long time no see." an older woman with glasses said.

"C-Captain Varrot!" Welkin said so surprised he nearly gave her a salute.

"Don't worry, you're not on duty anymore if I recall but I do have a present for the kid. How has she been?" asked Cpt. Varrot.

"Wonderful. She's growing up so fast. Me & Alicia never knew how great it was to be parents. We did have our perceptions of what it could be like but still…" Welkin happily.

"Well, most parents probably feel the same as you Welkin." Cpt. Varrot said calmly.

—

It was now a full house everyone was socializing with each other while Marina just stood in the living room by herself.

"What's wrong with me? Isn't this what I wanted to do?" Marina thought to herself she was starting to feel shy and nervous, feelings she hadn't felt since she was a child. Isara soon walked up to her. "Are you having fun? I hope you'll play with us today." Isara said cheerfully. At that moment, Marina looked at Isara warmly. "Of course I will." Marina replied cheerfully. She was starting to get the hang of this social thing.

"All right everyone." Alicia soon announced to everyone. "We're going to be playing a game before we have the birthday cake. The game is called pin the tail on the donkey." Alicia further explained.

"Seriously? Why?" Largo said almost speechless.

"She's turning 5, not 15. I swear it's like you've never been to child's birthday party before Largo." Rosie snapped at Largo almost holding in the urge to groan.

"Sorry I asked." Largo sighed.

—

The game was soon ready with the donkey being an rather impressive drawing Welkin had designed himself.

While Welkin, Largo, Rosie, Leon, Kreis & Varrot failed quite hilariously at the goal of the game, Isara had gotten very close to pinning it in the right spot.

"So close, Isara, so close." Alicia said cheerfully. "Hey Marina, would you like to try next?"

"Ummm…Sure why not." Marina said hesitantly.

The game was rather simple, all you had to do was pin the tail onto the donkey picture. But you had to do it blindfolded.

Marina took a deep breath. She had blindfolded herself before while taking apart and putting together sniper rifles as a test to herself. Sort of like a personal game. So it should be easy. She usually liked to focus on things like this alone but being blindfolded helped a little bit.

She carefully walked forward and felt around the wall as well as the paper itself that drawing was drawn onto.

She pinned the tail onto the wall.

Everyone was soon applauding. Marina had pinned it perfectly in the right location.

Isara, in particular, took a good look at it. "You're so good! That was awesome!" Isara squealed as she hugged Marina.

Marina's cheeks blushed deep red, she wasn't really used to this sort of attention but for some reason she felt really good about herself.

"All right everyone! It's time for the cake!" Alicia proudly said.

—

The cake was rather large but vanilla flavored, Isara's favorite. There was also five candles on the cake.

"Hold on everyone before you go singing the song on your own. Let me show you how it's done." Rosie proclaimed.

"You're actually gonna sing for Isara? Thanks so much! I thought we were gonna have to ask you." Welkin said surprised.

"Hey, I got to. It wouldn't make sense any other way." Rosie quickly responded.

Rosie then took a deep breath.

"Happy birthday to you…Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to Isara, Happy birthday, Happy birthday to you…" Rosie sang to impressive applause.

"Wow…she's still has the skill down to a tee after all these years…" Largo thought.

"Hurry up, Isara, make a wish on the candles!" Welkin said excitedly.

"I will Papa! Don't rush me!" Isara pouted.

After a few seconds, Isara then blew out all the candles in one breath.

Everyone soon had at least one slice of cake, Marina gently ate it. It did really taste good, it made actually her think of her childhood fondly something she hadn't done in years.

—

Soon afterwards, it was time for the presents. Isara looked really excited. "Can I open this one first please?" asked Isara.

"That's ones ours! We hope you like it!" Leon said with excitement.

Isara quickly opened up the present. "Woooow…. it's a plane." Isara said with amazement.

Welkin and Alicia couldn't believe it, Leon and Kreis had made a miniature model replica of the plane that they had used to escape the Marmota at the very end of the war with the Empire.

"Do you like it Isara?" Kreis soon asked.

"I love it!" Isara practically squealed hugging both Leon and Kreis.

"Doesn't it warm your heart Kreis?" Leon asked his friend.

"O-of course it does." Kreis responded with a little shyness.

"This one next! This one next!" Isara squealed, she was soon eyeing another present, this one was from Largo and Rosie.

"I hope you like it miss! But you'll probably need help using it the first time." Largo said with confidence.

"Remember what I said Largo." Rosie said reminding Largo of their previous conversation.

Isara opened up the present and Alicia nearly fainted at what Largo had gotten her.

"What is it?" Isara soon asked.

"It's old fashioned BB gun!" Largo said. "Comes with accessories too, including targets!" Largo added.

"You got my little girl a gun!?" Alicia said nearly furious at Largo and Rosie.

"His idea, not mine." Rosie quickly said.

"Don't worry, it only shoots soft pellets. Not real bullets." Largo said trying to reassure Alicia.

"Does that even matter!? I don't want my daughter shooting her poor eye out!" Alicia said practically screeching at Largo.

"Papa, can I try it out later with you?" Isara asked her father.

Alicia held in the urge to scream in agony. She honestly felt Isara was too young for this.

"Uhhhh…..well…" Welkin responded hesitantly.

"I could teach you, but you'll have to wear protective googles, okay? We don't you shooting your eye out and giving your mother a heart attack." Marina chimed in trying to defuse the situation a bit.

"That's shouldn't be problem! The package comes with those as well!" Largo said with pride.

Alicia rolled her eyes.

"How about you open my gift next Isara?" Cpt. Varrot soon asked Isara handing her the present.

"Okay!" Isara said as she opened the gift.

They seemed to be an old pair of binoculars. Isara seemed impressed with the gift. Largo seemed stunned though.

"Those were mine when I first joined the Milita. I hope you'll treasure them." Cpt. Varrot said to Isara.

"I will Miss Carrot!" Isara squealed as she hugged the Captain.

"C-carrot!?" the Captain replied flustered.

"Hahahahahahahaha…..I am so grateful I was here to witness that!" Largo laughed quite loudly.

All that remained was Marina's gift.

"Here Isara, I hope you like it." Marina said handing her gift to Isara. She was nervous she didn't know what to really get Isara. She felt it should come from the heart and she hoped her gift did that.

Isara quickly opened it up and gasped quite loudly. It was a sparkling glowing red, heart shaped box that opened up. When it opened, it played a gentle musical tune for 3 seconds.

"Whoa…" Largo responded.

"It's beautiful…" Alicia said stunned, those were pretty expensive from what she had heard about them.

"Do you like it?" Marina said, she was now borderline nervous.

"I LOVE IT! THANK YOU SO MUCH!" Isara shrieked with high energy and practically tackle hugged Marina that she fell to the floor despite being on her knees.

Marina didn't know what to expect but she was so overjoyed that Isara loved her gift and actually hugged her back without even thinking about how she felt about her emotions.

"I'm glad you do. Your welcome." Marina replied softly.

—

The party soon began to wind down into the night and everyone was soon saying their goodbyes and leaving. Soon all that remained was Marina who seemed very reluctant to leave.

"What's wrong with me now? It's over right? Why…Why do I feel this sadness coming again?" Marina thought to herself.

"Marina, there's something I wanted to ask you before you leave." Welkin said approaching Marina.

"What did you want to ask me?" Marina said hesitantly.

"When Alicia asked how'd you been living up in the mountains, you said you were okay but your face told me something different. I don't mean to interfere with your personal life but are you really okay?" Welkin cautiously asked Marina. He knew it was a dumb idea to ask her but he felt he had to.

Marina soon got up from where she was sitting tempted to slap Welkin for saying that. All she could muster was to stare at him with rage, however it wasn't very intimidating, tears soon began to fall from her eyes.

"Marina…are you crying?" Welkin said almost shocked.

Marina soon realized what was happening and quickly ran out the door.

"Marina—!" Welkin called back to her.

Marina was soon by the side of the Gunther family home sobbing and crying her eyes out. She didn't want to leave the party because she didn't want to be alone anymore, it took only one birthday party for her to realize that she was spiraling into madness, what she wanted out of her life, to live alone, was now turning against her and hurting her inside and out.

"Are you okay Marina?" Welkin asked out of concern.

Marina quickly noticed and tried rubbing her eyes clean with her arm.

"I-I wasn't crying at all really." Marina said trying hard to put on a strong face.

"Marina, humans by nature are social creatures, they just can't live alone forever even if one tried. If you severe your ties with the human race it becomes difficult to live sooner or later. No matter what you or anyone else thinks." Welkin said trying to comfort Marina.

"H-how did you know how I really felt?" Marina asked.

"Because, I happen to know a lot about nature that most people tend to notice." Welkin explained.

"Papa, is everything okay?" Isara soon asked.

Marina soon saw Isara and soon Isara saw that Marina was crying.

"What's wrong Marina, didn't you have a lot fun with me?" Isara asked.

"No, it's just…I don't want the fun to end…" Marina tried explain to Isara in a more relatable way. She didn't know how to explain her life problems to 5-year old so it would have to do.

"It's alright. I had fun playing with you today and I don't want it to end either, I hope you visit more often! Right Papa?" Isara said trying to cheer up her new friend.

"O-of course Marina can. If it's okay with her." Welkin said looking at Marina calmly.

Marina didn't know how to respond. She felt her emotions crawling out of her and taking over herself, emotions she had kept at bay for so long. She hugged Isara. She knew there was no turning back she had to join the human race and be apart society. The times of living alone were over for her.

"Happy birthday Isara. I'll visit anytime I can. And I promise to be here for more of your birthdays to come." Marina softly responded.

"You do!?" Isara said.

"Of course, pinky swear." Marina said holding her pinky finger up in front of Isara.

Isara quickly linked her own pinker finger with Marina's.

"Then it's a promise." Marina said calmly.

—

After calming down a bit, Marina soon said her goodbyes to the Gunther family before heading to the local train station for home, She was also given some of Alicia's fine baked bread to bring back home with her.

As Marina walked to the station, she felt at peace and calm for some reason, certain that she had made the right decision to be more sociable with other people. She looked up at the night sky of Bruhl.

"Maybe, I'll go and get a boyfriend someday…" Marina thought to herself.

—

"Do you think Marina will be okay?" Alicia said with concern. She and Welkin had never seen her so emotional before.

"I think so. She'll make it, I have a good feeling about it." Welkin replied.

Soon afterwards, they tucked Isara into bed.

"Goodnight Isara, Happy birthday." Alicia said kissing her daughter goodnight.

"Goodnight Mama." Isara said in a rather sleepy tone.

It had been a long wonderful day. Isara had a great birthday party with people Alicia and Welkin were grateful to have seen again and Marina was now rediscovering herself, learning what it means to be human and not a lone wolf who keeps to herself.