"You can do this." Krystal told herself as she and Fox approached Fox's parents' house. Krystal had heard how important familial birthdays were in Cornerian culture, but Fox had insisted the occasion was casual. Krystal wore a t-shirt, unzipped hoodie, jeans, and black boots. Finding most of Fox's clothes were now a little too big for her after her transformation, they had gone shopping. Though Fox didn't mind the new denim skirt, she regretted letting Krystal talk her into getting the black heeled boots. In Fox's hands was a gift from Cerinia she had gotten for her dad.
"Still upset about the boots?" Krystal asked, " You look good in them."
"The heels are four inches tall." Fox complained, "It's a miracle I can even walk in them."
The pair were greeted by Vixy as they walked into the house.
"Glad you could make it." Vixy told the pair, "We know how busy you were with the training."
"I haven't missed a birthday of his yet." Fox told her. She placed the present next to the presents the others had brought and began to mingle.
There were a few other guests. General Pepper was busy talking with James. Peppy was busy talking with Beltino Toad. A pink bunny Fox wasn't familiar with spotted Fox and began walking toward her.
"Hello." The bunny greeted, "My name's Lucy. You must be Fox."
"Nice to meet you." Fox replied, "This is Krystal."
"Hi." Krystal greeted.
"I hear you two were on a planet called Cerinia." Lucy told the pair, "That sounds interesting."
"I was born and raised there." Krystal explained, "We're a proud warrior culture."
"Warrior culture? I'm training to be a fighter pilot." Lucy explained.
"Me too." Krystal told her, "Fox has been training me."
"It's probably better training than we get." Lucy told Krystal.
"Probably." Fox said, "It's all about getting as many pilots trained as fast as possible. You learn to take off, land, shoot, take orders, and then you're done."
"What I wouldn't give for some one-on-one training." Lucy told Fox, "If you're not busy during the next few weeks, do you want to hang out?"
"I can make room in my schedule." Fox told her.
"It would be nice to have another Lylatian friend." Krystal added, "So far, the only females here I've gotten to know for more than a day are Fox and Fara."
"How about this Saturday?" Fox asked, "We have no training scheduled."
"Saturday works." Lucy told them, "Where should we meet up?"
"I know a few places." Fox explained, "What would you like to do?"
"Nothing, really." Lucy replied.
"How about the Great Fox?" Fox suggested.
"I've always wanted to see the famed Great Fox."
"So, Great Fox on Saturday morning. That would give us plenty of time to do whatever."
"See you then."
Lucy walked to the table and grabbed a drink. From there, she noticed their body language.
"You know they're dating, right?"
Lucy was startled by Falco's loud voice behind her.
"Dating? So, they're girls that like girls?"
"Big time." Falco told her.
"Good for them. I've met a few gay guys, but no lesbians. Hopefully neither of them are easily jealous."
"Wouldn't count on it." Falco assured her, "Fox would never jeopardize a relationship like that. No telling how Krystal would react to the wrong signal, though."
"So... have they ever... done it?"
"Maybe a few times before she began her training." Falco answered, "Though Fox is insisting on them staying completely chaste until her training is complete. It's driving Krystal crazy."
"So, why are you here?"
"Long story, but friend of James." Falco answered, "He insisted on vetting and training every member of the newly formed second Star Fox team. A few weeks later and we're on a first name basis."
"You don't have the reputation of someone who'd be on a 'first name basis' with James in a good way." Lucy pointed out.
"So I have a bit of a bad boy reputation." Falco argued, "I'm still loyal to my friends and James knows it."
"It's not the 'bad boy reputation' I was talking about." Lucy countered, "It's the 'one smart remark away from being shoved out an airlock' reputation."
"Whatever. Just remember I may be the one Fox has training you if you decide to ask for extra training."
"I'll keep that in mind." Lucy assured him.
Moments later, Fox and Krystal joined them. Krystal grabbed a can and examined it carefully.
"You pull the tab on the top to open up a hole." Fox explained. Krystal opened the can and took a sip.
"The drink burns my tongue." Krystal told Fox before taking another sip.
"Yeah, soft drinks will do that." Fox explained as she grabbed a can, "The fizziness can take some getting used to, but it makes the drink taste a lot better."
"It's a battle my tongue will win." Krystal said as she quickly finished the drink.
Before long, the guests all surrounded James as Vixy brought out the cake. Krystal counted 48 burning candles on the cake. After a quick song, James blew out the candles and the cake was moved for cutting.
"So, the cake and song..." Krystal began asking.
"The cake is for everyone to enjoy, the candles represent years in the person's life, and the song is an old Lylatian tradition that everyone knows the words to." Fox explained as Vixy handed her and Krystal pieces of cake on paper plates, "The person silently makes a wish and then tries to blow all the candles out in as few tries as possible."
Krystal ate a piece of the cake, trying to find the words to describe the unfamiliar flavor.
"The flavor is chocolate." Fox explained.
"Ceremonial chocolate bread." Krystal thought out loud before turning to Fox, "I need a loaf to commemorate the anniversary of my birth."
"I'll try to remember." Fox told her, "When is your birthday anyway?"
"Cerinians are typically born in the Spring." Krystal explained after she finished her piece of cake, "Parents try to time the conception so that the child is born during the season of birth and renewal."
Krystal gave Fox a peck on the cheek.
"That's for sharing your culture with me." Krystal told Fox. Before long, everyone was again gathering around James as Vixy handed him presents.
"It's costumary for the person to open gifts on his birthday." Fox explained, "They are supposed to be wrapped to keep the gifts a surprise."
The first gift James opened was Fox's. It was a staff similar to her own. James thanked Fox and set it aside as he was handed Peppy's gift.
"You got him a metal rod?" Falco asked.
"It's a traditional weapon that harbors some of the souls of those unfortunate enough to be slain by it." Krystal explained, "That particular one harbors three souls."
"So, you beat someone to death with it and their souls get stuck in it?" Falco asked.
"Yes." Krystal answered, "It's also a versatile tool that has many uses."
"I'm sure you found many uses." Falco remarked with a smirk.
"I can sense what you're implying." Krystal warned.
"I'm not wrong, am I?" Falco asked.
"No."
Before long, it was time for the guests to leave.
"Thanks for coming, everyone." James told the guests. Fox and Krystal left together, followed closely by Falco. As Fox and Krystal boarded their Arwing, Krystal wondered what aspects of the culture was she missing out on? She was also looking forward to meeting Lucy again on Saturday.