[TartoonHand94]

“Nnnno, I'm not...”
Pit helplessly shrugged with a sheepishly embarassed grin on his face.
“But this guy might be Schezo enough for you!”
Pit announced, gesturing and getting out of the way of the wizard behind him.

“Surprise?~”
Pit pittifully tried to play off that awkward start as if it hadn't happened.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Corrin kept himself waiting on the bed, keeping an eye out for when the Dark Wizard would arrive, and….wait, wasn’t that--!! Oh wait, that was just the angel Pit. A quiet sigh of frustration emerged from the dragon boy as he tried not to blow the cover he had.
The Rulue on the closet, on the other hand, wanted to go to Pit and punch him as she almost went out of there just to see the boy in question. She almost fell for the Red Herring! One could actually hear her grumble a bit in frustration.

Of course, once the actual Schezo came in, things could go into proper motion.

Rulue would peek through the door to check if the second call was a load of baloney, but it turned out to be not, thankfully. She’d nudge Arle. “All right, now’s good to pop out, Arle.” she said before opening the closet door and landing on the ground.

“Happy Birthday, Schezo!” she announced, flashing the Dark Wizard a smile.


Corrin would pop out of the bed soon after. “Happy Birthday, Schezo. I have a feeling you may not remember me, but I can jog your memory if necessary.”

[Mari]

Arle was, oddly enough, very patient. She was probably just following Rulue's lead, being further from the door and all. When Rulue stepped out of hiding, Arle was quick to follow. Bouncing out behind the fighting Queen, she promptly leaned out from behind the other and struck a slightly goof, if not endearing pose. A bright and excitable smile greeted Schezo from the bizarrely well dressed Arle. Knowing her as well as Schezo did, it was probably impossible to believe she'd done any of that without Rulue's help. She looked fantastic!

"Happy birthhday~! Hehe." Arle playfully greeted in tandem with Rulue, joined soon by Raffina standing up and leaning over the couch a bit. "Mmh~ Happy Birthday, Schezo." Raffina offered, making a point to be fashionably late with her delivery. She stuck out more, and it allowed for a double surprise.

[Rina]

Schezo was surprised to see that there was a birthday party just for him in the first place. He was just about to let his birthday pass by without a second thought, and just leave it as an ordinary day. Boy, he was wrong. There's Corrin, Raffina, even Rulue and Arle waited for him to show up. Slight blunder aside, Lemres is the one that helped organize this party. It isn't grandiose, but...it's better off. Let's not speak of that one tornado of a party.

"You...you all did this for me?"
	"Yep. Complete with the cake!"

As on cue, Lemres presented the centerpiece of the occasion. Creamy icing, fresh fruit, brought together on a fluffy chiffon cake. To say that Schezo is speechless is a bit of an understatement. This is the first time in ages since he even had a proper celebration.

"I've also got a surprise for you...but it ain't coming until after a bit. Wouldn't want you lookin' mopey when it shows up, alright? Your buddies got something for you."

[TartoonHand94]

“Happy Birhthday Schezo!”
Pit joined in the well-wishing, wanting nothing more to wipe that embarassing entrance from everyone's short term memory.

“That's right!~ Complete with cake and presents-”

“-And Cake?!? It's Beautiful!”
Pit nearly dropped Scezho's present to adore the cake as if it were the bride at a wedding.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Oh, they had to give their own gifts first? ...Okay then.

Corrin was the first to step up, approaching Schezo as he revealed...a scabbard? "Listen, Schezo. I...imagine you may not like my gift as much as what your friends will probably offer, since we're yet to fully acquaint ourselves, but still...I hope you accept this scabbard. It's...handmade."

Corrin wasn't joking about it being handmade. The scabbard was designed with a peculiar pattern, one that Schezo would not recognize unless he studied Hoshidan and Nohrian history somewhere in Li. It wasn't the very best in quality either, as seen by how the scabbard had some bumps and sewn off holes--but hey, the attempt was made, and it looked pretty good still? Let's just hope it'd be a good fit for the Dark Sword!

Rulue was second, and gave Schezo a necklace. That one seemed to be custom-made as well, though it wasn't nearly as imperfect as Corrin's scabbard. In fact, it...was pretty well made! The necklace was adorned with an ametyst, and it had his name imprinted on there. How endearingly adorable. "Not sure how much you enjoy these things, but...I didn't have another sword for you to experiment with, so I made this instead."

[Mari]

"W-We're doing presents first?" An anxious Arle asked no one in particular. "Oops. Hold on just a moment!" she went on to bashfully lament before scurrying back into the closet to retrieve her present. Meanwhile, Raffina approached Schezo with her own gift. Wrapped up in a bright orange box with yellow polka dots on it was a ...new pair of gloves? "They're supposed to be cut resistant. I'm not sure how they stand up to battle, but they were so comfy that I had to get them for you!" Raffina would offer. It was certainly a thoughtful gift for someone who worked with blades a lot. The gloves were likely intended more for accidental cuts than the sorts of heavy cuts you'd expect from a sword being swung at you or some type of slicing magic, but you never knew when something like that might save you a digit or two.

And then Arle burst forward from the closet with a bizarrely shaped gift. It looked like she hadn't used a box, but what the heck was it? whatever it was, it was big and bouncy--kinda like her as she skipped on over to show it to him. "I grew them myself~!" Arle remarked rather prematurely with a note of pride. Arle--what? Opening the packet would reveal a number of potted flowers, big and healthy. It was... actually a very rare gift. You couldn't buy flowers in the life sphere for the most part. It was a very long and hazardous walk to the nearest place they were grown. After all, harvest acres was a farm. They didn't grow flowers there, just crucial food! It seemed like Arle must have grown them herself, which was pretty impressive given how difficult it was take care of plants here.

...Y'know, if you were unaware of what she could do with plants and magic these days.

[Rina]

"......" "What's up, Schezo? Where's the smile on your face?"

All of these presents doesn't seem to have much of a reaction from him. Sure, the sentiment is nice, but...is that how Schezo really feels about this? There's something in the back of his mind that this entire party seemed more out of pity for him than a celebration. Lemres meant well that this was genuinely for him, heck, this was planned a month ahead because he was feeling left out and isolated from something so joyous. An awkward silence filled the air in spite of the gifts, Schezo feeling skeptical as to how to react...Schezo just glanced at everyone and their offerings, only finally speaking up after trying to comprehend why this is happening.

"....I should be happy about this, but something in my heart says this isn't without some motive or pity. How could you have known of my birthday?"

Schezo sighed...

"Lemres, and by extension everyone else in this room, tell me the truth. What do you think of me?"
"......"

Lemres fell silent for a moment. That question was really heavy, and one wrong word could just spoil this entire party for him. If he tries to soften the words, it'll come off as empty flattery. Guess he has no choice but to give him honest truth.

"Admittedly...I did end up snooping where my nose didn't belong, but that's mainly because you barely tell me anything about yourself. You're always so reclusive and hide everything as if you're fine, when you're not. Why you gotta be a lone wolf, pushing away people that worry about you? Heck, if I didn't care, this party wouldn't have happened. I set this entire party up for you because of said worry. I can't speak for everyone here, but I'm a man that doesn't see a purpose in lyin'. Take my word for it."

[TartoonHand94]

“And last but not least…”
Pit announced reaching behind his wings to take out a big cylinder shaped package.
“Tada!”
He fanfared, presenting it to Schezo like a sacred offering. Opening it up would reveal

A Bowl Arm inside!

“Pretty cool huh?” 

“See, with this, not only can you Deep Fry the Goods, like you so famously do,”
Pit insistently misquoted a call back as he explained his gift.
“But you can also dish the goods out to your friends and foes alike! It’s all a matter of how hot you charge it!”
However after his presentation, Pit opened his proud eyes to find… Schezo frowning?


“What?... what’s the matter?”
He tried to assess the disappointment.
“I Knew I should’ve gotten the Drill Arm instead…”

As Schezo explained the source of his sigh, Pit could feel the whole atmosphere sink. It wasn’t the first time someone he considered to be his friend didn’t understand why. He didn’t exactly get the chance to explain to the last guy, but maybe this time could be different. It looks like it was his turn to drop his two drachmas in.


“…Well, even though we’ve only been in like three threads together in over a year, I always thought you were pretty cool.”
Pit shrugged innocently.


“Like with your cape, and your boots and your sword and how you’re all ‘Swish swish Slash Slash! Areiado! Kaswoosh!’”
He reenacted a fond memory of fighting alongside him.
“You’re like one of the coolest allies I’ve ever had!”
_{Somewhere in the vastness of space, Shiya weeps.}

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Corrin took a moment to breathe in. Well, he asked, might as well give him the answer. The dragon boy took a moment to sit down.



"Schezo...I know this may come off as nonsensical, but...ever since we teamed up back there in the mission about the school, I have felt the need to know you better. I...would not be able to tell you why right now, but something about you reminded me of my home. Alas, this was put on hold since I had no way of contacting you...and now, I feel guilty for not managing to do so. If I knew of your emotional turmoil, perhaps I could've helped." An aside glance. "I wish to change that, however."



And then there was Rulue. The Fighting Queen looked quite...displeased with the other's assumption. Really now. Pity? Pity?? She wasn't going to waste much time going over sappy words. She folded her arms and sent her choice words at the Dark Wizard.



"Honestly, I never thought much of you at the start. You were a reliable ally and while I did get offended by some of your remarks, I really don't hold anything against you. As time went on, however, my general impression of you went from 'neutral' to pretty positive, your...peculiar flaws withstanding."

[Mari]

Arle... wasn't sure what to make of this. It seemed like such a small deal for her, showing up for someone's birthday. Did they need a reason? Thinking about it, ...she wasn't sure what she thought of Schezo! She had some very conflicted feelings about how she'd been treated in the past, butu at the same time she'd been more concerned about her own actions and less concerned with judging him. Her lack of knowledge about who Schezo was as a person beyond how he related to her was a bit jarring, now that she thought about it. "After Lemres told me it didn't take much convincing, and I couldn't just go without Raffina and Rulue~! It feels like forever since I last went to a birthday party!" Arle replied somewhat light-heartedly. ...Arle, what's wrong with your brain? You just turned 17 recently. You had your own birthday party. Regardless, she didn't dwell on that thought, moving on as if she had said nothing weird at all. "... Honestly, I don't know what to think anymore. I feel like my whole world's been turned upside down since arriving here. Everything I knew has changed and..." Arle softly began to say, trailing off for a brief moment to consider her words. "I kinda want more..! Of this." Arle finished in a thoughtful tone. While there were many things she didn't like about Li, mostly related to carnivorous monsters and a general sense of heightened danger, her relationships with her friends had unanimously gotten a lot better! In hindsight, this was a pretty good trade as far as Arle was concerned! Y'know, assuming she lived long enough to continue appreciating it.

" . . . I always find it surprising how even though we're from completely different worlds, I can relate to you in unexpected ways, Schezo. You helped me learn about forms of strength that I hadn't given enough respect. Miss Arle has the right idea, though. We came because we desired to share in your company."

[Rina]

A silence hung in the air after hearing the responses come from his guests, and it was all because he was stunned. Schezo was expecting the worst, but he didn't get that. This has esaily defied his expectations, but it was a good thing. Great, rather. He turned to the crowd, still looking stunned from what he heard.

"I...I'm touched by this. All I ever hear from my many days of wandering was ridicule, mockery, and general disdain of my very existence. Hearing all of this...I don't know how to describe it, but it feels..."
"C'mon Schezo. You've got the fuzzies don't you? You're a softie underneath that grumpiness."
"Shut up!"
"Ohohohoho~, you know it's all in good fun. Now c'mon, this cake has your name on it!"

All jest aside, Schezo seems to be much happier than he was before. He actually accepts the cake Lemres offered, and took the first bite from it...

...Is that a smile?

That's actually a smile on his face! Lemres' cakes never disappoint, and it's a surprise Schezo has taken a shine to it, even if he doesn't seem like the guy to like sweets. Looks like the cake is quite the pick-me-up he needed. Bringing a smile on someone's face with sweets brings one to him too, and it's time everyone gets a taste of it too. Lemres cut the cake in even wedges, passing them out to the guests.

"Alright everyone, it's cake time!"

[TartoonHand94]

Wow. Things were getting heavy in here. Pit didn’t think he needed much of a reason to come celebrate Schezo’s birthday, but apparently everybody else really did. A lot of their reasons were deep and ponderous in nature. Truly Schezo had forged more complex bonds with these people than he thought he did. Pit could only nod in agreement with what each said. He sort of wished he had a chance to rewrite his own speech and reread it. He sorts of wished he could read in the first place.

Pit held his breath in suspense at the silence that hung in the air, anxious for Schezo’s response.
And he deflated his cheeks in relief as Schezo’s reaction was positive. Perplexed and pensive, but positive. Things got better when the birthday boy got his first slice of cake.
Not to Pit’s surprise at all, it lifted his cheeks right up into a smile.
That was the power of cake. Pit knew that all too well.

Hey does that mean? Please let it mean…Please let it mean…

“Whoo-Hoo!”
Pit hooted in excitement. Praise Palutena! It was Cake Time!
The angel boy bounded gracefully across the party room and straight toward the beautiful pastry that awaited him, intending to claim the second slice for himself.
Who said he couldn’t fly?

“My Favourite Time of the Day!”

[TheSpatialWeeg]

With the birthday boy now in true high spirits, the group could finally go onward with the celebration.

Corrin became slightly more silent than before, while also allowing Schezo's actual friends to get a good share of the cake firsthand (assuming those were being distributed already). Bless his intentions, but that didn't help the fact that he was at a party of an ally. Despite a lowkey loneliness brewing up, he decided to pay it no mind, at least for now. Best to enjoy the party while it lasted, am I right?

Rulue meanwhile chose to do small talk with the participants she knew most, which was basically half of the people present. When she wasn't talking with Arle, she was either catching up with Schezo or just talking about beauty stuff with Raffina.

[Mari]

Arle and Raffina were both glad to see Schezo feeling a bit better after that little talk, and as far as either of them knew that feistiness was just how the boys got along. They'd both gladly accept cake, but given that Arle wasn't very fond of sugar and Raffina was on a perpetual diet that also had her avoiding sugar, among other things, they both settled on very small, modest slices. Goodness knew Pit would make sure nothing was leftover if no one else stopped him.

" . . . I hope your birthday was everything you could've hoped for, Schezo." Raffina offered.

"Maybe next time it won't have to be a surprise~!" Arle added with a little giggle of amusement.