{ Worst Birthday Ever }
In the seaside city of Bodhum.
Three years ago.
Crowded boulevards in Bodhum; from the open air shopping arcade to the shoreline of its coast, sightseers were gathering, hoping to catch a glimpse of the oracular fireworks. Said to cast an air of the divine to onlookers, wishes made under that night’s sky would be anything but granted. Not a man alive knew what fate befell a glimmering sky.
It was a time of hectic peace. Team NORA was hospitable to Bodhum’s sudden surge in tourism. Business was booming at their restaurant. Lebreau entertained her guests with the attentiveness she was famous for; word was spreading on the street of her café and on a night like this, they were running out of seating to accommodate such a rally. The fireworks went off with a bang. Snow was notably absent, probably looking for a last minute gift for his future sister-in-law; he shirked his shift, not without one small request of the already overwhelmed barista.
A few days before business picked up, it would have been easy. “So you want me to make her a cake?” Despite the ease of the request, there was still a small hurdle in the plan. Lebreau’s eyes traveled up slowly to meet Snow’s. Her cynical expression emanated from her scowling brows to the bridge of her nose; her hips tilted as she raised a hand in contempt. “Do you even know what kind of food she likes?”
“Chocolate! Everyone likes chocolate!” She recalled him saying.
“As usual, you don’t have a plan, do you?” A voice she quickly recognized as her own shot the brunette back into the present.
“What did you say??” One very pushy customer hollered over the sound of gunpowder booms, taking his drink in a snap of his wrist. “I have plenty of plans for tonight!!”
“You go ahead and do that, sir! Have a great time!” Lebreau called out as the snippy young man took his leave.
Bodhum's fireworks concluded as all the wishes filled the last burning light. At that point, the barista turned over the welcoming sign and shut down the kitchen. NORA café was closed.
The following day was quiet. Lebreau could count the number of visitors on one hand. She asked Yuj to take over the afternoon shift while she put some last minute finishing touches on the cake. She placed it inside of a citron-colored box; the thoughtful bartender also snatched a bottle of champagne from the café before she took off to deliver it in person.
Nearing the pod-like Farron household, she stopped short; noticing a girl running away from it. She recognized Serah as soon as she bumped and almost toppled Lebreau. “Whoa! Wait, where are you going?” She tried to stop the rosette without avail. She couldn’t tell why Serah was crying. Snow followed, and she knew more than anyone, he would be able to help her. Lebreau held back any speculations, but a nervous gulp burned in her throat as she opened Lightning’s door.
The sergeant’s back was turned and Lebreau decidedly let herself in. “I’ve got a special delivery! Happy Birthday Light!”
Nothing moved in that small dining room.
“Something tells me a drink might help?” She thanked her bartender instincts and waited for the birthday girl to stir.