Chapter Text
Seven A.M. An alarm clock resting on Star’s bedrest opened up, and a perch holding a tiny bird extended out from the doorway. The bird inhaled before letting out an ear-splitting screech.
Star’s eyes snapped open, and remembering why she bothered to set an alarm, she grinned and leapt out of bed. She twirled over to her dresser to pick out a clean, crisp, blue dress. After coordinating a decent outfit, she grabbed her wand off the dresser and skipped to the door.
Marco, who was still drowsy from just waking up, nearly got toppled over by Star as she brushed past him in the hallway leading to their breakfast.
“Woagh!” Marco yelped as he braced himself on the stone wall.
“Sorry, Marco!” Star chirped, already dashing away.
“What’s got you so...awake?” Marco wondered aloud, but Star was already out of earshot. He sighed.
Once everyone was seated at the breakfast table, everyone was around to notice Star’s unusual alertness. The only person who didn’t seem to pick up on it was Glossaryck, who was in a high-chair being fed creamed corn by a reluctant royal servant.
“Have some sort of exciting plans for the day, Star?” Queen Moon asked as she delicately cut up a corn muffin with a knife and fork.
“Oh, mnot muchf,” Star replied with a smug expression, muffin crumbs spilling from her mouth before swallowing. “Just gonna spend the day with Tom.” Marco, who was sipping on a glass of milk, paused mid-sip to shoot a glance at Star, eyebrow raised.
King River stifled a belch. “You spend plenty of days with Tom without being this happy to be up almost before the Sun.”
“I have a fun date idea planned out.”
“My daughter? With a plan? Haha!” The King bellowed.
A blob of creamed corn splattered onto his face from across the table. “Globgore!” Glossaryck barked. Star giggled as her father wiped off his face with his sleeve.
“You never told me about this ‘fun date idea’,” said Marco. “Do I need to get ready for something crazy? I can get a fireproof vest—”
“Marco,” Star said.
“What?”
“I don’t think you should come with us.”
Marco looked hurt, but took a moment to think of a response. “Isn’t it part of my duty as your Squire to tag along and make sure you’re okay?”
“I guess, but...after what happened between you and Tom at the Stump Day Party...I don’t want things to get awkward.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Marco said as he sullenly poked his breakfast with a fork.
“Besides, I can take care of myself. Think of this as...an off-day from Squire-ly duties.”
“Okay,” Marco said. A heavy pause settled onto the dining table.
“This cooking is really quite remarkable, isn’t it, Dear?!” the King exclaimed, nudging the Queen with his elbow.
Another ball of creamed corn struck him. “Globgore!”
*~*~*
Marco stared himself down in the bathroom mirror as he brushed his teeth. What was he supposed to do with an “off-day?”
He retreated to his room and sat on his bed, practically ignoring the lazer puppies that were delighted to see him. He propped his head up with his arms and tapped a finger on his chin in thought. His gaze wandered around the room until it landed on a short, wide box wrapped in wrapping paper decorated with little stumps.
Marco’s expression lightened. He must’ve forgotten a Stump Day present. After walking over to the box, he lifted up its tag. “Our Condolences for your Near-Death Experience. From: The Butterfly Family.” The penmanship wasn’t Star’s, so for all he knew, a servant could have signed it, but the gesture was kind nonetheless.
He tore off the wrapping paper to reveal a box advertising the mirror packed inside. It was a communication mirror, like the one in Star’s room, but from the box alone he could tell it was smaller than hers. It was rectangular with a maroon frame of swirly gingerbread.
A half hour of interior decorating later, he had the mirror up on his wall, ready to go. He sat cross-legged on the floor, admiring his work as the lazer puppies pounced on him to finally get attention. Marco smiled as the puppies yipped and licked his face.
His boredom returned as he realized his “off-day” had barely even started. However, an obvious option eventually hit him.
“Hey, uh, mirror!” he said, standing up from his floor. “Call Kelly.”
“Calling Kelly,” the mirror stated with a calm masculine voice and text on the shiny surface. Soon, an image of Kelly running a giant brush through her bushy, turquoise hair appeared. She flinched as she noticed the mirror, but smiled as she saw it was just Marco.
“Oh, hey! What’s up, Marco?”
“Uh...do you like burritos?”