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Filbo’s first memory he could remember was of his third birthday. He couldn’t remember much; he just turned three after all, but what he could remember was nothing short of nostalgic.
His parents smiled as they brought out what looked to be a chocolate cake, setting it in front of him with three blue candles, their little flames producing little wisps of smoke and filling his nose with the smell of wax.
“Blow them out!” His mum had said, laying her paw on his shoulder in encouragement. “Remember to make a wish!” He looked up at her with a big grin, before closing his eyes and blowing out the candles, wishes of happiness and days spent with his family being the only thing on his mind at the time.
The memory ended there.
How he wished he could go back to those times, especially right now. The silence of Snaxburg was all he had, now. He hated it.
“Happy birthday, me…” He sighed, slumping forward as the embers of the fire slowly died out. “What are you wishing for this year?” Again, no one answered him. It had been that way for the past month.
Snaxburg was dead, with himself being the sole resident. He always tried to keep an optimistic view on life, even during some of the darker times it threw at you, and it was practically his staple to cheer everyone up during a hard time. He believed that happiness brought out the best in grumps and let them become someone they could be proud of.
But he didn’t feel like his best self right now. He hadn’t for a long time. How could he, when he was all alone in a ghost town with everyone leaving him since he wasn't good at his job? No wonder everyone left, considering how much of a failure he was.
What did Lizbert see in him? Why did she bring him along to Snaktooth and make him deputy mayor of a small group? Was she trying to set him up for failure?
As quick as that last question came, he forced it out, shaking his head quickly. She wouldn’t do that to him, she wasn’t cruel. This wasn’t her fault, after all., it was his. He couldn’t live up to her expectations, and everyone hated each other because of it. Everyone hated him .
He sighed again, choking up a bit as his eyes blurred. Why couldn’t he just be good at things for once? He was always the screwup, always pitied by those like Lizbert, looked down upon like Beffica always did, disregarded as useless as Wambus had said.
“I wish… I wish Lizbert were here.” He whispered, watching as the last sparks of the fire died out.
He looked up to the night sky, the full moon encompassing his vision. He had to be better, for everyone's sake. He had to find her.
He had to find Lizbert to bring everyone back. If she were here, then everyone would be happy, and things would go back to normal. That was what they wanted, after all. Lizbert could lead them again and everyone would get along, while he pretended he was useful.
At least then, he’d be able to fall back on her if things went south.
“Happy birthday to me…” He sang, tears flowing down his face. “Hope you have a great day…”