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Leonard was looking at the calendar on the wall, his feet on his desk as he rocked himself on the hind legs of the chair. His thoughts occupied with a day that would soon arrive, 4th of March, Klein's Birthday.
He learnt about his birthday during the funeral as the dates of birth and death are engraved on the tombstone. He couldn't help but grimace at that memory, but it's also part of the reason why he wants to do something special for Klein's birthday.
"What are you thinking about so hard?"
"Oh shiiaahhhhh!!!! Oef!"
The sudden voice right by his ear gave him a scare and made him lose his balance, causing him to fall. Looking up he glared at the grinning perpetrator of his current anguish, and decided He'd make a good messenger.
"Amon, you know that Klein advocates equivalent exchange right?"
Amon really wanted to steal Leonard's thoughts at that moment but didn't want to risk angering His Mother.
"Yes…"
Leonard stood up and dusted himself off. "So in exchange for giving me a scare, why don't you help me with a little project?"
"Oh?" Amon adjusted his monocle, a sly smirk on his lips.
"I want to do something for Klein's birthday, but I need someone to play messenger to organise things between all the club members without giving away who started this."
"Say no more, I'm in."
~~
Klein was enjoying a peaceful morning in his manor as Dwayne Dantes. As it is his birthday, both as Klein Moretti and as Zhou Mingrui, he decided not to do anything and just relax for a day.
Unfortunately his peace was interrupted by a prayer.
Hoping to get it over quickly, he did not go to the bathroom, merely closed the curtains and put up a spiritual barrier before heading above the grey fog. He was sure that if anything were to happen, it'll be quickly dealt with by his sons who were in the area.
Once in Sefirah Castle he called forth the pulsing star and saw Alger was doing a sacrificial ritual. I don't remember him selling anything that needs my help to be sent.
"Honourable Mr Fool, I hope on this gracious day that you would accept this gift of mine. The liqueurs are known to be rich in flavour and on the sweater side."
Gift? This feels a bit coincidental… But still, it would be rude not to accept it. With that in mind, he accepted the offer and decided to send an Angel's Embrace as thanks.
There was quite a few bottles, and they all looked rather exotic. He was willing to admit that he was rather curious as to how they tasted and how it would compare to rice wine or vodka, maybe he can save it to share with Grisha.
Just as he was about to leave, another prayer came through, this time from Audrey.
"Honourable Mr Fool, I hope that on this wonderful day that you would accept my gift! It's a selection of some of my favourite sweets and wines, I hope you will like them too!"
Again, he accepted the sacrifice and again he sent an Angel's Embrace as thanks. And again afterwards he received a new prayer.
"Honourable Mr Fool, please accept this sacrifice of Black Faced Grass, bread and mushrooms. It's not much, but I hope you like it!"
And again.
"Honourable Mr Fool, please accept this Desi Pie…"
And again.
"Honourable Mr Fool, please accept…"
And again.
"Honourable Mr Fool…"
Finally when he thought it was finally done he received another, but this time three voice spoke the prayer together.
"Honourable Mr Fool, I hope you have a great birthday Klein, hope you like the food I've selected for you."
"Mother, I hope you enjoy the cake I had gotten for you. It's made by the best baker in Feynapotter. Happy birthday Mother."
"Happy birthday Mom! I went around Intis and gotten some of the spiciest dishes I could find."
"Please accept this sacrifice." The three of them finished together.
Klein blinked at the scene before smiling. Despite all that's going on, he still had people around him who cared and remembered the little things, and now he also knew who was responsible for his entire bronze table overflowing with food.
With a chuckle he reached out and accepted the sacrificed food. And just like the with the other he gave each of them an Angel's Embrace blessing.
He sat there looking at the full table, even though he's becoming a mythical creature, he isn't capable of eating all that food, and he didn't want to risk it rotting and sinking up the place.
"It wouldn't feel right just giving it all away, and I don't want it to go to waste… that would be a waste of money and food."
After a few moments of contemplating he got an idea, "I don't have to be the only one to eat all this."
Calling all the stars together he told them to prepare for a gathering in half an hour's time. This gave him enough time to make sure he wouldn't be disturbed in the living world and to make a few changes around the fog.
~~
Audrey, much like everyone else in the Tarot Club thought that something must've happened for there to suddenly be a meeting. And just like everyone else she was shocked at the changes in the fog.
The main structure, beautiful, ancient and giant, was still there as well as the fog that covered everything and Mr Fool's throne. What wasn't there though was the molted bronze table and their chairs.
Instead around the room was several couches scattered around with smaller tables filled with food, drink and deserts, and she easily spotted her sacrifice split between them. Looking around some more, she finally spotted Mr Fool standing by a balcony of sorts, and through the fog covering Him she noticed that He was wearing something red.
"Good Afternoon Mr Fool!"
Her greeting drew everyone's attention away from their inspection of their changed surroundings as they too offered greetings.
"Why don't you all come over here."
A few traded glances between them, but they all obeyed the instruction none the less. When Audrey finally stepped onto the large balcony still covered with fog could help but gasp at the sight. And she was not the only one.
Klein, when he tried to make changes to the Castle couldn't fully change everything yet, he did not have enough control just yet, but he did create this balcony and the illusionary scene beyond.
"Mr Fool, what is this?"
Klein glanced at Alger before looking back at the scene of the Zhangjiajie.
"Stunning isn't it? This is what a part of the Western continent looks like, or at least what it used to before I fell asleep."
"Mother?"
"Yes Adam?"
"Why is the moon silver?"
Hearing that question everyone looked up at the night sky that's part of the illusion.
"It's what the moon is supposed to look like, only appearing red during events known as a Lunar eclipse."
"Is this why Father never liked the moon?"
It was easy to tell Emlyn was offended by Amon's question, so he answered quickly before the Sanguine could say anything. "He doesn't like the Deity that has corrupted the moon, not the moon itself, nor Lilith, Emlyn."
He turned to look at all of them.
"Now I am quite sure you are all wondering why I gathered you here today." Klein didn't hold back the chuckle at finally getting to use that meme in person, even though it wasn't in a elevator.
"One of you it seems was rather sly."
Though it didn't look like he was looking at someone in particular, Leonard could tell Klein's eyes was on him. The rest of the tarot club subtly glanced between them wonder who among them was the culprit this time.
"How am I supposed to eat all these wonderful treats you all sacrificed to me today of all days?"
A few were starting to shift uncomfortably, Cattleya and Fors in particular were worried that they've been dragged into some unsavoury prank by Amon, but Audrey could tell Mr Fool was amused, happy even.
"Come, lets feast and enjoy ourselves. Birthdays are meant to be spent with one's closest after all." With that he walked in and headed to the table filled with deserts.
But despite that, no one followed immediately except Adam, Amon and Leonard. If anyone asks, he was planning on blaming it all on Amon, and seeing Amon adjust His monocle, Leonard was sure the Angel knew of his thoughts.
The rest however had only one though on their mind, 'Birthday?'
Derrick was the first to snap out of the stupor, jogging to catch up and yelled out, "Happy Birthday Mr Fool!"
Soon everyone else followed giving their own birthday wishes.
It was a relaxing and calm affair, after putting a plate together for himself, and a secret second one for Grisha because Klein was sure his simp would be waking up again today, he sat on the throne. A small side table appeared next to it for his plate and glass of alcohol from those that Alger gifted him.
He slowly leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes with a smile, simply listening to the Tarot Club mingling and enjoying themselves. After a while he heard someone approaching him and opened his eyes to see Leonard walking over, glass of red wine in hand.
"Mr Star."
Things had gone a bit quiet as everyone turned their attention to Leonard who was the first to their God.
"Mr Fool, I hope you don't mind me asking, but how old are you today?"
Every was quiet now, not so subtly listening in anticipation. Klein himself was shocked quiet too.
Dear poet, hasn't anyone ever told you not to ask a women their age? Though he has a point, just how old am I? I mean as Klein I must be 24 now? And as Zhou Mingrui I transmigrated at the age of 25, but what about the time in-between?
Klein sat up straight, and ignoring everyone else, started seriously counting and working out how old he is, even using his fingers to keep track.
Eventually he even started muttering in Chinese trying to organise a timeline based on what he knew of history but came to a dead end when he realised that he didn't know the exact time that passed between his transmigration and the first epoch. It could have been months, years or even centuries.
"Old," he finally said with a sigh, "I am old. The ancient Gods you know of came into existence roughly 7000 years ago and that was after I fell asleep. For reference the Ancient Sun God awoke from His slumber roughly 5000 years ago. So simply put, I am Old."
Amon fluttered over in his crow form, landing on the back of the throne. "Of course you're old Mother, how else are you going to be a Great Old One~"
"Brat." Klein glanced up at the crow who simply hopped to a higher point in the throne's back.
"Mr Fool, what's a-" Cattleya, emboldened by Leonard's courage to approach Mr Fool wanted to ask what a Great Old One is but was stopped when Mr Fool raised his hand.
"This is knowledge capable of corrupting even Angels if they are not prepared. And Amon is well aware of that little fact."
There rest of the gathering was peaceful, some others decided to ask Mr Fool some nonsensical questions, and they got to know either other better. All-in-all it was a very good time.
After the gathering was over and everyone was sent back safely, the prayer he was expecting finally came, his Grisha had awoken. After a quick bestowment ritual he headed to the Corpse Cathedral with plate in hand and a bottle of alcohol that was similar to vodka.
When he walked into the room, Grisha was not in the bed nor sitting on one of the couches but Klein wasn't worried as his intuition already warned him Grisha was hiding behind the door and planning on hugging him from behind.
When he felt the arms wrap around him he easily leaned back onto the embrace.
"Aren't you worried that I might've been someone else, my Fairy?" The question whispered into his ear was followed by a light kiss right underneath it.
"Never doubt a clown's intuition." He turned slightly to look at Grisha and was rewarded with the man cupping his cheek and giving him a proper kiss on the lips.
"Happy Birthday Zhou Mingrui."
Klein leaned further into Grisha, "Hhhmmm, a happy birthday indeed."
"Once I've fully recovered I'll create something very special for you."
Klein chuckled at that knowing full well Grisha meant it. With little effort he slipped out of the hold and walked over to the coffee table setting the food and drink he'd brought along down.
"Then how about in the meantime you come over here and cuddle me while I tell you about my day and what my conspiring friend and our sons decided to do." While he was talking he lit the fireplace with a snap of his fingers.
Grisha followed the instruction easy and sat down on the couch opening his arms in invitation. "What have our sons and your friends done on this special day?"
Klein sat down and leaned with his full weight against Grisha, practically melting as he allowed himself to fully relax with his bones softened. Once comfortable and surrounded by Grisha's warmth, he started telling him about the wonderful birthday he's had.