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Coco yawned as she stretched her arms above her head, sprawling out under the covers while trying to shake the sleep from her limbs. Sunlight pours through the atelier windows in hazy streams that light up little bits of dust as they float through the air. She doesn’t fully open her eyes, at least, not yet. If it were time for lessons, someone would have come to wake her by now.
The patter of tiny feet scurrying across the ground vaguely registers in the back of her mind before something fuzzy brushes against her hand. Her eyelids flutter open to see a familiar creature blinking back at her.
“Morning, brushbuddy,” she smiled and ran her hand down its soft fur. “Were you napping in the sun? You’re so warm.”
The creature squeaked and preened under the touch, curling up into a little spiral. Coco let her eyes slip closed once more.
The peace was short-lived, as a knock on her door brought her back from the edge of sleep. She sat up in bed, startling the brushbug slightly as she swung her legs over the side. “Coming!”
When the door opened, Coco came face-to-face with Agott, her arms crossed and expression neutral. “You’re awake, good. You certainly slept in a while.”
“Is it really that late?” She giggled nervously, looking back out the window. “Sorry, guess I didn’t sleep so well.”
Agott sighed and shook her head. “Don’t apologize. It’s not as though you’ve missed anything.” She nodded towards the direction of the kitchen. “Get dressed, then follow me. The others are already up.”
Coco made quick work of getting herself ready, brushing her hair and changing out of her nightclothes before trailing behind Agott until they made it to the kitchen. Inside the small room, the other four hurried around. Qifrey was hunched over a bowl with Olruggio at his side. Richeh set the table while Tetia stood on a chair, palm quire in one hand and pen in the other.
As Tetia quickly drew a spell, a small ball of light floated into the air, joining a group of others. In fact, Coco saw that the ceiling was sparkling with tiny lights. Richeh finished laying out silverware when she spotted Coco and turned to get Qifrey’s attention. “Professor, she’s awake.”
Qifrey perked up and set down the spoon he was using to stir, making his way over to Coco and resting a hand on her shoulder. “Good morning, did you sleep well? You were beginning to worry us.”
“I’m sorry, Professor, I was really tired today.” She blushed and looked down. He squeezed her shoulder affectionately as he guided her deeper into the kitchen.
“No sorry is needed. A young girl ought to be able to rest if she wishes on her special day.”
Coco blinked as she took a seat at the table. What special day?
Tetia jumped down from the chair she had been perched on and slipped her palm quire back into her pocket. She hurried over to Coco and pointed up at the lights. “Do you like them? Master Olruggio showed me how to make them twinkle!”
“It’s not a very practical spell, but I suppose it comes in handy, at least for aesthetic purposes.” Olruggio nodded his approval from across the room before turning back to the pan he was preparing.
Coco smiled as she watched the lights flicker and sparkle, gliding across the air and floating around like little stars. “They’re beautiful, you did amazing, Tetia.”
Tetia beamed and took a seat next to her. Agott and Richeh took their seats as well, and Qifrey brought over a few plates. “I’ve made some simple porridge for breakfast, but do be sure to save some room for cake,” he winked. “I wouldn’t want anyone spoiling their appetite.”
Richeh, Agott, and Tetia all began to eat, but Coco just looked around. “Cake? What for?”
All movement in the room paused, gazes turning to look at her. Olruggio exhaled and shook his head. “Of all people to forget, hm?”
Qifrey knelt down next to Coco, his gaze softening slightly. “Coco, you are aware of what day it is, yes?”
She thought about it for a moment, hand resting on her chin. It had been a long few days of studying, and honestly, the days had started to blend together. It was still spring, nearly summer now…
It suddenly clicked in the back of her mind. May 25th.
It was her birthday.
“Don’t tell me you really forgot! Birthdays are super special!” Tetia frowned.
Coco looked down at her hands. Birthdays were supposed to be special. They’re a time to celebrate with loved ones and look back at the year you’ve had. But this year, things had changed so much. She’d come to the Atelier, passed her first test, and started her journey to become a witch. She’d met so many wonderful people and learned so many amazing things, but….
Her hands began to tremble slightly. Her mother loved to dote on her every single birthday. They’d spend the whole day together, having cake and reminiscing about times past and what was to come. It was a very special time.
Just when would be the next chance she’d get to spend a birthday with her mom? How old would she be then? How many candles would she blow out without her?
Tears began to well in her eyes. The more she thought about it, the more terribly it stung. She stood abruptly from the table and dashed back towards her room.
“Coco,” Qifrey called after, but Olruggio put a hand on his shoulder. “Give her a second. I was afraid this might happen…”
~~~
Coco hid under the covers, weeping softly into her pillow as brushbuddy kept her company at her side. The door clicked open as Qifrey stepped inside and sat on the very edge of her bed. “I’m very sorry if we upset you,” He said softly, “it was never my intention to cause you distress.”
Coco poked her head out and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “No, I know you didn't mean to. I’m sorry I ran off when everyone was trying to do something nice for me.”
Qifrey frowned and rubbed her head. “Please don’t say you’re sorry for your feelings. I should have known better. I can only imagine what you must be going through right now.”
She leaned into his hand, seeking comfort the way she did so many times with her mother. If she closed her eyes, it didn't feel so different. Qifrey knew in the back of his mind who she pretended he was, and that was alright. If he could provide her with that same sense of safety, that was more than enough.
“I cannot undo what has been done. At least, not at this time,” He whispered mournfully. “But I do want to offer you a small bit of joy. You deserve to feel warmth, even amidst tragedy. If you’ll allow us to, we want to be here. But if you need more time, that’s alright too.”
Coco sniffled as she cried quietly, climbing across her bed to curl up against his side. Qifrey slipped her arm around her shoulder and began to softly hum. It was a familiar melody, an old folk song parents sang to children on their birthdays.
She closed her eyes again and let him sing her to sleep.
~~~
When Coco woke up, the sun had already passed the midpoint in the sky. Qifrey hadn’t moved from his spot. He smiled softly when he noticed she was stirring. “Did you sleep well?”
Coco nodded and sat up slowly. “Sorry to make you hold still. You could have gotten up.”
“Nonsense. I didn’t want to wake you. Besides, it’s the least I could have done.” Qifrey shook his head. He stood and stretched out his sleeping limbs. “How are you feeling?”
She took a second to think about it. She was still a bit sad, but felt better after a good cry and a logn nap. She rubbed her eyes and smiled softly. “A little bit better.” She stood from bed herself and brushed out the wrinkles from her clothes. “Master Qifrey…?”
Qifrey turned to face her and raised his eyebrows. “Yes? “
“If it’s okay…is it not too late to celebrate my birthday with everyone?” Coco wrung her hands nervously. Qifrey blinked and smiled warmly.
“Never too late. It’s still your birthday after all. Are you sure you’re feeling up to it?”
Coco nodded and began to walk towards her door. “I’m still a little upset, but at the same time…I know my mom would be sad if she knew I didn’t celebrate. She always made it feel so important.” She rested her hand on the doorknob, but pulled back. “And it's not only that. Agott, Richeh, and Tetia have all been so kind to me. You and master Olruggio took me in when I knew my memory should have been erased, and I’m so grateful. I want to celebrate…if not for me then for the year I spent with all of you.”
Qifrey smiled and put a hand on his shoulder, the other reaching out and taking the doorknob. “Always thinking of others.” He chuckled and turned the knob. “Well, we want to celebrate you too.”
~~~
Back in the kitchen, a cake waited in the center of the table, resting on a plate with a seal engraved on the bottom. Olruggio was drinking a cup of tea at the kitchen counter when they walked in. “You’re back.”
“Where have the others gone off to?” Qifrey looked around the kitchen as he approached his friend. Olruggio smirked. “Oh, they’re around.”
“Your seal is too small.”
“Then you draw it, I’ve drawn it five times now!”
“Are you sure that's the right sigil?’
“We’re about to find out.”
Light came from the corner where the other three girls were huddled together, but it quickly disappeared.
“It works!”
‘Shh! She’s right there!”
Tetia poked her head up from the group and waved before ducking back down. Olruggio sighed and shook his head. “They had all week to make that, and decided to change things at the last second.”
“Oh? Did you have a hand in their little scheme?” Qifrey teased. “If it’s a contraption they’re making, I have no doubt you were an accomplice.”
“I won’t take any credit.” Olruggio shook his head. “But you’ll see soon enough.”
Tetia and Richeh hurried over, the pink-haired girl looking her up and down. “How do you feel? Are you alright?”
Coco smiled and nodded. “I am, thank you. What are you making?”
“Thank you for your thanks! It’s a surprise. C’mon, Master Olruggio finished the cake while you were sleeping! It smells so good.” Tetia took her hand and dragged her back to the table.
They took their seats, and Olruggio lifted the cover from over the cake. Despite it being much later than when it was baked, it still smelled fresh out of the oven. Tetia clapped and eagerly, and Qifrey turned to Olruggio. “Olly, would you do the honors?”
The bearded man grunted and drew a quick spell, a tiny flame appearing and hovering just over the cake. Coco watched with wide eyes. “A pyre ball?”
“A weak one, easy to blow out,” Olruggio explained. “Customary for a witch's birthday. Though I take it you're used to candles with wax and wick.”
She nodded and admired the faint glow of the pyreball. Agott soon joined them at the table, sitting beside Coco. “Well? Go on then and make your wish.”
Coco paused to think about it. When she was little, she spent so many birthdays wishing for magic. Now that she had it, well…
She looked around at the group of people she’d come to call her family. She missed her mom, but somehow she didn’t feel so alone. She closed her eyes and made a wish.
~~~
Cake was sliced and eaten, and idle chatter filled the room with warmth. Coco giggled at her professor's stories and pored over ideas for spells with her peers. Soon enough, Qifrey clapped his hands together.
“Alright, if you don’t mind, Olruggio and I have prepared a present for you.” He grinned and turned to retrieve something. When he returned, he was holding a small stone. She inspected it and took it into her hands. “Go ahead and press on it,” Qifrey chuckled
As Coco pressed on the stone, it began to glow. “Same contraption as the ones in town,” Olruggio grunted. “The ones you said you liked. It glows for a bit longer than when you press it, so you can use it as a sort of desk lamp for late-night studies.”
“That's not all,” Qifrey squeezed her shoulder. “Olruggio proposed we add a small path of them leading up to your desk. Something to brighten up your space a bit.”
Coco hugged the glowing stone to her chest, “I love it, thank you so much.”
“Our turn!” Tetia chirped. She nodded to Agott, who pulled out a small box from behind her back. Coco set down the stone and accepted the gift.
“Open it,” Richeh prompted. She nodded and slowly opened the box.
As soon as she did, soft music began to play, and tiny lights began floating out of the box. She watched, entranced. It wasn’t just the sparkly sight that had her captivated. The song that was playing…it was the same one Qifrey had hummed to her earlier. The very same one her mom would sing to her every year. There, in the palms of her hands, was a little piece of her mother's love.
She began to tear up as she held it close. The combination of two things she so adored, magic and her mother's memory, came together as one. “It’s so beautiful.”
“It was Agott’s idea, but master Olruggio helped us get it right!” Tetia announced proudly, Richeh nodded in agreement, and Agott flushed.
“You didn’t have to tell her that.”
“Oh come on! Don’t get all embarrassed, it was sweet!”
Coco smiled gently. This kind magic…of course, it was Agott’s idea. She turned to the five of them with tears still prickling her eyes. “Thank you, all of you.”
~~~
It was late, and Coco sat at her desk, listening to the song from the music box and humming under her breath with the tune. The door creaked open, and Agott stepped inside, tiles lighting up where she stepped.
“They certainly made quick work of their promise. Just how many of these tiles have been replaced?” She mumbled as she approached her own desk. Coco looked up from the music box to face her.
“Yeah, they really did.” She giggled. “I think it’s nice. Certainly makes it easier to see in the dark.”
Coco approached Agott's desk, hands clasped behind her back. “Hey…thank you for what you did. I’ll treasure it forever. I mean it.”
Agott’s cheeks turned a faint shade of red. “Tetia was exaggerating. We all worked on that. No need to thank me specifically.”
“But it was your idea. You thought of something so kind…I would have known it was your magic even if she hadn’t told me.” Coco smiled. “Thank you.”
A sigh passed Agott’s lips as she looked up from her work. “It’s just a music box, and you’re acting as if I’ve gone and hung the stars for you.”
“It’s more than that, and you know it.”
Agott paused, then blushed even deeper. “You’re reading into things too much.”
“Maybe so.” She grinned and went back to her own desk, a slight yawn coming from the back of her throat. “I think I’ll head to bed now. Goodnight, Agott.”
“Goodnight.” She replied without looking up.
As soon as the door to Coco’s room had shut and the light from the tiles had faded, Agott allowed herself to look in her desk drawer. She pulled out pages upon pages of draft spells, the very same ones engraved into the music box. She sighed and slipped them into the bin beneath her desk.
“Happy birthday, Coco.”