Rifts

Part 15~Birthday

Yawning, Marco sat up. The snow fell outside, coating the land in cold colour. Star stood by the window, creating a smiley face on the glass.

"Good evening, everyone." King Butterfly held up his stump day mug with a broad grin. "Please gather round."

Star squealed in delight, charging to the Stump Marco and Solar were sitting on and knocking Solar off his place. Marco quickly grabbed him, catching him and pulling him closer.

"Today, we pay thanks to the roots of our kingdom! To the Stump!" The people in the castle cheered with the king but none more than Star.

"Tell us the story of stump day, uncle River,' the small Butterfly begged with his toy stump in hand.

River laughed. "You don't tell me what to do. Now let me tell you the story of the first stump day. Centuries ago, a small band of explorers crashed their ships on Mewni. After weeks of travelling, they began to get on each other's nerves."

Star screamed, attaching herself to Tom's side as he rolled his eyes.

"They planned to go their separate ways, but suddenly, a blizzard struck. And the crew was forced to survive by huddling together around a giant tree stump to keep warm and share supplies. They forged a lasting bond that day and decided not to split up. To commemorate the occasion, they carved their initials on the Stump, and the kingdom of Mewni was born! That is why we come together and honour the Stump through our friendships for 24 hours or else."

Marco blinked, looking at Solar in confusion. "Or else?"

"Thank you, everyone, for making this a stump day to remember!"

The little Butterfly squealed, turning to the black-haired girl beside him. "Do you think the Stump will visit me tonight?"

"Come on. Only babies believe in the Stump."

"Oh, don't listen to her." Star shot forward, wrapping her arms around them both. "I know the Stump is real, and if you've been good, the Stump will never visit." Star winked before getting up and hugging her parents. "Happy Stump day, mum and dad. Happy stump day, Marco." Star hugged Marco as he pushed her away. "Happy Stump Day, everyone."

"You really like this stuff, huh?" Marco glanced around in confusion.

"Oh, you've seen nothing yet. Starship gets like this every year." Tom chuckled as Star nodded excitedly.

"This is my favourite holiday. It is so special."

"Really? I get not angering the Stump- we are not doing that again-" Marco paused as Solar and Moc hummed- "but I don't get why it's so special."

"Come on Marco. Don't you find anything about this day special?"

"The origins."

Tom chuckled, shaking his head. "Give up, Star. Marco doesn't do special occasions. He won't even let us celebrate his birthday."

"He what?! But you love birthdays, Marco."

"I guess I just don't like them anymore. Besides, it's hard to tell how old I am these days, so I never think about it. And what are we gonna do here? Have a lead we found. We don't have any money." Marco shrugged, turning to Moc and Solar.

Moc nodded. "I don't even know my birthday. Before I left the orphanage, we used the day I was abandoned to mark my birthday. It wasn't exactly a day I enjoyed."

"Yeah. Birthdays in the orphanage were more a, 'oh, shit, you're still alive. Here, have a slightly more in-date, out-of-date nut bar' kind of event." Solar snickered to himself as Star took a deep breath, staring at the duo.