So it is done

What's next?

The hours Jonathan had set aside passed as inexorably as they always did. As the clock struck five o'clock in the evening, Jonathan was bundled into a prepared car and was driven into a restaurant that was already fully booked for the evening. There would be no other guests than the king and his family, and close friends.

Not because he was expecting to fill the whole restaurant with his guests, but simply out of a necessity for safety.

Besides, with all due respect, Jonathan didn't plan on jostling elbows with the other customers, the number of scrolls aimed his way would destroy any hint of celebration the first time someone forgot to shut off their flash.

So upon arriving at the restaurant, naturally, Jonathan was instantly greeted by Cinder, with Neo standing over her shoulder, flanked by a couple of RATS agents in civilian clothes. Cinder immediately greeted him as soon as he got off the limousine.

"Happy Birthday, Jonathan," Cinder said instantly before Jonathan could say anything.

"How are you feeling?"

Neo appeared behind Cinder's back and jabbed a finger in Cinder's direction as if to wordlessly say 'Yes what she said, and I also want to know how you are', making Jonathan grin slightly in response.

"Good. I'm good." Jonathan answered with a nod before taking a step forward, wordlessly stepping between his two daughters... Foster daughters, Cinder's insistence on adding that prefix, had become very necessary recently.

"Had the Belladonnas arrived yet?"

"No, but they should be arriving any minute now." Taking her position at Jonathan's right with ease and naturalness, as if it was her only possible place in the world. Cinder matched Jonathan's stride, leaving Neo to take Jonathan's left side a few moments later, shaking her head all the while at her sister's antics.

"The waiters have put out the hors d'oeuvres and apéritifs, there are alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to choose from, so if you're hungry or thirsty..."

"No, I had a little snack before coming here, I could wait." Jonathan answered Cinder as he made his way to the entrance of the restaurant. As he did, he noticed how one of the men in a waiter's uniform, who was probably the waiter at the party, was looking at each dish with a keen eye. Clearly, the waiter was probably also a RATS agent, assigned to keep Jonathan safe at the moment.

Not that Jonathan could even name anyone that could be his enemy right now. Less of all, someone powerful and influential enough, or perhaps suicidal would be the more fitting? That would try to poison him on his birthday. Even Ozpin had changed his stance from being confrontational to something closer to cautious co-operation as the years had passed.

But still, that was no reason to relax.

What did Jonathan care if the poison slipped into his food was the result of the machinations of his opponents or the accidental mistake of a cook mistaking one bottle for another, if it still resulted in Jonathan being poisoned? So, having someone watching the food preparation is paramount on either occasion.

Once inside the restaurant, Jonathan glanced around at the long tables, laid and prepared even when there would be no one that would sit there, all done solely to avoid leaving empty space in. The RATS agents were also to receive their portion of the celebratory dinner, but only well after the main event for Jonathan was over.

But until then, Jonathan and his birthday guests would only occupy the small table against the far wall of the large hall, where there would actually be a semblance of a real celebration.

Immediately Jonathan's eyes were drawn to the center seat, the seat of honor, apparently reserved for him. Next was a seat on his right side, obviously reserved for Cinder, with the one on his left for Neo, which was already marked by a glass of soda and a plate of canapés and tartlets.