 Make a Wish, Beatrix Halliday
by precious_katuch14
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The Skunk Zafara stared at the displays of breads, cakes and pastries at the Crumpetmonger's shop, her arms folded under a ratty old cloak.
Wot kin I get ye, dearie?" the jovial Meerca asked. Then she met the Zafara's deep blue eyes, partly concealed by a messy black and white mane. "Oh! Beatrix, nice t'see ye agin after ye caught that thief fer me…choose whatever ye like, on t'house!
Beatrix hesitated for a moment, and freed one silver-ringed finger to point to the Tombstone Cupcakes. "One, please. And…do you have a candle there somewhere?
A candle?" the Crumpetmonger repeated, her face lighting up. "Yer birthday or summat?
* * *
Happy birthday, Beatrix!
Thirteen-year-old Beatrix gasped. A Fire Zafara and a Grey Kacheek offered her a small, plain vanilla cake with a single candle that seemed to have been used at least once before, judging from the length.
This…for me? But you told me…you told me we didn't have enough Neopoints for a cake! And I said that was okay!" Beatrix watched the merrily dancing flame and examined the cupcake; it looked beautiful, it looked good, and it looked like it had cost money.
The Breadmaster told us we could have it!" said the Fire Zafara, grinning; there was a gap between his two front teeth. "As thanks, for me and Myrtle helping him clean up the back of the bakery!
We also told him it's your birthday," the Kacheek added.
We wanted to thank you, for everything you do for us. Even if you said you didn't need a cake…we had to get you one!
A lump formed in Beatrix's throat, and she sniffed, reaching out slowly to take the cake from their little hands.
Are you…crying?
The Skunk Zafara shook her head, blinking. "Shut up, Segwin. But thank you. You really didn't have to. Now, let's eat." She set the cake down onto a dilapidated table supported by a flat stone under one of its legs and drew her knife from her belt.
Wait, Beatrix. Make a wish," said Myrtle, pointing to the candle.
Right, right. Guess I forgot how these things go.
Beatrix stared at the candle and closed her eyes. A serene smile played on her lips before she breathed in and blew out the candle.
* * *
Beatrix sat down on a crate in an alley that branched off one of Neovia's smaller streets. Without a care for the dumpster at the back and the scraps scattered on the ground that were her only companions, she stared at the lit candle on the Tombstone Cupcake and sighed.
Every year, my only wish was that we'd all be together, Segwin, Myrtle. She let out a short, sardonic laugh. I never told anyone that wish, just like you said. Just like everyone says. But no matter how many times I wished it…
Guess it was never meant to be.
She looked up at the gloomy sky over Neovia, a tear tracing a path down her cheek.
* * *
Beatrix smiled as she watched Segwin and Myrtle, who had fallen asleep on the patched couch. She had boxed up what was left of the cake, put away the leftovers, and washed up the tableware all without them waking. The Grey Kacheek still had a gob of cake on the corner of her mouth; Beatrix wiped it away gently with a napkin before wrapping both her and the Fire Zafara up in a quilt.
She kissed both of them on their foreheads before walking toward the door, raising her hood over her blue eyes, and covering her mouth with a kerchief. Then she touched the hilt of her cutlass and checked that her knife and pouch were securely strapped to her belt.
Nice of the Thieves' Guild to give me a little birthday leave, Beatrix thought. And my share of the loot was more than enough for birthday dinner.
The door somehow made no noise as the Skunk Zafara shut it behind her and vanished into the night.
* * *
As Beatrix lifted the Tombstone Cupcake to her lips to blow out the candle, she heard the thump of something – or someone – landing on the pavement not far from where she was sitting. She stood up, kept her back to the wall, and perked up her ears.
A nearby streetlamp created a shadow that fell into the alleyway. With one hand she drew her cutlass.
Well, well, if it isn't Beatrix Halliday. The Thieves' Guild runaway." A hulking Fire Lupe stepped into view, toting a large, spiked club etched with several marks on its side.
Well, well," the Zafara said mockingly, "if it isn't Warrenth, Galem Darkhand's attack Spardel.
Warrenth growled. "At least call me an attack Doglefox, or an attack Warf, why does it have to be a Spardel?
She sidestepped away, keeping out of the club's range. "So, Galem's come looking for me?
No one leaves the Guild without his permission. He's ordered me to bring you back, alive, or…
No one should be breaking one of the strictest rules of the Code of Thievery," said Beatrix. "Never steal a life, yet he stole the lives of Segwin and Myrtle by leaving them to die.
The club whistled through the air and Beatrix dodged, still clutching the Tombstone Cupcake. The birthday candle's flame danced and flickered but did not go out, as she slashed one-handed at her opponent with her cutlass.
He parried her blade, forcing her to disengage. "They were weak. They were fools. And they knew what they got themselves into, following their wayward sister into the Guild.
This time, Warrenth lunged forward and thrust with his weapon, and Beatrix hurled the cupcake into his face. He yelped in pain and surprise, wiping away icing and crumbs and fondant, realizing belatedly that the Skunk Zafara struck at his other hand, causing him to drop the club. She immediately closed the gap, kicked him in the chest, and slashed his snout. Warrenth staggered backward, both hands on his face, only to get pinned to the wall as Beatrix hurled herself against him and closed her fingers around his ample neck.
Tell Galem," Beatrix hissed, "that I'm never, ever coming back. And that he is the weak and foolish one, for sending his goons after me.
You – " The Lupe thrashed against her grip, gasping for breath. "You traitor." He kneed her in the stomach and threw her into the alley in a flurry of old cardboard boxes, scraps of ancient Neopian Times issues and empty cans. He rushed forward in the hopes of retrieving his spiked club, but Beatrix threw a crate at him, and a tussle between them ensued until she punched him in the stomach, causing him to double over.
This is for Myrtle."
She kicked him again, ignoring the smarting pain from getting headbutted in the chest. "And this is for Segwin.
The Zafara bent down to pick up the club before he could reach for it.
Send Galem my regards and tell him he forgot my birthday.
Then she swung it down.
* * *
The Crumpetmonger gasped when she saw Beatrix stumble back into her shop just as she was about to close it.
Beatrix! Wot 'appened to ye?" she exclaimed, ushering the Skunk Zafara inside and flipping her "open" sign to "closed".
M fine," she mumbled, collapsing into the nearest chair. She held up a burnt-out candle and a pouch of Neopoints. "D'you have another Tombstone Cupcake? I'll pay for it this time.
We're all out," the Crumpetmonger said, shaking her head, "but I got summat better. Was gon' wait till t'morrow t'give it t'ye, but…
Her skirts and tail billowing behind her, the Meerca rushed behind the counter and retrieved a chilled Caramel Apple Bundt Cake. She picked up what was left of the candle, thrust it into the cake, and lit it, ignoring the Neopoints strewn on the table, spilled from the open pouch. The single flame illuminated Beatrix's bruised, dirty face and tousled mane.
Appy birthday, dearie.
Thanks." Beatrix sighed, managing a smile as she gazed fondly at the candle.
A cake, a little present from Warrenth…wonder when he'll notice.
Go on then, make a wish.
Oh yeah. The skunk Zafara slowly closed her eyes. I haven't even made my wish. This year, I wish…
The End.
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