The Last Star
Intermission ~ Chocological
“Time to wake up.” - Avi uttered while gently caressing Luna's hair as she rested on her lap.
Luna's eyes slowly opened, gazing at the garden she had been cultivating for months, with Avi's smiling face at the focal point. Although Luna could be resting like this endlessly, she realized Avi had something to tell her.
“Let's go upstairs.” - Avi asked. - “I'll show you something.”
Luna moved aside to sit, and that's when Leapy jumped on her shoulder. She yawned, asking. - “What exactly?”
“You'll see.“ - Avi said, delicately pulling Luna's hands, and soon they both entered the spaceship's main corridor, where all the lights were turned off.
“It's dark.” - Luna commented. - “Is it on purpose?”
“Mmm... maybe?” - Avi uttered mystriously right before they stopped in front of the door to the recreational room. Luna's dim afterglow gently revealed the outlines of a fully laid table, but before she managed to scan the room, all the lamps turned on, followed by a sound of party trumpets and exploding confetti.
“Happy Luna's day!” - Avi and her parents shouted, then clapped their hands.
Luna laughed. - “Luna's day? Is it some Earth-originated tradition?”
“From now on, yes!” - Avi informed. - “On Earth, in the eve of important events, we often held similar celebrations.”
“Well, well...” - Luna looked at the paper decorations on the walls, at all the desserts and cookies, and at a small handmade cake in the middle, with chocolate stars and a crescent moon. - “...you really made an effort.”
Avi grinned and took Luna's hand, inviting her to sit at the table.
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“Close your eyes, think a wish, and blow the candle.” - Avi instructed.
Luna did as Avi wished, and when the flame went out, there was loud applause again. When Luna's eyes opened, she noticed Avi's excitement and the authentic happiness of her parents, and in that moment, she knew she had found a new family. She wanted to register this moment and keep it with her forever.
“So!? Do we cut the cake!?” - Avi asked, unable to stay patient.
“Easy, Avi. Give it a little more time.” - Charlotte said. - “We should take a group photo first.”
Luna raised her hand, summoning a mote of light, which she sent to the corner of the room. - “Line up.”
Avi's parents temporarily joined the girls on the sofa, and after a faint flash, they went back to their chairs. Luna telekinetically divided the cake into four equal pieces, then sliced off a bit of her serving to give it to Leapy, who began nibbling on it without hesitation.
At first, Luna couldn't utter a word and just gazed at her plate with a faint smile. She raised her head, finally speaking with emotion. - “No words can express how grateful I am to the world that you welcomed me into your home.”
Nicolas and Charlotte smiled at each other, and Charlotte added. - “You're like the brightest star to us, and without you, the night sky would never be the same.”
“Please, never leave.” - Luna whispered.
Avi gently took Luna's hand, making their fingers intertwine. - “Mom put in a lot of effort, and I was suggesting to her what you like. Take a bite.”
“I see our little glutton can't wait until she can eat, too.” - Luna teased.
Avi pouted and didn't comment, so Luna tasted the cake. It was a perfect combination of dark chocolate, a hint of coffee, and blueberries. She knew she wouldn't forget it, but not because of the flavor, and she would keep the reason secret.
A minute later, everyone was enjoying the cake. They casually talked, joking and reminiscing about their happy moments. Luna's carefree laugh was the most pleasant experience Avi could have, and she listened to it, captivated to a point where she still left her piece of cake unfinished. She was about to take a spoonful to savor the final, most delicious bite, when she noticed something was missing.
“Hey! Who took my strawberry!?” - Avi exclaimed, stopping everyone's chat.
Leapy was peeking at her from behind Luna's forearm, his entire mouth red.
Luna burst out laughing, and Avi's parents followed. Although at first, Avi was displeased, she didn't even notice that she calmed down and joined.