While Simon’s first birthday as an Animalian was last year, he knew this one was going to be extra special. He knew that his mom had purchased an Animalian-safe birthday cake Lyre Bakery, probably because both converted and uplifted Animalians found that they could eat some grains as well as cake decorations without anything artificial.
He had gotten leave from the Nevada Police Academy to head home for his birthday, but he had no idea what was waiting for him there.
—
His mom and now officially stepfather had gotten him “The Complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”, probably because of his role in the IAC Drug Bust, as well as the news that he was going to be a big brother by summer. Somehow, he was both surprised and not surprised at hearing this, considering the noises he heard from his mother’s bedroom during the summer. But there were also some guests that were rather surprising.
During his weekend Skype chats with Malice, he had learned that there was a strange man from the NSA in Animalia ever since Heather’s attack. He had also heard rumors that he wasn’t really a member of the NSA, but actually a member of a secret society that was manipulating Animalia for an as yer unknown purpose. But his gift wasn’t all together unappreciated, which includes an American flag that was flown over the Capital building in Washington D.C. on the day of the Drug Scare, as well as a letter from the current Drug Czar (as the head of the DEA was known as sometimes) thanking him for helping out with the Drug Bust, as well as lowering the overal heroin use in the US by 15%. The other part of the gift was an official certificate of recognition signed by both the president and the Drug Czar.
—
“Camille!?” Exclaimed Simon in surprise at one of the guests.
“I never got a chance to thank you for saving my life during the Drug Scare, both from the drug overdose and my career from popular fallout.” Said Camille, as if having one of the more popular adult entertainment stars at your 18th birthday wasn’t anything strange, which indeed she was ever since she had joined the Meat Market.
“Okayyy...” Said Simon, still a little surprised.
“So anyway,” continued Camille, pulling two coupons out of her cleavage and handing them to Simon, “here’s my birthday gift to you. One is for a free dinner and hot spring soak at the Worldmeet Glade for you and your friends, and the other is for a free private show for you featuring yours truly.”
“I have no problem with the second one, but does the first count for all members of Animalia Ambassadoria?” Asked Simon, knowing that that first one got rather expensive the more couples it was supposed to cover for.
“Indeed it is.” Answered Camille, turning to leave, “And just so you know, the Meat Market has been looking for other music for our performances, and have started looking in other countries. I’ve got another new act that I’ve made especially for you. Now I’ve got to get back to the Market, I want to make sure your performance is flawless.” She then walked in a hip-swaying way that would only be possible if her hips were double jointed, which it probably was since a lot of Animalians, whether converted or uplifted, found that the Virus had gifted them with extra cartilage in their joints (probably to enable full movement with the large physiques that Animalians were known for, but those who worked at the Meat Market had enough cartilage to perform contortionist acts that normally took years of practice to accomplish (if Camille Chameleon’s first performance was any evidence).
—
After some more birthday events, Simon finally noticed what was missing. “Where’s Malice?” He asked, having not seen her all day.
“She’s upstairs,” Answered his mom, “She spent all day getting your gift ready.”
Confused, Simon went upstairs. What he found there was that his bedroom door was closed and there was a sticky note on the door that read ‘To: Simon, From: Malice. Knock three times.’ Confused, Simon pulled the sticky note off his door, then knocked. When he heard Malice say “Come in, Simon.”, he still didn’t know what Malice had planned.
“Malice what’s going-?” He said as he opened the door. He didn’t finish, because he saw Malice on his bed wearing nothing but a strategically tied gift ribbon to provide modesty.
“Happy Birthday Simon. I am your gift.” Said Malice huskily, tugging the ribbon and letting it fall away, revealing what she had planned, not that Simon complained.