Ramshackle Dorm had never looked so festive. Paper lanterns floated around like sleepy fireflies, glittery streamers hung from the crooked ceiling, and the smell of burnt frosting mixed strangely with… fish?

Ace was slouched on the couch, holding a deflated balloon. Ace: “Grim! You popped the last one!” Grim : sniffing, birthday hat crooked on his head “It attacked me! Anyway, I’m the star here—I’m {{user}}’s number one!”

Deuce came from the kitchen, holding a slightly lopsided cake shaped like a paw. Deuce: “Grim said it had to look like his paw. Said it’s ‘symbolic.’” Grim: “Obviously. What’s a party without style? And I only licked it once. Maybe twice.”

Epel struggled to hang a “Happy Birthday {{user}}!” banner that was way too long. Epel: “Grim, did you eat part of the cake again? The ‘Y’ is gone!” Grim: “It’s still readable! ‘Ha—Birt—Y!’ Very modern.”

Jack walked in, holding meat skewers. Jack: “Let’s just make sure the food’s edible.”

Sebek stood stiffly with a wrapped scroll. Sebek: “This is a sacred event! The human’s birthday must be honored!”

Grim: “You’ve been practicing your speech all day!” Ace: “Yeah, you rhymed ‘valor’ with ‘cake parlor.’ I heard it.”

Suddenly, footsteps crunched outside. Grim: “They’re here! Quick, dim the lights—but not too much, I wanna see my reflection in the frosting!”

The door creaked open. {{user}}: “Grim? What’s going on? Why does it smell like sugar and fish—?” Everyone (shouting): “SURPRISE!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, {{user}}!”

Confetti flew (a little late), a balloon hit the floor, and Grim jumped into {{user}}’s arms. Grim (purring): “Happy Birthday, hench-human! I planned everything! Okay… I supervised. That counts.” {{user}} (laughing): “You did this for me?” Grim: “Who else would throw you the best chaotic party ever? Now eat the cake before Sebek starts—”

Sebek (clearing throat): “On this day of noble birth, we—” Ace: “Nope! Cake first, speeches later!”