Chapter 12 - CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN: BIRTHDAY PARTY INVITATION

"Dragons, Cake, and Chaos"

🏫 Malibu Hills Private Academy – Lunch Break

It all began with a napkin.

A crumpled, jellybean-smudged, glitter-stickered napkin dropped onto Velmir's tray like a royal summons delivered by peanut butter and crayon.

He blinked. "What… is this?"

Elliot, cheeks puffed with crackers and pride, leaned in.

"It's an invitation," he said. "To my birthday party. This Saturday. At my house. There's gonna be a magician, a bounce castle, and two kinds of cake."

Velmir's gaze sharpened. "…Two?"

"Chocolate and strawberry."

Velmir leaned closer, voice lowered like he was discussing nuclear fusion. "That's dangerously generous."

"I know."

🎈 The Official Copy

Later that day, Viera slid a more formal envelope onto his desk—white, glossy, helium-themed.

"Master Velmir, a school-wide digital version was sent via parental channels. RSVP requested."

Velmir eyed the card. His name, glitter-penned in careful cursive: Velmir Elvaris.

He exhaled.

"Viera?"

"Yes, Master?"

"Do I need… tactical protocols to survive a five-year-old's birthday?"

"I have prepared a strategy brief. Would you like the PowerPoint or the PDF?"

Velmir looked at her.

"…Surprise me."

🏠 Elvaris Mansion – Saturday Morning

8:00 AM. The operation began.

Velmir stood in front of the mirror, freshly bathed, hair neatly brushed. Pale blue shirt, dark trousers, shoes polished to obsidian sheen. He looked regal. Innocent. Slightly terrified.

"Viera," he called. "How do I act… normal?"

"Smile. Laugh when others laugh. Under no circumstances correct anyone's understanding of quantum cake cutting."

Velmir nodded solemnly.

"Got it."

"And please refrain from speaking Old Draconic during sudden excitement."

"That was one time."

🚗 The Ride

The Phantom rolled down the road like a mobile throne.

Velmir, child-sized and composed, held a carefully wrapped box on his lap—a limited-edition LEGO space rocket set with a few, ah… enhancements.

He'd written a card himself. Folded and everything.

Inside, butterflies fluttered like mad.

"I'm about to walk into a den of frosting-fueled chaos gremlins," he muttered.

Gabriel, ever unshaken, replied from the front, "May the odds be ever in your flavor, sir."

Velmir narrowed his eyes.

"You said flavor."

"I did not."

"You absolutely did."

🏡 Elliot's House – Party Zone Activated

As soon as the Phantom stopped, chaos greeted him.

Balloons floated under a candy-colored arch. A magician flubbed a wand trick while a child pelted him with marshmallows. Pop music blared from a speaker with no bass discipline.

Sugar was in the air. And possibly the ground.

Elliot ran up, arms wide.

"Velmir! You came!"

Velmir offered the gift box. "I brought… cake fuel."

"YES."

🎉 Three Hours of Tactical Engagement

Over the next 180 minutes, Velmir experienced:

A foam sword duel that ended in a pile of children

Cotton candy stuck to his eyebrows and pride

A wildly mismanaged game of "Pin the Star on the Planet" that became a dance-off

Nearly crying with laughter during the magician's failed card trick (which he discreetly fixed with a flick of unseen magic)

A serene fifteen minutes sitting with Elliot's grandmother, who called him "a very polite little gentleman" and fed him bonus cookies like a high-tier bribe

He accepted.

🎂 Cake Time

Elliot stood in front of the two-layered cake like it was a prize from the gods. One half chocolate. One half strawberry. As promised.

He turned to Velmir.

"Can you sit next to me? You're the coolest person I know."

Velmir blinked.

A warmth flared in his chest—quiet, disarming.

"I'd be honored."

Candles were lit. Wishes whispered.

And for the first time in two lifetimes, Velmir didn't feel like a visitor.

He felt… included.

🎁 Gift Giving

Elliot tore open Velmir's gift with a squeal.

"Dude! The LEGO rocket set?! It's sold out everywhere!"

"I may have pulled a few strings," Velmir said with a modest smile.

"It even comes with boosters! And chrome fins! And—wait… why does this piece glow?"

"Reinforced the core with flexible energy matrices."

"…What?"

"Totally normal toy."

💤 As the Party Wound Down

Parents began gathering their sticky, glitter-covered children. Elliot walked Velmir to the front gate, cheeks flushed with sugar and joy.

"Thanks for coming," he said, rubbing his eyes.

Velmir nodded. "I had a great time."

"You should come over again."

"I'd like that."

They stood quietly for a moment.

"…Also," Elliot said, eyeing him carefully, "were you glowing during the dance-off?"

Velmir held his gaze.

"…That's classified."

They both laughed.

🌌 Later That Night – Elvaris Mansion Balcony

Back in his true form—tall, graceful, hair drifting like silver silk—Velmir leaned on the balcony rail, watching stars blink lazily overhead.

He wasn't running diagnostics. He wasn't training.

He was just… breathing.

Viera's voice came softly behind him.

"How was the mission, Commander?"

"A complete success," Velmir said, smiling. "Minimal casualties. One frosting explosion. Four new LEGO bricks acquired."

"Emotional injury?"

"Only from excessive joy."

He tilted his head back, wind brushing across his face.

"Viera?"

"Yes, Master?"

"I think I have friends now."

A pause.

"Confirmed. Social bond detection active. Dragon heart: 15% warmer."

Velmir chuckled.

"Then let's protect this world… just a little longer."

[END OF CHAPTER ELEVEN]