Gilda pulled at the strings that held the cheerfully bobbing ornaments from floating off towards the ceiling. She didn't understand what the appeal was, but parties were supposed to have them, and she wanted to get it right. She nodded to nobody in particular. "Yeah..." At least the color was right. Steelfeather's favorite shade of purple.
She glanced at the clock nervously. It was only ten minutes until the scheduled start. "Where is everybody?" She stormed to the front door and threw it open, revealing a surprised chick. The little girl looked up at her with wide eyes. "Sorry, miss. I didn't mean to bother you."
Gilda felt the urge to berate the chick about hanging out on her doorstep, but pulled that urge back. "Hey, whatcha doing?"
The girl smiled a little. "Just waiting. My mom's out hunting."
That could be an all day task on the best of days. That chick wasn't going anywhere for a while. Gilda waved a talon into her modest abode. "Wanna join a party?"
The girl hopped up onto her paws, clapping her talons. "A party? For real?" She leaned in past the door and looked around, seemingly shocked by the meager ornamentations. "Who's Steelfather?"
"Steelfather? Feather for brains! It's Steelfeather!" She pointed at the banner, and saw that it was misspelled. It said Steelfather, in her writing. She'd goofed. She put a talon over her face as she sighed out, "Never mind. come on in. Have a snack while I fix this." Gilda left the chick to inspect the tray of candy she had left out as she flew up to the banner and hastily scribbled out the mistake and added new letters.
"Is this the place?" A griffon stood there on all fours, wearing a somber outfit. He didn't look at all like a party goer.
Gilda flew over and landed in front of him. "You here for Steelfeather's birthday?"
The griffon looked confused. "I thought this was a religious holiday."
Gilda felt the urge to rage rising, but a new thought came to her. Even getting her people together for a holiday was a step in the right direction. She smiled. "I admit that's not exactly what I had in mind, but hey, why not. Why don't you share with our little friend how the holiday works?" She gestured towards the chick, who choose that moment to fall off the table where she had been scooping up candies.
The chick crashed to the ground with the candy bowl on her head. "Sorry..." She sounded crushed, like she expected a good whoopin' for making such a mess. As well she should! Or so Gilda was tempted. She took deep breathes as she approached the chick, plucking up that bowl from her head and scooping the candy into it. "If you needed a helping talon, you should just ask, eh?"
The little griffon smiled up at Gilda. "I will next time, promise. Thanks for not being angry at me, miss."
Gilda paused. She was plenty angry! She just didn't... The moment was ruined. Maybe she didn't have to be angry this time. She pointed at the other party guest. "He's here to tell us about a great holiday. Doesn't that sound... fun?" Apparently it did, since the chick bounced up and scurried over to the griffon, seemingly quite eager to hear what he had to say.
A soft knocking drew her attention to see a griffoness standing in the doorway on her paws. "I brought some traditional snacks. Where should I put them?"
Gilda raised a brow. "Let me guess, holiday?" The griffoness nodded. "Right there." She pointed at the same table that held her bowl of candies. "Would this holiday happen to be called Steelfather day or something?"
The griffoness stepped past Gilda and set a tray of little flat cakes with slices of fish on them. "You're hosting the party and you don't know? How curious! Yes, that's the name."
The first griffon smiled. "Ah, she brought the traditional hunting fish cakes. You see, those are said to be the favorite snack of Steelfather, and we eat them in honor of his memory..." He kept talking about the holiday, but Gilda was barely listening. At least the three of them looked amused. Perhaps her party wouldn't be a complete waste. Where was Steelfeather anyway? She gave him the invitation directly!
There was no sign of him as a few others wandered in. One other had little insect crunchy things, and another came with a game like pin the tail on the horse, but way cooler and involving sticking a dagger in a monster. The party came and went, and Gilda ended up having an alright time with everyone. As they left, they shook her talon. The griffoness that brought the cakes looked especially happy. "It's been such a long time since someone remembered and cared enough to host a party for this holiday. I hope to see you again next year." Gilda waved at them all, and sank to her chair.
That had been fun, but... what happened to the birthday party? Did she fail at showing her people a bit of friendship or not? The griffons that did show up obviously had a blast, but what about the birthday boy? She took flight, refusing to let it lie.
Steelfeather's house wasn't far, and he sat out on his porch, watching the sunset. "There you are! Why didn't you come over?"
He looked up at her. "Gilda! Thanks for the invite, but I prefer celebrating Steelfather in private."
Gilda blinked slowly. "Your birthday, you featherbrained idiot! What about that?"
He looked surprised. "It's not my birthday. Did you think it was?" He smiled, looking so amused. "That isn't for another month out."
Gilda sputtered and shook, but there was nothing to be done for it. Why did her friend have to be named so similarly to some dusty old hero?! She heaved out a deep sigh. "Right, see you next month?" He nodded at her, and she left.
The day hadn't been that bad.
Author's Note
A little one piece for Gilda, trying her best to bring a little friendliness to her people. One step at a time. You're doing good, Gilda. I'm proud of you.
How'd I do?
