Poki's Birthday Blue
Chapter 1
You pushed open the door to Poki's Shop, expecting the usual cheerful Ring-ding~! and a warm greeting.
Instead, you found… silence.
Well. Almost silence.
Siiiiigh…
Poki sat slumped over the counter, her cheek smooshed against the wood, one arm dangling dramatically off the edge. Her hat had tilted to one side, and she stared at nothing with the hollow gaze of someone who had seen great tragedy.
Meow…
Momo sat nearby, playing with Poki's hair, as if trying to rouse her friend.
Um… Poki? Are you okay?
Oh… it's you…
She lifted her head just enough to peer at you with one eye before flopping back down.
Don't mind me. I'm just a poor, forgotten shopkeeper… withering away in this corner of the guild…
…Did something happen?
Something happen?
Poki suddenly sat bolt upright, her eyes wide with theatrical anguish.
Only the most devastating thing that could ever happen to someone!
Mrr?!
My birthday… just the other day… and nobody remembered.
She clutched her chest as if struck by an invisible arrow.
Not a soul! Not a single person! I sat here, all alone, in the dark, wondering if anyone even cared…
Wait– your birthday?
You tilted your head, trying to recall.
But… didn't the guild throw you a party? With the big cake and everything?
…
And didn't you run a week-long birthday sale? There were banners everywhere. You made everyone wear party hats.
…
You gave a speech.
A pause.
Poki slowly turned away, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead in a pose of exquisite suffering.
And yet… it still wasn't enough…
There were fireworks, Poki.
The loneliness… it haunts me still…
Meow~
Momo let out a small, exasperated sound and curled into a tight ball, clearly having heard this speech before.
Is it so wrong to want to feel special? To want people to shower me with love and attention and presents?
You got presents. I saw the pile. It was taller than you.
Barely taller! And I’m not even that tall!
She draped herself across the counter once more.
You stared.
She peeked at you from beneath her arm.
You continued to stare.
She peeked harder.
Sigh… Alright, alright. What would you like for your birthday, Poki?
Hm?
Like magic, the cloud of despair vanished. Poki's head popped up, her eyes suddenly sparkling with barely contained glee.
Oh~? You want to get me something~? How thoughtful of you~!
Why do I feel like I just walked into a trap…
Well! Since you asked~
With surprising strength, Poki heaved an enormous leather-bound book onto the counter.
THUD!
Momo jolted awake with an indignant "Fwoo~!!" and tumbled right off her cushion.
The book was massive, easily the size of a small table, bound in worn leather with golden clasps.
Poki placed both hands on its cover with the reverence of someone handling a sacred artifact.
This… is my most prized possession.
She flipped it open.
Page after page after page of Pufflings.
Pufflings sleeping in teacups. Pufflings tangled in yarn. Pufflings with their heads stuck in jars. Pufflings standing heroically against dramatic sunsets. Pufflings caught mid-sneeze. Pufflings looking impossibly dignified. Pufflings caught in the rain. Pufflings mid-adventure, fur gleaming with determination.
Every page was lovingly annotated with dates, names, and little notes like "Caught stealing cookies - 10/10 adorable criminal" and "Tried to fight a butterfly. Lost." and "Saved their Seeker from a rockslide. Very brave. Very fluffy."
This is…
The Poki Puffling Collection~★
She beamed with unmistakable pride.
Decades of research! Countless hours of observation! Every adorable moment, every heroic deed, every fluffy disaster - documented!
Meow~!
Yes, yes, Momo, you're in here too. There’s a whole section just for you. Page 47 is one of my favorites: "Fell asleep in the flour bin. Looked like a ghost. Adorable." And page 203. "Defended the shop from a rogue squirrel puff. Very fierce. Still adorable… Oh, page 67 is pretty good too–"
Momo puffed up with pride, then quickly looked away as if she hadn't reacted at all.
But!
Poki suddenly closed the book and clasped your hands in hers, her eyes shimmering with intensity.
I am but one humble collector! There are so many Pufflings out there! So many moments I've never witnessed! So many stories I've never heard!
And you, dear Seeker, you're out there in the field! Adventuring! Bonding! Seeing things I can only dream of!
Her grip tightened. Her smile widened.
As a fellow Puffling connoisseur… surely you understand the importance of preserving these precious moments for future generations~?
I– I mean–
Surely you've witnessed something amazing? Your Puff being brave, or silly, or clever, or impossibly cute? A grand adventure? A quiet moment? A heroic rescue? A ridiculous mishap?
She leaned in close, eyes sparkling.
Share them with me~! Tell me your stories! Show me your memories!
Whether your Puff was conquering mountains or just looking particularly fluffy that day – I need it for the collection!
After all…
She placed a hand over her heart, her expression turning almost reverent.
Pufflings are always adorable. Even when they're being serious! Especially when they're being serious! Have you ever seen a Puff try to look intimidating? It's the cutest thing in the world!
Meow~♪
Momo sat proudly atop the massive book, demonstrating a Very Serious Expression that was, indeed, impossibly cute.
That's what I want for my birthday~★
Your coolest, cutest, most wondrous Puffling moments – all for my collection!
She pulled back and dusted off her hands with a satisfied grin.
And maybe – just maybe – if you bring me something really good…
I'll finally recover from the deep emotional wounds of my tragically under-celebrated birthday~
…The one with the fireworks.
She placed a hand on your shoulder, smiling threateningly.
you wouldn't want to upset your dearest shop keeper now, would we?
Momo shook her head slowly, and somehow, you understood exactly what she meant. You sigh.
So? What do you say~?
Got any Puff tales to share with this humble collector?
She winked, pulling out a fresh quill and inkpot, ready to document.
Remember, any story goes! Whether it's epic or silly, heroic or heartwarming, dramatic or just delightfully fluffy…
If there's a Puffling in it, I want to see it~!