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For the first time in three years, Clorinde spent her birthday with a picnic in her name. She had planned to go hunting to unwind a bit, but Navia- the one and only- rushed over, saying she wanted to host today. Just like years ago, she wound Clorinde around her little finger, and after a little persuasion, this so-called birthday party (though, there were only two of them) became a picnic party. They decided to go along with savoury roast meat crepes, some macaroons and a little home-made cake.
After Clorinde wound up a clock in the morning, she went to Navia's place to start preparing for the picnic.
One of the important things to remember when you're out on the hunt is to keep your eyes peeled on your prey. That day, Clorinde learnt that it also applied to baking. As much as she appreciated Navia's cooking, she should never have thought that baking was such an undertaking. She wondered why Navia didn't kick her out of the kitchen after she witnessed the mess Clorinde made of it; she guessed the real reason behind it: Navia might’ve seen that as a contribution to the whole thing, or maybe Navia has been simply high-spirited to make something together.
It's been quite a while, after all, since they've done something like that.
"We've been so busy with all the cooking for five hours or so; but it felt as if we blinked a few times. We cracked a few jokes here and there, tasted each other's samples- I mean, the more I peeled these tangerines and oranges, the more I felt as if I was Sisyphus himself. Navia’s going to tease me about this for a long while, I’m sure of that… Ah, I'm so happy we reconciled with her. I don't know how I have endured these tough times without her by my side,"
Clorinde wrote in her diary after she found some candied peel for the cake, leaving the decorations to Navia.
“This… was definitely one of the best birthdays in my life. Navia has always known how to raise my spirits.”
Years they spent separated from each other were such a mess. Callas’ death in that cursed duel hurt both of them in a way no one might have even anticipated, with Navia losing not only her father, but her best friend as well; and with Clorinde feeling as if she should be the one carrying this burden and guilt on her shoulders.
Clorinde shook her head, dismissing her thoughts away. It was in the past, and now they were moving forward. ‘That won’t do,’ she thought, ‘I can’t allow myself drowning in regrets.’ Breath in, breath out, and Clorinde turned to Navia tasting macaroons and smiling brightly. Somehow, they were able to make it in time to admire the sunset at the valley they found almost twenty years ago, when they were still children. The lane was so narrow that they had to scrape their way through, trying to keep themselves and their dishes steady, but it was worth its weight in gold.
“We sat there, speaking nonsense just like the old times, even after there was no pastries left. Dear diary, I’m afraid I don’t remember when was the last time I smiled that much.
20th of September, XXXX”