Pomelo could hardly wait to get to the festivities! He was nervous of course but more than that he was riveted. Teeming with his excitement he eagerly asked his mentor Hakuku for permission to go, and even put in special request so Lucina could accompany him.

"Aren't you too jittery?" Lucina teased him. "You're going to drop your present box at this rate."

"Nonsense!" He waved her worries away. Though Lucina was rightful to worry, the silk bundle strapped on Pomelo's wings was becoming more and more untangled the more he excitedly bounced. He could not help such, he had been looking forward to Sunset's birthday for so long.

As Pomelo bounces up the beach, he notices an unmistakable silhouette - that of his father, Begonia! The elder recognizes him instantly, and approaches.

"Welcome home, Pomelo," Begonia says genuinely. "It's good to see you back on familiar shores! How have you fared in your research of the Idyllic Isles?" He notices Lucina, and gives her a half-bow. "And who have you brought to accompany you to the reunion?"

"Father!" Pomelo exclaims as a wide smile erupts over his face. It's clear he can hardly contain himself, like he might burst into tears from homesickness.

"His guard on this tour." Lucina bows. "Though I hope there will be no need to see me in action." She chuckles mirthfully.

"Oh please." Pomelo playfully brushes Lucina with his wing, "we're here to have fun." He then turned with affection bubbling in his eyes towards Begonia. "Have you been well? I imagine it's not been easy preparing for grandmother's party!" He asks a myriad of questions and chats animatedly of his own research in reply.

Sunset graciously accepts the gifts, and as Pomelo and Lucina walk away they overhear her say to Mudpuppy, "Make sure little Minnow doesn't get her hands on this box! As for the shells...that'll just have to go on the mantle, won't it?"

The next day, Pomelo and Begonia enjoy a leisurely walk around the flower gardens, reminiscing on the time they spent there while Pomelo was growing up. Begonia pauses at a flowerbed holding beautiful yellow rose bushes almost as tall as Pomelo.

"Do you remember when I planted these?" Begonia asks, and Pomelo shakes his head. "They were awfully stubborn that first year, and no matter what I tried, they wouldn't flower. Imagine my surprise when you came to me covered in dirt, proudly claiming you'd weeded the entire garden - including uprooting the entire bed of roses!" He chuckles. "I rushed to fetch them from the pile of weeds and replant them - thankfully, they weren't too torn up. I couldn't stay mad at you, but we did have a talk about coming to see me before doing any work in the garden..."

He casts a glance back at the roses. "Whatever you did seemed to work, though - they bloomed not long after that, and have stayed healthy ever since!"

----
(PM'd lore:) While Pomelo visited his father in the gardens, Lucina found a lovely little pamphlet detailing ways to craft jewelry out of wire and glass. The author was one of Sunbeam Grotto's own, Unearthly informed her, and after Lucina finished reading she was able to meet up with Blair. She helped her to craft some simple accent pieces just like in the book - it was really quite a treat!
~

After a long day, the pair returns to their sleeping quarters with warm hearts and pockets full of goodies!