“Welcome to our mystery,” the voice announced through the ship. The triangle windows filled with faces. Passengers peering into the universe while the voice directed their gaze. “Welcome to new life.” The dead planet below sparked and glimmered. “And the first successful terraforming.” The planet glowed and the voice rose, triumphant. “Welcome to the Mirror, on the day of its birth, on its day of Naming: the Mirror—a world reflecting a history it will never know and a future that is all its own.”

Far beneath, on the Mirror, something green began to grow.

Charles lived in an old, old house, with his three-year-old daughter Anna. He opened her bedroom door at one AM.

He saw a cake with two hundred candles; an old man with skin the color of paper, and no eyes at all, smiling beatifically; and Anna, singing.

“Daddy,” she said, “this ghost is named Eeyore, and he was sad because nobody remembers his birthday anymore. I gave him a balloon. What will you give him?”

Charles put his hand in his pocket. There was just one thing to do.

“Many happy returns,” he said, and gave Eeyore his best pen.

Old Mr. Thurmond’s nose wrinkled up irritably as he entered the dining-room. Mrs. Haden was wearing her best lace collar and a fluttery smile, and there was a bunch of flowers on the table—things she did on special occasions. He’d sworn never to let that meddling woman know how old he was. He glared at his fellow-boarders as he slid into his chair—who’d found out and told her?

“Ladies and gentleman,” said Mrs. Haden, “tonight we celebrate the birthday of a venerable institution”—Mr. Thurmond glared more—“at all of five years old! To the Elm Street Rooming-House!”

Congratulations, Caeli, and Elisabeth! * liked those drabbles *

(* is excited she won too * o.o)