Dia

"Come on Little Miss, right this way!" Pearl huffed, as he somehow managed to constantly nudge Platina forward with the stack of books he was carrying in both hands. They were both making their way up the staircase of the hotel.

"Pearl. Really! I don't understand the meaning of this. You were so patient while helping me find these books at the library..." She sighed, bemoaning the cursed fate that stuck her in such an unclassy hotel which lacked even an elevator. Pearl's behavior was the disappointment to top it all. With how nice he was earlier, she almost thought he had remembered what today was...

"Just until things were ready!" He blabbered, nervous. He was afraid of everything exploding in their faces if he didn't get her there in time. "I mean - just listen to me! You'll understand when you see it!"

Platina shot him a quick skeptical look, before she pressed on up the stairs of her own power. "I still don't understand this matter. But if it's that important to you, I'll trust you."

Once they reached the landing of the right floor, Pearl scrambled to catch up with. "Hey, now you're getting too much of a lead! Let me show you where to go!"

"Oh?" She looked back, confused. "I assumed we were going to one of our rooms." She nodded towards Rooms 2A, 2B and 2C all in a row. "Where else would we meet up?"

"Just... follow me!" He stomped past her towards the kitchen, one luxury this hotel had. "Now behold!" And he led her in to a kitchen, which was empty. And oddly clean. Immediately, Pearl scowled.

"I don't understand, Pearl. Did you clean the kitchen for me?"

"No! I mean- Where'd that lazy..." He shifted his eyes around for any sign of Dia or Lax and their birthday surprise, then glanced back at Platina's confused expression. "Just stay right here. I'll check around for pests!"

After resting the books on a table, Pearl dove around behind the fridge, quickly turning on his Pokegear, frantically whispering until Dia picked up. "Dia, where are you?!"

"Huh? Oh, hi, Pearl!" a cheery voice emanated from the Pokegear. "I'm fine. How are you?"

"Not what I said! Where are you? With the... the you know what?"

"Oh! I had to go get another candle."

"Another... another candle?! What do you mean? I'm sure we had thirteen!"

"We did. However, we forgot the fourteenth one."

"Eh?! But she's only turning thirteen!"

"She is. But you're forgetting the extra candle for good luck. It's very important."

"Not important enough to mess up the surprise!"

"But it is! You didn't see the saddest episode of Proteam Omega. It started with Commander Venusaur's birthday, and I saw that it didn't have the extra candle. I don't want something like that to happen to the Little Miss!"

"Urgh... Why so superstituous? Get your butt back here before we eat all your pieces!"

"I'm back at the room now." This made Pearl even madder, as he didn't know which room he was referring to. Where was he supposed to lead her-

"Pieces of what?" said a third voice - that of Platina, leaning down to face Pearl. A glimmer of hope was growing inside her - could it be?

"Uh..." Pearl was blanking out.

And Dia's voice rang out, "Birthday!" At which point Pearl covered the gear as if it were Dia's actual mouth.

"Birth...day?" Platina repeated, her eyes growing wide.

And Pearl waved his arms frantically in the air. "Yeah - we were talking about birthdays. And... Pisces, the astrological sign! It's for a new manzai we're doing."

"Really?" She furrowed her brow in confusion and just a little disappointment. At least she can hear a new manzai on her birthday. "I'd like to hear it immediately."

"Uh... okay! So... Speaking of astrology."

"Speaking of astrology!"

"So, according to the Zodiac, I'm a Gemini. But I've had a lot of friends who are Pisces."

"That's right," chimed Dia. "You've had a few friends who are Pisces."

Platina watched on blankly. It was fascinating in one way, but it also felt oddly... wrong for them to not be using Pokemon as a subject.

"Just a few?"

"Yes, or, ah... at least compared to me. I've actually known many."

"Really? You know so many Pisces, Dia?"

"Yes, I do ! 151 of them! No, 251... No, 386... No, 493-"

Pearl slapped at the Pokegear comically, and a slapping sound actually rang out from the other end. "And I thought we moved on from species to Pisces!"

An undignified chortle was heard emanating from Platina. Pearl gave a warm grin that quickly turned sly as he went on. "As I was saying, there are many astrology signs which correspond with birthdays. People use them to determine their luck in certain matters, as well as their fortunes!" As he spoke, he rose and walked from the kitchen, with Platina following, enchanted. It was only a matter of figuring out which room Dia was in now.

"That's true! They use them for horoscopes, correct?"

"Exactly! There's twelve different signs of the zodiac. Aries and Gemini..." Pearl started to list on...

"Libra and Capricorn!"

"Aquarius and Virgo."

"Taurus and and Skorupi."

"This is your sign to stop talking!" Pearl shouted as he slapped at the Pokegear again, and Platina enjoyed another good laugh.

Then he looked between the three doors. There was clearly only one way to solve this without tipping the Little Miss off further, so he talked into the Pokegear again. "By the way, Dia. In our Lucario and Juliet skit... is the punchline 2B or not 2B?"

"Ah... 2B!"

Pearl grinned. "Alright. Right this way, Little Miss!" This time he managed a "Sur-!" before quickly cutting himself off upon realizing the room was empty. Did Dia misunderstand the code?

"Sir?" she quickly glanced around the room in confusion. "Sir who?"

"Nevermind," Pearl said as he gave a slight tug on her arm. "He must be in the other room," and he rushed her towards the door, completely unaware that Dia had misinterpreted the message as something telling him to come to 2B. So Dia did come stumbling through the door, just as Pearl was rushing out of it with Platina. And in Dia's hands was nothing other than a large and luxurious ice cream cake that was fit for a princess, with frosting in the shape of an adorable Piplup.

The ensuing collision resulted in three kids lying in a pile of cake.

"Happy birthday," Pearl grumbled reluctantly.

And Dia stammered, "I'm sorry! It's just... a Little Misstake!"

But Platina was too busy smiling, and laughing, even though she was now filthy. "Thank you both, so much. I'm so glad you remembered. At the very least, I appreciate the effort. As well as what I can taste so far of the flavor."

"Hey... we'd never forget Little Miss's birthday," Pearl said stubbornly.

"Not when she treats us so well."

And in unison, the duo gave a sheepish, "Happy birthday!" to Platina's complete and utter delight.

The cake's remains being everywhere only made every kiss on each cheek all the sweeter.