Of course birthdays were an important event! Why wouldn't they be, especially when you can afford all the luxuries in the world? People must have thought that the elegant and (sometimes) charming Elegancia d'Strella had the most extravagant and gaudy shindigs in a far-off private island whenever her birthday came around, with only VIPs being invited, but... that wasn't exactly the truth.

Since her twelfth birthday, Elegancia had always preferred to spend November 3rd alone. That was the first of many birthdays that she had been away from her father. It really, truly was annoying that the man couldn't be bothered to even call his daughter on her day of birth, but such was the way of life, she supposed. Elegancia didn't dwell in it. She wasn't the kind of girl whose life hinged upon the attention of her beloved daddy, but it was something that was a downer when she thought about it.

At any rate, it was Elegancia's nineteenth birthday. She took a few days off from school to take a flight (first class!) to Hawaii, one of the places she didn't go to often. Beaches were nice and all, but they weren't something she'd travel across the sea for-- and that seemed to be one of the only things that the lovely little state offered. It did have some nice shopping, but nothing that she couldn't find back 'home' at Destiny City. The flight was painless and quick, the drive to her hotel was lovely, and the sky was void of any clouds. After a few hours of getting settled into her room, Elegancia was off to the closest beach.

Being chauffered to the coast was rather tedious. She assumed it was better than driving herself, but still-- couldn't the man drive any faster?! Elegancia looked down at the bathing suit she had brought along with her-- it was one she never had the guts to wear over its 'raciness,' but it was really pretty! She had purchased it when she was 17-- it was a two-piece that left her rump rather... exposed. But in the event that Elegancia became uncomfortable wearing the risque swimwear, she brought along an outfit to put on. She could, alternatively, wrap her towel around herself to hide her flesh from perverted onlookers, as well.

She had finally arrived at the beach after a 15-minute drive, and the sight was lovely-- Elegancia stepped out into the ocean breeze, taking a moment to close her eyes and absorb all the ambient sounds around her. Truth be told, it was nice-- but boring. Elegancia could have just as well stayed back at home and put on a relaxation CD. But as she was already there, Elegancia decided to make the most of the situation. It was her birthday, and she would live the day up! As she thought about it, she had already put on some trampy swimclothes, so she felt like a new woman! If anyone she was familiar with had seen her, though, she would have died of embarrassment.

The brunette found a rather cozy spot beneath a palm tree to lounge under, which provided enough sunlight to give a nice tan, but protected her from too much of it so as to not burn her skin. As she made herself comfortable, spreading the lotion across her body, Elegancia heard her phone go off-- she recognized the jingle-- it was her father. What, he wanted to call her now?! Tell her how sorry he was again? Whatever!! Elegancia picked her phone up and put it in silent. He could get back to work, or courting a woman, or whatever it was that he did all of the time for all she cared!

As she relaxed, Elegancia began to doze off, thinking of all the past birthday that had been so boring and meaningless. It was truly frustrating, but she wouldn't dwell in it. She dreamed of many things-- being a mermaid, eating all the chocolate she wanted and never getting a pound heavier, Foochie being able to speak to her, many things-- but she suddenly woke up to a setting sun and beet-red skin. Well, damn. Elegancia reached for her phone and discovered that she had over forty missed calls and a voice message. It was her father.

In the message, he mentioned that he had been at the condo for several hours, waiting for her so that he could take her out to eat-- and that he had a surprise in plan. Unfortunately, he missed her, and would have to leave that night for a business trip. He tried to call her, but she didn't answer. They'd have to do it next year.

Well, damn. Isn't it funny how things work out sometimes?