"And so, according to tradition, we've got to have a Secret Santa gift exchange or we won't meet our yearly quota of themes!"
Neptune beamed proudly, leaving the other goddesses to digest the announcement she had just made. Lounging in three of the many available seats in Planeptune's penthouse, they exchanged glances. When the purple CPU had summoned the others to her abode in the morning, none of them had expected to receive an invitation to a Christmas party.
"Are we following tradition or trying to meet a quota? Make up your mind," Blanc demanded, eyeing her host with suspicion. At the same time, Noire looked at Neptune and frowned.
"I don't recall any tradition like that, but maybe it just isn't a Lastation thing. Technically, you do live in a different country."
Vert touched her fingertips together and gave her opinion after the other two spoke. "My, what a wonderful idea," she lauded. "I haven't participated in a Secret Santa for who knows how many years now!"
Indifference, apprehension, and enthusiasm. At least one reaction was encouraging, but the rest were lukewarm. Neptune, the most spirited of the bunch, rose to her feet in indignation.
"Come on, you guys," she pleaded to the two unsmiling CPUs. "Can't you just enjoy the holidays like normal people? Where's the Christmas, where's the love?"
"We aren't normal people," Noire rebuffed. "We're CPUs."
"You're only saying that to spite me! Even CPUs can have friends, Lonely Heart!" Neptune jived. She ducked behind her beanbag for cover when Noire rose to her feet.
"I'm not lonely, I told you that already!"
Before either could attack the other physically or verbally, Vert—who had sat quiet ever since voicing her approval—cleared her throat with a firm "Ahem!"
Both CPUs fell silent. Vert scrutinized them through a narrowed gaze, but her face soon lit up in its typical proud splendor.
"I think that Neptune has made a good suggestion," she said, "for once. How—"
"Hey! Those two words weren't in the script!"
"—often is it that we CPUs actually gather to celebrate Christmas? Not for half a decade at least, if my memory serves."
Each of the goddesses nodded in turn. Neptune was first, eyes set as if she was at a business meeting. Noire followed suit soon after, and Blanc reluctantly did the same.
"This may be just my personal opinion," Vert continued, "but I quite enjoyed that little get-together we had. Even though it isn't rare for the four of us to be in the same place, there's something about the holidays... the vibe, the atmosphere you could say... that makes it a little more enjoyable. This Secret Santa is the perfect opportunity to rejoice in another year well spent."
Having reached the culmination of her speech, Vert's smile widened as she met the eyes of her fellow ageless associates. She rose, bowed and received her standing ovation—Neptune clapped a few times for good sport—and sat down again.
"There we go! Finally, someone who can speak my language!" Neptune's smile encompassed her whole face. "I knew I wasn't the only one who liked to party!"
Not to be left out, Noire coughed and chipped into the conversation. "W-well, I'm working with a busy schedule. Maybe if you pick the right time, I'll attend. I mean I'd like to go, but if you can't organize this party well then I may as well just stay home."
"You're being pretty evasive today," Blanc commented. "What do you want from her, a private invitation?"
"Whaaat? Why would I want something like that? I-I don't even need a private invitation, since I'm already part of the group," said Noire. Her refusal drew a snort from the snow-white goddess.
"Bet you'd reschedule your whole damn month if Neptune invited you over for the night."
Blanc's retort left Noire spluttering, and she looked a dozen different ways before turning around to muffle herself in her beanbag. It didn't matter how she hid herself though, since the other three had already seen her face redden.
"Ahaha... Thinking dirty thoughts, Noire?" teased Neptune, but even her own face was turning red. The implications had not gone over her head, and her voice belied her own embarrassment.
"Mmfgh," Noire mumbled into her beanbag.
Blanc was beside herself; her satisfied smile made it clear that she had enjoyed teasing the two. However, she quickly became aware of a pair of patronizing eyes drilling into her skull. She sobered up. Her eyes snapped to her observer, but Vert held her eyes for a second more before turning away.
The fair-haired goddess cleared her throat again and declared, "Anyway. I believe there's one more thing left to do."
"And heavens, what would that be?" said Blanc in a poor imitation of Vert's voice. Refusing to fall for the taunt, Vert ignored her.
"Neptune, have you prepared something to draw names? A hat will do fine... Oh, we can just use Blanc's! I assume you have a pen as well, Blanny?"
Blanc, whose face had darkened at the mention of her hat and again at the assumption she had a pen, snapped at the usage of her pet name—her pet peeve.
"Oh yeah, sure. Take my damn hat, and my pen, and I probably have some paper stuffed away somewhere, huh?"
Vert could not resist one last jab at her short-tempered friend. She hummed, aware of the three CPU's eyes focused on herself but completely ignorant of the dangerous glint in the third's eye.
"Somewhere? Have you checked your bra?"
A low growl rose from the back of Blanc's throat. She stood up, knocked her chair over, and marched to the balcony door.
"To hell with your Christmas party! Fall in a pit and die," she spat. The goddess transformed and exited through the window, leaving the curtains parted and the door wide open. Vert's shoulders fell a bit.
"Oh, darn. She took her hat with her. Now we can't draw names for the Secret Santa."