And now for something completely different…
Coach Eizen cupped his chin in the store. It was nearly the holiday and he's failed to get a present for his little sister. He had no excuse. There was plenty of time to grab something, anything for her and he's botched that up.
Little Edna was young, only a blooming twelve-years old. And it was his duty as an older brother to make sure she had the best in life. He joined the military, giving off his money to his sister under his uncle's care.
But once his service was done and he returned, to see her grow up without him, so different. In some ways, he didn't feel like he really deserved it. Sure, Uncle Phenx lights a fire on his ass for not coming back home more often but he's been so engrossed by his own work, it put off a lot of things.
Now, the hockey coach was in a bind. What exactly does Edna even like? Whenever they chatted through the web, there was nothing discriminate he could see. He only knew that she loved hockey as much as he does.
"Maybe a bobblehead..?" Eizen muttered to himself. A bobblehead of a famous hockey player.
W-wait, maybe she'll get all hockey'ed out.
The worse feeling for anybody was getting drained of the sport. And he hoped that she'll never grow tired of it.
Grumbling to himself, his eyes already looked around him. There was a rather noticeable breadth around him as people passed by. Perhaps it wasn't the best to frown and constantly mumble to himself. Or just wear darker clothing.
That might work too.
Eizen sighed. Just another day. Just as his eyes were getting tired, his ears peaked up at the sound of a very familiar tone.
"Oh my, it appears the Lieutenant is having issues."
He turned, spotting his other aunt, Grimoirh. That comically sized 'witch' hat of her was bound to attract attention. All eyes were gonna turn on them.
"Auntie… Please remove that ridiculous hat."
The older woman mockingly gasped before her sarcastic eyes laid upon him. "It is a treasured loom of our family. Generations upon generations of wondrous hats laid upon our heads."
"Well I'm not in the mood for grand storytelling."
"Why not?!" Exclaimed another voice behind her.
And stepping out behind the elder woman was Magilou. In her own silly jester's hat.
"Hi coach!"
"Hello Magilou. Can the both of you shove off? I'm thinking here."
"Oh? Is it for lil' Edna?"
"Shut it."
"So it is! And you're having trouble finding what she'd like?" Magilou spun herself in a circle. "Why didn't ask me?"
"Because you're an annoying shit, that's why."
"Ouch! Maybe I'll let in a few goals next game. Keep the crowd entertained."
"I swear I will put you through the ringer."
"Careful with those eyes Eizen, you might catch some attention to yourself." She nonchalantly whistled.
A few people looked at the three, more specifically Eizen. Murmurs passed between families, but they continued about their business. The blonde man groaned.
"Just my damn luck."
"Most of that luck seems self-inflicted." Grimoirh smugly chuckled.
"Don't be accusing your Reaper's Curse there!" Magilou chimed in.
Fed up, he hung his head back before sighing. "Maybe you'll know. What's something Edna would love to have?"
"You of course."
Magilou tapped her chin. "How old is little Edna now?"
"About twelve."
"Then how about some dolls? Or one of those make-up sets? Or better yet, the infinity cube?"
His eyes furrowed. "What's an 'Infinity Cube'?"
"Oh, it's a little fun thing that you can flip and turn indefinitely. Let me find one."
As Magilou ran off, Grimoirh chuckled, adjusting her hat. "She's turned out to be quite the festive one, huh?"
"Far better when you just got her from the old man."
"Indeed. But more annoying."
"I'd take annoying over 'emotionally dead' any day."
Moments later, the goalie returned with several articles of clothing and a pristine cube shape sitting on top. It looked like it was made of smaller cubes, stacked in a way.
"Well, try it! See how it goes."
Eizen picked up the toy, blinking. Was this really it? He opened it, making it a rectangular prism. The box unfolded in the center and he managed to make it into a cube again. Frowning, he did it again.
Still, the very same cube.
As he continued to fiddle with the toy, Grimoirh chuckled, adjusting her hat. "Aaah, youth."
Eventually Eizen bought two of them. One for himself and the other for Edna. The former navy officer looked confident exiting the store. The other two women did not.
"Forever a child, wouldn't you agree?" The elder woman sighed, adjusting her hat.
"He makes me look mature." Magilou quipped.
"Aahh, you wouldn't appreciate this things majesty." Eizen scoffed at their insults. How could one possibly understand the quality of such a toy? To play with without ever looking at it? Remarkable and ingenious.
Still, one item wasn't going to cut it for him. No, it required a few more gifts for his baby sister. A hat for the colder days. Yes, but what kind of hat to give her.
He turned to Grimoirh and Magilou, scratching the back of his head.
"… What… kind of stupid hat would she like?"
The women held their head's in mock shock. "Our hats aren't stupid, dunderhead!" Magilou was the first to talk though, "Why not give her one of those nice hats from we always get?"
"Isn't that a bit clique?"
"I don't see you having better ideas"
Eizen grit his teeth. That kinda stung. But alas, it was true.
"Guess we'll just have to get everything girls her age are into!" Magilou set a march towards the cosmetics store. Taken back from the bright lights inside, he followed her in. Grimoirh followed right behind.
Eizen was a simple person. The concept of dressing well or adding flair made no sense to him. Being clean cut in a specific way, in a specific style and a specific dress code all suited him perfectly. It was like this for the Midgand Navy and it's helped him along the way.
Except for civilian life. Phasing out his tendencies proved to be difficult.
He looked at the prices of the things. Eyeliner? Lipstick? Blush and brushes? If he was still in the Navy, it was all well above his paygrade. At least, enough for him to reconsider. Magilou immediately caught his reluctance.
"You're not gonna break it if y-" She paused. "Never mind, don't touch anything until I give it to you."
The blonde walked over to one of the people, asking about… something or other. If it didn't involve one's involvement with hockey, weapons or fascinating treasures, such things were completely alien to him.
He looked around, doing his best to shield his eyes. Too much lighting and white reflective things.
Eventually, Magilou came back, holding several items already bundled together. Tubes, containers and brushes or various sizes and colors. Where all of these really necessary?
"Ta-da! It's a deal! Only forty-five gald!"
Eizen clutched his chest. And wallet. It's for Edna, it's for Edna, it's for Edna!
Silently, broodingly, he took the pack and nodded. Grimoirh patted his back. "You're a good older brother Eizen."
-.-.-
Uncle Phenex's house was a festive as always. The older man always pulled the most extravagant displays of holiday cheer. Bright green and red lights all the way up to the front door. But he wasn't going through there. Just the door from the garage.
Stepping in, he brushed some of the snow off his jacket before hanging it up. The light warmth from the laundry room just enough to get him into the feeling for the holiday. Setting Edna's gifts onto he opened the main door inside.
The smell of roasting ham and other goodies bombarded his nose. The television playing some kid's cartoon and an all too familiar hair tie turning around. Her eyes glowed like sapphire gems as she came running towards him.
"Eizen!" She leaped into his arms.
"Edna!" The young coach pulled her in, and poked her cheek. "How's my favorite lil'-"
"THERE YOU ARE YOU SLAG HOG!"
The two turned to see Uncle Phenex in his classic cowboy hat, arms crossed. "I've been slaving over the stove with lil' Edna here and the wif-y, and you've got TONS OF 'SPLAINING TO DO!"
Edna cupped her ears, wincing. He always gets this loud.
"AYE SAILOR! Now ya'll come and-"
Behind him, his wife slapped his head with a rolled newspaper and dragged him away by the collar. "Sorry about that! Go and have fun you two~!"
Awkward moments aside, Edna hopped down from Eizen's arms and dragged her brother to the living room.
"Whatcha watching today Edna?" Eizen finally asked as he took a seat.
"Ooh, some cartoon. It's a dog that goes to the tip of Northgand to be a reindeer."
"That's… a bit extreme."
"Oh, but it's funny!" She turned back to him. "Did you bring presents?"
"R-right! I did!" He hurried back to the laundry room and returned. "H-here you go. I kinda hope you'll like it."
Edna took the gifts and gently shook the package. "… It's makeup isn't it?"
"H-how did you..?"
"Magilou texted me."
His fingers balled up, eyes darkening behind his bangs. That little traitor!
"Honestly, big brother, you're a dork. A real big dork."
She hugged him again, and deeply sighed. "But you're my big dorky brother. And… thanks. For coming this year."
Eizen's features softened. Intense and harsh thoughts abated for the possible retribution raining on the team's goalie. For the reasons he felt he couldn't see her, growing up without him just to pay for costs. Having her grow while he was so intensely focused on his job. A mix of regret and disgust at himself…
Maybe, just maybe…
Those thoughts could be pushed back again, for a warm and loving family he wanted them to be.