Author's Note: Sequel!!!! You need to read my other fic before you read this one. From what I hear, it's pretty good (I blame my reviewers, they inflated my ego!) Anyway, here we go. Oh! And I looked up Sunborn from "Cold Fire". I don't know if they actually exchange gifts in it, but if they don't then they do now.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Tamora Pierce books, (Briar, Sandry, Tris, Daja, Evvy, Pasco, Rosethorn, Lark, Frostpine, Niko, Duke Vedris) I do own the plot and any other characters. Especially Dan, Elizabeth, and Adam. They're MINE!
"Happy Sunborn!" Sandry piped as she handed out her gifts. She had made everyone an outfit, tailored to fit perfectly on each of their bodies. When she handed Elizabeth hers she said, "I know you don't like dresses, but I think you'd look stunning in this." Elizabeth unfolded the garment to reveal a deep blue dress, embroidered with silver colored silk. She gasped. "It's beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it." She said, "Because you'll need something nice to wear when you come to my Uncle's ball. All of you will." Indeed, Miss Fa Toren had sewn all of her friends formal outfits as her Sunborn gift to them. Tris's face lit up.
"A ball?" She asked. Sandry beamed at her friend.
"Yes. A ball. And Uncle asked that I invite you all." Adam looked at Tris and winked. The happy expression was replaced with one of agony. Great, she thought, another chance for him to "woo" me. When will he give it a rest?
Daja and Briar exchanged glances with each other, neither of them too keen on the idea of dancing with strangers to the sounds violins and flutes. "We'll talk later Saati." Daja told her, expressing her distaste for this "ball" of hers. Evvy handed out her gift next. Jeweled accessories to go with Sandry's clothes. Briar glared at her.
"Skirts." He scoffed, "Always teaming up on the poor, unsuspecting fools." Briar gave everyone a Shakkan tree. (A/N: Has he done this before? If he has, pretend he hasn't) Daja had made them all pendants with symbols on them. She had cleverly gotten them to admit attributes that they all had wanted to have in an innocent conversation. This had been particularly hard to do with Briar, who seemed to think he was perfect. Honestly, thought Daja, that boy could rival Frostpine in an ego contest. But once she did have them all, she forged the symbols for those attributes into silver pendants.
Adam was the only student who hadn't used magic in his presents. Unable to think of a creative way to use his magic in a gift, he had instead resorted back to his first love: painting. He had painted a different landscape for each of his friends.
"Where have you been hiding all this talent?" Elizabeth asked as she received hers. Adam gave her a glare at the slight. (You know, she's implying that he seemed talent-less) She just laughed.
"For your information," He said, "I've been painting ever since I was three. My mother was a painter." When he had handed out all of his gifts, it was Tris's turn. She, like Daja, had made them all pendants. Hers were made of crystal and glowed softly.
"They amplify and store power." She told her friends. "It's kind of like having your lump of string with you all the time." Tris was referring to the circle of thread that held power for her, Sandry, Daja, and Briar.
After Tris was done, it was Dan and Elizabeth's turn. They had both collaborated on their gift and were excited to show it to their friends. "Come on." Dan said, "Follow us." The two fifteen year olds led the others outside. They made everyone kneel on the grass at the far side of the yard behind the cottage. Dan waved his hand over the grass. It wavered, and turned into water. "Niko did it." He explained. Niko specialized in illusionary magic.
"Okay," Elizabeth began, beaming, "here's the deal: You each get to ask one question of the water. It can be anything you want, as long as it's answerable. No asking 'What came first, the chicken or the egg?' Your question, and your answer, will be totally private unless you decide to share them. Oh, and you have to ask with your magic. You can't just say it out loud."
Each person closed their eyes, trying to think of their question. Then, one by one, they looked into the water and one by one they got up. Each of their expressions were unreadable, but they all agreed that the gift was cool.
A/N: Yeah, okay, there was no point to this chapter. I had to start somewhere though. Don't worry, something(s) is/are going to happen at the ball. (Sorry Daja! You have to go!) I'm currently working on conflicts for this story. Suggestions/ideas are always helpful and welcome. So if you're brains are less empty than mine, I'd love to hear what you have to say. I'll probably use it. Till next time people!