Author's Notes: I know, it is not as descriptive as I usually am. I am not satisfied. This will be edited.
Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer here.
Carol of the Bells
Chapter Eight: Some Resolutions
"Sasuke-kun, you're late!! Wakaba-chan will have your hide!!" Futch says.
"What, you're late as well!!" Sasuke cried.
"Hey, Hix left a while ago already, we really should go." Tir says, effectively herding out the bunch of boys.
"Tir-niichan…"
"Luc-kun…"
"Hey, c'mon, hurry up." Riou motions at the other boys to go with him, leaving Tir and Luc by themselves.
"I'm sorry about the way I acted." Luc says quickly, Tir almost didn't understand. But it was enough. Tir knew how difficult it surely is for Luc to apologize.
"That's okay…" Tir said kindly.
"………"
"………"
"………"
"………"
"……!!!" Luc hugged Tir, trying hard to keep his voice even. "I don't hate you, Tir-niichan."
"I know…" Tir says, hugging Luc. "I know, but it makes me happy to hear that."
"………" Luc released Tir. "We should go to that party I guess."
"Yeah," Tir smiled. "Do you think I look okay?"
"Yeah, Luc said regarding Tir in his suit. "A little boring though. A lot of people are wearing something like that."
"It's the best I can do." Tir chuckled. "Two thumbs-up for you though, that look is really for you. I can never see you in a suit."
"… Did you just insult me?"
"It was a compliment!!" Tir said, laughing. "Everyone can see you already—the True Wind Rune Bearer, greatest sorceror of all time." He pats Luc's shoulder, touching the strange green material of Luc's clothes. Luc was wearing a black turtleneck and green shirt with black pants and boots and a long dark green coat over it all. He looked hauntingly like the nobles from Harmonia…
"Tir-chama!!" Viki cried and ran towards them. "Dance with me, please, please, please!!!" She held her white skirts out and curtsied gracefully.
"Sure." Tir smiled and led Viki to the dance floor.
"I wasn't sure if you would come…"
"………" Luc stared at Millie for a while. She was wearing blue—as usual. But she didn't wear a ridiculously tiny skirt. She wore a long, full skirt of white with a blue material draped over it. Her dress was laced at the bodice, with a high neck. She had a blue shawl and bonnet, which reminded him of the ladies of the northern lands… Luc shook himself out of reverie.
"I'm glad you could come—and that it seems you and Tir-niichan are okay again." Millie said.
"… I'm glad too." And a comfortable silence soon settled over them.
Tomo points at Millie's direction. "Nanami-chan, Millie-chan is with Luc!!!"
"I know!!" Nanami cried excitedly. Riou, you big idiot, what are you doing, leaving your date with your big sister??!
"Tomo-chan!"
"Riou-chan!" Tomo smiled.
"Riou-chan!!" Nanami cried, resisting the urge to add: "Finally!"
"I'm sorry I took so long, Tomo-chan." Riou laughed. "My present was rather difficult you see…"
"Huh?" Tomo looked behind Riou. "KAASAN??!! Kaasan!!!!!!!!" Tears flowed down Tomo's cheeks and she ran to her mother. "And Tousan, you're with Tousan!" Tomo hugged both her parents. "I'm so glad…" Tomo goes to Riou and hugged him. "Thank you Riou-chan, you've made me so happy!!!"
"That was great, little brother!!" Nanami says enthusiastically.
"Thanks," Riou grinned. "It took a lot of work."
"But worth it." Nanami says, gesturing towards Tomo and her parents. "I think they want to get to know their little girl's date." Nanami says, pushing Riou towards Tomo-chan.
Well, at least Riou-chan is happy…Nanami looks down at the parcel in her hands. I wish I can give this to Jowy… I wonder how he is…
* * *
"Uncle Jowy!"
"Yes, Pilika?"
The little girl pulled herself on Jowy's lap. "Merry Christmas!!"
"Merry Christmas to you too, Pilika."
"Uncle Jowy…" Pilika holds out a red headband at him. "Help me put it on."
It is the one Nanami gave her… Jowy mused. "Sure, Pilika." Nanami-chan…
"Red is for Christmas." Pilika says pointing at her headband.
"Yes, that's right." Jowy says.
"She will like that gift you know," Pilika says.
"What gift, Pilika?"
"That one." Pilika points to the wrapped present on Jowy's bedside table. "Nanami-neechan will be happy when you give that to her."
"I know, Pilika." Jowy smiled. Merry Christmas, Nanami-chan…