After a night of food and partying and another day of resting and getting supplies they headed toward Arlia. On the way the stopped in Salva because Dias said he had to get something.
Why didn't you get it while we were in Cross? Claude asked with a hint of impatience.
Dias didn't even spare him a glance. Mind your business. He walked off toward the weapons store.
We might as well shop while we are waiting. Celine said as she left the group and went to the jewelry store.
As Celine walked into the store, she overheard Dias talking to the jeweler.
Hello, Master Flac. How are you today?
I'm fine. Lilly, is it finished yet?
Yes. Hold on, I'll go get it for you. She walked to the back of her shop and started going through her drawers.
Dias turned his head slightly. Hey Celine, do me a favor.
This is a surprise. Celine thought to herself. What is it?
Keep Rena out of the jewelry and weapons store until I'm through.
All right. Celine decided. But if I have a question you have to answer it, truthfully. Agreed?
Celine walked out the store and almost bumped into Claude.
Sorry Claude. I didn't see you.
It's okay. What are you doing?
I'm going to give Rena her birthday present.
That's right. It is Rena's birthday today. Claude scratched the back of his head. I was about to go get her something out of the jewelry store.
What are you going to get her?
I'm not sure. I'll know when I see it.
They both saw Rena running toward them. Hey Celine!
Well, I'll keep Rena out of the store. Bye now.
When Claude entered the store he saw Dias at the counter.
There you go Master Flac. The jeweler said as she handed him a red velvet pouch.
Thanks Lilly. Bye.
Have a good day.
Dias smiled, turned around, than started walking out the door. He looked up and saw Claude.
Hi, Dias.
What are you doing in here?
I'm getting Rena her birthday present.
What about you?
He said as he walked past him out the door.
Claude watched as he disappeared around the corner. I bet he got Rena's present from here. If I buy an expensive gift, she'll be with me for sure. Claude thought to himself.
Claude's daydream
Claude (giving her a present): Happy Birthday Rena.
Opens box and sees diamond ring.
Rena (hugs Claude): Thank you. This is the best present in the world.
Rena showers him in kisses. Dias walks up and Claude hip bumps him out of the picture.
End of Claude's daydream
Claude walked up to the counter with a smile on his face. I would like to buy that ring right there.
This ring? All right that would be 20,000 fol, please. Lilly said with a smile.
Claude gave her the money and walked out the store with the ring. He spotted Rena over on the steps of Alen's house. She seemed to be working on something.
Hi, Rena.
She looked up. Hi, Claude. She stood up. Look at what everyone gave me for my birthday.
She pointed to each item. Opera and Ernest bought me a kit to make my own weapons. Celine bought me some emerald earrings. Precis bought me an assortment of my favorite jams. I'm trying out the weapons kit to make me some Empresia knuckles. But I can't finish them because I am missing something. I can't really put my finger on it.
Well since everyone else gave you their presents, I might as well give you mine. Claude presented her the ring.
Wow! Is this really for me? Rena asked in disbelief.
Yes. I
Now I can finish my knuckles. The rainbow diamond in this ring is just what I needed. She snatched the ring and set back to work. Thank you, Claude.
20,000 fol down the drain. Claude muttered.
I did it! Rena said in a singsong voice while trying on her new knuckles.
What did Dias get you? Claude asked when he realized she didn't tell him.
I don't know. He hasn't given it to me yet. Rena looked around. Have you seen him?
Not since I left the weapons and jewelry store.
Rena frowned and her ears drooped down a bit. I guess he forgot. She gave Claude a smile, but she looked as if she was about to cry.
Precis came from inside Alen's house. Hey Rena, Alen wants to talk to you. She noticed Claude standing a little bit away from Rena. Claude, where have you been? Get in here.
He turned towards Rena. I'm sure he didn't forget. Happy Birthday.
Thank you. She gave him a sad smile. They walked into the house and headed toward the huge dining room.
Why is it so dark in here? Where's Alen? Rena asked as they walked into darkness.
All of the sudden, the lights came on and everyone jumped out.
SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RENA! Everyone shouted. Rena let out a yelp of surprise and smiled. She looked around the room and saw everyone faces, even Alen's. She noticed someone was missing. Everyone saw Rena's smile go to a frown. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
Thank you everyone. She tried to hide the quiver in her voice but couldn't. I guess he did forget after all. Tears started to spill down her cheeks.
She turned around and bumped into something hard and solid. She almost fell backwards but warm arms wrapped around her. Rena looked up into crimson eyes.
Why are you crying? Dias asked as he gently wiped the tears from her eyes. It's your birthday.
I thought you forgot.
Dias held his hand up in front of her face and let the velvet pouch hang from it.
I wouldn't have had this made for you if I did. He said with a smile. Rena giggled when she heard a few choking sounds behind her.
She let out a small gasp, plus a few collective ones were heard behind her, when she lifted up the contents of the pouch. It was a gold necklace with a heart pendant at the end. The pendent was made out of rainbow diamonds that made a shape of a heart around a heart shaped green emerald. Dias fastened it around her neck.
You like it? Dias asked when she turned around. He saw the fresh tears in her eyes. What did I do to make you cry this time?! He said incredulously. I thought you'd be happy!
I AM! She said. I'm crying because I'm happy.
Well, stop it.
She looked up at him. Stop being happy?
No. I want you to stop crying. Dias said. I always want you to be happy. Now where is that smile that I love so much?
Rena laughed and hugged him.
Dias looked up and saw everyone staring at them and glared. What are YOU staring at? Get on with the party.
~~~~~~~2 hours later~~~~~~~
After all that cleaning, I'm bushed. Claude said.
Everyone else agreed.
Noel looked around. Where are Rena and Dias?
Opera looked also. I don't know. I saw them earlier.
There is Dias' cloak over there and with it in the corner, is Rena's also. Chisato observed.
Alen had walked into the room in the middle of the conversation. They are on the balcony.
They look so cute out there together. Precis said.
Where you spying on them? Bowman said in a teasing tone.
Precis feigned innocence. Of course not. I was merely observing.
Where can we observe? Chisato asked.
Come on. And be quiet! Precis led them out off the house and led them to a place that hid them perfectly, but gave them a perfect viewing and hearing distance of Rena and Dias on the balcony.
A gentle breeze was blowing. The full moon was shining down on them turning Dias' hair into a silvery blue and Rena's to a lighter blue. She was sitting on his lap ,in his arms, leaning back on his chest. Rena still had to tilt her head up a little to look into his eyes, since she had her head on his shoulder.
I still didn't thank you for the necklace.
You didn't? I thought you did.
She gave him a playful punch in his chest. You know what I mean.
Dias feigned ignorance. I have no idea.
She lifted her head up to look in his eyes. She saw the amusement there.
Dias started laughing. Rena smiled.
I missed hearing him laugh. She thought to herself.
They didn't hear the set of face faults into the ground below.
Dias laughter died down to a chuckle. We didn't get to finish what we started in Herlie.
no we didn't. Rena said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her face closer to his until their lips were just a mere inch apart.
Want to? She asked as she brushed her lips lightly against his.
He said with half closed lids.
Rena increased the pressure of her lips on his until a light kiss turned into a deeper one. Their arms tightened around one another. Some of the stars in the sky twinkled as if they approved of the couple.
They didn't notice the other set of face faults either.