Meep! I totally procrastinated in writing the New Years chapter! Gotta get going, gotta get going... Oh! And as you'll realize after reading the first sentence, New Years is going to be celebrated in Mizuho. And here are the responses to reviews:
To Sir-Dik-Dik – T.T I know, I know... I have to update Warrior Island. But Soul Calibur II just isn't in my mind as of late. But I'll try!
To Cerse Liminara – Glad you liked it; and finals so are evil!
To RPGs r the BEST – Your advice was duly noted, dude! I've kept the characters close to their original personalities most of the time, and the presence of romance is mainly Gesea, so it's cutesy junk. :-P
To Tsuruoka – Heh. It's nice to have my work appreciated. (smile)
Disclaimer: Yeah, I don't own any of the Tales of Symphonia characters, okay?
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)Chapter 2 – New Years!(
The village of Mizuho was bustling with villagers moving here and there, preparing for the New Years celebration. There was a thin layer of snow that succeeded in covering every inch of bare ground and each roof of the villagers' huts. The weather was quite crisp, but not so cold that it was necessary for people to be bundled up in layers of clothes. Nearby the village entrance, Sheena placed her hand on the shoulder of a Mizuho resident who was walking by, "Is everything going all right with the arrangements for New Years?" she asked. The man nodded. "Thanks. That's good. My friends are going to be here soon."
"We're already heeeere!"
"Aah!" Sheena fell forward onto the snow due to the sudden weight of Zelos jumping on her back. "Zelos! That was really uncalled for!" she pushed herself up off of the ground, tossing Zelos off in the process. She moved into a sitting position and brushed the snow off of her clothes, "Well... welcome to Mizuho, everyo—Zelos, get off!" Sheena screamed at the Chosen whom had made himself comfortable in her lap. She promptly shoved him off and stood up. "Ahem... as I was saying, welcome to Mizuho, guys."
Lloyd blinked several times, and then finally asked, "Why are you welcoming us? We've been here before, Sheena! Don't tell me you've already forgotten!"
"N-no," Sheena insisted, "That isn't what I meant, Lloyd. I was just... ah, forget it." Lloyd smiled obliviously.
Colette suddenly began jumping up and down gleefully, "Ooh! I can't wait to celebrate New Years! I've never celebrated—"
"You've celebrated New Years before, Colette," Lloyd corrected without letting her finish her statement.
Sylvarant's Chosen playfully shoved Lloyd and giggled, "No, Lloyd; I was going to say that I've never celebrated New Years in Tethe'alla! And in Mizuho of all places... this should be lots of fun!"
Sheena smiled, "You bet it'll be fun! They're just typical traditions, but Mizuho really knows how to make it fun! It's probably my favourite holiday, actually."
Zelos finally got to his feet and walked up next to Sheena, placing a hand on her shoulder, "It's only natural that you like New Years so much. I mean, think about it! A New Year spent with your beloved Zelos Wilder!"
Everyone rolled their eyes at Zelos, and Raine commented, "I highly doubt that, Zelos... But I am certainly eager to see the Mizuho New Years customs!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together and getting that familiar glint of fascination in her eyes.
"You'd better be sure not to get drunk this time then, Raine," Genis said with laugh, only to be cut short by Raine slapping him upside the head. "Owww!"
The Professor folded her arms in front of her chest, "You brought that one on yourself, Genis."
"Anyway..." Sheena continued once again, "Things aren't really going to get going for about another hour, so feel free to wander around and stay out of trouble," while emphasizing her last statement, Sheena was staring directly at Zelos, "Is that clear? I don't want anyone to make a mess of things in Mizuho. Punishments are strict, you know? Technically none of you are even supposed to be here! So please, be good!"
"You're too uptight," Zelos whispered soothingly in Sheena's ear as he gently massaged her shoulders. Sheena, however, was not in the mood for Zelos' advances, and so she forcefully elbowed him in the gut. Without any more words, Sheena walked off towards the Chief's house. "My precious, precious body!" Zelos whined, dramatically falling onto the ground and clutching his abdomen. No one really cared about Zelos' pain, and they all walked off in separate directions—away from the complaining Chosen. "You're all so cruueeeel!!"
Lloyd and Genis were lounging on the soft snow by the unfrozen riverside, watching as villagers set up for the New Years spectacle... whatever that ended up being. "Hey, Lloyd," Genis spoke to get his friend's attention, breaking the silence.
"Hmm? Yeah, what is it, Genis?"
"I was thinking," he looked further down the river and stared at Presea, whom was simply standing by the water's edge and watching the villagers, as well, "maybe tonight I'll tell Presea that I like her."
Lloyd appeared rather perplexed, "Genis, you've told her before; Presea just doesn't seem to get what you mean."
"I know that!" Genis snapped, "That's why I thought maybe I'd show her... you know, with a kiss or... something..." the young half-elf's face turned red as he looked downwards, away from Presea. "But I'm nervous..."
"You sound like a girl who's too scared to tell a guy that she has a crush on him!" Lloyd mocked.
Genis glared at his best friend, "Qu-quiet!" he stammered in a raised voice, "I've just never kissed anyone, okay?!" This simply triggered laughter from Lloyd. "Hey, don't laugh!" Genis shouted, "It's not like you're any better! I mean... you only had your first kiss a couple of months ago with Colette! And you're seventeen; I'm only twelve!"
Lloyd abruptly stopped laughing and scratched his chin in thought, "Hmm... now that I think about it, Presea's twenty-eight, isn't she? Wouldn't you two being an item be kind of... wrong...?"
"Lloyd, you're missing the point entirely!"
Genis' best friend tilted his head to the side, "Well, what do you want me to do to boost your confidence? Help you practice or something?"
"Ah!! No!"
"I was just kidding," Lloyd assured, smiling innocently, "But seriously, you just have to go for it, Genis! It's the only way that Presea will really understand that you like her...romantically, or whatever."
Genis gazed towards Presea again, "I know. And I'm going to do it."
While all of this was going on, Zelos was still exaggerating his pain nearby the entrance to Mizuho. "Does no one care about me?!" he shouted, looking around to see if he could catch sight of any of his friends... but no one was there. "Hmph. I guess not." Zelos sat up and sighed, "I am so not appreciated by these people."
"And there's a reason for it, too."
Zelos turned around to find Raine standing over him, "Ah, Raine! Have you come to rescue me?"
"Definitely not," the Professor replied coolly, "I just so happened to be walking by when I heard you come to the realization that we don't care... but then again, the fact that you asked if I had come to rescue you made me come to my senses and realize that by no means have you learnt anything."
"Ouch... cold..." Zelos' head sank in disappointment, "What does it take to get someone to love me?"
Raine rolled her eyes as she began to walk away, "Even a blind person can see things better than you..." she murmured without looking back at the so-called "idiot Chosen".
"What? What does that mean?" Zelos bounded to his feet – suddenly recovered from his 'terrible injury' – and chased after Raine, "Are you trying to tell me something or... something? Raiiine!!" he whined as the Professor continued moving forward. Struggling to keep up with her pace, Zelos began to guess what she had meant, "Oh! I get it! You love me, right? Aw, Raine! That's so sweet of you!" Raine's patience was running thin, so she did what she always does to Zelos when he was getting on her nerves: inflicted pain upon him. At that moment she chose to push him forcefully in the shoulder with a balled up fist, causing the hopeless Chosen to fall down once again. "Aaah! Mean!"
"Get a clue," she murmured, quickly making her way towards the area where Colette and Regal were having a conversation. She took a seat on the ground next to Regal and shook her head to herself.
"Is there a problem?" the president of Lezareno questioned.
"Not for me," Raine replied, "But Zelos is completely oblivious... as always."
Regal smiled slightly, "Ah, yes. Perhaps for the New Year he should resolve to spend his money on something useful, such as a brain that has knowledge of things such as true romance."
Both adults laughed at Regal's comment, and Colette simply blinked, "How could he buy something like that?"
"Ah... never mind, Colette," said Raine.
There was silence for a minute, and then Colette broke out enthusiastically, "Speaking of New Years resolutions, what are all of yours? Mine is to save the world!"
"You've... already done that, Colette," stated Regal, looking at the girl inquisitively.
"Yeah, I know that!" Sylvarant's Chosen exclaimed, "But who knows when it will be necessary again, right? I just have to be ready for whatever ends up happening! Oh," Colette suddenly realized that she had been rambling, "I'm sorry for going on like that! Please, tell me what both of your resolutions are."
Raine pondered on the thought for a moment, "Well, I suppose that above all else, I'd just really like to be able to cook one good meal."
"Professor... hasn't that been your resolution for the past few years?"
"Yes..." Raine sighed shamefully, "It has. But I just haven't been able to succeed; perhaps this will be the year. I need to learn to buckle down and follow the recipe without adding any of my own personal twists."
"Like the sugar spaghetti sauce with gumballs?" Colette asked.
And once again, Raine sighed, "Yes..."
Regal murmured under his breath, "My New Years resolution is to stop all cooking travesties like that..."
"What?!"
"Ah, umm, erm..." Regal hesitated, searching for a sufficient lie, "That is to say that... as heir to the Wonder Chef, I must put forward all of my strength to fight the Dark Chef Alliance! That and... run my company, of course."
Raine eyed Regal uncertainly, not believing his cover-up, but stated nonetheless, "Running your company wouldn't be a resolution since it's something that you would be doing anyway."
"Fair enough," the master chef agreed.
"Colette, Raine, Regal!" a voice called, causing all three of their heads to turn. Sheena approached them, wearing the normal clothes of Mizuho women and stumbling over her own feet out of awkwardness. "Everything is ready for the—Whoa!!" Sheena finally lost her balance and fell forward into the snow.
Colette beamed, "Ooh, Sheena! You're just as clumsy as me!"
Sheena staggered to her feet. "People usually aren't proud to compare themselves to something bad..."
"I imagine that you're not one to wear robes often, Sheena?" Raine commented in an inquisitive tone.
The summoner shook her head, "Not at all. But I'll get used to it; I always have troubles walking when I first put it on. Anyway, we should all head down to the river for the celebration. There's only ten minutes until the New Year, after all. All of our other friends have been informed," Sheena paused, "Actually, Zelos wouldn't stop obsessing over me and that's what took so long."
They all headed for the river where the people of Mizuho had already begun celebrating. Several villagers were handing out glasses of Flanoir and Mizuho potions to bring in the New Year. When Presea received a glass, she seemed rather sceptical. Raine walked up behind her, "Don't worry, you can go ahead and have some. Technically you are over eighteen... and even so, you won't be finishing it."
Presea looked at Raine, "Why not?"
"You'll see..."
Igaguri was being his regular high-spirited self and enjoying the holiday with the village residents. Tiga was keeping a close eye on the Chief, making sure that he did not do anything foolish that would give him a bad image. Genis was watching Presea closely, prepping for the 'big moment' when he would kiss her. Lloyd thought that he was pathetic for making such a big deal out of it. Colette was staring at the Mizuho people who were setting something up on the opposite side of the river. "What are those people doing?" she asked Sheena.
"Oh, they're preparing to set off the fireworks when the New Year rolls in," Sheena answered.
"Fireworks?" Colette grinned, "Wow! I've only heard about fireworks and never actually seen them!"
Sheena returned her friend's smile, "Well then, it should be a great experience!" she sat down on the snow just next to the river, "Have a seat. It's a front-row view," Sheena invited. Colette nodded and took a seat next to Sheena. Before any more words were said, Zelos joined the two friends and sat behind Sheena, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her back against him. "Zelos," Sheena sighed, slightly agitated, but gave no real objections.
"Aha!" Zelos exclaimed suddenly. Sheena craned her neck backwards to look at Zelos questioningly. "That's what Raine meant! You're the one who loves me!" Sheena hugged Zelos' arms closer to her body without saying so much as a word; of course she loved him.
Lloyd sat down next to Colette and said to his three friends, "Hey, guys. When the countdown reaches zero, watch Genis. He's finally going to kiss Presea! Well, if he doesn't chicken out."
Colette stared at Lloyd, "Wouldn't us watching him just make Genis more anxious?" Lloyd shrugged. "Oh well! It should be cute to watch!" she squealed. To that, all of them had to agree.
The Chief jumped up onto a table that had been set up and proclaimed, "The New Year is about to come in! In ten, nine, eight—Tiiigaaa!" The vice-chief swiftly pulled Igaguri off of the table because – as far as Tiga was concerned – he was making a fool of himself. Even though the Chief had stopped his countdown, the villagers all continued it:
"Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!!!"
Glasses clanged together and people drank down their alcoholic beverages. ((A/N: Let's just say that the potions are alcoholic.)) Presea looked at her glass for a moment, and then took a small sip of the drink. After catching its dreadful taste, she had to force what she had taken down. She held the glass away and frowned at it, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "How can they all drink this?" she whispered to herself before pouring out what was left of the liquid and placing the empty glass on a table.
The fireworks began to set off, lighting up the sky in all kinds of colours. Colette was mesmerized by how the fireworks managed to explode in perfect circles and rings, combining with one-another in beautiful forms. Lloyd gently nudged Colette's arm, causing the girl to turn around and notice that Genis was finally approaching Presea. Zelos and Sheena were watching, as well... in fact, so were Raine and Regal. And Igaguri and Tiga. And Orochi. It goes without saying that Genis was feeling rather intimidated at that moment. Genis glanced at everyone uncomfortably. Presea finally took notice of Genis, "Oh, Genis. What is it?"
"Um... Presea, I..." the half-elf's face flushed as he searched for the words to lead to up to his coming actions. He quickly gave up on speaking and kissed her... on the cheek.
No one said a word as time slowly. ticked. by... "That was it!?" Lloyd shouted, "All of that hesitation for a kiss on the cheek!?" Meanwhile, Zelos had broken into a fit of laughter, Colette was cooing about how cute it was, Sheena was suppressing a smile, Regal wasn't aware of what he was supposed to expect, Raine shook her head at her brother, Igaguri, Tiga and Orochi didn't really care.
Then, there was Presea. She was not really sure what she was supposed to do, and so she simply said, "Thank you, and... Happy New Year...?" Genis slunk away, feeling very embarrassed that Presea did not understand. Everyone else, on the other hand, was not surprised.
Maybe next year, Genis. Maybe next year...
#--))Happy New Year!!((--#
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Well, that didn't end up being as funny as the Christmas chapter in my mind... but it was still all right. Heh, heh... poor Genis. I hope you all enjoyed it, and please review with your opinion!
Until Valentine's Day... sayonara!
