Sweet Dreams
#8 Wish - Stars and Candles
I noticed that some people said Ren was OOC on the sixth chapter... and I guess he is. o.o; I'm considering rewriting that chapter now... But I can't think of anything good for 'Nearest Distance' so it'll just have to be the way it is for now. I hope Ren isn't THAT OOC for this chapter.
"What do you want?"
A small giggle and a flash of blue. "How did you know I was here?"
"I am a trained warrior, of course I could sense you."
"You're no fun."
"What the hell do you want? Why aren't you down there with the rest of the idiots getting drunk and celebrating the damned new year?"
The door opened a few inches as Pirika stepped out, a mysterious smile on her face. "And why aren't you out there? You always participated in those parties after fights and things..."
A scowl. He hated it when questions bounced back to him. "Yeah, well, they were such a pathetic sight I couldn't bear to look at them a second longer."
She seated herself next to him, giggling as she took out a small bag from behind her back. "Or are you just feeling sorry for yourself here because no one bothered to remember your birthday?"
Silence. "How did you-"
"I asked your sister a few months ago, actually. Why didn't you tell me your birthday was on New Years Day? Because that is totally cool."
"...Yeah, right. I hate birthdays. I hate New Years. I hate celebrations."
Pirika just giggled and opened up the small bag, revealing...
"Peach buns?" Ren asked, staring at the pink fluffy buns in front of him with disbelief. "You brought Peach Buns here? And why do they have candles stuck smack in the middle of them? That really ruins the effect, you know."
She scowled at him, as she revealed more Peach Buns from the small bag, including a lighter. "Shut up. You know it's tradition to have blow out candles and make a wish on your birthday."
"Candles on Peach Buns?"
"Well, ok, but I know you hate artificially sweet stuff... You wouldn't eat any birthday cakes, would you?"
This was quite true. You never know, artificial food could stunt the growth.
He dumbly stared at the food in question as she patiently lighted up the candles, and pushed a plate of the Peach Buns to him. And to his horror, she gave him a teasing smile and began singing.
"Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Ren,
Happy Birthday to you!"
All he could do was blink confusedly at her, wondering why in the world the girl in front of him had sung a very weird song.
"Well?"
Ren continued to stare blankly back at her. "What?"
"...Don't tell me. You don't know the birthday tradition?"
"What tradition?"
Was it possible to not know how to celebrate birthdays? But then again, this was Ren. In fact, she was pretty sure no one even bothered to wish him a Happy Birthday before, considering what a weirdo his father was.
It was up to Pirika to introduce him to the latest traditions, then. If her brother had seen him like this, completely oblivious to the most common holiday, he would have probably laughed his butt off- and then Ren's reply would have probably been nothing too pleasant, including his Horaiken and a lot of gore.
"You blow out the candles while making a wish. If you blow them all out in a single breath, your wish comes true."
"There's only one candle. Of course I can blow it out in a single breath."
Argh. Why did he have to be so sarcastic? He should appreciate the art of birthdays more.
"And do you really think wishes come true if you blow down a single candle? That's like saying Santa Clause is real-"
Did he have no dreams? This was a matter of hopes and dreams, wasn't it? And she wasn't just saying this because she actually did believe in Santa Clause.
"Just make a wish and blow out the stupid candle!" she snapped, shoving the plate to him roughly.
Still looking dubious, he gave a sigh as if blowing out a candle required humongous strength. "Well, okay. I wish-"
"No, no! You aren't supposed to say your wish out loud! You just wish inside your head and blow out the candle." Pirika explained patiently. "If anyone hears your wish, it won't come true."
He gave a snort. "Of course it won't come true. This is just a stupid trick for stupid children."
"Just do it!"
Ren gave another sigh, glaring at the candle in front of him as if it was a barking dog. "Fine."
There was silence as Ren sat there, closing his eyes as he tried to think of a good wish to make. Not that he had any special wishes. It was also pretty hard to think when Pirika was staring at him with a hopeful expression on her face. Although what there was to be hopeful of, he had no idea.
With a weird sort of determined expression on his face, he opened his eyes. "Ok, I'm ready. Do I just... blow it out?"
She bobbed her head up and down enthusiastically, beaming as if he was her own child blowing out his very first birthday candle. "Go on, Ren. Think of your wish and blow it out!"
And so he sucked in his breath, ready to blow it out in a single breath-
BANG BANG WHOOSH!
Both shamans could do nothing but stare in horror at the remains of the candle. Smoke trailed up into the air, it's fumes infuriating Ren more then neccessary. "What the hell was that?"
By 'that', he meant the sudden fireworks that had suddenly launched into the air, exploding right behind them. The firework was much more stronger then the normal fireworks, as it was tinkered by Hao and omitted by a certain Spirit of Fire.
"I think that was Hao's 'Extra Special Bang-Bang New Year Fireworks', as he called it. He did mention something about releasing it tonight..."
"...I think I'll go and kill him."
Pirika rolled her eyes. "Oh, c'mon, it's not that bad." She took out the blown out candle from the peach bun and tossed it off the roof. "I guess we'll have to do without a candle, then. We can light it up again, but it won't be the same, will it?"
His sour expression didn't disappear, although to Pirika's relief the murderous expression had gone away. "Fine."
Silence filled the night air, as Pirika timidly tried to figure out what Ren might be thinking. Did the candle and the wish mean so much to him? It was actually pretty cute, come to think of it...
"Stop brooding, Ren. I'll look for another candle if you want..."
He felt himself blushing, feeling silly he was being so mad about a single candle you could get any day. It wasn't her fault the stupid candle had to go off just because of a little wind...
Ren reached for one of the pink buns, moodily biting into it. "It wasn't that much of a wish, anyway."
Instead, she gave him a smile. "I'm sure your wish will come true, with or without the help of a candle."
"I don't believe in this stupid birthday belief, anyway..."
Yes, he didn't believe. But he still felt oddly disappointed as he took another bite, wishing that he did have the chance to blow the candle out.
"Well, why don't we wish on a star then?"
He blinked, giving Pirika a confused look. "Wish on a star? That's just for books, isn't it?"
"We can still wish on a star. How about that star?" she pointed out a particularly shining star, a soft smile on her face. "I wish..."
Ren watched in fascination, her face so very calm as she closed her eyes, wishing. For the first time in years, he felt his mouth slowly forming a smile.
"I wish..."
What did Ren wish for? That shall remain a secret. (Actually, I couldn't think of anything good. -cough-) I couldn't think of a good ending for this, either. I seem to suck at writing endings. Well, anyway, reviews, people:D
Next up- Lips
