Before I continue with the chapter, a reply to a Guest review (thanks for reviewing by the way, it means a lot and it is actually the reason I'm uploading now).

A) This is an AU. I realise a couple of things won't line up perfectly with game canon (but to be honest, if you've read all the support conversations and attempted to figure their actual backstory in-game there are a few places where THAT doesn't line up) I am taking artistic license with some details in order to foreshadow and/or build characters.

B) See above.

C) I'm not certain what you're referring to here...

D) I don't think his hair grew overnight O.o It's been a while since I wrote this, so perhaps I made a mistake...

E) It never specifies their age difference in the game, so I decided a few years would be better. It also becomes a plot device later on.

F) The drawing set is, again, artistic license. It seemed the sort of thing a modern Lucius would have. He could easily have done odds jobs around the town et.c to earn the money for it.

And I have no idea would Armin Arlert is so that last bit made no sense to me!

I hope that's cleared some stuff up XD On with the story!

Chapter 7 – Raymond – Gifts

The twenty minute walk to school was never bad, but today it was wonderful. The sun shone down on him as he walked, and as he passed through the town, he took an opportunity to look into all the shop windows. He actually had money… He could buy something if he wanted it. As strange as the feeling was, it made him feel very grown up. If he wanted sweets, he could buy sweets… If he wanted a new board game, or an action figure, he could buy it!

He was running the thoughts over in his mind, a grin plastered stupidly on his face, when he saw the window of the toy shop out of the corner of his eye. He stopped, and turned to face it.

In the window, at the front of a display of large animal toys, was a giant horse… It was light brown, with deep set dark blue eyes, made of those strange large half-beads that toys always used for eyes, with the black centre, and coloured outer ring… Its mane was a richer, darker brown than the rest of its body, and on its back was a blue saddle.

His mind flashed back to several weeks ago, when Priscilla had run in with that picture of a horse… This horse was big enough for her to actually pretend to ride it… at least for several years. Raymond did not know how long he stared, but when he looked at his watch, he realised he would have to run to school to be on time. But as he ran, he had already decided what he'd buy first with the money…

The school day was average, as far as school day went. At least, it was until break-time…

A birthday in their class was always celebrated, but Raymond had yet to reveal it was his birthday, because he couldn't continue the strange tradition that had always been in their class since reception. The birthday boy or girl would always have sweets to hand out… But Raymond never could. His family could never afford sweets for him or Priscilla to take in.

But as he delved into his backpack for his lunch-box, his hand collided with something that rustled with a ridiculous noise. He carefully withdrew the noisy package from the bottom of his bag, and his eyes widened as a grin spread across his face.

It was a massive bag of sweets! His Mum must have put them in his bag…

Hurriedly, Raymond ran over to his friends, Anthony and Kendal.

"Hey, Ray… Isn't it your birthday today?" Kendal asked. Raymond grinned.

"Yep. Here! Take one!" he exclaimed, a little over-excited. Kendal and Anthony exchanged a surprised glance.

"You have sweets?" Anthony asked, confused.

"What do you think they are? Beatles? Of course I have sweets!" Raymond replied sharply, holding the bag under their noses. The two shrugged and took a sweet each.

"Thanks." They said in unison, smiling at their friend. Raymond smiled back, glad to finally have something to offer people.

The rest of the day saw Raymond become quite popular among his classmates. This was obviously because of the sweets, but Raymond didn't mind. He'd never had a birthday like this before, and he was going to savour it.

But as the day drew to a close, he remembered the horse. As he said goodbye to his friends, he hurried into town, clutching his wallet tightly in his hand. The toy shop would still be open for a while, but he wanted to buy Priscilla that horse…

He knew it was his money, and he really shouldn't be spending it on his little sister. A part of him was in fact violently resisting the urge. However, as soon as he'd seen it, Raymond had known that he wanted to get it for her… He wanted her to be as happy today as he was. And besides… she was ill. She was miserable. She needed cheering up. And what better way than a new teddy?

He was home in half the time it usually took him to walk, despite the giant horse he was now carrying, and he pushed the door open.

"I'm home!" he called. He heard pattering footsteps from the living room, and sure enough in came Priscilla, followed by their mother. Priscilla seemed to have a little more energy than earlier, so that was good. And Raymond also noticed that the pale green dress she was wearing seemed to be new; he'd certainly never seen it before.

"Goodness me, Raymond! What on earth did you buy that for?!" Celia exclaimed as she saw the horse in her son's hands. Raymond had had a feeling she might react like that… But he just smiled.

"Priscilla, this is for you." He said, placing the horse down in front of his sister. Her eyes lit up, and her mouth widened into a smile.

"Really, Ray!?" she cried excitedly, as though it was too good to be true.

"Yeah. I thought it looked a lot like the horse in your picture… So I figured I'd get you it." He explained. "Do you like it?"

"Yes yes! Thank you, big brother!" Priscilla cried, as she ran at him and flung her arms around his neck. Raymond felt like she was going to squeeze him to death, but he didn't mind. He was just glad to see her with her energy back.

When she was done hugging him, Priscilla went back to the horse, and clambered onto its back, pretending to ride it back into the living room. Raymond watched her go, smiling, as his mother bent down to his level.

"Why did you buy her that? It's your birthday money… Shouldn't you spend it on yourself? You know… You're the one who's supposed to be happy today." She said, a little confused.

"This makes me happy." Raymond said, smiling at his mother. "I don't like to see her sad when she's ill…" he muttered, looking down sheepishly. "Sorry, Mum… I just wanted to cheer her up."

His mother smiled.

"Okay, Raymond. You still have to open your presents anyway! We were waiting for you in there." She changed the subject. Raymond looked surprised. "Did you forget you had other presents?" Celia laughed a little. "Come on."

That birthday was the best Raymond had ever had. He'd never had so many presents. He didn't even know where he was going to put them yet, so they had to be stacked in a corner of his room until they could figure it out. It was a wonderful day.

But that was the brightest day he was to see in a long while… A very long while.

Ah, chessy dramatic end sentences. I love them so.