"Huh? Prince Bruno?"

"Good evening, Summoner."

The masked prince of Embla greeted politely, his usual black and gold ensemble and mask juxtaposed with the festive red and white of his holiday hat and shawl, a significantly sized sack toted over his shoulder. "My apologies for the sudden visitation, but might I have the privilege of entering your quarters?"

Kiran blinked in surprise at Bruno's request, noting the subtle urgency in his tone before nodding. "Um, sure," Kiran replied as he stood to the side to allow the Emblian prince to enter his room, an invitation Bruno seemed all too eager to accept as he deftly stepped past the summoner. Raising an eyebrow questioningly, Kiran closed the door to his room before addressing Bruno, "So, what brings you here, Prince Bruno? From the looks of it, you seem to be in the middle of playing Winter Envoy this year." In an effort to lighten the mood, the summoner smirked playfully as he asked, "Don't tell me you came all this way to give me a present!"

Curiously, Bruno appeared hesitant to answer at first, his mouth pressed into a thin line as he considered Kiran's question. Before Kiran could inquire further, Bruno began to reply. "Well, you see-"

"Hurry, Alfonse! This way!"

"Hm?"

Kiran turned his attention to the door to his room, having thought he heard the faint sound of Sharena's cheery voice from the other side. Stepping closer, the summoner could hear the muffled thumping of footsteps quickly approaching, followed by the familiar sound of Alfonse's voice. "Sharena, are you certain your eyes weren't playing tricks on you?"

"I'm positive!" Came Sharena's immediate reply as Kiran continued to eavesdrop from his side of the door, oblivious to the uncomfortable frown on Bruno's face behind him. "I swear I saw Zacharias run off this way!" This was followed by a soft sigh that Kiran had to strain to even hear.

"Sharena, I really don't think that…" There was a pause, before Alfonse spoke again in a lighter tone, though Kiran could tell it was slightly forced. "Perhaps…he continued down the hall. He might even have slipped out into the Winter Festival grounds."

"Yeah, that might be it!" Sharena eagerly replied. "Come on! Let's go find him, then the three of us can enjoy the Winter Festival together, just like before! Oh, and Kiran and Anna too!" With a soft yelp, Kiran heard the royal sibling's footsteps thump off into the distance until all was silent again.

Straightening up, Kiran turned and cast a critical look at Bruno, who seemed to have taken a great interest in Kiran's decorations. "So, mind telling me what that was all about, Mr. Winter Envoy?"

"…I fear I have tarried here quite long enough. There are many more presents to deliver this eve." Bruno stated after a moment as he began to make his way towards the door. "Thank you for your hospitality, Kiran, but I must-"

"Bruno."

The Emblian prince sighed as the summoner stubbornly positioned himself in front of the door, a frown visible underneath the hood. In a gentler tone, Kiran spoke again. "Really, Bruno? Running and hiding like a child about to be caught opening presents early by his parents? Why don't you talk to them?" Taking a step forward, Kiran added, "I…think it would really help them."

"I…am afraid I cannot agree with that, Summoner." Bruno replied solemnly with a shake of his head. "I have caused them – and you - more trouble than they should ever have to endure. I have neither the business nor the right to stand beside them."

"Oh, yeah?" Kiran responded quickly, unconvinced. "Then what are you doing here? Last I heard, all the good boys and girls wanting gifts were at the festival grounds…not in the residential wing of the castle."

Bruno seemed to flinch at Kiran's perceptiveness, silence hanging between the two young men. Finally, Bruno gently lowered the sack he had with him onto the floor, rummaging inside it briefly before retrieving two gifts in each of his hands. "I…" Bruno began, uncertainty creeping into his voice. "I had hoped…to deliver these whilst they were away, or preferably asleep. I did not expect them to appear here while the festival was occurring."

At Bruno's confession, Kiran grinned as he approached the troubled Emblian prince. "Sounds like the Winter Envoy still has a job to do then. After all…" The summoner gave a friendly pat to Bruno's arm as he said, "It would be a shame if 'Zacharias' gifts weren't properly delivered to Alfonse and Sharena."

"Summoner…" Bruno murmured quietly in astonishment as Kiran drew back a step, beckoning with his gloved hand.

"Come on, then! Let's deliver some presents. I think I've spent enough time in this room anyways, so consider me the Winter Envoy's little helper!" Kiran flashed a guilty smile as he added, "Plus, I haven't gotten Alfonse and Sharena a proper present yet, so I think you'll suffice!"

Behind his mask, Bruno stared at the summoner in bewilderment before a deep chuckle escaped his lips. "Very well, then. I shall accept your aid, Sum-…Kiran." Returning the gifts he held in his hands into the sack, Bruno prepared to lift it up once more before pausing. "Ah, but first…" Plunging his hand into the sack, Bruno retrieved another gift and presented it to Kiran. "I believe this belongs to you. Merry Winter Festival, Kiran."

Surprised, Kiran nodded gratefully as he took the present from Bruno's hand, carefully opening the wrapping to reveal an ornate rectangular box. Lifting the lid, Kiran gasped in awe as he withdrew a mask similar in design to the one Bruno wore, although the mask in Kiran's hands was a pristine white with gold accents, complimenting his favorite cloak.

"This mask I wear has been a means to an end, a way of protecting myself…and protecting others from myself." Bruno stated with a hint of remorse in his voice. "However, I pray that this mask that I present to you will instead be a source of strength in times of trial. Hopefully, the day will never come where you must take up such a woeful burden as I have, Kiran."

Kiran tore his gaze away from the mask before smiling at Bruno. "Thanks, Bruno. Even if that day does come, I'll always remember who I am underneath this mask…as well as the friend who gave it to me." His smile morphing into a casual grin, Kiran wasted no time in donning the mask. "But, in the meantime, it'll be a neat accessory! Now, off we go to spread merriment and cheer!"

Bruno chuckled softly at the carefree nature of the summoner as he hefted the sack of gifts over his shoulder and followed Kiran out of the room. As the pair walked side by side, Bruno surreptitiously glanced at Kiran, noticing the subtle boldness with which the summoner carried himself even while innocently humming a soft, merry tune. At the sight, Bruno could not help but be put at ease, the guilt-ridden thoughts cautioning him to be on guard gradually falling silent in the summoner's presence.

Perhaps, with the summoner at his side, maybe then he could…

Bruno softly shook his head, dismissing his sentimental thoughts. Should fate allow his and Kiran's path to cross with the Askr siblings this eve, he will address the matter then. Regardless, once the Winter Festival reached its conclusion, Bruno would have to be sure to offer his thanks to Kiran…

Thank him for standing faithfully by Alfonse and Sharena's sides in his place…and for allowing him to relive fonder days with old friends.

Author's Note: Yes, I do realize we are as of now nowhere near the holidays. But, I figured I'll continue posting these sporadically instead of waiting another whole year for the holiday season.

LuigiG54: Thank you for your review! It is fun to interpret how each FEH OC would act during the festive holidays and what/how they would present as a gift to Kiran. I hope that you are doing better these days; here's to the two of us getting through one day at a time!