Summary: Nico goes shopping, Nozomi continues curious, and Eli sits Maki down for a talk.

Nico entered the shop. The Gold Hatpin, woman owned, queer friendly, antique and vintage jewelry, a quaint little shop within a shop. Classy. Shiny and new and using resources best left to the land would not impress the woman currently only known as Diamond Princess, Nico knew that. But handpicked, vintage, estate jewelry might. There had been rings and bangles and bracelets on the hands, fingers, and forearms that had gripped the microphone and strummed so urgently. Rings and bangles and bracelets that had later caught in Nico's hair and scraped cold against Nico's skin, when the Diamond Princess had been so hot and fevered against her.

"Hi!" A welcoming smile from the woman behind the counter. "Good morning. Can I help you with something."

"Nico is doing Christmas shopping for a very pretty, very important person."

"Do you have a price range?"

"No. Nico wants something punk and pretty, diamonds would be a bonus." Nico giggled, "Picture a punk princess, but upstyled vintage fashion and royal jewels instead of torn jeans and safety pins."

"I see. We don't have any barbed wire and gemstone tiaras in the store right now but," her voice warm and friendly, the woman drew Nico's attention to a counter, where she pulled out a tray of rings, "we do have lots of very well cut art deco diamond rings. Some very good values."

Nico hissed, "Too early for a ring. Nico wants to start with a merry Christmas stocking stuffer and move up from there."

An understated, understanding nod.

"We have some lovely Victorian Pietra Dura Brooches."

"Pietra Dura?"

The woman placed a tray of black mosaic brooches in front of Nico. "A Florentine mosaic technique. Silver and Gold frames and the flowers are inlaid with carved hard gemstones in Belgian marble."

A trio of delicate flowers floated in a line across a black background. Exquisite. Something Nico could see her mother wearing it on a winter coat, not Diamond Princess.

"Pretty. Not her style though. My mama would like it." Smiling, Nico waved an arm, "Something for the wrist, a bangle or bracelet. I've seen her wear those."

Oval linked bright green stones, set in gold were the next option. "This is a rare Victorian malachite bracelet.

"Not the right color. Maybe amethyst. Or something diamond."

"This is a 10 carat gold bangle with amethyst." A flower was carved into a large central amethyst, swirls of gold embracing it.

"Nico can afford more than 10 karats."

Next was a wide bangle with an open two toned heart design. "This is 20 carat. New in stock from an estate sale." The saleswoman handed it to Nico, "Has a very modern feel. And a romantic flair."

Nico nodded. A good option. She imagined herself sliding it onto Maki's wrist. But the open hearts were too uncommitted for Nico. Nico caught some sparkles in a band of black and crouched down, pointing.

"Show Nico that."

"Of course. Excellent choice."

Thin, edged gold rim surrounding black with multiple florets each with 6 diamonds set around a central diamond.

"Black enamel and diamond bangle. Antique. Holds its value well. It would look quite striking."

Nico could see it, sparkling under stage lights, a reminder of Nico, drawing attention to the artistry that Diamond Princess put into each chord, each musical moment. Or maybe Diamond Princess would wear it offstage, long fingers twisting it around her wrist, smiling at the memory of Nico. Smiling at in person Nico would be better, so much better. If the promise of a present could land Nico another in person meeting, that would be gift enough for Nico.

Maki slid the stool back from her drum kit, finally happy with the base rhythm she'd laid down. The song was nearly finished. She needed to shake her head clear and recharge her patience before she could sit down and smooth the tiny, jarring, cracks that prevented a perfect merger of tracks. Fortunately, later, she had plans, a distraction, tickets to Ruth Page's The Nutcracker at 5 p.m., meeting Eli for their annual tradition.

Speaking of Eli, she should confirm.

M: Still on for The Nutcracker?

A delay.

E: Is that today?

M: Yes.

E: I made dinner plans for later but yes, Nutcracker. Something to look forward to while I sit here waiting for a doctor.

M: Are you all right?

E: Just some testing. Nothing major. Don't worry. Let's meet for coffee before.

M: Okay. Going to take a quick nap and shower, then head to Chicago.

E: Drive carefully. I'll see you later. Java and Mug? 3:30ish?

M: d(-_)

Now for some sleep. Yawn and stretch and maybe find a jazz lullaby.

Nz: Are you still stomping around, Nico-chi?

N: No.

Nz: Want to have lunch.

N: No.

Nz: Find a good Christmas present?

N: None of your business, Nozy.

Nz: I cast my cards for you, Nico-chi, because I love you so. And I worry. The Lovers. And the 7 of Swords, again. You need the truth, Nico. Hiding it doesn't help you at all.

Long pause.

N: You don't know what you're talking about.

Nz: The cards do/ And to get where you deserve, you need to confront the reality.

Nz: So who did you meet at the Diamond Princess concert?

N: you hacked me

Nz: I'm a good guesser.

N: YOu hacked me.

Nz: 乁[ᓀᓂ]ㄏ

N: Revise your 5 year plan; Nico is finding a new manager.

Nz: (๑๑)

N:(ﾉꐦ 曲ఠ)ﾉ彡

Nz: I want to help.

N: You want to pry. It's Nico's private life, not Nozomi's PRYing life.

Nz: We're friends, Nico-chi. I can help you. You've been worried. The cards know it. They're trying to guide you.

N: it's not my truth to tell. back off.

N: I mean it, Nozomi.

Nozomi knew when she'd pushed Nico too far. She slid her phone into her coat pocket. Let Nico simmer. Although, maybe Nico had the right idea about one thing, some Santa come early surprises might be just the right touch for her date with Eli tonight.

Maki had that Christmas smile on her face, small, satisfied, sitting there with what Eli would bet was the Java Combo tomato panini and a tomato o' tomato smoothie.

Mug. Dark liquid. Eli had guessed wrong. Coffee.

"No tomato smoothie?"

Maki shook her head. "Coffee sounded better. I'm looking forward to the ballet, wanted to stay awake."

Eli smiled, "Yeah, one of my students from my internship three years ago is the Mouse King. I'm excited for her."

"I think Nishikino Industries is one of the sponsors this year. My parents seem to be going out of their way to…" Maki sighed, her eyelashes fluttering closed, "cheer me up by throwing money at causes they know I support."

"And singers?"

Maki fumbled her coffee, tensing, "What do you mean?"

"The Nico Ni concert. You've been a fan for years."

Maki nodded, "Right. Fan." She turned to look at the menu boards, "You should order something. And bring me back a macaron."

Maki's phone pinged. Rin.

R: Love the song. Did you send it to Nico?

M: Needs a little more tweaking.

R: Just show up and sing it to her, Maki. Like a movie. She ( ‿ ) you.

M: I don't know where she lives.

R: (=‥=) Ask her. Meet her. Send a cute selfie.

M: Eli says hi.

R: Oh, right, have fun. Hi ELIヾﾉ)o

Eli returned with a hot chocolate and a plate of macaroons.

"Rin says hi."

"Hello, Rin. What are she and Hanayo up to today?"

"Rin is nagging me."

"About?"

Maki's fingers curled around a macaron, but then she started rotating it on the plate, not moving it any closer to getting eaten.

"Maki?"

Eli was surprised by the fierceness in Maki's gaze when she raised it to meet Eli's. And the darkening blush on Maki's cheek.

"My last concert…"

"Halloween?"

Maki nodded, "Something happened."

"Something?"

Another nod, and crazy blushing, "With someone."

"Like dinner or karaoke or rescuing a stray kitten or…"

"Sex" Maki hissed so quickly Eli wasn't sure she'd heard anything.

"Sex? With a fan."

Maki glanced away.

"How could you? Did you get tested? Did you catch something? I just spent the morning at the clinic because…"

Maki's eyes went wide. "Are you all right? Did something happen to you. With Nico's manager?"

"Yes, something happened. But we had an adult conversation about sex and agreed to wait until I could get checked." Eli frowned. "We used our words, Maki. You can too."

"I can't; it's too…"

"Embarrassing? Your parents are doctors, for god's sake. Didn't they teach you anything?"

"THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM!" Maki was on her feet, everyone in the cafe staring.

Eli pushed back from the table, her long legs stretched out, her arms crossed over her torso, her hot chocolate forgotten. "It is A problem."

Maki shook her head, refusing to engage on that particular topicand sunk back into her chair. "Then I ghosted…the person. For weeks."

Eli stared over Maki's head, considering, then leaned forward, rubbing her forehead, "So, let me get this straight…"

"It was a woman."

"It's a phrase, Maki." Eli clenched her jaw, "Just let me talk this out for myself, please."

Maki, one arm across her torso, started curling a twist of hair, not making eye contact with Eli.

Eli leaned forward, her voice a whisper, "So you, my probably demisexual friend with no previous dating experience beyond kissing a fellow premed during a "boring horror series binge-a-thon" last quarter had sex after a concert…" Eli watched Maki, "in a hotel?"

Maki shook her head.

"In your dressing room? Pizdets!" Eli slammed the table, "and then further proving your immaturity, you ghosted this poor fan."

"I'm not immature."

"Oh my god, Maki, listen to yourself."

"It wasn't like that Eli." Maki leaned forward, "She…well, there was kissing…and I, it..I never felt that before, so shaky, so…rocketing…and she kept…and I…I just…"

Before Eli could rewrite any more of her mental image of Maki, she held up a hand and moved on to the next topic. "This is why Rin is texting you?"

Maki nodded.

"You met her again."

Another whisper, "It's Nico."

Eli stared. Holy fuck. Maki had landed one of the hottest celebrities on the planet, then ghosted her, then had her parents hire her…Eli giggled, then guffawed, huge attention drawing roll on the floor laughter. "Your parents didn't know when they hired her."

"Of course not. Why would I … how could they…"

"Oh, Maki."

"Yeah." Maki's head dropped into her hands.

Eli's voice was calm. "If you can't tell her, text her."

"I want to see her." Maki muttered. "I want to…" Tears filled amethyst eyes, "I don't know what to say."

"Well, when she sees you without the wig, she'll probably figure it out so you'll have some help there."

Maki's eyebrow arched up, "I could ask her to meet me as Diamond Princess and then show up as…" Maki waved her hands up and down.

Eli considered the outfit: Turtleneck, cargo joggers, "You Are On Native Land" Dad hat. Driving gear.

"Free legal advice. Wear something with more cleavage."

"Shut up."

"So Diamond Princess isn't ghosting her anymore?"

"I texted her during Godzilla. From my bedroom."

Eli almost laughed again, picturing the scene, Maki closed up in her room, like a princess in a tower. "How did she take it?"

"She was great." Maki glanced away, but there was a huge grin on her face. "She wanted to take me out for whatever I wanted. I told I was having trouble writing a song, which I was. But then Rin told me it wasn't like with my parents, I didn't have to keep Nico and music separate. I could…"

Eli sensed a stall coming on, "express your Nico feelings in music."

"So I started and Nico liked the start and now it's nearly finished and I can't wait, I…I want to…know how she reacts."

Maki wasn't like anyone else Eli had ever met. She'd been so surprised when the shy introvert had turned up bold and impulsive, asking for help choreographing for Diamond Princess's first concert. And then Eli had heard the songs, the raw, the physicality, the surges of emotion, the cutting, awkward lyrics. Once she knew that Maki had composed them, seen her stake her claim on stage, reveal her truths, Eli knew that Maki would never get music and performing out of her system, no matter how much med school Maki protested. And if music and Nico had connected for Maki…wow. Eli whistled.

"What?"

"That must have been mind blowing, you and Nico."

Maki took all the macaroons. "Shut up."

"Maki. If you want this to be serious, be real. Tell Nico the truth. All the truth."

"What do you mean?"

"How she makes you feel, how being on stage makes you feel, how med school and your parents…"

"No."

"Maybe if you're honest with her, you can finally be honest with yourself."

Maki looked lost, face slack, eyes watery.

"Take the cleavage advice seriously though. Works every time." Eli winked.

Grimacing, Maki threw the chocolate macaroon at her. Eli could feel the melancholy drain away, a cheerful Christmas background aura filling in again. And for a bonus, the caught macaron was excellent and the chocolate still warm.

A/N: And merrily we...