Christmas Present
The dragon slayer sat at the edge of his bed. His hands holding what seemed to be a small box clad in all of white with what seemed to be tiny candy canes spread out across it. The wrapping had been the same one used on the presents that now took residence under their Christmas tree. But this one present in particular stood out from the whole lot of them.
It was small and delicate, no more than three inches to each side. It was not one of much worth, but the weight of the act came with the fact that it existed at all under his roof.
The idea had been brought up by his exceed, which he had declined almost instantly, only to reconsider once her monumental eyes softened him to the point of defeat. He supposed now that he could have pretended to go along with it, but Frosch would have instantly noticed. Assuming that she would ask the mage herself if she had received the gift, of course.
Even after having bought it, Rogue sat there debating whether he should really go through with it. Several minutes before he stood and made his way out of the guild, and faced the the dark streets of Crocus. He knew where she stayed, so it was easy to make his way over to where her guild had been staying during the games.
Each step felt heavy over the crunching of the snow. Half way there he stopped, his attention caught by the pet shop that they had visited several weeks ago now. Eyebrows furrowed in thought then as a clutter of memories rushed back to him of those days; of Belle, and by default, Lisanna.
The second half of his way there went by faster, only slowing to turn a couple corners as he neared the building.
The curtain of raven hair slid back as his face tilted upward, and eyes scanned each bedroom window. Which one was hers? The unspoken question was pushed aside, for it mattered not if he knew where she stayed because he didn't plan on seeing her face to face that evening. Frosch was waiting for him, after all, and he refused to keep her waiting any longer.
The ravenette walked up the steps and with an extended hand, and knocked on the door. It was late, but not too late, so someone would surely come out to the door. With this in mind, Rogue placed the small box at the foot of the door, and turned around to head back home.
He didn't want to see her, no. That wasn't it. The gesture had been all but forced upon him by Frosch, so given his little choice in the matter, Rogue picked out something that seemed appropriate.
His step weren't hurried, instead only fast enough so that he would be out of sight when the gift was found.
Later, when the box would reach Lisanna's hands, she would find a silver barrette with turquoise stones on the top of it. The present would be neatly placed atop a small note. Only a single sentence had been written on the small paper, with no signature attached to it. But then again, no signature was needed to know who it had been from.
To keep your hair out of your face.
The guild seem be crazier than usual, it was Christmas eve after all. The young take over mage noticed her older sister trying to gain control of the situation and calm certain people down but was failing at it. She looked away when she saw someone throw a pan at her sister, "That's gotta hurt." she whispered to herself. Walking over to her sister now wouldn't be such a good idea. Seeing everyone happy was good though, they were all together like the family they were.
After a few hours of that, Lisanna blinked, eyes a little wide, lips a little parted – and then she smiled suddenly, eyelids lowering and mouth twisting up, and thought of maybe getting a drink, she shook her head as if she regretted of that idea very much. "Mira-Nee might not approve." It took a moment for the neurons in her brain to spark to life and figure out what to do. 'Or maybe I can go take a peek at the presents while everyone is off getting drunk.' That idea got her to smile, her smile was warm, like lazy sunlight that saturated your pores on a glowing summer afternoon. Then, the dawn of recognition broadened her face when she heard a knock. It could barely be heard over all the noise but she was sure someone had knocked.
Would she have to go answer? It was probably best unless letting one of the drunk members open and drag them in by force. She bites her lower lip before she raises her eyes and noticed no one going to the door. They probably didn't even hear it. When she'd made it to the door, miraculously without tripping on anyone on the floor, she turned around, huge grin on her face before opening the door.
No one was there.
And then, a smile split the mage's face, one that lit up her eyes right along with it. She freezes internally then, just for a second, the object sitting there got her off guard, "A present?" she mumbles, trying to drown out the sound of her own heart as she picked up the small box. She noticed the note, a faint blush settling over her features. When she tilts her head with a skeptical smirk, some of her hair draws like a curtain over her eyes that flickers when she blinks. Opening it to see what it was didn't really matter to her, it was the fact that he would actually give her something. He must have had his reasons but it felt nice to know she might now be growing on him. She says nothing as she opens the box, however, only biting down on her lip, but while her mouth remains closed. The present is for her and she knows exactly who it's from. She brings back her box against her chest, drawing her face up, pink dusting itself over her cheeks. "Merry Christmas Rogue.." she whispered.
