18. New Year

[corrinesbell]

I missed the new year by about three days, judging from when Lavi said the solstice was. …I apologize. I was kind of…preoccupied. A lot of stuff had happened, and it got a little hectic.

Anyway, where I’m from, we exchange gifts on the new year, so…there are some people I need to see. 

You guys live right next door, so…I’ll just come over, I guess. You’re home, right?

 

I’ll have to talk to each of you in person in order to give you what I was planning on. It might have to wait until my hand heals a little more, though. 

Sorry, but it’ll have to wait a while. It takes a lot of writing, and I want it to be mostly readable, so I’m gonna need to wait until I can use my other hand. …I’m really sorry. 

Just…stop by whenever. Or, I guess I’ll come over there, since…Lloyd won’t be going anywhere for a while. You feel any better today?
And…thanks again, Kratos. That really helped.

Kind of hard to believe it’s been only a few months since I got here, and it’s the new year already. I mean, it was summer when I left…
You know what? I’m not thinking stuff like that today. 

Comments

[handwriting is still a little messier than usual]

[kid-in-red.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better today.

I kind of wonder, though... are the people back home missing us yet? Did Zelos tell them where we went? Dad's probably really worried...

[that's all right, they can have messy handwriting together]

[corrinesbell]

...Truthfully, I kind of hope Zelos doesn't remember any of this.

[kid-in-red.livejournal.com]

Why wouldn't he?

[corrinesbell]

I don't know, maybe when they send you back you forget everything.
It's wishful thinking, okay?

[kid-in-red.livejournal.com]

Maybe... Who knows with this place.

But still. I hope the others aren't too worried.

[corrinesbell]

Yeah, me too.
So, you want your present now, or later?

[kid-in-red.livejournal.com]

Now's okay. It's really boring being stuck in bed.

[corrinesbell]

No kidding.

[over at Lloyd's in seconds since it's...right over there]

...Hey.

[kid-in-red.livejournal.com]

[sitting up in bed when Sheena gets there] Hey yourself.

[corrinesbell]

[You can't look at Lloyd and stay even a little depressed...]

Sorry it isn't wrapped, or whatever. Been kinda busy.

[Hands him what appears to be a book; the cover doesn't say anything]

B-Before you ask...I remembered you, uh, liked to look at the stars. So that's what the book's about.

[Not good at giving gifts, so she isn't looking at him anymore]

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

Ah, Sheena, you shouldn't have, though I'm very honored. That said, there's no need to apologize; I was unaware, and thus I've nothing for you in return.

I'm positive that Stella feels the same.

[corrinesbell]

You don't give presents because you expect stuff in return. And I'll get it done as soon as I can, really.

[kid-in-red.livejournal.com]

[and he takes the book, surprised she remembered something like that]

Hey, thanks, Sheena! Where'd you manage to find it?

[corrinesbell]

[Glad he seems to like it, the ToS crew was the hardest to find gifts for]

It's from the library, but they don't need it back. Said there was no one left around who wanted to study the stars anyway.

[kid-in-red.livejournal.com]

...That's kind of sad, really.

[corrinesbell]

It is, but I already decided I'm tired of being sad around here. So I'm not gonna think about it.

You need anything?

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

True. Still kind of makes me feel like an ass, though.

I look forward to it.

[corrinesbell]

Besides, having that festival was kinda like giving something to everybody, wasn't it?

[nowarstowin.livejournal.com]

...I suppose you're right about that.

Thanks, Sheena.

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

You don't have to apologize! I'm... really quite honored! *blushing on the other side*

I have a gift for you as well though I was planning to wait until my own holiday!

[corrinesbell]

You do? That really isn't necessary...

Well, Kratos healed my hand a little yesterday, so I'll finish sooner than I thought I would, at least.

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

No, it's alright. Would you like it now, or when you finish yours?

Kratos did? Is he a friend from your world?

[corrinesbell]

Oh, I guess you didn't meet him. Yeah, he is.

You really don't have to give me anything...

[goldenfirefly.livejournal.com]

And I could say the same thing to you. But this isn't about exchanging gifts, right? I want to give this to you because I consider you a wonderful friend.

[corrinesbell]

[now she's embarrassed, too, good thing this is written]

Well...then whenever you feel like it is fine.