These stories take place on different time
---
"Lucy, w-we have an emergency... Mom is... Missing."
Naive and sensitive as she was, Lucy immediately began to cry. Fortune didn't expect this to happen and immediately started calming her down. It wasn't even his idea after all.
"Shh-shh... It's okay, it's okay... Let's go find her, okay? Tears won't magically bring her back, capisce?"
"Okay..."
Wiping away his daughter's tears, Fortune and Lucy began searching for their mom.
"Hm... She isn't under the bed..."
"She isn't in a closet either..."
"Let's search our room then!"
Fortune expected Sol to be hiding her for the surprise, only to be puzzled himself about her whereabouts. She isn't exactly a nonchalant woman, so she would've been very easy to find. Lucy clung close to her father, she is very worried about her mom and with that, Fortune began to feel nervous too. It wasn't how they planned the Year's Celebrations...
That is until...
"Peek-a-boo!"
""UWAAAAAAH!!!""
Sol couldn't help, but laugh at how her two beloved people jumped in horror, and when they finally calmed down, they were understandably angry.
"Sol! Where have you been?!"
"Oh, hun, can't a little maiden have a little bit of fun?"
"You scared our daughter for no reason and you went off your own script! You told me you were going to hide in our room for the surprise."
"My bad, won't do it next time, promise! Now, the moment you've been waiting for... Ta-dah! Here are the presents from yours truly."
Sol reveals two present boxes. In the Lucy's present box, she finds an intricate white dress; in Fortune's present box, he finds dual pistols.
"Lucy, this is a very special dress for you alone. I would recommend wearing it on special occasions like this one, okay?"
"Okay..."
"Fortune, I've decided that you should be able to wield more convenient weapons and not having to constantly making cuts to create your hemoknives. I know you're always here for a spectacle, so I decided to give you a duo for those trick shots."
"W-Whoa... Thanks Sol."
"Why don't you try out your presents, hm?"
""Okay!""
Lucy goes to her room, while Fortune takes the pistols out of the case. While their daughter is changing, Sol explains the details of the weapons she gave to her husband.
"Those pistols are made from malleable material, meaning they can change the shape and functionality depending on the person wielding them. Of course, at first you need to imprint on it, so that the weapon would resonate with you. Go on, hold it in your hands and concentrate."
Fortune grabs one of the pistols and begins to concentrate. Slowly, he can feel his energy slowly seeping into the weapon. But Sol seems rather concerned.
"Hmm... That's weird, usually resonance happens a lot quicker than this..."
"Wait really? I can accelerate it if that's the case."
"No, magic doesn't work on malleable materials, it's your soul that should imprint on the weapon. And in spite of time changes, soul is soul; it can't be easily manipulated by magic..."
"I'm done!"
The lovebirds look towards their little chick dressed in all white. Sol asks how she feels in that dress, to which her daughter replies that she feels very light in it. Sol smiles and Lucy curiously approaches her dad.
"Wanna hold it?"
Lucy nods silently, and without thinking about it too much, he mindlessly gives the pistols to Lucy before Sol could stop him. In Lucy's hands, they immediately take shape and become much lighter to hold for a tiny girl such as Lucy.
She then, out of curiosity, shoots at the floor, and in a blink of a moment, a light ray appeared and disappeared just as quickly, not damaging the floor in any way. Sol sighed out of relief at first, but then looks at Fortune with pained expression.
"U-Um... Hun... Uh... It seems the weapons strongly resonated with our daughter... These ate her weapons now..."
"Oh?"
"That means you can't use it anymore. It won't bind itself to your soul."
"Huh? And why that's a problem?"
Sol groans and after a lengthy explanation, it finally dawns on him that he shouldn't have given the pistols to his daughter or anyone else - period.
"... My bad."
"Is that all that you have to say?..."
"Well, I might be now present-less now, but look at the bright side! Lucy has now two gifts and it seems she has the markings of the skilled magician! Hell, her magic is light based, like yours! Isn't that sweet? Besides, I'm perfectly content with how I set my weapons, no need to worry about me. As long as I don't consume too much blood and as long as the cut is non-grievous, it's all fine! Plus, to me, every day is a present because I have you two in my life."
"Aww, you're such a charmer... Fine. I suppose I forgive you for messing up that badly."
"And I forgive you for giving me a heart attack."
They both laugh at eachother and share a tender kiss, while Lucy continues to play with the guns. Light magic is overall pretty harmless when used against humans, so she has no risk of hurting herself or anyone. After the dinner to celebrate the Lunar Eve, Lucy is tucked to bed and the pair retires to their bedroom.
While embracing her loved one, Sol can't help but feel that something is missing. She wishes there would be just one more person to celebrate the Lunar Eve with. In fact, she hadn't told this Fortune yet, but she has a third present reserved for that one missing person.
---
"Cheers!"
""""Cheers!!!""""
Polina and her colleagues take their glasses and start clinking them between eachother. Today is the special day. She and her colleagues have champagne in their glasses, while Sardaana has plain fruit juice inside.
"I wish for the bountiful year for all of us, comrades! Let this be an event worth celebrating!"
""""Yippee!!!""""
"Oh, Pol, you really do give out the best speeches ever, my dear. I can feel my spirit rising up inside me!" Svetlana cheers and Polina smiles bashfully
"Eh, it's nothing really. I feel like an old gramophone saying those words."
"Well, even if they are overplayed, it's still worth saying them no? They're wishes at the end of the day!" Tamerlan laughs
"So, how did the year go for everyone? We don't see eachother all that often and everyone's got their own life - why don't we catch up at the end of the year, like we always do, eh?" Aytal offers
"Oh my year's sucked. That goddamn imbecile dumped me for some whore on the streets. Now trying to stay afloat without my "wallet" so to speak." Svetlana immediately starts "You guys make it bearable though."
"My year's been uneventful. I'm the lower ranking of all of you, so I don't get to see a lot of action like you guys. Just living my life, helping my family, all that stuff." Aytal shyly comments
"Oh, my dear Irina is having another child. Nikita's now going to school, while Nayuta is attending kindergarten. I think the third one should be enough to bring a happy and eventful home." Tamerlan smiles "How's your year went, Sardaana? Was Polina nice to you?"
"Y-Yeah... She's been nice..."
"Come on, don't be shy, we're all your family after all! Even if your mom, well..."
"Tamerlan, don't say that. It's best to not reopen old wounds." Polina chides
"... I read 27 books now."
"Oh-ho-ho! Wish Nikita was as much of a bookworm as you are! Those are fairy tales, right?"
"Yup."
"I can see that Sardaana's going to grow as a very imaginative person! Polina, you better support her, alright?"
"Of course. Her happiness is my happiness after all. She is very fond of the local library, believe me. The librarian pretty much recognises us immediately at this point, haha..."
"So who do you want to be when you grow up, Sardaana?"
"... I wanna be by Polina's side."
"So like us, the special forces?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Well, you can always dream! You really are fond of Polina, huh?"
"Well, duh, she's pretty much her mother." Svetlana butts in "And well, I would say Polina is a great mother myself."
"H-Hey..." Polina blushes and everyone has a hearty laugh
Polina swore to herself to not drink as much anymore, so she ended up being the third sober person in the room, behind Sardaana and Aytal who wasn't drinking all that much. Tamerlan is sufficiently drunk and Svetlana is pretty much wasted, she needs someone who could bring her home safely. Tamerlan volunteers in spite of his state, while Aytal drives both Polina and Sardaana home.
"Ah... It's nice having such a good time. Feel much more lighter on the inside."
"Yeah... Are you not tired of chauffeuring us though? I can perfectly drive on my snow scooter."
"No, it's alright by me. It's just... It's nice seeing a family so loving together."
"..."
"And here we are. You can now unbuckle your seats."
As Sardaana and Polina exit the car, Aytal waves them goodbye, and looks once again at Polina before driving back home.
They enter their own apartment and take off their clothes.
"Ah... It's nice to have some peace and quiet."
"Yeah..."
"Say, um, do I act drunk to you? I'm genuinely trying to restrain myself now."
"No, not really..."
"Augh... I seriously need to quit that. I... I still feel embarrassed from the previous year."
Both of them recall the previous celebration where Polina wasn't as restricted in her alcohol consumption, and that resulted in her being pretty much a blubbering mess. She still feels guilty for snapping at her during that entries fiasco and she swore that she would be the pest parent Sardaana could ever ask for. All for her sake.
"Um... Do you feel sleepy?"
"Yeah... Very much..."
"Me too, but before that, let me give you a present."
Polina hurries to her room and returns with a bag. Opening the bag, it reveals a polar bear plush with a red ribbon around its neck.
"Polar bear? Don't we have those in our office?"
"Well, those are tiny figurines, just to fill out the space and give it some life. This one... I want you to cherish it with your heart. Your mother... Well, at first I didn't get the polar bear connection either as she would constantly call me that due to my albinism and strength, but then after her departure, polar bears are something that I'm reminded of. They... Became my favourite animal. And hopefully you like them too."
"I like cats though..."
"Well, next year, I'll give you a cat plushie next! Please, think of this polar bear as mini-me. When I'm not at home for long periods of time, when you look at it, please let it be known that I care about you so-so much. You can even talk to it and tell it your biggest secrets that you won't share them even with me."
"Okay, I'm not mad. I actually like it."
"Oh than goodness... Now, let's have a quality bed time. We both deserve it."
"Yay."
The bright flower daughter and snow white mother lie beside eachother on the bed. Sardaana hugs Polina very tightly, with plush being squeezed between them. Polina is happy that this year's celebration is wah better than the previous one, as back then, she didn't even give her a present. She feared that Sardaana now loathed her just like she loathes her true mother, but Sardaana was weirdly understanding to her, and so she strived to better herself so that she would be proud. After all, Sardaana went through a lot, having to fend for herself on the streets at one point. She of all people deserves all the happiness in the world
And her only wish for the New Years and beyond is that Sardaana would be filled with love and affection, rather than resentment and bitterness towards the world that abandoned her
---
It was a Lunar Eve, where people gather under a spruce tree and sing a carol together to call forth the Lord of the Moon to give their blessing.
"Woahhhh! It's snowing!"
The children of the Praeyan orphanage begin to gather around, preparing for the carol.
"Calm down, kids. Everyone will have time to exit the door."
The sole manager and caretaker Catherine is leading the charge for these lone juveniles. Many people still help her around when they can, but usually she manages just fine.
With a corner of her eye, she notices one star child struggle with his shoelaces. He was always a bit a ditz and seems to have issues when it comes to precise fine motorics.
"Do you need any help, Sterling?"
He pouts a little, his fellow children have taken to teasing him about struggling with writing and tying things up; so he feels pretty ashamed that even in the most important moment for him, he still struggles.
"Aww, don't be such a baby. Here, let me help."
Her work worn hands efficiently tie the shoelaces, while trying to demonstrate how to do it. Unfortunately, Sterling still can't comprehend how this works and she sighs.
Sterling is a good kid, yet sometimes some things just don't come to him at a way slower speeds or not at all.
"Okay, everyone exits hand-in-hand! Again, do not run! You'll fall and hurt yourself!"
The kids began to exit two by two, until eventually Sterling is alone, grasping Catherine's hand. The orphanage was already full by the time he arrived, and yet his state in which he was brought in was too perilous to ignore.
The outside was chilly as always, the magic lights illuminated the streets in various colours. The children of course ran amok in the sights of that and Catherine had to reign them in. Then a familiar face shows up to Sterling.
"Sup, Sterlie."
It was Aislin Ulick - a close classmate of his. She took a liking to him after witnessing his magic showcase and the two basically became best buddies in a sense. What he might lack in life skills, he certainly makes up with his magic. Showing a beautiful night sky was enough for her to sway by his side.
"Oh, hi there Aislin! How's it going?"
"Eh, could've been worse. My lame dad is currently busy with his whole organising schtick. So sick of it."
"Hehe, well your dad is a current chieftain of the village."
"I know." She sighs and puts her hands on her hips "I just wish he would spend more time with me during that time of the year, instead of just... Giving me a present and going back to sleep."
"Haha, oh yeah."
They walk together towards the tall spruce tree and marvel at its glory.
"Woah... I swear it's getting prettier and prettier every year!"
"Yeah..."
A snowball was thrown into Sterling's way, his fellow orphanage boys mocking him for hanging out with a girl, to which Aislin hurls a way harder one towards them in return.
"What's with the boys not being allowed hanging out with girls? Tch."
"Yeah, you're called Monster Aislin in the orphanage."
"Screw them, then!"
Soon, a family approaches the two kids, with child of their own tucked behind their backs.
"Hello kids!" A. Fortune, the village's ambassador, greets with a kind smile and Aislin scowls. She doesn't like that this guy hogs all the attention from her dad who seems to do all the work around the village.
"Hehe, look at you, sweetheart. Did Fortune bully you?" A bright woman asks. Her name is Sol Fortune and she is responsible for the lights strewn around the village. Such a large number of colourful lights doesn't strain her one bit.
"N-No..." Aislin pouts and Fortune sighs "This kid seems to hate me for no reason. Anyhoo, Lucy, you can come out, come on."
A shy child clung onto her father's leg and he gently nudged her forward. Her name was...
"Hi, Lucy, how's it going?"
Lucy Fortune.
"I-I'm fine..."
Aislin was holding back her snide remarks, as she didn't want to get scolded by her family of big shots. She didn't like Lucy, mostly because she resembles her mother in terms of magic, as such is widely beloved in the village, always seen as superior to others in every way. Not that Lucy even remotely enjoys that attention in the first place.
"Come on, chat with your friends, Lucy. Mom and dad are gonna help with preparations."
As they leave, Lucy clutches onto Sterling. It was her dad who rescued him from his old village, and due to their similarities in magic, her parents tried to make him her friend.
"There-there. Aislin won't bully you under my watch."
Aislin sighs. She really doesn't want Lucy to be his friend. She herself doesn't have much friends due to her status as chieftain's daughter... And her admittedly nasty attitude doesn't help her case.
Still, her dad and Lucy's dad are on good terms, so she has to play nice.
"Come on, I'm not THAT mean."
"Yes you are."
The three continue being mesmerized by a tree and then the topic of Lunar Gifts came up.
"What do you think we'll get for gifts this year?" Sterling asked.
"Uhm... I already received mine... I got a dress and twin revolvers..."
"Oh yeah, your parents ALWAYS give you early gifts. Oh wow." Aislin sarcastically remarked.
"What about you, Aislin, did you get early gift?" Sterling curiously tilted his head and Aislin face turned red in baffled expression.
"What? No! I bet my dad bought me another stupid accessory and called it a day!"
"But you like those..."
"Yeah but he could've at least tried to deviate a bit...
Anyhoo, what about you, Sterling? What do you think you'll receive?"
"... Dunno. I don't have expectations for these and I was curious how does it feel like."
""Bummer"" As
they passed the time making snow sculptures together: more and more people began to gather, and soon enough, the choir began to gather. Among them was a peculiar cat lady who children instantly recognise as their homeroom and botany teacher...
"Mrs. Sullivan!"
"Aye, that's me. Hope you brats have done all your assignments until the next quarter."
"""Aye-aye, ma'am..."""
"Yo! Sage! How's it going?" Fortune waved towards the cat lady and she waved back "Nothing much, just checking. You've truly became a family man, huh?"
"Ehehe~, well, it is certainly chaotic—" Fortune leans into the cat lady's ear "though certainly that chaos mostly comes from my darling." And then he backs away "But I've been managing just fine. How's your hubby sleeping?"
"Fine. It's still pretty lonely with him falling into hibernation like that, though. Poor guy once tried to keep himself awake for me, but ultimately he had to quit by my own hands. Don't want to overexert my guy."
"He does wake up for New Year's though?"
"I mean yeah - for his people: this is a very important holiday. He had even showed me how they celebrate it at home, and aww... I really love it when he makes confectioneries... They somehow bypass the curse of my body that is unable to taste sweets..."
The husband in question was a substitute teacher - Momosuke Kitagawa. He is a mellow sort, usually shy around kids, preferring to spend time with adults. When Sage is busy teaching, he takes over her shop, and when she's sick, he substitutes for her, teaching not only about the local plant life, but also of his hometown.
He is from a distant land of Honjuu: a land that is inhabited by shape shifting beasts. It is said that this land is actually concealing few native humans among them as a vow of protection. And yet, what was once a union of three major clans of shape shifting beasts, is now torn apart in betrayal. Tanuki were driven away, Tengu were driven into hiding, and Kitsune became the dominating clan, intent on eradicating everything that is Tanuki - from their perspective: they're the vicious traitors, and the opposite is true from Tanuki perspective.
Each clan had a "fatal weakness", and for Tanuki it was winter, as they're cursed to fall into a comatose sleep the moment a snow flake falls onto the ground. Their vitality is now tethered to nature, and at its most dormant one - the Tanuki are the most weakest.
Luckily, being around family lets him sleep peacefully without a worry in the world.
"Quite a charmer, isn't he. I think that guy is the only man who can melt your hardened heart."
"Shut up." Sage bemoans and Fortune laughs. Those two seem to be good friends it seems.
Soon, the choir began to gather and everyone prepared their positions. By Sterling's side, stood Lucy and Aislin, holding their lyrics sheet. They both look at Sterling, Aislin held a sharp gaze, while Lucy's was uncertain.
"Okay everyone! We start on count of three! One... Two... Three!"
The choir rang out in prayer for the Lord of the Moon. Blessing of the house, reward for hard-working year, for warm winds coming forward... It's a lot.
Not many actually worship Lord of the Moon though, they simply join in the choir either to have the sense of comradery... Or to hide their disdain for it.
Children are still innocent, they do not know of Lord of the Moon bigger influence. They simply think that it's a mythical figure that gives them presents...
Well, at least of the three, Sterling believes so; while Aislin and Lucy think of their parents as the little agents of the Moon.
The choir comes to a close and villagers begin to feast on the dining table. Catherine, as taught by her senior mentor - Carolyn, immediately told kids to go back to the orphanage to not catch a cold: besides with wine and champagne strewn around the table, a child might accidentally drink it, thinking it was juice. Fortune family also retreated back to their household, inviting Sage over for the dinner.
While Aislin's dad, Richter, stays at the table, keeping her close to him. He isn't fond of the fact that he leaves his daughter hanging out with bunch of adults, but he also doesn't want her to spend her Lunar Eve home alone before her disappointment of a dad comes back from festivities.
Ultimately, it was a lose-lose situation. It's been a hard time raising a daughter all by yourself... After what you thought was the love of your life left you over a child not being "worthy"; and after all your friends ended up having their hands be full of life on their own. He only hopes that her troubled attitude would be mitigated as much as possible.
...
---
As the rest of us had fallen asleep, a boy sneaks out of his bed to stare at the night sky.
It is especially beautiful during this time of the year. The falling snowflakes look like the pieces of stars raining down.
And it is during that time of the year, a hollow memory keeps playing in his head.
~
"■■■■■e■...
Look at the stars above you.
They're raining down upon us.
Make a wish upon the miraculous starfall.
The stars... Will heed your prayers..."
~
Someone was holding him in his arms, and he wasn't alone.
Multitudes upon multitudes of people were looking at the night sky that day.
And for some odd reason... He felt like all those people cherished him along with that figure.
He isn't particularly well liked in the village, mostly due to his unorthodox quirks.
Fortune's family, homeroom cat teacher, Aislin and Catherine were the only people who gave him a chance. Who... Tolerate him.
He is recognised as a great talent among magicians, but his power seems to only isolate him even further.
Envy, fear, hatred...
It's too much.
Clutching his teddy bear, tears fall down his cheeks, suppressing his sobs.
He then stands up and stumbles back towards his bed.
Hopefully nightmares won't sail him aga--huh?
Was something there before? Perhaps after the feast, he was simply too full and exhausted to notice it...
It was... A rapier...
As he took a hold of it, something deep inside his mind began to resonate with him.
~
"Hold onto it tight, ■i■■■■■.
Keep a steady hand."
~
He felt oddly... Elevated. As if infinite amount of possibilities had opened right before his eyes.
He must try them.
Illuminated by night's light, he brandished his rapier. In his mind - numerous constellations appeared.
He chose the one of a lesser dog.
His hand began to draw it with the rapier. What he lacked in handwriting department, made up with his affinity for various schemes and maps. His strokes were immaculately straight, not a single wobble or tilt.
And then... It appeared.
A dog had materialised out of thin air and began barking. He tried to shush the dog, but it seems only he can hear the dog. Such loud noises would've surely woke up someone.
It began to lick his face and he laughs. Picking it up and inspecting under a moonlight. It seems that this dog is clear, as he can see tiny stars shining through its body; and through it he can clearly see the window behind it.
Yes... The infinity had became tangible to him...
"Hey, Sterling? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
As he heard his caretaker's voice, the dog immediately evaporated in the night's light and he saw her holding a candle.
"A-Ah... Sorry..."
"Come on, you shouldn't be flaunting that rapier so carelessly. You might hurt someone with this."
Catherine carefully tucks Sterling in his bed, parting his head before leaving, giving him a coy smile.
From that he understood.
She was the one who gave him this gift.