☄ — ＰＲＩＤＥ. ✧ (SEMI-HIATUS)

Valentine’s Day was not traditionally a holiday he celebrated back at home.

And plus, there seemed to be some sort of odd … TOSS and TURN with the holiday, depending on if you were a Nohrian or a Hoshidan. Apparently it was required in Hoshido, at least, on this day, for the girls to give something off to the GUYS — and then a month later, BOOM, you had to give her something back, but DOUBLE the price!

It all seemed like such a meaningless and boring holiday, simply put to the Diviner. Although if anyone had asked him if he had received a present on the day … he’d have to shamefully shake his head to indicate falseness. Although, he doubted anyone would ASK him — many people would already assume he was UNFIT for a lover. After all, he was a bit too YOUNG-LOOKING as much as he dreaded the fact.

Curses Chieftan Fuga, though. If it was not for him, he wouldn’t be walking around with these particularly unique candies, specifically to be exchanged between lovers of the Wind Tribe — obviously Fuga was encouraging him. HAH! As IF! He was sure that such a powerful man was aware that, if Hayato had the option, he would eat them for himself — after all, he had only eaten the sweets once or twice ( divine tasting … but for a good reason. ‘Representing the feeling of LOVE’ or something cheesy like that. )

Still … it wasn’t as if he would eat them right AWAY, as much as he wanted to.

There was still a tiny chance — just a small bit — a meager drop of confidence that someone would approach him about the holiday. It was, however, EXTREMELY small — but who on earth would …

Nevermind. Before he can really think much, a PRINCESS is stuttering in front of him, holding out a box of CHOCOLATES ( chocolates! He can’t believe what he’s seeing! ) towards him. He felt the urge to pinch himself awake — this had to be some sort of dream, but before he could throw himself back into the CRUEL reality, he shouted.

     “ SERIOUSLY — ?! ” Was his cry, before both hands flew upon his mouth, revealing the bag of sweets he had been toying with in his hands. Ah. Was Fuga foreseeing this all along? With a slight lower the Diviner taps his foot, perhaps a BIT too anxiously, as he nodded softly, before having it slow. “ It … It would be an honor. Sakura. ”

     Taking the box in his free hand, he pulled his own bag of sweets for the girl, only managing to look over his shoulder ( albeit a bit AWKWARDLY ) in order for him to stably offer them, “ Er … here. I … want you to have these. If you would accept them as well. ”

     She claimed to be old ... but how old was she ? And what would she look like if her curse was broken ? Would she look different, physically ? Or would she grow into the age she was ? Was she like Hayato, who couldn’t quite reach that maturity, physical-wise ? Did she even know ... ?

     “ Nyx, you claim to be older than you look ... how old are you, exactly ? ”

    This diviner again. He had watched her for some time, and also approached her several times, but did not really initiate much conversation to get to know each other ... not that he really wanted that, more of, he was simply curious to how she was able to do certain things, especially with her disability. Perhaps that included a life story or something, but frankly, Hayato was not looking for much more, especially if that came with the cost of sharing his own life story.

    “ What did you need, Madea ? ”

    “ I am Tsukuyomi. You requested my presence, Prince Siegbert ? ”

     “ Yeah, we’re not gonna be getting back to camp anytime soon. ”

     The boy then hopped at a crash of thunder, suddenly fearful and breaking out in a cold sweat. He believed he did not have a fear as something so simple and petty as thunderstorms, but it was particularly bad ... not to mention all the mages were out in a more open, forest-esque area for better training. He would assume at least one of them would tap into their psychic abilities and predict the upcoming storm, but that proved false ... and now he was stuck with this ... tall Onmyoji, in a cave, that was also as equally scary as what was happening outside.

     “ Ghh ... wha — ? Where am I ? ” Looking to and fro, his surroundings remained unfamiliar despite his search for something that stuck out to him — where on Earth was he ? All he really remembered was facing off against enemies and then ... undeniable darkness, and only seconds after, he was now laying on a cot, back suddenly ached as he winced in pain, now noticing his scars and the bandages that were scattered across his body. A healer?

     “ Uhh ... hello ?? Anyone ?? ”