brillante

He leans in close to get a better look at Hiyori, revealing her baby self. "You were cute," He says with a nod. "Still are." It isn't often that Constantine saw babies.

Youthful, green-haired Sanbi looked so proud to be an older brother, then. It comforted Hiyori to know Sanbi hadn't been resentful of the potential competition for the family business.

The first is a small box wrapped in glossy wrapping paper and ribbon; inside is a collection of expensive chocolate truffles in trendy flavors. The second is one of the Marketplace’s Seasonal Gift Boxes, carrying a cherished object of Eiden's from another world.

" Ohohoho~~? "

All drawn into his role as a Santa Klaus Eiden starts with a low, contemplative laugh. As he's handed the gifts he however lifts his hand forward to pause the action. He's curious - especially about the unknown even to Hiyori package but he must remain patient!

" Hold on princess! "

From there it's back to his usual voice.

" Hehe, it's all handmade - here you go! And merry Christmas!!!"

From the confines of large golden bag comes out small star patterned plastic bag arounding gold ribbon - inside are chocolate balls with some edible gold scattered on them. Expensive (looking) for an expensive princess! There's also a light beige winter poncho with fur and all with sun to clip it close.

" And now... "

Eiden lays down his sack of gifts to take better hold of Hiyori's gifts for him that he then unwraps. The chocolates makes a smile spread on his face even further. It's just the kind of gift Hiyori would hand out. They all look tasty, he can't wait to give them a go.

" Thank you!! This has you written all over it haha~~ " he says as he starts opening the other box.

A silence follows after, after he's opened the box. It's ornamental jug. Eiden's fingers run over the tuft of hair, familiar soft resurfacing memories in an instant.

He's left silent, eyes welling up. He rushes to wipe them into his sleeve and then without meeting Hiyori's eyes wraps his arms around him, the gift bag still hanging from his hand.

" ... thank you so much. "

As Hiyori tries on the poncho, she smiles radiantly, as amused as she is grateful. "What a fun look for the winter! Great choice♪"

His arms are still swaying gently, back and forth, feeling the flowy weight of the fabric over his shoulders when Eiden opens his second gift. He stops to peer intently at the item, which just looks like an old-fashioned jug to him. But, to Eiden, it's enough to encourage new tears.

When Eiden hugs her, she's surprised but reinvigorated. It was worth the meager amount of Stars to stir something in her friend. The hug is returned, with her patting him on the back.

"What's in it?" He asks, but it's a question he doesn't have to really. Hiyori is already opening the box, and Constantine, ever the curious guy, watches intently.

"I didn't know we sold these." It's something. He isn't sure if he WANTS to look back. What would they see?

"If you're showing yours, I gotta show you mine," he says with a smile this time. He doesn't want his past shown, but if it's Hiyori...He trusts her. He puts all of his trust into Hiyori.

It would be nice to see Céline again. The photos on his phone remained, but there weren't as many as he liked.

She opened her album to the first page and pointed at the top photo. "This was me as a baby being held by my mother! The most wonderful proof that I've always been adorable♪"

Eiden smirks in contempt for a bit before turning back to his sour self.

" We don't get to go outside that much, that's all."

It circled back to him and the beach... and Hiyori simply sighed. "Well, I definitely know the way, but I'm going to double check with someone that looks like a local. Just to be safe! That's all!"

Flimsy denials aside, he scurried over to a woman reading a book outside of a café and dialed up the adorable, proper charm he'd been cultivating. When he returned, he looked substantially more confident.

"I'll let go of my envy if you teach me how to do the same!"

Various styles and costumes had always been one of the most entertaining parts of idol work's foundation. It looked less like a costume on Queen, of course; the vivid blue of her chassis really brought it all together.

Pink colored Hiyori's cheeks when she answered with, "My casual wear is a little more formal than most, but this is a special occasion! Thank you for the compliment. ♪"

Constantine's expression softens at her words. "Well, you are the only one I see." And therefore, she'd have his UNDIVIDED attention.

Now, when Hiyori's the one to compliment him, Constantine feels the tip of his ears redden. Oh, he feels shy. He clears his throat and is about to say something else, but the sight of the indoors takes his words away.

He's left, only staring in awe, but he's quick to catch himself, then turns his attention to his lover.

"Let's take a look around for now. I have to say, a place like this brings back memories," he explained, leaning on Constantine briefly while taking in the penthouse's visible layout. "In another time, I would be here in a tuxedo, buttering up people that could be useful for restoring my tarnished family name's luster..."

There was a prick of self-consciousness to explaining it, despite literally hanging off the arm of a killer. She recognized that, but that didn't erase the feeling completely.

"Join a performance? I know I run the rave every SpiraleFES, buuuuut I'm not actually all that good at performing! Didn't you see my acting during Sugar Quest IV? It was so embarrassing... I wanted to die! Alas, I cannot." Not the most uplifting of tangents to go off on, but she was trying! "But maybe I will come by and watch in person sometime!"

"Unfortunately I do not know much about idols or what the need. I considered new shoes? But my understanding of fashion isn't adequate. However, I did manage to get this!" Ofiuco presented Hiyori with a wrapped photo album. It contained pictures of familiar faces from Cosmic Production, with Hiyori included in them too. "Maybe you could show them to your friends? I'm sure they'd love to see them!"

* Hey There * Fun Party Right

"Mm-hm! I haven't completely let go of the possibility of it turning into a strange nightmare, but I'm enjoying myself until then♪"

This island was so unpredictable. Hiyori would never get used to it.

"You look beautiful," he says as he takes in Hiyori's white and cream green dress. It brings out his eyes and everything else about the princess. Constantine wears a simple white attire for this ball.

With a hand held out for her, he takes them both up the stairs and inside the building.

"Thank you ♪ I'll gladly accept the compliment as much as you're willing to repeat it," Hiyori said, face flushed happily as he was drawn up the stairs. "I can't say this is all thanks to you when so much of it was my hard work, but I feel much more at ease when you gaze at me like that."

She'd never worn a dress to a formal party before. On a date or two, or out and about in the Swirling Gulf here and there... but something like tonight felt like much more of a statement. This was exactly the sort of place she'd shock her parents half to death in.

Eiden rolls his eyes before he hears the reply. Guess this kid's got a need to feel really important or something. Rich kid's usually do.

" Whatever. "

The room is empty. There is no sign of Celine, and even he knew. he knew the moment he woke that she was no longer here. When the eclipse came and went, Constantine KNEW.

"..."

They've always been together, him and Celine. It was them against the world, and now they were separated. Him here, and Celine was back home where danger lurked for their kind. A taste of freedom here was taken away. just like that.

"Hiyori....I can't just leave my sister like that. They can't do this."

But whatever came to mind, nothing felt right. Right now, the one she wanted to give a chance to speak was Constantine. He'd given her that much when Rei recently disappeared.

With tears pricking at the corners of his eyes at the rush of unspoken emotion, he wrapped his arms around Constantine's waist from behind. In silence, he rested the side of his head against that sturdy back.