Aster was just adding the final touches to the small box he had acquired to wrap Saelak’s gift in. He was able to find some time to make it today after finishing up his work for Slava. He was glad he found out what day it was when they looked at arranging for that charter, otherwise he would have no idea that today was the Sixth of Lovuna, the last month of the year, and the day of Saelak’s Age Up.

He had been able to recruit Donoma to his cause of surprising Saelak with a small private party tonight. She had gone out to get the drinks while he finished his gift and cooked up some dinner. Slava even helped out by acting as the distractor and dragging Saelak with them on an errand to arrange for an excursion to the mines for all of them tomorrow.

Donoma excitedly opened the door to the small apartment and set a couple of bottles on the table as Aster was just finishing the ramen he had managed to get the ingredients for and kept safe in his spacial bag since they last stopped for provisions. “It smells delicious, Aster. What is it?” She asked curiously, watching as he set the bowls down carefully on the table.

“It’s called ramen… I uh… learned to make it a long time ago…” He said a bit awkwardly, side-stepping the topic of his previous life a bit.

They both heard the door downstairs open and shut as Slava dropped Saelak back off and gave their farewell before locking the shop for the night. Aster quickly turned off the lights in the room and summoned Hitsuki, Imbratisa and Rosabella in their creature forms. He had waited till the last moment to do this because he knew he would only be able to keep up the channeled mana cost for about an hour.

“Hey you two, we got everything for tomorrow schedu-” Saelak cut his sentence off as he entered the door to the dark room and as he tapped the magical button by the entrance to switch the lights back on, all five on them shouted in unison.

“Surprise! Congratulations on your Age Up!” Saelak was surprised even further by Aster slipping from behind the door, pulling the tall elf down by about a foot, as he wrapped an arm around his neck in a friendly side hug.

Saelak was at a loss for words as Donoma also came up and gave him a friendly embrace. “Can’t believe ya made it this far with Sir Bad Luck as yer companion!”

“Hey!” Aster said in mock offense.

Saelak held up a hand to stall Aster as he replied, “No, no, she’s got a valid point, Aster.” He looked seriously at Donoma, “I thank my divine protectors every morning that I wake to see another sun that my luck must be high enough to mitigate the danger I face just sleeping in the same room as him.”

They both stared at him a little taken aback by how serious he got before he couldn’t hold his composure anymore and laughed at both of them, “I’m joking, come on, something smells amazing! Did Aster cook something?”

The others joined in his laughter and retreated to the table to eat. Aster formally introduced his newer Soul Bonds, not having felt safe enough to do it on the road out in the open and definitely not in the middle of the city. Donoma was ecstatic to be able to snuggle Hitsuki in her arms again and shared some bites of her dinner with the begging otaku rabbit.

Imbratisa stayed in Aster’s lap contentedly while Rosabella purred behind Saelak and brushed against him. The pale elf was a bit awed at the large dirlagraun, once he had gotten over his initial terror at seeing the intimidating beast again that is.

They all talked, laughed, ate and drank merrily before Aster finally reached his limit and almost collapsed as his mana drained dangerously close to empty and he had to release his summons. Once they returned to his Soul Space the room quieted a bit but they still continued to talk.

Once they had finished off the food and no more alcohol was left in the bottles, all of them feeling well past buzzed, Donoma stood suddenly, wobbling precariously before reaching into a pouch on her belt and pulling out a lovely blue and silver ribbon. She handed it to Saelak and said once more, “Congratulations on yer Age Up, my princeling.”

Saelak rolled his eyes dramatically at the nickname, saying a bit sarcastically, “What’s this? Some little bow to put on me?” as he took the ribbon from her, examining it’s information.

Blurred Vision

Stay hidden without sacrificing style.

Quality: [ Great ]

Availability: [ Epic ]

Type: Jewelry - Hair

Effects:

+1 Wisdom.

+1 Charisma.

Bonus: When scryed, the area within 3 meters of this item appears blurred.

Saelak’s eyes went a bit wide and his mouth hung open before he stuttered, “I- I- uh… you- wha-”

Donoma drunkenly put an unsteady finger to his lips, shushing him, “Jus say ‘thank ya, sunshine’ ‘n let me go ta bed.” her words were a bit slurred and Aster had to hold back his laughter at the sight.

Saelak blushed slightly then smiled placatingly and repeated around her finger, “Thank you, Sunshine.”

Donoma gave a lopsided grin and patted him on the head before stumbling toward the room and shutting the door behind her. Saelak gave a little hiccup that turned into a burp and Aster let out his laughter. He knew the younger elf was probably past his consumption limit but guessed that he was probably just as rosy cheeked from the intoxicating liquid.

Aster quietly slid the small box he had tied a small bow of twine around before gesturing for the ribbon Saelak was still looking at fondly, “Here, lemme put that in your hair for you while you open my gift, it’s probably not as good as this hair trinket though.”

Saelak handed over the pretty satin with delicate silver wire embroidered into it. Aster though it truly was a beautiful piece as he carefully secured it around his friend’s long tail of silvery white hair.

The elf opened the box, taking a little longer than normal in his slight drunkenness, and picked up the small engraved silver bracelet adorned with a single ruby inside.

Provider’s Embrace

Let the hearth warm and shelter you. The inscription inside reads: To Saelak, the most loyal of companions, who showers happiness, freezes fears, and enchants all who know him.

Quality: [ Fine ]

Availability: [ Rare ] [ Unique ]

Type: Jewelry - Wrist

Effects:

+2 Constitution.

+10% Fire Resistance.

Bonus: Regulates the wearer’s body temperature and can create a small flame from the inset ruby.

Saelak quickly looked at the inside of the silver band to read the inscription with his own eyes and glanced up at Aster who stood behind him a bit awkwardly. “Did… you… make this?”

Aster flushed in embarrassment, “Ye-yeah, Slava let me buy the materials off him and I was able to get it done before needing to make dinner.” The half-elf grew slightly concerned when he saw tears start to form in his friend’s eyes and quickly added, “I know it’s not nearly as good as what Donoma got you, or what you got me for my Age Up, but I tried my best to-”

His words were cut off as Saelak stood abruptly, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt with the hand not still clutching the bracelet and pulling him into a kiss.

Aster’s eyes went wide in shock, not sure how to react, but thankfully Saelak pulled away quickly as though realizing what he had done and stammering, “Th-thank you, Aster. It- It’s a w-wonderful gift.” Then he turned on his heels and almost fled to the bedroom, leaving Aster staring after him still in a state of shock.

That was not the reaction Aster had been expecting at all. Maybe some hugging, but a kiss? He must have been drunker than Aster thought for his inhibitions to be reduced that much. He touched his mouth lightly still feeling the lingering sensation of where his best friend had actually connected their lips.

Belatedly, Aster slowly came back to his senses, shaking his mind as though trying to rid it of the trail of thoughts it threatened to take him down and began cleaning up the mess they had made. He didn’t want to find Saelak still awake and get into an awkward situation… well… even more awkward than it already was now.

After everything was cleaned up, Aster staggered to the room as well and was relieved to find both of his party members asleep in their beds. He collapsed onto his own and drifted into his Soul Space.

He was not happy to see Imbratisa and Rosabella curled together on a loveseat across from Hitsuki sitting on the couch, patting the cushion excitedly for him to come sit next to her as she asked, “Do we, like, finally get to talk about him now?”

The color drained from Aster’s face as he muttered the same answer he gave the first time, “I’d rather not.”

The bunny girl pouted and crossed her arms at him, “Come on! He kissed you, Aster!”

Imbratisa spoke up a bit more consolingly, “You know can’t hide. We see, we feel.”

Hitsuki interjected a bit sharply, “He knows that Imbra! He just doesn’t want to admit that his best friend is, like, totally in love with him! Otherwise he would have to admit how cruel he is to keep the poor boy waiting for him to make up his mind!”

Aster lost his composure at that, “Hey, I didn’t ask for anyone to fall for me! I didn’t lead anyone on! I didn’t ask for him or Roteki or Laluna or Kailender or Thaldred or Ichirou or any other person who gained a crush on me!” he had begun wobbly pacing the room as he vented.

“I don’t- I can’t be with anyone… not like that… I- I’m no good for a relationship…” He seemed to be desperately searching for the right words to describe his emotions but his brain felt a bit fuzzy and it was getting harder to concentrate.

Rosabella spoke gently, “Mi amor, you are tired and have drunk much, why don’t you go lie in my bed and sleep” she offered.

Aster blearily looked between her and her bedroom door that was wide open and said, “You know what? That’s probably a great idea. I can take you up on that open door offer and push… him out of my mind.”

Hitsuki looked slightly alarmed at his suggestion before staring pointedly at Rosabella, who waved her down and stood up gracefully, walking over to him, and gently cupping his red cheeks, “You are drunk, mi amor, and it is against my policy to take advantage of people who are not thinking straight.”

Aster pulled himself away from her, angry and embarrassed and just waved them all off in his inebriated temper, as he stormed into Rosabella’s room, slamming the door behind him before falling into the silky bed and quickly succumbing to the darkness.