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[Gen’s POV]
As December crept in so did the early nights and cold temperatures. All factors that were slowing production on the Perseus. More and more people found themselves being tired and cold. A pretty mad mix for production.
“Honestly, is there any harm in letting production slow? I mean we have plenty of time,” Ukyo added.
“That is a good pint,” Ryusui held his chin in his hand. “ but Senkuu desires it to be done by late spring!” Ryusui quickly snapped.
“Well unless there is a way to motivate people I don’t see us making that deadline,” Ukyo replied.
“We just have to remind them how bad science is!!” Chrome huffed.
“That’d only work for people like you and Senkuu chan, Chrome chan,” Gen pointed out.
“What? Why?” Chrome slightly pouted.
“Science just doesn’t interest many people like it does you and Senkuu,” Gen explained.
“I’m guessing that means you got a plan of your own mentalist?” Senkuu raised a brow.
The five wise commanders met in the lab around a table to discuss plans for what to do next. With Gen being on manipulation or ‘morial’, this was his domain.
“Actually I do,” Gen hummed.
“Ohhh why didn’t you say so?” Ryusui asked.
“Dramatic flair,” Gen put his hands in his overcoat. “And honestly I thought the answer be quiet clear,”
“Out with it mentalist,” Senkuu cut in.
“Well tis the season after all,” Gen smiled. “And what better motivation for modern people than a Christmas party? You know, to make the depressing weather a bit more cheerful?”
“How would a christmas party..?” Senkuu started to say.
“Ohhh Christmas! Like that thing, Senkuu made a tree glow for?” Chrome recalled.
“It was just a simple light test,” Senkuu corrected.
“Awww come on Senkuu chan. It’ll be fun,” Gen sang.
“Honestly I could see that helping motivation,” Ukyo hummed along.
“Plus more people using dragos,” Ryusui crossed his harms confidently.
“Exactly,” Gen nodded along.
“Alright spill Gen,” Senkuu whispered to him while the others thought loudly. “This is a way to get out of work isn’t it?”
“A little dear Senkuu chan, but look how happy they look,” Gen whispered back.
Senkuu looked back at the three exchanging ideas and sighed. “You got a point,”
“Hey? What are you guys whispering about?” Chrome questioned.
“Nothing important Chrome chan, but I’m assuming the Christmas part plan is a go?” Gen turned to Senkuu.
“If it gets people motivated,” Senkuu shrugged.
And just like that, Gen had the go ahead plan for a stone world Christmas party.
Of course, it couldn’t be a proper party like the ones held in the old world but it was a taste of home Gen knew people were missing.
Step one of his plan?
A secret Santa.
Everyone liked the feeling of getting a friend a gift they knew they’d liked after all. Plus it would be out of character for him not to have an ulterior motive. His true motive behind the secret santa? Have an excuse to hang around Senkuu more in hopes of trying to find out what gift he’d want.
“Everyone!” Gen grabbed everyone’s attention up on the stage. “To celebrate the holidays, the kingdom of science is holding a secret santa along with a Christmas party on the 25th,” Gen announced. “I’ll be coming around with cards with names on them. Who you draw will be who you are getting a gift for,” Gen pulled a card with his name on it from the back of his hand.
The crowd looked up at him with a pick of awe. Even the villagers look interested.
“Doesn’t mean you get to slack off though,” Senkuu cleaned out his ear with is pinky.
Geeeez Senkuu chan.
Gen stopped down from the stage and joined the bunch of people with a spread of cards in his hands. “Alright everyone take your pick,” Gen smiled.
Person after person, they all chose a card. Gen had memorized the order of course and would know who everyone had by the end. Gen had kept Senkuu’s card in his sleeve to make sure no one else had a chance to take it.
“Ughhh so I just pick a card?” Magma questioned.
“Pretty much Magma chan,” Gen nodded.
“Tchhh what a skill tradition,” Magma tried to carefully pull one from the deck but accidentally pulled two. “Damn things,” Magma grumbled, trying to put one back but instead knocked a few out of Gen’s hands.
Shit-
“Uggghhh finicky things,” Magma tried to help pick up the cards.
“No no it’s alright Magma chan I got it,” Gen protested, trying to keep an order to things. Gen was able to keep some of the order but the five that Magma had knocked out were just out of order. Gen put the six cards back in his hands and offered it to Magma again, this time with a firmer grip on the six cards…
Six?!
Magma pulled a card out and maybe made it a bit too obvious of who he had pulled by looking right at him. Magma had pulled Senkuu.
And there went Gen’s plan. Gen kept his smile as more and more people pulled cards but internally he was deadpan.
.
.
.
[Magma’s POV]
“What the hell am I supposed to get that sorcerer?” Magma groaned. “Not like I even know half the shit he talks about,”
“Honestly I don’t know much about his magic either,” Mantel added. “Looks like a bunch of burning and drowning rocks to me,”
“What I don’t get is why you are so worried about it ,” Carbo stated.
“It’s not that I care about what I get him but i’m not half assing this. Not when that smug bastard is definitely putting a lot of thought into his gift. With his sorcery and all,” Magam dead set on that.
[Chrome’s POV]
“Acccchhooo!” Senkuu sneezed.
“Getting a cold Senkuu?” Gen asked.
“Ughhh hope not,” Senkuu shook his head.
“You have been pulling a lot of late nights, dude,” Chrome added.
“Doesn’t mean I’d get a cold from that Chrome,” Senkuu ran his hand down his face.
“Maybe you should call it a night,” Gen said, putting a hand on Senkuu’s shoulder.
Good luck with that Gen.
Senkuu was as stubborn as he was smart. Chrome had tried many times to get Senkuu to turn in for the night but Senkuu kept brushing off his worry. Even worse? Gen had put his hand on Snekuu’s shoulder.
Senkuu glared up at Gen for a second before looking back down at his work. Any second now Senkuu would tell him silly that idea was- “Yeah you’re right,”
I’m sorry what?
Chrome blinked a few themes to make sure he wasn’t dreaming when he saw Gen help Senkuu help and lead him up to the observatory… where they spelt together….
OHHHH!
Like a light bulb went off in Chrome’s head. It all started to connect.
“Oh my god Kohau! Kohaku!” Chrome swung open the door to Kohaku’s hut.
“Ghhh what the hel…,” Kohaku noticed Suika waking up as well. “Heck Chrome,”
“Huh? What’s going on?” Suika rubbed her eyes, still half asleep.
“Nothing Suika, go back to sleep,” Kohaku softly said.
“Oh ok,” And with that Suika laid her head peacefully back on her pillow.
Kohaku waited a second, with her finger up to Chrome to tell him to shhh. “First, close the door will ya?” Kohaku stretched up. Chrome shut the door behind him. “Alright now- what the hell are you going on about?” Kohaku yawned.
“Are Senkuu and Gen dating?” Chrome tried to keep his voice down.
“You really woke me up just to ask me that?” Kohaku glared.
“Listen listen- you ever notice how they are basically glued at the hip, and how when Gen touches Senkuu Senkuu doesn’t flinch, and how they sleep together in the observatory?” Chrome rambled.
Kohaku pinched the bridge of her nose. “You just noticed that?”
“Doesn’t matter! Are they dating or not?”
“Those two dense idiots? I doubt they even know the two like each other,” Kohaku sighed. “I don’t know how the smartest man and a lying rat haven’t noticed each other’s feelings yet. It’s even worse when you notice it before them,”
“Yeah- Hey!”
.
.
.
[Gen’s POV]
So it looks like Gen was going to have to come up with another way of trying to confess on top of picking out a gift for Kohaku. Even better was the fact Gen’s card had been lost in the pile Magma knocked over so he couldn’t slip it to Senkuu. Not only had his first plan failed, the back up one also did.
“Perfect,” Gen groaned to himself.
He luckily had a few minutes break from Perseus to himself to think about his next step.
“Oiii magician!” Maybe it wouldn’t be that hard after all.
“Oh yes Magma chan?” Gen pivoted on his heel.
“You are the closest to Senkuu right?” Magma bluntly asked.
“I mean I wouldn't say that but I do know him pretty well,” Gen tried to show humility.
“Uhhhh huh,” Magma raised a brow.
“I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to trade-,”
“Then you can help me find a gift for him,” Magma cut him off.
“What-?” Gen thought out loud. “Wouldn’t it be easier if you got someone easier to gift for… other than Senkuu chan?”
“Heh!” Magma huffed. “And let Senkuu show me up?” Magma crossed his arms.
“Oh… of course,” Gen trailed off. “Sure I’ll help,” Gen put back on his resting smile.
“Perfect,” Magma snickered. “That bastard isn’t going to know what hit him,”
“That’s the most murderous I’ve seen someone talk about getting someone a gift.” Gen awkwardly laughed.
“It’ll kill him with how good the gift is!”
He’s way too energetic.
[Senkuu’s POV]
“Mentalist hold this,” Senkuu held out some blueprints for Gen to take. Senkuu studied the blueprints for the lower levels as he waited for Gen to take the other blueprints from him, but when he found the plans in his hand he looked up. Gen wasn’t to be found. “Huh? Chrome, where's Gen?”
“Hmh? He’s on break, remember?” Chrome hummed. “He literally told you before he left,”
“What? I didn't hear that,”
“You said ‘uhhh huh’,” Chrome challenged.
I-...,” Now Senkuu recalled. “Damn it- need him here,”
“Hmhhh you need him?” Chrome grinned.
“For work- I need him to do his damn job,” Senkuu fumbled his words.
“Sureeeee,” Chrome sarcastically sang.
“Shut it,” Senkuu stepped out of the lab to get away from Chrome’s teasing.
What was there even to tease about? It’s more effective to have Gen there. They just worked well together. That’s all. Not like Senkuu missed his snarky comments or anything.
Senkuu looked around the grounds where Gen had wandered off. Not that far actually. Senkuu was going to call him when he noticed he was talking to someone.
“Heh!” Magma loudly laughed. “And let Senkuu show me up?”
Show me up?
Senkuu couldn’t tell the rest of what they were saying but by the end they walked off together.
What the hell business do those two have together?
“Senkuu?” Chrome asked from the lab.
“Uhh yeah…,” Senkuu shook his head. Coming,” Senkuu stepped back into the lab.
“Huh? Where’s Gen?” Chrome questioned.
“Apparently had something to go do with Magma,” Senkuu put himself back into his work.
“Magma? Surprisingly not the last person I expected,” Chrome hummed.
“What do you mean?” Senkuu looked up.
“Well out of the new world people, Magma is closest to Gen,” Chrome thought out loud. “Supring because of their first meeting right” Chrome chuckled a bit.
“Yeah…,” Senkuu for some reason hated that thought.
“Wait Senkuu…. Are you jealous?” Senkuu almost choked.
“Huh?! Why would I be jealous of that brute?” Senkuu didn’t mean for that to come out as harsh as it did.
“You know, since you like Gen and all,” At this rate Chrome was going to have a heart attack.
“Huh? Who told you that?” Senkuu glared.
“Kohaku did,”
“Damn it lioness,” Senkuu hid his face in his hands.
“Don’t worry Senkuu, I’m like 99% sure Gen liked you back,” Chrome tried to comfort Senkuu.
“And the 1%?”
“That's only like 1 percent,” Chrome shrugged.
Yeah and with my track record of luck-
Senkuu felt the card he had taken from Gen with his name on it.
[Magma’s POV]
Turns out getting a gift for a sorcerer was harder than he thought. All the recommendations Gen gave him sounded made up. What the hell was even a flask??? Some old world nonsense probably. Why couldn’t it be something simple like an ax or something?
“Sorry I wasn’t much help Magma chan,” Gen apologizes.
“I’m honestly starting to think the old world isn’t a real thing,” Magma scoffed. “And this sorcery was common,”
“Science?” Gen corrected.
“Call it what you want,” Magma shrugged.
“Oi mentalist! Get back here. Breaks over,” Senkuu called.
Gen smiled hearing Senkuu call his name. “Well I guess that’s that then. Work calls,” Gen put his hands in his overcoat. “Good luck though Magma chan,” And with that Gen went back to the lab.
“Thanks,” Manga replied with little thought. He was still stuck on what to get the damn leader.
When Magma looked up from the ground he saw the way Senkuu smiled when Gen greeted him, and how Senkuu glared at him for a second.
Ohhhhh!
“Hey Magma, where have you been?” Magma heard Kohaku’s voice ask.
“Thing to find out what I am going to do for that secret santa thing,” Magma groaned a bit.
“You got Senkuu right?”
“Yeah,”
“Honestly, just get him something he likes,” Kohaku stated. “Like sciency stuff. You know what?m Honestly I don’t even know. Hey Magma, are you listening?” But it was too late. Magma already had the perfect gift idea.
[Gen’s POV]
And so the day had finally come. December 25th, Christmas day. Gen, with the help of Francois, Yuzuriha, Ukyo and, and the village kids set up a small sort of campsite for the party.
A bond fire in the middle, food set up on the side with paper cut out so snowflakes the village kids had made hanging up. And of course Gen had set up a Christmas tree of sorts. It was really just a tree with lights hanging up on it but who was judging?
The party was already doing well. Everyone seemed to be having fun talking to each other, exchanging gifts, or getting a few drinks.Gen was rather happy with how the party was going.
“Hey magician” Gen looked over his shoulder and saw Magma.
“Oh Magma chan,” Gen greeted. “Looking for Senkuu chan?”
“I actually need to borrow you for a second,” Magma said
[Senkuu’s POV]
Senkuu knew he was late to Gen’s party but he just needed an extra second to wrap Gen’s gift. He didn’t believe in tarot cards but knew from what Gen had told him, they were important to him. Of course Senkuu couldn’t help but add a bit of his own flair. With the help of Namari, Senkuu had his tarot cards. All that was left to give them to Gen.
… wherever he was…?
“Hey Yuzuriha, you’ve seen the mentalist?” Senkuu asked.
“Hmh?” She looked around for a second. “He was just here,” Yuzuriha seemed confused. “Maybe he stepped out to get his gift? “
“Nah, he stepped away with Magma for a second,” Kohakuu added in.
“Magma huh…,” Senkuu left the twinge of jealousy again.
“Why do you ask Senkuu?” Yuzuriha questioned.
“Just need to give him his gift,” Senkuu shrugged.
“Ohhh? What did you get him?” Yuzriha oohed.
“He’s brought up how he misses his Tarot cards so I made some so he wouldn’t have a reason to complain,” Senkuu tried to state logically.
“Awwww Senkuu,” Yuzuriha put her hand over her hand. “That’s so sweet,”
“Yeahh yeah enough,” Senkuu waved off. “It’s only logical,”
“Come on Senkuu, you have to admit it’s a little sweet,” Yuzuriha argued.
Senkuu looked at the deck of cards in his hands. Senkuu ran his thumb over the band keeping them together. He was admittedly excited to see Gen’s face when he gave him his gift. “Ok maybe a little,” Senkuu caved.
“Good luck,” Yuzuriha mouthed.
“Thanks,” Senkuu mouthed back.
“Oiiii Senkuu!” A voice boomed.
Senkuu turned around to see what the hell Magma wanted now. Magma hauling Gen over his shoulder with a bow on his head was damn near the last he expected.
“Oh my god,” Senkuu heard Kohaku groan. “Magma that’s not what I meant,”
“What? You said get something Senkuu liked, and obviously he likes the magician,” Magma tried to reason.
“Doesn’t mean you kidnap people?!”
“Why? You guys had me kidnap Senkuu for his birthday thing,”
“That doesn’t-... well crap,” Kohakuu realized.
“Put me down!” Gen squirmed.
“Alright alright calm down,” Gen picked Gen up almost like a doll and placed him down next to Senkuu.
“Ohhh you are so lucky there are kids around,” Kohaku glared.
“Is that a challenge?” Magma pulled out his ax.
“Enough both of you,” Senkuu sighed. “We’ll talk about this later Magma,” Senkuu waved them both off. At that point he was more worried about Gen. “You ok Gen?” Senkuu carefully took the bow off Gen’s head.
“A little shaken up but I’m fine,” Gen brushed off a bit of dirt from his coat. “I tried to tell Magma chan to just get something science related but somehow he got it into his head that you like me,”
Senkuu gulped. “The one dan thing he got right in all of this,”
“Truly nsane iay I know- wait what?” Gen turned to look Senkuu in the eye.
“I mean it was pretty fucking stupid the way Magma went about it but… he might have had the right idea,” It looked like it Gen finally got it. “Please tell you understand and I don’t sound like a crazy person,” Senkuu averted his gaze.
“Yeah, I get it,” Gen replied.
‘Oh yeah, here’s your gift,” Senkuu still refused to look at Gen but handed over the deck of cards.
“Tarot cards?”
“Yeah, I remember you mentioning how you used to use them a bunch in your shows,” Senkuu explained.
“Surprised you remembered ,” Gen went over the deck. “And of course, it had the Senkuu chan flair,” Gen smiled. “Here Senkuu chan!” Senkuu looked over and saw Gen spread out the cards in his hand. “Pick 3,”
“You know I don’t believe in this stuff,” Senkuu retorted.
“All the more fun,” Senkuu playfully rolled his eyes and picked 3 cards from Gen’s deck and handed them back to Gen. “It’s said the cards call to each person and based on these I can read your past, present and future,”
“I’d love to hear the science behind that,” Senkuu chuckled.
“Just play along,” Gen hummed. “Looked like you pulled the Star, the Emperor, and the Wheel of Fortune. Seems as a young child you always knew what you wanted to do. Where you fit in. As for now, you are in a leadership role and many people rely on you, but,” Gen flipped over the wheel of fortune card. “You will be put in challenges that you will need to rely on people more,” Gen read.
“A common magician trick, Say something broad and have the person connect the dots themselves,” Senkuu pointed out.
“Stop reading into it,” Gen nudged. “It seems you also pulled a fourth card,” Senkuuu was about to protest that he didn’t when Gen flipped over another card. The lovers card. “Interesting,” Gen grinned.
“What did you say again? Don’t read too much into it?” Senkuu raised a brow.
“Yeah, don’t think about it too much,”
As the party raged on, in the background the scientist and mentalist shared their first kiss.
It’s a christmas miracle half the party goers thought.