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A December Date with Char Aznable
Today’s the day.
The day where I, Garma Zabi, moves my relationship with Char Aznable forward one mere step.
We have only been in this strange world for about five weeks now, a kind of earth that I don’t entirely understand. It’s an earth divided between many nations, without space travel, where meat is harvested from real animals.
I’ve done my best to understand the nuances of my new “home.” My compatriot Char Aznable, on the other hand, I can’t say the same.
He told me it took an inordinate amount of time for him to finally rid himself of his military attire (I was tempted to continue prodding as to how long exactly, but, by Deikun’s will, I restrained myself). And there was a large stretch of time when the peculiar Sayla Mass was helping him with his meals, for he only ate McDonalds and Pizza Hut.
Enigmatic, yet dashing. Distant, yet charismatic. Uncannily proud, yet dreamy. Even with our unprompted transportation to this world, Char Aznable is still Char Aznable.
And today, I’m accompanying him to the mall.
Following my evening tea, and my weekly chat with Kycilia, I received a message from Char asking if I wanted to join him on an expedition. While he was clear that we would be heading to the mall, Char was uniquely opaque as to why or for what reason. I’ll have to admit, I myself have been speculating, possibly a tad too much, as to his logic.
Could… Could he be wanting to tell me something?
When mulling it over, maybe I wanted to admit something to Char that I’d been afraid to acknowledge. That through our well-spirited rivalry maybe there was something more, something I acted upon subconsciously.
Maybe today’s the day where Char admits he feels the same.
***
“Greetings,” I said, while adjusting one of the lock of hair escaping my wintry cap. Though it’s brown Rudolf-esque design somewhat clashes with my more yellow sweater and the more refined dark green balmacaan I received from work, Dolze was kind enough to gift it to me when the weather changed so I’ve been wearing it when I can.
“Good day, Garma,” Char waved back with a gloved hand. Even with his sunglasses being ever present, I noticed Char’s mostly-veiled eyebrows arch as I approached him.
“Impressive jacket you’re wearing, Char, is it new?” I asked, while pointing at the jet-black leather coat Char sported over his red turtleneck. Belying his attire, Char worked in construction, his white gloves concealing heavily calloused hands.
Chars trademark grin curled into something of a smirk, “Why, of course. Today’s a very auspicious day.”
Auspicious? What could he mean by that? Conveying his feelings could be quite grand for someone as normally unclear as Char Aznable. Could this be something even bigger than I expected?
But before I could question further, Char continued, extending his right arm outward toward the front entrance, “That aside, shall we begin?”
Though I know I could press more, with Char that’s often a losing battle. Instead, it’s usually more effective to project confidence and play his game, buying your time.
As well, given my aversion to the early December chill, I agreed without a word of contention, and we entered the mall posthaste.
***
While walking through the first hallway, Char informed me that “From this entrance, we’ll have to journey to the other side.
The other side of the mall? I’ve only been here once but isn’t that where… No, that can’t be right.
Could that be where the mall Christmas tree is?
There isn’t anything auspicious enough about an immeasurably tall Christmas tree to justify taking me out here.
Unless…
No, it’s too soon, isn’t it?
I mean, technically, I’m already an engaged man but…
I love my dear Icelina. However, tragically she is yet to be found in this world. Char is who I have here.
And maybe this was meant to be. All of our striving, our desire to prove ourselves to the principality, to survive in this world so unlike our own.
After crossing the entire mall, we stopped in the foyer just before we reached the tree.
Char smiled, “There’s something of a surprise where we’re headed.”
A surprise!?
…
I am ready. Ready to accept Char as much as he is ready to accept me. This is more nerve-racking than when I proposed to Icelina, I’m almost in disbelief.
But it feels right. As we traversed around the Christmas tree, its angelic lights shimmering, its vast ornaments a considerable demonstration of its power, it feels as though it was perhaps destiny that I met The Red Comet on that fateful day. Any moment now I expect him to spin around, as if we were actors in a stage play, and get down on one knee. I’ll have to act surprised, but I know, I know what my answer will be too.
Any moment now.
....................
............
.....
Sorry?
In a fit of disbelief, I’m at a loss for words.
Char had his left arm extended, this time… for Santa Claus.
To be more accurate, a mall Santa, with a small line of children waiting to meet him and two mall staff members, one for the line and the other to take pictures.
Char said nothing. Instead, he silently positioned himself at the end of the line, waiting for me to join him.
In my bafflement, I did just as Char implicitly asked. As we stood, I waited for him to start laughing, to step out of line and tell me it was all a prank. But the longer we were there, the more I began to realize there was no punchline. My confusion morphed more into concern by the second.
When we reached the beginning of the line, Char struck a contemplative pose, resting his right index finger on his chin, “You seem quiet, Garma.”
In my stupor, I lost the faculties of language. I honestly didn’t know where to begin.
“I… I’m just a tad shocked,” I slurred out.
“I see,” Char said while stroking his chin, “I wasn’t sure whether I should’ve asked Sayla to book a sensory-friendly Santa session or not, but I trusted you could handle this.”
I tried to respond by asking, “Trusted? For thi—?” but before I could finish my question, the ponytailed worker at the front of the line asked Char if he had a scheduled appointment, in which he answered “yes.” And, as very characteristic of Char since I found him after he arrived, paid the girl in cash, of which only a portion was owed after the pre-booking discount was applied. When I’ve prodded prior as to why he didn’t get a debit card, Char retorted with a cheeky, yet incredibly sincere, “for what?” After which, the conversation devolved into the semantics around what “paying for” something means when money isn’t “real.”
Following Char’s payment, he was immediately moved by the young woman across the impressively constructed set toward the set where “Santa” rested so neatly. When he reached the large man in red, Char shook the bearded one’s hand, leaving the recipient’s eyes wide. They both exchanged a few words I couldn’t hear from my distance out. Seamlessly, Char posed himself as if he practiced a number of times before arriving at the mall today, and had his photo taken. He displayed crossed arms and the softest grin I’ve ever seen from him, like he was out on a morning stroll next to a beautiful lake, sunglasses and all.
As if things couldn’t get more disconcerting, Char then motioned for me to join him for a second photo. Given that the situation would only deteriorate if I resisted, I sat down on the other side of the luridly red fellow of the hour while trying to be as casual as possible. I attempted the best smile I could, but all the muscles were stiffed as if frozen by the cold outside.
After our mutual picture was taken, Char asked me if I desired a Santa photo of my own, which I politely declined. Char stood up and talked to the camera man to examine the photos while I bolted to the end of the set opposite of the line.
I began heading back to the malls’ entrance when Char caught up with me, even on his feet he is quick. After briefly traveling, I broke our silence, “Was… that why you asked me to come to the mall today.”
Char answered effortlessly, “Certainly.”
“And… For no other reason?”
“I couldn’t imagine one.”
I could feel myself accruing evermore split ends with each reply.
“But… why?”
“Well, when I discovered a man normally so busy as Santa Claus was booking photograph sessions, I thought it would be foolish not to book one.
I could feel my right eye begin to twitch, my whole face tightening.
“Then why did you ask me to attend with you.”
“It was an important event, so I reached out to a number of individuals in case they were able to attend, and it so happens you were the only one who had the time. For example, I asked Amuro to join, but he’s still yet to answer any of my messages, so that may have been a fool’s errand.”
That doesn’t surprise me, he hadn’t been clear as to what we were doing until it was time to line up.
…
I went from irritated back to flabbergasted.
“Char… do you still believe in Santa Claus?”
Char looked at me as if I just postulated the most idiotic inquiry to him, “Of course, since I was young. And with today, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to meet someone with such an impeccable sense of fashion.”
Santa’s fashion? A character whose only outfit so happens to be red?
I ruffled my hands through my hair, forcing me to catch my hat before it reached the floor.
Char continued, “I do hope a similar event is possible next year. I imagine it to be difficult to handle someone so elusive.”
I can certainly imagine,” I replied.
We returned to the mall’s entrance.
Even as universes shift, styles change, whole lives are uprooted and replanted beyond recognition, Char Aznable is still Char Aznable