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"Paimon, how's the cake?"
"Exquiste!"
"And the present?"
"Extravagant!"
"What about the letter?"
"Err… Exponential?"
"What does that mean?"
"Uhh… Paimon doesn't know how to answer that! Who asks about how a letter is?!"
"Hahaha! I'm kidding. I know we have everything. Just got to be sure."
"Hmph. You get like this anytime something has to do with Navia. Paimon will be sure to tell her that. Spill all the tea around you. Heehee!"
Feeling his face get warm, Aether did not deny the blunt accusations and simply chuckled at how he was being put in the spotlight. Granted, she was not wrong about how he was acting or feeling.
After all, today was a very special day for a very special someone.
"Guilty as charged. I do wonder how tonight's going to go."
"Paimon's sure it's going to be a blast. That aside, Paimon is also wondering how things are going to play out. Navia did mention that she was picking up the tab for everyone in Fleuve Cendre. However many people that is… Paimon can only wonder."
On this note, Aether could only agree with her. Fleuve Cendre was filled with all kinds of people, and there would be no doubt that the people there would miss out on the chance to celebrate Navia's birthday. She was beloved by so many people due to her caring nature. There would only ever be one Navia in this or any other world.
Plus, she was considered a very important person to him. Through their time together while he and Paimon explored Fontaine, they had grown close together. Becoming partners through the many challenges they faced and ultimately became something more.
That something became better known as a couple.
"I'm sure the Spina crew are going to love tonight. I have a feeling Navia's going to love it based on what she said about having a brand new game of Tabletop Troupe."
"No kidding. Paimon has a feeling that we'll need to keep the Kamera ready in case of funny moments with everyone. Also, Paimon has to ask…"
"Huh? What's up?"
Twirling her index fingers together, Paimon simply held an expression that showed she was in deep thought or trying to process the question lingering in her mind.
"...Is Navia really going to show up on Monsieur Consigliere's back?"
A moment of silence passed between the two as they considered this idea.
Then again, this was Navia they were talking about. While she had a refined, ladylike personality when it came to business… she did have an adventurous side.
"Knowing Navia… She probably will ride in on Monsieur Consigliere's back."
"Poor Monsieur Consigliere… Paimon will be sure to feed him lots of snacks tonight!"
As the two continued to carry the gifts for the birthday party, they soon found themselves passing by lots of other people also heading the same way they were. Before long, it seemed like everyone they came across was heading toward Fleuve Cendre.
"Whoa… Looks like everyone is heading to the same place. Guess Navia is really going all out for her birthday this year!"
"Oh? Traveler and Paimon!"
Turning their heads, they spotted a few Spina Di Rosula members all holding what appeared to be crates of food.
"Hello! Are you guys out running errands?" Paimon asked, seeing all that they brought.
"Yep. Last-minute things for the party. We knew Boss was going to have a lot of guests, but once Miss Furina, Miss Clorinde, and Sir Neuvillette started talking about it, everyone decided to show up."
Aether couldn't help but chuckle at this admission. He figured that their friends had a hand in making Navia's birthday party an even bigger event.
"Where's Navia now?"
"She's by the bar helping manage the setup and directing everyone where to put things or what tasks need to get completed."
Nodding their heads, Aether and Paimon parted ways and beelined it to the birthday girl's location. It didn't take long to spot her long, blonde hair swaying back and forth as she was giving orders with a dignified voice.
"Let's put the water there and then leave enough space for everyone to pass through. Oh! Make sure that the food isn't too high up for the kids. Do tell the chefs that we'll probably be needing additional waves of food and runners as well."
As she continued to oversee the party setup, Navia turned her head to the side and let her face explode into pure happiness.
"Aether! Paimon! You guys made it!"
"Navia! Of course we made it. There's no way we could miss this for the world!"
Flying up to her, Paimon gave Navia a big hug, resulting in the two girls giggling happily while Aether stayed back and smiled at the scene.
"There you are!"
"Haha! Happy Birthday, Nav!"
Running up to him, Navia pulled Aether into a bear hug and nestled her head into the crook of his neck, earning him a tickling sensation with her hair. He reciprocated this moment by running his hand gently along her back and pulling her closer to him. There was the issue of Navia's hat being pushed against his head, but he didn't mind it. Together, they fit perfectly within one another's grasp.
"I wasn't sure you guys were going to make it. Last we talked, you were heading to Snezhnaya. Did you guys make it?"
"Yep! We made it there," Paimon answered. "And it was a bit different than our usual travels."
"Different? How so?"
"Well…"
Still holding Navia close, Aether wasn't sure how he should go about explaining his recent trip to Snezhnaya. So much had transpired that he wasn't sure where he should start.
Paimon's strange sickness, which made their arrival in Snezhnaya all the more serious, and coming to understand the hardships that the nation was currently facing with heat and resources, as well as their encounter with one of the Shades. And that was only covering the big things that happened during their arrival. There was also the discovery of Goggles and all the mysteries they uncovered throughout the region.
There was so much to talk about that Aether ultimately decided to stow it away for another time when Navia had a moment. Also, today was her birthday. It was meant to be her special day.
"We're gonna need a whole day or two to explain everything that happened. Plus, today's your day. Let's make the most of it!"
"Aether."
"Navia."
"...Partner, you sure know how to make someone worry without even saying anything."
"It's one of our specialties. Isn't that right, Paimon?"
"Yep!"
Pulling herself away from his neck, Navia let her gorgeous blue eyes stare right into his before snatching his lips away in quick succession. The sensation of feeling her skin on his was enough to make Aether feel his breath be sucked away and leave him feeling butterflies.
A feeling that he should have become accustomed to, but still felt giddy every single time.
"I'll be holding you two to that explanation soon enough."
"Promise."
"Yeah, we'll make sure we tell you everything."
Content with their answers, Navia nodded her head and adjusted her hat with a gentle smile. The look in her eyes conveyed so many emotions that he felt himself getting lost while staring into her beautiful blue eyes.
"Well then, with that put to the side, what do you guys think?"
Gesturing to their surroundings, Navia pointed out the many decorations scattered throughout the place, along with balloons and lights in colors that matched her persona. Blue, yellow, and white colors were everywhere.
"It's very vibrant!"
"Gives me you vibes."
"That was the plan. I really have to give it to my crew. They set a plan and committed to see it through all the way. I'm proud of everyone!"
"Well, they have such a great leader to look up to."
Another brilliant smile flashed onto Navia's face, followed by a faint blush adorning her cheeks as she began to laugh and play with her hair.
"Aether!"
"Ngh. Paimon is wondering if you two need to get a room."
"Hey!"
"Heehee!"
Shaking his head with a smirk, Aether began to look around and see who all was here at the moment. From what he could see, a bunch of familiar faces could be seen, such as Lyney, Lynette, Charlotte, Escoffier, Furina, and many more.
"Say, how many people were you expecting?"
"At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if half of Fontaine made an appearance!" Navia proudly declared. "I knew Neuvillette would have told a couple of people, but Furina, on the other hand…"
"She certainly has a way of making things known."
"An old habit of hers that she still has."
"Hmm. Before everyone shows up and takes you away from us, why don't you open up your presents?" Aether suggested while holding up his present.
"You guys… You didn't have to."
"Nuh-uh! You know the rules. We don't miss a birthday!" Paimon happily countered.
Seeing that there was no way of winning against the excited little girl, Navia simply nodded her head and appreciated the gifts being given.
"Paimon, I'd like to open yours first."
"Sure! Paimon is sure you'll love it."
Opening the neatly wrapped gift, Navia wasn't sure what to expect, but once she saw the gift inside, she gasped so loudly that a few of the Spina members were worried that something bad had happened.
"Paimon! This is so amazing!"
In Navia's hands was a small traveling bag that opened up to reveal several compartments that held key items for Tabletop Troupe. Cases of dice, markers, coins, and other items that Navia would undoubtedly use for games.
"This has everything I'd need for a Tabletop Troupe game! Even Clorinde could benefit from this! Oh, Paimon, I love it! We're definitely going to be using this for our new game."
"Heehee! Paimon's glad to hear that."
"We managed to find it in Snezhnaya while doing a little browsing with our new friends. I'm sure you'll love to hear about them."
"You bet I will! Now then, may I open your gift, Aether?"
"Of course, Partner."
Happy to hear that, Navia began to open his present and noticed that it was smaller than Paimon's, which was no problem at all, but what she was not prepared for was to be flabbergasted by the small yet dazzling teardrop necklace that shone with a vibrant blue. The tone of the blue matched closely to her own eye color, so she was speechless.
"Aether… This is- "
"Take a look inside. I got this made in Snezhnaya. One of our new friends is a dancer and has custom jewelry made for her shows. I had this commissioned just for you. It's one of a kind."
Doing as told, Navia brought the teardrop necklace up to her eye and immediately had to force herself to not lose herself. Her breathing had hitched, and her eyes were beginning to become misty at what she was seeing.
Inside the blue necklace was a miniature picture of her family that had been drawn a few years back. It was the very one that had included both her mom and dad standing next to her as the current Spina Di Rosula President. That moment was also when she and Aether opened up to one another and decided to see where their relationship would progress.
"..."
"Navia? Are you okay?"
"*sniff* Y-Yeah, sorry. I'm just… This is… Aether… Thank you."
Opening his arms, Aether didn't need to say anything, as Navia understood the heartfelt action. In the next instant, she threw her body right into his and let the tears trailing down her face land on his shoulder.
Aether gestured over to Paimon for her to join them, which she did, leaving the three to indulge in the wonderful feeling of a group hug.
Although there was no exact way of describing the significance of this moment, there was one that seemed to fit just right in Navia's heart.
She was with her family.
*CRASH*
Shifting his head to the side, Aether could see that a few of the Spina members dropped some bottles, causing laughter to be heard. It would seem like the party was about to begin.
"Nav. It's time."
"Mm. I know. Thank you."
Letting her go, Aether watched as she wiped her eyes and shook herself to get back to her cherry attitude. Taking a deep breath, Navia was back to herself, but this time she held a warm smile that spoke volumes about her generosity.
"Come on, you two, let's party like there's no tomorrow!"
"Ooh! Paimon's going to eat like never before!"
Smiling at the two girls heading to meet everyone else, Aether couldn't help but feel his heart pounding loudly in his ears. Even though he still had a mission to fulfill, he would make sure that no matter what… He'd come back to her. To them. To his family.