A Christmas On The Horizon



Christmas.

A joyous holiday that came only once a year to boys and girls around the world in the form of a celebration that included presents, expensive wine, and a feast that could satisfy a stomach built for a hundred people. Yes, Christmas was indeed a holiday that everyone enjoyed — including even the most notorious of criminals and rogues that partook in under the table activity. On that matter, one guild in particular was celebrating Christmas with as much joy and spirit as any normal family would, and that guild's name was...

"Merry Christmas!" A collection of voices shouted within a lavishly decorated and incredibly packed room as the sound of cheering and screaming echoed through the halls. A banquet was currently being held within the guild base of Dawn Horizon, an infamous independent guild and one of the three founding guilds of the Trident Alliance.

At the last conference, Dawn Horizon had been selected to be this year's host of the Christmas party so in turn, the guild had to undergo quite a few changes and be refurnished to embody the spirit of Christmas. In terms of the guest list, you could practically find every notable mage, assassin, bounty hunter, or mercenary within the Alliance at this party, with the VIP list reserved for only the most influential and important members. Shintaro, the leader of Fallen Dusk and Francine, leader of Cross Sector, were of course VIP guests as they arrived relatively early with their own guilds following as the party became quite lively with all of the different individuals that had been gathered.

"I have to say, I wasn't expecting Dawn Horizon to throw the most lively party that the Alliance has hosted" Francine, who was wearing an extravagant black low cleavage dress with a white fur coat wrapped around her slender neck, mused as she held a cup of wine in her hand.

A swift response came to the individual standing beside her — a dashing young man with dark crimson hair who was wearing a plain white shirt that highlighted his defined muscles and biker jeans "They're just full of surprises aren't they?" It was Shintaro who had spoken as he was also drinking a cup of wine and had an amused smirk plastered over his face.

Both of them had sent their subordinates away to enjoy themselves and finally get some free time to do as they pleased and were enjoying the mood of the party as the musicians in the background played their hearts out. Those who weren't apart of Fallen Dusk or Cross Sector were in awe of seeing two of the founding leaders of the Alliance standing side by side with one another and enjoying each other's company. It was a rare sight indeed as Shintaro and Francine were almost never seen with each other without at least their bodyguards accompanying them and when they were, it was usually for business. To see them chatting away in a a friendly manner was a treat for all those that admired and worshiped them.

<span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"But man, where is that idiot? He's the one who told us to come early and yet he's late at his guild's own party!" Francine fumed as she stomped her feet and frowned. It was quite obvious who she was referring too as a chuckle came from Shin.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Give him a break, I heard Tetsuya was pretty busy tracking down all of the Alliance members that were scattered across Ishgar. It wouldn't surprise me if he had fallen asleep out of exhaustion" It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Francine clicked her tongue at Shin "I know that already, and I'm really grateful towards him but..." she seemed to fidget a bit as her eyes wondered to the large gathering of presents that had been stacked in the middle of the room, particularly a green box that had her initials on it. Shin was quick to piece things together as he observed Francine's body language, a wide grin now forming on his face.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Oh, so that's what's going on eh?"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Eh? W-What are you talking about?" Francine backed up a bit as she saw the mischievous smirk on Shin's face. She was losing her composure as she had a feeling Shin was on to her.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Of course you'd be upset that the person you got a present for isn't here. I understand completely"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Francine's heart sank as Shin revealed those words and her face became hot, a clear flush of pink now written all over her as she grabbed his shirt.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"W-Who the hell said anything about making a present for that moron!" Francine expressed with a face ridden with embarrassment as Shin continued smiling. She already knew the cat was out of the bag but still denied it nonetheless. What made it even worse was that stupid shit eating grin on his face, she couldn't stand that!

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Haha, there's no need to be so defensive about it. You like him right? Why wouldn't you make something for him?" Shin added, his amusement reaching an all time high as she watched Francine's face get even redder and her grip on his shirt tightened.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"H-Haaaah!? Why you little-!" Francine drew her arm back and was ready to clobber the man before something caught her arm and prevented it from moving.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Hey now, can't you guys at least try to get along when I'm not around?"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Neither Shin or Francine could forget that unmistakable voice as they turned their heads to see none other than Tetsuya, guild master of Dawn Horizon and the host of this year's Christmas party standing behind Francine with a bemused expression. He was wearing a plain black shirt and black jeans, typical of his usual style as his hair had been slicked back a little.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"T-Tetsuya..." Francine spoke with a bit of anxiousness, just realizing now that he was still holding onto her arm as let go of Shin's shirt and turned her body towards him. It had always been like this, whenever Shin and Francine were arguing, or specifically whenever Shin was teasing Francine insistently, it only took Tetsuya to calm her down. Whether it was due to her hidden feelings or due to the fact that it was hard to stay mad at someone when Tetsuya was around was still a mystery.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Lowering her hand to the ground, Tetsuya gave Francine a sympathetic smile "It's Christmas Franky, try to loosen up alright?"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"...F-Fine" Francine pouted a bit, helpless to ignore Tetsuya's request whenever he addressed her by that nickname and flashing that stupid charming smile. It always annoyed her whenever he did that because she knew that he knew that it would always work.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Satisfied, Tetsuya let go of her hand and then approached the amused Shin as he raised his hand for a fist bump. "You enjoying the party Shin?"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Wouldn't have missed it for the world" Shin answered as he met Tetsuya's fist with his own, a comfortable laugh now shared between the two of them as Francine's eyebrows twitched at Shin's apparent closeness with Tetsuya. She stepped in between them and coughed, lightly elbowing Tetsuya in the ribs as she sized him up.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"You didn't show up here just to greet us did you? Isn't it about time we get to the unveiling of presents?"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">In the midst of returning from sending out the invitations, Tetsuya had almost forgotten that as he nodded towards Francine "Your right. Let's gather everyone around before we begin"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Shin seemed to be thinking of something else entirely as he scanned the room, glancing behind Tetsuya a few times and noticed an absence of two people in particular.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Hey, where's Sabrina and Mizuki? I almost always see them both around you so I thought for sure they'd be next to you"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">A valid and accurate question Tetsuya thought as he threw both of his arms around his back and shrugged.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"They've been holed up in Brina's mansion the entire day, trying out the near infinite amount of holiday costumes that Sabrina has in her wardrobe. You know Brina, she won't be satisfied unless she wears the best outfit for the occasion"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Isn't that the truth..." Both Shin and Francine said simultaneously as Tetsuya chuckled at their response.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"I do hope they show up soon, a lot of the guys in my guild are hoping to give them presents" Shin commented, eyes befalling Francine who begrudgingly sighed and nodded.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Mine too. Hate to admit but those two are quite the popular duo within the Alliance, even more so than Violet, Shana, or even Alexis for that matter"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Shin then nudged Tetsuya as he threw his arm over the man's shoulder "Better keep a close eye on your girl, she's got quite a lot of fan boys you know?"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Tetsuya snorted. "If anyone thinks they can take Zuki away from me, they're welcome to try. Besides, you already know what kind of girl she is"

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">Shin pondered the matter over before nodding in acceptance. "True enough. I didn't even think it was possible for even you to win her over. I doubt anyone else would have had a chance in hell" Shin didn't know Mizuki as well as Tetsuya did but from what he gathered from his encounters with her at the meetings and how Tetsuya spoke of her, he knew that she wasn't the type that would fall for someone that easily, even if they were guys like himself or Tetsuya who were considered among Fiore's most attractive bachelors.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Hmph, I don't see what's so special about her.." Francine mumbled to herself as she took a sip of her wine, ignoring the teasing look coming from Shin as he let go of Tetsuya's shoulders. She didn't say anything more as she knew he would use it against her and make the situation worse.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif"">"Anyway" Tetsuya began, eyeing all of the occupants of the room as a small smirk spread over his lips and he walked towards the center of the room with Shin and Francine not far behind.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TrebuchetMS","sans-serif""> "When they get here, we'll begin the main show"

(To Be Continued)