=== Alear & Citrinne === --- C --- [Citrinne] Excuse me, Divine One. I wanted to thank you for aiding me in battle the other day. [Citrinne] If it's not inappropriate, I would like to find a gift for you to fully express my gratitude. [Alear] A gift? That isn't necessary, Citrinne. I only did what anyone would have done. [Citrinne] Haha! Oh, Divine One. You're too modest! [Citrinne] Aha! A gift idea has just come to me. [Citrinne] An acquaintance of the Brodian royal family is looking to sell their private island─at cost! [Citrinne] What would you say to your own private island getaway? My treat, of course. [Alear] An entire island?! That's really not─ [Citrinne] Not enough. I agree. Shall I add some of my antique jewelry? It's just a few generations old... [Alear] No! Citrinne, I don't need expensive gifts. [Citrinne] Really? Then...what sort of gift would you be more inclined to accept? [Alear] Well, if I can't talk you out of it... [Alear] To be honest, I would prefer the kind of gift that money can't buy. [Citrinne] Something that money...cannot buy? [Alear] No private islands. No jewelry. I value gifts that aren't defined by how much they cost. [Alear] That's the best kind of gift a person can receive. Do you understand? [Citrinne] I see. Let me just...think on this for a while. Farewell for now, Divine One. --- B --- [Citrinne] Hello again, Divine One. I gave your words on gifts some thought. [Citrinne] You said you would prefer something that money could not buy... [Citrinne] I apologize for the delay. It feels as if I've kept you waiting for days, weeks, months! [Alear] It really hasn't been that long... [Citrinne] To me, it felt like an eternity. [Alear] Do you have an idea? [Citrinne] Indeed I have. I think this token of my gratitude will be much more to your liking. For you! [Alear] Oh. It's, uh... [Citrinne] It's a pebble! [Alear] Yes. This certainly is a pebble. [Citrinne] I found it sitting on the side of the road and paid nothing to acquire it. What a thrill! [Citrinne] No cost. No worth. I quite literally stumbled upon the perfect gift for you! [Alear] ... [Citrinne] Is something the matter, Divine One? [Alear] I guess I didn't explain myself well enough. [Alear] Imagine that you found this pebble a long time ago and kept it. Maybe you grew attached to it. [Alear] If you were to give me that pebble─one you cherished─I would consider it a wonderful gift. [Citrinne] One that I...cherished? [Alear] You know, sentimental value? Worth that comes from the heart rather than the wallet? [Citrinne] Worth that comes from the heart... [Citrinne] I think I understand. [Citrinne] Next time, I'll offer you something that will truly delight you. [Citrinne] Rest easy, Divine One! I shall return! --- A --- [Citrinne] Hello once again, Divine One. I've come to give you...this gift. [Alear] Oh, Citrinne! What a gorgeous bouquet! [Citrinne] I thought of you as I picked each flower. I hope these will suffice... [Alear] You hand-picked all of these flowers for me? That's a wonderful gesture. [Citrinne] ... [Alear] Citrinne? Are you OK? [Citrinne] I once had a very close friend who loved gifts... and would make a game of begging for things. [Citrinne] Each gift made her so happy. Over time, it became a natural part of our rapport. [Citrinne] Then, one day, I surprised her with a bouquet just like this. She begged for a dress instead... [Citrinne] When I asked if she didn't like the flowers, she grew angry. She said I was being...cheap. [Alear] That's awful. Is that why you offered to give me such expensive gifts? [Citrinne] Yes. That's why. [Alear] If someone won't be your friend unless you buy things for them, that isn't a real friendship. [Alear] I think this bouquet is a wonderful gift, Citrinne. It makes me very, very happy. Thank you. [Citrinne] I'm so glad to hear it. I finally found the right way to express my gratitude. [Citrinne] That makes me very, very happy as well. Thank you, Divine One. --- S --- [Alear] Here, Citrinne. Have a look at this. [Citrinne] Is that a dried flower? It looks familiar... [Alear] It's from the bouquet you gave me. I carefully dried each flower for use as a decoration. [Citrinne] Oh! Yes, of course! I'm delighted to see how you've taken such good care of them. [Alear] I think of your kindness each time I look at them, Citrinne. [Citrinne] What a lovely thought. Thank you for sharing this with me. [Alear] I didn't call you over just to show you the flower. [Alear] This time, I have a gift for you. [Citrinne] You do? For me? What might that be? [Alear] This. The Pact Ring. [Citrinne] What?! [Citrinne] But this is a historic piece of jewelry. I suspect it's worth more than all of my riches combined! [Citrinne] Why would you give this to me? [Alear] Don't think of how much it's worth. I'm giving this to you as a token of our friendship. [Alear] I want you to be my closest confidant, Citrinne. Are you willing to walk and fight by my side? [Citrinne] Oh my... [Citrinne] Of course I am, Divine One. I will happily accept this gift. [Alear] I'm so glad to hear it. [Citrinne] Heh, you know, I love to give gifts, but I rarely receive them myself... [Citrinne] You were right about sentimental value. A gift from the heart is a wonderful gift indeed. [Alear] Couldn't agree more. [Citrinne] Thank you, Divine Dragon ... I must be the luckiest person in the world. [Citrinne] When this war is over, we must attend a formal ball together. I know that's a long way off... [Alear] Why wait? We could just dance right here and now. [Alear] Think of it as a formal-ish ball. Just for us. [Citrinne] I'd like that very much. [Citrinne] What a gift exchange this is─you and I both offering to support one another. It's priceless.