The Starlight, Story, and Blessings Ceremony - A Celebration for Rustica

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Rustica: The Starlight, Story, and Blessings Ceremony, was it?

Akira: That's right. If you want to, Rustica, why don't you join us?

Rustica: Now where have I heard that before... ah, wasn't that the ritual that Murr was doing not long ago?

Akira: That's right! Snow and White found a record of it in an old document. It's supposed to be a ritual performed between a sage and the sage's wizards...

Akira: They say that if you do it at the right time, you'll receive any number of benefits, from your health improving to your magic increasing in power.

Akira: Since your birthday is coming up soon, I was hoping we could celebrate it by performing the ritual for you.

Rustica: Of course; I would be delighted. It would be a privilege to be honored with such a venerable ceremony.

Akira: That's great! Thank you very much!

Akira: Now, at the ritual, you're supposed to receive a blessing from three wizards you have a bond with. Do you have anyone you'd like to nominate?

Rustica: I'm afraid all of the sage's wizards are wonderful people, so I'm a bit at a loss.

Rustica: ... ah, I've got it. Here's what I'll do.

Rustica: 《Amorest Viesse》

Akira: Ah-- birds...!?

As soon as he uttered his spell, three white birds appeared.

Rustica: These three birds will decide who will come along for my celebration. Alright, then, off you go.

The birds flapped their wings and took off through the window. While he watched them go, Rustica suddenly tilted his head.

Rustica: ...

Akira: Rustica?

Rustica: Just now, I feel... like I'm on the verge of remembering something... There was a time before, on my birthday, when I had a most lovely time with somebody...

After thinking for a moment, Rustica slowly blinked. As soon as he opened his eyes again, he was smiling like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Rustica: Master sage, thank you for extending the invitation to me. I'm looking forward to the day of the ceremony.

Chapter 2
[int: magic manor]

Following that, I searched for the wizards that Rustica's birds had chosen, and I gathered them for a meeting.

Chloe: You guys got birds too?

Lennox: Mmhm. It flew up to me while I was walking in the courtyard.

Owen: What a pain... I keep trying to tell him that I hate him, but he won't take the hint and leave me alone...

All three of them have the birds that Rustica released on their shoulders; the birds chose these three people.

Akira: To tell you the truth, Rustica released those birds to choose the wizards who would provide the words of blessing for his ceremony.

Owen: ...

Chloe: Words of blessing?

Akira: That's right. We're planning to hold a ceremony soon to celebrate Rustica's birthday.

Akira: All we should need is a special costume, and words of blessing from three wizards and myself.

Akira: Snow and White will be preparing the costumes, so all I need from you guys is a few words of blessing for Rustica.

Lennox: I see... if that's the case, then I'd be happy to help out.

Chloe: I'm in! If there are only three people being chosen to celebrate Rustica, I'm super happy to be chosen as one of them. There's no way I can say no to that!

Owen: Well, I refuse. It sounds like a pain.

Owen: There are no words of blessing I'd want to give to a nutjob wizard like him.

Akira: Don't say that, Owen... you like it when Rustica plays music, right? How about putting that feeling into words?

Owen: I wouldn't say I love it. It's just not that bad to listen to every once in a while.

Akira: Yeah, just like that. You can say something about that!

Chloe: Hm... what should I say? There's so much I want to say, I'm kind of at a loss...

Chloe: I really want to convey my gratitude, but also wish him a happy birthday...

Lennox: You're a very bright and earnest person, Chloe, so I'm sure no matter what words you choose, Rustica is sure to understand them.

Chloe: Eheheh, thank you so much...! I'd be really happy if that were the case.

Chloe: ... ah, master sage! Speaking of Rustica-- would it be alright if we hold a birthday party for him after the ceremony?

Akira: Yes, of course we can! I think Rustica would be happy with that, too.

Chloe: I'm so glad! I really want him to have a really fun special day!

Chloe: What kind of party should we hold? What kind of party do you think Rustica would like?

Chloe: I definitely want it to be some kind of fun surprise! Because there will already be special clothes for the ceremony, I'll have to give him clothes from myself at a later date instead...

Akira: (It looks like Chloe's gotten a little off topic... but that's alright, it seems he's having fun.)

Lennox: Since Rustica is always the one playing music for us, why don't we try arranging a music performance for him for a change?

Lennox: I know of some musicians in the Southern country. I'm sure if I reached out, they would come.

Chloe: Ah, that's perfect! What a great idea, I love it!

Owen: As long as you're at it, why don't you play him a cursed song, too?

Owen: Westerners are always looking for new experiences, so if he hears something really horrifying, I'm sure he'd be happy.

Lennox: I'm not sure about...

Chloe: I like it! It'd be a little bit scary and a little bit exciting, and I'm sure Rustica would be thrilled to hear something he's never heard before!

Owen: ... you're really a proper western wizard too, huh.

Lennox: Rustica likes tea as well, doesn't he. We should probably prepare some tea and baked goods for him to enjoy alongside the music.

Lennox: Owen, you like sweets, don't you? Do you have any suggestions?

Owen: .............. that pulpy red stuff. Chloe : Um.... you mean jam? If you want jam, then maybe you're thinking about scones?

Chloe: And if we have scones, and also cookies to pair with the tea, and fruit-filled tarts, and muffins, and the savarin that Rustica really likes would be perfect!

Owen: What, is that all? No pancakes?

Lennox: Sure, we might as well have pancakes too.

Chloe: Why not make a bunch of pancakes and stack them up high? I'm sure Rustica would be surprised to see a stack of pancakes taller than him!

You wouldn't think these three would get along, but they're getting into it... it's a really funny sight. Chapter 3
[ext: city of affluence, nighttime]

According to the document Snow and White found, the most suitable place for the ceremony is a place that has significance to the wizard, preferably a natural spot lit by sparkling stars. But a few days later, the place we arrived at was a glamorous, wealthy urban city.

Rustica: I thought that this would be a good place to hold the ceremony with you, master sage.

Rustica: It may not have nature or the brilliance of the stars, but this city is a place that means a lot to me.

Akira: I think it should be fine... Snow and White said that the wizard's feelings for the place are the most important thing.

Akira: So, why don't we start the ritual? Please close your eyes.

Rustica: ...

I placed my hand over Rustica's chest as he stood with his eyes closed.

Akira: First, Lennox's words of blessing...

"If you don't give up, then I'm sure that one day, you'll be able to reunite with the person you're looking for. I sincerely hope that day comes."

Akira: Next, from Owen...

"I don't really care about you, but I don't hate your harpsichord playing. Next time, let Cerberus listen to it."

Akira: And then, from Chloe...

"My dearest Rustica! Every day with Rustica is full of new discoveries, and every day seems like it's shining brightly." "When we get back to the magic manor, let's have a party! Happy birthday, Rustica!"

Akira: And lastly, from me...

Akira: Rustica's words are always gentle and optimistic, and are just as soothing as the music you play.

Akira: Thank you so much, for everything.

Having said all of the blessings, my heart felt soft and warm. I could tell that the feeling had reached Rustica's heart as well.

Akira: How was it...?

Rustica's eyes opened slowly. At first, it didn't seem like there was any difference, but then a smile bloomed on his face like a flower.

Rustica: I feel wonderful. It's like a gentle warmth's surrounding me entirely...

Rustica: Ah, I would like to convey my overflowing gratitude to you at once.

Akira: Huh?

Rustica took my hand in his, and began dancing right then and there where we stood. As if matching our steps, a harpsichord manifested and began to play a song all by itself.

Akira: That music...? Who's playing that harpsichord...?

Rustica: I am, of course. I am a wizard, after all, Master Sage.

Rustica: This way, you can enjoy dancing even while you play. See? Like this. Rustica winked mischievously at me and twirled me around with one hand. He smiled happily, and I naturally began to smile as well. Citizen: Ah, I wonder if there's a party going on? Citizen: I love it, I want to dance too!

Attracted by our music and dancing, the inhabitants of the city and passersby gathered little by little. Everyone sang and danced and played their own musical instruments, and before I knew it, it was like a little party had formed around us.

Akira: It's sure getting lively, isn't it?

Rustica: It certainly is. ... speaking of which, I feel like... once...

Rustica: I sang and danced just like I'm doing now, celebrating my birthday with my loved ones, and being blessed by the people around me...

Rustica: When was that...

Rustica gently placed one hand on his own chest, like he was trying to capture the vague, fleeting memory.

Akira: ... I hope that someday you're able to remember that day.

Rustica: Thank you very much. However, what matters the most is the time I'm spending together with you right now, Master Sage.

Rustica: I want to enjoy my dance with you as thanks for showing me such a lovely time.

Rustica: Call up Chloe and the others; we'll dance all night.

Akira: Ahahah... sounds like a plan to me! Let's dance until we wear ourselves out!

The precious "once" from his past that he could not remember.

The precious "now" that was right in front of him this very moment.

I only hope that both have blessed him with this precious warmth.

Card Episode: Delightful Chaos

Akira: That song you're playing on harpsichord is very beautiful.

Rustica: Thank you very much. It was one of the songs performed for me as a birthday present.

Akira: Ah, was this the birthday party you just had?

Akira:I couldn't join you because I got pulled away on an urgent mission, but I heard it was a lovely party.

Rustica: Indeed. It was a truly lovely time.

Rustica: Chloe had decorated the courtyard for me in the most lovely way.

Rustica: The chairs were so soft that it felt like I was sitting on nothing at all.

Rustica: The southern musicians that Lennox invited played with such grace and beauty, I was enraptured by listening to it from my place of honor.

Akira: Wow, the luxury of it all...

Rustica: Moreover, the tea and baked goods tasted even better than usual while listening to the performance.

Rustica: Owen seemed to like them, too.

Akira: Owen was there?

Rustica: Indeed! He crashed the party in the middle of it, and grabbed all of the cookies and pancakes off of everybody else's plates.

Rustica:Murr and Shylock also came along to participate in the festivities, and we sang and danced and laughed all through the night...

Rustica: It was a splendid night, with everybody turning into birds and frogs to the music.

Akira: (He explains it so gracefully, but it sounds like it was a pretty hectic party. But I'm glad they had fun...)