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Shining had never celebrated her own birthday before.
That’s not to say that the concept is alien to her. She knew that many people celebrate it, and she also knew the importance of knowing the day of your own birth; it’s why she made sure to make Liz remember her own birthday, because that’s the least that Liz deserves for being a victim, to know that she’s appreciated for being born into this world.
But as a Sarkaz who was born in Kazdel, where names are a rarity and there was naught but constant warfare… She never had the luxury of celebrating her birthday, nor has anyone tried to celebrate it.
And Shining doesn’t mind. Certainly not when she was serving as a Confessor, and not when she’s now trying to atone for her past sins, to see the dawn rise and banish the everlasting night that has embraced Terra for so long.
When the journey seems endless, and the dawn still so far away, what right does she have to celebrate her own birthday when she has so much to do? So much to atone for?
That’s why, despite making sure to celebrate Liz’s and Margaret’s birthday (it’s easy enough to look up Margaret’s when she’s so well-known), Shining had never told them her own.
So when they were travelling in the wilderness on their never-ending quest, her own birthday was the last thing on Shining’s mind. Sure, she’s vaguely aware that it’s currently October, but she doesn’t put much thought into it when there are more important things to do, like being alert for any potential danger, where they should be going next, and how to better treat Liz’s and Margaret’s Oripathy…
She doesn’t suspect anything as Liz and Margaret retired to their shared tent as she took over the first watch, just like always. Alone with nothing but her thoughts, contemplating on the past and the future as the gentle sound of the campfire softly filled the silence of the night.
At least until both Liz and Margaret emerged from their tent, taking a seat across from her, and Shining sent them a questioning look while possibilities danced through her mind. Did Margaret sense something amiss? Was Liz having a nightmare? Perhaps they simply couldn’t sleep?
But Margaret offered her a smile, and she noticed Liz is clutching something in her hands just a split second before they both spoke in unison:
“Happy birthday, Shining.”
A few seconds passed in silence. Shining blinked owlishly, for once completely caught off guard and not knowing what to say.
When the shock wears off and she realized what just happened, she quietly asked:
“… How did you know?”
“Liz told me yesterday.” Margaret answered as she gestured at the blonde Sarkaz. Shining turned her attention to Liz in disbelief, trying to remember if she ever told the girl or not.
“You told me once.” Liz said softly as she brought her hands close to her chest, still clutching something Shining couldn’t see. “When you first told me about my birthday.”
“Oh.” Shining quietly exclaimed as the memory came rushing back to her; it was on a quiet night in a tent just like this, on Liz’s first birthday after she was liberated from her cage. She had told Liz the date of her birthday to help the girl understand the meaning of the term back then, but that’d mean that Liz… remembered. Liz, who would sometimes have trouble remembering her own name.
Shining doesn’t understand why Liz would remember something so trivial.
“Nearl… helped me remember what a birthday is.” Liz continued, but there’s a slight shift in her normally monotonous voice. “We wanted to celebrate your birthday, so Nearl… helped me prepare a present for you.”
It was only then Shining noticed that despite her face looking as blank as always, Liz was fidgeting – something she had never seen the blonde Sarkaz did before – and it was only after Margaret had put her hand reassuringly on Liz’s shoulder did the girl seems to muster the courage to press on despite her apparent nervousness, extending her hands to her before opening them up.
Resting on Liz’s palms was a simple pair of tiny beads, attached to a black cord, and Shining was at a loss for words; it wasn’t as if it’s extraordinarily beautiful or anything of the sort, and yet…
“Liz had always admired your horns, so she wanted to give you something that you can wear on them.” Margaret helpfully explained when she realized her Sarkaz companions weren’t speaking. “Unfortunately, there aren’t that much materials that we can work with in the wilds like this, so this is the best that we can do.“
“... Why?” Shining asked quietly as she took her eyes off the present to look into their eyes, not understanding why they’re doing this for someone like her. For their part, both Liz and Margaret looked into each other’s eyes before resting their gaze back on her.
“You are… someone important to me, so I want you to know that I am thankful… for everything you’ve done.” Liz tilted her head. “That is why we celebrate birthdays, right…?”
“Indeed. You are a true friend and our guiding light, so of course we’d celebrate your birthday.” The Radiant Knight agreed with a nod. “Besides, you celebrated ours. What kind of friends would we be if we don’t return the favour?”
For a few moments, Shining couldn’t give a reply.
How could she, when she’s overwhelmed by the warmth that she felt blooming in her heart from hearing their answers?
It’s not as if it’s the first time she ever felt joy or happiness; even for someone like her, there were plenty of times that she felt happy even before meeting Liz and Margaret, but…
For the first time in her life, Shining knew how it felt to be loved.
Thus, it is inevitable that a smile eventually graced her lips as Shining finally uttered her reply to their heartfelt words.
“Thank you. I shall treasure this gift for the rest of my life.”
Hearing that reply, Liz’s normally blank face gave way to a true smile as the blonde Sarkaz offered to help her tie it into her horn, while Margaret firmly said that she’d take over the rest of the watch in order for her to get enough sleep for once.
--It was an extremely simple birthday celebration with an equally simple gift in the middle of nowhere.
But Shining would forever remember it as the happiest day in her life.