second gunshot
"Gareki!"
A small, younger Gareki glanced towards the one yelling at him. The auburn-haired boy who shouted his name was even smaller than he was. Oh. Yotaka. Ignored. After all, messing with the mechanical device Grandpa got for him was far more entertaining.
"Garekiiiiii~!" He didn't even have to look for that one. It was Tsubame. He glanced toward the girl, even younger than Yotaka, her brother with her long hair a shade lighter than his.
"What?" he asked, not tearing his eyes away from the scrap of junk metal in his lap. You couldn't even make out what it came from or what it was meant to be. However, even in his younger years, Gareki has a screwdriver in hand as he adjusts screws and wires. He read about how radios work. He could probably do that with this thing...
But his thoughts were interrupted as his view of his work was obscured by something bright and pink.
Setting his project aside, the engineer-to-be stared down at the foreign object, Tsubame happily plopping it down on his lap. "Open it up!" she cried happily, kneeling down beside him, a happy smile on her face.
"... what is it?" the dark-haired boy looked very dubious, picking up the thing. It was something cushy messily wrapped in pink wrapping paper, and it seemed Tsubame managed to dig up a ribbon from somwhere, awkwardly tying it on top.
"What do you think it is?" Yotaka snapped to his sister's defense, "A Christmas gift. It's almost that time of year."
He stared at the thing before turning back to look at Tsubame, "We can't afford this. And it's not time for Chistmas yet." He was devoid of any childish innocence.
But it seemed Tsubame had enough for the both of them, pouting in response, "I know we can't! That's why I made it myself! So just open it, okay?"
Gareki just sighed. He couldn't fight Tsubame when she got like this. If he did, she'd start crying about how they're a family now. Unwrapping it with care (seeing as how they might be able to use the paper for something else later), he was surprised to find a long piece of cloth inside. He stretched it out, surprised at how long it was. Although the threads were notably rather loose, clearly made by someone inexperienced with the task. All he could manage to say was, "It's a scarf." He glanced back at Tsubame, "It doesn't get that cold here, you know."
Again, she pouted. "I know! But that doesn't mean it never will! Or maybe you'll go somewhere where it might even snow! You have to be prepared!"
Staring down at the scarf again, Gareki's mouth turned up at the corner. It might've even be considered a small smile. A gift, huh? Is this how family did it? "... thanks," he muttered. It was then that he caught Tsubame staring at him, a huge grin plastered on her face. Even Yotaka looked a little smug.
His face darkening with a shade of red, Gareki balled up the scarf again and scoffed, turning his face to the side. "Stupid."
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[He wakes up, not in the best of moods. Still... not as bad as it could have been. He knows the Dreamberry is on, so might as well say something.]
Anyone else planning on visiting the castle?
[... and because the dream put him in a bad mood. Explosions always make him feel at home.]
Rita, this place has been too quiet. You up for some castle exploration? [... oh right] And I need another book.