...The First Noah-el, Part One...
Dear Diary,
I really had no idea what I was getting into when I agreed to plan the first Noah/ Exorcist/ Fae Christmas party. For one thing, I'm only 19, and ran away from home at 16, so I haven't been to nearly as many as my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Sheril, or Lulu Bell, or even, hell, Road! The loligoth has been around for over 40 years! Even Tyki would have been a better choice, he knows how things work in this household... And on top of the Christmas party, it's Allen's freaking Sweet 16. I've been given three days. I. Am. Screwed.
The day of the twenty-second of December started out fairly normal... Ah, who the hell am I kidding, I live with the Noah! Their idea of normality is killing someone, preferably an Exorcist, turning them and a loved one into a mechanized demon, and then pitting them against other Exorcists to see who wins... But, I love them anyway! After all, blood is thicker than oil, or something like that. I really need to read up on human phrases. That's what Lavi is for.
Anyway, Diary, I wasn't sure how to go along with the whole thing, so when I was told by Sheril about it, I was reasonably upset.
"Irmãzinha*, I have a favor to ask." Sheril said from the entryway to the library, just as I was getting to the truly interesting part of the Legend of King Arthur. Wow, the humans really are clueless...
"Hm?" I hummed, absented minded, my eyes not leaving the page. Tyki glanced up from his book, directly across from me. His glare to his brother should have been my first warning. Emphasis on should.
"Could you possibly plan the family Christmas party that will take place in the dining hall in three days? Oh, it's also Allen's sixteenth birthday on Christmas day. So, do you think you could?"
"Hm, sure. Okay." I said. Or, at least, I was told I said by Tyki later. I was too engrossed in my story to notice. The sound of the latch on the door finally broke me out of my literature-induced coma. "Who was that?" I queried.
"You really don't know?" asked my fiance, smirking.
"Should I?"
"That, querida**, was my brother. And you just agreed to be in charge of the first annual Noah and Fae Christmas party. Good luck, you'll need it." he said, baritone voice dripping sarcasm. He marked his page, stood, and left the room, the closing door echoing in the now silent library.
I asked the air, "What just happened?" The bastard didn't even offer a reply.
I stomped down the grand staircase, the proverbial storm cloud rumbling above my head. On my way to the conservatory off to the left of the dining hall (the ballroom being to the right)my head bent over a shopping list, I ran face-first into Ianto. He caught my arm before I could fall.
"Whoa there! Have your head in the clouds, Ree?" he asked, his Welsh accent heavy. I shook my head to clear it.
"Yeah, sorry. I got suckered into planning this party, and I only have three days to get everything ready."
"Oh, that'll be difficult, even for you."
"Thanks for the support." I commented, no sincerity in my voice.
"Any time. I'm supposed to be sparring with Dietrich right now, so I'll talk to you later." he said, already walking away from me.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just walk away and leave me to my misery." I harrumphed, knowing he wouldn't hear me.
"What's wrong, my dear~?" asked the Earl, in the form of a grotesque clown caricature, when I entered the conservatory. He was seated under the hanging ferns, the silver winter light shining through the glass walls. The intricately sculpted fountain tumbled softly in the center of the room.
"Oh, not much. Just Sheril tricking me into being the party planner for the family get-together in three days." I snarked.
The Earl's smile, if possible, widened, "And how did he trick you, Seraphiel?" I was used to him calling me only by my Noah name now.
"Asked me while I was reading, and didn't even bother to really wake me up." It was fairly well known that, unless badgered, I wasn't fully aware of my surroundings while reading.
"Aw, I'm sorry my dear~, I'll be sure to have him apologize later." The threat was clear as crystal in his voice.
"Don't worry about it, Earl. I just have no clue what to do at this party." A thought popped into my head, "Anyway, why are the Noah of all people having a Christmas party?"
"It was Road's idea. Anything to get more presents. What's in your hand, dear~?"
My eyes flicked back to the sheet of paper in my hand, "Oh, this? It's a shopping list, for all the things Allen, Lavi, and Kanda destroyed at the ball. I figured I'd go out and find everything now, before the shops close."
"A sound idea. I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you. Is there anything that I may have missed?" I handed him the thin paper.
He read it over twice. "Hm, not that I can see."
"Well then, I'd best be off."
Stay warm, my dear~!"
"What're you up to, Rhia?" asked Allen from behind me as I pulled on my wool cloak.
"Allen! Where have you been hiding?" He shrugged. "I'm heading out shopping for the Christmas party. There's a few things, like red candles, that we're low on."
I could swear he flushed pink. "Well, since that's kinda my fault, mind if I tag along?"
Not good. I was going to get his birthday present while I was out. Well, I can't turn him down, that would be rude. I also can't go again tomorrow, that'd look suspicious... Aw, screw it.
"I don't see why not." Damn...
When we finally got to Lisbon, the sun was setting. "We'll have to hurry, or we'll be late for dinner. Again."
"Don't worry, there's not much on this list. We can start at the florist to order the wreathes, roses, and lilies." said Allen as he walked ahead. Several people on the street cast sideways glaces at him, from a combination of his hair and him not walking beside me, since he should have been my escort. I picked up my pace to catch up.
"Sounds good. Then after that we'll stop at the butcher's, then the chandlers. After that, we can go home." He hummed in response. We sped through the first two tasks, but I was slightly disheartened when the florist didn't have enough red roses, so I ordered what they had. I'd have to find something to replace them in the centerpiece. We talked and laughed our way through the afternoon, the snow slowing us down considerably, and whenever one of us tripped the other giggled relentlessly. When we finally walked into the chandlers, my feet were aching. Allen placed our order while I browsed. My eye was captured by a delicate piece of wax, and I cut Allen off as I said, "Excuse me, but could you replace fifteen of the tapers with twenty of these?" I held up the candle in question. When Allen saw the shape he grinned, teeth and all.
It wasn't until we were in the carriage that I realized I forgot Allen's birthday present.
Well, here is the first installment of The First Noah-el. Thank you for reading! So, Road has the Noah hold a Christmas party, simply because she wants presents? Why does this not surprise me? This will end up being a three-shot, so please look forward to the rest!
*Irmãzinha- little sister
** querida- dear one
Disclaimer: I do not own D Gray-man, nor do I own it's characters!