Rai eyed the tree that was standing in the corner of the living room.
Last week the children had told him about 'Christmas,' a day which occurs once a year where humans give gifts to each other. The concept seemed simple, but there were actually quite a lot of traditions to uphold before the gifts could be given.
Rai did not understand the purpose of these traditions, but since he was living in the human world it was only right to follow them.
For instance, you needed a tree to put the gifts under.
After informing Frankenstein that he wished to partake in this human tradition with the children, Tao, Takeo, and Frankenstein had disappeared for several hours. When they returned they had brought back with them a large tree called a 'fir.' Frankenstein had informed him that this was the kind of tree that humans called a 'Christmas Tree.'
Rai had just nodded. He trusted Frankenstein's judgement.
Frankenstein had placed it in a red and green container filled with water, with a similarly colored blanket underneath.
But obtaining a tree was just the beginning.
The tree was expected to have lights and decorations on it.
M-21 and Regis had been put in charge of putting lights on the tree after some light instructions from Frankenstein. They had chosen ones that shone a soft gold on green wire. Rai had silently watched them bicker good-naturedly at each other as they walked around and around the tree, wrapping the lights around each branch so that the tree itself appeared incandescent.
After the lights, the children had informed him, came the decorations for the tree.
Seira, Rael, and Karias had gone to a store and purchased the decorations needed, called ornaments, which would be hung from the tree.
The children had all come over to participate in this part of the tradition.
While everyone was inspecting the ornaments, preparing snacks or simply talking to one another, Yuna had walked up to him and handed him one of the ornaments.
"Come on, Rai, come decorate the tree!"
"Yeah, Rai, it's your first Christmas, so you get to hang the first ornament!"
So now Rai eyed the tree, looking for a suitable place to hang the small, glass, red-tinted rose he held in his hand. Shinwoo leaned around him as he deliberated, while the rest of the household waited with bated breath. A slight gap between two of the branches in front of one of the lights finally caught his eye, so he wrapped the wire attached to the rose around the upper branch and released it, watching it reflect the light behind it.
"Good place, Rai!"
Blushing slightly at the unexpected compliment, he turned toward Frankenstein who had walked up next him.
Frankenstein handed him a mug with a genuine smile on his face at Rai's delight and embarrassment.
Rai took the mug, nodding his appreciation, and sat back down.
The house was now full of chattering and music that the children insisted was also part of the tradition of Christmas. Some people were placing more delicate glass figures on the tree, while others were sitting and standing around the tree drinking sweet drinks like 'eggnog' and 'hot chocolate.' Rai himself was enjoying a cup of the latter, savoring the sweetness and happiness that had less to do with the drink he had than with the people he was surrounded by.
A/N: Some holiday fun :)
Special thanks to 'Smile' for all the great reviews :) I appreciate it soooo much!
