Traditions
The children and Tracks had just about finished decorating the tree when Mirage came back out again, sans Raoul. He looked at Tracks, smiled and nodded, then went to pick up Martha who was holding onto a large star. The little girl giggled as she was hoisted onto his shoulders and brought to the tree.
"So as tradition says, the star goes on last, doesn't it?" he asked.
She nodded, then proceded to stand up on Mirage's shoulder, bracing herself and propping the star up on the topmost branch.
"That 'cause the star wed the Wise Men to the baby in the manger," she replied. "So the star's vewy important."
Mirage set her back down on the ground, then began to unpack the gifts from the bags and set them under the tree. The children's eyes widened.
"Pwesents!" Martha exclaimed. "For us?"
Mirage nodded. "Oh yes, for all of you." He held up a package wrapped in sparkly blue and white paper. "And this one's for you Martha." Its tradition to give presents to each other for Christmas, too, isn't it?"
The children chorused their agreement.
"Oh but there's just one thing," Tracks told them. "It's also tradition that no one get's to open their presents till Christmas Morning."
That announcement was met with a chorus of disappointment.
"Don't worry, time's gone by pretty fast today and it'll be morning before you know it," Mirage assured them.
"Why do we have to follow traditions anyway?" a boy asked.
"Because they impo'tant," Martha replied.
"Quite important," Mirage added. "Traditions help you to remember things that happened before your time. You wouldn't even be having Christmas presents if traditions hadn't been passed down over the centuries from person to person, and generation to generation."
"Twadition keeps things alive?" Martha asked.
"In a way."
"What kind of things?"
"Well… customs, cultures, religion. The way some people live their lives may infact be based on traditions that started centuries ago." Mirage gestured to the tree. "Like the star." He touched Martha's cheek. "And the kiss you gave me under the mistletoe. We wouldn't have all that if it werent for tradition."
"So if we don't have twadition, then no Santa Cwause either?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Santa doesn't visit orphanages anyway," another girl said.
"Oh I wouldn't say that," Mirage chuckled. "In fact, I heard he was on his way here right now. Should be here in a little while actually."
A murmur of amazement went around the room and Tracks, who was standing by the door, smirked.
"I hope you've all been good children this year," he said. "Because you know what traditionally happens to bad kids."
"They get punished," Martha said.
"Oh yes they do," Tracks replied. "See I know of a boy who said and did a few bad things this year, and now he's being punished for it."
"From beyond the door, in the hallway, they heard Raoul's voice.
"Don't rub it in, man, alright!"
Mirage stood up. "Well I guess Santa's just arrived. Now why don't all of you sit gather around the Christmas Tree and give him a big cheer when he comes in?"
Whispering excitedly, the children scrambled to get into position, anticipation and excitement written all over their little faces, and Mirage couldn't help but notice a comfortably warm feeling beneath his armor. Perhaps it hadn't been so bad coming out to the orphanage and spending time with the children after all.
"Alright kids," Tracks announced. "Here comes Santa Claus!"
END.