It was the 24th of December, a day many thought of as a day of peace, when you leaned back comfortly in a soft chair, listening to christmas carols and eating sweets, while waiting for the evening to end so you could wake up next morning and open your presents together with your family.
At least, many humans did so.
Darren woke up that fateful evening with a banging headache and a nose dripping of snot. After a quick medical examination from his mentors side, he now knew he was suffering sinusitis, an ill that would not pass in some days. Doctors used to recommend rest and silence, but, as Larten drowsy put it before he went to sleep again, he could not fail them now on Christmas Eve.
So, our poor hero got out of his coffin, only able to stand up thanks to the thought 'it's over tomorrow, it's over tomorrow' and Harkats helpful hand.
Together they got down to the Hall of Khledon Lurth (there had been a suggestion at re-naming it The Hall of Throwing Food, but Paris used his veto) and sat down between Kurda (who was frenetically trying to get Gavner out of his lap so he could eat his cornflakes) and Arra (sending murderous looks over to a certain teenager sitting across from her).
Darren tiredly ticked his spoon against the table to get everyones attention. Ticked it again, a little harder, then almost broke the spoon on the stone table. When still no one listened, he nodded to Harkat, who took a deep breath, pulled down his mask and used his until now secret ability.
-"SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO DARREN EVERYONE, OR I'LL PERSONALLY BURN ALL YOUR PRESENTS!" He put a remarkable scary accent on the word 'all', then fell unconsious due to lack of air. But, it worked, everyone was chocked to silence and Darrens trembly voice could now be heard.
-"Okay everyone...I know...this Christmas plan has not worked out exactly as we planned....but, at least the Halls are decorated, and we've got presents for everyone." He ignored Rickys sarcastic snort and continued.
"But we have one last challenge left." He made a dramatic pause(or so it seemed, until he blew his nose in one of Lartens red handkerchiefs) "Christmas Dinner."
Seba straightened his back and looked fond of himself, then took out a small piece of paper and held it out in the air.
-"This!" he declared dramatically. "Is our Christmas Dinner."
The silence was broken by Vanez' carefully placed comment:
-"Well...it looks more like a piece of paper to me..."
Seba turned as red as his cloke and shot an angry glance at Vanez.
-"Very smart observation mr. Blane. This is indeed a piece of paper. Written on it is our Christmas Menu."
A chorus of 'oh's and 'ah's was heard when everyone understood this, and reliefed sighs when they also got that they wouldn't be served a piece of paper tomorrow.
Darren blew his nose again.
-"Can you maybe please read it to everyone Seba? Thank you..."
Seba looked proud and unfolded the paper slowly, nodding gratefully to the people around.
-"This Menu, composed by myself and Darren over there, is the following:
Christmas Menu Vampire mountain
Starters
Pumpkin soup with ham and thyme and baconbread
Mini pizzas(extra meat)
Peas in butter sauce
Mains
Christmas Turkey a lá Seba
Roast Beef with Brussel Sprouts
Chestnut filled Chicken
Sides
Couscous with beans and chicken
Potatoe Gratin with bat wings
Roasted potatoes with ham flavour
Lingonberry sauce
Green Salad with seeds and vinegrette
Desserts
Mont Blanc with extra cream, extra chocolate and exta icecream
Christmas Pudding
Plumpudding
Fruitcake
Cinnamon filled apples with honey and cocos
Drinks & Extras
Blood
Wine(orange juice for those who seem to be under 18)
Crackers
There was silence for about 13.5 seconds before....
-"I don't like brussel sprouts!"
-"If I get it right, there are at least TWO dishes without any meat in it, how do you explain this?!"
-"Why do I only get orange juice?! It's unfair, I always get to drink wine at home! Orange juice is for babies!"
-"Darren, you cannot be serious about this, why is there not any bat broth on the menu?!"
-"How are we going to get all this finished in time, and with all the right ingredients?"
-"I REFUSE TO DRINK ORANGE JUICE, I WANT TO GO HOME!"
-"I think it sounds good."
All voices fell silent and the Vampires stared at the only one who dared to give a positive comment. Vanez just shrugged his shoulders and repeated his words.
-"I think it sounds good. Darren and Seba have put lots of work into this I'm sure, and there is so much to eat you could just choose whatever you want. If you don't like anything, then don't eat it. That's what I think...."
Darren could barely believe what he heard, and suddenly it was like a light started to shine inside him. He blew his nose one last time, then said with a voice full of trust and happiness.
-"Well let's get started then...Let us make this the best Christmas ever! What do you say guys?"
The cheers that filled the Hall were answer enough.
Some hours later...
-"Gavner, get off me, I'm trying to finish these pizzas!!" Kurda said helplessy, not able to move in Gavners giant hug. The kitchen was for the moment in total chaos, crowded with vampires, food everywhere except were it should be, and Seba running around shouting orders and trying to get all the dishes finished.
Darren was in the middle of this chaos, trying to get the crackers out of reach from Ricky's hungry hands and not burning the couscous. Harkat and Arrow were filling the chicken with chestnuts(however most of the nuts never reached the chicken and were eaten on the way) and Larten was deeply concentrated on putting every brussel sprout in an exact circle around the beef, not noticing the pieces of baconbread and half-roasted potatoes flying above his head.(Mika and Arra seemed to have an argument about something)
Paris was happily stirring the pumpkin soup, humming some christmas song and remembering the old days, while Vanez with great precision cut the ham in small kubes, using his biggest sword and screaming 'DIE' with every blow.
When Darren succeeded in locking away the crackers and giving Larten the key, he wisely decided to go and lay the table, before they started making icecream... He dragged Harkat, Mika and Gavner(last named struggling heavily when parted from Kurda) with him into the Hall of Princes, sighing with relief when the door closed behind them.
-"Mika and Gavner, you know what to do...please don't try to break any glasses, or making spots on the table cloth... Harkat, come with me, I have a very important mission for you..."
The pair hasted towards a little room next to the hall, leaving Mika and Gavner squabbling about if the fork should be to the right or to the left of the knife, and closing the door behind them. Darren looked at Harkat, more serious than ever before.
-"As you know...this is the room were we keep the presents... Now comes your mission Harkat, no one, no one, must enter this room before Christmas morning...ah well, for us it's evening but you get what I mean. I don't think any of the others would think even twice before trying to sneak in here and check out their present. You, my dear friend, must stop them. You are the only one I can trust."
Harkat smiled a little.
-"Trust me Darren...no one will get....into this room."
-"Even not if they offer you snacks?"
Harkat shivered.
-"Even not....if they would.....take on to such....filthy metods. I will guard....this room with my life."
Darren smiled also.
-"I knew you were the right person for this job..." He handed over a large key. "Good luck." He walked out of the room, leaving Harkat behind with his new mission.
Mika and Gavner eyed him suspiciously.
-"Where is Harkat?"
-"He is guarding the presents..."Darren grinned. "Sorry guys, no sneak peaks."
Both vampires looked incredibly disappointed.
-"Hey Darren, that's no fair!" Gavner whined. "I want to know what I get..."
-"You'll know tomorrow," Darren cut it up, then the table caught his eye. "....You have forgotten about the table cloth..."
Gavner shook his head proudly.
-"Of course not...we just thought we could put it on afterwards, when everything else was finished!"
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Sorry for long wait guys, but anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter...it was fun to write..XD If I made any mistakes according the food, let me know. I don't even know the difference between plumpudding and Christmas pudding...X''D here in sweden you eat christmas ham and potatoes with ansjovis...:/ x''D
Hugs!
Elena