Cider: Artie/Vanessa (+ Claudia for a familial vibe)
Summary: Love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail too.
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Claudia scrunched her nose as she peeked into the pot Artie and Vanessa were gathered around. Artie dropped several sticks of cinnamon into the pot as Vanessa stirred the simmering liquid. "That is an interesting looking concoction."
"It's wassail," Artie stated plainly.
"I thought that was like caroling, you know, 'Here we come a-wassailing among the leaves so green?'"
"Indeed, it is," Vanessa said, turning down the heat on the stove. "Wassail is also a hot, mulled cider and drinking it is part of the tradition of wassailing to ensure a good harvest the following year."
Claudia shrugged. "Who knew?"
Artie began to explain, "Wassail is actually celebrated on Twelfth Night, the evening of January 5th although quite a few mistakenly believe that Twelfth Night occurs on the 6th-"
"Thank you but that will be all, Mr. Encyclopedia Britannica," Claudia cut in with a roll of her eyes. "I care not for your knowledge of all things archaic, such as your childhood and traditions from ye olden days, but it's cute that you and the good doctor here are bonding over such things."
Vanessa chuckled. "I appreciate Artie's vast knowledge and that he is willing to celebrate a long-standing tradition that my family has observed."
"Minus the toast," Artie added.
Vanessa gave a short nod. "Minus the toast."
"And caroling. I don't do caroling," Artie reminded.
"We're caroling, Artie," Vanessa said.
"I don't..." Vanessa raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips. "Uh, a few songs won't hurt, I suppose."
She placed a kiss on Artie's cheek. "Thank you."
He stuttered, "Well, your family's traditions mean a lot to you..."
Claudia just shook her head, amused. "I'm a little confused by what toast has to do with any of this and yet at the same, I don't really care. But you two crazy kids enjoy your wassail. I'm gonna skedaddle before the PDAs start."
"We'll let you know when it's ready," Vanessa said with a grin.