MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas or has/has a wonderful (insert winter holiday of choice)! Later than I said it would be but still on time! I know! I'm as shocked as you are too! Anyway these reviews are from the last bonus chapter and next chapter will be a New Years chapter and then we'll get to a regular chapter, then Yule's special chapter and then it will be regular chapters! Anyway, review time!
Dear Alexc1209, I'm pretty sure Tyki was already insane! XD Luca's not helping but he was already crazy. Joyd however is now in on it and doesn't see the problem. Enjoy the chapter!
Dear HoboHeartLover, It's nice to know that I not only surprised you but exceeded your expectations! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I feel like Joyd grows just like a normal person and thus exposure to Luca as well as Tyki's feelings towards her would at least change him somehow. Her kissing his stigmata certainly opened his eyes though. I picture the inner memories very similar to animals so mate is the closest thing that Joyd can come up with. You're very welcome! Thank you for reviewing! Honestly there are days that I only keep writing and keep trying for all of you so thank you for taking the time to tell me how you feel about the story and what you think of it. It always makes my day and motivates me! Enjoy!
Dear Wolfs Child, Here's another chapter and another meeting for you. I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Dear Arkytior's Song, I'm really glad you loved it. It was very interesting to write each meeting from this side of things. Joyd is a challenging write! Enjoy this chapter!
Dear Cam, It's lovely to hear that you loved the chapter. It fills me with joy. It was very interesting to write from that side of things. Don't worry about my sleeping Yule's all over me about it. Enjoy!
Dear Kp, It's nice to hear from you. I hope you feel better soon! Vacation is always the best! Apparently everybody loves Joyd. Every chapter he's in people are like "Yay! More Joyd!" and it was what 15 requested. It's fantastic to hear that it was stellar. It took so long to write and was a lot of work. I kept having to delete things and rewrite them. There's so little of him in canon and his lack of vocabulary words certainly made it difficult. Your praise means so much to me. Don't forget to tell me what you thought of your chapter! Enjoy!
Dear Bunny~chan, Don't worry about your timing, you're fine! I never denied that he thought of her that way. I just waited for him to say it. Now if Tyki will ever say it. That would be hilarious. Luca's reaction would be great! Joyd just wanted to kill the exorcist. He didn't care if she was pretty or not. I didn't write that part because you already saw when he was in control. I've actually managed to stay pretty healthy so far I hope you feel better! Enjoy!
Dear Destiny's Gem, Yep! Joyd is finally the center of attention! I too actually felt bad for him when I wrote that part. Unfortunately I could see both sides of the argument. Tyki has zero interest in his opinion but that doesn't stop Joyd from giving it! Joyd has the joy ;D of skipping over the etiquette and the whole "she's an exorcist" thing because he doesn't care. Those things don't matter to him. In the end Innocence can be destroyed so she is still theirs. Tyki talks/thinks himself in circles and the man doesn't seem to like commitment while Joyd as a more animal like being is more likely to just pick one mate, some animals don't mate for life but I believe most do and Noah seem to be incredibly loyal so there's that too. I loved you attempt at Tyki explaining Luca's sudden presence. Joyd wouldn't see it as kidnapping because in his mind she already belongs to them. XD I'm so relieved it came through that way. I can write Joyd in small bursts but this time it was all about him so I was a bit nervous. I think writing the part where Cross was about to kill him was the hardest. He didn't understand or know that she was still there and he couldn't stop Cross. It's going to make him seeing her again very interesting. Tyki and Joyd just bicker all the time. They are tired of being stuck with each other so yeah that's always fun. Let's be honest, would you want to live with Sheril? Joyd was being protective but he also just wanted Tyki to shut up and fight. Enjoy the new chapter!
Dear WinterYule, Joyd can think so he has some sort of a mind. What's in there is unknown but it is there. Just like Kanda's! Yeah I'm with you on Joyd's career as a comedian. He's fun to write about but I don't think I want to me him! Good Luck Qin! Run fast! Mellifluous was the best word for it. It's really hard to describe a voice but it was his first real impression of her and the first thing he noticed so yeah. Plus it's a good word for how she talks especially when she's teasing which she normally is. Thank you for the compliment. If Tyki gets in trouble then Joyd is amused. It's the best pay back he can get from his cage and yeah Tyki needs to learn how to communicate with Joyd cuz kicking clearly isn't working. XD I would run away from Sheril especially if I was Tyki. Joyd probably views them like any other human which is unimportant unless he feels like slaughtering something. Joyd knows what Tyki's up to, he's stuck with him. The Noah themselves are rather proud of what they are, Luca calls Lulu Bell out on it, so it seemed reasonable that the memories would be too. I can't imagine a proud creature like Joyd would enjoy being caged, never mind being seen by others like that least of all his siblings who are free to move about. I can only assume that Neah was brutal in his slaying and the fact that Wisely (the memory) reacted in such a way had to be more than just being murdered by a brother. 35 years is a long time. So I figured that it would have a lasting effect on the others as well. Butterbeer makes a comeback! Somebody please get Joyd some butterbeer. He needs it! XD I spent so much time wondering if I had things moving too fast so your praise is soothing. It was a wonderful thing to hear. That's actually pretty much how I pictured Joyd reacting to it too. And yeah, I can't help but wonder what would happen if Joyd had gotten his hands on her. Tyki and Joyd seem to be fanning each other's obsession. Yes they get tangled in the maze in the Halloween bonus chapter. They really aren't good with mazes. Tyki could phase out of it but he's kinda distracted at the moment and is used to tuning Joyd out. I'm glad it made you laugh. That was the intention. Tyki is thinking as a person with feelings for somebody on the other side of the war. Luca's status as an exorcist is unimportant to Joyd. That can be fixed. He doesn't care about that. He knows that he can reason with Adam once the innocence is gone. When he says 'taste' he means he wanted to kiss her or he at least wanted Tyki to kiss her. Well she keeps vanishing on him and is around other males. It seems logical in his warped mind. Sheril's a creep and I don't think he'll ever stop being one. I'm glad I managed to write it so that even you, who doesn't like these kinds of things, like it. Enjoy the chapter!
Dear 15th, I'm so glad you like it! It brings me such joy and pleasure (wink wink). Tyki is probably the most oblivious person in the story. He doesn't notice anything. XD It is harder to be Joyd than any other memory. Tyki is a hard host to deal with. To be far, Tyki doesn't want to share her with anybody so it's not just Joyd and he's the closest one to her. Joyd may not like it if he finds out that Allen is actually the center of Luca's attention not Tyki. Your praise is wonderful and simply the best. He and Tyki are a bit different but they do have several similarities and that apparently is taste in woman! XD At the moment she's only Joyd's mate. Tyki hasn't come to the same conclusion as Joyd has. Tyki's gotta stop talking it into a larger mess than it already is. And no you're the best! Deal with it! ;D Thank you for your wishes and I hope you enjoy Christmas and the chapter! Until next time!
Luca grinned as she snuck into the kitchen. The clock struck midnight. It was officially Christmas day and Allen's sixteenth birthday. She had work to do. Jerry was still asleep but that was fine, he would also probably tell her that cupcakes were not an acceptable choice for breakfast but what was the point of a birthday if you couldn't bend the rules a bit. She could handle this and wanted to do it all by herself anyway. Pulling down the cookbook she opened it. What kind should she make? Vanilla? Chocolate? Red velvet? Oooh! I know a vanilla cake filled with a crème pudding with chocolate frosting! It will be like a Boston cream pie but in cupcake form! Too much chocolate reminds him of that time with the whiskey filled chocolates. Too bad Master didn't realize that I had helped Allen eat those, she grinned at the thought. It had been her first taste of whiskey. Unlike most kids her age she had liked the taste. Allen still had nightmares about it. She giggled a bit as she began to gather ingredients. She would need to make enough to satisfy his appetite. Baking was fun when she had the time, Lenalee was better at it but that didn't matter at the moment.
"Hey Scor play some music." The golem complied with the order. Luca spent the next several hours listening to music as she danced and flitted around the kitchen. She needed to be out before Jeryy woke up. He'd scold her for it but she knew Allen would love it. Allen may not see his worth as a person but I do! Master does too! Mana had to have as well. He loved Mana so much but isn't able to see what Mana and the rest of us clearly sees. So I'll remind him that I'm happy he's alive. It's good to have a little brother, she hummed. She heard the lights turn on. "Time to go." She could return to her room and frost. Jerry probably wouldn't notice the bowl and piping bag was missing. She'd sneak them back later. "Eternal Hunter activate. Up." Her innocence wrapped around her boots allowing her to jump to the ceiling. Crawling along the ceiling like a spider she slid out and back up to her room. She had just finished the frosting when she heard Allen and Link begin to move around their shared room. She still thought it was ridiculous that Allen even had to share his room but there wasn't anything she could do about it. For Allen's sake she was gonna be nice to Link today. She had even gotten him a small present as a gesture of goodwill. Grabbing the cupcake stand she began stacking the cupcakes. "Hunter! Open the door." It was probably wrong to use her innocence for things like this but hey there had to be perks to having it in her blood.
"Link, please it's too early for your nagging." Allen sighed. Luca jumped out at him thrusting the cupcakes at him.
"Happy Birthday!" Allen jumped back startled, knocking Link over backwards onto his back.
"Jeez Lu you scared me." Allen sighed and then looked up at the cupcakes. "Wait did you makes these for me?" She nodded smiling brightly. "Are they all for me?"
"Well duh! It's your birthday so you get birthday breakfast cupcakes! Are you gonna eat them or not?" Allen nodded excitedly.
"Of course! You're gonna help me though." Luca blinked a couple times.
"I made them for you. I don't wanna eat your-" she paused when he gave her a look. "Fine, I'll have one or two." The pair linked arms and headed to the cafeteria ignoring Link who was still on the ground. He'd be fine, Luca reasoned. Immediately the others showed up and showered him with birthday wishes. He smiled at them and they all sat down to eat the cupcakes. Luca returned the borrowed utensils sheepishly when Jeryy gave her a look. She smiled but he just shook his head and shooed her away. She grinned and ran back to hug her brother. Allen laughed at her, with chocolate smeared on his upper lip.
"Thanks for the cupcakes Luca! They mean a lot to me." She hung off his back.
"Of course. No need to thank me. You're the best Christmas gift I could ever get. I'm glad you came into my life." Allen blushed, his cheeks turning bright red.
"Lu-" Lavi cut him off.
"Yeah! We're happy you were born too!"
"Of course! You're a great person. A part of our world!" Lenalee smile causing Allen to blush even more while Luca rolled her eyes. God, these two are so obvious to everybody but each other. And Komui. He probably believes that his sweet Lenalee could never betray him like that but that's probably for the best for Allen's sake if nothing else, she chuckled. Allen easily grabbed and shifted her farther up his back locking his hands under her.
"You're especially affectionate today eh Beautiful?" Luca glanced at Lavi.
"Christmas is my favorite holiday. It's all about family and friends. What's better than that?" Lavi grinned.
"I didn't know you could be so mushy." She glared at him and proceeded to kicked him hard in the side. He yelped and moved out of her range.
"That hurt! I'm still using my ribs ya know."
"Come back here you coward!" She shouted.
"You'll never take me alive!" She glared at him.
"Allen take me over to Lavi I need to kick him some more."
"Luca it's not nice to kick people." He chided.
"But he's making fun of me. I'm just happy you're alive. Is that really so wrong?" Allen shook his head.
"Of course not. I suppose." He walked towards the red head who gasped.
"Allen how could you betray me so?" Allen just grinned.
"She made me cupcakes for breakfast." Lavi turned on his heel and ran with the siblings chasing him around the cafeteria. The others laughed as the chase continued.
"Well they seem to be in a good mood." Reever noted as he sipped his coffee.
"Yeah it's Allen's birthday. We're throwing him a party later. Luca has entrusted me to keep him busy so he and I are going out shopping. She wants to set up the party and probably chase Lvellie off. She's pretty adamant about Allen enjoying himself. So I better go save Lavi and have him apologize. We are gonna need him to set up." Reever chuckled.
"Yeah she's pretty vicious about Allen. Especially around this time. I thought she was vicious but this is a whole new level but I think it's good for him. He deserves it. I guess I better start rounding the others up for directions then huh?"
"Yeah, Allen and I are about to head out. We need to leave before Komui finds out." She smiled at him, "I'll see you later Reever." and then ran over to pull the siblings away from where they had cornered Lavi and were currently beating him while laughing gleefully. Reever shook his head at them. It wasn't often that they were allowed to be the kids that they actually were. Being soldiers forced them to grow up or at least act grown up even when they shouldn't have to. Luca waved them off. Link came into the room.
"Walker! Where is your brother? It was rude of you to leave me trapped in my room like that. You are going to have to fix that chair later." Luca rolled her eyes at him.
"Is that so?" He glared at her.
"Yes." She smiled at him in a saccharine manner though it reminded him more of a wolf that had cornered it's prey. "Walker," he tried to put some space between them but for every step backwards he took she took one forwards, "what are you planning on doing?"
"Oh nothing much. It is Christmas so I'll be gentle. I promise." Luca lunged for the man who jumped back right into Eternal Hunter's grasp. He struggled helplessly and it picked him up off the floor.
"Release me! Now Walker! Director Lvellie will not stand for this!" She ignored him and just left the cafeteria. Anyone who saw them turned the other way leaving the blond man in the girl's clutches. She probably wouldn't kill him they reasoned. Link struggled the whole time. The innocence thoroughly frisked him of his blades and spell tags before tying him up.
"Relax I'll let you out later, after the party. Also you have no need to worry. You won't be lonely. I'm gonna bring you some company very soon. You can be horrible people together." He tried to glare at her.
"Walk-" she cut him off shoving a gag in his mouth.
"Can't have anybody hearing you. Well I'll be back in a moment. Don't go wandering off on me." she winked and shut the door to the closet that she was apparently leaving him in. Just as she had said she returned not 10 minutes later this time dragging a tied and gagged Lvellie. "See? Company! You two enjoy yourselves now!" The door shut and the lock clicked in place leaving the pair in darkness.
Luca hummed as she walked back to the cafeteria. Now she could start on the party. Lenalee would keep Allen busy and it was almost like a date for them. Good thing too. Lord knows they need the nudge. Komui is really not helping, she sighed as she entered the cafeteria. She was surprised to find everyone already waiting for her there. She blinked a couple times.
"Oh. You're already here." Reever stepped up rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"Lenalee filled me in and I thought I would round everybody up while you were dealing with Link and Lvellie. That was it was one less thing for you to do." She smiled at him brightly.
"Wow. Thanks a lot Reever! Now we can dive right in. Let's get to work!"
The entire room was dark. Lenalee had given the heads up that they were on their way back. Everybody was crouched down and hiding just waiting for the door to open. Luca had already checked to make sure that Link and Lvellie were still in their 'safe' place. She had even wedged the door shut as a final precaution. She could hear Lenalee and Allen chatting. Komui hear them too.
"What? My darling Lenalee was out with a boy alone?" He was only muttering but Luca knew what would come next. Oh hell no! I am not going to put up with this! Not today! I've worked to hard on this for his complex to cause a scene! she cursed silently. Komui lept to his feet at the same time that Luca did. Even in the dark she raced across the room and tackled him to the ground just as the lights came on. She jumped up with everybody else.
"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLEN!" She muffled Komui's sobbing with her foot. Standing on him gave her more height anyway. Allen lit up like the Christmas tree that stood in the corner of the room.
"Wow. Thanks everybody!" Lenalee slid over to Luca as casually as she possibly could as the others gathered around Allen each wishing him a happy birthday, blocking the pair of girls from his view.
"Luca," she paused staring down at her brother, "why are you standing on my brother like a ladder?" Komui jolted up throwing the girl off.
"My dear sweet Lenalee! Say it isn't so! You can't have gone on a date with a boy!" Lenalee's face went red.
"It's not like that brother! I was just keeping Allen preoccupied while everybody else was setting up the party." Lenalee did her best to calm the hysterical man down while the other girl got up from the floor. Luca grumbled as she brushed herself off.
"Then why couldn't she go and keep him busy?!" Luca kicked him in the shins as he wailed. Lavi distracted Allen by shoving a cupcake in his mouth. Allen quickly forgot what had snagged his attention. "Luca that hurt."
"Stop whining. It's unbecoming." He pouted at her.
"She wanted to do the party herself brother. I can understand that. I wouldn't make her do your party." Komui brightened up.
"I'm getting a party?" He asked hopefully. Lenalee sighed.
"When it's your birthday yes. Now it's Allen's birthday which means you have to behave."
"But why did you have to go with him?" His eyes got wide as he realized something. He whirled around on Luca. "You! This was your evil plot the whole time!" Luca kicked him again dropping him down to the floor. "You made up the party to send my sweet innocent Lenalee on a date with your brother." Luca squatted down to glare at him.
"Do you wanna join Link and Lvellie in the closet?" His eyes widened as she hissed at him. He shook his head.
"You have Link and Lvellie in the closet?" Lenalee asked leaning in close to her friend to whisper in her ear.
"Well yeah. I'm not gonna let them ruin the festivities. Allen needs a break. I'll let them out later...probably." she grinned at her friend who giggled into her hand. Anyone else and Lenalee would have demanded that Luca release them immediately. Laughing the pair left the man still lying on the floor and joined in on the party.
The siblings ducked back into Allen's room after the party, abandoning most of the others to sleep in the cafeteria or find their own way back. Luca helped Allen carry his non-edible presents and find safe places for them. She grinned as she slid the last piece in place, a portrait of a clown from Lenalee. His last one having been destroyed in the attack on Headquarters.
"Thanks for the party Lu." His smile was still in place. She began to seriously consider not letting the two party killers out of the closet. Allen looked so happy that she didn't want to ruin it.
"Of course. Do you want your presents from me now?" He looked up at her with wide silver eyes.
"Did you say presents? As in plural?" She nodded.
"Well of course. It's not just your birthday. It's also Christmas. So yes plural. Several plurals." She paused for a moment. "I'm not sure if that's correct but it's true." They laughed as Luca pushed Allen to sit down. "This one you'll obviously see coming." Allen tore the wrapping paper off like a little kid.
"Dango!" He shouted happily. Luca nodded and sat next to him, tucking her feet in under her.
"Yeah I know it's your favorite. Now open the others. They are more creative!" He grinned at her.
"You know I would be happy with the dango. You didn't have to get me anything else." She reached up and ruffled his hair.
"I know. I choose to because I love you and you're the best thing to ever happen to me. So hush and open this one next." She handed him a flat, thin box wrapped in silver paper with a blue bow on top. After carefully removing the bow he tore the paper away and slid the lid of the box off.
"Wow. Luca did you make this dreamcatcher? I love the dark blue and gray and the black feathers."
"It's magic so it actually works. That way you'll stop having nightmares. When all these beads slid to the center you'll have to bring it to me and I'll empty it out."
"It won't make you have the dreams will it?" He asked suddenly concerned. His sister had enough of her own nightmares. She didn't need his on top of it.
"Of course not. I'll use a spell to release them." The next box was small, about the size of a bracelet box. When he opened it he found a octagonal bronze compass. Immediately he started laughing.
"The only problem is I have no idea how to read this thing Lu." she snorted in response.
"I know. That's why this too is magic. All you have to do is think of where you want to go or who you want to go to and it will take you there. I know you well little brother. I figured it was better than a regular one. Hopefully you won't get lost now," she paused, "well as lost." They laughed for a moment before she finally placed one last present in his hands wrapped in gold.
"Please tell me this is the last one. You've spent far too much on me." Allen pleaded causing her to smack him lightly.
"For your information. All of these are made by hand. And even if they weren't you are worth it. Besides it's your birthday and it's Christmas. You shouldn't be neglected just because you were born on Christmas so open your presents and like them." Allen smiled and removed the shiny paper carefully this time. It shone like real gold. He wouldn't have been surprised that she had spun real gold into wrapping paper. He didn't know if that was a thing but his sister made lots of stuff into things. Popping the box open he pulled out a beautiful old wooden box decorated with bronze and gray cogs and and large black metal wind up key in the middle.
"It's beautiful Lu." She smiled softly. This was by far her favorite present. She had spent the most time on it of all the presents she had made.
"Wind it up and then open it up." Slowly Allen did as instructed. Instantly the musician's score began to play while a bronze statue of Mana in his clown costume popped up and began to juggle three small balls in time with the beat of the song. "I hope you don't mind. I stole Tim and found the time that Master had recorded you two together." Tears slid down Allen's cheeks and she immediately began panicked. "I can change it if you don't like it!"
"I love it. It looks just like him. You had to have spent days just on this statue. You even got his smile and he details of his makeup right. Lu it looks just like him." Slowly he set the music box down and pulled her into a tight hug. "Thank you so much. This is perfect. I couldn't ask for anything more. Really I love it." She smiled and hugged him back.
"If anybody deserves it, you do." She could see the tiredness in his eyes. "Get some sleep. It's been a long day and it's late. Sleep well little brother. Nagyon szeretlek, Öcsikém (I love you very much, my little brother) good night." she kissed him on the forehead and closed the door. Sighing she headed to her room. Sitting on her bed were four wrapped presents. She had a delivery to make. She grabbed her simple red cloak, No exorcists duties tonight, she thought as she threw it around her shoulders. Sliding the hood up over her unruly hair she locked her door behind her. The trip through the ark was quick and easy. The halls had been empty since everyone had been at the party or tied up.
The Kamelots were, of course, having a large party. She rolled her eyes. She didn't understand rich people. She ducked inside, weaving around people with ease. She watched for a moment, leaning against the wall. She snagged a glass of champagne. It was typical and unremarkable. She swirled in around in the glass as she watched the family. Road was dressed cutely playing her part as the minister's daughter. Tyki was doing his best to politely run away from his horde of puppy like girls asking for a dance. A servant came up to her.
"Miss, please allow me to take your coat." she smiled at him. There was something off about them. Akuma, has to be. He's too robotic. Must have had to use lower levels this time, she chuckled to herself. Eternal Hunter, activate.
"Oh no thank you. I'm leaving very shortly. I was only stopping in to say hello. I really should be going." The innocence slithered along the floor behind him to tap his shoulder. He hissed upon contact. Her smile stayed in place as the innocence speared through his neck before slipping back into place and deactivating. "Oh well. Better do what I came for and then leave before I'm seen." Feeling a pair of eyes on her she looked up. Green met brown causing her to smile coyly before vanishing up the stairs that lead away from the party and towards the rest of the house.
Tyki instantly excused himself from the conversation. He knew that the woman still wearing her cloak was strange, the akuma falling gave rise to suspicions and the green eyes only confirmed who it was. Taking a quick glance at Sheril to make sure he wasn't watching, he ducked out of the large ballroom and up the stairs after the exorcist. His missed Road's knowing gaze. He moved across the carpet as fast as he could without running. He couldn't have her thinking that he would chase her every time she showed up. It was a lie of course. He was chasing her right now. He couldn't seem to catch up to her. Only ever seeing the end of her red cloak vanish around the next corner. He almost called out to her. He turned down a familiar hallway. This one led to his room. His door was slightly ajar. He burst through it. The room was empty. Where had she gone? He had been right behind her? Four boxes sat on his bed. He took several steps towards it. Something tapped his shoulder. He whirled around. Slim arms wound around his neck pulling him down where soft lips connected with his. Her familiar smell drifted to his nose. He kissed her back, pulling her flush against his body arms around her waist. They broke apart when the need for air became to great. They were centimeters apart. Just staring at each other. She smiled softly.
"I have to go. I shouldn't be here."
"Please stay." he begged softly.
"I can't."
"Please." he begged again, unwilling to release her from his grasp. He wanted her to stay. He wanted her to stay forever.
"You have guests to entertain remember?" He moaned sadly at her reminder.
"But I'd rather be here with you."
She ran her fingers through his curls as she spoke, "I know, but you have presents to open. Merry Christmas." he blinked a few times surprised giving her time to unwind her body from his arms and move to the balcony.
"Wait." he rushed over to her, grabbing her hand. She smiled at him, leaning in so her breath brushed along his ear.
"Happy birthday." her voice was barely above a murmur and then she was gone. He sighed and shut the glass doors to his balcony. He no longer felt like going back downstairs. His eyes darted to his desk. Two presents wrapped in black wrapping paper with silver snowflakes on it and a purple bow. His brother had thought he had lost his damn mind when he had bought that paper but he knew she would love it. Stupid! Give it to her! You don't know when you'll see her again, Tyki smacked himself in the forehead and immediately called an akuma.
"You. Go find that woman that was just here. Don't attack her! Give her these." He handed over the two presents. Which the akuma took holding them the way a mother would hold an newborn baby. The akuma vanished. Sighing he ditched his formal clothing. In the comfort of his pants and button down he pulled the smallest present towards him. "Merry Christmas." Her hand writing was kinda messy and slanted but cute none the less. The ink was smooth and purple. He wondered where she had gotten it. The package was cold. He tore the silver paper away. Fudge. It looked homemade. He wasn't big on sweets, not the way Skin had been, still he tried it. His eyes popped open before sliding shut. Nope. Butterfly knew him too well. Whiskey. There was whiskey in the fudge. He grinned. That was his kind of fudge. He popped another piece in his mouth before placing it on his nightstand before he ate all of it. Then he selected the biggest box. It was a hat box. Suddenly he was a bit scared still he opened it. He groaned as he pulled out the top hat. "You're hilarious Butterfly. Truly." he noted dryly. Not only was the hat bright purple with a black cloth wrapped around the base twice it also had a hatband sticking out of it. "In this style 10/6" Tyki snorted reading the band. The hat itself was even soft. It had to be homemade. "You made me the mad hatter's hat. I can't believe you." He contemplated wearing it for a moment. Sheril would have a fit if he saw it. "Might be worth it." he muttered to himself. He couldn't resit and set the hat on his head. It fit perfectly. The third present was shorter but longer. He pulled the paper away with ease.
"Tyki? Are you okay?" Road's voice drifted through his door. He sighed and got up. She glanced up at him before balking. "What are you wearing?" He chuckled.
"I'm pretty sure it's a hat. What don't you like it?" she giggled a bit as she stared at it.
"So how's Luca?" He blinked several times.
"How did you know it was Butterfly?" She giggled some more.
"Two things. A) you would never wear that hat unless it was from her. I couldn't even get you to wear that hat if I had gotten it anywhere else and B) you never leave a party to chase after a girl. You're polite to them because Papa demands it but you aren't really interested in them. Luca is the rare exception." Tyki chuckled.
"Fair enough. I do like her a lot and yes the hat was from her. Was there anything else you needed? I still have two more presents to unwrap." Road pouted.
"Does that mean you aren't coming back to the party." He nodded.
"Yeah I'm done for the night." She sighed sadly but he made a face at her. "Don't do that. It's not nice to guilt trip me." She pouted again.
"Fine. Enjoy your presents. Happy Birthday Tyki." she smiled and then ran back down the hall. Tyki returned to his bed and the half opened present. She was too good at this. All currently published Sherlock Holmes books sat in front of him. Between this and Edgar Allen Poe he'd be busy for at least a while. The last present was small enough to fit in his hand. A pocket watch. It was smooth and silver. He hummed as he clicked it open. The inside of the top was engraved. A rabbit wearing a waist coat with the words "I'm late! I'm late! I'm late for a very important date!" he groaned. Still he loved it. Tyki glanced at the side where there was a small button. Curiously he clicked it. The bottom of the watch clicked up revealing a compass underneath the watch. Again it was engraved. The Cheshire cat grinned back at him with it's words above it's head. "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there." Tyki laughed at it. She sure was a strange girl.
Luca slipped down the dark snowy road. She hadn't be expecting Tyki to catch her but it was nice to see him. The snow fell silently as she made her way back. Hurried footsteps began to approach her.
"Wait!" She whirled around ready for the attacked but the akuma held out his hands in surrender. "I'm not here to fight. Master Noah just asked me to deliver these to you." Slowly the akuma retrieved two presents. She took them cautiously. The akuma smiled. "Thank you. Good evening Miss." Luca shook her head as Hunter killed it. "I knew you were going to do that." She smiled.
"Rest in peace." The rest of the trip was quick and the warm feeling in her chest, keeping her warm all the way home. She slid into her room after checking on Allen, the dreamcatcher pinned to his wall glowing dimly in the dark. She smiled as she took off her cloak and boots before she could wait no longer. She tore the paper off the first after removing the bow which she stuck to her head. It was a necklace box. A silver choker sat in the box. She gasped and lightly traced intricate designs of the necklace and the opals that were set in it. "Oh this is beautiful. Damn that man. He's got impeccable taste. This is gorgeous." she whispered softly. Gently she set it back in the box and opened the next one sticking the other bow on the other side of her head. She snorted at herself and how ridiculous she must look but giggled anyway. It was fun. Slowly she unwrapped the second present. She hadn't been expecting him to get her one, never mind two but it made her grin. She pulled the box open and gasped. Slowly she pulled the beautiful handcrafted black carousel music box. She wound it up. Haunting music drifted out from it. Sighing she changed into her pajamas and lay on her bed just listening to the music as it played. She wound it up once more and flicked off the lights. As she drifted off she couldn't help but feel that she forgotten something. Oh well, it probably wasn't important.
Alright so one thing to explain, I know that I have stated that the Walker siblings are pagans yet they are celebrating Christmas instead of Winter Solstice. You have to remember where they are. Especially with Lvellie holding the threat of being heretics over their heads. The last thing they should be doing is showing any sign of worship for something else. So even though they are pagans they are also trying to keep their heads on.
I know it's a bit of a short piece but it's Christmas and it's suppose to be fluffy! As always please review! It brings me such joy and inspires me to write more and faster! Next week we will have the New Years chapter where people get drunk and then get out through the ark! Wish them good luck! Merry Christmas/Happy (insert Holiday of choice)! Have a good week! Chesh out~!