Christmas Eve!

Rin liked Christmas.

She liked the lights, the decorations, the snow but most of all she liked the warmth. The warmth that only came from a loving family during the festive holiday season. Or she had before she lost everyone who matter. First her sister and subsequently her parents. Then Christmas was a day that meant nothing. Just another day for her to sit alone in an empty house. Worse, the fake priest tried to hang about was more irritating than being an orphan. In fact, it made Rin feel even more alone. It was this loneliness and melancholy and drove Rin to seek the refuge of her basement. Forcing herself to focus on the one thing that would not and could not abandon her. No matter what happened in her life.

Magic.

It was the reason she was born. To be an heir. To excel. To surpass. To wield power and claim the Tohsaka's family righteous place in the wars to come but most of all regain their position at the Clock Tower. Rin wasn't stupid. Her parents loved her- she was sure of it. But Rin didn't fool herself thinking that she hadn't been a means to an end. A magus family was only as good as long as they had an heir. A legacy. That had been her. Isn't that why they had given Sakura away? The crumbling house of Matou had no one left and they needed a magical heir. And it wasn't that Rin didn't understand why. Her father had explained it. She knew the logic but it just really hurt.

So, she couldn't help but be a little broody during these times. Everyone was in a happy mood- joking and laughing. Everyone around her had lost their families centuries ago. They had time to come to terms or at least find a way to more or less live with it. Rin hadn't. Her family had been whole and complete and in the blink of an eye- all of it was gone. All that was left standing in the aftermath was her. She had built up the school idol persona for a reason. It was easier than having to deal with the crushing loss and emptiness of her life. It more or less affirmed her belief that being a magus meant she needed to be cold. Being cold meant she didn't have to feel. And anything that didn't hurt was good. In her experience, having an open heart meant it was only a matter of time before it was taken away.

"..Ah, Master! …" Rin's head snapped up as she found herself looking into Martha's concerned blue eyes. Rin tried not to wince around her. It was the purple hair Rin muttered to herself. It didn't matter that she knew better- every time her heart still leapt. It was stupid. She was stupid. Plastering a smile on her face she looked up Martha's face who then ushered Rin towards the massive Christmas tree that stood near them.

While Atalanta had a tree in their apartment, the other heroes had complained that they wanted to partake too. And since their small place, could not take that many heroes shoved into a small space, another larger and spectacular tree was set up for everyone else. Which brimmed with presents shimmering in the light. Allowing Martha to guide her, Rin found herself set down in front of a towering stack of shiny wrapped presents. Blinking Rin looked up questioningly into Martha's kind blue eyes who nodded and smiled as she handed her a large present.

Rin's eyes went wide with disbelief. Was all this for her? I mean at least a good amount. Glancing to the left of her, Atalanta nodded in permission. Last Christmas, she had been alone in her basement reading about magic. This year she was surrounded by Heroic Spirits who apparently decided she was worthy enough to shower gifts on her.

"Rin, are you okay?" Bedivere's soft voice said in her ear. Rin ran a sleeve over her face to wipe off the tears that were forming in the corners of her eyes. Smiling genuinely this time, she blinked up him.

"...I'm okay…" Rin looked down at the present in her lap. " ...I'm just really happy…"

Hope everyone has a warm and safe Holiday :)

Lets all hug emo Rin!