A/N: Happy holidays, guys! Just wanted to give some appreciation to my readers. While this is some simple, character-driven holiday fluff, I hope you enjoy! I do try to get one of these out each year around this time.

Stay tuned, though, because I have two follow-ups on the way. ;) This one's mostly just T-rated naughty humor at worst.

As an aside, anyone who has been keeping up with this ficverse knows that unless it's specified, most stories do take place during the XI Timeline. If this is your first story, there's probably a few things that you've missed, but a quick glance of the profile should catch you up in no time, I think(which goes into things like how characters have aged somewhat since I move the timeline slightly every so often-like Whip having been 19 during Ash Saga, among other things).

Anyway, hope you enjoy!


"So, where are we going this year?"

"Apparently they rented a convention center in London this time. Fairly big one, that I've seen. It's right next to a hotel, though, so anyone getting too tanked up at this one can just crash next door."

Adel and Whip were once again lounging around his room at the Sky Noah, the pair's favored place to spend time. The Ikaris were still stationed in Germany, and they would take turns hanging out either in Whip's suite-paid for on the company's dime-and his room at the Sky Noah, which was generally spent docked outside of Köln when it was not in flight, which it hadn't been for awhile. The hotel room was nice to hang out in when they wanted to get away from servants, or if Whip had some work to do that she had to be on premises for; sometimes they stayed out late and didn't feel like taking the longer trip back, as the Sky Noah was a good hour or so out of the city, docked in a desolate area.

But when they wanted access to all of Adel's pricey food and luxuries, they hung there. It was his home, as well, and it felt like her home, too.

Looking over at her before sipping his coffee-debating ordering a bit of high-class eggnog from his kitchens since it was getting close to the holidays and he was starting to feel that holiday spirit-he grinned.

"I notice they like holding these in London."

"Yeah," she said, smiling and grabbing her own cup of coffee. It was in the afternoon and snow had started to fall; this winter promised to be fairly cold, if the initial couple of weeks had been any indication. "It's a good city that's close to a lot of things. Most of our unit is stationed around Europe in different places right now, with some in London itself. It's just in an easy area to get to."

"I miss that manor, though. They couldn't get it this year?"

"Oh, they tried," she said, slightly disappointed about that herself, moving her chair a bit closer to him as she grabbed one of the snacks set out on the table. His kitchen made the best goddamn buttery shortbread cookies, as they had caramel and chocolate on them. "Apparently that thing was booked up for the entire holiday, since the damn summer. Not even Heidern expected it to be booked up that early." She took a bite of a cookie, following it with the rich coffee. It was heavenly.

"That could have been great," he said. "Well...maybe I'll just rent that damn thing out after new year, if it's open." He grabbed three cookies in his large hand, shoving them into his mouth. While the young man was raised in a rich, proper environment, he had shed a few trappings of that, much to Whip's amusement, as he would grab handfuls of cookies and shove them right into his face.

Smirking at him, she sipped more of her blessedly hot coffee. It was nice and warm in his room, but she had been outside for a while this morning. "I'd love that. A personal new year's party."

"Anyway, the convention center works for the types of parties you guys hold. Lots of room to mill around. Plenty of places to put the strangely colored punch that your unit is so fond of."

She laughed at this. "I need to remember to tell K'. Hopefully he can make it this year."

"Yeah, I absolutely need to send Duo Lon a message, too, if Leona hadn't already. And let him know that Shen's welcome, too." He looked at her. "He is welcome, right?"

"Oh, of course. I trust he won't cause a ruckus at the party. He behaved at the fancy dinner." She rubbed her chin. "Wonder how he and K' are going to get along…"

They looked at each other for a few moments...before shrugging with a chuckle. "How do you feel, by the way?"

"Oh, a lot better. The bruise is almost gone, and there's no pain anymore." About a month before, the two had taken care of a rather big problem that had followed Adel, and as it could happen, injuries were common. She had taken a shot to the shoulder that, while her body armor absorbed, left her with a bruise that went to the bone, leaving her arm almost numb the first day of it. The skin was still discolored even after all this time. "What about you?"

"You see it. It's all healed up." Adel wasn't wearing his shirt, it was so nicely temperature controlled in his room. He had scored a few stitches in his shoulder himself, and a small leg injury. The latter was healed rather quickly.

"I know." She brushed her hand over the scar; it looked a lot fresher than the rest that were scattered all over his torso.

"By the way...you said there was a hotel attached to this convention center, right?"

"Yes," she said, a grin forming on her face. It was like the two knew what one another was thinking when it came to certain...things.

"I remember the last time we considered that after the...incident," he chuckled. While only they knew, as they stopped what they were doing quickly enough, they had started to get a bit heavy right in what looked like an out of the way, unused coat closet. It turned out the top had been used to store some hats, which neither had seen.

Adel had just gotten started giving Whip a rather... pleasurable session of lip service, so to speak, when the door opened. Neither of them thought they could move so quickly getting out of position, and the rest of the party had been spent with the two of them in a rather uncomfortable feeling situation in regards to what was going on in their trousers, until they had gotten back to the Sky Noah.

It had only occurred to them later-possibly due to some alcohol-that the pair could have just gotten a hotel room, as the party was at a hotel.

"We can just get a room set up beforehand, if you want," she chuckled. "Though...I had to say, there was something sort of exciting about that. Like on the flight."

"I mean…" he trailed off, unable to stop chuckling.

"Anyway," she said, knowing they would probably be having lunch soon, "It'll be this weekend. I admit, I can't wait."

"Me either," the blonde agreed. "I miss those parties. Makes me feel like...I'm sort of a part of something?"

She smiled warmly at that. "I know. I'm the same."

Adel's phone buzzed as they were knocking out the tray of shortbread cookies. Both of them seemed to just be going for far too much junk food waiting for the kitchens to get done making whatever lunch they had planned. Checking it, he grinned.

"Duo Lon," he said. "Yep, Leona already let him know. He's coming tomorrow."

"I miss him. Hadn't seen him since he went back after our cleanup. He came to see Leona for one weekend, but they didn't really move from the room."

He smiled softly at that, knowing how close the two had grown after the last mission. The pair were certainly working through their own feelings, of what was originally seemingly just some occasional getting together turning into something far more. "I'll get him from the airport and see where he wants to go."

Whip knew that sometimes he'd like to be taken right to the hotel first, to see Leona, before going to the Sky Noah. "See if he wants to have breakfast. We can go somewhere in the city if he gets in early enough. Is Shen coming with him?"

"Unfortunately, no-he said he'll be coming the day before the party."

"Ooh, partying with jet-lag. Dying on his feet like a man," she chuckled.

"I'm sure a few drinks will set him straight. I think we'll take him to a bar that night." He finished his coffee, pouring himself some more from the large pot on the table. They had plowed through what was probably half of the rich shortbread cookies already.

"What's up with your schedule, anyway?" she asked, leaning back.

"We do have a few guests to entertain. Some business associates, some nobles. But that's all. I'll be free most of the evenings. These are just like, a few small events during the day."

Whip knew the drill; during holidays, his family would entertain some of the network of richer nobles, which they also still had ties to. It was not particularly something that interested him. She was allowed to joke about the 'Lord' title that he technically had, being the family's eldest son, but he would always make a face, often sticking his tongue out at her. But he wore the suit and the face well. His sister far more enjoyed networking with other rich people, and was generally the actual host of these things(Henrik played his part, as well, being of noble blood himself), even though Adel was the figurehead.

He was getting on with his sister just fine, but the two were very different people. They always had been; it was just really driven home as they got older and Adel wished to escape his father's shadow more and more. Rose had gotten rather clingy, more bossy than she was, and even downright demanding for a while-mostly due to having to deal with her father's death-but even then she started to get better there over the years, becoming more independent. Each of the siblings had dealt with things their own way; Adel being extremely confused about him being gone, due to the strong dislike that he bore the man, though at the same time had it drilled into his head that if family died, you should mourn, regardless. He disagreed with that assessment, though it still nagged at him.

The siblings ran in different circles, had different likes, and had different friends. They had things in common, of course, but as they grew, like people do, they got different interests. He was very protective of her as his family, of course, and was trying to find out what was happening to her for her sake and would never hesitate to guard her if she was attacked, but they did not share the same wavelength nor opinions on many, many things.

It had been incredibly freeing for Adel to become his own man as he grew older. He was far happier and healthier, especially mentally, for it. Henrik had known this and tried to push each sibling to be their own people, for their sakes, because he felt that allowing their own interests to foster would work out well. He always saw they were at their happiest when they were getting along, but pursuing their own interests to further become their own people. Henrik had done his best to support both siblings, trying to mediate issues when they would come up, occasionally gently scolding if things got too bad. It wasn't that they fought a lot, indeed, they got along quite well, but there were some differences that would inevitably result in arguments.

Nowadays, with much of the worst tension behind them-most of which happened about two years before and a year after their father died-he would help host some parties, even if the other nobles that would come had very little in common with the young man. He was always relieved to pull the suit off, Whip knew, and relax in his favored clothing, listen to whatever music he liked, and engage in his own interests, be it sparring, training, music, or whatever sci-fi novel he would be reading at the time that she knew he liked.

Having been lost in thought for a bit, she reached out and touched his hand, squeezing it. He smiled softly at her, always grateful of the more positive turn his life took after everything, even though he still fought his own demons-and would likely fight them for a long time.

"I'm sure you'll do fine, as always," she said. "So long as you guys can keep Gwan off the guests."

He laughed. "He's so big these days he's usually not allowed to go paw around them. He listens, at least." He looked out the window a moment at the snowfall. "Thankfully. I think he scares a few of the nobles, just like Rodem did."

"And Gwan's a lot friendlier."

"Sometimes a little too friendly," he smirked, referencing how the large, yet still young, panther would jump at him when he'd come home, especially after he'd been gone for some time.

"Going to take the Sky Noah again?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure if my sister needs to host anyone on it that night. I may just fly in. It's not a problem, the flight to London is only about two hours, if that."

"I wouldn't mind either way," she said. "Just let me know. The guys won't mind that I fly in with you. K' will probably get a room and come right to the party, like he does."

"He likes his alone time."

"Oh, yeah, Especially after a party. And before one, too, for that matter."

"It's fine. We never did get to spar…maybe one day when he's feeling personable."

"That may happen, you never know." She laughed. "He's been playing a lot of video games with the other two, or so I've heard."

"Aww. That's cool." He remembered back to when they were at Shen's place playing, having quite a good time. "I've been thinking of setting up a system here. I was having fun at Shen's place."

"You were never into them before?"

"No time," he said. "Not sure I have any time now, either, but maybe I can find some." He stood, having stuffed two more of the tender, flaky shortbread bars-covered in chocolate and salty caramel-into his mouth, before heading over to the bed to lay on it, his hands behind his head.

Whip finished what was in front of her, moving over to him again, sitting across his waist as she would when he'd sit like this. She liked hearing him try to find other hobbies. The two both enjoyed discovering such things; Whip found she liked a variety of books in his library to sit back and enjoy-some of the sci-fi books that he liked, as well as fantasy.

The soldier mused how far she had come, as well; starting as a somewhat confused escapee joining the Ikari unit, she too grew into her own person over the years. In her case, she never quite knew who she was until later on, when she started to not let the past dictate that. She thought back to how a lot of Adel's words to her after she would wake up from bad dreams-when he would always try to soothe her and make sure she knew she was her own person-helped her through some dark times that not even her close knit unit could understand. Like the fact she had a brother...but it still being different. Remembering holidays…at least, she thought she remembered them, but they were fragments.

The year before, she had gotten confused so many times…but Adel was always patient and gentle with her, through any mood swings and confusion she may have had.

Growing like this almost side by side with someone felt great.

"I forgot, did you have something tonight?" she asked, remembering how he said he had a few engagements this week.

"Nah, today is free," he said, touching her firm stomach and grinning. He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

He didn't even have to pull her down; she quickly dropped down to meet him in a kiss.


-London, Saturday Evening-

"Jeeze! It's just as cold here!"

"I warned you to bring a heavier coat."

Chuckling, Adel shook his head at Duo Lon and Shen. The latter had arrived in Germany a few hours before, and ended up meeting with the group at the airport...to get on Adel's private plane for the trip to London. Shen was surprised at the flight and loved it, though failed to realize just how cold it would be. He wore his usual shirt and a leather jacket, with not much else. Unlike Duo Lon, he did not have the training to resist the cold, and as such the brawler's teeth were chattering when they walked outside. He had, at least, grabbed a pair of earmuffs from the airport, and was standing there with his hands, clad in fingerless leather gloves, stuffed into his pockets.

Adel, wearing his heavier black longcoat over a hoodie, along with his usual favored heavy cargos and boots, only laughed. He had actually put a proper pair of gloves on, and likewise wore a scarf. "You're too used to your weather, aren't you?"

"Winters can get cold in Shanghai," Duo Lon said, "But usually not like this."

"Yeah," Shen grumped. "C'mon, let's get to this hotel or convention center or whatever before my balls freeze off."

"I got the limo waiting. Don't worry," Adel laughed. Leona, who was with them as well, of course, shook her head. She was unable to hide her smirk.

The five shuffled forward, their breath showing in the air, over toward the large limo that Adel had made sure to rent. It was about an hour's drive to the convention center from here, and the group all had one carry-on each that they would bring to the hotel, as they would all end up staying the night, they figured.

Shen made a dive into the backseat of the limo as soon as the bags were placed into the trunk, rubbing his hands as he sat closest to the heater. He did, at least, bring a second long-sleeved shirt, though it was packed away at the moment. The other four squeezed in, Duo Lon looking at his friend and smirking. The blonde scowled.

"Not all of us have weird-ass metabolism powers, you know." Duo Lon wore his trousers, boots, and leather jacket today, choosing to dress more casually again, instead of his elaborate coat. His shirt under all of this was sleeveless, though with his jacket zipped one could not tell.

The assassin just shrugged, leaning comfortably back as everyone settled in, the driver moving back behind the wheel to begin their leisurely ride back to the center. There was, happily, hot coffee waiting in the limo, which Adel had made sure to order special. Passing it out to everyone-Shen looked utterly grateful at the warmth-they sat back, comfortable once again in each others' company.

Swallowing, Whip looked out the window. "I'm starting to get flashes of our vacation." She loosened her own scarf, having worn her slightly longer military coat and a pair of gloves, along with a long-sleeved shirt.

Adel grinned. "Same. God, that was a good time."

Duo Lon smiled softly, sipping his own cup. "I agree. I had gone back to my home once for a night the past few weeks, as I do sometimes. I found it empty, almost wanting for company. I've never felt that before."

Leona looked up at him gently when he said this, reaching over to squeeze his hand; she didn't even seem to care that she was right in front of the rest. Shen saw this and grinned.

"The Mysterious Shadow getting soft, are we?" he smirked.

The tall man only looked at him knowingly, the same soft smile on his face. Shen reached out and pat him on the leg from where he was sitting, laughing once and shaking his head.

Whip smiled at their antics; not only was she getting pangs of memories from their wonderful two weeks, she once again was feeling that same companionship that she felt at the company party over the holidays. It may have been way colder, and they weren't at a manor, but it was all the same.

Adel noticed her, being very in tune with reading her feelings. He took her hand, smiling knowingly.

They continued on the trip, sometimes chatting or laughing, other times simply emptying the coffee pot, which promised to keep them going until the night. They'd of course have coffee at the party itself…along with whatever else would be there. The last time, the food was quite good, and from what Whip had heard, this year's party was quite a bit bigger with even more people.

Eventually they reached the city proper, and after navigating a few more streets, pulled up first to the hotel. The gang gathered themselves up and headed out, grabbing their carry-ons and heading into the hotel to just check into the rooms they'd be staying at that night. As always, even for a one or two night stay, Adel got everyone suites.

Not even bothering sticking around their rooms, within the next half hour the five had made their way downstairs to the convention center, making their way inside. They were early, so not everyone was there yet, but Adel noticed a few familiar faces…and standing by the bar, Heidern.

His usual beret off, and wearing a polo shirt and slacks over polished dress boots, the soldier waved to them, smiling warmly. In front of him was a tall glass of dark beer; he clearly was starting off slow with some of his favored drinks. Adel knew that besides fine, very aged whiskey, he liked dark beers.

"Heidern," he said, smiling as he shook his friend's hand; he remembered to leave off the 'Commander' this time, at the man's insistence. The soldier nodded to the rest of them, all of them waving. He was quite glad to see the entire bunch here today. He didn't know Shen that well-just that he was a strong, somewhat rowdy fighter-but everything he had heard about him from the vacation and such had been rather nice.

His gaze lingered on Duo Lon a few more moments before closing his good eye and giving him a smile and a nod. He knew… some things, though did not get into any details.

"Glad you all could make it. Please, enjoy. It's the same as last year. Most drinks are complimentary, though we do need to pay for particularly expensive ones. Any food is yours for the taking. The dining area is off to the side, and it's rather festively decorated, you'll find."

"Is the punch there?" Whip asked, grinning.

"Yes. You'll find it a deeper blue than last year," the man said, chuckling softly. "The guys are there. Including your brother."

"He made it early this time?" she marveled.

"Not without complaint." He shook his head, smirking. "Anyhow, I have to meet with some of the others. We'll see later tonight." Raising his glass, he went to go see his other subordinates, who he always tried to take some time to talk with, especially during the company parties. Some of them he didn't see too often, due to being stationed around.

The five looked at one another before glancing over at the bar. Adel got a brief memory of last year, when he had come for the first time; he had come alone, went in with Whip, and it had mostly been the two of them. He had been somewhat shy around the others. Now, five traveled together. It felt a little strange…but wholly welcome. He never expected his group of companions to grow this much.

"Drinks?" he grinned.

"Of course," Duo Lon agreed.

Going up, they each selected their favorites. Duo Lon was happy to see they had absinthe, which surprised him pleasantly. Not every bar carried it, but seeing the vast quantities they had at this convention center, they seemed to want to cover the tastes of the two-hundred and some odd people who would be coming and going.

The others decided to start with beer, as they figured with the punch, and the fact they'd be here awhile, the booze would start to add up rather quickly if they started with hard liquor. Adel and Whip opted for dark beers, while Leona took a pilsner. Shen, on the other hand, took a stronger IPA, enjoying its slightly bitter taste.

With the entire gang having their drinks, they looked around, finding the door to the presumed dining area.

"Let's find my brother before it gets too crowded. Unless Ralf and Clark found him first."

"I'm sure he'll be thrilled," Adel snickered.

Arriving inside, they didn't see anyone they knew for a few moments; after glancing around, they indeed saw K'-dressed in his trademark leathers-sitting at a table all the way in the back. He looked up at the crew, giving a curt nod.

Whip grinned, moving over to the table before ruffling his hair as she always would; Adel knew that ruffling his hair, in its perpetual state of bed-head, was one of the endearing things she would do. He grunted at this, though did nothing in response; technically, Whip was the older of the two, and he knew this.

"Merry Christmas," she said, sitting down next to him. Adel sat next to her, as the others took seats around the table, as well.

K' looked over his glasses at the rest. "Bring half the tournament this time?"

"Hello, K'," Adel said, smirking at him.

The white-haired man sipped his drink, sparing him a ghost of a smirk. "You look like you've been doing well."

"I have, thanks. Same to you."

"If you call being forced to play videogames every weekend by your roommates, then yes."

Whip laughed at that, as Duo Lon and Leona nodded toward him. K' didn't know either of them too well-more acquaintances, Leona through working with the unit, and Duo Lon he had met a few times during the last major tournament and a couple of minor ones-but he appreciated their silence.

Shen, on the other hand, grinned. "I see you like the strong stuff," he beamed, noticing K' was already starting with shots.

"It helps me deal with people."

"You like coming to these things?" the blonde asked.

"I…they're alright," he said. "I don't get to see Seirah that often."

"Wow, you have improved from last year."

"I called you on your birthday," the grumpy, white-haired man snorted.

"You did," she said, smiling warmly. "It was great."

Adel smiled at that as well, remembering how happy she was that night.

"It got me away from the video games for five minutes."

"What do you guys play?" Shen asked. The crew knew he liked older games.

"Some sort of cart racer game," he said. "I forget what it's called. The other two love it."

After drinking a few more moments, mostly glancing around the place and getting to know it, they heard a loud, cheerful voice behind them.

"There you are! Sitting in the back this time!"

Adel grinned, turning his chair and holding up his beer, which he had drained halfway already. He was apparently thirstier than he originally thought. "Hey, you two. How have you guys been?"

"Great!" he said, the two pulling up chairs around the ample-sized circular table, which had a dark green tablecloth on it, along with a miniature tree in the center. The decorations for the party-the main dining area, the side room where people seemed to mill about, and the bar, were done in red and green, but it was muted, darker, and rather pleasant. The lights that adorned the place were blue and green, cool colors, very pleasing on the eyes. There wasn't much in the way of religious trappings, tinsel and the like going for more simple ornaments such as wreaths and the like; the tree was done in a uniform green and blue, as well.

Duo Lon looked around the place. "I will say that your company decorates in a way I find pleasing," the assassin said after he took a sip. "Usually, holiday decorations end up far too gaudy for my tastes. This is very nice."

Shen blinked, looked at him, and started laughing. "Can't you ever be normal?" he said, swigging his beer. "Who talks like that?"

He smirked back at the blonde. "Didn't you say that after I thrashed you in our last sparring match, as well?"

Shen side-eyed the rest of the group, slumping down in his chair, muttering something under his breath. Everyone, including Leona, got a bit of a chuckle at this. Even K' smirked.

"Fine," he said, soon grinning again-he couldn't help it-the two went back, and they were allowed to pick on one another.

Clark looked over at the table, which housed the wintery blue punch. This time, it was indeed a bit of a darker blue, as Heidern mentioned. He placed his cap on the table for a moment, scratching his hair, though left his sunglasses on.

"What were they trying to make this time, I wonder?"

"Last year they tried to make it resemble ice. I'm not sure what the darker blue is supposed to be."

"Shall we try it?"

Ralf stood, waving to everyone to stay seated. "I'll go get us a bunch. Hang on."

It took him a couple of trips, but he managed to get eight cups of the stuff over to the table. Sniffing it, Adel nodded.

"Smells stiff." He took a sip. "Okay. This is dangerously good this time."

Whip took a sip herself. "It's…so pleasant. It's not too fruity, even. Has a bit of a…cold taste?"

Ralf downed his cup, and went back for another. "I might even stick here for a few cups before going back to the beer."

Sitting back down around the table, K', swirled the stuff and took another sip, a bit puzzled on the stuff, but nonetheless seemingly enjoying it. "Not…bad," he said, putting it down.

Adjusting his bandana-he put on a red and green one for the occasion, though wore his usual casual 'function' outfit of jeans, boots, and a tight, army green t-shirt-he looked over at Adel for a moment.

"While I…know we're at a party, I just have to check. How is everything?"

"It's more than fine," Adel said. "No problems."

"That's all I wanted to hear." Everyone knew he was referring to the incident not long ago; all the colonel wanted to know was that the young man was doing alright.

"Of course."

"Hey, do they have a mahjong table around here somewhere?" Shen asked.

"Unfortunately, no," Whip said, drinking down some of her punch. "I'd have liked to have watched you guys play."

"So what do we do at these things?"

"Eat and drink."

Shen nodded, finishing the punch at a swallow. "Well okay then. I'm coming back with more." He excused himself from the table, milling over to the bar.

"Yeah, we gotta go run to chat with some of the rest of the crew. We'll be back, though," Clark said, his voice friendly. They liked spending time with that bunch, but as they were high ranking members of the crew, they felt it polite to make sure they met with everyone else, too.

Waving, Adel kicked back in the chair, an arm across the back. He still wore his black hoodie, the sleeves rolled up over his large forearms. "What are you doing for the holidays, anyway?" he asked the table.

K' snorted. "The usual Christmas crap. The duo insists."

Whip, of course, giggled. "It's nice you go along with it."

"Wouldn't hear the end of it if I didn't."

"I…don't know what I'm doing," Duo Lon said thoughtfully. "I never really celebrated this holiday growing up. I never really celebrated it in adulthood, either."

Shen smiled at this; he did not, as usual, pick on his friend. "I've tried to get him to celebrate."

The long haired man-dressed in a sleeveless qipao, his sinewy, tattooed arms showing as they would when he was around company-swirled his drink in front of him. "I suppose I don't quite get the point."

Leona smiled softly at this. "I have only faint memories of it as…a child," she said. "I go to parties here, but I can't say I truly celebrate it." She reached over, taking his hand.

Shen, seeing this, raised his eyebrow. "Well…it looks like you have something to celebrate this year, then."

Adel blinked, not used to seeing this other side of the loud, rowdy brawler.

"I…suppose we do," the assassin answered, smiling softly, his eyes closed.

Whip, surprised at the turn of discussion, decided to join in. "My first Christmas was celebrated right here with the unit. I have to say, I enjoyed it."

K' snorted. "Wasn't that the time Ralf wore the garland?"

"That was it."

"You went to these too, back then?" Adel asked.

"Yeah," the white-haired man said, drinking some more. "I went to the first one she did. She kinda made me."

"And he went along so easily, too, surprisingly."

Shen rubbed his chin. "I think for me it depended what house I was living in growing up. If I had one that celebrated, then it was a good time. Now I make it a point to eat and drink a lot."

Duo Lon smirked, knowing he ended up always sneaking things to the neighborhoods that he watched over. He left that quiet, though, so as to not embarrass his friend. "I think you took me out to a bar one night, but to me, it didn't feel any different than we usually go. A few drinks, I pulled you out of a fight, and then you played video games when you woke up after passing out for two hours."

Leona snorted laughter at this, as she would.

Shen scowled, looking over at Adel. "Anyway, I'm sure your joint looks all spruced up."

"Ohhh yes. The household starts decorating right at the beginning of December." He looked at the other blonde. "You still need to come there, by the way. I'm sure you'll like hanging out."

"Please do," Whip said. "It's my second home now."

"Yeah, I know my shadowy friend here spends his fair share of time there. I ain't doing nothing while I'm in Europe. I don't mind going to visit tomorrow. Besides, I wanna see this flying mansion of yours."

"Wonder how Gwan will like him?" Whip mused to herself.

"Knowing how he treats Ralf…"

Shen looked between them, blinking. "Do I have to worry about the panther mauling me?"

"Nahh. He won't unless I tell him to," Adel smirked.

"Oh, so he is trained to kill."

"I played with him several times," Duo Lon said. "He's fine."

"Didn't you play with venomous snakes, though?"

Laughing, Adel drained the rest of his drink. "Well, I'm empty. We doing more?"

"Something heavier, please," K' muttered.

Shen beamed. "I got us." Getting up, he moved over to the bar, clearly ready to start piling on the shots.

Whip heard Adel's stomach rumble; as always she looked at it unsurprised, reaching over to rub it. "You haven't eaten in almost two hours, you poor thing."

He shrugged. "My body knows it's winter. I need to keep warm."

Leaning against his arm for a moment, the group saw that food was starting to get set out in bigger quantities; they were still on the more appetizer-oriented stuff. Duo Lon, checking over at it, and then grabbing his pipe, looked at the group.

"Do they have a smoking room here?"

"Yeah," K' answered. "Go toward the back. It's pretty big."

Duo Lon nodded as Shen, who had come back with some beers, stood to join him. Adel even decided to stand, wanting to explore the place.

"You coming?" Whip asked K'. Leona stood as well.

"I'm good. I'll hold the table."

Chuckling, the group went to find the aforementioned smoking room; it was simply down the hall and off to the side, and K' was right; it was large, and well ventilated. A couple of people were off in one corner, but it was otherwise empty. The rest leaned against walls or sat in the seats around as Duo Lon packed his pipe and lit it, lighting one of Shen's cigarettes for him.

The combination of smoke wasn't as pleasant as Duo Lon's more gentle, almost sweet smelling pipe, but it wasn't too off-putting for anyone. The other two were far enough away that it wasn't a problem.

The assassin blew a narrow stream from his mouth as he always would, sitting back. Shen smirked at him as he took a drag of his own.

"So…this is technically your first holiday party. Like the first real one."

"I…suppose so."

Leona reached a hand over to stroke his shoulder for a moment, not saying anything, but happy he was getting to spend it with them. She only touched him for a moment before standing back against the wall; still seemingly adjusting to this sort of thing.

"Well, what a way to spend it," Adel grinned. "I'm glad you're with us."

"You're gonna make him blush," Shen snorted.

"I mean, we're glad you're here, too," Whip added.

"Well, I'm known to bring the party with me. He's not."

The sinewy fighter adjusted his long braid-he didn't wear the covering in the top, but did have the larger weights attached-and took a quiet puff of his pipe.

"He brings something more," the blue haired soldier suddenly said.

Shen, Whip, and Adel sort of looked over at her, blinking. Shen burst out laughing.

"Now he's really gonna blush!"

Looking off to the side, the rest could see the smile on the tall man's face as he smoked quietly.

Finishing the rest mostly in a comfortable silence, they headed back to their table; as they got there, they saw everyone lining up for the food.

Adel grinned, his stomach rumbling.

"Finally!" he exclaimed, as if he hadn't eaten in a week.

Whip lightly slapped his butt, giggling. "Get up there."

The crew, without much hesitation or discussion, filled their plates with the fare that was offered up. It was a large mix of foods; crepes, both sweet and savory, which Adel remembered very well. A large ham was the main meat dish. Various hard salamis and cheeses, which were paired with a wide array of breads and crackers. And a number of hors d'oeuvres that they lost track of. While it was mostly more appetizer level stuff, there was more than enough for even Adel to fill himself.

Which he started to do as soon as they got back around the table.

"Breathe, love," Whip said, taking a far more reasonable bite of her strawberry crepe.

K' looked at Adel from over his glasses. "Is he alright?"

"He'll be fine," she assured him, chuckling.

Adel indeed slowed down; he just had to get the first few savory ham crepes in first before he decided to sit back and relax with the rest of the food. Washing some down with ice water-he took a short break from the booze to hydrate-he sighed happily.

"Now I'm ready to get started."

Duo Lon, who was tasting everything on his plate, picked up some cured meat, tasting it. "Venison," he said.

Leona smiled. "You can tell?"

"Yes."

"Apparently they can taste like, I dunno, a drop of whatever the hell in a gallon of water," Shen said, smirking. "Weirdo stuff."

Smirking at his friend, the assassin took another bite. Leona was making her way through an apricot crepe as K' familiarized himself with some of the ham, scorching it a bit first before eating.

"Some people toast their marshmallows more than others," Whip said when Shen eyed him. "He scorches his dinner, instead."

Shen blinked, looking at the white haired man. "Mind if I try?"

Without speaking, he shot s flame onto the brawler's plate, giving a nicely charred finish to it. Taking a bite, Shen smiled.

"Still juicy inside! Holy shit."

Adel selected a blueberry crepe. They had all sorts of fruit flavors up there; the savory choices were ham, cheese, or egg, which he had already devoured several of. Laying into it with his fork, he looked over, noticing several large machines getting put up off to the side, wondering what was going on.

Whip beamed. "They brought the hot chocolate back this year."

Adel blinked. "There's hot chocolate?"

"It's good, too. Probably not as high class as you guys make…but as you'll see, you can put other stuff on it. They bring out marshmallows, whipped cream and stuff."

Duo Lon looked rather interested. "I've had chocolate flavored drinks, but not like that."

"Wait. How the hell does someone never drink hot chocolate?" Shen said. "I mean I know you live in the backwoods and everything but come on. You can get it right in some of the stores!"

He simply shrugged, finding the deviled eggs they had there, along with the smoked sausages, rather delightful.

"You like those too?" Leona asked him about the sausage.

"Yes," he said. "Easy to carry with you when out. So I'd eat these often."

Whip looked over at her brother, who had mostly just kept to himself. "Are you going to come to the Sky Noah tomorrow?" she asked.

"I might," he said, finishing his plate. "I haven't been there yet."

"You're always welcome," Adel said.

"I know. Maybe I'll finally stop by."

"We'd like it," she said.

"Maybe next time for the sparring match, though. I get lazy over the holidays."

Whip snorted at that, as if he wasn't lazy most of the time. "I think we're mostly just going to be relaxing, anyway. Don't worry."

As the table near the machines were set up-there were also machines for hot coffee, and boiling water for those who preferred tea-Adel went up first to poke around the place. Grabbing a cup of coffee to enjoy after the three plates he inhaled, he grabbed one of the large, somewhat fancy glass mugs there and filled it with the chocolatey liquid, added a healthy shot of rum, sprinkled on some cinnamon and nutmeg, and shoved some marshmallows and graham crackers in it. Carrying it back to the table, the rest of them immediately eyed the machines themselves.

Duo Lon stood, heading over. "I need to try this," he said.

Leona followed. "I had it one year. It is excellent, and I am not really into sweets all that much."

"They didn't have it last year," Whip mentioned. She still sat, figuring she'd go up next.

"At least I didn't have to toast everyone's marshmallows," K' muttered.

"Oh, quiet. You offered." She ruffled his hair again affectionately.

"Figured I'd try the holiday spirit."

"Did you ever get him to wear a hat?" Shen asked.

K' glared at him in a way that made the blonde simply grin and shrug.

"Oh, I know that look. I'm sure that means he's been forced to wear one at the house."

He snorted. "At least the presents are done this year."

"You went shopping?"

"Online, yes. Maxima wanted some cooking stuff. And a couple new albums."

Whip grinned, knowing the big man enjoyed cooking, and also that he flipped between progressive metal and rockabilly music depending on his mood. "What did Kula want this time?"

"We thought she wanted more stuffed animals, since she asked for them all the time before. But she surprised us both and wanted a computer drawing tablet. She's been getting into art."

"Really?" Whip asked.

"Yeah. I was happy to see it. I think it came from her making ice sculptures. Really good at it already. She really likes to do cityscape stuff."

"I'm glad to hear it. Seems like she's trying to move on."

"Yeah, she wasn't interested in joining the last tournament. Said she might join the next one, but I can tell if she has to fight, she'd much rather be a protector. I saw her practicing making things like ice shields, cages, and reflectors for a fight."

"Well that's handy," she said, happy to hear the other half of the family was doing well. Hey, tell the gang I said happy holidays. I'll see if I can send something over. I'll remember the art thing, and given I know Maxima and his cooking, I think one of Adel's chefs can suggest some…interesting stuff to send over."

He nodded, seemingly out of words at the moment. He never much cared for getting gifts, though the others would surely end up throwing something at him.

As the pair with the lethal hands-now used to cradle large mugs of spiked, gourmet hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, nutmeg, and a cookie stick out of the top-headed back toward the table, Whip and Shen moved toward the place, too. K', after a moment's thought, decided to go for some after all, as well.

The assassin poked at his glass as Adel drank, a whipped cream mustache forming on the young man.

"Looks interesting," he said. He clearly had just copied everyone else in building up his glass. Biting the cookie first and nodding in approval, he chased it with some of the rum-spiked, heavy hot chocolate, smiling. He, too, ended up with the whipped cream on his face, which was a bit too much for Leona, who practically spit out her own mouthful.

"This is rather excellent," he said. "It's not as overly sweet as I thought it would be. Is this dark chocolate?"

"Probably. That's how our kitchens make it. I don't remember everything…cocoa powder is one thing."

He drank more, licking his lips, as Leona followed suit. "I may have to learn to make this so I can make it at home during the winter."

"I mean, you can just buy the powder, which is how I have to make it unless our cooks do it…"

Whip soon rejoined them, sitting with her own cup, biting the cookie straw that was shoved in. "But that's no fun," she finished.

Eventually, the entire group was sitting back around the table. K' had forgone the whipped cream and cookie, though had spiked his with extra rum. The rest leaned back at the tables in contentment as they maneuvered around their plates still.

Heidern, noticing everyone fairly relaxed, stopped by. He had a glass of the spiked drink in his hand, though with no fancy embellishments. Sipping it, he smiled.

"I'm sorry that I've been too busy to really swing by," he said. "We've got nearly double the people here this time."

"You know it's okay," Adel said. "I know what it's like."

"I imagine you're involved in a few of these."

"Only a lot more upscale, and a lot less fun," he chuckled.

Smiling, he nodded. "Next year, I will get the manor for the holiday. I will make sure of it, even if we have to book it a year in advance. I think an overnight trip there for one of these may be even more fun than the summer holiday party."

"I'm going to try to get it for New Years," he said.

"Good luck with that, though from what I've heard it's not as busy around then." Taking another sip, he noticed Ralf and Clark coming over as well. "Anyhow, back to the rounds. I was told that I apparently had to judge something." Giving a small, two finger salute, he walked off.

Whip grinned as she drank some more.

"It's always nice to see the commander more laid back."

"Indeed."

Shen suddenly slapped the table. "Alright. That's it. I need the bar. Shots. Everyone. Now."

K' snorted. "At least I can light these on fire." Surprisingly, he got up to join him.

Pounding down the last of the spiked hot chocolate, Adel uttered a small burp and stood, holding out his large hand to Whip.

"Shall we?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think it's ready to go the rest of the way."

Adel grinned at this. "Go the rest of the way, huh?"

Whip smirked evilly, sliding her hands onto his shoulders. They were a little off to the side at the moment as they were headed back into the other room. "Want to keep the tradition going?" she said, her voice low.

"Maybe not in the coatroom this time," he chuckled. "Or we make sure the room isn't a coatroom."

Meeting him in a sudden and deep kiss, Whip began to slide her hands up under his hoodie…

…When she heard a loud voice yelling.

Breaking and turning, she noticed Shen getting very excited at something at the bar; he turned, saw them there, and started waving them over.

Laughing, Adel shook his head. "I'm not sure we can find a private room in this center," he said. "Look. Let's have a few. Hotel room. Then back." He let the tip of his tongue dance over her lips. They were well out of the way of any prying eyes, though he kept it short. Even now, they were not particularly crazy with public affection displays.

"Mmm. Yes," she said. The two broke apart, heading toward the bar to see what was up.

"Alright," Shen said. "Here we go. 151 proof." He started passing out the eye-wateringly stiff rum to everyone; one shot each.

K' sniffed it, allowing the small flame to dance off of his finger; it lit up rather efficiently. He blew it out quickly; the bartender paled for a moment, though was somehow used to the fact that a few of the people here had abilities a little above and beyond the others. Tossing it back, the gruff man actually shivered.

"Now that's…stiff. Not bad, though."

Adel followed suit; as did the rest. The blonde exhaled deeply as the liquid went down his throat. Whip slammed her hand on the counter a few times, shaking. Leona made a face.

As usual, Duo Lon looked completely unscathed.

Shen, slamming the counter with his fist once, shook his head. "Does anything phase you?" he asked him.

He just shrugged.

"Wow," Whip exclaimed, making a face. "Okay, one, never give me that again, as it tasted like gasoline. Two, what were you thinking?"

The blonde grinned. "Might as well really get started."

"Trying to get me outside to spar?" Adel asked the man.

"Naaah. Not tonight," he said. "And unfortunately, I'm not sure when we can. I'll be here for a few days, but I gotta get back to Shanghai before Christmas."

"Alright," Whip said, washing the taste of the vile, mouth-peeling stuff out with some of Adel's ice water, "Let's throw back shots of something with flavor."

As the crew continued, the quiet pair at the end of the bar eyed each other. Leona scratched her head, having opted for some coffee.

"You know…even though…we don't have the privacy of the manor we were at in the summer," she said. "I've enjoyed this one a lot. Way more than usual."

"Yes…I do wish we could have gotten that again." He, too, had gotten some coffee to perk up with, not that the alcohol was affecting him all that much.

"I would have run for that same room."

He smiled at that, before sipping more of his coffee quietly. "Same."

She glanced over at the rest, allowing herself to watch their antics. They still amused her, as they would. She was surprised that the gang hadn't started arm-wrestling yet, especially with Ralf and Shen around.

This went on for a while; Ralf and Clark had made their way over, enjoying a couple of shots with them, getting into discussions about the summer party.

The word 'watermelon' was overheard, to a lot of laughter.

After a few more minutes of silence, looking over again, Leona had gotten a slight urge to go…perhaps take a walk. Some fresh air, perhaps, would help perk her up after her few drinks.

The two meeting each other's gaze, they seemed to both be thinking about the summer party again, in particular the attic room.

"While it's a shame we don't have that room with the record player…it is nice that we're near a hotel this time," she suddenly said. "In case we need to get away."

He turned back to the bar, glancing at her sideways as he smiled; it had somewhat of a sly look.

"Want to take a walk?" he said. "I…may have forgotten something in the suite."

"Yeah. I'll come along. Would be nice to get some…fresh air."

Quickly finishing their coffee and heading to grab their coats before the rest noticed-they were getting refills at this time-they headed up to their suite before anyone was the wiser.


"I just don't know where they went," Whip told Adel. "They've been gone for a half hour at least. I could've sworn they were right there."

"I'm sure they're fine," he said. "Maybe they went to get some air." He turned to go examine the food table as Whip checked around. Shen, she noticed, was chatting with Ralf, with K' nearby, seemingly listening for once.

The crew had decided to mill around for some time, meeting with others, eating more, and drinking more-a lot more. They were now on their way toward well into the tipsy range, and they seemed in no hurry to stop.

When they had come back from one of their refills, they had noticed Duo Lon and Leona had disappeared, and they had ended up trying to find them for some time now stopping for a drink break in the middle. They had no luck. Adel had thought perhaps he went to smoke a pipe, but neither of them were in the smoking room, either.

She then decided to just make her way back to the bar, definitely on the far end of tipsy. Almost on cue, she glanced at two familiar faces there finally; Duo Lon and Leona had returned from wherever they had been. They were leaning comfortably against it, each of them with their favorites; absinthe and bourbon.

"There you are!" she called, turning and waving to Adel, who had busily been filling up another plate. The big blonde was clearly tipsy himself, chuckling as he made his way over, shoving one of the various snacks into his mouth, barely chewing it. When he drank, he got even hungrier than he would when he was sober.

"Hello," Leona said quietly, a small smile on her face.

"Where did you two go?" the soldier asked, completely obvious to almost anything at the moment. Adel joined her at the bar, shoving some sort of sausage with cracker into her mouth, which she took gratefully. K', who was standing at the far end of the bar with Shen-somehow not only not having killed the boisterous man yet, but was almost tolerating him-rolled his eyes at the exchange.

"Had to check the suite," Duo Lon said quietly. "We forgot something in the luggage. I wanted my pipe," he added after.

"Oh, that's right," Adel said, knowing how the assassin liked to smoke after a drink. He had drunk enough that he did not connect the dots; the same dots that he had rather easily connected when they had woken up during the summer party and had run into the pair in the hallway.

"Hmm," Whip said, peering over the bar. "White Russians?"

"Ohh. Yes," he said. "Hey…hang on." He waved the bartender over. "Do you have toasted cream? I know it's a longshot."

"Believe it or not, we do."

"Two White Russians. With toasted cream."

The soldier blinked. "What's…toasted cream?"

He shoved a crepe in his mouth, swallowing. "The kitchens make the White Russians with it. They brown the cream. I don't know exactly how they do it, but Henrik had swore up and down it makes them better. He's right."

At that, the bartender passed them the two drinks, made with top shelf liquor and the toasted cream, poured over one large ice cube to prevent it from diluting too quickly. Taking them, they grinned, clinked glasses, and sipped.

Whip grinned, almost in heaven. The toasted cream had a nutty, almost toffee like undertone, which blended perfectly with everything else.

"Good lord," she said, drinking more. "This is delicious."

"Told you," he said, drinking more.

"These are…a bit dangerous."

Noticing what the pair were drinking, Leona looked at it curiously.

"White Russians," Adel said. "Want some?"

Duo Lon finished his absinthe, smirking. "I usually do not drink too many sweet drinks," he said. "But I think I can indulge in one of these."

"Just wait," he said. "You'll love this. Go get Shen and K'."

Whip went to convince her younger brother to come back over to have a drink with them; looking at the group, before looking down at his own empty glass, he set it on the bar and agreed to come for one, with a grunt.

"Sure," he said.

Shen grinned. "That's the spirit."

When they were all gathered around, Adel handed them each a glass, having gotten himself and Whip one more each. Nodding and sipping them, the rest of the lot blinked.

"What the hell is in this thing?" Shen said, shooting his back like a shot. "Gimme another!"

Duo Lon swirled the glass. "It's different. It almost tastes like the cream has been heated."

"You can tell?" Adel asked.

"I can, yes."

K' even looked marginally impressed, which for him, Whip knew, meant he really liked it. "This works."

Leona sipped hers again. "This is delicious."

"I guess I know what I'm telling the kitchens to make on New Years, then."

"You can tell the kitchens to make this anytime."

Shen laughed, drinking off half of his. "That's the spirit. Weekday drinking."

Gathering side by side at the bar, the group, their tongues loosened by a fair amount of alcohol, started chatting more. Leona stayed her usual, quieter self, and K' didn't say much, but one could tell the six were enjoying themselves.

"Okay, I'm getting another," Whip said, moving over to the bartender to shake the glass. Blinking, he went and started to make yet another one of the special white russians. Receiving the glass, she giggled, throwing back some more of the creamy, toasty tasting liquid.

"He makes 'em stiff, too," she said.

"Ohhh yeah." Adel tossed his back, motioning for yet another.

Duo Lon and Leona looked at each other before smirking. Even Leona was feeling slightly tipsier than she usually did.

The assassin even felt a tingle in his fingers, as if it were affecting him.

Having gotten his fill of the sweeter drink, K' nodded, demanding something stiffer. As the bartender obliged, he lit it with one finger before blowing it out and tossing it back.

Ralf, making his way over again, laughed heartily at this. "Showing off?"

"I like its taste after."

"And he's showing off," Whip added.

"You're drunk," he grunted.

"Not that bad." she giggled again.

Adel looked at her, swirling his drink. "You're getting there."

She glared at him-completely jokingly-and smacked his shoulder. "Listen to you. I know that look you get."

"What look?"

"That look." She touched his nose, brushing back some of his hair afterward.

Clark, coming up with Ralf, looked back and forth between everyone. "What's going on?"

"My sister's drunk." He looked at the pair. "Seems to run in the unit," he said, after seeing Ralf and Clark's state.

Shen roared laughter at this; while K's comment was certainly amusing, it took a special kind of inebriation to garner the laughter Shen had.

"Don't tell me you aren't drunk at all, grumpy."

"I can feel it somewhat."

"Believe it or not," Whip said, drinking off yet more of another of the delicious toasted cream White Russians, "He burns it off pretty fast. Not as fast as Duo Lon over here, but pretty fast."

K' snorted. "That one looks immune."

"It does somewhat affect me," he said. "I even feel a little something."

"After how many?" Adel said, motioning the bartender to keep the gang filled up. The bartender simply left the coffee liqueur and vodka on the counter, knowing that he'd be using it. He went to serve up some others, including Heidern, who looked over at the gang with amusement before taking his dark beer back over to a table, where he was watching a couple of engineers he knew in a card game.

"I lost count." The tall man smirked, his eyes glinting with humor as he drank off more of the icy-cold, creamy stuff. "Goes nicely after all of the hot chocolate, though."

Going to reach for something, Whip stumbled slightly, falling into Adel. Grinning, the blonde ruffled her hair with his large hand. "Well then. Someone's certainly had enough."

"I think I can go some more," she grinned.

"Hey," he said, turning around, his arms around her neck. "I'll carry you if I have to."

"You already do," she said, feeling somewhat sappy due to the holidays.

"Tch," K' said, rolling his eyes behind the bar. "Get a room."

"We have a room," she said, sticking her tongue out at him.

Leona looked over at Duo Lon. "Can you take another?"

"I can drink these all night," he smiled back.

Shen, meanwhile, was digging around the peanut dish at the bar, seeing Ralf coming up next to him. The very tipsy brawler looked at the other big man and grinned.

"Hey!" Ralf said, a beer in his hand, also clearly well on his way to being drunk.

"What's up?" he said, shoving said handful of peanuts in his mouth before swallowing, having to swig his rather stiff mixed drink to wash it down.

"I heard you like to arm wrestle." The darker-haired man grinned.

"Do I?"

"Oh boy," Whip said, looking over after one of the kisses she had gotten involved in broke. Turning and leaning back against Adel, they eyed where the two started heading over to the empty table, setting up, with Clark as the referee. The two were not the types to engage heavily in public displays of affection, but the holiday spirit-along with a hefty dose of booze-made them a little more touchy than normal for just a few moments.

K' sighed. "This might be my time to start moving to the hotel."

"Oh, c'mon," Adel said. "At least stick around for one."

"If they look at me, I'm going."

"I know you're tough."

"Arm wrestling bores me."

Whip just chuckled, staring down at her almost-empty White Russian. "I think I could use another one of these."

Leona smirked at Duo Lon. She knew the assassin had…tricks, as well as knew how he could restrain Shen like a child, and almost wanted to tell him to go up there-but he was far too laid back for such competitions. Instead, she just sipped her drink along with him.

Heidern looked over from his spot on the bar, smiling warmly. The crew had grown over the years, bringing in new friends, which he welcomed. Sipping his dark beer, he turned to watch in amusement as the rowdy men started their yearly match.

He almost regretted there not being a pool table there for him to teach them all his own lesson.

While hangovers would be numerous and rather trying the next day, the overall feel of the night made everything more than worth it, and was the perfect warm-up for the holidays.


A/N: Welp, another holiday party in the books. While this one wasn't an 18,000 word extravaganza, and may not have been laugh out loud funny or anything or involve too much pervy stuff or watermelons, I imagine their holiday parties are a bit less raucous than the summer parties. It was just a plain ol' slice of life thing which I have a million of already, maybe with some little holiday discussions. Lots of long and talky discussions with food and drink porn. Sometimes people just need to wind down and enjoy the holidays.

I don't write K' team too often, but those are some little characterization bits I like to put on some of the others.

Though…isn't it cute? The 'newest' couple goes off to their hotel room…just like they went to the attic for their very first times over the summer, almost wanting to revisit the moment that bonded them.

"Watermelon"-let's say Adel destroyed a watermelon in a rather memorable way in 'Company Party 2-Summer Party.'

Anyway, once again, happy holidays, all! I appreciate every one of you. In particular, thanks to my merry band of discord misfits who has been with me the past year+ through everything and are awesome.

Stay tuned for a couple more to go up soon that should be only read after dark...or at least with no one watching over your shoulder.