Day 4: The Little Fox Who Believed
The day started simply enough. Hestia Familia sat in front of their fireplace, decorating the manor for Christmas. Welf had hoisted Lili onto his shoulders so that she could hang the garlands, while Hestia and Bell hung the stockings. Meanwhile, Mikoto and Haruhime were putting up the Christmas tree they had bought in the corner. When Hestia had finished, she turned to admire her Familia's handiwork.
"You know what, I think this is looking pretty good," she said with a nod. "What do you guys think?"
The rest of Hestia Familia gave their own nods of approval. The one who was the happiest, though, was Haruhime. The renard, decked out in Christmas apparel from head to toe, was just about vibrating with joy.
"Yes, I believe everything is just right," she said. "I am sure that Master Santa Claus will come to visit us."
Slowly, the rest of Hestia Familia stopped what they were doing. Haruhime didn't notice as everyone started at her. Then, the Familia's eyes turned to Mikoto, who looked conspicuously red. She was also averting her eyes from everyone else.
"Hey, Haruhime, why don't you go check on those gingerbread cookies you and Mikoto started baking earlier today," said Hestia.
"Wonderful idea, Goddess Hestia! I'm Master Claus will appreciate it!" replied Haruhime, shuffling off with her tail swishing happily. When she left the room, everyone turned to glare at Mikoto.
The samurai, to her credit, seemed ready to throw herself into the dogeza position.
"Lady Aisha recently informed me that Lady Haruhime does indeed still believe. She was that way when she got to the Pleasure District. And none of the other prostitutes felt like they should tell her…seeing as how…she was going to die…."
Hestia sighed. "I guess I can understand. I don't like it, but I understand." She looked to where Haruhime had left. "The real question is, do we tell her and break her heart?"
Mikoto frowned. "Please! Just this one Christmas, can we let her believe?" She bowed her head. "I just want her to be happy, and if this is how I am ok with lying this one time."
Lili growled but said nothing. Welf just shrugged, not really interested either way. Hestia and Bell shared a look. The young boy Captain nodded, so Hestia smiled.
"Fine, just this one year. But next year, you have to tell her!" Hestia pointed a finger at Mikoto. "And more importantly, you have to be the one to make this work. We'll help out, but this one's on you."
Mikoto nodded vigorously, her smile wide. "Thank you, everyone, so much!"
The next couple of weeks passed in a blur. Mikoto did all she could to keep the spirit of Santa alive in her dear friend. She helped Haruhime write and mail a Christmas letter, subtly passing it on to Lili. Then, Mikoto ground away in the Dungeon for a week non-stop to earn enough valis to afford Haruhime's gifts. All the while, she had the rest of Hestia Familia run interference. During that week, she had them lie, for people like Welf and Lili who could, or misdirect, for Bell, a horrible liar. The tricky part came on Christmas Eve, though, when Haruhime said she would be sleeping downstairs.
"There is something I must tell Master Claus," said Haruhime. "Something that must be done in person."
Mikoto just about bashed her head into a wall at that point. So, she ran out, ground for more valis, and bought a Santa suit. She stitched it herself so that it would fit and then waited till the evening. Come nightfall, she and Welf climbed to the top of the manor. Mikoto looked down the chimney while the smith scratched the back of his head.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked.
Mikoto nodded. "My status should be more than sufficient to keep me from being harmed."
Welf sighed. "I wasn't talking about that part. I was talking about how you seem to have gone a little too far for all this. Don't you think it's a little…much?"
Mikoto didn't turn to face him as she continued her chimney inspection.
"Not at all. When it comes to Lady Haruhime's happiness, there is nothing I wouldn't do." She held up the occulus she had borrowed from Master Fels. "Is she in position, Master Bell?"
She heard a deep sigh on the other side. "She is…and she seems to be just sleepy enough that she won't notice."
Mikoto nodded as she said thanks. Then, she thrust a hand out toward Welf. The smith rolled his eyes before handing over a stack of presents. Haruhime, being the kind soul that she was, had insisted that everyone write down their lists for Santa. Which meant more presents. The others had said Mikoto didn't need to worry, but she refused to listen. The Eternal Shadow was going to make this experience as authentic as possible. She tied the sack around her shoulders, and then she hopped down the chimney.
As Mikoto began falling, she stuck her arms and legs out, slowing her fall on the sides. The space was still tight, though, and she had to suck in a deep breath to make sure she could shimmy down. When she reached the bottom, she landed with a plop. She ducked into her Familia's living room and found Haruhime sleeping on the couch. It seems that the sleeping potion that Lady Lili had made had worked perfectly. Mikoto admired how cute her friend looked while asleep and then arranged presents under the tree. She got so into her work that she didn't hear the sound of shifting cushions.
"Master Clause, is that you?" asked Haruhime.
Mikoto cursed under her breath before turning. She prayed that Haruhime was sleepy enough not to notice that Santa was the wrong gender.
"Why yes, it is me!" said Mikoto, dropping the pitch of her voice. "Excuse me for saying so! But shouldn't little girls like you be in bed?"
Haruhime rubbed the sleep out of her eyes before nodding.
"Maybe, but I needed to talk to you," she said, standing from the couch.
Haruhime made to step forward, but Mikoto held out a hand.
"No! That's close enough!" shouted Mikoto. "Santa can hear you just fine from back there! Now, what is it you wanted to tell me?"
Haruhime yawned. "I just wanted to say thank you for finally giving me my gift." She gave him a tired smile. "It only makes sense, though, that one as dirty as I would get my gift after finally being free."
Internally, Mikoto scrambled. She had no idea what kind of gift Haruhime was referring to. Externally, she fought to remain calm.
"Ah, yes! That gift! Well, I'm sorry it took so long! It just took some time to finish up at the workshop!" said Mikoto. She prayed that'd be the end of it.
However, Haruhime just looked confused.
"My gift did not require assembly, though?"
"Oh?" said Mikoto, about to scream in frustration. "Which one was yours again? I do believe it has been a while." She made to look through her bag. "I'm sure I have it in here somewhere."
Mikoto stopped looking when she heard Haruhime giggle.
"You're so silly, Santa; you already gave me my gift!"
Mikoto stopped. "I did?"
Haruhime nodded. "You gave me the greatest gift; you brought my friend back to me."
Mikoto almost gave it all up then and there. Tears were about to fall from her eyes.
"I thought I would never see Lady Mikoto again, but you did it. You found a way," said Haruhime, shedding tears of joy. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
Haruhime slowly lowered herself. She bowed and pushed her head to the floor.
"You gave me a chance to meet my dear friend again, whom I love more than anyone else. Thank you so much, Master Clause," said Haruhime. She looked up. "I am sorry to keep you here when you have so many other houses to visit, but I wanted to tell you that."
Mikoto didn't respond. Instead, she nodded, trying to blink away her tears. She grabbed a cookie for the road before high-tailing it back up the chimney. When she reached the top, she found Welf waiting for her. The smith had his own tears.
Mikoto blushed and looked away.
"This is why I must protect her," she said.
Next year, Mikoto would tell the truth, but until then, she'd treasure this memory forever.
The End
Hestia wiped away tears of her own. In her hands was a knitted square. A golden fox and a black crow were curled around each other in it.
"You know, this kind of story is why I chose to do this," she said, placing it next to the others. "This year is a time of love, after all. It's a time for kindness, a little bit of magic, and giving more than you get."
Hestia smiled. "I hope you enjoyed this one. Next time, we'll be saying hi to a bunch of grumpy people who are a bit too obsessed to celebrate properly."
