Day 7: The Great Secret Santa Debacle

The whole thing started simply enough. The Hostess of Fertility gathered for its annual secret Santa draw. Ryuu didn't particularly enjoy this tradition, seeing as how she never knew what to buy for anyone, but she did it anyway. These people were her family, and whatever they liked, she would at least pretend to be interested in whatever traditions they cooked up.

"Alright, you lot," shouted Mama Mia. "Gather round. Remember, you can't draw yourself, and everyone has to turn in a list of preferred gifts by the end of the day." She gave everyone the stink eye. "No going over budget, and no telling who you got till afterwards."

When everyone nodded, Mia gestured off to the side.

"Ok, Syr, bring me the hat," said Mia.

Syr walked in with a large sunhat in her hands. She brandished it with a flourish, and there was a rustling sound as a collection of little papers moved on the inside. Slowly, the grey-haired waitress walked around in a circle.

"Ok, everyone, only pick one name," said Syr.

Eventually, it was Ryuu's turn. She reached in to draw one of the last slips of paper, neatly folded into four. She used her long, delicate, elf fingers to unfold it and saw written in pretty cursive writing, 'Syr.' Inwardly, Ryuu sighed happily. Syr would be easy to shop for, after all. The two of them were best friends, which meant that Ryuu knew how Syr would think. And Syr was usually pretty straightforward with her gifts. The girl was very materialistic that way.

So, the next day Ryuu went to check the wish list of everyone. Syr seemed to be playing around with something before walking away with her wishlist up. She smiled at Ryuu as she passed. And the elf quickly gave in to despair because Syr had written down only one thing.

'I want a date with Bell.'

Ryuu shook her head, trying to ignore the way her heart stuttered and got on with the rest of her work for the day. And, as usual, the dinner rush came. And, as usual, Hestia Familia was there to celebrate another successful trip into the Dungeon. They had acquired their newest member, the renard girl, and she seemed to be fitting in well. Ryuu hated what she was about to do next, but she knew it was only fair. And she would do anything for Syr.

"Mister Cranel," began Ryuu. When everyone turned to look at her, she felt her face flush. "I need to speak with you before you leave. Find me when your dinner is finished, and we will have a conversation."

She left before anyone could protest. The rest of the night, Ryuu waited tables and served food. The elf pointedly ignored any of the strange looks that Hestia Familia threw her way in favour of keeping her mind on the task at hand. So, eventually, when the day was finished, she was almost surprised to find that Bell had actually stuck around. He stood there, awkwardly, his weight shifting from foot to foot. As he did so, Ryuu's heartbeat picked up.

"Mister Cranel, thank you for waiting," she said. Ryuu paused, unsure of how to continue. Finally, she decided to plunge forward. "Mister Cranel…that is, Bell…would you say that I have helped you a lot?"

Bell's face lit up like the sun.

"You have! You've helped me so much, and I really can't thank you so much!" said Bell.

Ryuu nodded. "Right, I've helped you a lot." She drew a deep breath. "And I just…I do not want you to think I did it with some idea of compensation in mind…but I just…that is…."

Ryuu knew she was stammering, but she felt awful for acting this way. She felt heat rush through her body up to the very tips of her ears. It got all the worse when Bell grabbed her hands.

"Is everything ok, Ryuu? Do you need help with something?" he asked, voice laden with sincerity.

Ryuu, to her shame, nodded.

"Well…you see, there is a secret Santa that we do at the Hostess of Fertility…."

The following week, the staff of the Hostess closed the restaurant early. They all got their presents ready, with different boxes of varying sizes. Then, they all sat in a circle. Syr seemed incredibly excited, holding a box under her shoulder. Her eyes drifted over the presents everyone else held, almost like she was hungry. Ryuu felt the stares she got when she held no box. Except for Syr, who seemed more excited than usual.

"Alright, let's get this over with," said Mia. "Who wants to go first?"

"Oh! I will!" said Syr. She untucked the box and gave it to Mia. "This is for you, Mama!"

Mia opened it to find a cooking pot, just like she asked for. She gave Syr a nod, along with a tiny smile.

"Thank you very much," replied Mia. "That's very kind of you."

"Well, I suppose I'll go next then," said Lunoire, standing up.

Ryuu was glad someone else was going. Hopefully, if she waited long enough, everyone would get so distracted that she could tell Syr about her gift in private. Getting the date had been easy enough, after all. Bell complied if he seemed a little shocked and surprised.

"Here you go Syr," said Lunoire. "The earrings that you asked for. I called in a couple favours with Lady Demeter, but I got it done."

The human seemed pleased with herself and the gift that she had bought. Which Ryuu would've been fine with if not for…

"Nya hold on just a second, nyan!" screamed Chloe, bolting up. "I'm the nyan one who drew Syr, nyat you!"

Lunoire frowned. "Now listen here, you stupid cat, I picked Syr; I've got the paper to prove it."

Lunoire produced her piece of paper with the name Syr on it. Chloe stared at it silently before grabbing her own slip of paper, also with the name Syr written on it. Slowly, the rest of the Hostess turned towards Syr, a growing discontentment evident in their eyes. Chloe and Lunoire were the first to speak up.

"You dirt humanyan! You tricked us!" shouted Chloe, wagging an accusatory finger.

Syr said nothing except breaking down in giggles.

"Teeheehee, oh well, was a nice prank, though, right?" she said, mischief in her eyes.

Lunoire growled before putting her fist through a table.

"I'm keeping the earrings," she said.

"And I'm keeping this adorable dress nyan!" said Chloe, walking upstairs.

Everyone followed suit, except Ryuu. Even Mama Mia walked away, not before giving a few stern words to the gray-haired waitress.

"You will get everyone here a gift of their choice, got that?" said Mia. "And you'll pay for it on your own. And don't give me no excuses; we both know that you can get whatever you want."

Syr nodded, the smile still on her face. She didn't seem upset at being caught or buying everyone gifts. She still seemed to be over the moon. Syr walked up to Ryuu.

"Well, that all went about as expected," she said to the elf. "But you're still here, and I don't see you carrying a box. So, when is my date with Bell?"

In return, Ryuu frowned. She had risked a lot to get Syr her gift. Including pushing down her pride and asking Bell one of the most embarrassing questions of her life.

"You're not going on a date with Bell," was the elf's reply. "I am. Mister Cranel is now going to take me out for dinner."

Ryuu turned away as Syr started protesting behind her.

"Now wait for a second, Ryuu! You can't mean…I mean…that is to say!"

The End

Hestia snickered as she finished the quilted square. It was a well-detailed image of an elf with green hair having dinner with a boy with white hair.

"Well," said Hestia. "That's what she gets for lying like that." Hestia looked up. "Remember, the holidays are about being honest with the people you care about and not looking out for yourself." The tiny Goddess beamed. "So, go out and have fun, but do it with others!"