(Meanwhile… at Uraya)
"Guys. Guys. I just found out the most wonderful thing." Adenine was dancing around the eating table in the center of the Garfont Mercenaries' headquarter. In her hands she was holding a book, in which she had been reading until now.
Rex, Nia, Zeke, Tora and even Morag exchanged glances between each other. They knew by now the things Adenine could get excited about: The discovery of a new word, an old withered away stone, an ancient handle of a pot… you never knew. However, one thing was for sure, none of them truly found her 'discoveries' only half as interesting as she did.
Pyra finally had pity. "Oh? What is it?", she showed some interest.
Adenine put the book down on the table with a lofty gesture accompanied by a loud bang. The table shook. Soup spilled. Rex caught an apple before it could roll of the table.
"Christmas", Adenine stated.
Silence followed this announcement.
"Christmas", Rex repeated clueless.
"It is wonderful", Adenine went on enthusiastically. "There is a tree involved with marvelous ornaments on it, beautifully wrapped presents, some cake and songs. It is an ancient tradition, and we unambiguously need to revive it."
"A tree?", Nia asked irritated.
On the pages of the now open book on the table was a picture of a fir tree with colorful ball ornaments, a golden chain, and candles. On it's top a golden star was gleaming.
"It looks pretty", Morag stated.
"But strictly speaking this does not make any sense", Zeke commented. "I mean… a tree with" – he made a swish with his hands – "gold and glimmer on it. What is it for?"
"To put the presents underneath, of course", Adenine explained.
"What presents?", Rex asked.
"Oh. They are brought by a person called Santa Claus", Adenine was more than happy to explain further. "He brings presents to all who have been good and sound."
"That seems… nice", Morag said choosing her words carefully, "but, you know, Adenine, that such a person does not…"
"Oh, but that is the wonderful thing about Christmas", Adenine interrupted her. "The presents are actually from your family… friends in our case. We give presents to each other. But because they must be from Santa Claus, no one will be told from whom the presents truly are. It will remain a mystery."
"So, you are proposing…", Zeke began.
"Yes, we will put up such a tree here in the center of our encampment, trim and decorate it and put the presents underneath it – surreptitiously and clandestinely, of course. And then we will all gather, sing those songs and unwrap the presents."
"Well…", Rex said, looking for help from his friends and comrades. "That… sounds like fun?"
"Cake, too?", Tora asked hopefully.
"I like presents", Pandoria said, looking over Zeke's shoulder at the book.
"This might be a nice thing to try", Morag said.
Rex looked at Pyra. "What do you think?"
The Aegis seemed to be absorbed in thought. "I", she began hesitatingly. "Mythra has…"
"Cake", Tora intervened. "What about this cake thing?"
Pyra looked up and a smile showed at her face. "Yes, cake we will have, too. Actually, I think, this time I will prepare it, though."
"This time?", Rex asked.
But Pyra seemed not to hear him. "I need raisins, and brandy, and marzipan."
"Brandy?", Zeke and Morag echoed.
"Pyra make nice cake", Tora said full of anticipation. "Maybe add some sausage, too?"
Pyra hesitated. "I don't know, Tora. But maybe we better stick with the original recipe. It might be… safer."
