(500 years later/Mymoma Playhouse, Fonsa Myma on Uraya)

"You want to do what?", Cole asked in disbelieve. He nearly lost his usually eloquence and couldn't believe what the boy driver of the Aegis was proposing to him.

"We would like to… rent your stage room for a private gathering", Rex repeated what he had just told the playwright. "It's going to be a Christmas party and it will have to be taken place today."

"With a tree?", Cole asked.

"Yes", Rex said.

"Oh. Writing man knows about the Christmas thingy?", Tora asked.

"Well, let's say", Cole began. "I heard about it… once."

He looked over to Pyra who showed no signs of recognition. But surely, she must somehow have access to Mythra's memory. She had recognized him when first they met again after those 500 years. And he had significantly aged. So most likely she too remembered this Christmas party 500 years ago, with Addam, Lora, Jin and Hugo. The memory to Cole was bittersweet.

"It's just for one evening", Rex said rather apologetically.

"You are invited, too", Pyra said and smiled at him.

"There will be cake", Tora added.

"And presents", Poppy added furthermore.

As if Cole would care for cake and presents. But he could not get the image of his happy comrades out of his head on this special night 500 years ago, one last peaceful evening with all of them being together. Maybe…

"Well, if it is of such importance to you", Cole decided. "You have my blessing. There will be no performance this evening anyway."

He coughed slightly and leaned his back against the wall, to rest for a moment. This was going to be his last Christmas obviously. So, why not let them have the same fun Addam and the others had had? And why not get a bit sentimental now at the end of his life, too?

"You have a tree?", he asked when he had gathered his breath again.

"No…", Rex began.

"But you can leave that to the Zekenator", Zeke said with utter conviction. "Pandoria and I will get you the most beautiful Christmas tree ever to be had."

"Then I will better start preparing the cake", Pyra said.

Brighid turned to Morag. "I found a recipe for gingerbread fish in my diary that I once wrote down", she told her driver. "They seem to be a traditional cookie for this Christmas."

Cole broke into a cough. He cleared his throat. "If I remember correctly, it was supposed to be gingerbread men. A gingerbread fish sounds rather…"

"… unconventional", Pyra finished. She smiled warmly at Cole. "But a bit variation would not hurt anyone, wouldn't it?"