(500 years before/Aletta on Torna)

It was dark at the harbor. Mythra sat on the quay wall, letting her feet dangling into the cloud sea, looking out into the night. In her back there was a golden shimmer coming from a Christmas tree with its lit candles reflecting on golden ornaments. The beautiful star on top was shining like a real star in the night.

An image of a tree like that had been in the same book from which Addam had taken the recipe for the gingerbread men.

There had also been songs and traditional rhymes for a Christmas celebration and a longish explanation on Christmas traditions, including presents being put under a tree. Somehow the innocent gingerbread man baking had turned into a full festivity.

Lora and Brighid had decorated a tree with ornaments Addam and Hugo had crafted. Jin had prepared some Christmas roast and Minoth had organized paper and ribbons to wrap up some last-minute presents everyone hastily had organized. All of them seemed to have a lot of fun doing all of this. As if there were not more urgent and serious matters on their schedule.

Well, not long ago Mythra had actually enjoyed all of this hustle about Christmas, too. But now she was sitting here in the dark at the dock of the bay, her feet dangling into the cloud sea… sulking.

"Here you are."

Addam went up to his Aegis and sat down next to her. In his hand he held something that looked like a brick with seabird droppings on it. And to be honest, it had quite the same taste. Addam had tried Mythra's cake, despite better knowledge and his own expectations.

Having a blade like Mythra was not easy, not just because of her cooking style. To Addam it still felt like he was missing something very important, a key to unlock her. They were getting better as a team. They were getting closer and more familiar with each other. But still, it did not feel completely right. There was something missing, and Addam was trying very hard to find this something to improve their situation.

Mythra gave him a look. "Yes. Here I am."

Addam sighted and stared into the night just like she had done before. "If there is anything on your mind…", he started.

"Actually, there is", Mythra cut him off.

"Being…?"

"Why did I get chocolate, fishcake, a cookbook and a pouch?"

"Well, you like chocolate and fishcakes, right?", Addam asked hesitatingly. "The pouch looked very… handy to me and the cookbook, well, I mean, obviously someone is supporting your interest in, um, cooking."

"Yes, but", Mythra replied impatiently, "Lora got a ribbon, a talisman and even a pendant."

"So?" Addam was truly clueless as to where this was going.

"Am I not as beautiful a woman as she is?"

"Oh." That was where this was going. "You feel… unappreciated?"

"I like beautiful things, too, you know", Mythra said. "I am not just all about food."

"I see." Addam stated matter of fact. "I did not consider you would like to get some fancy… accessories."

"Well, I would have", Mythra said pointedly.

"So… anything in particular?", Addam asked.

"Well, it's too late, now", Mythra said sour.

"True, but there is going to be another Christmas next year", Addam pointed out.

"You think so?"

"Why not? When we have beaten Malos and settle down…"

Mythra stared into the night without a reply.

"Well, what do you want for your next Christmas? A brooch? A necklace?"

"A scarf", Mythra decided after a moment's thought.

"A scarf…"

"A silk scarf", the Aegis specified. "In colors matching my clothes. Gold and green, with core crystal ornaments embroidered."

"I will see, what I can…"

Addam did not finish what he was about to say. Mythra turned her head. She had noticed, too. There was a shadow standing next to this pile of boxes not far away from them. Addam got up.

"Hello? Who goes there?"

Mythra got up on her feet, too, preparing for a fight. But all stayed quiet. Back at the Christmas tree, Lora and Haze were singing a song together, with Brighid falling into tune. But otherwise, nothing was to be heard. And the shadow seemed to have disappeared.

"I just thought", Addam started.

"So did I", Mythra said.

"Well, the night is dark", Addam replied. But he felt unsure. He could have sworn someone had been standing over there.

"Anyway, let's get back to the others", Addam went on after a moment's pause. "There is more… cake to be had."