December 31st, 1205

8:44 pm

"How big a piece would you like, Neithardt?" asked Elliot as he placed the roast in the newly-empty middle of the table.

"Shouldn't the gen- your father go first?" asked Neithardt. Even at the general's insistence, it still felt strange to not refer to him by rank.

Fiona spoke up from the kitchen before Elliot could say anything. "If my father goes first, there won't be any left for the rest of us," she called out.

Olaf turned and pouted at her, as much of her as was visible through the doorway at least. "You can't blame an old man for being hungry, can you? Especially after I skipped dinner yesterday."

"I'm sure you more than made up for it with breakfast," came the response.

"He had breakfast with you?" Elliot asked as he carved. "He told me that he'd been waiting for me to wake up so we could have breakfast together." He side-eyed his father as he held a slice out for Neithardt.

Olaf crossed his arms and harrumphed. "Can you believe this?" he said, looking at Fie. "Prosecuting an old man for wanting to spend time with his children."

Neithardt shook his head and accepted Elliot's proffered meat allowing him to serve the next person in line.

"Just a rege for me," Fiona said as she returned to the dining room with a pair of bottles. "Who'd like some wine?" she asked as she started filling Sara's glass.

"None for me thanks," said Sara. "I don't feel like drinking tonight."

"Oh!" Fiona pulled the bottle back in surprise. Her expression turned into a beaming smile, making Sara frown.

"You don't have to look so surprised," she muttered under her breath as she turned her gaze to the meal before her.

Xeno lifted a finger. "I'll take it if she doesn't want it," he said. Fiona nodded and swapped his empty glass for Sara's full one.

"Why'd you come home so late anyways?" Elliot asked his father, having finally made his way around the table.

"Cleaning the proving grounds took longer than I thought," said Olaf.

"Don't you have custodians?" asked Xeno.

Olaf nodded. "We do, but I let them go to catch an early train."

Leonidas raised his brow. "You cleaned the entire base by yourself? Impressive."

"No, no," Olaf said as he shook his head. "They did most of it, I just finished up for them. All the other work was done and everyone else had already left, so I figured I might as well let their vacation start early as I could. They had more than earned it."

"How gracious," said Leonidas.

"Boss used to do the same," said Fie. "Always made sure he was the last one to leave whenever we went on vacation."

Neithardt scoffed lightly, a flash of annoyance in his eyes.

"Do you have something to say, Major?" asked Leonidas.

"Not at all," he said with a sip of his wine. "I was just surprised to hear the comparison. I wouldn't have expected such actions from a Jaeger."

Leonidas' eyes seemed to be narrowing into a glare, but instead chose to close. "And what, exactly, is that supposed to mean?"

"Just what I said."

"Hmm." Leonidas opened his eyes. "Would you have done it?"

Neithardt bristled. "Of course I would!"

"He nearly did," Olaf chimed in. "I had to order him off the base when his work was finished so he could start his vacation on time."

Leonidas nodded. "So why not expect it of the boss? He's a soldier as much as you are."

Neithardt glared at Leonidas, only Fiona's discreet hand on his knee keeping his voice level. "With all due respect," he said, his tone making perfectly what he thought that amount was, "Soldiers are nothing like you. We are a shield for the people; not a sword for the highest bidder."

"Is that so?" Leonidas raised an eyebrow. "So tell me, who were those men fighting alongside me in the Civil War? I'm surprised so many Jaegers got their hands on Erebonian military uniforms."

"Those men were doing their best with the information given to them," Neithardt said through gritted teeth. "The betrayal of certain nobles can not be blamed on those who trusted them."

"Absolutely. But," Leonidas said, "There comes a point where even the most trusting must know they are in the wrong. Celdic was not burned by Jaegers alone."

"The razing of Celdic was done by criminals, not soldiers," said Neithardt. "They became as such the moment they accepted the order."

"Morality does not change in an instant. Do you really think that every soldier in the entirety of Erebonia who would have accepted that order just happened to be in the Kreuzen Provincial Army?"

Neithardt gripped the edge of the table, resisting the urge to slam his fist down. "If you are accusing-"

"I am accusing no one," said Leonidas. "But you can not pretend that every member of the army in Erebonia is a beacon of honor, only in it to serve their countrymen. Even ignoring those in it for power; how many are just trying to feed their families, or see it as a career path like any other? How many see dying as just a job hazard as opposed to potentially saving the lives of others?"

"Regardless of why they do it; they have all made the choice to serve."

"Yes, they have. But you can not act like that tells you thing one about who they are as a person. Or do you expect all generals to do as Olaf did, staying behind to let their men relax more?"

"Of course not," said Neithardt.

"Exactly. You can't assume every soldier to be as honorable as he is, any more than you can assume a Jaeger is not. And my boss, is." Leonidas turned his attention back to his plate.

Neithardt glared at Leonidas, his fingers digging into the table cloth like he was trying to rip it."The general is ten times the ma-"

"My friend, I will thank you not to defend me on my behalf," said Olaf, wiping his lips with a napkin. "Please."

Neithardt's face reddened. He leaned back, mumbling an apology.

"It's not me you have to apologize to," Olaf said. His attention then turned to Leonidas. "I have heard of the type of man Rutger Claussell was. The comparison honors me. You are correct," his face turned rueful, "Despite on-going attempts to weed out those whom enlist for the wrong reasons, and to make it so people aren't driven to sign on by desperation, we still have more of both cases than I would like to admit. All I can do is take care of the men around me and try to keep them on the proper path."

"It's a credit to your leadership, that your men are so willing to defend you," said Leonidas.

Olaf smiled. "Thank you. Though, the zeal might be an issue," he said, looking at Neithardt.

Neithardt broke the eye contact, putting more food on his plate to hide his embarrassment. "I was out of line. I am… sorry, Leonidas."

"It is alright," said Leonidas. "I can not pretend your dislike of my occupation is unfounded."

"More wine?" asked Fiona.

"Please," said both of them, getting their glasses refilled.

9:22 pm

"Papa, no," said Fiona.

Olaf turned to his daughter with a pout. "Oh, come on. It's New Year's, what's so bad about an old man indulging in a single extra piece of pie."

"Dad, you've had four," Elliot chimed in.

Neithardt had never seen his commanding officer look so betrayed. Olaf slumped in his chair, defeated. "I can't wait to have grandchildren," he said. "Sweet little grandchildren who would never begrudge an old man his pie."

"Why wait?" muttered Elliot, in a tone low enough it could only be heard by Fiona. "If you retired you'd probably have grandchildren within a year."

Fiona's response was to gently smile while swiftly, but subtly, kicking him under the table.

"Fie, are you sure you wouldn't like any pie?" offered Olaf. "You've only had the bits you nibbled off of Elliot's."

Fie shook her head. "Thanks, but I'm good," she said. "I don't wanna be too full to dance."

"Ah, of course," said Olaf, leaning back in his chair with a smile. "I remember how Liana and I would dance during the festivities in the plaza. I can't imagine a better way to get excited for the new year."

"It's a lot of fun," Fiona said. "Will you be going this year, Papa?"

Olaf sighed and shook his head. "Sadly 'vacation' is a loose term in my occupation. I have to show my face at the palace. With it being the one year anniversary of the end of the civil war, my attendance has been highly 'encouraged'. That's one area in which I envy Jaegers; not having to deal with the drudgery of respectable politics."

Neithardt frowned. "I was not informed of this."

"You are young, Neithardt. You deserve to enjoy it while it lasts. I've told them not to expect you. Don't worry, I'll be back in time for the fireworks. A friend of mine is out of town and offered me the use of his backyard to watch them. It's on a hill; perfect view."

Neithardt sighed. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Fiona smile her smallest smile, the one that only appeared when she was trying to hide it.

"I think I've heard of this; in Dreichels Plaza, right?" Xeno asked. He turned to look at Leonidas. "Seems like a lot of fun. What do you think, feel like checking it out?"

Leonidas shook his head. "I would prefer to return to my room and rest before the countdown."

Sara's eyebrow rose. "Really, that's where she got it from?" she thought.

Xeno shrugged. "Okay. I'll tell you all about it when I get back."

"I was planning to attend as well," said Fiona. "If you'd like, I'd be happy to guide you. And you two as well." She gestured to Neithardt and Sara. "Should you care to attend, that is."

Neithardt was good at keeping a smile from his lips, but his eyes were a different matter. "Thank you, Fiona."

Sara smiled nostalgically. "I haven't been to that in years," she said. "I'm definitely going."

Fiona nodded to both of them and rose from the table. "Then I'd better get started clearing up. Elliot, could you help me put the food away?"

"Yeah, no problem," said Elliot.

The leftovers were quickly stored. Fiona celebrated by pouring herself a glass of sparkling cider and returning to the main group. They had moved from the dining room into the adjacent living room. Her friend, her father, her lover, and Leonidas had all settled on the couches, swapping stories of great deeds and exotic locales.

Leaning against the wall next to the fireplace and conspicuously not taking part, was Xeno.

"Mind if I join you?" asked Fiona.

"Feel free," said Xeno.

Fiona leaned against the wall next to him. "Something wrong?"

Xeno shrugged. "Nah. Just not really a fan of swapping stories. Lots of fun to tell but hearing them's kind of a snooze."

Fiona nodded. Neither of them had a follow-up. There was a clear view of part of the kitchen from where they were standing, just enough to see Elliot and Fie talking and smiling as they loaded the dishwasher together in their own little world. "I'm surprised you didn't say anything about her outfit," Fiona said. She giggled slightly. "I remember the first time I wore a miniskirt. I was fifteen and nearly gave my dad a heart attack."

Xeno chuckled. "See, if those stories," he said, gesturing at the people talking on the couches, "Were more like that one, I'd be way more interested."

Fiona giggled behind her fingertips and took another sip of cider.

Through the doorways they saw Fie sneak a kiss as Elliot straightened up from putting dishes in the machine. He smiled and grabbed a handful of her hair, twisting it around his fist in a practiced motion. A firm tug turned her smiling face skywards, making it easy for him to repay her in kind.

"You ever suddenly realize your sibling has a sex life?" Xeno asked, making Fiona choke on her cider.

Neithardt immediately rose to help her, only for Fiona to wave him back down. "Not in so many words," she said, coughing slightly.

"I always knew that it would happen, I guess I just kind of figured it would be when she was an adult. That all of the growing would happen at once," said Xeno.

Fiona nodded, regaining her composure. "Yeah, I know how you feel. You'd go to sleep and they'd be a kid and when you woke up they'd have a job and a mortgage."

Xeno hummed his agreement. "And she's not an adult, not at all."

"Yeah." Fiona leaned heavily against the wall. "Neither of them are."

"Mmm." Silence fell once more as they watched their siblings finish loading. "They're cute together," said Xeno.

Fiona sighed and hung her head slightly. "They are."

"And, now that they're done, we can head to that party," Xeno said as he peeled himself off the wall.

Fiona caught Neithardt's eye and smiled. "Can't wait."