"You really need to do something about your tree."
"But it's still Christmas!"
Law was not impressed by the navigator's insistence. They had started the… discussion a week ago, when she blankly refused to take down the Christmas tree and decorations. Each day had divested the tree of some of its pines and brought another coating of dust to rest gently on the decorations still hanging around.
Not that he demanded the same level of cleanliness on ships he visited as those he upheld on his own, but there was a line.
"We discussed this a week ago. Christmas ended with the twelve days of Christmas."
Nami folded her arms, looking Law defiantly in the eye. "Where I come from, Christmas doesn't end until Saint Knut's Day and Knut's Party. Twenty days after Christmas."
"It's a week more of Christmas," Usopp and Chopper sang, spinning around each other with linked arms. "It's a week more of joy! It's a week more of Christmas–"
Law sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What does this… Knut's party entail?"
"Fufufu," Robin laughed from her deck chair, finger marking her place in her latest book. "It's just a way of ending the season. Franky usually does some fireworks and we take down the Christmas decorations. And have a party, of course. It's quite lovely."
"Except the time Zoro dressed up as Krampus."
"Sorry," Nami grimaced. "I didn't know Chopper would be that upset."
"Zoro-ya did what?" Law's confusion was deepening with each sentence. He knew Krampus as something that turned up at the beginning of the season, not the end. "I hope he didn't spank anyone."
"He wasn't Krampus as such. It's a related spirit. But no-one can pronounce the real name and 'Krampus' is as close as we get." Robin shrugged at Law's puzzled face. "I am good at languages, but this was beyond my skills."
"It's a tradition from one of the islands close to Cocoyashi," Usopp explained. "According to legend, he comes on Knut's day and demands food in general and alcohol in particular. And unless he receives something from the host, he commits evil deeds. Perfect for Zoro."
"Oi!" The swordsman was apparently not as asleep as he looked, lounging against the mast with his hands folded behind his head and swords laying beside him.
Law's bewilderment must have been evident from the way Usopp sighed and shook his head.
"Zoro was wearing quite a scary birch bark mask, made to look like some kind of forest spirit." He paused, leaning closer towards Law. "And reindeer skins."
"I'm sorry," said Nami.
"As you should." Usopp narrowed his eyes at her. "You should have seen Chopper," he said, turning to Law. "He was… distraught."
"I still feel bad for it!" Nami's lower lip was wobbling and tears were gathering in her eyes. Law felt a stab of sympathy for the woman, although it warred with a greater wave for the miniature reindeer he had grown to respect.
"Just because reindeer skins is the traditional garb doesn't mean we have to do it exactly that way here. And no-one believes your pity party, so stop with the theatrics."
"Spoilsport." Magically, the woman's face was back to normal, no sign of distress evident.
Law grasped at something to get him back on track and understand what was happening. Luffy and Chopper were now circling the Christmas tree, a hungry look in their eyes.
"But what's this Knut's party then, if not Krampus coming to town?"
"The Christmas tree needs to be taken down. And the candy decorations eaten up," Robin said with a light smile. "It starts when the sun goes down."
Law looked at the sadly drooping branches of the previously splendid fir, tinsel hanging like limp noodles from bare branches and baubles no longer sparkling and jolly. Here and there, a candy cane hang like wilted flowers and the gingerbread decorations were starting to look a bit dodgy. He nodded gravely. "Yes, I can see the need."
Chopper and Luffy were vibrating with excitement now. Usopp and Nami stood a bit back, although Law still saw a certain tension in the navigator's shoulders. So she wasn't as unaffected as she'd like people to think…
When the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the horizon, a mighty thunderclap cut through the sky and a small cascade of fireworks exploded above.
"Let the Christmas tree plundering commence!"
And chaos descended.
And the last bonus chapter! I hope you enjoyed these snippets of holiday cheer and the musings of when the season really ends :)
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