Nami
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The small village of Cocoyashi never really felt very festive; the warm temperate climate never allowing the snow and frost that festive images had assumed were meant to occur.
It always annoyed the young Nami, she wanted the experience her books showed her. With a big tree decorated by a warm fire, and all those lovely expensive gifts. Bellemere was far too tight with their money for such things. They'd never had a tree, or decorations, and she knew her gifts were just Nojiko's old toys re-painted and wrapped.
Dust floated up from the floor as Nami kicked the street, meandering back to the farm. Reading the festive tale made her angry and when she complained to Bellemere, the inevitable fight began, so she stormed off to cool down. But now she felt guilty; they may not have much but they always try so hard. Still, it was difficult to ignore the image in her head, of the three of them with Genzo, sitting down for a turkey feast. The villagers wished her yuletide greetings as she passed, but lost in her own fantasies, she ignored them.
The fantasies were halted as she reached the bottom of the orange fields.
Small garlands of ribbons and tinsel lined the shrubbery up to her house, and like a trail she followed it. A wreath was on the door, just like the one in her picture book. Gently pushing it aside, Nami entered her home and felt her breath get taken away.
There were no firs on Commi Island, but a palm tree looked resplendent decked with lights and small decorations. Garlands of foliage and berries decorated the hearth and there was a small bundle of presents under the tree. The warm scent of oranges and cloves hung in the air, and Nami could see the modest sized bird covered in the fruit and cooking in the oven. And at the table, with Nami's book open beside them, were her sister and her mother, big grins on their faces.
"We couldn't get the snow, or the tree, but we thought this would be okay. Did we get it right?" The blue haired girl asked her sister, grinning from ear to ear. Nami was speechless.
Bellemere picked up her youngest daughter and gave her a brief hug.
"I'm sorry for shouting earlier, you were right. This is a time to celebrate, so we have to make the effort money or no. Do you like it?"
Nami nodded, hiding her embarrassed face in her mother's shoulder. All afternoon she'd been resenting them, while they were busy making this the best Christmas ever.
As Nojiko pushed her some gifts to open – her favourite map-drawing pen, repaired with a new nib for better accuracy, Nami didn't care that there was no snow, or expensive gifts, or big feast. Her family were there and they loved her.
And later, when Genzo arrived with toys for them and a goose for dinner that made it even better. Even if he did get angry when he saw her gifts to them; that she'd stolen from his house earlier that week. Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean she's going to waste her own money on gifts.
...