Yang's hand shot up to her neck where Jaune's head had been. When she felt it she also felt her face growing pale. She quickly excused herself and made her way to the bathroom. As she looked in the mirror she saw purple bruise located where her neck meet with her shoulder. It was small and about the shape of a circle. Surrounding it was a ring of red flesh, at first Yang had no idea what caused it until she remembered that Jaune had grown out a mustache and goatee during his time in Vacuo.
Her first instinct was to curl up into a ball and hope that no one noticed her forever. But she knew that wouldn't help. The sharks smelled blood and she needed to give them someone else. She could easily feed Jaune to the savage but she just told him that it wasn't his fault, what kind of message would it send for her to then turn around and throw him to the wolves. No she needed something else.
Then it hit her. A few smells she almost missed. Smells that in their own wouldn't stand out but collectively carried a very serious implication. Making her way back to the dinner table deliberately hanging her hair over her other shoulder as though she were daring someone to ask about it.
When she sat down at the table the irony of her being teased was not lost upon her however she refused to allow the others to do her job. "So" she started looking at Pyrrha "Why do you smell so much like Luke?"
With this question Pyrrha's mind gave way to a extremely possessive and territorial warrior, "and how do you know what Luke smells like?" as she spoke she rose from her seat and began to glare at Yang with eyes that could burn through the first seven layers of hell and char the eighth. This was the response Yang wanted as it meant that she was right.
After all, Pyrrha wouldn't get territorial over just anyone, not even just her partner. No this was a new kind of fire. And to get her answer she looked to Martin who was being slid farther away from the arguing women. " Martin" Yang said in a voice clearly meant for children " where did you sleep last night. Baby?"
Martin answered in less than a moment with " With daddy and mo.. Pyrrha". The absolute amount of adorable overload that was caused when Martin almost called Pyrrha mommy aside.
Pyrrha and Luke were together last night and Martin just confirmed it. This led to Pyrrha's face turning redder than her hair. And Luke was disturbingly enough unaffected by this revelation and simply slipped his arm around Pyrrha's shoulders and gently guided her back to her seat.
There was a moment of silence among the group as there was nothing to speak of. Then there was a knock at the door and Jorge went to answer it. Once they heard the door open there was a burst of loud and rich laughter that could have only been from Jorge as he greeted whoever was at the door.
When he returned he was followed by a man who could have been his brother for they looked so akin to one another. They were separated by one key difference. Jorge had a majestic beard that covered the lower portion of his face while his companion only had a light stubble. " everyone" Jorge said " this is Orin Telmarvak, my baby cousin." this garnered a swift response from Orin who tried to bring his right elbow up and connect it with Jorge's jaw. Only for Jorge to counter with a modified hammerlock making Orin tap out in two seconds.
"I told you to stop calling me that." Orin groused as he sat down at the table and was instantly swarmed by several of Jaune's sisters. They were all asking him how he was and if he had brought them anything. Orin gave off a hearty laugh that brought a smile to Jorge's face. And Orin began to reach into his bag that he had carried in with him.
He began withdrawing packages for each of them. Catherine was first and as she opened her's she smiled before holding it out the 9-inch combat knife Orin had gotten her. Next was Jacqueline.
She opened her's and her Jaw seemed to hit the floor as she reached in she pulled out a receipt. She looked a little shocked as she read what it said. "This is a receipt for an Atlas tech 7830XII Microscope. Orin, these aren't even released yet how did you?"
Orin cut her off by saying "it should arrive in a day or two and as for how. Well, I have friends in rather high places" looking now to Jean she opened the box and smiled withdrawing a candle that had the picture of two crossed rifles on it.
She opened it and breathed deeply while giving off a pleased sigh. "GSR," Orin said.
Next was Romee who also smiled broadly as she opened the gift and produced an arousal can. She looked at him and gave a simple polite "thank you". Upon receiving a confused look he explained that she was mad about Petra and Katelyn's room smelling so he got her the strongest air freshener that you can legally own. So this left Petra, Katelyn, and Corvette.
Petra was given a pair of fitting combat boots. (with steel toes. Not that anyone needed to know that) Katelyn was given an expandable baton that had a secret knife blade that expands out of the end.( that function was disabled and would only be activated when he deemed her mature enough for the responsibility).
Finally was Corviste who received a pair of polymer gauntlets they were lightweight but still tough enough for the task. With all of the gifts given they all sat in the house and spent the day telling stories until it was late at night when they began to gather around the tree.
Jaune was anxious. And that was an understatement. He was still getting over the shock of what had happened the night before. and the morning after when he and his teams and all his sisters were gathered around the Christmas tree. tonight was tree night, when the Arc's and anyone else who was around sat by the tree and sang carols.
It was customary for Romerean to start however for obvious reasons he couldn't and in the following years it had fallen to Jaune or Jorge to start the singing. and with the face that Jorge was giving him, he knew it had to be him. he wasn't certain when he had sat down in the corner of the couch nearest the tree that he would end up here but that was unimportant now, now he needed to sing.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and prepared to sing. this was suddenly ended when he felt a weight lay across his chest. snapping open his eyes saw Yang in a bizarrely cuddly mood as she offered him a cup of hot chocolate. he took it and saw the rest of his family there.
Martin sitting between Luke and Pyrrha as had become a common sight. Nora practically sitting in Ren's lap. Ruby and Weiss were sitting with blake who was herself sitting by the fireplace. taking another breath and ignoring the feeling of Yang wrapping her arms around him he began to sing
Good king Wenceslas looked out on the feast of steven
when the snow lay round about deep and crisp and even
based on the odd glances he was getting from several of his teammates he knew that they never heard of this carol. that was alright most folks hadn't it was one that Jaune, Jorge, and
Catherine all knew that they normally sang it.
brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel
when a poor man came inside gathering winter fuel.
hither paige and stand by me if thou knowst it telling
yonder peasant who is he where and what his dwelling.
Jaune felt Yang stiffen briefly as he dropped his tone considerably in order to sing the part of the good king.
sire he lives a good league hence underneath the mountain
right against the forest fence by saint agnus fountain.
Bring me flesh and bring me wine,
bring me pine logs hither.
though and I shall see him dine when we bare them thither.
he felt her tense up once more as he again dropped his voice.
Paige and monarch forth they went, forth they went together
through the rude winds wild lament and the bitter weather
sire the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger
fails my heart I know not how I can go no longer.
mark my footsteps my dear paige tred thou in them boldly
Thou will find the winter's rage freeze thy blood less coldly
In his master's step he trod where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed
Therefore christian men be sure wealth or rank possessing
ye who will now bless the poor shall your selves find blessing.
Upon the conclusion of his song, he shifted his focus back to Yang who in turn snuggled a little tighter into his chest. He didn't know why she felt the need to cling to him at this time but he also knew that he was the only person who could be cuddled with that wasn't already being cuddled with.
He figured that she was sitting with the one person who would let her snuggle in close and relax. After a brief pause, it was Yang who began to sing. And her voice seemed to completely enrapture Jaune's attention.
He didn't notice at the time but he was silently snaking his arms around her as she sang and though he didn't notice, it widened the smile on her face and brightened her eyes up ever so slightly. He did not notice these things as he was preoccupied with listening to her sing as the notes cascaded forth from her in a wondrous way
What child is this that laid to rest, in mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
this , this is Christ our King
Haste, Haste to bring him Praise
The babe the son of Mary.
Jaune kept listening and failed to notice the knowing glance that Jorge was giving his mother. He was too captivated by Yang's gorgeous voice as she continued to sing. Nor did he notice his arms locking around her body as he held her in place.
So bring him incense, gold ,and myrrh.
Come peasant King to own him
The King of kings, salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
This, this is christ the King
Whom Shepherds guard and angels sing
The babe the son of Mary.
By the conclusion of Yang's song Jaune had wrapped both his arms around her and was holding her tightly to him. She wasn't sure when that had happened but she wasn't going to complain so she simply leaned into him and waited. She often sang that song for Ruby back when she was just a babe herself. After Summer died it was hard on everyone.
One year she even asked that Santa make sure that Ruby got what she wanted and that her dad would smile again. That Christmas they were visited by a professor from Beacon who used to work with her dad.
At the time she didn't know who he was but she would eventually realize that it was professor Port. And though she did eventually learn that, she never learned that he was also the Santa whom she had spoken to.
He had taken it upon himself to ensure that her wish was granted and he thankfully knew how. She pretended to be asleep but she heard them laughing downstairs that night.
It had been so long since her father had laughed that she almost didn't recognize it when she heard was also the year that she learned to sing that song and she had been using it to calm her sister down every Christmas Eve since.
Ruby was next to start singing as she felt it was her turn to bring action back to the night so she began to sing merrily
Frosty the snowman, was a jolly happy soul
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman, was a fairytale, they say
He was made of snow but the children know how they came to life that day
There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found.
For when they placed it on her head she began to dance around...
She stalled out when she forgot the words to the song. Weiss took this as her chance to retake the flow of the music with part of a song she once had to learn for one of her father's normally tried to not think of her father or the parties she was made to sing at but this was her family and she wanted them to hear her sing.
Oh come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
Oh come ye oh come ye to Bethlehem
Oh come and behold him, born the king of angels
Oh come let us adore him, oh come let us adore him, oh come let us adore him
Christ the Lord.
Weiss, having felt she did her part and not particularly wanting to continue that song due to the painful memories that came with it simply stopped at that line. Next she looked to Blake who at first gave her a death glare as she realized what the heiress wanted of her.
Weiss had caught her singing in the shower when Blake thought no one was around and was ever since trying to get her to sing. Blake had already threatened to eviscerate Weiss if she ever told anyone about her singing but as if by some Christmas miracle she too took a breath and began to sing an old carol her father had taught her.
We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star
Star of wonder, star of light, start with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown him again
King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.
Oh, star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding guide us to thy perfect light.
Blake looked back up from her lap where her eyes had been while she was singing. When she saw that everyone had a pleased smile on their faces she felt an unusually strong surge of confidence in her abilities and a burning desire to go beyond what she was doing.
Without warning she rose and began to perform the dance that was meant to accompany this song, she learned from her mother. As she began to twist and twirl both herself and her weapon's ribbon in time with her singing her continued.
Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising, worship him God most high
Oh, star of wonder, star of light, star of royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light
As Blake continued her voice shifted to a more somber tone as she sang.
Myrrh is mine its bitter perfume, breaths a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying. Sealed in a stone cold tomb.
Oh, oh, star of wonder, star of light, star of royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
As her song finished she looked and saw everyone smiling broadly at her and a few folks who were even clapping. Looking over to Pyrrha she saw that she had Martin in her lap and that he was seeming little sleepy.
Also realizing this and wanting Martin to stay awake for a little while longer Luke started to sing and Martin instantly perked up to listen to his father's voice as it sang out with a slight accent to it.
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the moorning.
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the moorning?
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day in the moorning.
Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the moorning?
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the moorning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the moorning.
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the moorning.
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the moorning.
Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day in the moorning.
When Luke finished singing Martin was definitely more awake than when he started. The next one to sing was Nora who choose to ride the momentum of Luke's happy song and leaped to her feet and started singing. About a one-horse open sleigh.
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!
Nora was singing at a mile a minute and looked like she may have had a stroke if she didn't stop to breath. she would have kept on singing however, Ren had snaked his arms around her and pulled her into her seat.
She was silently looked at Ren with a face of anticipation. Ren held Nora close and began to sing in a soft low voice
Silent night, Holy night,
All is calm, All is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, Holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Savior, is born!
Christ the Savior, is born!
Silent night, Holy night,
Son of God, Love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
By the end of the song, Nora was asleep in Ren's arms and Martin looked like he was well in his way. Taking advantage of the opening this provided Pyrrha began to sing in her sweet sing-song voice.
Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little lord jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay
The little lord jesus asleep on the hay.
By now Martin was asleep leaning on Pyrrha and Luke was slowly leaning over towards her and was sliding his arm around her waist. And she may have been sliding closer to him on the couch.
The cattle are lowing the baby awakes
But little lord jesus no crying he makes.
I love you lord jesus; look down from the sky
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me lord jesus i ask you to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, i pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
By the end of the song, Martin was comfortably asleep and Pyrrha was halfway sitting on Luke's lap.
With Martin and Nora, both asleep Jorge looked at Orin and gave him a knowing nod. Orin who seemed to understand the unspoken statement took a deep breath before he began to sing.
His voice while not what many would call very deep was deep enough that when combined with the odd way his voice seemed to carry dread made Yang shiver slightly and cling a little tighter to Jaune.
You're a mean one Mr. Grinch
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
And as charming as an eel,
Mr. Grinch!
You're a bad banana,
With a greasy black peel!
You're a monster, Mr. Grinch!
Your heart's an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders.
You've got garlic in your soul,
Mr. Grinch!
I wouldn't touch you
With a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!
You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch!
You're a nasty, wasty skunk!
Your heart is full of unwashed socks.
Your soul is full of gunk,
Mr. Grinch!
The three words that best describe you
Are as follows, and I quote,
"Stink, stank, stunk!"
You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch!
With a nauseous super naus!
You're a crooked jerky jockey,
And you drive a crooked hoss,
Mr. Grinch!
You're a three-decker sauerkraut
and toadstool sandwich,
With arsenic sauce!
He held the last note and held it well for almost 10 beats. After he seemed to have done his part he simply retreated back to where he was sitting in the corner.
This resulted in the Arc sister who were planning a majestic performance of angels we have heard on high all looking ready to go to bed and sleep. As such Jorge and Isaboa Arc began to sing oh Come, oh come Emmanuel.
However, there was a twist to it. Isaboa wasn't singing words she was simply singing keynotes that were at the right pitch and Jorge sang. But the notes that Jorge was singing shifted from notes so low that they were felt more than they were heard and notes that while they were heard were still felt. It also wasn't lost on Luke that Isaboa was moving closer to him with each passing verse. The part that no one saw coming was that Jorge was singing in Latin
Veni,veni, Emmanuel
Captivum solve Israel
Qui gemit in exilio
Privatus dei filio
Guade, Guade, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel
Veni, o sapientia
Quae hic disponis omnia
Veni, viam prudentiae
Ut doceas et gloriae
Guade, guade, emmanuel
Nascetur pro te Israel.
When he was finished everyone but Jaune, Isaboa, and Luke had fallen asleep. This included Yang and Pyrrha. Jaune looked worried at first. Mainly worried that she may try to kill him when she wakes up. So he chose to keep his hand firmly locked together around her stomach.
Luke seemed completely content to spend the night on the couch with Pyrrha and Martin so he got comfy and closed his eyes to sleep. Looking at the others Jorge and Isaboa saw Ruby, Weiss, and Blake all huddled together by the fireplace asleep in a pile.
Meanwhile, Ren and Nora were asleep together in a chair while Orin had slipped out when Jorge began to sing. Looking at them she quietly asked how he had gotten the reclusive ones to open up. With a silent chuckle, Jorge explained that he used a slight alteration within the force to give the less confident ones the confidence to continue.
When he looked back one last time he thought to himself that Team Rockslide may have the potential to be the most powerful team in recent memory.