A/N: Again, this extra is all you get this week. This is kind of bad because this really probably goes better with Turn 32, which you obviously haven't read yet. But, alas, it still should all makes sense. Just don't complain when Turn 32 comes and I go a little bit backwards from this. Anyway, let's get the fun started
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. I do own my characters.
Setting: Somewhere in the middle of Turn 32.
Megami wore a smile as she emerged into the halls of Castle Amarantha one particular day. This may seem strange. Megami had nothing to smile about at this place. It was darkness, threats, and horror that populated the castle's walls. The outlook was grim to say the least. But Megami Subarashii wasn't the type who liked to remain sad. She liked to distance herself from sadness, maybe hide from it. Even in a horrible situation, you can find a little happiness sometimes, she liked to think. Besides, this particular day was Christmas.
Megami was dressed in a sexy female Santa costume, complete with hat. A large sack was draped over her arm. It had been hard to ask that woman for permission to leave the castle to buy presents. Megami almost found herself unable to, but her desire to put a smile where one hadn't been in weeks now, on the face of Chiharu Ohgi won out in her heart. She had been shopping with Signa Norrell (for whom she bought cookies) the previous day, and now had gifts to give out. She moved briskly and finally found the open dining hall; she peered in and saw that Chiharu was inside, amongst others. She slipped in.
All eyes instantly focused on her. Chiharu's mouth went agape with horror. Naida snickered. Lucrecia smiled. Lazarus frowned. Philip just nodded in a strange fashion. Megami smiled at them and took a seat next to Chiharu.
"Megami, what's this about?" asked Chiharu, tentatively.
"Nothing, I just thought I'd spread some Christmas cheer," said Megami with a smile.
"Is this really appropriate?" said Chiharu in a downcast voice. "There's nothing to be cheerful about."
"Come on, Chiharu. Everything sucks, true. But, that doesn't mean we can't smile every so often, that we can't try and make the best of this horrible situation," said Megami in a somber voice.
"I don't…" Chiharu started. "I know what you're trying to do… but this time… I don't know if it's right…"
"Gee, you have something against Christmas?!" Megami declared with a hufd, surprising Chiharu, who stared a her peculiarly.
"No… not really…" said Chiharu. "This just doesn't' feel like a holiday… not like this…"
"Ah, just shut up and open your present," said Megami fumbling around her bag and pulling out a medium sized colorfully wrapped box. She handed it to Chiharu.
"You know I don't have anything to give you in return," said Chiharu staring down at the box and then up at Megami.
"Oh? That's too bad…" said Megami with a playful snicker. "I can think of a few things you might be able to give me tonight…."
"You've really snapped haven't you?" Chiharu said shaking her head. She tore into the wrapping paper.
"I didn't do this to get anything in return. I just wanted to make you smile, Chiharu," said Megami with a nod as the girl revealed the simple white box.
"I see…" said Chiharu as she opened the box. "Now--"
Chiharu froze up entirely as she peered down at the contents. She looked up at Megami, shock on her face as her eyes narrowed.
"What the hell is this, Megami?!" she demanded as she held up a barely there bra and a matching thong, both made of an almost see-through black material.
"You don't like it?" Megami snickered.
"There's something seriously wrong with you," said Chiharu starting to blush a little as her anger subsided. She threw the box to the floor. This caused some of the tissue paper lining the box to move about, revealing something else at the bottom.
"I'm sorry," Megami laughed. Chiharu quickly picked up the other item inside the box. A very small smile crept onto her face as she lifted the latest of knightmare combat video games.
"Thank you," she said quietly, a somberness in her eyes, even as the smile widened just slightly.
"Ooh. Did you get me something too, big sister?!" an excited Lucrecia Harrison saw her moment to enter the conversation and did so, sitting atop Megami's lap. Even if she had become far more twisted over the years, Megami couldn't bring herself to hate Lucrecia even now. She was that woman's slave, but she was still, at least somewhere inside, Megami's little sister.
"Of course," said Megami smiling as she held the child steadily and fished in her bag for a present. She handed it to the girl.
"Yay!" Lucrecia called as she tore into it, until it was just a box, which she opened. She pulled out a large stuffed animal. "What is this stupid thing?" she started bitterly.
"It's a stuffed mongoose," said Megami, smiling. "You used to always like cute toys like that."
"Yeah, when I was stupid baby!" Lucrecia huffed, angry, jumping off from Megami's lap. "You give her panties, and I get this garbage?! It's not fair!"
"Uh… sorry," said Megami.
"You can have these if you want," said Chiharu holding out her new sexy lingerie. The girl took it eagerly.
"Umm… I'm not sure a girl her age should be wearing that…." said Megami tentatively.
"Shut up! I'm old enough to wear whatever I want," Lucrecia huffed cutely, blushing as she held the tiny fabric. She looked at Chiharu and in a low voice said, "Thank you…"
"Whatever," said Megami, shaking her head and standing. She walked over to Naida. "Here you go," she said as she pulled a box from her bag and placed it before the woman.
Naida opened it eagerly, pulling out a copy of the latest handheld version of the knightmare combat video game and a small jar of mixed nuts.
"Awesome. You've always been good at this, As--" the girl stopped herself mid word. "Thank you, Meg."
"No problem," Megami smiled and nodded. She then pulled an unwrapped ceramic unicorn from her bag and placed it in front of Philip. "Merry Christmas."
Philip stared at it in awe, unable to say anything.
"I'm sorry, I didn't really get you anything, Priest," said Megami, glancing at Lazarus.
"Look at you all, using this holy day for your pathetic self-gratification. An unforgivable sin," said Lazarus coldly. "It's apparent that you sinner have all forgotten the true meaning of Christmas!"
"Hey, Laz, I got a present for you if you shut up," said Naida standing and walking over the man, a hand going into her coat pocket.
"Nonsense! Today is a day of penitence and prayer; your naïve gift giving ritual deviates from the point of this glorious day! I will not play such a game," Lazarus scoffed with finality.
"You sure about that?" Naida said, brandishing a small piece of cloth. The man looked at it. He recognized it about the same time as Megami did.
"Very well," Lazarus said taking the piece of cloth, a small pair of cute panties, from Naida and becoming quiet.
"T-that's my--" a small voice started, partly hushed by embarrassment. Soon Lucrecia was barreling across the room, intent to kill consuming her. She of course tripped and fell as she did, her skirt flipping up to reveal the panties she was currently wearing, holiday themed white with red trim, a little sprig of holly as the bow, and cute pictures of snowmen and other holiday symbols decorating it.
The girl promptly lifted herself, blushing even harder now and completed her run. She proceeded to slam her fist into Lazarus' stomach and then kicked Naida in the kneecap before ripping her panties from Lazarus' hand.
"You both suck!" she declared with a stomp.
"Yeah, Naida, what's that about?" started Megami, shaking her head and laughing. "Stealing people's panties; there's something wrong with that."
Naida laughed, despite the pain in her knee.
"It's a lie!" a sudden call came. The sound of shattering ceramics then filled the room as Philip's warped staff came crushing down upon his unicorn, breaking it completely.
Everyone looked at him, Chiharu included, and started to laugh.
---
Amelia wore a smile on her face as she walked down the streets of Vortigern, doing some last minute gift shopping. It was literally last minute, as it was very late in the evening, Christmas Eve already. Hardly any stores were open, but Amelia eventually found one suitably big and commercial that was staffed by enough foreigners to get by. Even it was closing in an hour though. As Amelia began scouring for a gift, she thought back to the scene earlier that day.
It had been early that morning in the Enneagram house. She had been Glen Esmay then. She was doing her cleaning duties as usual when Margaret suddenly popped into the room before her.
"Hey! Loser! Come here a moment," said Margaret in a harsh voice.
"Yes, Lady Margaret?" Amelia started, turning and tilting her head.
"I don't think you deserve it," said Margaret," but Mother was giving these to all the servants."
She pulled out a small envelope and handed it to Amelia. The words "Merry Christmas" were written on it. It was Margaret's handwriting and not her mother's, Amelia instantly noticed. She opened it readily and pulled out a handsome sum of money.
"My, wow… are you sure this is necessary?" started Amelia, looking down and up between the gift and Margaret. It wasn't necessary, considering Amelia had plenty of money, but it was a really thoughtful gesture.
"Just shut up and take it, before I decide to take it back," said Margaret, blushing just slightly.
"Umm… okay…" said Amelia in a low voice.
"And be sure to thank my mother for this; it was her idea," said Margaret, with a huff.
"But it was you who wanted to reward Glen so handsomely, Margaret," said Nonette Enneagram, who had just appeared in the door. "You said you wanted to give him something to make his hard life easier, so you asked me to give more to him then the rest."
"S-shut up, mother!" Margaret shouted, her face entirely red. "I just… I was… It means nothing!"
Nonette laughed. Amelia took a step forward. "Thank you both so much," she said graciously. She didn't need this, but it was an act of pure kindness; she couldn't refuse it.
And she didn't. She did however, decide then that she would be getting Margaret something in return. As she walked through the store that night, that was exactly what she was doing.
---
Hiromi Tohdoh sat in a dark room on board Hitokage, her world nothing but dreary sadness and intense, unstoppable loathing. It was Christmas, but this year was more than enough proof that this was just another day. It had always been a day for her family, and yet now her family had been ripped to shreds. It didn't seem fair.
"Hey, dear… are you in there?" a soft voice accompanied by a softer knock sounded at her door.
"Yeah… come in… mother," Hiromi said in a low voice. Her mother and little brother were all she had left. She had to treasure them.
The door opened and Nagisa Tohdoh entered the room with a somber expression on her face. She sat down next to Hiromi on the bed. Wordlessly, she embraced her daughter. Hiromi felt like crying.
"I'm sorry, dear," Nagisa spoke softly, holding the girl.
"Mother…" Hiromi said in a very fragile voice.
"It's okay… we still have each other… the three of us…" the woman said in a broken voice, emotion caught in her voice.
"Y-yeah…" Hiromi said, tears leaving her eyes. Her mother was warm, comforting. She felt like she was melting in her arms.
"Your brother liked the gifts me and your father picked out for him…" Nagisa said in a very slight voice.
"Really? I'm glad…" Hiromi said, strained.
"We never picked out anything for you…" said Nagisa.
"I don't need anything... mother… just promise me… you'll stay right here… always…" said Hiromi, crying into her mother's arms.
"Okay, dear… it's a promise…" said Nagisa, cradling the girl. "Merry Christmas…"
"Yeah…" Hiromi said, her voice quiet. The two of them would stay like that for a long while longer.
---
Deifilia wore a smirk as she rolled over, off of the nubile body of Marcella Belita, granting her one final, full kiss. She then sat up and began dressing herself.
"Was that a suitable Christmas gift, my dear Marcella?" said Deifilia, smiling.
"More than I could ever ask for," Marcella replied, cooing submissively.
"Cute," said Deifilia. "You're a precious gift yourself, Marcella."
"I'm glad I could please you, Miss Deifilia," said Marcella with a smile.
"Heh, you always do," said Deifilia. She then proceeded to walk from that bedroom, offering the girl one final smile as she did.
Almost immediately, she ran into the witch, D.D.. She smiled.
"Hey there, my witch, you care to join me in some Christmas celebrations?" asked Deifilia was a deep smirk.
"Not particularly," said D.D. "I don't honestly buy into such things. Why should one day be considered special, just because men have decided it is?"
"We always disagree about the little things," said Deifilia, shaking her head.
"I suppose so," said D.D.
"But I've never known you to just turn down sex with me," said Deifilia, shaking her head.
"I wasn't. Just expressing that we don't need to attach such inane excuses to it," said the witch.
"You really are heartless," Deifilia sighed. "But very well… will you join me?"
"Of course," D.D. said.
Deifilia gave a playful smile.
---
Katsumi Kozuki wore a grin on her face as she sat on a couch onboard the Hitokage, snuggled up next to her sister. Their mother greeted them with a smile and two colorfully wrapped presents. Katsumi's eyes lit up at the boxes. Katsue seemed less impressed.
"Gee, mom, is that really necessary? " she said while shaking her head. "We're out fighting battles with you as soldiers and yet you still think you need to get us gifts."
"You're my children. You'll always get Christmas presents from me," said Kallen forwardly, smiling.
"I guess so," said Katsue. "but considering the condition our homeland is in, it hardly seems appropriate to go through the trouble."
"The two of you are just fifteen. You're children; children still need things like this every once in a while," said Kallen with a firm nod.
"Whatever you say," said Katsue, shaking her head.
"Here, just open them," Kallen said, forcing a present into either girl's hands.
Katsumi tore into her excitedly, smiling as she did. She opened the contained box and was awarded with a wealth of latest anime DVDs for all of her favorite series. Action girls, mecha, fantasy, yuri romance, all of her favorite genres were represented in the pile of DVDs.
"Wow! Thanks, mom!" Katsumi cheered excitedly.
"I'm happy you liked it dear," said Kallen, smiling. "I thought you would."
Katsue slowly opened her own gift. She pulled out a really thick, boring looking book and a box containing a super-detailed model of a knightmare frame, probably containing hundreds of pieces. Katsumi shook her head at her sister's boring hobbies.
"Awesome! How'd you know I wanted to read this?" Katsue exclaimed happily, holding up the book, which looked like some ridiculously excessive historical novel, probably about war.
"I just thought it looked like something you'd like," said Kallen, smiling.
"T-thanks," said Katsue in a soft voice. "You're the best, mom."
"Yeah! Even when things are at the worst, you still got such great things for us," said Katsumi smiling.
"It must have been hard to get clearance to leave and buy such non-necessities," said Katsue.
"It wasn't so bad," said Kallen. "Anything to help make this time of year a little happier for you two."
"We appreciate it, mom," said Katsumi, tilting her head.
"Great," Kallen said. "I guess I'll leave you to enjoy them for now."
"Thanks… and Merry Christmas, mom," said Katsue in an easy voice.
"Merry Christmas," Katsumi echoed.
"Thanks, girls," said Kallen as she walked out of the room. "Merry Christmas to you as well."
Katsumi looked through her DVDs for a while before Katsue spoke, while staring at the box of her model, which looked like Gawain, "Honestly, Christmas presents at a time when things are so messed up."
"We'll fix things eventually. We just need to find a time when we can slip out and go where that woman said," said Katsumi, smiling.
"Always the impossible optimist, Katsumi?" Katsue sighed.
"You cant' lose hope. That's what this day is all about, right?" said Katsumi, tilting her head.
"Fair enough," said the girl's sister.
"And mother did gives us some nice presents. We have no right to complain," Katsumi spoke in a soft voice.
"I suppose so," said Katsue. With a sly smirk, after a long pause, the girl said, "And I think I have a present to give you later, myself."
"Ooh, I think I'll like that," said Katsumi, her mind going to perhaps dark places. "I may have something for you as well."
Both girls smiled and laughed as they snuggled a little closer.
---
Richter Novak wore a stern expression as he entered the main room of the small manor he and Jackie were borrowing in the EU. She greeted him with a smile. They were to be married in two days. Richter awaited it eagerly. With that ceremony, he would cement his place as an extension of the Britannian royal family.
"Hello dear," said Jackie expectantly. She was clearly waiting for something. Richter pulled a small box from his pocket and placed it in front of her.
"Oh? You got me something?" Jackie started, opening the wrapping paper on the gift slowly. "You shouldn't have."
Richter stared at her, not saying anything. If he hadn't got her something, he would have been scolded abusively. This was the safe solution.
"You are to be my wife. It is only natural I buy you gifts," said Richter, nodding as the girl opened the small jewelry box contained in the paper. She pulled out a gold necklace with a giant diamond at the center.
"Oh wow! You really shouldn't have… it's beautiful," the woman gushed.
"I'm glad you liked it," said Richter nodding. Keeping this woman happy was important.
"I got you something as well," said Jackie pulling out a fairly large, long present.
"Great," said Richter, trying to force a smile. He opened it slowly.
"I thought this was nice," said Jackie. "I hope you like it."
Richter opened the box and pulled out an expensive designer suit, quite attractive really. Unnecessary, but a nice thing to have.
"Thank you, Jackie," said Richter in a low voice.
"Heh, I don't think you've ever thanked me before," said Jackie. "It feels nice."
"Two more days," said Richter, looking down.
"Yes, then we'll be married," Jackie said. "And then, you'll get us back there."
"If I continue to work with this woman, we'll have what we desire," Richter said with certainty.
"Then keep at it," said Jackie. "I'm sure you can get us there, if anyone can."
Richter nodded as they both became quiet.
---
Cynthia Moore wore an easy smile as she sat upon the couch inside the apartment her and Miya shared. Miya was sitting next to her, looking happy.
"You seem cheerful," said Cynthia, giggling, "Full of Christmas spirit?"
"I suppose," said Miya with a nod. "Even in everything that's happened, happy times are supposed to be happy."
"Well, I've never had many people to spend Christmas with. I know it's probably hard for you, with what's happened with your parents, but hopefully a good friend is at least worth something," Cynthia spoke in a soft voice.
"Oh, of course," Miya smiled. "You're invaluable."
"Glad to help," Cynthia said.
"Yeah! Without you, I wouldn't have had someone to shop for," said Miya, suddenly pulling out a nicely wrapped present from under the couch.
"Oh?!" Cynthia exclaimed, taken aback. She hadn't got Miya anything, so she felt immediately a little guilty.
"I got Amelia and Sayoko gifts too, for next time I see them," said Miya, nodding.
"Oh, I see," said Cynthia, a little relieved. "How thoughtful of you."
"Open it," said Miya, eagerly. Cynthia did so. She smiled as she pulled a couple music CDs. Cynthia smiled. She was a big fan of music. The CDs were from talented young bands she had heard of and liked. Miya had good taste.
"Thanks," said Cynthia, smiling still.
"No problem. I'm glad you like them," said Miya, nodding.
"I don't have much to give you in return," said Cynthia, sighing.
"It's okay. I don't expect any--" started the younger girl. Cynthia stopped her by playing a soft kiss on her cheek.
"But how's that as a gift?" she giggled. Miya's face reddened.
"You're such a weird friend," she said, shaking her head. "But thanks."
"Merry Christmas," said Cynthia with a low giggle.
"Yes, to you too," the other girl replied.
---
Margaret wore an easy expression as she stood in her closet door, looking over all the new outfits her mother had bought her for Christmas. She liked nice clothes, and her mother had got her plenty. They were more simplistic than her usual ware, but as a career knight now, that was probably to be expected. She was currently trying on the one outlying feminine outfit, an actual formal dress. A knock sounded on her door.
"Yeah?" she started, turning to the door.
"It's me… Glen…" a voice sounded. Margaret snarled, prepared to brush the boy off. She then looked down. She wondered how she looked in her dress. Maybe a man's opinion was worth acquiring.
"Hmmph! Come in," she said huffily. The door opened slowly.
"Oh wow… Lady Margaret… what a beautiful dress…" started Glen immediately.
Beautiful dress? Margaret glared at him. Had he actually just said that? Pathetic.
"Oh, the dress impresses you, does it?" Margaret said in a very pointed way.
"Oh.. no… I meant, you look very lovely in it, Lady Margaret," said Glen, with a nod.
Margaret blushed as her glare narrowed. "What kind of man are you, throwing out compliments just like that?!"
"Uh...I'm sorry," Glen spoke, rigidly.
"So, what the hell are you doing here?" Margaret demanded harshly. "Mother gave all the servants the day off."
"I wanted to give you this," said Glen, finally alerting Margaret to the very large wrapped gift behind him. She put it in her hands.
"W-what?! Why in the--? What is this?!" Margaret shouted, shocked at this development.
"You showed me kindness. I thought I'd at least get you something in return," said Glen in a kind voice, smiling.
"You failure! You pathetic failure…" Margaret said, shaking her head.
"I hope you like it," Glen said in a soft voice. God, this guy was hopeless. Margaret felt sorry for him.
"Whatever," she sighed.
She opened the gift wrap quietly, revealing a plain box. She pulled it open and retrieved the contents. It was an oversized, stuffed cat; stupidly adorable and soft. She sighed again. What kind of guy would ever be caught dead buying this?
"What's wrong with you…?" Margaret started in a low voice.
"You don't like it?" Glen started apologetically.
"Why did you buy me this thing?" she demanded. "You're my servant, not anything more! Yet here you are trying to impress me with this trinket! The nerve."
"I'm sorry…" said Glen. "I saw you had a lot of things like that in your room… I just wanted to make it up to you, for giving me so much yesterday."
"You really have no clue how to be a man, do you?" Margaret said shaking her head.
"I-I…" Glen seemed uneasy about this. "I'm sorry."
"If that's all you know how to say, leave!" Margaret ordered harshly.
"Okay…" said Glen, slipping out of the room. Margaret shut it in his face.
She then did something that shocked her. She smiled. She then hugged the giant plush cat tightly to her chest, taking in its gentle scent.
---
Ava wore an easy expression as she sat with Astrid alone on their bed. It had been a busy Christmas Day. On Astrid's insistence, she had not done any serious work that day, letting the nation take care of itself. The two of them had spent much of the day together. They had exchanged gifts that morning; Ava gave Astrid hundreds of dollars credit at Pizza Hut. Astrid gave her a box of gourmet, handmade chocolates, and some interesting old books.
The two had just returned from having Christmas dinner with Astrid's parents. It had been a pleasant meal, leaving Ava feeling warm. It made her feel even more like she needed to speak with her father sometime soon.
"Ah, well today was fun," said Astrid.
"Yes. It was," said Ava. "A peaceful day that recalls the days before we started this. Such days are invaluable in the current world."
"But what we're doing, it's still worth it, right?" the other girl started.
"I hope so…" said Ava. "After that last battle, there's a lot I don't know any more."
"We'll make it through this," said Astrid in a low voice. "I have faith in you Ava, even if you lack it in yourself."
"I'll be forever grateful for that," said Ava in an affectionate voice.
"We're lucky to have what we have," said Astrid, smiling.
"I feel sorry for Eilith… She wasn't even allowed on Christmas with her mother," said Ava in a somber voice.
"Things can be unfair in war… that's how it is," said Astrid in a heavy voice.
"I know… I know how cruel it can be," said Ava, in a low voice. "I threw out this world's peace, but I recognize its simple beauty."
"Christmas isn't a day to reflect on such things," said Astrid. "Let's just try and enjoy what's left of today."
"I know I will, Astrid, if I spend it next to you," said the young Empress, placing a hand at her lover's shoulder. Astrid smiled.
"I love you," she said. She bent in for a tender, soft kiss. Ava returned it happily, falling into Astrid's embrace.
Slowly they lied back on the bed, kissing at each other's lips a few more times while their hands explored their bodies quietly. They then broke the kissing and stred into each other's eyes.
"Merry Christmas, Ava," said the knight, her hand combing through her beloved's hair.
"Merry Christmas, Astrid," Ava replied tenderly. Soon they were kissing again.
A/N: End Extra. A long extra, but I wanted to focus on most of the characters. I of course couldn't get everyone in. I wanted to include Xuemei and Hildegarde in particular, but they didn't' really have anyone to spend the day with. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this. Simple, cute, but hopefully it made you smile.
Merry Christmas.