Part 2
Keterburg's largest Inn was easily one of the most luxurious in Malkuth, if not all of Auldrant. Even excluding the world renowned spa that had been built on the very top floor, the hotel was nothing short of amazing and while Asch definitely enjoyed staying here when they visited the snowy town, he had a feeling the hotel's staff didn't share the feeling. While they were more than content to split three rooms between the nine of them as they usually did, every time they were here, Nephry always went ahead of them and booked an entire wing, including the private lounge, not leaving a whole lot of room for other guests.
The private lounge, which was exactly where Asch found himself this morning, was a very nice room and was amazingly well-suited for the purposes to which they'd assigned it over the past week. A fire crackled away in the large fireplace, chasing off the cold that may have slipped in from the snowy outdoors. It created a soft glow that reverberated off the mahogany walls and the Christmas tree that stood in the corner surrounded by several chairs, a couch and a love seat. Though most of the fire's glow was lost to the morning light that filtered through the window, Asch kept it going none-the-less. It would just seem wrong not to have a good fire going on Christmas Eve, and it sort of reminded him of home. There had always been a roaring fire in the drawing room all through the holiday season; so maybe the familiarity would make Luke feel a little better.
Even though his little brother had written a letter home, he still felt homesick, and in spite of his best attempts to hide it, Asch could still see some of Luke's cheer die when something reminded him of their years in Baticul. He was trying, but there was still that little part of him that couldn't be as excited as Asch knew he should be. Asch wished there was something he could do, but even if he did know what he could offer, it wasn't going to change the fact that they wouldn't be home for Christmas. Asch smiled sadly; maybe he should put the fire out.
"Hey Asch," Anise walked in through one of the doors and found the redhead on a chair doing something or another to the second entrance. "What the heck are you doing?"
"Good morning, Anise," Asch replied, and with a mischievous grin leaned over to reveal a sprig of green leaves and white berries he was hanging up.
"What is that?"
"It's mistletoe," Asch explained, finished securing it, and hopped down off the chair.
"Really?" Anise asked excitedly, her eyes gleaming with delight. "That's the one where you have to kiss if you're standing underneath it, right?"
"That's right." Asch nodded, unable to wipe the smirk from his face. "I picked some up while we were in Grand Chokmah. I thought it would make things a little more fun."
Anise giggled evilly, sitting herself down on the love seat that faced the door, "I wonder who you're going to trap!"
Asch sat down next to the former Fon Master Guardian and watched as she eagerly anticipated who would be the first to walk through the entrance. With that look in her eyes, she was already scheming ways to get them under the mistletoe. The young monarch couldn't help but smile at her excitement; it was nice to see her in a better mood.
Ever since their trip to Grand Chokmah, Anise had been doing her best to try to get into the spirit of the holidays. There were times when she'd slip and a little bitterness came through, but everyone was supportive, and she was having a very good time. Now she was almost as excited for tomorrow as Luke was. Well speak of the devil...
"Good morning guys!" Luke said cheerfully as he walked into the lounge. The young noble unknowingly stopped right under the mistletoe, staring curiously at the evil grins he was getting. Oh this was good... and it was about to get a whole lot better.
"Good morning, Luke," Tear smiled, walking in right after her companion but stopping to try and figure out what had his attention. Both of them stood dumbfounded as Anise almost squeaked in delight. Asch was snickering and had a dangerously amused look on his face. Luke knew that look, and nothing good had ever come out of it.
"And what's going on in here that has the two of you so amused?" Jade asked, his query directed at the snickering pair on the couch. The Malkuth Colonel had entered behind Luke and Tear but was unable to make it in the lounge with his two companions blocking the way.
Anise was absolutely exuberant, her eyes dancing in impish delight, and the scary part was Asch seemed almost as amused. Just what kind of inside joke did those two have going? And why was their delight aimed directly at her, Luke and Jade?
"How does it work with three?" Anise excitedly asked the older redhead.
"Well they could share," Asch suggested. "Or they could rock-paper-scissors for it."
"What are the two of you going on about?" Luke finally asked in sheer frustration at being left out of whatever was so funny.
Asch's eyes met his siblings, a mischievous fire dancing behind them. He pointed up.
'Oh you stupid jerk!' Luke erupted, his face turning several shades of red upon noticing the small white berries. Luke would never forget the year his mom had trapped him and Natalia under a sprig of the stuff, and this time it was- it was- Tear! Luke felt his face go even redder.
Asch watched on with unsurpassed levels of amusement rising in him as Luke and Tear both went as red as his sibling's hair. He couldn't deny being pleased with the results, he had so hoped to trap Luke and Tear under it. It was understandable that in some relationships, people needed a little nudge in the right direction, but those two seriously needed a swift kick to get them moving.
"Well," Asch declared, "all three of you are under the mistletoe, so either Luke and Jade can each take turns or you can fight for it; but someone has to kiss Tear."
"Wh-what?" Tear flushed. "Why?"
"Because you're under the mistletoe!" Anise said proudly. "It's tradition!"
"Mistletoe?" Jade spoke up. "What mistletoe?"
Luke looked up again and sidestepped just in time to dodge the burning pile of sticks that fell to the ground. It was Luke's turn to grin. He so loved having Jade on his side.
Asch glared at the Colonel simultaneously furious at the old man for ruining his fun, and curious as to when he'd managed to cast the arte that set the mistletoe on fire. Damn it all! He'd been so close!
"Really now," Jade said with a smirk, "before you play around with others, you ought to be more attentive of your own surroundings."
With nothing short of a malicious grin the Colonel pointed upwards.
Asch and Anise both looked up, only to see a second sprig of mistletoe hanging above the couch where the two of them were sitting. When had Jade hung-? If looks could kill... well they probably wouldn't have killed Jade, but things would have died.
"Absolutely not!" Anise violently protested. "Not happening, no way! I am not kissing him!"
"Same here," Asch refused.
"Come now Asch," Natalia spoke up from where she'd been watching from the sidelines. Admittedly, when she had walked in from the other entrance, she was curious to see what Jade would do when caught under mistletoe, but things had turned out so much better than she was expecting. "Be a good sport about it. Jade caught you fair and square."
Asch grumbled in defeat and, to his dismay, was forced to give the former Fon Master Guardian a peck on the cheek. The two of them immediately got up off the couch and sat as far apart from each other as was humanly possible while everyone else watched on in stitches.
Once the laughter had finally abated, everyone found themselves a spot, being careful to avoid the fateful couch above which Jade had hung the mistletoe, and friendly conversation quickly erupted. Asch and Anise both joined in once the conversation got off the topic of their abysmal defeat.
"If you don't mind my asking," Natalia began, "where did you get ahold of mistletoe?"
"I picked it up in Grand Chokmah," Asch shrugged. "They had it all over the place."
"That's strange," Tear contributed. "If I recall correctly, mistletoe is native to the areas near Kaitzur. It's surprising that it would be so readily available this far north."
"I believe we've a certain devious ruler to thank for that," Jade provided, adjusting his glasses. "Emperor Peony was always quite the fan of the mistletoe tradition and as such usually brings in large amounts of the plant for the holidays. Several sprigs are often hung throughout the palace so one must be wary this time of year." Asch snickered, wondering why that was something Jade deemed worthy to mention, and who Peony had forced him to kiss.
"I guess it's a good thing we're not spending Christmas in Grand Chokmah then," Tear stated, her cheeks still flushing at the memory of her almost embarrassing encounter. She made a mental note to keep a wary eye out for any more of Asch's traps.
"Yeah, but it's great for shopping," Luke pitched in, having eventually found what he deemed a worthy Christmas present... even if he had cheated a little bit.
"Yes well, not all of us were quite so fortunate," Natalia commented.
"Oh that's right, you couldn't find anything, could you?"
"Men are ridiculously difficult to buy for," the young princess grumbled.
"You do realize it's Christmas Eve, right?" Anise taunted.
"I'm going out shopping with Ion later," Natalia shot back. She raised an eyebrow at the former Fon Master Guardian, "I didn't see you return from Grand Chokmah with anything either."
"Shut up! My person is unbelievably hard to buy for! I'll figure something out, just you wait!"
"Well, as you said, it is Christmas Eve," Natalia retorted tauntingly. Anise stuck her tongue out.
"Hey, guys!" Guy said, walking in from the far entrance with Ion in tow.
"Natalia, are you ready to go?" Ion inquired. "Ginji is waiting."
"Ginji? Where are you off to?" Asch asked.
"Don't worry, he simply asked to accompany us; we aren't going far," Natalia replied with a smile. "Yes, I'll be right there," she called to the Fon Master who was patiently waiting by the door. Guy nodded to Ion as if confirming something that passed between the two of them, and proceeded to join the others. In his hand he held some kind of brown package; and rather than take a seat, he remained standing, leaning forward against the only empty sofa.
"Uh... Guy," Luke began hesitantly as Asch erupted into evil snickers next to him. "I wouldn't stand there if I were you..."
"Huh?" Guy looked at his best friend confusedly. "Why not?"
Luke pointed up, and everyone laughed; they could see the colour drain from his face as he realized what was hanging above him. Fraught with panic, Guy looked around him only to find Natalia a foot away, passing by him as she made her way over to join the Fon Master.
"Oh dear sweet Yulia, no!" Guy frantically retreated to the opposite end of the room. Everyone erupted into more laughter, their mirth filling the room and warming it like the steadily crackling fire.
"Don't worry, Guy," Natalia managed once she'd gotten her giggling under control. "We won't hold you to it; it would be a shame to put you into heart failure the day before Christmas."
"Th-Thanks..." Guy managed, his heart still beating way too fast to be healthy. Give it another couple seconds and he might even be able to start breathing again.
"Hey Guy?" Luke asked once Natalia and Ion had left and everyone had settled down again. "What do you have there?"
"Oh, this?" Guy held up the package, clearly having forgotten about it in the light of his latest heart attack. "It's addressed to you; I think it's from your mom." The blond handed his best friend the box and the smile that spread across Luke's face confirmed the sender.
Everyone curiously watched on as Luke carefully unwrapped the brown paper and opened the box he found inside. A soft smile spread across his face and Luke lifted a single golden Christmas bulb out of the box. There must have been some sort of unspoken joke behind it because Asch chuckled at the sight. The older sibling accepted the simple ornament from Luke and hung it on the nearby tree, the gold ball standing out against the silver and blue ornaments that otherwise hung there.
The next thing Luke removed from the box was an envelope, which contained a letter from his mother. He unfolded the paper, smiling at the familiarity of her neat, swirling script. No, he had definitely not gotten any of her handwriting skills.
My dearest Luke,
I was so overjoyed to receive your letter and to hear that you and Asch are doing well! I do wish you'd write more often, but I know that the two of you are busy. I'm so very proud of you and of what you're doing. I know it's hard sometimes, but please remember to look out for each other, okay?
Christmas is so quiet without the two of you around. I decorated the tree yesterday and it took four times longer without the two of you racing to get the most ornaments up. I had to get the maids to help me or it would have taken until Christmas to finish. Your Father is absolutely lost around the manor. It's been so long since he's been around over the holidays that I don't think he's entirely sure what all the fuss is about. He sends his wishes and asks me to remind you to be good representatives of Kimlasca. I know you always are, so just keep trying your best.
I miss you both and I can't wait until the next time you come home, but I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas. I'll be thinking of you and praying for your safety.
With love, always.
Watching Luke read the letter saddened Asch. With every line, his sibling lost another shade of cheer until he got to the end and couldn't even hold the paper steady. Luke picked up the last item, a little golden box, small enough to fit in the palm of his hand. His little brother handed him the letter, and Asch read over it quickly while Luke stared at the last token, debating if he had it in him to see what was inside.
But whatever strength he'd built up hadn't proven to be enough and Luke stared at the box's contents for what seemed like an eternity with his friends all looking on. Every muscle in his body was tense and even as he replaced the lid, Luke looked like he was ready to cry. In an unexpected burst of frustration that caught even Asch off guard, the small golden box was sent flying, crashing into the mahogany wall. Luke was gone before anyone had even realized what had happened.
"What the heck?" Anise finally managed, still staring at the spot Luke had been sitting in shock.
"I wonder..." Guy trailed off and with a nod from Asch retrieved the box Luke had discarded. A soft, almost sad chuckle escaped the blond when he saw the contents, turning the box so everyone could see.
Inside the little golden container sat what looked like a handful of black pebbles. Each was a slightly different size and shape, but someone had obviously picked them out very carefully. Along side them were two small twigs; Anise didn't think you could even find twigs that small... they couldn't be more than two inches long. What she didn't get was what the heck they were doing there.
"Well, no wonder Luke was upset," Anise was the first to break the awkward silence. "Why would your mom send him a bunch of rocks and some sticks?"
"The feeling is there," Guy replied quietly, "but it's almost cruel to Luke." Asch nodded in agreement.
"Here, I'll take it," Asch offered, replacing the lid and putting the small box in his pocket.
"What about Luke?" Tear asked worriedly.
"It's probably best to leave him be for a bit," Guy answered.
"Are you sure? If he's upset about something..."
"He'll be fine," Asch shook his head, dismissing the melodist's concerns. "He just misses home. Give him some time alone to think, he'll be alright."
"Well!" Anise piped up, mustering as much cheer as she could. "As much as I love hanging out with you guys and everything, I still have some shopping to do!"
"Oh?" Jade inquired with a spark of intrigue. "Having difficulties, are we?"
"No!" Anise protested.
"You do know you're shopping sixteen hours before its time to open gifts, right?" Asch pointed out.
"Shut up! I like the challenge!" Anise's cheeks flushed. Really... you'd think he would take her side after the Colonel got one up on them both! Stupid Asch. Anise would swear he just loved making things difficult.
"Best of luck," Jade called after her tauntingly.
"Yeah rub it in!" Anise yelled back without even turning to look at the people laughing behind her. Once around the corner, Anise couldn't resist a smile and she hurried off to Keterburg's shopping district. She had an idea now, and the results that would ensue... well that would be why the former Fon Master Guardian was now grinning from ear to ear.
The moonlight peaked out through a hole in the clouds, its silver light setting the snow banks ablaze. The freshly fallen slow glittered in the soft light just outside of Keterburg, the only markings belonging to the young noble who was working his way through it.
Luke stared at the ball of snow that sat innocently at his feet. The ball of sticky white stuff now almost made it up to his waist, and Luke couldn't help but shake his head in spite of himself. Really, what was he even doing?
"Nice nomenim you have going there," Asch said with a smirk setting his own large white snow ball on top of Luke's.
"It's a snowman, shut up." Luke sent a semi-annoyed glare at his sibling, but set a final snowball on the top all the same. The final result really didn't look like much, just a heap of snow really, though it was far less demented than the ones he'd put together as a child. Luke let himself flop back into the snowbank, the snow quickly seeping through his cloak.
"You're going to get soaked," Asch commented, leaning down over the noble who was lying in the snow.
"Whatever." Luke shrugged off the concern. He really didn't care, he liked things like this... everything was so peaceful. Asch let out a sigh. "Hey, what are you doing?" Luke demanded, sitting up when Asch flopped down in the snow next to him.
"What? You're the only one allowed to lay in the snow?" Asch asked, pretending to be offended. Luke rolled his eyes and lay back down, staring at the cloud covered heavens.
Snow began to gently drift down, the flakes dancing softly in the air before quietly settling into the existing fields and streets. The world seemed quiet, lost in the flurry of magic and wonder that seemed to embrace the world this time of year. Luke closed his eyes and drank in the moment. If he had learnt anything, it was that times like these never lasted nearly as long as he wished they would.
Asch stretched his hand out, catching one of the flakes and closing it tightly in his clasp. He brought his hand down and opened it, revealing naught but a droplet of water in his palm that dried before Asch's eyes. He smiled.
"Still feeling homesick?" Asch's question broke the silence, pinning Luke below the underlying issue. Luke took a deep breath, pondering the question, or rather, the answer to the question. He had come out here and had wandered the snow covered trails, seeking nothing more than to escape his lingering feelings. But... they still lingered, and three simple words from Asch had been enough to bring them all back. He didn't want to feel this way; he didn't want it to ruin his or anyone else's Christmas. But... it was Christmas. They were supposed to spend it as a family...
"Yeah," Luke finally confessed, surprising himself by how steady his voice was. "I've never been away from home during Christmas before. I really wish there was a way we could be there... you know?"
Luke felt Asch place something into the palm of his hand, and close his fingers around it. Luke held it up above him so he could see what it was, and found a small golden box. He'd left this... A warm smile graced his face and on the inside he found the handful of small rocks and twigs from before. He looked curiously over at his sibling who had salvaged the small gift.
"It's the first time I've been away from home over Christmas too," Asch confessed, offering his little brother a comforting smile. "I miss everyone, and it makes me sad to think that they're spending Christmas alone. I wish I could be there... It's hard if you think of things that way, because there's nothing you can do to change that fact."
"But..." Luke looked over at Asch who was gazing at the heavens, his eyes lost in the endless sky above them. Asch had never made the slightest indication he was homesick, or missed everyone and Luke had been so quick to make the assumption that Asch had simply been in his place before. It hadn't once crossed his mind that they were in the same boat... that this might be Asch's first Christmas away from home too. "How... how do you do it?" Luke finally managed. "Knowing that...how can you be so happy and so strong?"
Asch looked Luke in the eyes and smiled, "Even though I'm not at home, I still have my family with me."
Time froze in that moment, their emerald eyes locked as snow continued to drift downwards. Asch was here with him, and Luke felt guilty at how easily he'd overlooked that fact. Of course he was glad to have Asch here with him! That wasn't why he'd been so upset... he was grateful. But at the same time, he thought of the things Mother had sent him, the golden bulb, the pebbles and sticks, and all he could think was that she was trying to remind him of all the wonderful Christmases they'd spent together. He wanted to be there! But...
I'll be thinking of you...
No... that hadn't been the point at all. Luke looked at the small golden box in his hand. Mother didn't want him to feel bad about not being at home... he just hadn't seen it before. She had sent him these things, not to make him feel guilty, but in hopes that he would think of them as well. It was like Asch said. He may not be home, but he still had his family.
"You're right," Luke sat up, shaking the snow from his cloak before pulling himself up all the way. Asch sat up and watched Luke make his way over to the snowman, who still sat without any kind of discerning features. "Mother's here too," he said with a smile as he placed the stones on his snowman.
"As long as you're thinking about her," Asch agreed, standing up himself. "I know she'll be thinking of you. As long as you both think of each other, then it doesn't matter how much distance there is between you."
Luke turned to face his sibling, the nomenim standing proudly completed behind him. "Thanks, Asch." Luke smiled.
Asch returned the smile. "That's what family is for. Now, let's get you inside before you catch something. It's getting cold out here and we'd hate to see you sick on Christmas."
Luke chuckled, "Yeah, same goes to you. You're as wet as I am." Asch simply shrugged the fact off, the mischievous light never leaving his eyes. Luke looked happily up at the heavens, a huge weight had been lifted from his chest. No matter where he was... he'd always have his family.
"You know..." Luke wondered aloud. "I wonder if they have any hot chocolate."
The fire crackled, breaking the gentle silence that had settled over the lounge. Together with the lights on the tree, its glow provided the only source of light in the now darkened room. Tear sat alone on the couch watching the lights as they danced off the ornaments that hung from the Christmas tree. Below the young fir sat an assortment of wrapped packages, each with a single name on a colourful tag labelling who the gift was for.
It had proven to be the unexpected challenge in Asch's game: getting the present under the tree without anyone being the wiser, namely the recipient. So slowly but surely the presents had 'mysteriously' appeared below the tree, though they weren't all there yet and Tear wondered who was planning to get up in the middle of the night to sneak their parcels in unnoticed. Probably Anise, Tear snickered; only Jade would spend the entire day in the lounge, undoubtedly on purpose. She suspected he was having more fun making it difficult for everyone else than being secretive himself. As if figuring out what to buy him wasn't challenge enough. Tear sighed as her eyes found the package she'd wrapped; it was a testimony to her wrapping skills... which were non-existent. That alone would probably give her away.
Tear found her thoughts drifting, happily afloat in the serenity of the room. It was getting late, and she really should be off to bed, but the melodist couldn't bring herself to leave. Everything was just so peaceful and calm, and the air held a certain magic the likes of which she'd never experienced. A soft melody jumped to her lips and the quiet song filled the room.
"That's a beautiful song." The voice startled the melodist once the last note had died off; she hadn't even noticed him there.
"Luke!" Tear replied, managing a smile for the redhead who stood in the doorway. His hair still looked wet and his clothes were different from the ones he'd had on earlier. Tear chuckled and wondered what he'd been up to in the snow. Luke returned Tear's gesture, taking the colourful package in his hand and placing it under the tree before sitting next to her on the couch.
"I've never heard that one before," Luke commented. He really loved the song Tear had just been singing which was why he didn't want to interrupt her by just walking into the room. He thought he'd heard all the Christmas songs...
"My brother used to sing it to me when I was young," Tear explained.
"Did Master Van spend Christmas with you?" Luke asked.
"When I was younger. The older I got, the less often he was around. I missed him, but most of the time Christmas would come and go without my even noticing it. Oh I'm sorry," Tear cut herself off.
"Why?"
"Well, I know you've been upset because you can't go home for Christmas and-"
Luke shook his head.
"Weren't you feeling homesick?" Tear asked confusedly.
"I was... but it's all right. Besides, I get to spend Christmas with people I care about." Luke's hand came to rest over Tear's and the melodist could feel her cheeks redden.
"Y-You really like Christmas don't you?"
"Yeah, it's always been my favourite time of year. Everyone is always together and happy... and things are just so magical."
Tear smiled in understanding as Luke spoke to her of his Christmas experiences. She knew so little of all these traditions... yet even from the past week, she could relate to so many of Luke's feelings. If she'd had times like this every year, she would undoubtedly treasure the holidays even more than she had come to over the past few days.
"What was Christmas like in Yulia City?" Luke inquired, his eyes alight with curiosity.
"There really wasn't one," Tear replied. "Most people in Yulia City don't celebrate Christmas, probably because there was never any practical way of transporting supplies and decorations down from the Outer Lands. The supply routes to Yulia City are full just bringing food and other things needed for survival. The effort required was never thought to be worth it for something so frivolous. So... this is the first real Christmas I've ever had," she sheepishly admitted.
"And?"
"It's everything I could have dreamed of and more."
Luke sighed, almost sadly. "I really wish I had drawn your name," he confessed. "I really wanted to get you something special."
"It's fine," Tear smiled. "You already have."
The young noble eyed her with a look akin to confusion before chuckling, "You're weird."
He really did have the most amazing green eyes, the thought crossed Tear's mind as she watched the lights reflected in their emerald depths. Right now, in this moment, all the world's problems became inconsequential, and Tear wished for nothing more than for it to last forever.
Luke's expression shifted, a realization suddenly dawning on him and his cheeks flushed. Tear felt his hand close, now gently cradling her own. Hesitantly Luke leaned in, pausing a moment in which Tear could feel his warm breath against the side of her face, before giving the melodist a kiss on the cheek.
Now Tear knew she was several shades of red.
"Wh-What was that for?" Tear managed to demand, her hand covering the cheek where Luke had just- had just... kissed her.
Luke smiled almost apologetically, still pink from his recent bout of impulsiveness. "Jade still hasn't taken down that mistletoe," he pointed out with a quick glance upward.
Tear looked up; Luke was right, above them still hung a seemingly innocent sprig of green leaves and white berries. She flushed further at the oversight. The young redhead stood up and made his way towards the door, to join his companions who were already in bed.
Just before leaving, Luke turned around and offered the melodist one final smile.
"Merry Christmas."
Tear still held her cheek, watching as Luke vanished from the doorway.
"Merry Christmas... Luke."