"Robin, what is this….Christ's Mass?"

"It's 'Christmas', Star…," Robin smiles. "And it's a holiday celebrated around the world. Most notably by Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and—"

"It's all about presents and egg nog and sitting around the Christmas Tree with lights and stuff!" Beast Boy jumps in. "…..er….m-make that tofu egg nog."

"Hehehehe!"

Robin rolls his eyes under his mask. "As I was saying—"

"Eh…let her find out for herself, man!" Cyborg grins. He stands on the far side of the Titans Tower Main Room, hanging green plastic garland from the tops of the windows overlooking a frosted Bay. Snow lightly settles outside in a sleepy drift. Inside, it is toasty. Warm.

Comfortable….but not quiet.

"I'm gonna buy you a special ornament, just for this occasion, Star!" Cyborg winks. "When we get the tree for this place, we'll hang it from the tallest branch and call it 'Starfire's First Christmas'!"

"I am grateful, friend," she cups her hands and smiles. "Is this such a 'gift' that Beast Boy has related about?"

"Heheh….I guess you could say that," Cyborg gestures.

"Yeah…thanks for beating me to the punch, Cy," Robin smirks sarcastically.

"Anytime, dawg."

"Robin…what gift would you like me to give unto you?" Starfire says.

Robin scratches the back of his neck. "Well….it's not really supposed to work that way, Star…."

"Oh?"

"The gift is supposed to come from your heart. I'd be happy with whatever you give me, cuz I'll know it's from you. Though—heh—to be honest, I'm sure I'll be too busy enjoying giving you and the others a gift—"

"Speak for yourself!" Beast Boy cackles. "Starfire, every year kids and people of all ages are entitled to making big-ass lists for Santa to bring them!"

"S-Santa?"

"Hooo….boyo….," Cyborg shakes his head.

"Yeah! Provided you give him cookies, of course. On my list…I'm putting a Moped! Top of the line!"

"Who is this Santa?" Starfire gazes at Robin, blinking. "Is he some nefarious villain allied to Slade?" She bites her lips and cups her hands together pensively. "Will we one day have to do battle with this Santa?"

"Hehehehe!" Beast Boy giggles.

"No, Star…," Robin pats Starfire's shoulder. "We most definitely will not be having to fight Santa anytime soon. He's full of holiday cheer and love for children around the world. And besides…" He turns and barks at Beast Boy: "He doesn't exist!"

"Daaah!" Beast Boy sticks his tongue out and waves a hand. "Go break the Christmas spirit, why don't you?"

"You're not some four year old, Beast Boy. If any of us are gonna share gifts, you're gonna have to pitch in too! And sorry to burst your bubble, but I don't think any of us on our allowances can afford a Moped!"

"Hahahaha!" Cyborg cackles and points a finger. "You tell 'em, Robbie!"

"And Cyborg? Good luck getting a gaggle of Hooters girls in your stocking."

"Awww shucks…"

Starfire drifts across the room and smiles at me. "Raven? Are you anticipating gifts this year from said Santa?"

"…….," I look up from a Dickens novel from where I sit on a kitchen stool. "Mmmm….hardly."

Cyborg whispers: "What she really means is 'Bah Humbug'."

"Heheheheh."

"Awww….you do not wish to join our wintry felicitations?"

I finger the empty pages of my book. "I stick to Azarathian holidays…."

"And those are?" Beast Boy asks.

"Never you mind…," I flip a page.

"Don't force Raven to participate if she doesn't want to," Robin gestures. "Batgirl never participated back in Gotham."

"Ah. Is she Jewish?"

"Nah. Druid."

"Heh….I'm just kidding!"

"Hehehehehe!"

"Robin's making a politically incorrect joke! Christmas cheer has gotten to him!"

"That's it! I'm making tofu egg nog!"

"No you are not, little man! Raven! Talk him out of it!"

"Beast Boy….go impale yourself on a candy cane."

"Awww…come on, girl! Make us a Christmas list this year! Pleeeease? Even I'll get you something!"

"……," I flip a page.

"Feh. Whatever. here, Star! I'll show you this popup book about Frosty the Snowman my parents got me when I was a kid."

"Awww! Soooo cuuuute!"

"Yeah! I always thought the pages would melt cuz—ya know—I grew up in Africa."

"Hehehe!"

"Hey! I know that illustrator!"

"Do you, Robin?"

"Yeah! Batman and I had to rescue an art museum showcasing his children's art once and….."

Their voices fade in the background. Like disappearing specks of snow.

I flip a page of my book.

I finger the edges.

I gaze over at them.

Silhouetted against the white and black world outside the crisp windows.

I gaze at my book silently.

……………………………..Bookmarks.

I could really use some bookmarks.

Silence.

I sigh.

A long exhale.

I scan down the page and flip with my fingers sorely pressed against the edges.

But I can't really ask them for anything…….