December 25, 1889
Christmas Day
Alois was awoken with a faceful of warm sunshine when Claude had opened the curtains.
He sipped hot cocoa as Claude stood off to the side.
Christmas was always lonely. He had no family or friends to spend it with.
Alois glanced out the window at the winter wonderland. It was beautiful.
But it was lonely.
The day went on as usual, he bathed and dressed up in red to match the Christmas occasion.
Alois spent breakfast in the big dining hall, all alone. He ate to his hearts content, biscuits and pastries.
All five of his demons stood off to the corner, patiently waiting on him. They had blank looks on their faces and strong postures.
His eyes fell onto Hannah. She seemed livid, seemingly bored with her life at the moment.
She didn't look sad or scared like she did on a daily basis, no. Alois could sense smugness in the air around her.
Hannah was staring at nothing in particular, just zoning out. Then as if she felt him staring, she looked at him and their eyes locked.
Hannah gently smiled and looked away quickly.
Alois felt his cheeks get hot, so he looked down at his strawberry tart.
The strawberry tart.
An idea popped into his head! What other way to give a woman a gift than over dinner? Or breakfast, give or take.
As soon as he mustered up the courage to do so, to ask Hannah to join him, he did it.
Alois looked back at her, she was looking at the floor.
'Wait a second,' he thought 'Is she bashful?' He asked himself. She seemed to be rocking on her heels and smiling at the floor.
"Hannah." Alois said, calling her attention. Hannah looked up and stood straight.
"Yes, Master?" She replied quickly. Oh no. He'd seen her slacking. This would certainly get her a beating. Hannah decided to play it off and act neutral.
Alois exhaled. "Come sit with me." He motioned to the chair at his side.
Hannah glanced at her fellow demons questionably. Then she abided by his orders, she joined him at the table. Pulling out the chair and gently lowering herself into the chair. She didn't make eye contact with him.
"Are you hungry?" Alois asked nervously as he tried to ease into the subject.
Hannah shook her head. "No, I am not." She said quietly.
Alois let out a nervous chuckle. Maybe he should just cut to the point so she could laugh at him later.
"So, did you get me anything for Christmas?" Alois dryly joked as he picked at his tart.
Hannah looked up, careful to avoid eyecontact.
"No, I was not informed you'd wanted something." She said in a curious tone.
"Oh? No?" Alois dryly chuckled. He stood and Hannah flinched.
Alois saw the flinch, but he chose to ignore it. She was only faking it, as far as he was concerned.
"Well." Alois pulled the black velvet box out of his pocket. "I got you something, because I don't know how to say thank you." Alois held the box out, a small smile on his face.
Hannah slowly looked at him, their eyes locking. She shook her head.
"Oh no, Master. I couldn't accept something so lovely from you." Hannah said in a soft protest tone.
"Hannah, I just wanted to say thank you, for helping me. Just take it, i don't care what you do with it." Alois offered her the box once more.
Hannah slowly but surely reached for it. She half hoped we would yank it back and kick her off the chair.
But that didn't happen. It slipped from his hand easily. Hannah felt the velvet in her hand before opening it. She glanced up at him then down at the gift.
A amethyst necklace with a matching ring and necklace. Hannah softly smiled at him. "Thank you, I will cherish it." Hannah blinked a few times, holding back tears.
This was the first gift she'd gotten in centuries, a gift of kindness.
"Your welcome." Alois exhaled and plopped back into his seat. "Can i see it on you?" He asked curiously.
Hannah nodded and fumbled a bit, trying to open the necklace.
Alois held out his hand. "Here, let me." He insisted. Hannah handed it to him and watched as he stood and walked around her.
Everything stood still. The demons were looking at them with a small twinge of curiosity and amusement.
Alois moved aside Hannah's hair and opened the necklace then put it around her neck. "There." He mumbled.
Hannah wondered if he was doing this just because they had sex. Maybe because he liked her body and wanted more. Of course she knew it was wrong, but she would give it to him. She liked being treated gently by him.
Hannah moved her hair off of her shoulder and sat up so he could see it. Alois smiled a faint smile and sat down in his seat.
It looked lovely on her neck, the silver contrast to her dark skin, but the amethyst blended perfectly.
"It looks lovely Hannah." Alois complimented in a soft tone.
Hannah ducked her head and blushed.
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
