I would've edited this, but I wanted to get it up before the guests arrive for my family's christmas party...Which started about, well, nowish. Oh well :) Merry Christmas!

Beneath the Stars

By Gold Sparrow

Christmas Special:

Christmas Songs

12:54 PM, December 22, Magi Square

"...Is this a joke?"

"Nope!" Aladdin beams at Bad, his cheeks red like apples from the cold. "Alibaba and the others are doing it themselves! It's gonna be awesome!"

"But...I mean…" The pair stare at the poster, an incredulous look gracing Bad's face. She pulls off her gloves as she reads the poster again. On it the words read,

Holiday Concert on December 25

Performing live is Saint Ali and the Reindeers!

Come for hot chocolate and good tunes at Reim Park, 4:00-8:00

"Isn't it great? I'm playing the flute for them."

"..." A devious smirk spreads across the girl's face, cold as the snow around them. "Think you may need some help?"

1:34 PM, December 23, Wazir House

"You all are probably wondering what I gathered you here for."

"Not really"

"Nope."

"You told me over the phone-"

"SHH! You all are probably wondering what I gather you here for." The four assembled before the girl sigh and fake confusion the best they can. Pleased, she continues. "Well! Have you heard about the charity concert tomorrow?"

"Yes, Alibaba is working it." Centola says, smiling.

"Kougyoku and I are going because Kassim forced Judal to be a 'Reindeer'." Asad reaches into his bag and pulls out a camara, shaking it. "I'm takin' lots of pictures."

"Well…" Bad pulls up her violin, letting out a maniacal laugh. "We're making it into a battle of the bands!"

There is a beat of silence where only Bad's laugh reigns, and then Eren starts chuckling along with his little sister.

2:37 PM, December 23, Wazir House

Eren manned the drums, wooden sticks in hand.

Centola was on the mic, and nervously memorized the lyrics she'd be singing.

Asad had bass guitar, and Catrina the electric.

That left Bad holding her violin, beaming with pride.

"Ready to practice?"

"Well, I guess…" Centola worriedly sighs, straightening her clothes. "Shouldn't we have started practicing a few weeks ago? We've never played together before. Does Alibaba even know we're crashing?"

"I only learned about the concert yesterday. And it wouldn't be crashing if he knew we were coming to destroy him."

"It's all good fun." Eren soothes Centola, before the girl sighs.

"Is it? It sounds likeBad just wants to beat Alibaba…"

"I'm ready!" Catrinaexcitedly yells, pumping her fist. "My dad is going to be so excited! He loves Christmas rock!"

As everyone else rolls their eyes, Catrina starts jamming on her guitar.

3:48 PM, December 25, Reim Park

"Hey, you guys are early!" Catrina skips over to her mom, throwing her arms around the woman's neck. Aishia laughs, kissing her daughter's cheek. "Where is dad?"

"He went to go wrestle us some seats. Half the town turned up!"

"Thanks to the advertising," The Fanalis-Amala giggles. "It's a good thing Bad has a bunch of connections, huh?"

"Well, I don't think Kou corp has ever ran commercials for a concert, that's for sure." Aishia peaks over her shoulder, and Catrina follows her gaze. A redheaded man is waving at them, pointing at seats right in front of the stage. "Dad's calling. I'm going to sit with him. Give it your all, Kitten!"

"I'll kick arse!" She cheers, and Aishia smiles proudly as she goes over to her seat.

4:30 PM, December 25, Reim Park

On the right side of the page, Alibaba and his band got all set up. Somehow Judal had been coerced (or forced) into wearing a santa hat like all the others in the band, grumpily tuning his electric guitar. He, like his bandmates, looks up once Bad's band comes on stage.

Judal's face splits into a giant grin.

Centola waves at Alibaba as she sets up her mic, the blonde singer/pianist's mouth agape. Catrina and Judal wave their guitars to one another, like how Asad and Kassim do the same for their basses. Eren hit a few of his drums, hoping for a response from Hakuryuu who laughs slightly and promptly hits some guitars as well.

Bad comes to the mic and announces,

"Hey everyone! Who is ready for a good ol' fashioned battle of the bands?!" The crowd erupts into cheers. "Great! We are the Silver Bells! And blondie's group over there is Saint Ali and the Reindeers!"

"She said our name with more gusto…" Eren whispers to Catrina, who giggles. Alibaba looks sour as hell.

"Silver Bells are going first, and then Saint Ali and the Reindeers are going after. There are three rounds, and you decide the winner!"

Bad turns to her group.

"Hit it."

ROUND 1

Silver Bells kicked ass in round one, coming out with a modern rendition of 'Last Christmas'. Centola's singing was pretty much on point, and Eren didn't mess up once despite his stumbling in practice. Bad had high hopes.

And then, unfortunately, Saint Ali came back strong.

"All I want for christmas, iiiiiisssss you!" Alibaba sang it to the ladies, and unfortunately, he killed it. The damn song got the crowd's favor, absolutely destroying Silver Bells on the first round. Bad nearly shot Alibaba then and there...She would've, actually, if she owned a gun.

Round 1: Alibaba's win.

ROUND 2

As per the rules, Alibaba's band sang first. Once again the blonde appealed to the ladies, and for the sake of winning Judal even winked a few times. Asad had no doubt that his little brother could literally feel the judgement rolling off him right now. When they finished their version of "White Christmas", Centola told everyone what they were doing next, her cheeks coloring red.

"You sure?" Bad asked, grinning, and the De Coverna nodded.

"F-for the win!" Centola went back to the mic, and took a deep breath. Then she smiled charmingly at the crowd as the pulse of the music started pounding.

"Santa baby, just slip a Sable under the tree," She purs. "For me."

Catcalls rose out of the woodwork, and Alibaba swore on the sidelines. The men in the audience, clearly, were feeling a bit neglected, and now Centola was appealing to them. It was the exact thing Alibaba had done previously with the girls, and it was working.

"So hurry down the chimney tonight." The way Centola blew a kiss at the end of the song is what sealed the deal.

Round 2: Bad's win.

ROUND 3

Alibaba is nervous as hell.

The she-demon (Bad, not Khadeja. They get mixed up a lot.) was on a rampage, going straight for Alibaba's group's title as the best (and only) band in town. Like hell they'd win. Centola, however, was throwing him for a loop. It was hardly a secret that she had a voice of an angel, which was exactly why Bad had persuaded her to sing for them. It was obvious in terms of singing capability Centola would beat him every time, and unfortunately it was the same for attractiveness. Still…

"Guys, we're doing that song next."

Bad eyes Alibaba from across the stage, effortlessly playing her violin.

"They're plotting." She whispers to Catrina, who also peaks over to Alibaba hastily explaining his plan. "I don't like it."

"Me neither." Catrina agrees, but they finish up with their song.

"Walkin' in a winter wonderland…" Centola finishes, smiling largely. She had felt very comfortable after the first song, and singing became effortless after a few moments. She loved it very much, and hoped that everyone else did too.

She stepped back the moment that Alibaba came to the mic.

"Well everyone, this has been a delightful evening. Lots of Christmas cheer. But how about now we play a little something else, hm?"

"What?" Bad squeals, and Alibaba sends a smirk her way as he motions to Judal.

Instantly Centola knows what song it is.

"Guys...They're singing Walk the Moon."

"Walk the Moon?"

"The band. They sing Shut up and Dance with Me?"

"Ohhh...Crap."

"What song is this?"

"..." Centola sighs. "Jenny."

By the time Alibaba finished their song, the audience was in an uproar.

"Final voting!" Bad announces, masking her nervousness. "Alright...Saint Ali and the Reindeers!"

A massive applause starts going. Once it dies down, Bad yells out,

"Silver Bells!"

An applause roars out again, and in surprise the performers stare at one another.

"We won!" Judal yells, but Eren shakes his head.

"No, our applause is louder."

"Helllll no."

"Helllll yes." Asad counters his brother's words.

Seeing a dispute about to start, Catrina runs up to the mic.

"It's a tie! Yay!"

"Catrina!" Everyone choruses, but the crowd goes on cheering anyone, happy for the performance.

8:13 PM, December 25, Wazir House

"Ah, what a day," Bad sighs once she gets into her house, pulling off her shoes. "I can't believe we tied."

"It's for the best, Princess." Yunan comments, patting his daughter's head. "If Alibaba won, he'd never let you hear the end of it."

"True. If I had won I would've done the same." Bad admits, hugging her dad around the waist. "I'm still bummed."

"No need to be upset," Yunan laughs. "You still have plenty of other wins over that loser!"

Bad blinks at her father, not expecting that. Then she bursts into laughter.

"You're right! Haha!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

*Walk the Moon: I love them. And Jenny happens to be my fav. song XD

HAVE A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS/WHATEVER YOU CELEBRATE AND WINTER BREAK, MY PRETTIES!

BYE~~~~~~~