Realistic or Modern Spellbound

[xrakkax]

“I have time to drop you off.” Theo assured her as they walked to his motorcycle. He donned the helmet his niece made him. The man looked more like a daedric prince than a human. Willow got on and they zipped off to a rustic looking bar. Jovan wasn’t opposed to serving them, but closed meant closed. So they had to choose a lesser bartender to mix their beverages.

Bandit peeked out of Theo’s pocket when they parked so she might gauge how far she had to jump to sit on Willow’s shoulder. The distance for it closed as Willow took her place by his side. Bandit crawled up to her favorite shoulder; the right one. It seemed Bandit was never not with them. She had even spilled out of Theo’s pocket when they were makin’ out in front of Willow’s apartment building.

 

[Soliloquy]

Willow wasn't going to object if he offered, eager for a few more minutes spent with him. She slid into her seat beside him, arms wrapped around as they found an almost hole-in-the-wall to have a quick drink and a chance at the rare time together alone. She loved his family, there was no doubt there at all, but she did also enjoy that rare time for themselves.

"Why hello pretty girl," she cooed to the ferret balanced on Theo's shoulder, even raising her own left so she had less of a jump to go. "Did you keep an eye on my man for me? Need someone to keep him in line when he doesn't answer his phone at the hospital."

 

[xrakkax]

Bandit trilled, obviously happy to interact. She gave what could have been a nod, if Willow thought this li’l old weasel knew English. The ferret settled down. Content to survey the night from Willow’s shoulder.

Theo chuckled, “She not allowed the hospital, but I see her peek through window.” He explained the hilarity of hearing nurses and doctors talk about a ghostly critter haunting the place. “I still not tell them yet.” Theo wanted to see how long this would go.

 

[Soliloquy]

She giggled at her animated response, giving her a quick pet on the top of her head before the headed in and found themselves a booth. Even in a smaller establishment, it seemed like it was getting quite full. This might have actually been the first time they were out on a Saturday night, seeing as a majority of their dates were on Sundays or Mondays.

"Oh you are quite the prankster, aren't you?" she teased him. "Well if I get a call that you're causing havoc and scaring the nurses I won't be able to save you from that, krasavchik."

 

[xrakkax]

“Is okay, I am doctor now, I can heal my wound and continue shenanigan.” Theo chuckled.

Indeed the bar had more people than expected. Theo decided to make it easier on them by having Willow sit with Bandit at a table for two near the exit. Not so close it was cold, but not so far into the bar that they felt crowded. Theo took down her order and left to the bar so he could get their drinks. People were crowded around waving money in the air for the same opportunity. Bandit chittered, curling around Willow’s neck to rest. As if sixteen hours wasn’t enough.

Five minutes passed when a deep voice said, “Hey, you come here often?” While the brunet who sauntered to her side had fashionable taste and a pretty face, there was an edge to his eyes that reminded Willow of Sadie.

 

[Soliloquy]

Willow could only roll her eyes at his antics, shaking her head still as he headed off to get their drinks. Feeling Bandit coiled about her neck, she spoffed. "You and me both, sister," she murmured, strictly to herself of course since Theo was gone and Bandit was, well Bandit. It had been a long day to the point where all of Natalia's magic salves and soup were wearing thing. Sleep was going to be welcomed, especially with an early start the next day as well.

It took her a moment to register the voice was talking to her, looking up in visible surprise. "Oh, uh. No, not at all, honestly," she responded, not about to be impolite although she wasn't quite the type to converse at bars. Her eyes shifted over toward the bar, but there were far too many bodies in the way to spot Theo's form.

 

[xrakkax]

“That’s a shame, a pretty face like you would brighten up the place.” He said sincerely. The man ran his free left hand through his hair, the other held a half-empty drink. “Mind if I get you a--” Whatever he meant to say fell away when he noticed the ferret. Willow, who searched for Theo, did not see his eyes sharpen, or the way he began to study her hands. “That’s a cute little critter you got there.” He said. “Looks like the kind of little that can go just about anywhere.”

 

[Soliloquy]

Even if the comment was meant to be sincere, something in her didn't take well to it. Maybe it was being committed to Theo or maybe just the fact she had long since outgrown being picked up at a bar. "I have a drink on the way," she had answered as she turned back to face him, catching now that his gaze was on Bandit. Hoping their little company wasn't going to get them thrown out if someone felt the need to tell the establishment owners, Willow pulled her hair forward, veiling most of Bandit although now it just looked like she wore a furry thick necklace. "She's quite the stowaway, but good company and protection from cockroaches."

 

[xrakkax]

Almost little to no attention was paid to her drink situation and no follow up to convince her to do it anyway. “Oh I bet.” The man seemed to train on Bandit, a smile meant to be pleasant came off thin and a little creepy. “I bet she’s a protection from a lot of things.” The man finished his drink in one go and set it down on a nearby table. No regard to the staff. His gaze, like the mud found crusting on a boot, looked into Willows. It felt like he trudged in them without permission, getting chocolate stuck to his own shoes. “My name’s Freddy, by the way. Freddy Smith. What’s yours?”

 

[Soliloquy]

Willow shifted in her seat, growing quickly uncomfortable at the unsettling gaze he offered. She wondered if she should bother trying to message Theo; the chance of his phone being charged and not on silent were likely thing. She shook her head, trying to find an easy way to get him to back down. "It's been a pleasure meeting you, Freddy, but I'm not looking to meet anyone," another slightly panicked look over to the bar. Something told her this guy wasn't going to backdown easily. "My bo- fiance should be back soon and would prefer to have our time together. Alone." She tried to stress the last part, even bluffing (in a way) their relationship seeing as from her experience, commitment was more likely to make a guy back off.

 

[xrakkax]

Freddy took a brief survey in the direction Willow looked. No one in particular caught his attention, except for the tall, long haired man. It can’t really be his bad luck this, maybe fake, ‘bo’-fiance was that guy. So Freddy rolled his dice made a bold move to sit in the vacant chair, to make pleasant the situation that Willow found uncomfortable.

“Just hear me out--” That smile of his, not a winner in the least, urged her to accept his good nature, and his voice when he started to form words rolled smoothly in an attempt to clam, but he barely got one buttcheek down when Bandit hissed at him from underneath Willow’s dark tresses. The angry ferret shook its head to better reveal its snarling teeth.

Freddly leaned back and held his hands up in peace, “Hey, heeey, cool it.”

Bandit outstretched a hand to steady herself as she leaned forward. Her left eye was purposefully shut tight. Freddy squinted in confusion, looking from Willow's eyes to the ferret's eyes. In moments a shadow passed over the rude man. In that second Bandits left eye opened.

“Is problem?” Theo’s deep, raspy voice asked.

Turns out Freddy’s luck was pretty bad, because when he turned around the man who looked down at him, who was the not-fake fiance, was the same tall guy with long black hair he didn’t want to tangle with. Freddy looked between Willow and Theo and decided this wasn’t his day. The brunet got up from Theo’s seat and motioned it was all his. “No problem.” He took a step back. “Just thought I’d say hello to pretty girl. It’s bar, after all. But I see she’s taken.” The man peered down at Bandit who emanated ferocity. “Nice ferret.”

Theo only stared at him. He had limited time to get going before there would be a problem. Freddy took the hint and walked out of the bar. When he left Bandit nestled back into her comfy spot and huffed. Theo put his arm around Willow, “You okay?”

 

[Soliloquy]

The sight of Theo not far off was a relief, although it didn't seem to be enough to stop Freddy in his tracks. She shifted yet again as he sat down and it seemed like Bandit shared a disapproval for this stranger. Worried she'd launch herself at him, Willow kept a hand up, prepared to grab her scruff if necessary. In the past few months, she hadn't seen the ferret get so upset, but they also hadn't had a run-in like this.

The familiar rumble of her Russian infatuation brought a smile to Willow's lips, one that only widened as he seemed to finally take the thing that he wasn't invited to stay. Bandit seemed relaxed as well, and she let out a long breath nodding to his question. "Oh yeah, we're fine. Just some guy," she assured him with a weak smile. She was unnerved but didn't know how to explain it. Bandit's reaction was definitely a big portion of it, though, or so she told herself. "Can't say I've dealt with that in a long while. Bit of an odd ball, too. Was super into Bandit and clearly she approved as much as I did."

 

[xrakkax]

Theo gave Bandit a single finger noogy of appreciation, “Da, very odd man. You good girl, Bandit.” Theo praised and gave Willow a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. “If alright I can get drinks. Managed to make order before I left to check on you.” He was as truthful as he could muster. “Won’t be long, okay?” Theo gave her a kiss on the head before heading into the crowd.

“Freddy? Freddy?” A man whose weathered russet skin creased from faded scars looked around the bar in confusion. One or two people pointed him out the door. So he made his way in that direction. As soon as he stepped fully out of the door a crow came to perch on his shoulder. Bandit made a low, humming noise that sounded like a warning in their direction. The crow peered at Willow, giving her a tilt of his head in curiosity just as the man walked off out of sight.

Just then Theo reappeared with the drinks they wanted in hand. He sat down, happy to know no crazy person was hitting on Willow in that short time. “Here you go.” He smiled as he slid her beverage over.

 

[Soliloquy]

Willow gave her reassurance that she would be fine, even though she was still returning to a sense of calm. It wasn't as though she had been in danger before, what with Theo only a matter of feet away and the man not laying a finger on her. It just bothered her how worked up Bandit had been, stroking her head when they were alone yet again. Her eyes had flicked over to the door when it opened, looking at the bird with growing curiosity. Everyone seemed to have the strangest of pet choices around here..

Once Theo returned, they were able to enjoy their drinks in peace, without another unwanted person or Bandit getting frisky. There wasn't a lot of time to spend together with him needed back at the hospital, back on his motorcycle and gliding across the dark of town in a breeze. Still, even if there was a shortage of time, they'd always find time for goodbye kisses. Those kisses only seemed to grow in duration and passion until one or the other made the sad but appropriate choice to part. There was always tomorrow and for tonight the world needed him.

Sunday, December 24th, 2017
​

Jovan’s stern words the night before were greatly appreciated with the busy brunch shift was throbbing the moment people were allowed in. Sadie seemed to be more aware of her own serving, less breaks out to smoke and few instances of lingering at tables. Perhaps they were seeing a change in the teenager’s attitude, or she was just smart enough to tuck tail after getting herself in trouble the night prior. Or maybe it was just that relief in knowing that not only was the shift short and the next day off, but it was Christmas! It was hard to have an attitude at the holidays, after all.

Willow was weaving about tables, filling glasses and taking orders, often answering questions for the holiday special. Apparently the idea of ‘stuffing’ alongside ham and roasted potatoes was not a dish found in Russia. She was able to convince a few people to venture outside their comfort zones, excited to see that their compromise on the menu was being received by a fair amount of the patrons. There were of course, wonderful staple faces who wouldn’t have any of it.

A newer but not completely foreign face showed up about an hour before closing, the middle aged woman seated within Molly’s area that Sunday. There was a certain refined structure to the way she sat, shoulders back as she looked over the menu. When Molly stopped by, Liz offered a genuine smile to her.

“Good afternoon, dear. I don’t suppose you’ll help me with this menu? The beef stroganoff was delectable, but I’m feeling a tad more adventurous today. Anything that you’d recommend for a full-blooded American?”

“Oh sure honey.” Molly smiled, leaning to point out the following dishes. “My personal preference is the cabbage rolls. Ah, we have a selection of traditional soups. People tend to be wary of trying out borscht, but it’s actually pretty good. Micha makes a mean khachapuri. And if you stay for dessert, I recommend the medovik. And I can get the cook to give you a side scoop of homemade vanilla-bean ice cream with it.” While the ice cream wasn’t ‘kosher’, Micha was convinced it tasted good enough to be an option. By request, not in print.

“You know what, the cabbage rolls sound absolutely perfect,” Liz agreed, nodding. “I’ll go for that with kvas to drink. We’ll have to wait and see how full I am after, but I will say that I’m a sucker for ice cream, so you might have sold me there. You seem to know your way around the menu, have you been working here long?" It was easy enough to see how Sadie had been roped in. Unlike many of the Russian patrons, she had a relaxing and cheerful tone.

“Oh three months, somethin’ like that.” Molly guesstimated. “It takes a bit to get used to the way this place runs, but it’s been a great gig so far. And the boss really looks out for us workers.” Molly often felt Jovan’s efforts were unsung in the eyes of the patrons. The cooks tended to get all the attention.

The southern belle had taken her order, insisting she’d get it in stat, returning with a chilled glass of kvas a few minutes later. "Thank you dear! Oh, yesterday Sadie mentioned you and the other gal, Willow, were friends; how long have you girls known each other?"

Aside from the inward irritation with Sadie, Molly didn’t mind talking with customers. But in her case she made sure Willow didn’t have to pick up her slack. “Summer before sixth grade.” Molly smiled at the recollection.

“That’s sweet. You don’t often see girls staying in contact, sadly. I’m sure she’s glad to have a friend like you,” she said before shooing the girl off, knowing that she had other patrons that were less patient than herself.

As the kitchen was gradually slowing down, the wait for food was decreasing. Willow could feel her feet begging for a break or at least salve as she made her fourth consecutive trip from the kitchen to the dining area, nearly bumping into Molly as she walked away, headed to Elizabeth’s table. "Smells delicious, so I'm going to call it an excellent recommendation,” she praised as the steaming plate was set before her.

“Good, I’ll tell Micha.” Molly smiled.

“Well-earned. Oh, and speaking of recommendations, it turns out I'm going to be in town a few more days, do you have any for things to do around Seabrook?"

“Oh wonderful! Well there’s kemah boardwalk, the aquarium, and we have lovely parks here. Willow and I go out to Pine Park every Monday, actually.” Molly listed a few more before a voice called to her.

“Myshka, this doesn’t taste like the pelmeni we had in Russia!” An old man grumpily pointed his wrinkled finger at the pile of perfectly delicious dough pockets filled with a meatball.

Molly yelled back, “Then go back to Russia, Mr. Chekov! Or shut up and eat your damn food!” She turned back with a smile. “Anything else you need honey?”

A hearty chuckle left the older woman and she shook her head. “No, not at all, doll. You’re a blessing, thank you again.” A job well-done that was sure to earn a big, fat tip.

Their shift was winding down as the dining room emptied. Everything was scrubbed down and cleaned up, left perfectly in place for Tuesday’s crowd. Willow found sanctuary on one of the large armchairs, more interested in the familiar scent of the salve she applied than pay that day.

 

[xrakkax]

Micha lingered at Molly’s side when he gave her the pay for the day. They had gotten along much easier lately. Not that their game had yet ceased. It was Micha’s mission to get Molly to admit she liked him-- wanted to be with him. Only fair, after all the trouble she gave him. Molly just wanted him to ask her out now. On her terms. Without admitting anything.

While they chittered Jovan came to hand Willow her pay. “Day wage.” he said, handing it off. He didn’t leave though, taking a long look at Willow before calling over Molly. “You think Willow look like woman today?”

Molly crossed her arms and leaned, studying Willow, “Hmm, I guess so. I mean, loads of women have brown hair and brown eyes, but--” She eased back, confident in her observation. “Yeah, I think that lady kinda looks like Willow.”

They realized they were talking as if Willow couldn’t hear, but Jovan didn’t care, he didn’t meant to be offensive and he figured they’d know. He grunted and walked off. Micha took a turn here, “Hmm, Willow has pointier eyebrows.”

“Well, yeah, but that could be just make up.” Molly said, and asked, “Honey bun, she had been asking a lot about you, you know?” She told her what she could of the conversation the lady had with her during her time as her waitress.

 

[Soliloquy]

It seemed as if the two would be in their perpetual game of cat and mouse until one of them died of old age. That or Molly was going to lose her temper and sock him square in the face; when he asked why she'd say something like 'stars, I was just hoping it'd knock some sense into ya', Young love. Sadie, unlike the others who were frequently around each other and now had a growing history, didn't seem to quite get what was going on. She half leaned toward them being a thing, half figured Micha was only trying to get eyebrow tips,

Willow had accepted the day wage, tucking the money aside only to look up and find she was the center of discussion. Her brows furrowed in confusion; what woman were they talking about? How had she managed to miss so much when they were all in the same room. Molly filled her in and all she could do was shrug her shoulders. "I don't know what to tell you guys. Last I checked I don't have a long lost sister and I know what my mother looks like; it's just a coincidence. Besides, you're saying that she was asking about everyone, not just me."

Drawn out of her internal speculation on what sort of relationship Molly and Micha had, Sadie perked up at the comparison. "Oh Liz from yesterday? I mean, I kind of see it," she agreed with Jovan and Molly. "She did ask about everyone when I helped her yesterday."

 

[xrakkax]

Between Willow brushing it off as coincidence-- and, to be fair, there were 7 billion people on that world-- and Sadie saying Elizabeth had asked about everyone, Micha had already shrugged it off. Besides, he wasn’t interested in engaging with Sadie and he had to feed Bear. Molly had to admit the interest wasn’t completely out of the ordinary. So, she shrugged and gathered her things.

Amalia had a slightly more suspicious nature. “What she ask about us?” She inquired while she fed Avril a living rat. The boa slipped around the creature and slowly cut off its blood supply.

 

[Soliloquy]

Sadie found a bizarre interest in watching Avril being fed the few times she had witnessed it. She was very much against anything that had to do with spiders or really all creatures with more than four legs, but the snaked always seemed so calm. That, and an unlike Bear, wasn't a walking hazard.

"Just questions," she stated until the rat stopped it's squirming. "Asked if I knew how long the place had been open which I have no idea, if you were really Russian, and then when I said most of ya'll were she asked who wasn't. Told her it was me, Molly, and Willow that weren't and we did the tables. She asked if we'd be open on Christmas, I showed her that big ass calendar and all the days the pub is randomly closed. Those are shopping days."

Willow pointed to Sadie - for the first time and probably the only time- to prove a point. There was nothing odd about those questions and they'd had a few of them multiple times themselves. Her day wages were tucked away and shoes slipped back on before she glanced at the time. Theo was likely at home by now from his triple shift, passed out as he should have been, which meant a drive home with Molly.

 

[xrakkax]

Nothing appeared malicious or out of the ordinary. Maybe the one about if they were really Russian. That made Amalia chuckle. She shrugged off the whole ordeal and went on with her day. Molly yawned, and saw Theo wasn’t around-- she didn’t always know his schedule like Willow. So she hip-bumped her friend, “Alright, honey, let’s get you home.”

The drive to drop off Willow felt like old times. They didn’t have as many since Theo and Willow had started courting. It was easy to get back in the groove of chick-chatter. They touched on some usual subjects, such as Molly poking and teasing if Willow and Theo had done the dirty. And this time when Micha was brought up, Molly huffed and said she was waiting for him to ask her out, but she refused to be the one to do it, because she felt like that made her feel manly. She had enough of that in her hands and her funky brow. But Micha, who felt it was due him, refused to do ask her out until she asked him out. So they’d play their game until one broke. Molly wondered if she might pretend she was on the phone with Ethan in front of him ‘accidentally’. Who knows! And anyway, it was Christmas.

“I got you a preeeesent!” Molly sang, off key, and winked at Willow. “I bet you’ll love it.” She wouldn’t say what though. “Theo said to pick you up tomorrow and to drive to the pub, so that’s what I’m going to do. Be ready at eight. They’re letting us sleep in some.” A gift in and of itself. “Night girl!” And then Molly was gone.

Only to come back the next morning. Molly yelled, “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” at Willow’s window,and honked, despite the neighbors who grumbled and shouted at her to shut up. In response, Molly called back, “YOU SHOULD BE AWAKE ANYWAY, HEATHENS!”

Christmas demanded a new outfit. So Molly had gone shopping at some point in December and found a cute little outfit to match her high boots.

 

[Soliloquy]

If Molly thought she was going to get any dirt on just how dirty the two lovebirds had been, she was only partially right. The smallest hint was dropped that things were still restricted to steamy goodnight kisses. It just wasn't a topic they'd touched on, and at this rate Willow didn't even know how they'd approach it when the time came. For now she kept the focus on Molly and Micha's loveless love story, deciding this was going to be an area she wouldn't pick a side. Knowing Molly, she wouldn't be succeeding to him anytime soon, so they were in for a long spring.

Eight was a welcomed wake-up after too many early mornings. Unlike Molly, she had stuck with an existing outfit, especially after the concert dress had been so recent of a purchase. Sure, funds were more than fine, but why shove another dress in the closet she might wear once or twice a year max? No, she went with her preferred holiday attire of a velvet skirt and fluffy sweater, trooping outside with a large bag hoisted over her shoulder like a little Miss Claus. The sack was wedged into the backseat before she plopped down in the passenger seat.

"Merry Christmas Molly," she chimed nodding at the parking lot exit. "Let's get out of here before you piss off one of my neighbors and wind up with a fruit cake through your windshield."

 

[xrakkax]

“Ick, fruitcake.” Molly scrunched her nose in distaste. “If they did that I’ll make ‘em eat it.”

Not quite the holiday spirit, but Molly put on Christmas music and sang awfully with Willow, whose voice made up for her wail. They were so in to the songs that they took a moment to realize something odd about the air. Molly and Willow were suddenly aware that little flakes of white were accumulating on the car windshield. “No fucking way.” Molly murmured in surprise as she pulled into the parking lot. The ground, despite being Texas asphalt, was covered in small slopes of fresh powder. Molly wondered if it was even ice or some kind of non-toxic heat resistant chemical. She got out and felt the cold, frozen wetness. Molly looked around and saw a cleverly hidden snow machine off to the side. If she hadn’t been searching for it, she might not have seen it. The machine shot a geyser of white so high into the air that Molly had a hard time staring up to see where it bloomed wide to shower the world with snow.

Whatever it was that floated around them, Molly was just happy they put this up. “Whoa, look!” She pointed at a little sleigh with a handsome reindeer attached. For the moment he was sitting on the cold ground and chewing some tasty alfalfa. The ground was certainly thick with snow to glide a simple sleigh easily enough.

The Old Bear, decked out in garlands, bells, figures of angels and ribbons, looked like it was pulled out of a children's Christmas book. Already the girls could smell the food from outside. When the girls walked into the pub they saw cinnamon wreaths, more twists of green boughs, mistletoe over their heads, and candles. Most tables were pushed to the walls, whereupon there were paintings of christmas scenes, silver figurines, pictures of family dead and alive, and Willow saw a new scrapbook meant for holiday memories in the center where the people attending this little soiree could paste in a message and a picture using the polaroid camera. A tall, proud christmas tree with Russian style ornaments, stood in the center of the stage. Presents were stacked underneath. At the foot of the stage were bedrolls and cushions facing the tree.

On the table meant for feasting was an array of special seasonal foods, such as a hot chocolate fountain, pretty silver mugs, marshmallows, whipped cream, and different kinds of candies for your drink. There was a fondue pot surrounded by things to dip into the cheese. The other end was set up for the usual dinner-style meal. And in the center was a gingerbread palace.

Music played on an old victrola. All their holiday favorites.

Natalia had come to celebrate with them. She had on a lovely green dress. Pipin wore a small holly bowtie. Amalia was dressed in a festive gown too! Her normal hard-edge impression melted like snow on a hot day to reveal a softer side of her. Avril was content, asleep in her tank. Granya also dressed up, but she kept on her coat as usual. Finn had a thin silver chain around his neck with tiny gold bells tinkling. Lyov switched out his usual eyepatch for one that was blue and trimmed in silver. Jovan wore a formal suit to match, with a bit of holly in his front pocket. Micha was wearing a red hot silk shirt with a gold leaf pattern. Bear had been given a big red matching bow.

Molly gaped in wonder. She hardly registered Micha coming to her side to say ‘Merry Christmas’. Molly usually had a word for almost any occasion, but she followed him in silence to the table to eat. Micha had to direct her since she kept looking around. But she found her voice once she sat and everyone greeted her. She smiled, “Merry Christmas guys! This is all so wonderful. Wow!” They went to chatting about it.

Theo walked in from the bathroom right then. His black hair had been pulled up into a smoother bun. A few strands had escaped. The shells Willow and Granya made were holding it together. He touched up his beard, put some cologne on, and gave his nails a trim. When he saw Willow his eyes lit up and he came over to greet her in a warm hug. “Ah, Красивый, you so beautiful! Merry Christmas!”

 

[Soliloquy]

Their joyous singing was interrupted when the snowy phenomenon caught their eyes. Willow also voiced her disbelief, but wasn't about to turn down a white Christmas after all the gross warm ones since moving south. Everything around them looked beautiful and felt like Christmas magic. Self control was needed not to go investigate the reindeer, shouldering her sack of presents herself and carefully making her way through the snow. She hadn't spotted the machine responsible for the blanket, but would also rather not look; some secrets were better undiscovered.

Stepping into the pub had never been so exciting. The festive smells, sights and sounds immersed her into a holiday like none before. Even her own Christmas days spent back home while lavish were not the same feeling as what the Old Bear and its family gave. The tree was impossibly tall and she felt as though it must have taken them hours to squeeze in and decorate. One hand reached out to touch one of the many wooden ornaments, this one a Russian doll when the rumble of her enamored sounding, making her abandon her sack of gifts to throw her arms about him.

"Merry Christmas!" she agreed, pulling back to look up at him with a grin of approval. "You look very handsome and this place - this place is perfect! How on earth did you manage to get this all done since yesterday?"

 

[xrakkax]

“Magic.” Theo said simply, with a chuckle. The rest of his family did as well. Molly joined the laughter at his words too. Even Bandit chittered in amusement-- if ferrets could understand and find humor in such a quip. Theo whisked away from answering that question in detail and just pointed Willow to the seat by him. Theo began to plate his food like the rest of them. “Would you like ride in sleigh with me later?”

There was no doubt that would be a yes, so Molly just moved on in and said, “About that-- where’d you get a reindeer?”

Micha shrugged, “We have friends.”

“You guys got a lotta ‘guys’.” Molly commented, shoveling a spoon full of food in her mouth. “Not complaining, just kinda funny.”

The family shrugged that off, they tended not to speak too much on business out in the open. Theo didn’t pay too much mind to the comment either, choosing to engage Willow about that ride, “It will be around pub, in circle, but still fun.”

 

[Soliloquy]

Any other day she might have been skeptical of an answer, but it was perfectly cliche enough for Christmas. "Well, I love your magic," she concluded, taking her rightful place at his side. Everything smelled so delicious and the music and decorations were just heavenly. They couldn't have coaxed the reindeer out of a forest with a trail of laced carrots and she would have accepted it. Maybe it was the same person who had arranged the horses on their first day, a much more plausible option.

"A sleigh ride in the snow on Christmas day? I think I'd have to be crazy to say no," she said with a nod. Remembering the treat she had brought as a contribution, she moved back toward the tree, fishing a large carton of eggnog out and bringing it back to the table. It wasn't Christmas without eggnog, after all.

 

[xrakkax]

The family watched as Willow went off to bring something out of a bag. As it became clearer what it was, Molly raised a hand, “Oh, oh me.” She waved over the carton. Molly spared no time to pour herself a cup and insisted Micha try. “Taste that.”

Micha did, and his eyes lit up, “Oh, I know this one!” He motioned for the others to have some.

All of them enjoyed the drink and each took a cup of it for themselves, Theo chuckled to see Jovan and Molly add a little vodka to their own. Not for Theo, he was fine with regular, “Willow, what do you family do for this day?”