Archive of Our Own ^beta

"Hi, I had gotten word that my order is ready?" Alian had stepped into the jeweler's shop on Elysion, the little bell above the door chiming merrily. The jeweler looked their way, smiling and beckoned them further into the shop.

"Ah, Miss Millson yes? Yes yes, just in time for Christmas too!"

"I hope the extra funds I gave for such a rushed order are sufficient, Mr. Beaufoy." Alian said softly, but he had waved her off.

"You were most generous, Miss Millson, I appreciate it most kindly. Let's see, I just had it— ah here it is."

Alian stood at the counter as Mr. Beaufoy brought out a little ring box, opening it for Alian to take a look at its contents, and she gasped at the sight.

"Ohh, may I?"

"Of course."

She took out the ring, inspecting it and looking it over carefully. When Romeo and her had come by a bit back, Alian had taken note of him looking at a ring much like this one, but she thought a couple of tweaks to make it more personable would be just right. It was silver, a four-styled band, and the setting was a square, cut jade inlaid with a silver 'R' at the top. It was just as she had it sketched and detailed.

"It's beautiful. Ah, I hope he likes it." Alian sighed.

"He'd be a fool not to."

Alian smiled to the jeweler. He had taken the ring back, placing it in its box, and at her request, and gotten it nicely wrapped as a present for the upcoming holiday.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Beaufoy! Have a lovely Christmas!"

"Same to you, Miss Millson, and your family!"

Alian made the trek on back home, holding the small bag of Romeo's gift close to her person, she absolutely did not want to lose this. A light snowfall began about halfway through her walk, dusting her hat and coat, as well as a bit of her hair. They gave polite nods and greetings to passerbys on their walk, human and puppet alike, on until walking through the door, though they made sure to kick and shake off any snow that accumulated on them before stepping inside.

"Welcome home." Sue bid with a smile from a chair in the living room. "What were you doing?"

"Got a telegram saying Romeo's present was ready, so I just went to pick it up. I hope he likes it."

"Since it's coming from you, he'll love it." Sue assured.

Alian smiled, trotting upstairs to her room. She set the present on her nightstand, where she could always see it and be sure to grab it for the big day, then proceeded to count down to when they got to see Romeo's reaction.

❄ ❄ ❄

Only a few finishing touches were needed to be truly ready for Christmas, Alian was working on them and Romeo was helping out at the manor. The puppets that originally belonged to her former master had done the majority of the work, and Alian was quite grateful to them, but there were some things she enjoyed doing herself, such as decorating the tree. Romeo was getting the higher branches while Alian handled the lower parts.

"You really think they'll like me?" Romeo asked, hanging up an ornament, one that was some silly looking snowman figure Alian had made when they were a child. Alian, kneeling a little, hung up a red orb and smiled up to Romeo.

"Yes, you'll be fiiine. I will warn you that my brothers probably will tease you, may ask you some… questions, but don't worry! They'll get to know you, see you're a great guy, and like you just as much as our parents."

Romeo paused, rubbing at the back of his neck, his eyes flickered down to Alian. "I still can't help but worry a… little. They're your brothers, your older brothers might I add, your their baby sister— sibling," he quickly corrected, "and I am… a guy. Dating you. I… I don't have siblings, but… I have heard of what brothers can be like when protecting their baby… sis…bling? And it's been years since they've been back to Krat. It's just… a lot."

Alian stood up straight, pausing in their decorating and regarded Romeo with a kind expression. Stepping up to him, she reached to take his hand, gently grasping it and running a thumb over the back, massaging the skin. She always enjoyed holding his hands. How did he manage to keep his hands feeling smooth and soft despite the Stalker training? That was probably one of Krat's bigger mysteries.

"You'll do just fine, Romeo. You're one of the best men I know in all of Krat, and they'll see that right away. The fact you are concerned about making a good impression for my brothers speaks volumes."

"I hope so. Make for some really awkward family reunions if they don't like me."

Alian laughed at that. "That won't happen, there's no way either I or mom will allow that. Or dad for that matter."

Romeo smiled lightly, and the conversation turned to other matters. The pair finished decorating the tree and there was only one thing left; the topper. They had an angel for theirs, a one winged one, one that Sue had acquired some years ago. They weren't a particularly religious family, she had just liked the look of it. Alian carefully unwrapped it, showing an androgynous porcelain figure, with a white feathery wing, and wrapped in silvery blue robes, hands extended out in an act of mercy.

"Did you want to put them up?" Romeo asked.

"Well, that'd be nice but it's just a bit out of my reach."

"Oh let me help with that!"

"What do— ROMEO!!"

When Alian was going to inquire what he had meant by that, Romeo had grasped them around the middle and hoisted them up towards the top of the tree. They looked down at him with a bit of disbelief, then to the top, setting the angel up and making sure it was secure and patting his arm for them to be put down.

"A-A little warning next time would be nice."

"S-Sorry!"

Alian shook her head a little, amused now by the whole thing, and leaned up to press a peck on his cheek.

"Well, that should do it." Alian let out a sigh of relief. "Everything should be set for their arrival. If everything goes to plan, that should be in a couple of days. I'll be staying here to attend to everyone cause… that'd make me a bad host otherwise."

"Do… you want me to stay with you?"

That seemed like a multifaceted question. To Alian it wasn't just him asking if she wanted him with her, it was… he wanted to be needed. Lea was still gone, still… wherever she was. Her departure had hit Romeo hard, and Alian had caught signs of it here and there, but there were parts to Romeo's character that he wasn't one who dealt well with… being left alone, which was a bit unlike her. Alian could handle being on her own, and even required to have alone time here and there. Still, she got the true meaning to Romeo's question.

"Yeah, I'd really like that." They smiled.

"Great!!" He said, rather excitedly with a wide grin. "I'm looking forward to this Christmas! It'll be a good one!"

Alian smiled, thinking of the present she had in store for him. "It will be." she agreed.

❄ ❄ ❄

Alian, Sue and Jon waited on the B platform as the Star Regional train, number 824 pulled in, steam puffing into the air, and slowing to a stop. Puppets were at the ready of the doors for passengers, as well as to unload and assist with their luggage. Alian took out her pocket watch, looking at the time, reading 2:05 which meant they were right on time.

The doors were opened, and some of the passengers began to depart, Alian's heart quickened in excitement. Within a few minutes, descending from the steps were her older brothers, Trevion, Tristran and Ciaran, then with Trevion was his daughter, Alian's dear niece, Rae. Alian practically rushed her, giving her a tight embrace first and a yell of delight.

"Rae!"

"Woah, Alian!"

The pair circled in place, still holding and hugging each other, faces buried against the other's shoulder, smiling against their collar. Eventually Alian pulled away, beaming at their niece. It was wild seeing them now, they had both changed so much and so little. Her strawberry-blonde hair was much shorter now, now cute waves just below her ears, blue eyes glimmering with that familiar joy Alian recalled seeing, so many years ago. They found it interesting, how in the family it was only them, Sue and Rae that had blue eyes. Rae was dressed, as always, in a peculiar but fun sense of fashion, unlike much of the standard. Them standing side by side, the pair could almost be mistaken for sisters, and were when they were young children.

"Rae! Ah! It's so, so good to see you!" Alian breathed, giddy with excitement. "How have you been? How many years has it been since we actually last saw each other?"

Pausing to think on that, Rae pondered for a good while. "At least eight years, you've gotten taller." Alian laughed at that and Rae continued. "I've been good! Dad's been good too, we've been both doing our own thing with dancing ya know. I got into a program, which I'll be starting next spring, so! Looking forward to that!"

"That's awesome! I remember from your last letter you were talking about the program and hoped to get in. So glad you did! You deserve it!" Alian cooed.

"And you? How's being an artist?"

Alian smiled softly. "It's been fine. D. Gray… he really left me unwanting for… nothing. I won't really have to worry about much in life, thanks to him. I can pick and choose clients as I please. But! More exciting! You get to meet Romeo! And Carlo and Kou!"

"Ah yes, Romeo," Ciaran chimed in, and he glanced around, "he's not here?"

"Ah no, he's waiting for us back at the manor. Same with Carlo and Kou." Alian explained.

Then, she took a moment to give hugs to her brothers, each just a little taller than her. The eldest, Trevion, was a little heavier set than the rest of them, with hazel eyes. Tristran, the middle brother, and Ciaran, the youngest, shared their father's brown eyes and were fairly lean. Alian wasn't aware of any of her brothers sharing hers or their mother's 'gift'.

Together as a group, they departed the station, going out the double doors into the crisp winter air where a large coach was waiting for them. Puppets had followed them with their luggage, securing it aboard the carriage while Alian's family climbed inside and she after them. Once she was settled in, she looked up to Tristran speaking to her.

"So, this Romeo? You're together?" He asked, and even after all these years still had a relatively stone-faced expression. That was just… how he was though. Alian smiled and nodded.

"Yes. We've been friends for several years and…" they paused. It was a little embarrassing to be saying this to her older brothers, "back in the summer he asked me out, I said yes and… here we are." Alian pursed their lips and donned a more serious expression. "Now, be nice to him. He's a really good and sweet person, he's looking forward to meeting you all. Don't be jackasses."

Ciaran looked offended. "Alian! We're going to be perfectly civil!"

"Besides, if he's going to become a part of the family, we have to see what he's made of." Trevion grinned. Alian huffed, rolling their eyes.

"He's been training to be a Stalker, under the Legendary Stalker. He's more than capable." Alian said.

"But he hasn't met us." Tristran said, with a bravado that she was quite familiar with, a confidence that he was just innately born with. 'I'm not stubborn, I'm just right' he once said. Alian pinched at the bridge of their nose and sighed. Sue leaned in close, speaking in a whisper.

"Everything will be fine." She assured, a soft smile on her features. Alian wished she could have that certainty.

Conversation was light and casual for the duration of the carriage ride to the Gray manor, which Alian took as a blessing. They navigated the cobblestone streets and paths before making their way to one of the so-called 'rich' neighborhoods that lay outside the main city of Krat, to the suburbs so the wealthy could have room for sprawling mansions, gardens and more. What was mind boggling was that D. Gray's wasn't the largest or most grand, yet it was still quite elegant and swanky. Eventually, they pulled up to the gate's of Alian's late master's estate (which she quickly hopped out to open for the carriage and back in) then up to the doors of the manor, where three puppets were waiting.

Everyone began to pile out from the coach, and take in the scenery of the D. Gray estate. Alian cleared her throat to get her family's attention.

"Basil, Rosemary and Sage here," Alian gestured to the puppets, a chef, a maid and servant respectively, "will assist in bringing in the luggage, as well as helping with attending to everything else. They assisted D. Gray wonderfully and I trust them fully."

The puppets bowed to the family, stepping forward to obtain the luggage and bring it inside.

"So this was your master's? And now…?" Rae was asking, looking around.

"It's mine now, technically." Alian answered. "I haven't had the heart to change anything really though and… it's so much space, far more than I need, I haven't figured out what to do with it, but, at least I can house everyone without you all scrambling to find accommodations costing an arm and a leg. Also Basil cooks up wonderful dishes, he can make whatever you like."

"Like penne and cheese?" Rae grinned.

"Like penne and cheese." Alian grinned back.

Everyone got inside, and from the living room, Romeo, Carlo and Kou were waiting. Romeo had sprung up from his chair in an instant, hurrying over to embrace Alian in a firm hug.

"You're back!"

"O-of course! You're silly Romeo." Alian pulled a bit away from him as Carlo and Kou joined him as well, then Alian gestured to each of her friends to her extended family.

"This is Romeo," he smiled brightly and waved, "Carlo," he gave a polite nod, "and Kou." Who grinned and waved. "They're my best friends. Romeo and Carlo are students from the Rose Estate, Kou is actually an exchange student all the way from the Pearl of the Orient. And… Romeo and I are together." Even Alian thought that was tacked on lamely. She quickly moved on to introducing their family members to her friends. "Then these are my brothers and my niece. Trevion, Tristran, Ciaran and Rae. Rae is Trevion's daughter. We're actually only a few days apart in age if you can believe that."

Romeo smiled at everyone, and approached each brother and Rae to offer a handshake. "It's wonderful to meet you all finally! I've heard about you all from Alian and Sue and Jon!"

"Our sister slandering us? You've been given a false, colored view of us?" Tristran asked in a dry tone. Alian knew he was joking, but wasn't sure if Romeo would catch onto that. Given his mildly horrified expression, that looked like a no.

"W-what? Of course not! Alian has spoken highly of you!"

Carlo, however, he caught onto what Tristran was doing and saw an opportunity. What was the harm in teasing his best friend just a little? "Actually, you're quite right," he chimed, "Alian has said most disparaging things about you."

"Carlo!" Romeo exclaimed as Alian rolled their eyes.

"Just the most heinous things," Carlo continued, "poorly taking all your names out of good faith."

"No she didn't!" Romeo cried.

"Yup. Sounds about right." Trevion grinned.

Rae, more than familiar with the dynamics of the family, turned her attention to Kou. "You're a friend of Alian's too? And from so far away! What is it you do?"

Kou was a little internally startled to be given some attention yet bore it well, smiling at Rae warmly. "Alian and I started out as pen pals when we were kids, and there was a program here, years ago, to bring in talent from all over to Krat. Alian's mentor, D. Gray, was the one that actually helped pulls some strings to bring me over here. I… don't think I would have otherwise. I've decided to extend my studies so have been staying here longer, my parents moved back home some months ago."

"What have you been studying?" Rae asked.

"Uhh, music and musical theory. I do performances, but, I don't have an interest in becoming famous or stepping on Adelina's toes." Kou laughed. "D. Gray was quite… generous in his offer about my being able to study here. I've been able to coast by on that and… I'll always be grateful to him, for that and for giving Alian and me the chance to really meet. …I miss him."

Rae regarded Kou kindly, and Alian caught some of the conversation and looked on as Rae spoke. "He sounds like a wonderful man, I wish I had the chance to meet him, but! I'm glad Alian had a tutor like him and through him he could connect you two together! And with Romeo and Carlo!"

With that, Alian grabbed the attention of everyone. "I should be a good host and show all of you around and to your rooms. The place is pretty big, if you need help, you can ask me, or any of the puppets. Now, follow me!"

Alian led the way, with Romeo jogging ahead to walk alongside them, as she gave the grand tour of what was once, and still is she considered, the great artist D. Gray's home, pointing out his pieces on the walls, the library, an additional sitting room, a sun room, the bath rooms and more. Soon they came upon the guest rooms, with Alian showing each of her brothers and Rae where they'd be, their luggage already brought up as they had chatted.

"I know it's pretty large here, so please don't hesitate to ask me or the puppets for any help." Alian said with a small smile. "I'll let you all get settled, there's a few more things I should check on."

As they were leaving, Alian cast a look to Romeo that was a signal for him to follow. He looked uncertain at first, until Alian nodded over with their head when the others weren't looking. Guiding him back down through halls, they led him to the kitchen, where Basil was attending to some cooking on the stove now, and to the pantry, turned on their heel to look at him.

"Are you doing okay?" She asked, brow furrowed slightly. "I know I gave you… a bit of warning on my brothers ahead of time, but hearing it from me and actually meeting them are two different things."

Romeo gave a short laugh, rubbing at the back of his neck. "They're definitely a trio of characters, you weren't wrong. They're just, uhh, looking out for their baby sister— sibling, is all."

Alian snorted at that.

"What?" Romeo asked now, confused.

"Well, sure, I suppose." She sighed. "Mom did her best, and no they're not… awful. But you're my boyfriend, I love you, and that should be enough. They shouldn't put you through the verbal wringer."

Romeo smiled at Alian kindly, stepping forward to pull them into a hug. "It's okay, I can handle it. It's just some light teasing and jabs, nothing like what I heard some kids back in my slum days say, or even some fellow charity house students say."

The latter caught Alian's attention, why was she only really now hearing of this? "What… do you mean by 'some things' the other kids in the charity house have said?"

Romeo's expression shifted to one like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Uhh— it's, it's really not a big deal, Alian. It's just… dumb kids being dumb."

Alian gave him a look, Romeo sighed.

"It doesn't happen anymore, it was years ago, just… I got belittled, insulted, by some of the noble and aristocratic children for being a slum kid, and an orphan."

"Even though the Rose Estate started as an orphanage?" Alian questioned.

"I told you, dumb kids being dumb."

Alian frowned. "That doesn't mean it still wasn't awful, that it still didn't hurt. Those brats."

Romeo gave a weak smile. "What I mean to say in all this is; I can handle whatever your brothers throw at me. I know they mean well."

Alian thought on pressing the topic further, but decided it was better to drop it. It was the Christmas season, and she didn't need to bring any woe into it. Still, it needled them that Romeo held out on this info, that he hadn't been… comfortable bringing it forward? She would try not to let it consume her thoughts for the holiday, but, she would ask him more on it another time.

"Okay, I just wanted to be sure you were alright. I… know how my brothers can be a handful."

Romeo laughed. "Everything is fine, Alian."

Together they stepped out from the kitchen, back towards the main living room where everyone had rejoined. Rosemary had brought out some refreshments, tea and coffee, along with tea cakes and sandwiches, which a few folks were already partaking in.

"Coming out somewhere, just you two? Suspicious." Ciaran smirked over at Romeo and Alian. She frowned at him.

"Don't be crude." She looked to everyone else. "How are your rooms? Comfortable I hope?"

"Yeah! It's nice! D. Gray really had a… Personality." Rae said and Alian had to laugh.

"He did. Not even Venigni or Lumacchio could compete with his style."

Alian's three friends shared a chuckle at the mentioning of her late master's fashion choices. She took a seat on one of the sofas, with Romeo sitting next to her.

"So, Romeo," Ciaran began, and Alian was already mentally bracing themselves for what could possibly come next out of her brother's mouth. Out of the three, Ciaran was the most volatile and unpredictable. She loved him all the same, but was well aware his personality could be… difficult. She wondered if even Romeo's near endless patience would meet its match with him. At the mention of his name, Romeo perked up, looking on and over.

"Mm, yes?"

"Alian has said you're training to be a Stalker, you and Carlo both, and with the Legendary Stalker so I hear? I got a little Stalker training myself, and was curious, why not a little sparring match?"

Romeo looked surprised, as did a number of others. "What?" He asked.

"Ciaran, it's bloody freezing outside." Alian countered with a sigh.

"Why not use that drawing room you showed us earlier? It's pretty big and open, we would just have to push back some of the chairs and sofas some." Her brother countered back.

Alian was going to speak again but Romeo was quicker on the draw. "Sure, sounds fun."

She looked a little startled, her expression reading 'what are you thinking?' Alian knew this was some other kind of 'test' her brothers had cooked up against Romeo, they just knew it.

"What— what can you even use to spar with?" Alian asked incredulously. "This isn't some… Stalker… training grounds." That came out rather poorly, she could feel herself metaphorically curl and cringe at her own words.

"There are some wooden sparring swords." Rosemary informed the group, as she was taking away empty dishes. "D. Gray would invite Stalkers to his home sometimes to watch them practice and sketch them. This would be done in the drawing room you described. I could fetch the swords."

Alian pinched at the bridge of her nose. "Oh my god…" they muttered under their breath.

"Well! What do you say, Romeo, a small sparring match or two?" Ciaran asked, leaning forward in his seat with interest.

"I'll gladly take you on!" Romeo grinned.

"I will grab the swords and ready the room with Sage." Offered Rosemary.

"…Sure, fine." Alian answered, defeated.

Soon enough, the group was heading towards the drawing room spoken of, where the puppets were already there ahead of them, getting everything pushed aside, set up, and ready for Romeo and Ciaran's 'casual spar'. Just what was their brother's game, Alian wondered? His plan? All three of her brothers did something athletic and physical (certainly far more than her), but Ciaran was the one who was perhaps the most talented in any such activity. He had done dance like Trevion, and for a time did gymnastics like Tristran, and yes he did take up a little Stalker training, although was never a student of the Rose Estate. From her understanding, he had watched the moves of Bastards and Sweepers alike, then trying them out for himself. Yet, Alian wasn't sure how much he had kept up with practicing.

She really wasn't sure how this duel was going to go. If this wasn't her brother, Alian had confidence Romeo would win, and generally still did. But, would he go easier on Ciaran because he was her brother? Alian recalled a few times where Romeo showed her a few moves himself, the idea being that she should know some means of self defense 'just in case', which, was a fair idea. A fine and capital idea… if Romeo would actually properly attack her back. Instead it seemed more like their matches ended with Alian giving him a few good whacks and bruises, which she felt quite guilty on. Still, they persisted, and even Carlo and Kou got in on doing some sparring matches. Admittedly, Carlo was a much better teacher.

The drawing room had enough space cleaned out, sofas and chairs pushed to the sides and wall where Alian's various family members took seats. Alian sat with Carlo and Kou and Rae had joined them. Rae had given them a look, with a small, encouraging smile that said 'it'll be okay.' Alian couldn't help but return her niece's smile.

Rosemary had handed Romeo and Ciaran each a wooden sparring sword, and Alian really was surprised to learn this fact about her master. She had been to his home numerous times and had never seen anything like this, never even heard of this being a thing? Did it just not come up?

"Alian," Sage started, the puppet butler with his permanent smile standing before her with an arm crossed over his chest, "I used to referee for the Stalker guests of our former master of the house. I would be happy to do so once again."

Alian nodded to Sage. "Yes, please."

Bowing his head, the puppet walked to the other side of the room, and directed the two men to position. "Now, in the past when D. Gray had these matches, he set it to the participants at first hit or tap. He did not wish for anyone to truly be hurt after all. Is this agreeable?"

"Fine by me." Ciaran agreed.

Romeo nodded. "Yeah!"

"We will say first to three points then." Sage declared. "On my mark," both Romeo and Ciaran stood several feet facing each other, "salute," they saluted one another, "and… begin." The puppet waved an arm down, signaling the beginning of the duel.

Romeo rushed at Ciaran, to Alian's slight surprise, but her brother managed to block his swing, twisting his sword arm so that Romeo's came down with him, and he could not immediately pull his up. But Ciaran could. Ciaran then punished Romeo's hasty aggression with taking his sword, darting to the side and giving a tap against Romeo's left arm.

"That's one." Ciaran smiled, but Romeo only grinned back.

"Don't be too aggressive you donkey…" Carlo murmured under his breath.

They were circling each other, and everyone was watching with rapt attention. Now it was Ciaran that made the first strike, with Romeo nimbly twisting out of the way, yet not taking a chance to make his own attack just yet. Once again they were circling each other, like two predators staking out territory or claim to downed prey. Romeo was being more patient this time, and was rewarded for it. Ciaran charged at Romeo again, and this time when Romeo dodged it, he followed it quickly with a strike of his own, too fast for Ciaran to have blocked it or dodge it himself, catching him at his right thigh.

"One for me." Romeo grinned. Ciaran returned the expression with a smirk.

"Still two left to go, stay vigilant, Romeo."

The air felt stifling, blanketing them thick and heavy like smog, as Alian continued to watch alongside her friends and family. What was the point of this, Ciaran? To satiate one's curiosity? A means to test his skills against the Legendary Stalker by means of one of her apprentices? That didn't seem correct. No, to Alian, the more likely, probably answer was that this was… how could she put it? It was this… overly masculine way of testing Romeo, to make sure that he could 'look after them' effectively. Alian sighed.

She recalled some teachings and lessons from her elder brothers, particularly Tristran and Ciaran, on how she should know to defend herself; but those lessons didn't last once they left to pursue their own lives and passions, one by one, outside of Krat.

Alian blinked at the clatter of wooden swords, seeing now that Romeo and Ciaran's weapons crossed and locked together. Another point hadn't yet been called. For a 'friendly spar' both were taking this as serious as an actual duel.

As well trained as Romeo was, certainly, Alian knew this, Carlo and Kou knew this, Ciaran was giving him a run for his money. Or was it…?

'Romeo, are you going easy on him?' Alian wondered. They did have the concern he just might do such a thing, and she frowned. 'Romeo, no, come on just… kick his ass. Show him, everyone, what you're really made of!'

Sparring swords still locked together, Romeo spared a glance towards Alian. They tried to make it clear to him, with her gaze alone, that he didn't owe her brother, or any of them, anything, and certainly shouldn't allow himself to be humiliated in the skill he was most proud in. She wasn't sure she could convey this with a look, but she hoped, tried to will it into being, that Romeo got the message.

"You're getting distracted!" Ciaran warned, sliding his sword down, chancing a swing. Romeo did have issues with focus, it was true, but by now he learned this tic of his. He parried the strike from Ciaran, and in rapid succession, struck him back with two blows, one against his side and another against his upper arm. Ciaran looked rather surprised while Romeo grinned.

"Two and three for me!"

Ciaran gave a laugh. "Well, guess you're not one of the Legendary Stalker's apprentice’s for nothing. She's taught you well."

Sage called the match, declaring Romeo the winner and retrieving the sparring swords from the two young men. Alian got up from her seat, going over to the pair but approaching Romeo first, smiling.

"I knew you could do it." She said, yet before he could respond, Alian turned to Ciaran, addressing him next with a raised brow, "a 'friendly' sparring match?" They questioned. Alian wanted her brother to say himself what this was all about. Ciaran gave a cheeky smile.

"What's wrong with seeing what your man can do?"

Alian stared.

"What? I wanted to see what an apprentice of the Legendary Stalker can do, and with you becoming a famous artist in D. Gray's footsteps, he's gotta defend you, right?"

A sigh followed up from Alian with Ciaran's words. "That's not—"

Romeo pulled alongside Alian, holding her close and cutting in. "And I've shown I can, right?"

Ciaran chuckled. "Right." he reached over and gave Romeo a pat on his shoulder. "It was a good match, I'd love a proper spar with you sometime."

Romeo laughed. "And I'll humble you again!"

"Keep up that confidence, Romeo." Ciaran replied with a smirk.

Eventually, the room was straightened back up in order, thanks to the efforts of the puppets, and everyone ferried back on out to the main sitting hall to engage in some more conversation, Alian's parents catching up with the going on's of her brothers and Rae, while they spoke more with her friends and they learned about each other. Even so, she doubted that the 'tests' Romeo would have to go through to prove himself to her brothers was over. Ciaran had done his, but, there was still Trevion and Tristran left to grill him, and their ways would be… different.

In what felt like no time at all, Basil announced that dinner was ready, and led them all to the dining all, where quite the meal, feast really, was waiting for them. It wasn't even the actual Christmas dinner yet and this already looked impressive. There were little skewers reminiscent of a caprese salad but with tortellini's, garlic stuffed olives, roasted potatoes and carrots with rosemary and Parmesan, ravioli with a butter sauce, and stuffed quail.

"Basil! This is incredible!" Alian gasped to the chef puppet as people were taking their seats, and the puppet bowed his head to her.

"You had requested an assortment of foods to be available for the meal times, Alian. I hope it suffices."

"This is wonderful, thank you, Basil."

Alian took her seat, which was to the right of the head of the table that she left deliberately empty. It was where her late master used to sit after all. She thought, doing this, it was honoring him, and almost like believing for a moment he was here with them.

Rosemary went around pouring drinks for everyone, and when Alian received hers, she stood up, calling for everyone's attention.

"I just wanted to, err, I guess toast to… us, to all of you. I know if can be hard to travel, it's expensive, and times are tough. But thank you for coming, and joining me. There's nothing more I really want for Christmas than to be with my loved ones. Thank you." Alian raised their glass. "To family, whether it's who we're born with or who we find along the way."

"To family!" Everyone cheered, some louder than others, and took a sip of their drink. Alian sat back down, Romeo was sitting next to them and looked to her with a smile.

"That was really nice Alian, I liked that." Romeo said quietly, with a small smile. Sometimes, it were these milder expressions of his that made Alian absolutely melt more than the grandiose ones.

"I'm glad. Now to see how the next couple days goes."

"Right, Christmas Eve tomorrow and then the day of after that."

Alian smiled. "Once, when Rae and I were small, we tried staying up all night by the Christmas tree to see if we could see St. Nick dropping off the presents. We never did, we fell asleep. You remember that Rae?"

Rae looked up from eating some of the food, having already enjoyed a bit of the ravioli, grinning after a bite. "Yup! We woke up to some cool gifts though!"

"What were they again?"

Rae had to pause to think on that and try to remember herself. "Was that the big plushie year? You got a tiger and I got a leopard?"

"That was it! Ah I loved that tiger! I was so upset when she got eaten by moths!"

"You mean 'Raja the Boy Tiger?'" Tristran quipped in and Alian scowled over at him, memories flooding in now of her brother teasing her that the tiger plush was a boy when she insisted it was a girl.

"No!" Alian said firmly and Tristran chuckled over his quail, whilst her friends looked at mildly confused. "Okay, let me explain. Years ago, Rae and I got matching plushies, I got a tiger and she got a leopard. They were kind of large, least, large for a little kid. I loved my tiger, I named her Raja after getting help from mom. Of course I decided she was a girl." Alian then flashed a look to her brothers, particularly Tristran, "my brothers though, loved to torment me by saying that she was instead 'Raja the Boy Tiger', and I was like… five, or six, and I hated this. Because it was incorrect! She was not a boy!"

Tristran took a bite of a caprese skewer, chewing on it a bit before responding. "I don't know, looked like a boy to me."

Alian responded by throwing a little crumb of food at him. "You are such an ass!"

"Still, that's sweet, getting matching plushies like that," Carlo said, pushing a bit of his food on his plate, looking down at it. "Mm, a… major gift I remember, was a puppet I got, before I came to the Rose Estate. I… couldn't bring her with me, though… I wish I could. I don't know why, I… I haven't thought of her in years."

"…Rosaura, right?" Romeo quietly asked.

Carlo nodded. "Rosaura. Yeah. She was… sweet. She had a cute face, dark brown hair that was in long ringlets, a bonnet, a red dress I think. I have… vague memories playing with her, drawing with her. It's been so long. I… don't know what's happened with her."

Alian and Kou shared similar glances to Carlo, looking at him kindly although also a little sadly. This was their first time hearing of this. Eventually, he waved a hand before him, giving an awkward smile.

"Sorry! Ignore me, didn't mean to bring down the mood!"

"No," Trevion started, "like Alian said, we're all here as family. You're not bringing down anything, Carlo."

A small, appreciative smile crossed Carlo's features. Such an expression wasn't a common sight for their dark haired male friend, and Alian was grateful for any chance or moment Carlo does smile. He was perceived to be a melancholic sort, which wasn't necessarily untrue, however, that made him sound far unhappier than he really was. In the past, yes, he was a sadder person, but… over the years, spending time with Romeo, with Lea, with her and her family, being with Kou, Alian has watched Carlo really come into his own person, away from Geppetto. It's been beautiful.

"Thank you." Carlo said.

The rest of the dinner proceeded without much event. Further conversation was light and airy, everyone reminiscing on happy times as the evening winded down into the night, the puppets clearing the table and starting to clean up. Alian helped with them, feeling guilty leaving all the work to them even though many would argue that was quite literally their purpose. Her friends were quick to join her, Romeo grinning at them.

"Ah, you don't need to do that! Go, sit with everyone else!" Alian bid them trying to shoo them away with a hand.

"We want to help, Alian." Carlo said, not leaving much room for argument as he helped with carrying dishes and bringing them to the sink, where Basil was washing them and Kou was drying them.

"Yeah, you've done a lot of work to get thing set up here!" Romeo said, straightening up the table, as Rosemary swept.

"Uhh, I mean, mostly with the puppets help. They've been the ones keeping the place tidy and organized. I don't know where I'd be without Basil, Rosemary and Sage." At Alian speaking their names, the puppets looked up and bowed their heads in acknowledgement.

"Still, that doesn't mean you should shoulder and carry the burden to host Christmas on your own. We're your friends, and like Carlo said, we want to help!"

It was hard to debate or argue with any of them, so Alian relented, holding their hands up in surrender. Truly, with their help, clean up of the dining hall went smoothly, no hitches whatsoever. When Alian checked in with everyone else, she found that her brothers and Rae had retired for the night, which made sense, they all had traveled a long way and probably wanted nothing more than to rest. Jon and Sue were still in the sitting room, chatting a bit and looked up when Alian came in.

"Hey, how are you two doing?" Alian asked, sitting down close to join them.

"Oh, just fine. We were going to turn in for the night ourselves." Sue said.

"Just remarking that it's been a lovely Christmas get together so far." Jon added.

Alian smiled softly. "I'm glad, the other's said similar. Romeo and them I mean." She paused, glancing back some towards the dining hall. It seemed her three friends were finishing up a few last minute tidying chores in there, and while she doubted any of them would hear, she lowered her voice all the same. "What was that 'duel' about? Did it not seem like some sort of… Picking? Teasing? Of Romeo? There were some of the jokes earlier. I did warn that this would likely happen, and Romeo said he can handle it, but… is this fair?"

Alian's parents looked at each other briefly, and it was Jon who spoke up. "Your brothers don't know Romeo like you do, or how we do, and you have to keep in mind their perspective. It's been years since they last saw you, you've grown from a little girl to a young adult, yet you're still their baby sister. They're looking after you, in their own way, but, trust in Romeo too."

"Jon is right, hon. Your brothers, they mean well, and you said it yourself, Romeo can handle them. He already proved himself more than capable with Ciaran today, didn't he?"

"…Yes."

Both of her parents rose from their seats, Sue placing a hand on Alian's shoulder. "Things are going to be fine, don't fret so much. It's Christmas!" With that, her parents headed on towards their room for the night. Alian supposed they should do much the same.

Following suit, they stood from their seats, trailing after their parents down the hall and towards their own quarters. Aside from upgrading their bed to fit their adult frame, their room hadn't changed too much over the years. There were still some childish qualities that remained, a reminder of a bygone era, of her master wanting to make the space as comfortable for her as possible, when she chose to stay over. There still remained some plushies, toys, and dolls displayed on shelves with storybooks. Alian had slipped into her sleepwear, hair braided and tucked under a bonnet as she looked on at these childhood treasures in fond memory, when there was a knock at the door. Head snapping forward at the sound, Alian went to the door, peeking through before opening it more widely.

"Romeo?"

"I didn't see you out in the sitting room, and Rosemary remarked she saw you heading to your room. I wanted to wish you a goodnight."

Alian smiled. "You're a silly goose, and sweet."

He reached forward, with a slight hesitance, fingers delicately brushing along her cheek. Even such brief contact made Alian flush. Romeo leaned in, closing the distance, giving a soft, rather chaste kiss on the lips.

"Goodnight Alian." He said, and walked on to his room, a little hurriedly she noted. They smiled, closing the door behind them and touched their lips.

"Goodnight, Romeo."

❄ ❄ ❄

Alian could hear some chatter out in the common area as she approached, a slight pang of guilt twanged her being that some of her guests were up before them on Christmas Eve, but, she let it pass. This was family, friends and loved ones after all. Stepping more out towards the sitting room, Alian could see her parents up, unsurprisingly, Trevion and Rae sitting opposite chatting with them. Tristran was seated in front of the coffee table, having begun to put a puzzle together, and memories flashed of the last Christmas when her brothers were here and the family worked on a puzzle together, years ago. Based on the front of the box, it was a merry scene of snowy, warm lit cottage. No one else was awake, which wasn't much of a surprise to Alian. Ciaran did like to sleep in, as did Kou, and she had to imagine Romeo and Carlo would take the opportunity to sleep in where they could. Usually, Alian did too. As they stepped into the room, it was Rae that noticed their presence first, head of strawberry-blonde hair looking up and flashing a grin her way.

"'Morning Alian!" She bid. Returning the smile, Alian walked on over, taking a seat next to her niece.

"'Morning." They bid, a little less chipper, though certainly not dour. "How's everyone?"

"Well, thank you." Sue said with a smile.

"Did you decide on the Christmas Market, Alian?" Jon asked.

She looked at her parents, blinking. "Hwah?"

"The Christmas Market! At the arcade, it has been such a long time since we've gone as a family, and now we have Romeo, Carlo and Kou with us." Her father continued as Alian stared, wide eyed.

"On Christmas Eve? Are you insane?"

"It's part of the experience of the season!" Jon stated, in a fitting jovial manner for the holiday, yet giving what he was suggesting, it was still madness.

"We'll probably be trampled to death, dad!"

"Why will we be trampled to death?" A sleepy voice came, Alian turned to look and saw Romeo coming from down the hall, catching a yawn with his hand, pale hair not quite fully combed down for some wisps and strays were stubbornly defying gravity.

"Dad's saying we should try to attend the Christmas Market since the whole family is here, and you guys, while it's Christmas Eve." Alian explained with a sigh.

They should have known better, they really should have at this point. Upon mentioning this idea to Romeo, his eyes lit up, truly his whole face did and he was quite awake now, taking on the energy of an over-excited dog.

"The Christmas Market?! Really? Oh, that'd be so fun! We should go Alian!"

"Like Jon said, it is part of the experience." Rae chimed in.

"Are none of you concerned about the 'being trampled to death' part?!" Alian asked exasperated.

"Don't you know? Once a decision has been made it's been set in our family?" Tristran said, without looking up from the puzzle, inserting in another piece as Romeo walked over to take a look.

Alian pinched at the bridge of their nose. "We could at least wait for everyone to be awake and get some breakfast first, maybe?"

That was agreeable with everyone. Alian checked in with Basil on how breakfast was coming along and if anything was needed. The puppet assured her that everything was just fine and to please go enjoy time with family.

"Well, don't overwork those gears okay, Basil?" Alian bid, walking back out to the sitting room, joining her middle brother and Romeo at the puzzle. Her parents had seemed to find somewhere else within the manor to occupy their time with. The border was already complete with only needing to fill out the middle now, though that was easier said than done, given how much white there was.

"Alian I think mentioned you… teach history, right?" Romeo asked, holding a piece whilst looking down at the table, trying one spot and furrowing his brow when that wasn't where it went.

"Yeah, classical antiquity to be precise." Tristran specified, "so, y'know, pretty much ancient history in the 'Land of the Gods', the 'Birthplace of Democracy'." he paused a moment, thinking on where to place some conjoined pieces, glancing to the box and setting them down roughly where, he believed, they ought to go, "I did think about becoming a Workshop Technician, got some pretty high marks that apparently even got some praise from Geppetto and Venigni but, the more I worked with machinery, the more I grew a sort of… distaste for it, is the best way to put it."

"Geppetto and Venigni praised you?" Romeo asked, amazed, glancing to the other man.

Alian vaguely remembered this. Her brother originally was going to follow in their father's footsteps, down the path to the Workshop. But, something had shifted his interests, and he diverted course, hard. It was a surprise to Jon to hear he wanted to be a history professor while apparently, to their mother, less so. Trying to focus still on helping with the puzzle, Alian continued to listen in on the conversation between her brother and Romeo.

"They did, but, it didn't mean much to me in the end. You could be heaped all the praise in the world but if you're still brought no joy in what you do, what's the point? I eventually came to realize that, I held no joy in technician work. So, I stopped, and did find something I found happiness in."

Romeo looked on at Tristran, captivated by his speech. Alian glanced over too. Admittedly, they did feel the most kinship with Tristran out of all their brothers. Perhaps it was the simple fact he bonded with her most when she was a child, helped look after her most and did tease her most, as siblings were to do. But, they also did enjoy hearing him like this, and shared opinions on numerous things, when they weren't being sarcastic with one another.

"Romeo, why did you choose to become a Stalker?" Tristran asked suddenly.

He wasn't quite expecting that question it seemed, so was a little taken aback, yet he was thoughtfully pondering it.

"I, well, how do I start?" Romeo pursed his lips, then gave a soft laugh. "I didn't really feel a, uhh, an aptitude? For being an Alchemist or a Technician, just not, I dunno, clever enough for either. But I still wanted to help people somehow, so, Stalker seemed my… best course of action."

Tristran looked Romeo over carefully, scrutinizing even, with the blond feeling a cold force from his gaze.

"D-Did I say something wrong?" Romeo stuttered.

"No. Actually I hear your sincerity. It's… similar to why someone would want to become a soldier, the right reasons to anyway. I did, once."

That caught Alian by surprise. She looked away from the puzzle and to her brother. "You wanted to be a soldier? Like— like, fight? In the army? Wars?" She had a hard time picturing it. Tristran? On the front lines? Or anywhere in combat?

"You didn't know? Mm. I thought of becoming one, and asked dad about it, since he was a soldier before retiring from the military to become an engineer for the Workshop. I wanted to do something meaningful, worthwhile, with my life, and what better way, I thought, than to defend my home? It was honorable. At least, it had been."

Alian pursed their lips, and Romeo asked the question aloud for her. "Had been?"

"When I discussed with Jon about his experiences in the military, he joined for similar reasons, looking for purpose, a drive. He wanted to protect his loved ones, his homeland. At first, it seemed honorable, that he was doing something noble. But, he came to realize… he was sacrificing so much, for people who didn't care about the true cost. He lost good people, good friends, needlessly.

"Stalkers I know aren't soldiers, but they're not that different. What I'm saying, Romeo, and what I'm asking, is to really consider why you have chosen the path you have. I can't deter you, just that you think thoroughly on your choices."

Alian frowned slightly at her brother, yet, could find merit in his words. He was speaking from a place of concern and care, even if she thought some things could be worded slightly better.

Yet, Romeo wasn't deterred, he smiled to Tristran warmly and appreciatively. "I hear you, I do. It's why Carlo and I, we…" he paused a moment, "we were so determined to have Lea as our teacher. She did things differently, and that's what we wanted. To help people, but not be beholden to some… arbitrary master pulling our strings on how to do it. We're not just going to be mercenaries or attack dogs, we're going to do things our way, just like Lea. Carlo and I will help people, I promise you."

Tristran looked on at Romeo, dark brown eyes holding him thoughtfully, before giving a curt nod. "I see. You're not rushing into this, at least."

"No sir." Romeo agreed.

Rosemary had then politely intertwined herself into the conversation, to let their small party know that breakfast was served. They left the puzzle be, leaving to join everyone in the dining hall, with Alian somewhat dreading the notion of what was to come after breakfast; the idea of venturing out to the Christmas Market.

'Maybe with some food in everyone's bellies, they'll understand reason, that it'll be better to stay here, play some games, enjoy each other's company! Yes, hopefully so!'

❄ ❄ ❄

Alian's family and friends did not see reason. They were once more in an extra large carriage, on the way back into the city to the Lorenzini Arcade for the Christmas Market. The only one who had been agreeable to staying at the estate was Carlo, which wasn't a surprise. While he could agree to outings, Alian knew he enjoyed quiet get togethers at the home more. What was surprising was Kou wishing to go out. Usually they were similar to Carlo, and even her, enjoying time spent at the house. Alian figured that they agreed cause Alian's torment was more amusing than having to sit with their discomfort going into a crowd. Absolute brat.

Just as they thought, upon arrival it was complete chaos, total madness even when they stepped out of the carriage. The outside of the arcade was festively decorated with string lights, banners and the like, with temporary stalls and carts set up, vendors calling out their wares of crafts, treats and more. Patrons consisting of locals and tourists both perused the stands, children crying out in delight over some holiday themed puppets entertaining in the square.

"Oh good god what are we doing?" Alian breathed.

"Come come Alian, we so rarely come to the market, and what better excuse than when your brothers and niece are in town?" Jon said, echoing the merry cheer to the air.

Looking around to the already filled, tight crowds , and it wasn't even 11 o'clock, Alian grimaced. "I'm just saying, we should have thought about this better."

"Well, sometimes life is about spontaneity, and how best you can react to it." Jon added.

"Let's get inside, it's quite brisk out here." Trevion said. Truer words couldn't be said in that moment.

As their group ushered along with other people and families, Carlo gave Alian a sympathetic look. It was a small comfort to know that at least he had been in agreement with her. Romeo sidled up close to them, looping an arm through theirs, locking his hand with hers, it was quite warm despite the cold.

"It's gonna be fun Alian, promise!" He said quietly to them, "I haven't really been to the Christmas Market before, it'll be so nice to go with you! And everyone else of course." He gave her that smile of his, that damned irresistible, comforting smile. A part of her wanted to pettily stay peeved, but, couldn't, not when Romeo was like this.

"Well… yes. We'll just have to be sure to stay pretty close together." she told him.

"Mm!"

"I told the carriage to come for us at 2, that should give us plenty of time to look around and, if so desired, and last minute Christmas shopping I think, and avoid the evening crowds. There are always some." Alian recounted.

"Yeah, sounds reasonable!" Romeo agreed, his head pivoting away a moment as they stepped through, a woman's voice coming over the speaker to cheerily welcome guests and customers to the arcade, announcing they could buy anything their heart desires, then, just for the holiday, to have a most merry Christmas. "There are definitely some places I wanna check out for sure."

"Last minute gift buying to do, Romeo?" Alian asked, an eyebrow raised.

"…Maybe." He replied with a slight, coy smile.

"Ah!" Sue exclaimed, and she started walking to a shop, one that sold a variety of soaps, lotions, along with candles and other such goods. "I'll be taking a gander in here, none of you have to wait up on me. We'll find each other again!"

"Don't get too lost." Jon bid, then followed along inside with her.

Alian felt another hand grasp her free one, and looked to see Rae had taken it. "You don't mind if I borrow my aunt for a moment, Romeo? I wanted to bring them along to pick out something!"

Giving a blink, Romeo released his hold on Alian. "Oh, sure, o-of course."

Before he could perhaps have second thoughts, Rae was smoothly guiding them through the crowds, eyes scanning the shops before locking in on one and guiding them over.

"Dad and I did get you a gift, don't get me wrong, but I thought since we're here, I could get you something else!" Rae said with a grin.

"Ah— Rae you don't gotta do that."

"No, but I want to! Look, doesn't this shop look cute?"

The store that Rae had taken Alian into was one that sold bits and baubles, but of an unusual flair, which seemed the name of 'The Curious Emporium' rather fitting. There was taxidermied animals, insects from butterflies to shining beetles kept in frames, peculiar jewelry, books on various sciences, spiritual beliefs and others, and even more treasures to be found. Alian's fingers delicately brushed over some of these items, their interest piqued. Even with the physical separation of years between them, Rae did know what struck their fancy. However, what did make Alian pause, were the prices. A number of these were coming from live specimens (and they tried not to dwell too far into the details on how they were collected) then even barring that, other items still remained expensive. Not outside Alian's price range, thanks to the inheritance she has received, but Rae's…?

"Are you… really sure about this Rae? This shop does suit my, well, folks would say eccentric tastes, but, the prices." Alian said with a frown.

"Christmas is only here once a year, Alian, and we haven't seen each other in person longer than that. It's a special treat. Oh, look at this!" Rae tugged their aunt over, gesturing to something.

It was some of the insect items, the smaller ones being tiny beetles encased in glass or so, made into pendants, along with butterfly and moth wings, but what Rae was pointing out was a framed moth that Alian was unfamiliar with the species of, but the name was written elegantly on the paper under it, both it's scientific name which they admittedly hadn't a chance in hell of pronouncing and the more common name; the 'Madagascan Moon Moth' apparently.

The creature was intriguing, the main color of the wings a light yellow-green in color, with the larger top wings having some reddish spots dotting towards the outer part, two long, similarly red tails on the lower wings, but most striking were the 'eyes' on the wings, goldenrod, with a pinpoint of black at the center and encircled with a more vibrant red, one on each wing.

"Woah." Alian breathed, "I've never seen a moth like this. It's huge too!" They held up their hand, hovering it next to the frame for comparison, its wings as long as the tip of their thumb going to the tip of their pinkie finger. Alian smiled delightfully, as Rae scooped up the framed moth.

"This is the one then."

"What?! Rae! But it's—"

Too late, her niece was already trotting over to the counter where a clerk, human, was ready to assist any customer with questions or purchases. Alian walked over, taking strides that would be two steps for a normal person.

"Rae!" Alian called out in protest.

"Don't worry about my aunt. Just this please! And with gift wrap for the holiday and safe travels!" Rae added cheerfully with a bubbly smile, just as Alian approached alongside her, despondent and defeated.

"Most excellent." The clerk said, gingerly taking the framed moth as he got to work on wrapping it. Alian in the meantime gave Rae a look.

"Why?!"

"I told you! I wanted to get you something special, and when you looked at that moth, I knew, I knew, that was it! And if I didn't get to the counter quick enough you'd still tackle me or something."

"No! …Not really. …Not in a store." Alian said each phrase quieter than the next.

The clerk was finished, and the frame was beautifully wrapped. He had offered a card to be slipped in as well, with a pen that Rae could write on. She did, a quick scribble of: 'To: Alian, From: Rae' was inscribed and tucked under the ribbon.

"Thank you!" Rae said cheerfully, taking the present, tucking it under her arm and stepping away from the counter, with Alian following close behind.

'Well, this certainly cannot stand.' Alian thought. Yes, while Rae was explicit on their intentions, it felt only fair that Alian get them something too, yes? Of course there already were gifts for Rae back at the manor, but this called for an additional gift. If Alian recalled correctly, she could think of just the place that would suit Rae perfectly. Taking their free hand, they started to guide her.

"Come on, this way." Alian beckoned.

"Mm? Where are we going?" Rae asked.

"It's a surprise~" Alian teased.

Rae raised an eyebrow but let her aunt lead the way this time. The pair shuffled through the dense crowds, a cacophony of chatter with music playing overhead, until they reached a set of stairs that Alian took them down. The noise quieted some, even with the throngs of people being found on the next level below. More shops were to be found in the Lorenzini Arcade basement levels, and Alian's eyes scanned over the heads of people, looking up at the signs until she found what she was looking for.

"Ah, this way!" she called to her niece, tugging her along to the shop. Stepping through the doorway, where some other patrons were already perusing the wares, they began to look around themselves.

It was a clothing boutique, although its fashion was perhaps what one might consider a bit more 'outlandish' for much of Krat, at least with the upper class, but was gaining popularity with the lower ones. Alian remembered in some of their letters Rae remarking on the various fashions, and when writing back to their niece, they would include in some of the interesting ads she had seen.

"Ooh." Rae cooed, standing before a rack, hands weaving over the hanging clothes and looking at some of the items.

"Now, like you did for me, whatever strikes your fancy, pick it out and I'll get it for you." Alian told her.

"Hey! You can't just… also surprise gift me!"

Alian shrugged with their hands. "You all wanted to go to the market, and what are we here for if not for a little last minute gift shopping?" they looked a little pointedly at their niece, who rolled their eyes dramatically, but Alian knew it was in good fun.

"Fiiiiine." Rae said, smiling, back to browsing.

Truly, the whims of the fashion world were beyond Alian, it was something that her master had partook in (in perhaps the most eccentric of ways) but with them? It hardly mattered. If it was comfortable and functional that's all that really mattered to them. On occasion however, there would be some cute thing Alian would admit they fancied and thought, maybe, could look a little fetching? A vest, a shirt, a scarf were the usual things she would wear that had some extra flair. On a blue moon she got an itch to dress in one of those fancy gowns like one would see at a ball or a fairytale play on Rosa, but Alian rarely partook in that fantasy. It was just so much work to dress nice for only one evening.

Walking by some of the accessories, Alian paused, looking down at some hat pins, brooches, and the like. There were all kinds, each beautifully crafted and decorated, shining in golds and bronze and a rainbow of colors under the Ergo-electric lamps. Tempting, but, Alian pulled herself away to check in on their niece, see if she had decided on anything. They found her having pulled out a fun skirt, pink and purple (Alian could already hear her mom fussing over the idea of Rae wearing pink with her strawberry-blonde hair) and holding it up against their waist. It did not look appropriate for this weather, was it perhaps some sort of bargain item? If that was what Rae wanted though…

"Did you make a choice?" Alian asked.

"What do you think of this? Isn't it cute? It'll be great for the spring and summer!" Rae said, holding it before their form, swishing the skirt back and forth. Alian gave a small laugh, deciding to hold back the remark on what he mom would say.

"It's cute, and feels you. Do you want it?"

"I do like it a lot." Rae said in that voice that really was saying 'yes I do want it please'. Alian held their hands out to take the skirt, with Rae placing it in their arms and they turned to check out with the clerk at the counter. Unlike at the shop Rae took Alian to, there was a line here they had to wait in, but it wasn't too bad, and Alian couldn't imagine this was anywhere near as dreadful as say, one of the sweet shops upstairs, or jewelry stores, or even about ordering the latest puppet at one of Venigni's outlets. Stepping up to the counter when it was their turn, Alian placed the skirt down, smiling at the clerk.

"Found everything alright?"

"Yes, thank you," Alian replied. "Just this, and if it could be wrapped, please."

"Certainly."

The clerk took the skirt, elegantly folding it (Alian never got the hang of folding clothes nicely, no matter how they tried) and watched as Rae's newfound gift was placed on some wrapping paper and just as expertly and nicely wrapped, tied off with a pleasant, shimmering ribbon. Alian was given the total and paid. Like Rae, they asked for a little note card to write down the who it's from and who it's going to for Christmas, attaching it then to the ribbon, and gingerly taking it from the clerk.

"Thank you for shopping with us, and have a Merry Christmas." bid the clerk.

"You too! Merry Christmas!" Alian and Rae said at the same time, departing from the boutique.

"We should probably find the others." Alian remarked to Rae, as they climbed back up the stairs to the first floor, and the worst of the crowds. Rae looked around them to the throngs of people and to their aunt with a disquieted expression.

"Err, how?" she asked.

How, that really was the question. Alian sucked their lip in as they surveyed around, they really should have given some kind of clear instructions or guidance on where to reconvene and when besides that their ride comes back for them at 2.

'God dammit, ugh.' Alian cursed to themselves. Thinking briefly on where everyone could be, inspiration struck as an idea came.

"I may know where the boys are, come on." Alian took Rae's hand, arms still clutching around the parcel with the skirt. Navigating with 'excuse me's' and 'pardon me's', the pair slowly but surely made their way down one hall and another, before coming across an outlet that advertised gear for Stalkers, claiming both Bastards and Sweepers welcome and to leave any and all grievances and ire at the door. Stepping through, ringing the little bell above them, Alian's guess was right, Romeo and Carlo both were looking over a showcase of knives and daggers on display, likely sidearms in case one was disarmed from their main weapon.

"Romeo, Carlo!" Alian called, taking their hand from Rae to give a small wave to them to further catch their attention. Both young men looked up, smiling in their direction though of course Alian's beloved blond more so.

"Ah, Alian! Rae! Looks like you found some things?" Romeo asked, having turned to face the pair attentively.

"Just a couple of things," Alian admitted, "yourselves?"

"Just looking." Carlo said, stepping over now. "We were curious what some of the latest items were from the Workshop and wanted to look, weren't really figuring to buy anything."

"Though, this one here, makes you think of Master Lea, doesn't it?" Romeo said, a little softly, and he pointed to a dagger whose hilt had a rose pattern with a thorny vine snaking down. Carlo looked down sadly with half lidded eyes at the case, fingers touching over the top of the glass.

"…A bit, yeah."

Rae silently gave a questioning look to Alian, without having to say a word that asked 'what is this about?' and Alian exchanged an equally silent look back with the response that Rae understood as 'I'll explain later.'

Alian walked towards the boys, putting a hand on Romeo's shoulder, then moving it to Carlo's, and a thought occurred to her. "Well, we're here at the arcade, and I really do not think that Lea is… gone, gone forever. She'll be back, and when she is, why not a gift? The wine cellar is downstairs after all, I remember you guys mentioning she loves that… one wine, what was it called again?"

"La Bleiwies." Carlo said.

"'The Ruby of Heaven.'" Romeo tacked on with flair, a hand crossed over his chest. Alian snickered some.

"Yeah, yeah! What do you think? She… likely won't get it until after Christmas, but, I know she'd appreciate it all the same."

The two boys looked at each other then gave brisk nods. "I think that's a good idea." Carlo said. "Lea's always enjoyed a nice glass of wine."

"Especially after some of our sparring matches, Carlo?" Romeo teased and Carlo threw a look.

"Anyway, I think a stop at the cellar would be nice. It's a good idea, Alian."

"Awesome, let's go then. …Back down the stairs we go, Rae!"

As Alian led their group along, she looked over to the boys and asked additionally. "Any idea where everyone else went? Kou? My parents? Brothers?"

"I think Kou went to a record store, but I'm not sure?" Carlo said, glancing to Romeo for confirmation. The other male's expression flickered, very briefly, to something almost like panic but was quickly replaced by uncertainty, and Alian had to wonder why that was?

"Maybe? I-I can't say for sure, they could have also gone to a like, instrument shop? They did speak a bit hurriedly and just go off yonder."

Alian sighed. "Typical. Well, we'll find them, eventually, and we probably shouldn't leave them behind when it gets close to 2."

"L-let's not." Romeo agreed.

"Sue and Jon I think were at Theodore's looking at some books, which isn't surprising, and they'll probably be in there a while. I can't say where any of your brothers have gone though, Alian." Carlo said as they traversed down one flight of stairs and another, down, down to the cellar.

Here, it was quite popular, numerous patrons looking at racks and shelves, perusing the various options of wines and spirits, flocking the counters, puppets helping with moving crates and barrels. The four of them looked at the madhouse that was the last minute rush of people buying alcohol for the holiday and wondered if this was, by a chance, a fatal error.

"We… we did want to get something for Lea, when she comes back." Romeo said, knowing that Carlo or Alian might suggest something else. "And she really does like La Bleiwies, a lot."

Carlo sighed, defeated. "She does. And… wherever she has gone, when she comes back, whenever that is, it would be… just the thing."

"Maybe… just two of us go down and the other two wait? Probably be easier and quicker that way." Alian suggested. "I'll go, since I was the one who suggested the idea in the first place."

"I'll go with you—" Both Romeo and Carlo started at the same time, and glanced to each other. Before it could possibly get awkward on debating who would go, Rae cut in with a vote.

"Romeo, how about you stay with me? I wanna ask a couple things to Alian's boyfriend~" She said, the last word emphasized in a particular teasing tone that made her aunt grimace.

"Oh, yeah, that works." Romeo said.

"We'll be back in a jiffy." Alian replied, and together with Carlo, descended to the cellar, with Romeo and Rae waiting by a little café to make it somewhat easier to find them again once they came back up.

"Uhh, any idea where the wine would be, Carlo?" Alian asked, pressed close to him as they shuffled through the dense throng of customers. Brow knitted together, Carlo tried to look and see.

"I think it was over this way? We had gotten a bottle once before, for Lea's birthday. Hopefully they didn't move it."

"I hate it when a shop does that, where they move the inventory around? Or or at market, sometimes the locations of stalls change! And I have to spend extra time just to find where my favorite veggie stand is or something." Alian sighed.

"It's probably done to make customers stay and shop more, spend more money." Carlo said, inching his way through to try and get to where some of the red wines were had.

Alian paused as he had said this, and huffed. "Oh my god that's what they're doing? Ugh, it makes sense now!"

As they got closer to some of the racks displaying varying vintages and wines, there was a butler (one of the finer butler models it looked like, based on the height and white waist coat) close by and helping customers. Alian nudged Carlo about them seeing if they could ask the puppet for some guidance, which he had admitted was a good call. Approaching the puppet, Alian cleared her throat and got his attention.

"Excuse me, my friend and I are looking for a bottle of La Bleiwies, can you point us in the right direction?"

"You folks are in some luck, there are a couple left. This way." The puppet said cheerfully, turning to begin leading them around towards a rack of various wines. Alian glanced at the prices of some the bottles and having a sharp intake of breath, for she couldn't imagine spending such an amount on just a bottle of wine. She never recalled even D. Gray, for as much as he enjoyed fine dining, to really care about spending money on hugely expensive wines or spirits. He was always a lover of tea anyway.

The puppet really wasn't kidding when he had said there were a couple left, it was quite literal, there only being two bottles. Alian didn't even look at the price before shouting out 'we'll take one!'

Retrieving the bottle, he delicately handed it to them and Carlo took it, and the pair exchanged a look of relief.

"Really made it in the nick of time, huh?" Alian said to him.

"No kidding." he scoffed, gazing out over the crowds and crowds of people, as he inched his way with Alian to what looked to be the line for checkout.

Chatter and conversation was abuzz here, along with clerks calling out names of various alcohol being only a few left or there was one bottle remaining. Alian's eyes fell to the wine in Carlo's hands and she wondered.

"You… haven't heard anything from Lea yet either, have you?" She asked, gently, yet still made sure she could be heard over the shrill noise of the masses. Carlo didn't immediately look to her, his half lidded gaze towards his shoes, his lips a soft frown and he sighed.

"…No, I haven't, No letter, telegram, phone call. Nothing." Carlo paused a moment, long enough that Alian thought that was the end of the conversation, and she would have let it go. It was a difficult topic, and Carlo was… especially sensitive. They didn't want to reopen any wounds. But, he started speaking again. "I… asked Antonia if she knew, even Sophia, any idea on where Master Lea has gone, and why, but…" he breathed out a sigh, "they don't know either. Or, can't tell me."

His eyes met theirs.

"Why… would she leave, Alian?"

Now it was her turn to frown. Much like with Romeo, they weren't sure what to say, how to assure Carlo, even though they so badly wanted to. They had no answer to give, no assurances, and they didn't want to give a lie, even a sweet one. "I… I don't know. I…"

What can they say?

"I can't pretend or really begin to know what… Lea was thinking, or doing, but I know she cares and loves you a lot. You and Romeo both. You're not just students or apprentices to her, you're her boys. You're family. Whatever she has going on, it's temporary, she'll be back. I know it." Alian tried to reassuringly smile to Carlo, to believe. If they didn't, why would he?

He did smile back to her, a small smile, but one nonetheless. "Thank you, Alian. I have talked to Kou about it, and Romeo, and I know he has talked to you about it. It's just…"

"It's a lot." She finished for him.

Carlo slowly nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, it is."

Slowly, inch by inch, they moved up in the line, soon they were on the cusp of paying for the wine and getting out of here, then perhaps finding the rest of the family and getting back to the manor. Reaching a counter for checkout never felt so relieving. Alian really wasn't one for bustling crowds like this, not when they had to come so unexpectedly, and she knew Carlo wasn't exactly fond of this either. The poor clerk however, she looked only a little older than them and seemed utterly exhausted, even though she still tried to remain cheerful and hospitable. Never did Alian ever want to be in a position like this poor woman.

Doing their best to alleviate the clerk's woes, even a little, Alian smiled to her as Carlo held out the bottle of La Bleiwies.

"Hello, hope everything is going okay for you?" Alian asked, hoping it didn't sound disingenuous or patronizing, "We're looking to just get this here."

The woman smiled to the pair of them, taking the bottle. "Ah, 'The Ruby of Heaven', someone has some very classy tastes." she commented. Chuckling some, Alian nodded, figuring she should take the lead in the conversation between her and Carlo.

"Oh yes, definitely. We're sorry to add to the chaos of this last minute shopping. Hopefully you'll get to go home soon?" Alian said, the last question asked with some measure of hope. The clerk though, just gave a tired shrug.

"It is what it is, it's like this every Christmas. I'll leave… when I am able to."

That made Alian frown. Shouldn't there be a time for all shops to close, to allow folks to return to their families? Perhaps 2 or 3 o'clock?

'Perhaps that is something I could write to the mayor as a 'concerned citizen'. Maybe my being the 'apprentice of D. Gray' can hold some sway?' Alian wondered to herself.

The total was given, and there was a brief stint between Carlo and Alian as to who would pay. Alian argued it was her idea in the first place to come down, whilst Carlo said that this was for his and Romeo's master, so he should buy it. Eventually, Alian relented, letting her friend pay. She did, however, see of slipping a few extra notes to the clerk, both as a 'thank you' tip but that hopefully it would be something that would make the holiday season a little brighter. With the wine paid for and neatly wrapped, Carlo and Alian were quick to leave after bidding the woman a Merry Christmas.

Upon exiting the cellar, Alian and Carlo went back to the café that Rae and Romeo were waiting at, finding them entranced in some sort of conversation. Seeing their approach, both smiling in their direction, and Romeo's eyes fell to the wrapped bottle.

"You found one? A bottle of La Bleiwies?" he asked.

"We did. It's absolute chaos down in the cellar though, no surprise." Alian said whilst making a face. "We tried to just find it, pay, and get on out."

"No kidding." Rae said with sympathy, "Romeo was telling me of a date you all had? At the Carnival Garden?"

Alian let out a light laugh. "We did. Now, did he happen to mention the 'competition' he and Carlo got into over "Clown Knock Down"? Or did he leave that part out?" She looked teasingly over to Romeo, whose cheeks gained a reddish hue, bright like a crisp apple.

"Uhh— well!"

Alian rose a brow, a cat-like smile on their lips, waiting for Romeo's explanation.

"Hey, it was a friendly competition." Carlo cut in.

"Oh is that right? Cause what I remember was—" Alian replied, now focusing her attention on Carlo, who was realizing what a mistake that was.

"Ha ha, it was just that! A friendly competition!" Romeo had quickly stepped towards Alian, hands on their shoulders and had interrupted them, leaning in to give a look to his beloved that was asking (pleading really) to not press more. Alian's lips curled more, and just for Romeo, complied.

"But, it really was fun, we had a wonderful time." Alian told Rae, who smiled back at them.

"How Romeo was describing it, sounded like it! I wish we were in town longer to experience it! I'm sure it's really busy now." Rae said wistfully.

"It would be now, yeah, which is a shame because I bet it'd be especially fun and beautiful with the snow." Alian sighed.

With the wine secured, the four of them headed back up to the main level of the Arcade, in search of their remaining loved ones. They had been perusing the various shops and boutiques for a while now, it would probably be best for them to wrap things up and be ready for the carriage. Finding Alian's parents was the easiest, they were indeed in Theodore's just like Carlo had said, having seemingly picked out a few books, though who was to say if it was strictly for them, gifts, or both. Sue smiled to them as they had reconvened.

"Looks like you all found a few treasures. And you were most concerned over this outing, Alian." Sue teased, her child giving a huff.

"We did, but that doesn't detract from it being utter chaos here." Alian sighs.

"It's part of the adventure!" Jon said.

"Do you know where Kou is? Or my brothers?" Alian asked instead.

"You don't know where Kou is?" Sue raised a brow, leery yet also amused.

"Rae wanted to take me somewhere, just us two, so we had gotten separated!" Alian pleaded.

"I thought I had seen them go to a record shop, but, I could be mistaken?" Carlo tried to add in helpfully.

"Well, we can certainly poke our heads in and look." Sue said.

Alian's parents paid for their books, given bags for their purchases and their group exited Theodore's, now seeking to find Kou, and of course any of Alian's brothers should any of them come their way. The Arcade felt as if it was getting busier by the hour, with Christmas looming over the heads of everyone just tomorrow, certainly many felt pressured to make sure they had absolutely everything they needed to make the holiday special. After navigating through the ever growing crowds, they did find Kou, although not in the record shop like everyone thought, but rather on the way, they were found idolizing some sweets in the window of a candy shop. It was easy to spot them, with their height along with their foreign looks.

"There you are!" Alian exclaimed, tapping on Kou's shoulder to further grab their attention.

"Oh! You found me!"

"…You say that like you were hiding." Alian narrowed their eyes. "Were you hiding?"

"What? No! Of course not!" The way Kou said it however, Alian wasn't certain whether they were lying or not.

"Maybe we shouldn't have found them, just left them behind." Carlo said, with a slight smirk.

That got a rather offended gasp from Kou. "You're so mean to me! Bully!"

A few chuckles were shared around the group before proceeding with the search for Alian's brothers. The ever growing crowds and discord did not make it easy, the cacophony of noise adding to the stress, but eventually, all three were found, and Alian insisted they get on out to meet the carriage, for checking the time, it would show up any minute, and she'd rather not dilly-dally.

Stepping out into the winter chill was actually a welcome change with how warm it was inside the Arcade, all the bustling bodies and radiators on made the place almost sweltering. Other carriages were coming and going, picking up and dropping off folks, and theirs was most obvious with how large it was to accommodate a party of their size. Alian's sigh of relief in returning to the manor came out like a little puffy cloud.

The puppet coachman stepped down to open the door and assist everyone into the large coach, her parents climbing aboard first, following her brothers, niece, friends and Alian last to clamber on in, taking the remaining seat at the edge.

Hardly to anyone's surprise, the ride back was a bit slow. Krat as a whole was busy with last minute preparations and Alian did observe as they were getting into the carriage, the chance for more snowfall tonight seemed high. Everyone wanted to attend to the business they had and get home, quickly.

Conversation was light on the return to D. Gray's estate, her brothers and Rae carrying the majority of the conversation in speaking about the Arcade, shops that were new, others that had closed in the years they had been gone, how it had expanded. Hearing from them their perspectives of the changes in Krat was interesting, cause for them a number would be far more drastic to their perspectives than the rest of them, who have been living here for years, and perhaps would not think too much on the changes, gradual or not.

Seeing the manor was a welcome relief, after the bustle of the Arcade. It was always interesting coming out here to Alian, in comparison to her apartment home in the dense Central Station neighborhood of Krat, to not see various buildings next to one another nor could you really pop over to your neighbor's to say hello or ask if they have spare sugar. The quietness would be nice, Alian thought, but having to make your way to and from the city all the time by carriage would become a drag for sure. Again, too, the manor was just too big for Alian's needs.

Everyone piled out, Alian thanked the carriage for their services then headed back inside with her friends and family. Newly acquired presents were put under the tree, including what Rae and Alian had fetched for each other, Carlo carefully putting the wrapped La Bleiwies to the side. While Lea wasn't here, it didn't seem right to not have it with the rest of the gifts, she supposed. They could see Carlo's logic.

Dinner still wasn't for a few more hours, so most everyone milled about the manor or retreated to their rooms to do other things, read or nap or some other activity. Alian remained out in the front lounge, having put on a record and watching the snow fall. They thought, perhaps, they could sketch a bit, it had been a while since they really had worked much on their art. With that in mind, they got up from their seat, making their way for their room to get their sketchpad and supplies. On the way though, they passed by one of the additional sitting rooms, a smaller one, and caught the voices of Trevion and Romeo inside, talking. Unable to help herself, Alian paused and eavesdropped, just a little.

"So you and Alian must have befriended each other not too long after Rae and I moved out from Krat? Well, I say 'not too long' but it was a couple years prior." Her eldest brother laughed. Alian tried to sneakily peek, just so she could see the faces of Trevion and Romeo as they talked. She did spy Romeo giving a smile at Trevion.

"Yeah, it's been… wow, eight years now, we've been friends. I was, ha, actually eight when we met. Alian ten, I think? I met D. Gray then too for the first time." Romeo's eyes went downcast then, his shoulders slumping as he sighed. "He was a good man, he did everything he could to make Carlo feel comfortable with the whole… portrait painting. I know Alian still misses them… dearly."

They looked away themselves from the two men in that moment at that comment. She did miss her late master dearly still. It's been a few years since his passing, yet Alian still would wonder where D. Gray was? Why she wasn't finding him somewhere down the halls? His main studio? Then, she'd remember. He was dead, buried under a cypress tree outside of Krat.

"I only had the pleasure of meeting him a couple times," Trevion started, "a strange man, who was perfect for the likes of our family." Trevion laughed again. "And a brilliant mentor for Alian, from what she would say, and the letters Rae would recount to me."

"He was." Romeo agreed. "I hope it's not… too much a drain on them to be hosting everyone here, in his manor."

There was a pause, and despite herself, despite the melancholic topic, Alian smiled. It brought a warmth to her being to hear Romeo's concern, care, and love for them. He had always been like this, but catching his words when he didn't know she was overhearing, and he still always thought to extend such kindness, made her heart skip a beat.

"You care about Alian a lot, don't you?" Trevion asked softly, quietly so that she almost didn't hear her brother say that.

"Of course! She's one of my dearest friends! And, well, I mean, my girlfriend of course, yes, but! Alian is one of my best friends! They have done so much for Carlo and me and… well, I know Kou and them bicker but that's… they seem to have a friendship that is mutually teasing each other." Alian was back to carefully peeking in on the two of them, and watched Romeo shake his hands in front of him before continuing. "When we were younger, Carlo and I, it was… difficult. Not for me, exactly but… Carlo's early days at the Rose Estate weren't easy. It's… not exactly my place to tell his story, even though we're like brothers now, it's still his you know? But… he needed a lot of support, and it was hard. When Alian and D. Gray came that day, and more after, she was kind to him, you know?"

"That doesn't surprise me. Alian does try to be kind to others, gracious. Hmm, it's reminding me a bit of something that happened years ago."

Alian froze. If it was the damned zoo thing, she swore she was going to burst in and give herself away. That story could die!

"Ah? What… what happened?" Romeo asked cautiously.

Trevion laughed, waving a hand. "Nothing bad! It was something I heard from mom, when she sent a letter to me, just around when Rae and I moved away. It was at the park, mom had taken Alian out for a bit of a stroll I guess, let her run some energy off. She was… seven? Maybe eight at the time. Apparently she went off a bit ahead, as she liked to do, and found some older aristocratic boy picking on some poorer, little girls. Alian couldn't stand for that, and well… she had been used to us, you know, her brothers teasing her, so this kid wasn't scary to her at all. She goes up to them, gets between them and tells him how that is quite enough and that he can go away now. She then took those little girls' hands and led them away. Those girls' mothers found them eventually, and the little girls told what happened and well… then I got the story from mom, and now, you have it."

Romeo looked rather surprised by this, clearly never having heard the story before and Alian was relieved that this was the story Trevion told Romeo. But it was peculiar, even though it was around her, starring her, Alian hadn't the faintest recollection of this happening. Was it because they were young? But that didn't seem right, she could recall meeting D. Gray and that happened when she was even younger. Was, somehow, the event of helping two little girls just such an obvious thing to do that it became an afterthought to the point of forgetting it even happened? They looked back to her brother and beloved and saw Romeo was smiling warmly.

"That… really is a nice story. And, not surprising. Like I said, Alian has always been kind, that has always been one of the most striking things to me about her, and why I care and love them so much."

Alian could feel themselves heat up at that last remark, feeling a twinge of regret on eavesdropping on this conversation, yet it felt good to hear how easily, smoothly, he said this without prompting. It made her love him back all the more.

Trevion chuckled. "I'm glad to hear that, how Alian found a good friend, and partner, in you Romeo. Although if you're thinking about marriage, give Rae and I a bit of time to gather finances? Getting here wasn't exactly cheap after all!"

Romeo looked at him with a shocked expression, and unknowingly to the both of them, Alian had mirrored Romeo's aghast look as well. "I— w-what??"

"I'm teasing! I don't think Alian expects such a question or commitment like that yet either."

The pair started heading for the door and Alian hurriedly stepped away, trying to make it seem like she was just walking on by and hadn't been listening in on them for the past several minutes. She turned her head when Romeo had called out.

"Hey! Should we play a board game before dinner?" Romeo suggested, having wrapped his arms around Alian in an embrace. It sounded like a capital suggestion, given there was still plenty of time beforehand.

"I think that's a great idea, we should get at least Carlo and Kou involved, oh and Rae!"

"Yes, let's!"

❄ ❄ ❄

Christmas day had finally arrived. Alian remembered as a child waking up particularly early, to rush down stairs and find what present jolly St. Nick had given this year. Of course, she knew by now it was really her parents who were the ones providing the gift, but still, the magic of it was still whimsical and fun. No one here at Christmas was a child any more, but there still was a particular charm, Alian felt, on Christmas morning. Having dressed and readied for the day, she stepped out of her room and out to the main lounge.

Unsurprisingly, Sue and Jon were already up, Rosemary placing a tray of tea and Christmas confections at the table, and Romeo was sitting with them. Everyone else, it seemed, was still sleeping in. The three looked up as Alian walked out, with Romeo beaming especially before exclaiming loudly, "Merry Christmas, Alian!"

He was on his feet in a matter of moments, enveloping them in a tight, warm embrace, even giving a spin and setting them back down.

"It snowed more last night, do you see? Look!" He gestured out towards some of the tall windows and, sure enough, a fresh blanket of snow covered the landscape, white sparkling and glistening in a true winter wonderland.

"Ohh!" Alian wiggled out from Romeo's arms, to his slight protest, to better look at the snow. It was beautiful. "We'll have to go out, build a snowman or something!"

"Definitely!"

Alian reconvened and sat across from her parents, Romeo beside her, and served herself a cup of tea, smiling to Jon and Sue. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, sweetie." Sue bid, taking a sip of her tea, looking out around the large sitting room and sighing. "It's a lovely morning, and the place really is cheery. …I do keep expecting D to be around the corner, though." she remarked. Not particularly sadly, just a fact. Alian stirred some sugar and cream in her tea, looking down into the liquid with a slight smile.

"I keep thinking the same. …I'm glad we have the space though, means everyone can be comfortable here." she felt Romeo gently touch against her arm and glanced his way, and he was giving a comforting smile.

"He would be happy that you're using his home like this." Jon added in, his own tender gaze regarding Alian.

There was a moment of silence. Not awkward, not tense, but peaceful and grateful silence for the once great man that had been her mentor, D. Gray, and the gratitude each of them felt for his presence in their lives.

Sue had another drink of her tea before setting the cup down, rising from her seat afterwards. "Well, we can't let the day slip us by, it is Christmas after all. And! I know how excited you'd be about getting to the presents, Alian. We should have some breakfast first though." With that she went down the halls, likely to do as she said she would and wake everyone else so they could start Christmas properly. Now, Alian knew they couldn't open presents yet, but where was the harm in a little investigation? Another sip of her tea, she too rose from her seat and went to the tree, taking a look at the mound of presents that lay underneath.

Because of her brothers and niece being here for the holiday, it was an even more extensive pile than previous years. Alian tried to remember the last time the family had such a sizable stack of gifts and failed to recall when that was. Perhaps when she was a child? When her grandparents were still able to make it to Krat? Alian kneeled beside the tree and the various presents, looking them over, seeing which ones were to whom and from whom. They noticed rather quickly how various square, thin ones were all from Kou to everyone, and despite the wrapping, Alian had to guess they were all records. A sensible gift, the musician getting music for everyone.

Naturally, her eyes trailed over the other presents, surveying the shapes and sizes of the gifts. Nothing was outrageously big, so far everything was small or a medium gift, in a box or wrapped bag of sorts, until Alian's gaze fell on a peculiar shaped gift. There was a small, lumpy bulge at the front, but was square and thin at the back, similar like what had to be the records Kou was gifting everyone. What could this be? Then, she read who it was for, who it was from.

'To: Alian

From: Romeo'

This piqued her interest, an eyebrow quirked. What… could this possibly be?

"Snooping, are we?" Romeo's teasing voice came from behind, causing Alian to jump slightly and turn around.

"I am looking, I am allowed to look!" they protested, then looking back to the gift that is meant to be theirs from him. "I am looking at yours though, and I haven't the faintest idea what in the world it is."

With a light chuckle, Romeo kneeled down next to them. "You'll just have to wait an hour or so, you can be patient, can't you?"

"Well, I have to be, but ugh, the anticipation is gonna kill me."

Romeo gave a playful scoff. "Kou has been tormenting me for ages about your gift. They haven't told me, of course, only hinting that 'you're gonna love it' they've said."

Alian couldn't help but smile. "I can't confirm or deny anything." she teased.

"Riiiight."

There was the sound of some bustling, and the pair of them looked over to the hall where everyone else was coming out. Alian's brothers and Rae looked fairly perky whilst Kou and Carlo very much looked like they still could have used a bit more sleep. Alian was aware of Kou's… poor sleeping habits, but what in the world was Carlo doing to stay up late? Shaking the thought of, Alian was back on their feet, alongside Romeo, and they both went to greet everyone.

"'Morning!" Alian bid. "Mom says we're supposed to have breakfast then we can open presents, so, hurry up!"

The puppets had set breakfast at the table for everyone. They were aware that most everyone weren't the biggest breakfast consumers, so the spread was fairly mild. There were biscuits and cornetto's, breakfast cakes, sliced ham, eggs, and the most exquisite offering being a vegetable frittata. While Alian wasn't much of a breakfast eater, she did like a good frittata, and this did look excellent. Alian had served up what she had wanted and taken a seat, waiting for everyone to get their share before digging in. It wasn't a surprise to her when she saw Romeo got a pretty sizable plate for breakfast, pretty much at least one serving of everything. He had always been a pretty big eater, and Alian guessed he still had a little growing to do.

Breakfast was pretty relaxed, conversation light. While no one was exactly rushing, everyone was really looking forward to the presents, as that was the main event of the day and thus what everyone was most looking forward to. One by one as folks finished their food, they walked out to the sitting room towards the Christmas tree, gathering around to wait for everyone to be ready.

"Now, who wants to go first?" Sue asked, once everyone was around and seated.

"Someone could just grab a present, see who it's for and go from there?" Ciaran offered, and that seemed like the most reasonable way to do things. Similar to how they did things at her house, Alian and Kou were sharing a sofa with Rae, while Romeo and Carlo were on the floor in front of the tree. With the decision to just grab a random present and go from there, Romeo was quick on the draw on grabbing one and reading it out.

"This one is… 'to: Trevion, from: Rae." He read, then held the gift out to the eldest of Alian's brothers. It appeared boxed? Shaped? definitely thicker than what had to be Kou's records for everyone, but shorter. It didn't seem to be a book, though. Everyone would learn soon enough. Trevion started to unwrap the present and unveiled what it was; a selection of varying roasts of coffee. Alian nodded their head sagely, this was definitely an appropriate gift for her brother. She glanced to her niece who was grinning.

"I saw that at the Arcade yesterday, and I knew I had to get it for you. Alian has mentioned in the past that Krat gets in all kinds of cool stuff and I know how you love your coffee." Rae said.

"You know me so well, daughter. I'll definitely enjoy this, thank you." Trevion said with a grin.

"Let's see, next present is… Oh! To: Tristran, from: Ciaran." Romeo announced, and handed the gift over. Tristran pretty quietly opened the present, and Alian was leaning over with curiosity as to what it could be. What would have her brothers gotten each other? She couldn't quite see it, but Tristran had a smirk, then held it up for everyone to see. It was a book, although the font was a little small for the title so Alian couldn't quite make it out.

"What is it?" Alian asked.

"'Dancing Cats', it's a book of artwork and photographs of cats." Tristran said, and he opened the book outward to demonstrate that it was exactly as titled. Drawings, paintings and photos of cats doing all manner of absurd and silly things. The photographs particularly impressed Alian, getting a photograph was so time sensitive and excruciating, and cats listened to no master but themselves, how were some of these captured?

"I thought you could use some humor in your life." Ciaran said with a chuckle.

"Thanks." Tristran said dryly, but, Alian knew he was appreciative all the same.

Romeo was about to grab another gift, but this time Carlo was quicker. "This one," he started, "is to: Kou, from: Carlo."

"You did that on purpose, donkey." Romeo gave a playful shrug to Carlo.

"I did nothing of the sort!" he protested and handed the gift to Kou. They looked at it with brief curiosity before tearing into it, finding a box underneath the wrapping paper and hurriedly opening that, letting out a delighted cry as they did.

"Ah! It's so cute!" Kou announced and held up what it was; a duo figurine of white cats, cuddling one another and articulately painted and sculpted. It was quite cute, and Alian recalled Kou having some other figures similar in their bedroom, this would make an excellent addition to their collection. "Thank you Carlo! I would give you your gift, but, I can't do that with all these people here!"

There were some chuckles, some more awkward than others, with Carlo looking incredibly bashful, and it took Alian a moment to realize what Kou was insinuating before giving them a bap on the head. "Kou!"

"I'm joking! Please!" They whined.

For a time, the back and forth on gift exchanges continued like this, with Romeo and Carlo exchanging out the gifts, everyone receiving one and unwrapping it, showing it to the group what it was. Hardly a surprise to see Jon and Sue gifted with books, both ever the avid readers, although both also received some differing gifts, such as a perfume from Tristran for Sue and a little ship model from Trevion for Jon. Alian had received their fair share of gifts herself from folks, like a record from Kou (they were correct that they had gotten everyone a record), a collection of silly sketches from Carlo that he and Romeo had done over the years. Her brothers had gotten her a variety of things to do with art, from prints, to paints to a sketchbook and art books of artists she admired. Jon had gotten her book on fairies and folklore revolving around them, which Alian was delighted by. Sue had gotten her a music box, a mermaid decorating the top that was just lovely.

The pile of presents had shrunk considerably and finally, finally, Alian could see the small present she had gotten for Romeo revealed and she excitedly pointed it out.

"Oh! That one! That one! Romeo! That one is for you, from me!" Alian exclaimed, pointing towards it. He had looked to her, amused, then to the small box that was pointed out. He looked a little quizzical at it, since it was… tiny, even shaking it.

"What…?"

"Open it, silly!" Alian laughed.

Romeo did as they asked, unwrapping the present with care, unlike some of the other gifts for him, and examined the jeweler's box. He looked it over, even it turning it all whichever way before opening it, and his eyes lit up. "Oh!"

"What is it?" Carlo asked, leaning over to look.

"It's a ring!" Romeo said, holding it up and letting everyone look, even having it passed around so each got the chance to admire the details and quality of the craftsmanship, before making it's way 'round back to Romeo, who promptly put it on his first finger of his right hand. "You remembered when we looked before! On Elysion! It's beautiful! I love it! I will always treasure it and wear it all the time! Every day! Thank you! Thank you, thank you!"

Alian smiled broadly, warmly, to Romeo. "You're welcome! I had sketched out the design and had seen Mr. Beaufoy over, well, on Elysion to have him make it. He was delighted to work on it and not only finished in record time, but it came out so well! I had just… been struck by inspiration and just felt this was… you."

Romeo laughed. "I love it. Ah! Now," he turned around, and reached for the peculiarly shaped present and handed it to her. "I have been purposefully delaying this, hope you don't mind… Uhh, open that front part first."

Her parents leaned over to get a better look, also most curious as to what in the world this could be as Alian looked it over. They did as Romeo instructed, and opened the 'front part', which they took to mean the bulky part. As she did, she started laughing. "Romeo, what in the world—"

Alian held up the items. Dolls, two of them. Comical looking ones with heads almost as large as their bodies that were (nearly) the spitting image of her and Romeo. Everyone else burst into laughter as well.

"What the hell?" Tristran asked, amused, but also confused.

"It's us!" Romeo began to clarify. "I know you like stuffed animals and dolls and plushies, so! I had… gotten an artist to get dolls! Of us!"

Alian was still chortling as they looked over the dolls. They were cute, in a weird, funny and somewhat ugly way. They had their charm! And had details of each of their character down. She would definitely treasure and adore these.

"These are great. Thank you Romeo."

"Okay. Well. That was… kind of a joke gift." He started again, and gained a bit of a serious tone, which was a little strange and Alian focused more on him. He pushed some blond hair away from his face, holding his hand at his neck a bit. "The real present is the next thing, actually… Uhh, when you open it, I want you to put it on."

'Put it on…?' Alian wondered what it was. It couldn't be clothes or jewelry, for given it's shape and size, it also looked like a record. Alian delicately unwrapped it, and sure enough, it was a record, yet most peculiarly, it didn't really have cover art on its sleeve, and when she took it out, nor on the record itself. All that was written on the sleeve was a single word, in all capitals: SURVIVOR.

Romeo had asked for her to 'put it on' so that was what she did. Getting up from her seat, Alian walked to the phonograph that was at the other side of the room, with everyone following behind them. Placing the record down, making sure all was in its place, she set the needle and began to have it play.

Immediately a couple notes of a piano began to play, slowly joined it by soft sounds of cymbals and then a voice, a male one, and a very familiar one.

"Don't you fear, close your eyes and listen up

Everyone's paying attention to you

You look so sad, you don't have to be so wise—"

For the entirety of the song, no one uttered a word, as Alian stood in front of the phonograph, enraptured by the music, the harmony of piano, cello and violin playing, Romeo's soothing voice singing lyrics about carrying on, about continuing, surviving, not needing to cry any more. That last line, despite herself, she didn't know when, but Alian was crying. As the last notes of the song faded out, and the record scratched out, Alian turned to Romeo, rubbing at her face to wipe away the tears, utterly floored.

"Wh— wha?" they had no words.

He looked on apologetically and smiled. "This… that record," he pointed to the record with emphasis, "is the first pressing of 'SURVIVOR'. Uhh… It took a while, a long time really, to get everything correct. Lea helped before she… she… you know, she was on the violin. Carlo was on piano of course. I uhh, I sang, and played the cello. We had gotten some other buds from the Rose Estate to help with, you know, the recording and such." he paused a moment. "…I know D. Gray's passing still affects you deeply Alian, to this day. It's… probably, definitely, a lot to be hosting Christmas here even, so I thought… of making this song for you, and just to… remind you, that you're a survivor. We got you."

Alian again rubbed at their eyes, walking up Romeo to throw their arms around him and he met them with his embrace. "I don't know what to say. This is… an incredible gift. …Thank you, thank you so much."

Romeo held them for a bit, as long as they needed. "You're welcome. And, thank you again, for the ring." he said quietly. "It's perfect. It's actually just what I've always wanted."

"Really? The big 'R' isn't too much?"

"No! I love it!"

Eventually, Alian let go of Romeo, and looked out to everyone, friends, family, their loved ones. "This really has been a wonderful Christmas, and I really couldn't have had it without all of you. So, thank you. Thank you for coming and being here with me."

Rae grinned Alian's way. "Of course! Merry Christmas dearest aunt!"

"Merry Christmas, dearest niece." Alian returned the grin back to her.

The rest of the holiday was spent quite merrily. With the snowfall, Romeo encouraged everyone to come outside to at least have some winter fun, and truly, Alian did want to reconnect with that childlike wonder again. Her parents and brothers opted to stay inside, but Rae joined her with the boys and Kou. There was a snowball fight, snow people made, snow angels, all until they became freezing and had to retreat back indoors to the comforting warmth, with some hot cocoa to warm them up.

After a bit of time, Alian took Romeo's record to another phonograph (D. Gray certainly had others in a manor as large as this one) to listen to it again and not disturb the others. She sat, next to it, closing their eyes when Romeo's voice instructed her to, and just listened once more to the song. It really shouldn't have surprised them that he'd have given such a thoughtful gift, yet it did all the same. They let the music flow and ebb, completely wash over them once again, enveloping them, and as Alian opened their eyes to the melody fading out, they saw Romeo standing in the doorframe.

"Ah! How, how long were you there for?" She asked.

"Just a moment. Are you okay?" He stepped over, taking the seat next to them.

"Oh, yes, I'm fine. I just wanted to listen again, but didn't want to repeat it again, and you know, disturb anyone."

"I don't think anyone would have thought it a disturbance."

The pair were quiet a moment, as they looked at each other, both started talking at once, and laughed over their shared nervousness, as if they were school children again.

"You go first, please." Alian said.

Romeo considered a moment and started. "It was actually supposed to be for your birthday, but, there were still a number of details that needed to be just right. Which is why your birthday present from me this year was a bit lackluster, I'm sorry."

"Flowers and dinner to Red Lobster again is NOT lackluster, Romeo." Alian laughed. "And, I think this worked out for the better. This is a wonderful Christmas gift."

"I think so too." Romeo agreed.

He closed the short distance between them, lifting a hand to cup behind Alian's head to encourage them to lean in, and kissed them gently. She could taste cocoa, marshmallow, and a hint of peppermint in his kiss, melting into him and letting it just be the two of them for just this brief moment in time.

Eventually pulling away, him being careful to make sure his new ring didn't snag on any strands of hair, they smiled to one another.

"Merry Christmas, Romeo."

"Merry Christmas, Alian. I love you."

"I love you too."