Fannish Advent #5: Gift Exchange.
Title: Gift Exchange
Rating: G
Fandom: October Daye
Synopsis: What is Christmas like in Faerie?
***
It is, perhaps, inevitable that mortal holidays will creep through into Faerie, which loves any excuse for a good party. They aren't celebrated in the same ways, but they're celebrated with joyful gusto, which may make up for some of the rather...unique...interpretations that go on. And really, if you cock your head and squint, a grand ball honoring Santa's reindeer as icons of fertility makes a certain amount of sense, as well as giving the Satyrs, Fauns, and Hinds an excuse to dress up in jingly harnesses and make filthy jokes about mistletoe.
Christmas mattered more to changelings and their parents than it did to most of the fae. That also made sense, because they were the ones who'd really lived as part of human society, rather than standing around the edges and treating it as a spectator sport designed by idiots. So the kinder nobles put up Christmas trees and decked the halls, and let the changeling children pretend, just for a night, that things were like they'd been before they traded tinsel and fairy tales for the reality of Faerie.
I have no idea why I'm here.
The usual motley assortment of courtiers and hangers-on had been preparing the Grand Hall at Shadowed Hills since sundown the day before, and now, with the doors open and changelings of every race and affiliation pouring in to destroy their hard work, they stood around the edges and beamed. Sir October Daye-one year in service to Shadowed Hills, and still feeling her way into the role-sat with the other new members of the guard by base of the tree, which should have been pine, not oak, handing brightly-wrapped gifts to the throng of children. She laughed every time one of them hugged her, and her laugh was all the more lovely for being so surprising. Women who look that much like sparrows shouldn't laugh like nightingales.
One of the children of my Court ran up to snatch a doll and give a hug, her ears pressed flat with excitement and her tail waving madly as delight overwhelmed her ability to stay in human form. She must have said something, because October cast a startled glance in my direction, looking like she had no idea that I would even consider visiting something as mortal as a Christmas party. I pushed away from the wall and walked over to take the little girl by the hand, smiling languidly at October's stare.
"Never presume to understand the feline mind," I said.
October blinked. "Merry Christmas, Tybalt."
"If you like." Still holding the child's hand in mine, her pinprick claws lightly scratching the side of my fingers, I turned and walked away, leaving October to stare after us in quiet confusion.
Merry Christmas, indeed.
***
Today's fandom suggested by vixyish and apocalypticbob. To suggest a fandom, pairing, or situation for tomorrow, please comment on this post. Only comments on THIS POST will be considered for tomorrow.
Rating: G
Fandom: October Daye
Synopsis: What is Christmas like in Faerie?
***
It is, perhaps, inevitable that mortal holidays will creep through into Faerie, which loves any excuse for a good party. They aren't celebrated in the same ways, but they're celebrated with joyful gusto, which may make up for some of the rather...unique...interpretations that go on. And really, if you cock your head and squint, a grand ball honoring Santa's reindeer as icons of fertility makes a certain amount of sense, as well as giving the Satyrs, Fauns, and Hinds an excuse to dress up in jingly harnesses and make filthy jokes about mistletoe.
Christmas mattered more to changelings and their parents than it did to most of the fae. That also made sense, because they were the ones who'd really lived as part of human society, rather than standing around the edges and treating it as a spectator sport designed by idiots. So the kinder nobles put up Christmas trees and decked the halls, and let the changeling children pretend, just for a night, that things were like they'd been before they traded tinsel and fairy tales for the reality of Faerie.
I have no idea why I'm here.
The usual motley assortment of courtiers and hangers-on had been preparing the Grand Hall at Shadowed Hills since sundown the day before, and now, with the doors open and changelings of every race and affiliation pouring in to destroy their hard work, they stood around the edges and beamed. Sir October Daye-one year in service to Shadowed Hills, and still feeling her way into the role-sat with the other new members of the guard by base of the tree, which should have been pine, not oak, handing brightly-wrapped gifts to the throng of children. She laughed every time one of them hugged her, and her laugh was all the more lovely for being so surprising. Women who look that much like sparrows shouldn't laugh like nightingales.
One of the children of my Court ran up to snatch a doll and give a hug, her ears pressed flat with excitement and her tail waving madly as delight overwhelmed her ability to stay in human form. She must have said something, because October cast a startled glance in my direction, looking like she had no idea that I would even consider visiting something as mortal as a Christmas party. I pushed away from the wall and walked over to take the little girl by the hand, smiling languidly at October's stare.
"Never presume to understand the feline mind," I said.
October blinked. "Merry Christmas, Tybalt."
"If you like." Still holding the child's hand in mine, her pinprick claws lightly scratching the side of my fingers, I turned and walked away, leaving October to stare after us in quiet confusion.
Merry Christmas, indeed.
***
Today's fandom suggested by vixyish and apocalypticbob. To suggest a fandom, pairing, or situation for tomorrow, please comment on this post. Only comments on THIS POST will be considered for tomorrow.