Advent Drabblender 2010, Door 24
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
And Door 24: The Group Meal
Characters: ALL
24/24
Zoisite was clutching a pair of new leather gloves to his chest. His face was full of awe, and his eyes were shining like those of a child. “Do you know how soft these are? They are really, really, soft,” he said with reverence and pushed the gloves in Mercury’s hands who ran a finger over them obligingly before handing them back. “Yes, very soft,” she answered and smiled at him. “Who gave them to you?” Zoisite opened his mouth and closed it again. “I don’t know.”
Endymion, who had Serenity in his arms, laughed. “Well, if there was no card, then it must have been Gaia herself.” Serenity peaked up, her blue eyes shining with enthusiasm. Craning her neck in Endymion’s direction, she batted her lashes. “Will Gaia leave me a present, too?” A look of panic crossed Endymion’s face, but he covered it with a charming smile soon enough. “Erm, yes, yes, of course.” Sly Venus, already seated at the large dining table, broke into a grin. Leaning back, she crossed her legs, and arranged the folds of her gown. “And one for me?” Beside her, Kunzite bowed his head, hiding the smile he couldn’t fight back. Venus continued with glee: “And one for Jupiter, surely, she’s the one who likes the Terran Yuletide traditions most, Gaia will surely know that! And one for Mercury because she is always so kind.” Nephrite, who had Jupiter on one arm and a barrel of mead under the other, joined them at the table. “I’m sure that Gaia will provide for all us, she is a gracious being.” Breaking free from Nephrite, who began to hammer a tap into the barrel, Jupiter sat down next to Kunzite and promptly started to make herself useful by cutting the big loaf of bread on the table. Endymion, beet-red by now, was squirming under Venus’s mischievous gaze. The Venusian was far from finished, and the giggling Serenity only cheered her on. “Prince Endymion, could you tell Gaia that I’d really like one of those fur hats you all wear down here? And perhaps some rose bushes for Serenity? And an apron for Jupiter? A role of parchment for Mercury? And let’s not forget Mars: she might enjoy some scented oil.” Jadeite and Mars, standing next to each other under the mistletoe without touching, were the only ones who hadn’t joined the merry talk. Mars smiled. “I already have all I wish for. Don’t be greedy, Venus.” Jadeite, who had spontaneously developed a nervous twitch on his right eye, nodded. “Yes, don’t be greedy. Just because Gaia got Zoisite something doesn’t mean you all will.”
They were interrupted by the servants who came in carrying two big turkeys, roasted until they were the warm golden colour of fallen leaves in autumn. The dinner was loud and joyful, and when everyone else was occupied by digging into the apple pie Jupiter and Nephrite had prepared, Mercury caught Jadeite smiling at Zoisite, who was once again fingering the gloves with a happy but absent-minded expression. Jadeite grinned, and she remembered that look from when he had painted the good fortune charms in the tower. Aha, Mercury thought and the puzzle fell into place. Tucking the knowledge away, she decided that the next person Gaia would leave a surprise present for was her ambassador in their midst.
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
And Door 24: The Group Meal
Characters: ALL
24/24
Zoisite was clutching a pair of new leather gloves to his chest. His face was full of awe, and his eyes were shining like those of a child. “Do you know how soft these are? They are really, really, soft,” he said with reverence and pushed the gloves in Mercury’s hands who ran a finger over them obligingly before handing them back. “Yes, very soft,” she answered and smiled at him. “Who gave them to you?” Zoisite opened his mouth and closed it again. “I don’t know.”
Endymion, who had Serenity in his arms, laughed. “Well, if there was no card, then it must have been Gaia herself.” Serenity peaked up, her blue eyes shining with enthusiasm. Craning her neck in Endymion’s direction, she batted her lashes. “Will Gaia leave me a present, too?” A look of panic crossed Endymion’s face, but he covered it with a charming smile soon enough. “Erm, yes, yes, of course.” Sly Venus, already seated at the large dining table, broke into a grin. Leaning back, she crossed her legs, and arranged the folds of her gown. “And one for me?” Beside her, Kunzite bowed his head, hiding the smile he couldn’t fight back. Venus continued with glee: “And one for Jupiter, surely, she’s the one who likes the Terran Yuletide traditions most, Gaia will surely know that! And one for Mercury because she is always so kind.” Nephrite, who had Jupiter on one arm and a barrel of mead under the other, joined them at the table. “I’m sure that Gaia will provide for all us, she is a gracious being.” Breaking free from Nephrite, who began to hammer a tap into the barrel, Jupiter sat down next to Kunzite and promptly started to make herself useful by cutting the big loaf of bread on the table. Endymion, beet-red by now, was squirming under Venus’s mischievous gaze. The Venusian was far from finished, and the giggling Serenity only cheered her on. “Prince Endymion, could you tell Gaia that I’d really like one of those fur hats you all wear down here? And perhaps some rose bushes for Serenity? And an apron for Jupiter? A role of parchment for Mercury? And let’s not forget Mars: she might enjoy some scented oil.” Jadeite and Mars, standing next to each other under the mistletoe without touching, were the only ones who hadn’t joined the merry talk. Mars smiled. “I already have all I wish for. Don’t be greedy, Venus.” Jadeite, who had spontaneously developed a nervous twitch on his right eye, nodded. “Yes, don’t be greedy. Just because Gaia got Zoisite something doesn’t mean you all will.”
They were interrupted by the servants who came in carrying two big turkeys, roasted until they were the warm golden colour of fallen leaves in autumn. The dinner was loud and joyful, and when everyone else was occupied by digging into the apple pie Jupiter and Nephrite had prepared, Mercury caught Jadeite smiling at Zoisite, who was once again fingering the gloves with a happy but absent-minded expression. Jadeite grinned, and she remembered that look from when he had painted the good fortune charms in the tower. Aha, Mercury thought and the puzzle fell into place. Tucking the knowledge away, she decided that the next person Gaia would leave a surprise present for was her ambassador in their midst.