Christmas with You

As Damian looked out the window of the dorm, watching snow fall down outside, he pulled his blanket more closely around his body, a mug of hot chocolate tightly held in his hand. He continued to watch through the snow covered glass as he waited to see the lights of a car come up, starting to feel worried that he'd never see them.

As he continued to watch, he heard his sister say to him, "Hey Damian, any sign of them yet?"

Looking over at her, he gave a sad, worried look and replied, "Nope, no sign of them yet. Jeez, I hope they didn't get into an accident or so-"

"They'll be fine Damian, trust me," he heard her interrupt, then felt her warm, sweater covered arms wrap around him. "Don't worry, they'll get here when they get here. The snow has probably just gotten them slowed down, that's all."

Looking back at her, clad in her bright green sweater that made him think of a pine tree, he nodded, smiling a bit, and said, "Thanks. I really appreciate you pulling me back into reality like that."

She smiled back at him, saying, "You bet bro. Now come on, why don't you hang out with us over here and just try to relax?"

Looking back out the window, Damian replied, "Well, I want to make sure I know when they come, so I can properly go and greet them, you know?"

Hearing this, she nodded and said, "Oh, got it...well, how about this? You go and just relax with the others, and I'll keep watch for you. Do we have a deal?"

Initially surprised with the offer, he smiled and said, "Alright then, thanks sis," before going over to the table where the others were all talking, eating festive treats, and drinking hot chocolate.

As he sat down, Ignia, who was currently munching on a pine tree shaped sugar cookie, asked him, "So, no sign of your friends yet?"

Looking over at her, he sighed, "Nope, nothing...dammit, I just wish I could know where they were, you know? Unfortunately, Sam hasn't been answering her phone."

As he said this, Shiwang mentioned, "Well, maybe weather is, ummm, sprucing up? No, screwing up, screwing up phones."

Taniel nodded and mentioned, "Yeah, I know that my phone hasn't been getting texts as fast for a while. Maybe the snowy weather is c-, causing it problems."

He simply sighed, looking into the last remnants of the now lukewarm hot chocolate he had been periodically sipping over the last half hour, and said, "Yeah, I hope that's all that's going on...I mean, I j-"

"Oh, would you get a grip, you dumbass?" Ignia told him firmly. "Listen, you keep worrying like that, you're gonna end up with another one of those damn stomach aches you always complain about. I hate to sound bitchy, but just take a breath and think of something happy."

He looked over, trying to smile back at her before saying, "Yeah, I'll do my best," soon focusing on thinking of things that made him happy, something to try and pull him out of his bad thoughts.

As he was just quietly sitting there, thoughts filling his head he then heard Niki loudly ask him, "Hey, Damian, want some of my eggnog!?"

Looking over at her, he gave her a worried look, asking her, "Before I accept, how much eggnog is in that brandy?"

She paused for a second, then chuckled, "Right, sorry!" before taking a bottle of eggnog, pouring him a glass, and having it get passed over to him. Upon receiving the cup, he then carefully looked over it before smelling for any possible sign of alcohol. Then, once he was sure it was clean, he immediately began to drink from the cup, savoring the thick, sweet taste of the eggnog he was drinking.

Then, as he was continuing to drink it, he heard his sister call to him, "Hey bro! They're finally here!"

Immediately, Damian put down his cup, causing the party to gasp as he nearly spilled it from bringing it down too fast, and got up, hopping over the couch and running to the door. Looking outside, he saw a van and a rather old car, both of which opened up, allowing Sam, Mahina, Morna and Sandler, along with Mr. and Mrs. Shaemin, to get out of the van while Alistair, Raeanne and Larkin, along with her parents, got out of the car. Immediately, Sam grinned at him and called out, "Wooo! I told you we'd get here!"

Grinning, he then ran out in the blistering cold, briefly deciding that coats were for chumps, and practically leaped at Sam, hugging her and saying, "Hey there! I'm glad you could make it!" Sam chuckled and hugged him back, blushing a bit before he released her in order to give everyone else their hugs as well.

Then, calming down, partly from realizing that not wearing a coat was a stupid idea, he went back inside with everyone, with the others immediately greeting them at the door. Ignia gave Sam a fist bump and asked if she wanted to spar a bit later, Niki hugged Alistair tightly and patted his head, having drunkenly mistaken him for her younger brother, Taniel asked Morna about some of the new books she had recently read, and Shiwang excitedly gave hugs to all the new arrivals, even picking up and spinning around some of the lighter ones.

Finally though, everyone went and scattered around the dorm, the adults heading off to celebrate together while the younger guests and residents all gathered in the cluster area, squeezed up on the couch, and began to celebrate together, doing everything from eating snacks and drinking their hot chocolate to talking about their Christmas plans for the following day.

Among those that didn't get up close and personal on the couch were Damian, who felt uncomfortable with the lack of space, Sam, who wanted to keep him company, and Morna, who had decided to sit down next to the fireplace, crosslegged, and read aloud some stories from a large book to Alistair, Taniel, and Shiwang.

As he watched everyone interacting with one another during this festive party, Damian smiled and sighed, "Man, it's really great you guys could come and join us again, especially since all your parents can hang out too."

She grinned, saying, "Yeah, I know what you mean. I was really surprised when your mom offered my parents to come over this year, but I just know they'll enjoy it."

Damian gave a small nod, looking over to Sam and quietly saying, "Great," before taking a sip of his newly filled hot chocolate. This, however proved to be a rather poor idea as he soon gave a whine like a dog who had hurts itself, sticking out his tongue that he'd managed to burn on the boiled liquid.

Sam, despite herself, couldn't help but laugh at his misfortune, teasingly telling him, "They call it hot chocolate for a reason, you know~?"

"Oh, shove it Sam," he retorted with a smirk, his tongue still comically sticking out of his mouth. "By the way, how's that new friend of yours been? The one who you said barely knows fun."

Chuckling, she said, "Oh, you mean Beatrice. She's been fine. She told me she was really sad she couldn't join us for the party, but wished us all a Happy Christmas and actually suggested that we try playing some penalty games in her honor."

"Really? Is that so?" he said with a surprised, slightly nervous look. "Well, I'd join in with that, but I might just decide to sit o-"

"Oh~ no you're not!" she quickly said, snatching him and pulling him into a headlock that, much to his embarrassment, forced him into her enviable bosom. "You're gonna join in, even if I have to keep you like this until we start playing~"

"Gah! OK, fine, I'll join the game!" he said, struggling around with a flushed expression on his face before he was finally released by a satisfied Sam.

She chuckled heartily as she saw his blushing cheeks, saying, "Seriously though, the game wouldn't be the same without you. We'll go easier this time, just don't sit on the sidelines and watch."

Looking over at her, he gave a nod, smiling quite a bit, and said, "Alright, I'll play. Sorry about saying I wouldn't."

She lightly punched him, saying, "It's fine, so don't apologize." Then, after a small moment of silence, she brought her mug forward and said, "Merry Christmas Damian."

In response, he nodded, clinking mugs with her, and happily sighing, "Merry Christmas."

------

Elsewhere, a young, red headed girl in a new green sweater was putting the finishing touches on a little present she decided to make. "Just a little more ribbon there...and done!" Rachel said with a satisfied expression as she tied off the last of the ribbons in an adorable little red bow. "So, what do you think Liana, doesn't this just look like the best little present you've ever seen?"

She knew, of course, Liana couldn't really respond...mostly because she was the present. She gave a cute, but embarrassed moan, squirming around in the bright red ribbon that had been used to entrap her arms at her sides, having been wrapped above and below her festive bra covered breasts, forcing them out a bit. Her wrists were cinched behind her back and even given a nice bow, while her sock covered legs were held in tight frog ties so she couldn't try to get up or run, only squirm and maybe roll around. Her struggles were nicely hindered by having some knotted ribbons tightly tied around her waist and between her legs, acting as a sort of crotch rope, before connecting to her bound wrists. The entire ensemble, of course, was completed with a tight, knotted ribbon gag that once more formed a cute little bow that brushed the edges of her lips.

Nuzzling her cheek against her friend's gagged one, she said, "Isn't this just the best Christmas present, being tied up and gagged in ribbons, only wearing that cute red underwear set with the white lace trim, while being cuddled by your best friend and big brother~?" Liana only responded by moaning harder, her darker toned cheeks flushing badly as she tried to keep herself calm. This was about the second time something like this had happened to her, and this time was worse since she had actually developed a strong fetish for bondage which Rachel cheerfully, lovingly took advantage of, always making sure to keep her best friend comfortable.

As she continued to cuddle Liana's bound form, she then heard Adam chuckle, "So, you guys ready to pop in that MST3K Christmas Special DVD mom and dad left us?" checking in to make sure his girlfriend wasn't taken too much advantage of his little sister.

Grinning and carefully placing Liana on the couch where she could just lay back and get comfy, Rachel said, "Am I ever~ Put it in already so we can eat popcorn without feeling guilty!" Hearing this, Liana gave a little whimper, her lip quivering, before Rachel laughed, "Oh, quit that! You'll get popcorn too!" even teasingly slapping her friend's bum, making her elicit an embarrassed squeal and smile shyly.

Giving a chuckle as he flopped down on the couch alongside Rachel, he smiled, holding her close as he turned on the TV and DVD player to start watching, saying, "I hope you girls are ready to have sore ribs tomorrow morning, cause this is gonna be good~"

Rachel, blushing brightly, gave an excited squeal, saying, "Ohhh~, just get the movie started already!" immediately digging her hand into the bowl of popcorn Adam had brought with him, and starting to munch on a handful of the stuff.

He laughed, saying, "Hey get your own popcorn!" giving Rachel's bum a spank to tease her.

She squeaked and gave a luminescent blush in response to this, then grinned and threateningly warned him, "You'd better share that popcorn Mr, or else you'll be joining your little sister all tied up in ribbons while in those nice looking boxers you have on~" As she told him this, she teasingly tickled him  under his chin, a seductive look in her eyes that seemed to tell him she would seriously do that to him.

He laughed, raising his hands and saying, "OK, fine, we'll share!" grabbing a single piece of popcorn, bringing it over to Rachel's mouth, and waiting for her to open up before popping it into her mouth.

She cheerfully munched on it, her blush still present as she told him, "Thank you Adam~"

He smiled in response, saying, "You're welcome Rachel. Now, mind popping out my sister's gag so she can have a little too?"

She grinned, winking and saying, "Sure baby~" before reaching over and gently pulling out the ribbon gag from Liana's mouth before massaging her jaw a bit.

Blushing as her friend did this to her, Liana looked over at Adam and whined, "I still can't believe you helped her tie me up like this! You're my brother!"

He laughed at this, saying, "Oh, I think our little present is being naughty! Maybe we should 'rewrap' her and deny her popcorn!"

Knowing he was just teasing her, Rachel began to waggle her eyebrows and said, "Oh, I wholeheartedly agree to that idea~" reaching towards the knotted ribbons to put them back in her friend's mouth.

Her eyes going wide, she pulled away, saying, "I'm sorry! Please, don't deny me popcorn, please!"

Adam, smiling lovingly at his little sister, assured her, "Oh, don't worry, we wouldn't be that cruel," soon taking out a handful of popcorn and, along with Rachel, feeding her piece by piece.

Sighing as he revealed he was kidding, she then ate every piece of popcorn she got, finally smiling happily at them both and saying, "Thanks guys, it's delicious~"

"I know, right?" Rachel said with a grin as she pulled the gag back in, much to Liana's shock. "It's such a nice gag~"

Then, to her surprise, Adam firmly covered her mouth, saying, "Well, if you like it so much, why don't I give you one just like it~ Maybe I'll even tie you up just like Liana~" Hearing this, she giggled and squealed, shaking her head behind his big, strong hand as he seemed to be threatening to tickle her a bit. But finally, he released her, saying, "Don't worry, you'll get your chance later."

She blushed intensely at hearing this, saying, "Well, just remember, naughty boy, that the presents don't get to be opened until tomorrow~"

He winked at her, saying, "Oh, I think I can handle being put on the naughty list for you~"

In an instant, Rachel was laughing heartily, telling him, "Awww~, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard!" before leaning over and planting a kiss right on his cheek.

His cheeks warming, Adam cuddled her more and said, "Merry Christmas guys."

Grinning, Rachel pulled over Liana, cuddling up with her as well, and said, "Yeah, Merry Christmas!"

Smiling around the gag tightly tied between her lips as her cheeks were flushed as red as ribbons binding her, Liana moaned through her gag, "Mnuuuh Fuuhmffmuhf!"

---------

In a house nearby, three young women had decided that it was just too much fun to be naughty and found the perfect way to do it. So, pulling out a big jar filled with red and green pieces of folded paper, Amber said, "OK then girls, it's time for the annual gift-girl drawings! Today, one lucky girl will get to have two wrapped up beauties to do with as they want for the rest of the night! The bondage can be as extensive as wanted, costumes are optional, and fun is required!"

Grinning and licking her lips readily, Danielle said, "Come on already! Let's get this over with! I've been looking forward to this for weeks now!"

Blushing a bit and sliding away from her on the bed, Heather looked over and said, "Yeah, I'm looking forward to this too, I guess."

Winking at the two of them, Amber then thrust the jar forward, saying, "Well then girls, start picking out slips and checking them. If you find the one with the black dot, that means you're doing the wrapping this time!"

"Got it," both of her friends replied in unison, soon enough doing rock paper scissors to see who would go first. After doing it three times with draws, it finally ended with Danielle winning, grinning as she immediately thrust her hand into the jar, grabbed a piece of paper, and yanked it out. Then, she opened it to reveal...it was blank.

As Danielle gave a groan, Amber chuckled, saying, "Better luck next draw. That is, if there is another draw that you get~" And then, setting down the jar, she drew a piece of paper herself, finding that...it too was blank. She chuckled, tossing it over her shoulder and saying, "Oh well, your turn Heather."

She nodded in response, drawing a piece of paper from the jar, looking at it, and finally sighing, "Nope, nothing..." And so, the drawings continued, going in that order again and again as more and more scraps of paper started to litter Amber's bedroom floor and the amount in the jar grew ever smaller.

However, after a while, the paper was finally drawn, the winner holding up the marked scrap above their head. "I, I did it! I got the paper!" Heather cheered, clearly shocked and rather happy at seeing this.

Looking surprised as they found the girl they usually tied up was going to turn them into tight Christmas presents, they chuckled a bit before Amber said, "Congrats Heather, you've won. So now, as promised, you get to have us turned into presents for as long as you want. Anything goes, OK?"

Nodding, she replied, "Yeah, got it guys," giving a bit of a grin as she noticed that Danielle was, though willing to play nice today, very unhappy about being the one getting tied up this time around, and especially by Heather of all people. "First of all, I think you two should get all dressed up now. Maybe try on these little ditties." And at that, she showed them two costumes she'd brought in some big shopping bags, naughty elf costumes that were just for them. Both of them were mini-dresses that would include plenty of legs and cleavage, the torso covered with bright green sequins, the skirt a ruffled green with red on the edges and bells hanging off of red triangles circling around it. They also included some nice accessories, like bright red elbow gloves, red and green striped stockings that went to their upper thighs, red buckled high heels, fake elf ears, and a floppy, green sequined hat with a bell on the tip.

Surprised to see these, Amber couldn't help but smirk and say, "Well, seems that you've been preparing yourself too, huh? Alright then, we'll get dressed." And with that, she and a reluctant Danielle took the costumes, stripped, and began to get themselves dressed up in their new costumes. At the same time, Heather dressed herself up in an outfit that seemed to be a mix between a sexy Santa girl and a tough as nails dominatrix, with tall red high heeled boots with white trim, a red top with a built in corset, a pair of tight red gloves that stopped at her wrists, and even a Santa hat.

Once they looked at one another, each of them blushed, Danielle grinning and saying, "Damn, I've gotta get me one of those Santa costumes next year!"

Giving a small chuckle, Heather said, "Thanks, I'm glad you like it. Now, you two elves have been very naughty this time around! Stealing presents from the good children, I do believe there's only one thing that can be done. You're both going to end up as my presents! So, turn your cute little asses around and bring your arms behind you. It's time for you to get wrapped up."

Each surprised by her authority, they played along, Amber saying, "We're terribly sorry boss, please go easy on us~" her arms coming behind her.

"If you behave, I might just consider it~" Heather sneered, grabbing Danielle's wrists first before starting to wrap them up in green ribbon, placing them in a firm box tie with her fingers left in little ribbon balls from all the wrapping. Next she pulled her legs back, tying them up in frog ties before connecting her toes to her tight chest harness, causing her dress to slightly slide down, revealing a bit of her left nipple, while her dress rode up to reveal her festive, green and red striped side tie panties beneath. Upon seeing these, Heather chuckled, "Oh, now it would be a crime not to use these~" soon undoing them, slipping them off, and balling them up to stuff in her captive's mouth. "Any last words, my naughty little elf?"

As Danielle groaned and squirmed around in her hogtie, she looked back at Heather and said, "I will be getting you back for this, you know?"

"As if, elf brat," she retorted before firmly jamming the underwear into her friend's mouth and using a roll of lovely clear tape to keep it held in, the tape forming a big, comical "X" across her mouth while still keeping her panties visible. This highly amused Amber, who loved the humiliation her normally dominating friend was being forced through.

However, soon Heather turned to her, saying, "Why don't you be a good little elf and stuff your panties in your mouth now~? After all, wouldn't want to find that I have to cut them off."

Blushing brightly, she said, "Yes, of course," before removing her own underwear, a pair of green panties decorated with little cute prints of Christmas elves, and stuffing them in her mouth.

Quickly cleave gagging her friend with some bright red ribbons, allowing some bits of the colorful undergarments to peek through, Heather said, "Good girl~" before starting on wrapping her next present. He arms, unlike Danielle's, were tied in front of her side by side using soft red ropes, then her legs were pulled up and tied so her thighs were pressing against her chest using the same rope. Once she was sure this party was firmly tied, she next used green ropes to restrain her arms and legs together to get her pulled into a frontwards hogtie She even tied up Amber's thumbs and big toes before connecting them together, making sure she couldn't mess around with her bonds too easily.

And so, with both of her friend's firmly bound, tightly gagged, and helplessly squirming around on the floor, Heather smiled and pulled out a red and green riding crop that almost resembled a slightly floppy candy cane, telling them, "And now, it's time to properly punish you two brats~" Then, being careful not to go too hard for fear of worsening her eventual retribution, she began to switch their vulnerable behinds, each girl squealing and shouting in shock behind their gags, cheeks flushed with humiliation. They had not expected their more goody goody friend to get so naughty, but it was kinda fun for them. Heck, maybe they could get her to let out that part the next time they had Rachel and Liana as guests...in the meantime though, they were just focusing on the fact that their asses were starting to sting.

Then, suddenly, they felt the switch stop smacking them, moaning as they looked around at Heather, who was looking at them with a small, but genuine smile as she held the crop in front of her, eventually telling them, "Merry Christmas guys. And thanks for being so cool about this."

A little surprised to hear this, both couldn't help but smile and wink at her, each moaning a muffled 'Merry Christmas' through their gags, feeling  more ready to take whatever their friend could dish out.

--------

In another state, a young girl sat in a chair, her old, but sturdy stuffed animal fox cuddled tightly in her arms as she looked upon the old, dimly lit inn room she had been staying in for several days. She curled up her legs close to her, brushed a bit of her light brown hair out of her eyes, and muttered, "So, Tedrick, how are you feeling today...?"

Looking up into her innocent, bright green eyes, he simply responded in his old cockney accent, "Well Drew, I'll admit, I'm not feeling much really. I mean, I am a stuffed animal. I don't feel much."

She shook her head, saying, "No, I mean, it's nearly Christmas. How do you feel about that?"

He turned around, looking up at her for a while, then said, "Well, to be perfectly honest, it feels, I don't know...a little invigorating I suppose. I mean, I don't really celebrate Christmas, being a stuffed animal and all, but I can feel the excitement in the air, you know?"

She chuckled, patting his head and saying, "Yeah, exactly. That's what I was thinking. It's just exciting, you know...? I, I mean, it's certainly weird, not being with mom and dad, celebrating with them, but, y-, you know...maybe, maybe we'll go back soon. See how they're doing..."

"I'm sure they'd appreciate it," he responded, looking over at the door as they heard the sound of thumping boots out in the hall.

Then, after a while, the two saw the figure come in. It was the strange man who had caused all of this, the one who only went by the name Kenley Robinson. Giving the small, bundled up girl a charming, fang marked smile, he said, "Hello there Ms. Pratchet, and how are you holding up in this cozy little room, all alone?"

She gave him a half hearted, habitual, unamused look, replying, "Fine, thank you. How's my brother doing exactly?"

In response, he flopped down onto a bed and replied, "Oh, Liam hasn't quite finished his midnight sna- sorry, nightly visit. He should probably be done soon though. Never really ate much."

Reducing the narrowing of her eyes as Kenley corrected his euphemism, she nodded and said, "Good to hear. I'm glad he'll be back soon...Just, been thinking about home for a while."

Looking back at her, he said, "Well, of course you're thinking about home. You did run away, after all. It'd be hard not to, especially on Christmas, of all days...what are you thinking about, exactly?"

Looking back at him, she merely asked, "While, frankly, it's not really your business... I've been thinking about my parents...and, and how, how they must feel right now..."

"Ah, yes, of course," he said, his little smile starting to look a bit strained as she said this. "Listen, I know it's scary to think about, and upsetting, but you'll be back with them eventually. Trust me, Liam will count on that."

"Yeah but...but that means, that I, I won't see him again, r-, right..." she asked, looking worried at the very thought of not seeing him again.

Looking down for a while, he said, "Honestly, yes, that is very likely. You probably won't see him ever again." She cringed as he said this, feeling a brief hatred over how blunt he could be. Then again, she'd probably hate him more if he sugarcoated it, or hell, flat out lied to her.

She sighed, saying, "Got it..." hugging Tedrick closer as she was trying to keep herself calm.

Then, finally, she looked up as she heard the door open, her older brother walking in, holding his arms behind him as he said, "Hey sis. How are you doing?"

She stared at him in silence for a brief moment before finally saying, "I'm fine...how was your, umm, nightly visit...?"

He looked to the side, saying, "Fine thanks...hey, I, I got something for you." And with that, he handed over a little, wrapped box.

She raised an eyebrow, eventually opening it and looking down in surprise as she saw it was a little yang pendant she had been admiring previously, then looked up to see he was wearing the matching yin pendant that went with it. She was quiet for a while longer, then finally, she gave a sad, thankful smile and said, "Th-, thank you. It's, it's a, wonderful gift..." But, as she was placing it around her neck, she bit her lip, saying, "B-, bro...I-, I-...I'm sorry, for, for having left home before...I, I really, I should've..."

Then, as she was starting to succumb to her tears, her eyes looking unfocused and miserable as she kept trying to look up at him, he simply walked over and wrapped her up in a cold but loving hug, soon feeling her grip his shirt and start quietly crying into his shirt. He patted her head as she sobbed quietly against him, saying, "It's OK, I forgive you..." Then, he just stood in silence, patting her head as she let out all her tears she'd built up over that night. Then, once she'd finished, she released his shirt, hugged him tightly, and just held him for a while.

Eventually, the group just sat in their beds and began to talk with one another, talking of what their planned New Years resolutions were, how they used to spend their Christmas's, anything. Finally though, it was about time that the only human among them had to get to bed to sleep. So, tucking her into bed, Liam stroked her cheek gently and whispered, "Merry Christmas."

Giving a weary nod as she cuddled Tedrick, she responded, "M-, Merry, Christ-, mas..." before she fell asleep.

-------

In another time and place, a large group of female samurai cheered, "Banzai~!" before downing their cups of sake in quick swigs. All of them were gathered around a table, each dressed casually as snow fell outside the building. At the moment, Natasha was sitting off in the corner, watching everyone there quietly, her cheeks a little flushed, Mira was serving food to all the younger girls there with a motherly smile adorning her lips, Bianca and Kari were cheerfully teasing Weifang, and Hilda was demonstrating a new little invention of hers that would chug around carrying a tray of sake cups while never once bumping into anyone. As all of this was going on, Allison, who was not accustomed to alcohol, was leaning against the old, wooden table, holding her head as she felt a bad headache coming over her. She groaned meekly, saying, "God, I hope this is just the hangover..."

However, she soon heard Elizabeth's voice inform her, "Actually, that's not the hangover. Trust me, when you hit the point where you've got a hangover, every noise you hear will feel like you've got someone pounding nails into your ears and you'll want someone to just give you a blade to put yourself out of your misery."

Looking over as she saw Elizabeth sit down next to her, Allison whimpered and sighed, "Oh, wonderful...thanks for the warning, I guess..."

Giving her an amused smirk, Elizabeth responded, "Don't worry about it. Trust me, I know what you're going through. Good news is, it'll get better...admittedly, I can't exactly tell you how long until it will get better, but at least it will, right?"

Looking up at the young Brit, she sighed, "Y-, yeah, I guess so...hey, I was curious, is, is this all you guys do during Christmas...? Just, drink sake, tell stories, and party...?"

"Pretty much, yeah," Elizabeth said. "We used to hand out gifts, but after a while we decided it was getting to be too much money."

Nodding slightly, she said, "Oh, w-, well, that's too bad...I remember, when I was little, I always used to, trade gifts, with my neighborhood friend. Her name, her name was...Charlie...?"

"Do you mean Carly?" Elizabeth asked her with a chuckle.

Thinking about it for a while, she shook her head and said, "N-, no, definitely Charlie...anyways, Charlie and I, we'd, we'd always exchange gifts with one another... she would always give me tea blends from her parent's store. I loved them, even back then. Though, admittedly, she did eventually get caught sneaking tea from the shop and ended up getting spanked for it...hehehe, spanked~"

Giving a light chuckle, Elizabeth looked down at her, asking, "So, what sorts of teas did she get you?"

She thought about it for a while, finally muttering, "I, I think it was, something sweet...it made me think of...of strawberries..."

"Strawberries, huh? I see..." she said, patting her head. "Hey, mind giving me a sec, I'm gonna go check on something..."

Looking over, she moaned, "Oh no, don't, don't mind me, go ahead. I'm just gonna, try and stop the room from spinning..."

"Yeah, you do that," Elizabeth said, standing up and beckoning over the others. Then, after briefly talking with them, they each gave smiles and nodded quickly, seeming to agree with one another. Then, soon enough, Elizabeth, Natasha, and Mira had left, the others gathering around the table that Allison was resting her head on, quietly talking to her and trying to help her relax a bit and ignore her headache.

Then, some time later, the three women arrived back at the ongoing party, Elizabeth quickly coming over to Allison. However, upon seating herself next to her again, she found, to her surprise, that the poor girl was dead asleep, lightly snoring as she rested her head on the table. Seeing this, and feeling reluctant to wake her, Elizabeth simply set down a small jar of tea herbs, smiling lightly at the slices of strawberry scattered amongst the other herbs before rejoining the others, feeling quite good about what they had decided to do. On the table, right next to the little jar, was a note they'd all put together for her. On it, it read:

Allison. We felt, since we've already given each other gifts before, that you deserved to get one too. Hope this makes you think of old friends. Love, Elizabeth, Natasha, Mira, Hilda, Weifang, Bianca, and Kari. PS, Merry Christmas