Christmas Time

[Rory]

*When Recka turned over the card stock she saw a stylized drawing of a woman who looked a lot like herself, same smile, same bright blue eyes, same dark hair. Even the woman's eyebrows slopped like Recka's. Those pretty blue eyes were looking kindly down at the baby bundled in her arms. The child had one blue eye, one green. They were smiling at each other. In each corner was a bust of a wolf, one for each of her adopted siblings. At the top, just above the crown of her birth mother's head were the busts of her adopted parents wolves, noses touching to form a heart with their heads. On the back, written in her neatest writing was "How could anyone not love you? Love your sister, Rory"*

[Rory]

Thinking, that's awfully dangerous. Besides you know cute girls don't have to think *Rory smirked at him, teasing and totally oblivious to what trouble she had caused him* That's how you've gotten so far in life demonboy. *She rolled her eyes at him* You don't have to give me anything, and you don't have to give it to me early if you do. Here. *She handed him the piece of card stock* I hope you like it *There was a little hesitation in her voice as she realized just how much she hoped he liked it. Drawn in a comic book style was Kana. Despite it being stylized there was no doubt who was looking out of the picture at him, even the scar above her eyebrow had been captured. She sat regally, back straight and arms carefully placed, just like a traditional Japanese photo except she was smiling proudly. Cherry blossoms bordered the portrait and in each corner was an item. In one was a caricature of the tiger lucky cat he had one at the festival, one was a stone with his demon's cheek marks on it, another was Kenjiro's favorite battle helmet, and the last was Kana's favorite teapot, complete with the chip in the lid. The picture radiated happiness out at the demon* I wanted to name her Kana after your Kana but that felt disrespectful so...*She shifted suddenly uncomfortable* So she's Obaa-san, it's the only other name that came to mind *She gave Jiro one of those rare true smiles, not realizing she hadn't completely butchered the word for grandmother* My signature's on the back so it won't mess up the look if...you know you wanted to frame it *She ran her hand through her hair, spiking it as she realized how weird this sounded* But...but *She let her hand drop so she could point at him, trying to catch her normal sour attitude again* But ya can't fuckin' forget it was done by yours truly

[Recka]

*The picture hit her like a ton of bricks. She knew this had to be her birth mom only on assumption, as all her memories of her were gone. She had only been ever told that her mother had dumped her with the coven and left never to see her again. Kali had made a point often to tell Recka that her mother never loved her and abandoned her because of it. All emotions crashed in on her and the tears just kept coming!*

[Jiro]

*He gave her a snort of amusement at the girl comment.* I have already bought it and Its too late to return it. So Im sorry but you my dear are stuck with it. *He took the card stock from Rory, Jiro fell silent. He studied every inch of the picture and could not stop the memories now from taking over. In the picture was his Kana down to every detail. He raised his hand to touch the picture and ran a finger over the scar above her brow.* I gave her that scar. *Jiro said the words before he realized he said it.* The same night I took her husband from her. *Even as his words spoke of something awful, he smiled as the woman in picture did.* This is my Kana, my obaa-sama. *A tear fell from his eye.* Thank you, Rory. You did a remarkable job, she would praise you greatly, were she to see it.

[Rory]

*Rory rolled her eyes at him but fell quiet as he studied the picture. The longer he was silent the more uncomfortable she was, thinking maybe she should have found a way to steal something for him. She spiked her hair some as she thought about turning away, suddenly feeling like a silly child as she watched him. When he did speak she blinked, looking up at him with a little surprise. When he smiled she couldn't help but return it, beaming some. When the tear fell she blinked again before reaching up to wipe it away for him, not even realizing it until it was done* Hey, hey, hey. I wasn't aiming for you to cry demonboy. *She heard him say her name and smiled sweetly at him* I'm glad you like it Jiro. I didn't know her but I bet she's really proud of how you turned out. *She ruffled his hair, trying to lighten but not break the mood* I think you're alrigh'

[Yiska]

*Yiska appeared in the doorway, looking a little tired. He blinked at Recka before moving toward her, putting a hand on her cheek* Are you alright my love? *The elemental's hand was cold but warming quickly, as if he had been outside for a long time* Did you have another nightmare?

[Jiro]

*Jiro didn't even flinch as she wiped his tear.* Don't you know that is the true gift of an artist, to bring those that look upon their art to tears. *He said with a small chuckle. When Rory said Kana would be proud he grinned at the hair ruffle then shrugged some.* Nah, she was sort of like Nan, she'd never tell me, I just had to know. *He set the picture aside and pushed the old memories away with it.* Now, how about you open your present? * He asked with a goofy smile on his face, almost like an eager kid who couldn't wait anymore.*

[Recka]

*Looking up to Yiska as he touched her face, she shook her head and smiled at him.* No, just thinking. *She moved closer and wrapped his arms around him.* Rory gave me my present, bitch was mean to me. *She said softly as the tears began to slow.* What have you been up too?

[Rory]

Don't you know flattery will get you fuckin anything. *Rory giggled at him, wrinkling her nose some. She may have been teasing but he could see the pride that swelled in her at his compliments* Old Asians most all be the same. *She snorted teasingly but then pushed his hair aside again before taking her hand away* But I said is proud not will tell you she's proud. Fuckin' open those ears demonboy. *She let out another quiet giggle before tilting her head at him* Hey I told you, you don't have to give yours over early if you don't want to. Besides, you shouldn't have gotten me anything

[Yiska]

*The fact that he didn't know that already proved he hadn't actually been there, except for the small breath he always left behind* Thinking? Think more happy thoughts my love. *He smiled when she wrapped her arms around him, returning the gesture in kind. He kissed her temple and chuckled* She-demon can be thrown out a window *He offered, teasingly. He reached up to pet her hair, swaying them softly as she cried. He smiled at her question before glancing out the window*Blowing up a surprise. *What had been a calm morning was now a blizzard* I promise no one will be hurt but some others have frozen most of the city, no one is going out if they do not have too.

[Jiro]

You know me! I just radiate flattery. *Jiro gave her a devish smile followed with a wink before moving away from the table.* Close your eyes! *He called over his shoulder as he retrieved her gift.* Oh tigar! Like I wouldn't get you anything.

[Recka]

Ehhh not really, but Ill survive. Always do. *Recka smiled as he kissed her temple.* Wouldnt help, Jiro would just catch her. *Looking up with an eyebrow cocked, she followed his gaze to the window.* What ya do, let Jack Frost have contril of New York?

[Rory]

You radiate something *Rory mumbled loudly. The smile made her groan but she did as she was told and closed her eyes, pretty much unable to resist how cute he was. She let out a huff, crossing her arms as she waited. She smiled some at his words* Yeah, yea, isn't your boyfriend going to mad you got something for me instead of him.

[Yiska]

I suppose you do have a point. The demon will always rescue the She demon. It could still be amusing *At her question he tilted his head, glancing outside and back* Who is Jack Frost? Is he a relative? I do not think I was told about him. *He let out a hmmm, trying to think back* I can warn the other elementals if there is going to be a Jack Frost

[Jiro]

*The demon gave a snort as she made her comment. When she spoke of Ryuu, he played off the dragon with sarcasm.* Didn't you hear we broke up. Besides putting yours together was more fun. *Jiro said as he came back into the room carrying the large carry case chalked full of every kind of spray paint one could think of and that was only what could be seen. Jiro set it down in front of her and pulled up his seat next to her.* Alright! Open them. *The demon's eyes stared at her face, ready to take in her reaction to the present.*

[Recka]

Oh I have no doubt it would be entertaining. *Recka rolled her eyes and began to giggle at her mate as he believed Jack Frost was a real person she was talking about. Leaning back some she looked up at him.* You and I need to watch some Christmas movies apparently. Jack isnt a really mystic. don't worry about that. *She nodded to the window.* Who called in the blizzard?

[Rory]

Broke up? *Rory smirked at his sarcasm* Does he know this, doesn't matter. We can find ya a better fuckin' boyfriend demonboy, maybe one that isn't so emo. *She giggled softly at his comment* Put together hmm? *She just managed not to peek when she heard the chair moving. When she did open her eyes she blinked, looking over the sack* What the fuck Jiro? Did you buy out the whole store? *She grinned as she started pulling out the paints, checking out all the colors. She started to carefully line them up* I owe you big time!

[Yiska]

Christmas movies? *Yiska tilted his head before sighing* A character then...I apologize my love. We will watch Christmas movies. *At her question he grinned, warming the room* I called the blizzard, with help, *He admitted, waving his hand* but the reason should be arriving any moment *The doorbell rang as if on cue and he grinned even more as he began to gain his feet, pulling her gently to hers as well* Come

[Jiro]

Yea, apparently he get murderous at the slightest thing. *He gave another snort with a laugh.* You'll set me up with the white tiger boy, if you are choosing my next partner. *Jiro practically vibrated out of his chair as she opened her eyes.* No, you don't that's why its a present. You haven't even seen all of it! *He said excited for her to find the rest buried at the bottom.*

[Recka]

*She shook her head.* Don't apologize, it's not that big of a deal. *Recka gave him a confused look.* Called the blizzard? *At the doorbell, which made her even more confused.* Your timing is always impeccable, you know that, right? *She stood up as he pulled her with him.*

[Rory]

Jiro I would never offer you up to Eric *The idea actually made Rory's nose wrinkle in disgust. She giggled as she continued to pull out paint* What is it demonboy? You look like your going to explode. *She hurried up so she could see what was at the bottom of the bag, ignoring the doorbell as Yiska and Recka came out of the room to answer it*

[Yiska]

Yes, but do not worry. It is only a temporary blizzard. *He opened the door to "Rory's" room and called We will get it" to the two in the other room. He chuckled, still beaming* It would be odd if I did not know when the door was going to ring. After all I led the way. My gift to you my love *He flung the door open, revealing the people on the other side*

[Jiro]

I think he would let you though. *Jiro smirked at her. As she dug, under everything was a full set of high dollar, professional quality pens and markers that graphic novelists would kill for.* You have to look, I'm not telling you! *He heard the door but didn't want to miss the look on her face, by answering the door.*

[Recka]

*The witch let him lead her to the door, having no idea what he would have brought her.* Now who in the hell would come out in a- *The door opened revealing her family and full on shock took over. Recka was speechless as she looked from each face, taking in her brothers, sister and most of all her mother. The momentary shock vanished as full on ugly crying kicked in and Recka flung herself into her mother's arms and held on for dear life.*

[Rory]

Of course he would, you're fuckin hot. *Rory commented absently, too into looking through the gift to really realize what she had said. When she found the set she swallowed hard, grin fading away to be replaced by shock and awe. She carefully ran her fingers around the edges of the case they were packaged/displayed in. She finally picked them up, fingers trembling a little* Jiro these are insane *She looked up at him, eyes wide* Are you sure I can have these? *She asked quietly, sounding as if she were truly worried he'd say no*