Topic: A New type of Holiday

Jenai Ravenlock

Date: 2006-12-12 10:45 EST
' "Heya, Beautiful.. I missed you. I went ahead and picked some stuff up for the house, and tree. But.. I didn't want to pick up too much without you, and have you miss out. So, you ready to cut down a tree, and shop for more decorations?"

His smile was evident that he was truly just as excited as she was in every way, and he could not wait to see what else would come. '

Jenai had always found a strength in his arms, it was a strength she had never known existed until he held her for the first time. And it lingered even after he let go.

Tiki had closed her eyes happily to the petting hand of Brian. Maybe she could feel the... vibe, in the air. Yes vibe is what she would call it. A good mix of love, excitement, expectation, holiday spirit. What ever the vibe, whatever the feeling... right now it did NOT include the impending doom of the monster that was stalking them. Not here, not in this loft.. and this holiday season, even if for just alittle bit.. they could forget about the terror they would have to face sooner or later. Right now it was peace.

Many people had called this time of year by many different names. But the one she heard the most was Christmas. She had never really had one before. On the Island, well it just wasn't there that she could remember. Her first winter off the island was spent looking for Issy and her sisters. Never noticing such a mood of festive nature then, not when you slept from temple to temple, barn to crappy little inn as you clung to every coin you had and slept literally against the door with your sword drawn. The winter after that, she was so far tucked into her studies and missions, she felt she missed the season completely.

But this one. Oh this year would be different! She had found the one love of her life, the only one she would allow herself to ever have even if it tore her to pieces. He was there, in her world even when it was spinning.

Her sisters. More of them had come, and while they had an "issue" right now. They were all alive. It was not a holiday she was going to let slip past them. Not when it could be a different story in a single month. Live for now....

Her friends. Oh so many warmed her heart now, more then she ever thought would grace and hold her soul with such smiles and true of heart. Even the strangest of them all made her laugh and her spirit soar.

And next year? Well it would only get better from here. Right?

As she felt even more giddy looking at the things he bought, she held herself in some sort of a check. She would look at them once they got back. Oh it killed her! She was no good at waiting for some things. But right now they had a Tree to get!

They would pick it out together, bring it home, snag Yotsuba and run amuck buying decorations. The young girl down stairs was starting to take root in Jen's heart. So much of the holiday stories and cheer came from down stairs and she just wanted to pick up a few things special to her as well. Jen wanted to dive into every part of everyone's special Christmas. So when she looked back on her life, she could carry a piece of them with her always even when the years and miles took them away.

"I'm more then ready!" and with that she tossed a piece of the most gaudy gold garland she could have found anywhere, around her neck like a scarf and walked quite dramatically to the door.

Brian Ravenlock

Date: 2006-12-13 12:57 EST
"I'm more then ready!"

Bri watched Jen, as she replied and simply smiled lovingly to her. Once again he found himself staring at her, all her her enthusiasm. He could literally feel the joy in her, and all around her. A cant of his head, while he continued to watch. It blew him away on so many levels, just how truly immersed she became with this, and how much fun she made it for all around her.

Honestly, Bri was not one for the Holidays or anything of the sort. It just wasn't really part of his life, as a child he of course celebrated with his adopted parents before their deaths, and of course when they abbey took him in they too celebrated the holidays, and he partook. But as he grew older, he truthfully didn't see the point and would find excuses not tyo even be around at those times, be it mission related or just work, or anything else he could come up with.

With a family as large as his, people thought it strange he hardly was around to celebrate. Granted he dropped gifts to the his neices and nephews, and siblings, and of course other family members. But that was about the jist of it, as he was gone just as quickly as he had arrived. It was ironic, that someone who was a part of creating one of the most 'colorful' families in Rhy'din history, and someone who was all for family above all else, would not partake on some of the best times for families to get together. Then again, that was just Brian.

All that aside, we come to the present.. Not only the present, but the future he loves to ponder to often when it comes to Jenai. He finds himself wearing an oversized 'Santa Hat' she bought him, he finds himself once again humming olde tunes long since forgotten, yet they are just as familiar as they were way back when. He finds himself going to the shoppes and simply doing more than just walk in, purchase and leave. For the first time in many years he had bought decorations, and even planned for a tree of all things! Honestly, he never imagine he would see himself in this light, even after Elena had been born. But here he was, and his reason.. His true reason was standing a bit aways, literally glowing with her love and enthuiasm. gods how he loved that woman, and all she was to him!

Evolution.. That was the easiest way to put it.. This was an evolution of Brian, and it was something he welcomed so much it hurt at times. He cherished this feeling, this warmth that they shared, and that they would share with others as well, others close, and some not so close. Brian also understood this feeling between them was just not limited to them.. Many had evolved so to speak, and all of their 'family' and close friends also contributed to this, Wyhree and her husband James who she adored to no end. Icer and Aurthur, and their clan of younglings, that Bri and Jen had an absolute blast with. Jewell, Amanda and the rest of their family. Jade, and Michael, Woodrow, Elena, Juleta, Kerri and Atheala. Jenai's sisters, who were as family in Bri's heart as well.

This holiday season was like his very first all over again, and honestly it made his heart skip at times. With all the chaos that was the WestEnd massacre, and Isuelt's jailing, the accusations, misunderstandings, the blood, sweat and tears and gods know what else. It was all worth it to be here for this, and to be here with Jenai, and the others. Brian felt complete.. Truly complete for the first time in a very long time. And his primary reason was right there, looking as stunning as the day he first met her, and the other reasons were but a thought and heart beat away. It was great to be home again.

Taking a moment to wipe an errant tear, Brian smiled lovingly to Jenai once more, and walked to her once more and yet again kissed her head and lips softly and winked to her.

"So let's go cut us down a tree and start this holiday off, shall we?"

Moving from her, he snagged the axe and ropes, a small map and he was good to go, as he shook his head and let the tiny bells jingle with each movement, his eyes spying Jenai's 'Santa Hat' as he took it in hand and tossed it to her with a grin. A matched pair indeed.

Jenai Ravenlock

Date: 2006-12-14 10:35 EST
She got a Santa hat upside the head lightly, simply cause the girl was being silly and not paying attention. She snickered and tucked it on her head giving the belly ball on the end a flick over to the side.

As they went thru the cake shop Yotsuba told them to hurry back, she would have a new flavor of hot chocolate for them to try. Something she came up with herself.

With Jen's appetite there was no way she would pass that up. "Besides, I know I'll be freezing when we get back!"

She sent them a happy wink and a big smile as they headed out on to the street. She pulled the coat a bit closer around her as she stopped and gave the street a look up then down. Why? Habit.

She looked over to Brian as a bunch of red nosed children ran by. "So where is this farm? Should we get a ride or walk?"

Neither one bothered Jenai...there was always something to be said about being able to stretch out the legs, but If it was far, who wanted to stretch them out in the snow and slush. okay acouple people she knew would be in heaven walking forever in this stuff... and that made her grin.

Brian Ravenlock

Date: 2006-12-15 01:38 EST
Brian smiled as he watched Jen and her hat, and chuckled as she batted the ball on the end, sending the bells into a slight frenzy. He had to catch himself, yes indeed he did. Cause he was nearly staring again.. But, soon enough they were on their way!

Down the stairs.. Mind you after a few playful kisses along the way.. I mean come on, it was the stairs! Anyways, back to the events. Down the stairs, and into the shoppe. Talking to Yotsuba and her parents a bit, and listening to the girls talk of the new chocolate flavour the little green haired youth came up with. He could see just how excited Jen truly was, and truth be told it was contagious as hell, as he too was beginning to get excited in turn.. Well more so.

Out they went into the market, as he smiled yet again and noted the feel in the air with such an earnest! All the sudden he felt like a kid again, and laughed as a group of children ran past. Jean luc padded up along side them, and came to sit next to Jen, the cold hardly bothering the large Moor Cat one bit. A long winded yawn and smack of lips, as the big cat looked up to Jen a moment, and then around the area.

"So where is this farm? Should we get a ride or walk?"

Brian winked to Jen upon hearing her words, and grinned ear to ear, as he waved in the air to seemingly nothing. Suddenly the sound of sleigh bells could be heard, well the sound was accurate. But they were attached to a large red carraige, being pulled by a pair of clydesdale horses that was approaching them, the older male driver waving in return, as Brian looked to Jen and offered a nod to the carriage.

"Actually, baby.. I figured we would be lazy today and take the scenic route. A carriage through town, and a sleigh once we are outside the city, is that okay"

The carriage came to a stop, as the driver slid down carefuly and made his way around, and offering a bow to Jenai. Jean was quick on the take, and simply leaped up inside, as Brian held a hand to Jenai, the driver held a hand as well, one man for each hand to assist her in heading up inside.

"After you, love of mine."

Jenai Ravenlock

Date: 2006-12-15 07:29 EST
A high pitched sound of utter enthusiasm escaped her garland scarf'd neck. Of course the priestess did her best not to just jump up and down and clap like she was 7 and getting a pony for her birthday. And it was hard not to do. But the squeal was a big enough tell-all.

As soon as she took his hand, she gave it a squeeze then wrapped her arms about his neck and shoulders and slapped one hell of a holiday kiss on those lips she loved. Of course it was Okay! Better!

She followed Jean's notion and hurried inside. A totally unseen move happened catching the poor Moor Cat off guard. Jen had placed both of her hands to the side of his thick beautiful face and kissed him on his nose. A quick loving shake to his head and she settled back, gave the seat a wriggle, tapped her feet and just beamed. The bells sung with every happy move she made.

She was half tempted to climb around and take the reigns herself thinking it would be a blast, but what did she know of carriage driving!

She looked over to Brian, her cheeks turning apple red from smiling and the winter air.

"I want to have something like this to pick up our friends and family when they come to the dinner! I hope they do, I mean come to the dinner. I want to do something so nice and there is so much we can do! I have to talk to Wyh, she said she would help..." she rambled on a little longer, just a river of joy bubbling out. "And Icer! I'll have to ask Icerbabes!"

Brian Ravenlock

Date: 2006-12-16 18:19 EST
The squeal was music to his ears, as he watched her reaction and simply grinned ear to ear, noting her happiness take to another level. It honestly did remind him of a child who recieved their most favouritist gift in the world, and all that great stuff, and to him that was all he needed.. The feeling he shared he could not even begin to describe. He was simply the most content he had ever been.. Hands down. The murders aside, the fighting aside, the blood and tears, it didn't matter.. All of that was tossed aside with the sound of one incredibly happy Jenai, and Brian was more than happy to not think of anything else, save her and what they wanted to do.

Bri went too say something, rather he wanted to... But, then the lil red haired happy beastie struck with the quickness related to her namesake, and he was soundly kissed, which mind you came with the effect of forgetting everything else he was thinking of presently. gods bless those who share their holiday happiness! So after that sappy ass Charlie Brown and the little Red Haired Girl look he was left with faded a bit, he grinned to her and kissed her head softly. And just like that she was in the carraige, kissing the Moor Cat, which again brought Brian to a fit of laughter, and the driver to boot.

The jingle of the bells were soothing, as he settled on in next to her, and simply watched her in all her 'Jen-ness', as poeple passing by watched and laughed, a few children pointed and giggled, as parents also looked filled with the holiday spirit just by watching Jen in action. She looked to Brian and spoke, as he found himself staring yet again.

"I want to have something like this to pick up our friends and family when they come to the dinner! I hope they do, I mean come to the dinner. I want to do something so nice and there is so much we can do! I have to talk to Wyh, she said she would help... And Icer! I'll have to ask Icerbabes!"

Nodding, Brian leaned over and softly kissed those lips, he cherished above all others. A hand leaning in and caressing her cheek, as he offered yet another one to the excited JenJen. Moving back just a tad, he smiled and replied.

"I know baby, and we will. I think they would enjoy this a great deal, and I know you would too.. Maybe you could even.. Drive one? And we'll ask my sisters as well for their help. For now, just enjoy yourself, this is your day baby. No work, no worries.. Just you."

Jenai Ravenlock

Date: 2006-12-21 13:22 EST
She hadn't been this excited since she had come and found Issy. Joy had struck heart a million fold!

"To drive one, oh wouldn't that be something to see! Think anyone would get in?" she had to snicker at the picture that popped into her head.

As he sat back and the driver moved on, she took the strong hand that given such a loving touch into her own hand and leaned happily into his side pulling his arm about her shoulder.

At least the Moor Cat was a much better travel partner then she imagined Tiki would have been. Though no poor thing, she was sure the house cat was curled up on the bed pillows.

She looked up adoring the perfect blues that seemed even more clear, outshining even the winter about them. So many things went a million miles an hour thru her mind, where to start?

"Woody will forgive us I hope, I heard how he feels about... I want to get one of those for Wyh!" she said as she pointed over at a shop setting up a window display that caught her eye.

"Woody, yes, about cutting... What's that, Perfect, Baby! For Trixie!" as she climbed halfway into his lap as they passed another store that was moving something in their own window that grabbed her attention again.

"Look something for Issy! Something for Eddie. for Jade!... " she had managed to move every which way to try and get a good look at a few of the shops. And yes, it very much involved climbing over Brian as carefully as she could. Even poor Jean got leaned on as they passed a pet shop. "I looked in there the other day... they didn't have the you know what for you know who."

It was almost time for them to start picking gifts for them to buy loved ones.

She gave Jean a loving scritch as she grabbed the wool blanket and pulled it to them and spread it across their laps. "Sorry, Trees, Woody doesn't like tree cutting. I think he will forgive us. I will plant a sapling after the holidays..."

And just like that she was curled right back into place, a sweet very soft purr trickled out for Brian as she puts her head on his shoulder and watched the scenery as they left the city behind.

Brian Ravenlock

Date: 2006-12-22 05:23 EST
"To drive one, oh wouldn't that be something to see! Think anyone would get in?"

Ah the joy in her words.. The emotions she openly showed, and shared with him and the sheer wonder of it all, that was simply.. Jenai. Brian smiled, and kissed cheek as his arm slid around her shoulder as he held her closely. He caught the snicker and had an internal one as well, as he pondered her question once more.

"Of course, baby. I don't see why anyone would not want to be in a sleigh or carraige, driven by you." Sides.. If they dun wanna we can always trick them.. Heh heh heh little Holiday fun.. "So I see no problem at all with you driving one, and Jean and I will be there too!"

Blue met lilac, as each looked to the other, Brian saw the questions as plain as if she had written them out, this all being so new to her. He could only imagine the entirety of what was going on in cabesa de' Jenai. But he vowed to make this their time, and whatever she wanted was no issue, as he knew they were going to have a blast with this.

Then the mention of Woody, and Brian had a feeling where this was gonna head. It was well know that Woodrow Ravenlock, was adamant in regards to tree cutting and the what not, truth be told he hadn't truly thought about it, and then as soon as he was going to try to reply, Jenai sprang into action as she caught various displays!

"I want to get one of those for Wyh! What's that, Perfect, Baby! For Trixie! Look something for Issy! Something for Eddie. for Jade!... I looked in there the other day... they didn't have the you know what for you know who.."

Now this was a sight to see! A year ago, Brian never would have guessed he would be in a carriage in the middle of the Holiday Season, with Jenai! Honestly, he would have never given it a thought. Yet.. Here he was, and he would not trade it for anything in the world. Each display passed, gave way to more climbing on Jenai's part, and adjusting on Brian and Jean Luc's part, and honestly, he loved every moment of it. I mean who wouldn't want their incredible beautiful snow bunny clad woman climbing all over them, while being driven in a carriage, throughout town in the winter paradise that was Rhy'din.

Brian made note of the various shops, and displays and made sure to plan the time to let Jenai simply enjoy herself with all of this. To Brian this was her time, even though he knew it was truly 'their' time, her joy just screamed out to him. Like with all else, Jenai just did that to him here. Just as she had done in other aspects of life. Smiling as she scritched Jean, and spread the blanket, he caught her concerns in regards to Woodrow.

"Sorry, Trees, Woody doesn't like tree cutting. I think he will forgive us. I will plant a sapling after the holidays..."

Brian nodded to her, and smiled more so when she curled to him. That soft purr he adored so much, travelled through his body, as he kissed her head softly and held her closely. Blue eyes panned around as they left the city proper and ventured northward. The light snow that was present earlier, had stopped and gave way to a crystal clear sky that seemingly glistened, while they continued. Another kiss offered, as Brian couldn't wait to see what was next.

"For Woody.. Baby we'll plant a couple of them, no worries. I think he would forgive us, after all tis the season."