Christmas Lights

     The cold of the snow was more than enough to make a bean question going out of doors, but the cutting chill of the wind was truly persuasive. Silas contemplated how he had let Gabe rope him in to this particular mission as he longed for the warmth of his Solei home, or even the particularly cozy fires that crackled invitingly inside the palace. 

Don’t see why we gotta do any guardian’ when them frilly girls ‘re takin’ care of the problem anyways. 

    He frowns, blowing into his hands for the millionth time and pulling his serape tighter against the bite of the glacial gale. Just as he truly starts to consider cutting the mission short, the slightest flash of gold against the sheets of white snow remind him why he agreed to come out in the first place. He smiles as the strange standoffish bean elegantly descends from the palace roof with the fluidity of a dragon in flight, landing slightly in front of him with baely a sound.

“Got any news, partner?”

Ryujin’s scales gleam as they catch the moonlight, and he shakes his head.

“No. There is no sign of the disturbance approaching the palace or lake.” He frowns slightly, readjusting his bow and fidgeting with an arrow’s fletching. “It seems the event is progressing smoothly.”

Silas nods, pushing his hat up to get a better look into the palace.

“Yeah, seems like. No monsters, or bad beans, or nothin’. Hell, ain’t even seen anybody foolin’ around.” 

The other bean merely hums in agreement as he glances towards the snowstorm behind the palace. 

“It seems the beast is more concerned with other parties.”

Silas chuckles, nodding.

“‘Bout time somebody else took a turn dealin’ with a critter.”

     The two float there for a few moments gazing into the palace at all of the fantastically dressed beans on the dance floor surrounded by all the beautiful trappings of any royal party. Garland was strung from every railing, wreaths hung above every alcove and door, and a truly enormous tree decorated with a splendid array of ornaments and trimmings stood proudly in the center of the ballroom, it’s base mounded with glittering presents.

     Silas was so entranced with the scene that he nearly jumped out of his hat when Ryu sneezed violently beside him. He looked over to see the bean shivering violently, all four arms wrapped around himself and yukata pulled tight. 

“Goodness sakes, yer freezin’!”

Ryu shakes his head, snorting. 

“Hardly. I am merely a little cold.” 

Silas shakes his head in dismay. 

“A little cold? If you get much colder, yer dew’s gonna freeze over!”

“Rediculous.” 

“Naw it aint! What’s ridiculous is you turnin’ inta a beansicle! Now, c’mere before ya shake your ribbon off!”

Before Ryu can protest, he finds himself being pulled into the warmth of the cowbean’s serape. Silas grins as he wraps the two of them up, glad that the bitter cold would serve as a cover for the warmth rising to his cheeks. 

“Now then, that’s better!”

Ryu opens his mouth to protest, but is cut short by a loud roar from behind the palace. The two look just in time to see blasts of magic flashing through the dense snowstorm surrounding the ice creature. 

Silas chuckles. 

“Well, looks like the lightshow’s on a bit early!”

     Ryu hums, then seems to relax a bit. The two float there wrapped up together, watching the glittering lights for a while before turning their attention back to the party as the clock strikes midnight and the real lights arrive. Silas watches in content silence as the beans below celebrate without a care in the world. He notices a couple exchange a peck on the cheek, and finds himself smiling a bit ruefully. He glances briefly to the bean cuddled in beside him and tilts his hat down. 

Maybe someday I’ll find a bean ta share that with. 

-----oOo-----

     Brecht holds out his hands, basking in the warmth of the massive fire that crackled cheerfully inside the palace’s main ball room. He was enjoying a break from the dancing and games, lounging in one of the many rocking chairs provided for the beans that simply wanted to enjoy the flame and a bit of quiet conversation. While watching the flames dance and twirl and admiring every spark, he fell into bit of a mesmerized stupor. He blushed to himself as he realizes it reminds him of a certain bean’s fairy lights. 

     He sighs, glancing over at the present he had tucked at the bottom of the chair and wondered for the millionth time if Mazhar would enjoy the gift. He had noticed that the craftsbean’s set of awls were all in a sorry state. Some had cracked handles, others were bent, and one had snapped entirely in half! He had taken it upon himself to commission the most reliable blacksmith he knew for a new set. He knew Setosa’s craftsmanship was excellent, no doubt, but he worried that Mazhar would be underwhelmed by such a utilitarian gift. 

     Fidgeting, he glances around the hall trying to spot the other bean and failing. While the bright and glittering bean was usually easy to pick out in a crowd, the splendor of the partygoers and decor served as something of a camouflage. He smiles to himself at the thought of the pink bean and his glittering gems and gold soaking in the scene in their particular, quiet manner. No doubt they were floating around the venue now, their attention fully captured by satin dresses and holly centerpieces. 

     He smiles to himself, glancing at the clock sitting neatly on the ornate mantle. It had been nearly fifteen minutes since the other bean had left to go get the two drinks. While this may have annoyed some beans, he had come to understand the quirk. As an artist himself, he understood the way inspiration could capture the mind, and Mazhar saw beauty and inspiration everywhere. Brecht was finding that more and more, he saw inspiration in Mazhar. 

     Just as he settled firmly back into his seat, the pink bean appeared beside him, two steaming hot picture perfect mugs of hot cocoa in hand. Brecht grins ear to ear as he takes one of the picture perfect beverages, admiring the holly made out of cream swirls and adorned with chocolate shaving and perfect little marshmallows. 

“Mmm, these look so good! The beans in charge of food have really outdone themselves this year!”

Mazhar nods in agreement as they settle in to the chair beside him. 

“Truly. The table settings are lovely as well. Candlelit ice sculptures, enchanted to move. They’ve carved a whole sleigh.”

Brecht grins, setting down his mug. 

“I’ll definitely need to go see that later! And I still need to see all the dioramas set up in the hall.”  He sips his cocoa, thinking. “I wish this was here all year long! I love Christmastime so much.”

Mazhar seems to perk up at his statement, then reaches behind the small table between them and pulls out a present, holding it out for him. 

“This is for you.”

“Oh, really? Thank you! I got you something too!” Brecht reaches below his chair and pulls out his gift, trying not to show his nerves. “You should open it first!”

     Mazhar nods, taking the gift and gently peeling away the paper. He turns over the small wooden case in his hands before gently cracking the lid open and staring silently at the awls. A second passes, then two, and Brecht starts to worry before the bean finally speaks. 

“These are beautiful.” They pull one out, holding it gingerly and turning it over in his hand. “Such wonderful craftsmanship, sturdy and fine.”  they carefully replace it and close the case before looking at Brecht with a rare, soft smile that sets his heart racing. “Thank you  so very much, this is such a wonderful, thoughtful gift.”

The orange bean beams, laughing. 

“I hoped you would like them! I noticed yours were wearing out!”
They nod in agreement, gently placing the box on beside them before motioning to the gift in Brecht’s hands. 

“Your turn.”

“Oh, yeah!” 

     Brecht smiles wide as he tears into the beautifully wrapped gift, revealing an ornate box. Opening the lid, he looks quizzically at the ornate gold globe the size of his head. He feels a key on the bottom, and carefully begins to turn it, sticking his tongue out as the mechanism inside winds until it clicks. As he lets go, the plating on the outside of the globe spirals open into the shape of a poinsettia and reveals a beautiful snowglobe! 

     He gases into it, amazed to see a tiny version of the palace inside, complete with christmas tree and garlands. A tiny sleigh flies overhead amongst the lights of the glittering frozen dew, all while playing a cheerful melody. He gasps as he watches the tiny dancers twirl around the palace ballroom, and the star at the top of the tree twinkle. Almost too soon, the plated petals swirl up once more, covering the magical interior. 

“Mazhar, it’s beautiful! You’ve really outdone yourself!”

He beams as he looks up to see the other bean blushing furiously. 

“I- I’m-”

     Brecht blushes at the sight of the other bean, and the two stare at each other for a moment, frozen. The clock startles them both as it chimes midnight, and the party cheers as the lights begin to flash in a colorful array through the windows. Brecht stares at them for a moment, then musters up his courage. Leaning over, he gently takes Mazhar’s hand and pecks them on the cheek. 

He smiles as he clutches his snowy gift in the other hand, and his treasure in the other as the two admire the show.