“Hey, Aunt?” Markus asked in a small tone, breaking the silence of the cold, dark evening.

“Hm?”

The fireplace was full of half dead embers, the shadows danced on the wall as Paige looked up from the newspaper Sara had just delivered, her reading candle almost down to the wick itself.

It was her turn for night watch, as it was too ingrained in their habits to have at least on lookout, even within the settlement. The newspaper helped take some of the dull out of the evening, as it detailed the recent monster sightings around their area. Important news for any Hunter in the area, really, as the livelihoods of many people were tied to the mass migrations of animals.

Well, not so much the animals. Monsters. The flow of monsters would inevitably change with the seasons, as their usual prey would shift. And why would a monster willingly leave their hunting ground when there was another source of prey available. Humans. A tasty, delectable treat so long as the right one was chosen. Thus, Paige kept an eye out on the recent, and not so recent sightings of monsters in the area. Just because they couldn’t hurt her or her party didn’t mean that she would willingly let them hurt others. Well, only on the basis that the monsters were within the forest, that is

But that wasn’t important right now. Paige looked over at Markus, who looked like he had just awoken from a nightmare. The boy was having cycles of nightmares, but he had never asked for help until now.

“What’s wrong, Markus? Nightmare?”

“Mhmm. I was walking all alone and then this this, shadow came and -,” Markus mumbled sleepily, not making any sense.

She waited until Markus had finished narrating his dream and patted the bench beside her, “Come here, Markus. I can give you a back scratch until you go to bed.”

Markus walked slowly, but leaned heavily against her side and slowly laid his small head in her lap. Paige stilled, but placed her hand on his head, patting it softly.

‘How did my mom help me fall back asleep when I had a bad dream?’ Paige thought to herself. Her early memories of her parents were well and gone, though she felt like she remembered snippets of it, a time so very long ago. She shook her head as nothing really came to mind.

Though, her parents weren’t the only role models she had to draw upon. ‘... what did Rebecca do when her kids were unnerved by bad dreams?’That would be a much better choice right now. A slight chill entered the house, clearing her thoughts for a second. She had a good idea.

“Hey Markus, how about I tell you a good story? About an old man who tried to change the world?”

“Mhmbmbm.” Marksu sleepily responded.

“Well, once upon a time, long, long ago; high on top of a mountain, there was a huuuge castle. And in this castle lived an old man. A man called Sant de Clas. What was special about this old man though, was not his looks or where he lived, or what his Class was, but what he did for a living.”

Markus shifted slightly, though Paige could tell that he was still drifting in and out of consciousness. Not a bad thing, per se, but she wasn’t going to tell as many details if he wasn’t even going to be awake to listen.

“He loved to bring joy to people. And every year, around this time, he would go and give the best gift of all to someone who needed it. And so he would find a person and….” Paige quickly narrated a nonsensical story she partly made up as she scooted out from the bench seat and picked Markus up. She was halt tempted to leave him downstairs, but the couch was not as comfy as his own bed and she still had night watch to complete.

“...and that is why we give gifts to all our friends this time of year,” Paige finished as she reached his room.

Markus stirred as she finished her story, and started tucking him back under his covers.

“I’ve...never heard...this version before…”

Paige chuckled. “Probably not. This one is a nicer version than reality.”

“Did you tell this story to Lily and Tyler?” Markus mumbled.

“Mhmm. Didn’t want to get yelled at by Zenith for teaching the classic story of Sant de Clas. If you remember, ask me tomorrow to tell you why his clothing was important.”

“Mhmbmbh…”

Paige stretched out her weary arms. Markus was getting heavy. Pausing as she reached the door, she realized that she had forgotten something important.

She hadn’t sent her own gifts out yet.

“Lily’s been rather jumpy lately,” Tyler frowned as he was walking next to Lily.

The city square was getting crowded as throngs of people went shopping before the winter solstice. The majority of Merchant’s would soon be stopping for the winter, as the snow covered ground would hinder all but the most well prepared and light cargo, as the wagon wheels would most certainly get caught within the heavy snowbanks.

“Hm? Not more than usual, though. She’s been rather jumpy, after all. Getting new teachers every other week hasn’t helped much, either. And why did you notice that specifically, Tyler?”

Tyler could practically feel Lily’s eyes narrowing at him. He knew that it was one of her quirks, but he didn’t get defensive. He knew that Lily cared for him, and he her. Not that he had ever said as much.

“Remember that story my mentor told? About the guy that would come around this time of year?”

“Hm? Sant de Clas? What about him?”

“Well, remember how she said he would give gifts around this time of year? I was thinking that we should get a gift for our new Party member. One that would hopefully help her calm down. I was hoping that you would know of a good present for her that would do just that.”

Tyler waited as Lily thought about what he had requested. He knew Lily would eventually agree with his reasoning. It wasn’t that hard to tell that the girl had been feeling anxious the past few days.

“Well… I do enjoy their gifts every year. I do hope that mentor sends me another mana shard for my staff. Although, Miss Paige’s gifts are a little weird. I can understand sending practical items and such, but who sends clothes to people?” Lily kicked a stray pebble as she continued moving forward.

Tyler nodded, though inwardly he thought that Lily was a little biased. While they weren’t the most expensive gifts Lily would be receiving, Miss Paige’s items were the most used throughout the year. Lily wore the outfits and clothing Miss Paige had sewed constantly. Tyler glanced over, noting her white socks. Those were definitely not school issued. And if she was wearing those, then chances were high that she was wearing a few more of her hand stitched items under her school uniform.

“I just hope she sends me more socks. The school’s standard issue socks are practically gone after a few months of use.”

“...okay, so the clothes she makes are really nice. And I do like the knee high socks she made for me. But I wish she would branch out in dress styles! All the dresses she made for me so far are practically Farmer-wear!”

Tyler agreed as he thought of Lily in those dresses. “And they all look good on you, Lily. I really like the side button one.”

Lily blushed. “Really? No, regardless, I’m a Mage, not a Farmer! I should be wearing magic robes and the like!”

“Well what about your armor? Is it not fitting?”

“...it does fit. But that’s not the point, Tyler! I want to wear something that looks good on me, and that would define me as a Mage! When I wear the uniform, you can hardly tell what Class I am supposed to be!”

‘Probably why she made it look like that. Since when is Miss Paige anything but practical?’

“So, a gift for Isabella. And for our mentor’s to boot. Unless you already got them something?”

Lily looked over suspiciously. “...I’m starting to think you want help selecting gifts for everyone.”

“...”

“...can you help me, Lily?”

“Sure, I can!” Lily laughed happily.

Tyler chuckled. Lily’s bright smile made his day.

---

“This will be great!” Lily whispered quietly to Tyler as they hid behind the door. It wasn’t the best hiding place in the room, but it was the best the two of them could do on such short notice.

Tyler was unconvinced that this would be a good idea. “Are you sure surprising her is the best idea?”

“Positively. I’ve even gone ahead and told her Protectors about what I am about to do, and they have even checked out presents. We’ll be fine,” Lily said.

“Well, if you’re sure about this…”

“I am! Trust me!”

Tyler was hesitant, but he could already feel the faint vibration of someone walking towards them. Someone was heading towards the door.

“Fine!”

The door opened slowly as Isabella walked in, her steps laden with exhaustion. Tyler already knew he was going to feel bad in a moment.

“SURPRISE!” Lily shouted over him, his yell of surprise echoing slightly out of time with Lily’s.

“NOOO! DON’T EAT ME!” Isabella shrieked out loud as she dropped to the floor.

Her wand erupted with a golden light as a thin layer of light fully covered Isabella.

“...”

“...”

“Eh?

---

“- and, and that’s why his he surprises people!” Isabella said with a small pout as Lily hugged the girl from behind. Her platinum hair was shaking in time with her sobs, causing Tyler to feel bad about their little surprise.

Still...“Why on earth would anyone tell that story instead of the happier one!?” Tyler was confused about that. In fact, everyone was rather confused about Isabella’s initial reaction.

“To, to teach little kids not to go outside to meet strangers? Because not, not, everyone is nice,” Isabella shot an aggrieved look over at her friends.

Lily shuffled in place. “Well, umm… sorry, Bells. I guess I didn’t know about your family’s tradition. I got you a present though?”

Tyler apologized as well. “We’re really sorry, Isabella. Lily and I just wanted to cheer you up. We, uh, wanted to surprise you with something. It’s how our families celebrate. With jokes and presents. To cheer us up on dreary days like this.”

“I accept your apology,” said Isabella.

“Next time I’ll just ask what is bothering you instead,” Lily blushed. “But in the meantime...would you like to see your present?”

They learned a big lesson today. Everyone celebrates traditions differently. And Paige really sent them all more clothes.