milliways_bar | (no subject)

And there is a Santa Hank, with his magical bag, which he reaches into and pulls out a small box.

He hands it over with a "Merry Christmas!"

Hestia was not expecting to receive a gift or she would certainly have thought to bring some herself. Perhaps she will remember next time she returns.

But she accepts it graciously, smiling and laughing softly. "We'll just pretend it is an early Haloa gift, or in honour of the winter solstice, if anyone asks."

"I will have something for you next time I stop in." She declares as she opens the box.

"You dotn have to. The joy of Christmas is in the giving."

The package contains a small replcia of a hearth of Greek style, worked in priceless marble heartstone. The back of it contains an ancient Greek prayer to her. It was blessed by a priest of her in his world, at one of her last temples.

he smiles.

"When is Haloa then?"

"A festival in honor of Demeter and Dionysus, in the month of Poseidon." She replies first, to hopefully avoid explaining in more detail. She's blushing already, as it is. And if one knows anything about those two, they can probably determine just what sort of festival it is.

Then looking down at her gift, she nearly squees. "Oh my! It is beautiful!" She smiles brightly, no, radiantly, and jumps to her feet. Hank will find himself, quite suddenly, the first male in Milliways to be the recipient of a hug from Hestia.

When she sits again, she rereads the prayer a couple of times, still beaming.

he notices the blushing.

"Indeed? is it a formal affair?"

then he is laughing as he is hugged.

"I am glad you like it. The bag rarely fails me, but... it's nice to know it didnt now."

"Formal?" She hides the smile behind her hand, shyly. "You might say that.
But it is not a holiday I am given to participate in. As much as I may be mocked for it." Mocked, but she's still smiling and cheerful. A fire, decorations, and lovely company will do that.

"It is a useful thing to have then." She replies, admiring the bag approvingly.

"Why wopuld you be mocked? Your morals are your own. No on should judge you dfor them. Though I admit to being even more curious, I will not ask,. I wish not to embarass you."

he grins sdown at the bag.

"It is Santa's, a being on my world. The bag contains conditional empathy and is able to contain the right gift for anyone."

"For not participating in an orgy for the sake of fertility." She actually manages it with a straight face, when she remembers that they still consider it a serious festival back home. "Indeed, my morals are my own." And she smiles again.

"However did you get it?" She asks gesturing at the bag.

He blinks, and blushes a bit himself.

"You should be lauded for standing by your beliefs madame."

he smiles then abnd blushes a bit more.

"Ah, a few years back I saved his life. The other X-men did just as much, but he and they didnt see it as such, so...every year he sends me a spare bag for the two days befor and two days after Christmas."

He shrugs sheepishly.

She chuckles some more and nods graciously.
"Thank you, Sir."

Her eyes widen a bit at the story, the smile does as well. "That is marvelous. I am certain that all of the children are appreciative too."

"They do seem to enjoy it. It is a good thing to make people smile. Or at least I have always thought so."

He smiles to her, enjoying hers.

"Do you have any celebrations you do celebrate?"

"Of course, a festival during Candlemas, your twenty-first of December, was held in my honour." She shrugs dismissively. She'd hate to feel like she was bragging.

"I participate in others, as well, but not to the extent of most of my family." She laughs softly, again. "Most people have to deal with me everyday, after all. Or, at least, did."

He smiles and nods, listening.

"Well, I think dealing with you every day would be pleasant. You seem a very nice woman."

He grins.

"Much ebtetr than some of those of your kith that I have met here."