OC CONTEST - ENTRY 2

Christmas Spirit by ~Sorinchako



-----------------------------Christmas Spirit------------------------------


"I still do not approve of this… Christmas 'Santa Secret' thing," 1 grumbled as he lifted a slip of paper from the box in front of the group.

"It's a Secret Santa, 1. And I think it is a marvelous idea!" 2's laughter from behind the eldest doll rumbled through the large throne room. Everything seemed to echo now that the others had patched the holes in the roof in preparation for the coming cold a few months earlier.

Of course, that didn't stop the cold from seeping in from the other places in the cathedral, making 1 shiver now that his cape had been lost in an attack by a Cat Beast. Which he still blamed 9 for, and the youngest STILL owed him a new cape.

1 kept his back to the other stitchpunk as he unfolded the piece of paper. Scribbled on it haphazardly was the number 2. Groaning in annoyance, 1 turned to glare at the slightly younger but still old doll. He wasn't happy about the current situation in the least, but at least the person he chose was someone he wouldn't have to worry about finding out what to get too much.

He turned to glare at the trio who had started all of this nonsense. L, M, and N had been an annoyance since they had arrived almost a year earlier, but now they were beginning to put little ideas in everyone else heads. If they had dropped the subject like he told them to instead of explaining what this idiotic tradition was then he wouldn't be holding a piece of paper and in need of finding a gift for someone.

--------- Flashback, ho! ---------

"What is Chrish-Christmas?" 9 asked curiously from behind 1. The elder's argument between the trio and himself had drawn a crowd. Everyone had gathered around to see what was going on, as the three unusual stitchpunks usually tried to either avoid arguing with 1 or just avoid him all together.

"This 'Christmas spirit' is nothing more than a silly, unneeded, impractical ideal that was created by humans and should remain with them! Dead!" He yelled at N, who glared back with equal venom as had been in the elder's tone. From off the side he heard M growl under his breath and took notice of the way L seemed to shake with confined ager. The girl had yet to speak up, obviously still the least idiotic of the three.

"Um… what is Christmas and this… spirit?" 9 repeated his question as a low murmur from the others, even 8, seemed to ask the same question.

"Christmas was a human holiday." 1 took back his opinion of L. She was just as idiotic at the rest of her lot. Despite his icy glare the woman continued to speak to the others.

"It was originally a religious holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the savior, in a few religions. Over time non religious people and people from other religions adapted the tradition and concepts." L stated simply. It was obvious she was trying to explain it as quickly and simply as possible. "It is generally thought of as a time to spend with friends and family, celebrate the year and achievements, as well as exchange gifts with loved ones."

"And stuff ourselves full of food!" M added in with a smirk. 1 was certain that whoever created with these three thought with their stomach half the time.

"… yes, stuff ourselves with food… Anyway, when we say Christmas spirit we mean the general feeling of the season." L grinned lopsidedly and rubbed the scarf on her neck, a nervous habit 1 had noticed long ago. "I suppose the best way to describe it is… that one in with Christmas spirit is giving and generally in a jolly mood."

The others were hanging on her every word, obviously intrigued by the idea of this human holiday. It was 2 that spoke up. "This Christmas sound like a great deal of fun! What exactly did the humans do during this holiday?"

It was M who spoke up this time. "They spent time together, decorated trees, gave each other gifts, and did other stuff like kissing under the mistletoe and eating lots of food!" He said with a great amount of exuberance. Apparently, he liked this holiday.

2 looked thoughtful for a moment and gave a sudden laugh. "Perhaps we should try having our own little Christmas celebration."

"WHAT?!" 1's outraged cry went ignored by the majority.

"We could have a Secret Santa," N suggested. From then on everyone was lost to 1 and he could only float in the current of idiocy surrounding him

--------- End flashback, aw… ---------

1 personally found the idea more than a bit silly. There was no need for such a celebration. The only thing that would come out of it was that he might possibly get a decent gift from someone, so perhaps it wouldn't be a complete waste.

He looked over at the others one last time. 2 seemed to be pondering over his paper while N looked very proud with himself. 5 appeared to be rather flustered and 8 looked like he was ready to panic over his gift partner. Everyone else shared a similar pondering expression to 2's… except 9.

For some reason the boy had an unusual expression that 1 simply couldn't place.

1 scoffed at himself and walked to his personal room off of the throne room. They may have roped him into this gift idiocy, but he was not about to choke and join in their so called holiday cheer. He had a week to wait for that.


--------- Later that night ---------

"Wow! When did you find this?" A curious voice asked in the dimly lit closet like room. All sorts of fabric hung over rods, stashed in boxes, and lay across the floor. Bits of old jewelry, molded metal, and numerous colors of string and thread were scattered about as well.

"You know me, can't stay in more than one place at a time! I was looking around here a couple weeks ago when I got bored. When you asked me for help I figured I might as well show you this." The other voice was cheery and smug, obviously proud of something.

"I can't thank you enough for this!" The first voice said as its owner looked over the different kinds of fabric.

"You owe me big time for this, especially because I was teaching you everything I know for the past month. But I'll let this slide, it's Christmas after all." The second voice grew soft and the two figures laughed as they searched for what they needed.

--------- One week later, Christmas Day ---------

1 couldn't believe the sight before him. He had never seen everyone so happy and light hearted. Even 8, who was usually stiff and almost stone like, seemed to be enjoying all the kindness being thrust upon him, though he did seem a bit unsure of how to react.

He could see the others exchanging their gifts. 2 had apparently made 5 a pair of binoculars to fit over his optics, though how he managed to make them without 5's knowledge was beyond him.

3 had obviously had someone's help, as he had made a holster for N out of leather straps. 4's gift was to her elder twin and he seemed to enjoy the strange bracelet she had made out of colored stones.

5 was rather flustered and more nervous than usual when he presented 7 his gift, though when the warrior received the waist pouch she seemed rather happy and responded by giving him a hug. 1 was sure if 5 could blush then his face would have been beet read.

6 had obviously taken a lot of time in his gift to 4, which was a thick handmade book filled with sketches he had made for her. The younger twin was happily cataloging it and seemed to enjoy whatever he had drawn for her.

7's gift was for M. The usually stoic and plain warrior seemed unusually upbeat and wore his new shield with the pride only a warrior could have.

How he managed this 1 will never know, but 8 had found a gift for 6 that was keeping the artist busy and extremely happy. Not only did he have two new artist sketchpads that hadn't been destroyed but 8 had found a set of colored inks. When 6 had seen these his first reaction was to attack 8 with a hug and repeatedly shouting "thankyouthankyouthankyou" into his chest.

8 froze when 6 had done this but eventually reached down to give the artist a small hug. They were currently sitting next to each other, 6 happily drawing flowers in purple and 8 fiddling with his gift from M, a shield like 7 had given M, but larger and obviously not made by an amature.

When 1 turned to look over everyone else he saw L admiring her gift from N, a red shawl with a fluffy white fringe. N was holding some kind of plastic plant over their heads and trying to kiss her, and oddly M wasn't shouting his usual triad of "My sister is off limits". 1 was reluctant to admit it but she did look rather nice in it. It also looked rather warm, which made 1 shiver and feel a pang of annoyance at no longer having a cape to keep him warm.

"Well, it seems not even you can be a Scrooge on Christmas!" 2's voice came from behind 1, startling him and making him jump slightly. The younger of the elders laughed at the glare he shot him. "So, who was the lucky recipient of your gift? 9?"

"Of course not!" 1 thought for a moment. As he looked around he noticed the youngest stitchpunk was missing. He brushed it off as 9 simply being lazy as he reached behind his throne to get 2's gift.

Opening the gift, the other doll's eyes widened and looked at 1 with a puzzled look. "But… how did you…?"

"Feh, I had these sitting in my room for weeks. I just wanted to get rid of them." That was a blatant lie and by the smile on 2's face he knew it too. Held in the box were six candles, each cut down and filled to the exact size of 2's candle hat. 1 would never admit it but he had actually taken the time to get each of these correct and was proud that 2 seemed to like them.

Before 2 could tease him about his actions, everyone's attention was pulled to the loud clanging coming from the elevator shaft as someone was trying to come up faster than the bucket would allow. When the bucket finally managed to stop in the throne room, 9 scurried out, panting and seeming excited about… something.

"Everyone- outside- gotta see-!" 9 panted and gasped for breath, frantically pointing to the elevator. "Come on!" He began pulling 5 into the elevator and everyone started to follow him, eager to see what 9 was so excited about.

When they reached the entrance some were confused, others were amazed, and a few were in disbelief.

"No way…"

"Is it possible?"

"I don't believe it!"

"Snowing!"

With a shout of joy the artist ran into the fluffy white substance and threw it around. There was at least an inch or two on the ground, quite a lot for someone the size of a stitchpunk. And 1 had to admit… it was beautiful. He had never seen snow except for in pictures and his breath was taken away at the sight of it. It hadn't snowed since before he was created and he had never thought it ever would.

"It's an honest to God Christmas miracle…" N said slowly, a sad smile resting on his features. "A miracle," he repeated as he turned to 9. "How'd you notice this?"

9 smiled and shrugged. "I was coming up from the basement and I saw something falling and came out to see what it was." Mentioning the basement made the young doll stiffen and look toward 1. He ran back inside and returned a few seconds later with a box in his hands.

"Uh… here…" 9 kept his head down, gaze wavering everywhere except 1's face. He held the box out to the old doll and waited for him to take it before standing back. 1 pulled the lid off the box slowly and almost automatically was shocked speechless.

Inside the box was a new cape. But it was nothing like one he had before. This one was made of a deep red fabric that was thick, durable and warm but clearly wouldn't be uncomfortable in the heat. His fingers slid over it like it was water. When he lifted the cape he realized that the edges had been carefully stitched and you could see the red thread holding it in a kind of X pattern along the edge, unlike the frayed edges of his old cape. While his old cape had a clap of costume jewelry, this one had a clasp that was a plain but carefully made silver circle, with a red ruby 1 in the middle.

"Do… do you like it?" 9's timid question broke 1 from his revere, prompting him to put the cape on. It fell easily on his shoulders and warmed him almost immediately, causing him to let out a soft sigh of relief. For the first time, 1 noticed the new scratches on 9's copper hands.

Looking to 9, he gave a small nod and a smile as he ran his metal fingers over the warm fabric. He wouldn't lie, the smile on 9's face made his mechanical heart feel light. But before he would let the younger doll think he was growing soft he coughed and stood straight. "Well, you've given me my gift. Go on!" He growled out, though not with as much force as he had intended.

9 nodded quickly and ran out into the snow, laughing as the twins tackled him down into a strange snowman they had built. L helped 9 to his feet and quickly wrapped a green scarf around his neck, apparently her Secret Santa gift to 9.

2 smiled over at 1. "You like his gift," he said with a laugh in his voice, but no note of the usual tease it would carry. The only thing 1 could pick up was a joy and youthful tone he hadn't heard from his friend in a very long time.

1 remained silent. He knew 2 would know any answer he may search for. He smiled once more and breathed in the cold air. He felt younger than he ever had, taking a few minutes to think and admire the falling snow. Perhaps this Christmas spirit wasn't so bad…

He was jolted from his thoughts rather violently when something icy cold and wet smacked into his face.

1 wiped the snowball from his person and glared ahead. The twins stood next to 9, who stood behind a nervous looking 5. Suddenly everyone pointed to the youngest doll and 1 growled.

"No… no, 1! I-I didn't mean to hit you! It was an accident I swear!" 9 said as he backed away from the angry looking doll quickly advancing on him until he was pressed against a wall of rubble with 1 within arms length.

"You want to attack me? With snowballs of all things? Well…two can play at that game…"

As everyone stood confused he quickly made a snowball and threw it straight at 9's face, startling the younger one into a yelp.

A small grin began to form on his face as chuckles started to bubble over until he was holding his sides in laughter. The sudden shout of "get him!" made him grab 9 and duck behind a bank of snow to avoid the snowballs being thrown in their direction.

As 9 joined in his laughter the two joined forces in the battle of snowballs. They were quickly joined by 8, L, and 2 as they fought against the odds of being outnumbered. 1 felt young, exhilarated, and above all, happier than he ever felt before.

1 decided that he could get used to this Christmas spirit and everything. It wasn't so bad after all.

So long as it only came once a year.