Seren stayed in bed, staring out the window numbly. Mrs. Houper sat in the chair and worked on her knitting. Looking up at Seren every few seconds, worriedly.

“Are you excited for Yuletide?” Mrs. Houper asked, Seren didn’t feel like answering. “I know there isn’t much sign of the holiday around the house but maybe we can fix that.” Seren didn’t so much as shift under the blankets.

“Have you ever made paper snowflakes? Or a yule goat?” Mrs. Houper asked, her weak smile fading away at the lack of movement. She looked up at a knock on the door, Mr. Asche didn’t wait for a response before entering.

“Are they asleep?” He whispered. Mrs. Houper shook her head. He turned to Seren and walked around the bed to look at their face. “What’s wrong now?”

“Eric!” Mrs. Houper snapped. “They’re upset.”

“About what?” He asked, still expecting an answer from Seren.

“They’re upset about the butcher’s boy.” Mrs. Houper hissed. Mr. Asche came around and knelt down so he was eye-level with Seren.

“Look at me.” He said, Seren hesitantly met his eyes. “What’s done is done and there is nothing you can do about it. Get up and keep going. Life stops for no one.” Seren stared wide eyed. They tried to make some kind of noise but Mrs. Houper beat them to it.

“What kind of advice is that?” She scoffed.

“The only advice that matters. Time won’t stop just because you feel off. So, unless you’re bleeding or dying, you might as well make use of the time you have.” He said, not breaking eye contact for a second. Seren nodded, feeling like some kind of response was expected of them.

“Don’t just nod. Say that you understand.”

“I understand.” Seren whispered.

“Good. Now get up. You have work to do.” Mr. Asche stood up and readjusted his glasses.

“It’s the week before Yule!” Mrs. Houper stood up. “Seren’s a child, Yule is the most exciting time of the year for them. Why not let them be excited for it?”

“And do what? Mope about for the rest of the day?” Mr. Asche asked, Mrs. Houper followed him out of the room. Arguing about Yuletide traditions and how the manor was always decorated long before now when he was a child. Seren slid out of bed and looked around the room and tried to imagine it any other way then just plain and functional. They couldn’t.

They tried to clear their head but mostly they just felt like they were floating outside their body instead of controlling it. They had work to do… There was a small comfort in that. In knowing that there was a task that needed their attention more than their emotions, made them settle back into their body. With a deep breath, they smoothed themself out in the mirror and headed out of their room.

The first thing they saw was Mr. Asche stomping into his room.

“Get your coat!” He snapped. Seren watched him slam his door and Mrs. Houper appeared triumphantly on the stairs.

“I have your coat and boots ready downstairs, just brush your hair and grab your socks.” She said with a smug smile.

“Oh, okay?” Seren said, they went back into their room and ran a brush through their hair quickly. It looked wrong just laying on their shoulders, Seren pulled it back and loosely tied it back. They wished they knew how to braid their hair like Mrs. Houper did. They’d have to ask her how someday.

Seren pulled on their socks and went down the stairs. At the bottom, Mrs. Houper hummed to herself proudly while setting out Seren’s boots and coat on the hallway table.

“Where am I going?” Seren asked, holding onto the banister and watching Mr. Asche stomp down the stairs. He only huffed an annoyed sigh.

“You two are going shopping!” Mrs. Houper cheered, dancing over to them and handing Seren their boots. Seren held them confused.

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“I thought there was work to do,” they said quietly.

“You’re a kid. Kids do holiday stuff.” Mr. Asche rolled his eyes as he passed around Seren to grab his own boots and coat.

“Oh… I would rather do the work.” Seren said, still staring numbly at their shoes.

“What?” Mrs. Houper said, Mr. Asche paused and looked back at them. “You aren’t excited for Yule?”

“Not really.” Seren shrugged.

“Why not?” Mrs. Houper knelt down in front of Seren and supported their hands.

“Well, what’s there to be excited for?” Seren stepped back defensively. “There’s nothing special about it now. There’s nothing special about eating a Yule dinner when there’s enough to eat. There’s nothing special about a Yule log when it’s bought and not baked. There’s nothing special about a Yule goat you don’t make.”

“Oh.” Mrs. Houper said, her voice dying. “But what about the music? The lights and the magic of a night where anything can happen? Where the saints come and leave gifts?”

“Where the what do what?” Seren asked, they narrowed their eyes skeptically. “You’re making that part up.”

“No, it’s true. The oldest legends say the seven Yule saints come and leave presents for good little children in front of their fireplace.” Mrs. Houper said unthinkingly.

“Monica!” Mr. Asche snapped, she turned in slight annoyance at being interrupted. Seren looked between the two adults.

“She’s making it up, right?” They asked Mr. Asche. He gave Mrs. Houper a sharp stare.

“No. That’s the story that parents tell their children. However, it is the parents who buy the presents that the saints bring.” He said honestly. “It’s not a real magic. Not like the fae. It’s a myth.” Seren let out a sigh and Mrs. Houper’s face went pink.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to say-”

“C’mon Serenity.” Mr. Asche said, “Mrs. Houper wants us to learn something.” Seren put on their boots slowly and their coat and followed Mr. Asche onto the snow covered streets.

“We’ll just walk around the block and pretend we did whatever it was she wants.” He said as they walked down the sidewalk. “That’s what I did when I was your age.” Seren nodded but their mind was elsewhere.

“It’s not really true though, right?” Seren asked. "The only bringing stuff to good kids?”

“No. But I wouldn’t go mentioning it to other kids your age.” Mr. Asche shrugged. Seren nodded again but their mind had wandered off.

“Walk faster.” Mr. Asche commanded suddenly and Seren sped up to keep up with his sudden speed.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Someone called from behind them.

“Damn,” Mr. Asche growled. He turned and faced the couple at the elegant Summer family gate.

“Don’t say anything,” he muttered and Seren looked up and nodded. He led them to the gate and greeted the couple.

“Bernard, Nicole.” He said,

“Eric,” the couple greeted back. Instantly turning their attention to Seren. “And you are?” The woman knelt down to look at Seren at eye level.

“If you were waiting at the gates in hopes of seeing us then you know who they are.” Mr. Asche said tiredly.

“You never were any fun.” Nicole said, standing back up and leaning on the man.

“Are you intentionally wasting my time?” Mr. Asche asked, and the couple laughed.

“Well, we were hoping you would respond to the invitation our parents sent.” Bernard said, Seren didn’t like the way he stared down his nose at them. “But since you’re here, why don’t you come in? We’re having our Yuletide get together and I’m sure you wouldn’t want to miss the grand reveal?”

“When you know exactly who they’re going to choose?” Mr. Asche said dryly.

“That only makes it grander.” Nicole smiled.

“We’ll pass.” Mr. Asche said, he pushed Seren’s shoulder and directed them to continue.

“Nicole? Bernard?” An elderly woman called from the door. Her face brightened at the sight of Mr. Asche at the gate. “Oh, you were able to make it! And who is… that?” The woman adjusted her glasses at Seren. Seren waved at her before Mr. Asche smacked their shoulder lightly, making them stop.

“Well! Don’t just stay out in the cold, come in!” The elderly woman said, opening the door wider and gesturing them in. Seren looked up at Mr. Asche just as he released a sigh that sounded like a death rattle.

“This is not what I wanted to do today,” he muttered. “But. Let’s get this over with.” He opened the tall gate and gestured Seren in. Nicole and Bernard snickered and ran up the large walkway and into the giant front door.

The walkway was well shoveled and scrubbed clean as was the porch. Up close, Seren realized that the door was actually only one side of grand double doors. Seren hopped up the stairs and looked at the elderly woman, her face filled with care and freckles. In her green eyes there was a sharp edge that pointed at Seren like a threat.

“This is Serenity.” Mr. Asche said. “While their father is incapacitated, I’m caring for them.” The woman narrowed her eyes and Seren grinned. They couldn’t be intimidated when they could see Mr. Asche so clearly in the woman’s face.

“Hi!” They chirped. The woman’s stare cracked and she smiled.

“Let’s get you inside before you freeze!” She smiled and ushered Seren in, forgetting Mr. Asche on the verandah.