Inside the manor was blinding. Every one of the many arches were decorated with garlands and glittering tinsel. Yuletide quilt squares hung on every wall and candles with decorative little figures and ornaments. Seren had shed their shoes and coat and were led into a grand sitting room that was filled with people and chatter.

“What’s happening?” Seren asked, tapping Mr. Asche’s arm.

“The Summers family party.” He said, “every family member, near and far, comes together to gossip and plead their case to Lord Summers.”

“Plead their case?” Seren asked, the two still hovering on the edge of the party. No one taking notice of them yet.

“The King throws a giant Yule Gala every year and the lords of every house are allowed to invite a few members of their family. Which is a prestigious honor and everyone wants that invite.” Mr. Asche sighed and rolled his eyes. He looked down and saw Seren’s smile. “What?”

“It’s funny!” Seren giggled. “I don’t understand big parties either, they’re so loud.” Seren wrinkled their nose and covered their ears. Mr. Asche snorted and pat Seren’s shoulder, unable to help smiling, himself.

“C’mon, we’ll say our hellos and goodbyes to the Lord Summers and we’ll be off.” He said, “Stay close, you don’t want to get lost in the mess.” Seren nodded and followed closely alongside Mr. Asche as they walked into the crowd. Seren felt the stares as the people in the crowd looked at them in surprise. Parting to let the pair through to where the elderly patriarch and his wife were perched in large worn leather armchairs. One was the woman from earlier, still smiling at Seren. She leaned over and tapped the elderly man and pointed to them, whispering something in his ear. He turned his attention from the couple who’d called to them from the porch and looked at them.

“Happy Yuletide, this is Serenity, have a merry new year.” Mr. Asche said without pause. Seren waved at the mention of their name.

“And happy Yule to you as well,” the elderly man said. Still staring at Seren. “Serenity, interesting name. I didn’t think you were partial to children.”

“I’m not,” Mr. Asche said dryly. “But Serenity isn’t your average child, as you can clearly see.”

“I hear a rumor,” the Nicole woman leaned conspiratorially to the couple. “Seren is the kid of Winters boy. You know the one.” Seren watched the woman, trying not to glare at the mention of their dad in such a flippant way.

“Are you?” The elderly man asked. Mr. Asche sighed but Seren didn’t wait for whatever he would say.

“Yeah, why?” Seren said, redirecting their attention back to the elderly lord. His wife beside him giggled and shook her head.

“It’s a bit funny, I had this brought down.” She said, pulling out a little decorative box.

“Auntie, please no.” Mr. Asche hissed.

“It’s Yule, Eric. This is exactly what this time of year is for.” She said, shaking her head. Seren looked up at the exasperated look on Mr. Asche’s face. She opened the box and inside Seren saw pictures.

“Ah, she’s brought the photos out.” The elder laughed and handed his empty glass to an attendant.

“I get sentimental,” She looked through the pictures and picked one up and held it out to Seren. “I never thought I’d get to share these.” She sent a mischievous look at Mr. Asche and then winked. Seren took the picture, it was of Mr. Asche at their age. It got a smile out of Seren, the picture had him with his arms filled with books. He wore thick frames instead of the slim silver ones he wore now, and his clothes were a little too big for him. Hard to imagine anything could ever have been too big for him.

“We aren’t staying long enough to parade out ancient history,” Mr. Asche said, tapping Seren’s shoulder. They held out the picture for the Lady Summers to take.

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“Hogwash, it’s the holidays. Spend a little time with your family.” She said, she raised her hand and made a little gesture and like magic, a pair of chairs appeared for them to sit in. Seren looked up at Mr. Asche for direction. They kept looking at the box hopefully. He sighed and shrugged at them.

“Fine,” he sat and Seren grinned and jumped onto the seat. Crossing their legs and leaning forward to see more pictures.

“I imagine Serenity doesn’t know anything about what family is like.” Bernard stage whispered to Nicole nastily.

“I don’t.” Seren shrugged with no awareness. “My dad’s all I got,”

“Must be sad to have only dads and no mom.” Nicole stage whispered back.

“No, it’s nice. I like it.” Seren said and looked back at the pictures, not really listening any longer.

“Aww…” the Lady Summers smiled and placed a hand over her necklace. “They are so precious.” She handed another picture over and Seren took it eagerly.

“I think they misunderstood your snarky remark.” Mr. Asche sighed, he sat back and covered his eyes. Finally resigning to letting the event run its course.

“Why don’t you two go find something to do while we catch up.” The Lord Summers shooed Nicole and Bernard away from his side and shifted to speak to Mr. Asche instead.

“Forgive them,” the Lord said with a wave. Seren started to speak but decided against it and looked back at the photos.

“How is your dad doing?” The lady asked, flipping through the photos. “Oh, I remember this.” Seren froze, staring at the picture in their hand.

“He’s well,” Seren said stiffly.

“That’s good to hear, good to hear.” she said, taking the picture back from them. Looking briefly at the photo before placing it back in the box. “Have you two eaten yet?”

“Yes, we’ve had lunch.” Seren said. They looked at Mr. Asche and he was still shaking his head slowly.

“How did you come into the apprenticeship?” The Lord said, gesturing to the silver chain on Seren’s waist. They looked down at the silver and then up to Mr. Asche.

“They have very unique and special talents.” He said, “Serenity has proved themself invaluable.”

“Invaluable? High praise coming from you.” The Lord said, impressed.

“Serenity, can you tell me exactly how much my uncle has in his pockets?” Mr. Asche asked. Seren narrowed his eyes at him, Lord Summers smiled and sat up. Seren heard a little jingling in his pockets.

“Sounds like you have… three mag ingts and some coins…. 150.66.” Seren said. “And a fae-silver wristwatch and ring collectively worth around 1k each.” The Lord’s eyes went wide. He fished into his pocket and tossed all the currency he had. After every pair of eyes counting the change, Seren was proven correct.

“Amazing, and I do have a watch and ring made of fae-silver.” the lord laughed. Holding out his hand to show them off. Seren looked at them, the calculations visible in their face.

“Wrist-watch is 1,320 ingts and the ring, with an opal enchantment, is 1,028 ingts.” Seren said, causing another loud laugh from the lord.

“Fae-touched!” He laughed, “what a wonder! What else can you do?” Seren looked at Mr. Asche, hoping he’d give them an out.

“If you want a performance, you better be ready to pay their rate.” He said. “Or hire an actual performer to entertain.”

“Ah, I suppose you’re right.” the lord scooped his things back into his pockets. “Well I guess you have things to do.” Mr. Asche jumped up to his feet the second the Lord mentioned leaving.

“Oh, before you head off. May we have a word?” The lady asked. Putting the lid back onto the box and handing it off to one of the attendants.

“I suppose,” he huffed. Seren hopped up as the two leaders of the Summers family stood up.

“Oh, no. Serenity, why don’t you go play with the other children for a few minutes? Go introduce yourself to your new cousins.” The matriarch suggested. Seren looked up at their guardian in confusion.

“Go ahead, it’ll only be a moment.” Mr. Asche said and shooed them off. Seren shrugged and wandered off through the sitting room. Outside the sitting room, Nicole and Bernard were muttering nastily to other guests and making them scoff. Seren turned quickly but couldn’t dodge their sight.

“Oh, it’s the Winters kid.” Nicole said syrupy sweet. “Why don’t you come over here?”

“No thank you, I was told to go find my new cousins and introduce myself.” Seren said.

“YOUR cousins?” Bernard stepped forward. “No, my kids aren’t going to be tainted by you. I think it’s in your best interest to go wait outside with the rest of your kind.”

“Excuse me?” Seren asked.

“You heard me. I won’t have any of that fae rubbing off on my kids.” Bernard said.

“That’s beside the point,” Nicole said and gently pushed Bernard back, stepping closer to Seren.

“The real point is that you aren’t going to introduce yourself to your new cousins because you don’t have new cousins. You aren’t a part of this family. You never were and never will be.” She said, slowly. Enunciating every word.