Surprises and Treats (Sean)

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

The mall in Pilot Ridge was especially crowded this afternoon, given that it was four days before Christmas and after school hours. However, today had been one of Nik's precious days off, so she had been here and about town since well before noon to buy gifts for the season. She was certain that her husband already had for those he cared for, but things had been so busy lately that the doctor had neither the time nor energy to spend on shopping. Until today, that is.


As she exited the music shop owned by Liam Bell (legal guardian to one of the students at the school by the name of Mia), she waved a thank you to the associate that had helped her and tucked the book of sheet music and the instrument polish into the cloth bag she carried. There were a few other things in there; a new sketchbook, some small toys, and three or four books she thought would be good gifts for the younger people in her life.


Being outside of work, the pale woman wore blue jeans the color of her eyes and a long-sleeved turtleneck of a paler shade of periwinkle, a denim vest tying the two together. Her winter coat was slung over one arm, and her hair was tied up in a high ponytail to keep it out of her face. Flats had been replaced with athletic shoes to keep them clean, and an interesting yet delicate necklace hung around her neck. She seemed at once both more casual and more formal than she was at work, but at the very least she wasn't wearing her lab coat.


Finishing with the organization of gifts, the albino looked around, contemplating where she should go next. Due to the winter solar cycle, it was already dark, though the hour was not late. Dinner, at least, would not be for another three hours, giving her plenty of time to eat now, finish her shopping, and go home. Deciding on a quick lunch first, Nik turned towards the terrace and walked on, intent on her goal. She could really use a cup of coffee now anyway.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean had finished with his shopping weeks ago. Though he had many people for whom to shop, he was organized and had developed a system to make holiday shopping as free of stress as possible. He had given Josh his presents last week during Chanukah, as well as to their other Jewish friends, such as Danny. Other presents, cards, and donations had already been mailed, to guarantee that the recipients could enjoy them by the day of Christmas proper. The remaining presents were at home, wrapped already, and simply awaiting the opportunity for him to give them to his friends and coworkers.

Yet, despite this system, Sean still found himself at the mall four days before Christmas.

Today, his trip brought him out to buy alcohol for the house; he and Josh had been enjoying cocktails a bit more frequently, as was the season, and they had run dry. While out, he thought he might as well buy a few decorations for New Year’s, and a few other items, since the plan still involved Ryan and Shiya coming to visit. Unless there was a last-minute change of plans

In the midst of his perusing, he decided it was time to take advantage of the seasonal café selections. Taking the escalator to the food court, he started for one of the stands. In doing so, he caught sight of a familiar face, and he waved to get her attention. “Hello!”

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

Nakia had been looking about while walking the court, searching for something to relieve the hunger and thirst inherent with almost six hours of walking. Thus, she'd glanced over her co-worker briefly before her gaze was drawn back by his wave, and she smiled brightly at seeing someone she knew. Shifting coat and gift-bag, the doctor weaved her way through the crowds like an expert and was soon standing within talking distance of the man.


"Good afternoon!" she replied, falling in step with him easily. She was used to walking with men at least six inches taller than her. "Quite the crowds, aren't there? What brings you here this afternoon?"


The albino didn't often see her colleagues outside of work, despite the fact that she was a very social person when she wasn't on the clock. Long hours and children at home tended to do that for a girl. This, seeing Sean wandering around as she had been was an unexpected delight, and she was more than ready to put her shopping on hold to talk to the gentle giant.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

“You’re looking well,” Sean remarked, the gentle smile still on his lips. Since he had caught her attention, they could talk or share a cup of coffee, assuming that she had the same general destination and goal as he did. Otherwise, he didn’t mind taking a detour, as long as she didn’t mind his company. Josh wouldn’t be home until his typical hour this evening, which meant that the telepath had a couple of hours of downtime.

At the question, he lifted his bag to show off the contents. “I had to pick up a few things for the house. Primarily some liquor for end of the year specials.” His smile widened as he thought of the other night. “Josh and I have been putting a bit of a dent in our reserves this month.”

What little else that he had purchased couldn’t qualify as interesting, although he was happy to discuss specifics if she displayed any curiosity. However, he was more interested in her afternoon plans. “And what brings you here? Catching up before the holiday?”

Or a completely different reason. There were many reasons to take advantage of the mall, not limited to the mere existence of end of the year sale prices.

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

"And you as well," she answered in kind, smiling at the man. "I was on my way for coffee and something to tide me over until dinner. Would you care to join me?" Since they were already walking towards one of the many coffee stops in the mall, Nik could have assumed the answer was yes without much error. However, she was not in the habit of assuming much of anything, so the question had been asked as much out of politeness as a wish for companionship.


"Oh I see," the doctor mused, giving the bag a cursory glance. "Holiday spirits, and all of that?" The pun was silly, but she did enjoy them so.


With a laugh that was halfway a sigh, the albino woman lifted her own cloth bag in response. She had yet to pick up a gift for the good doctor; everything in the bag was either for her family or for some students she'd come to know reasonably well at Hammel, so she was more than willing to speak to the telepath about them. "Sadly, this is the first time in weeks that I've been able to slip away myself," she replied. "I'm almost positive my husband has his gift selections picked out, so I took a brief respite to purchase my own without him knowing."


"How are you and Josh doing, out of curiosity?" she asked, picking up on the reference to the activist readily. She knew little about the man, save that he was Sean's partner and that Vincent was mildly envious of his skill at baking Western treats.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

“That sounds great,” Sean answered, as they walked in the direction of the coffee shop on the food court. “I’d been on my way to find coffee myself, and there’s always room for a pastry or a muffin.” He could always use a glucose boost, and being able to indulge his sweet tooth in the process was all the better.

The telepath’s smile widened at the joke, and he nodded a single time in the affirmative. “You could say that. I don’t have the skills to brew my own, so I have to rely on the experts to do it for me.” Not that he was displeased with that state of affairs. Sean felt no shame in bowing to the knowledge and ability of those more qualified than he was. Particularly in a trade as intricate as crafting fine liquor.

Sean nodded his understanding. “It can be hard to find the time to shop when one has a family,” he remarked sympathetically. He didn’t have that concern during his pattern as a bachelor, but he and Josh had to take separate trips now that they were together. “At least Vincent is patient, so you don’t have to worry about him trying to spoil the surprise by peeking.”

The mention of his partner caused his smile to widen. “We’re doing fine. The primary holiday is over in our house, so now he’s grudgingly trying to get through the next four days. I’m largely along for the ride.”

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

"Wonderful!" Despite the general lack of taste for coffee in Japan, Nik found that she enjoyed the dark brew provided it had enough milk and sugar in it. Flavored beverages were by far some of her favorites, and it was partly because of this that the foreign pair had so many herbal teas in their home. Given the holiday season, she was tempted to try something new, especially considering that milk products were much less expensive here than in her land of origin.


"Perhaps that is for the best," the doctor laughed, passing her colleague a bright smile. "I tend to leave anything involving edibles to my husband or professionals myself, lest they become inedible." Nik made no secret of the fact that she was a terrible cook; it was partially to warn people before they asked her, and mostly because Vincent had that well taken care of. The last time she'd made an attempt at making a meal, the two of them had ended up drinking the night away, given that the sake was the only thing left in her kitchen unspoiled by the colossal failure. That was over twenty years ago, but her skills had not improved.


A slightly impish smile appeared as Nik replied. "No, not anymore. He was never much for surprises when we first met, but I'm glad he doesn't need to know everything now." She would still hide the gifts from him, as by this point it was a fun tradition in their family.


Unlike her husband, Nakia had only rudimentary knowledge of religious practices, mostly in the way they pertained to the ways she could treat her patients. And given that Christmas was a widely practiced (and non-secular) holiday in Japan, it was really the only one she was familiar with. "Oh? May I ask what you celebrate?"

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean joined in the laughter, although his was a light chuckle. “Josh used to say the same thing about cooking, before he started his baking lessons.” Time and again, his partner had expressed discomfort in the kitchen. The attorney had been sure that nothing he cooked would resemble the food it was intended to be, and that was in the best of circumstances. In the worst of circumstances had been the persistent fear of burning down the house.

The telepath nodded in comprehension. “Sometimes it takes a while for us to develop that type of patience. And there’s something to be said for knowing as much as one can.” He was in that latter category, although through necessity than pure desire. At least at first; the two had merged now.

Sean no longer subscribed to any organized religion, and all religious inclinations had dissipated decades ago. However, he celebrated a secular Christmas by custom, and he had no qualms discussing matters pertaining either to culture or to religion. “Josh is Jewish,” he explained, since that was necessary context for their winter rituals. “So we celebrate Chanukah; that ended five days ago.”

Their decorations were still in place; they could remove them after the New Year, which was the custom with Christmas decorations. The telepath didn’t mind keeping them up, just as he didn’t mind decorating in the first place.

“We go to the Campbells for Christmas,” he added. “James and I were raised in the same religion, although Christmas isn’t secular to him.”

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

Though she had never taken any official lessons herself, Nik's attempts at cooking usually failed spectacularly regardless of who was helping her. It simply wasn't something she had a knack for, and given that her husband didn't mind and was exceptional at it, she didn't much worry about it. Still, the knowledge had made some amusing expressions on people when imparted in Japan. "At least someone understands it," she added with a smile. "I decided a long while ago to keep with my career and perhaps a little gardening. Taking care of living things has always been easier for me."


"This is true." In many respects, the physician wanted to know everything possible; she was studying for a second doctorate at some point, hoping to specialize in genetic disorders so that she could better help her daughter and children like her. However, for much more mundane things, sometimes surprises were nice.


Judaism was not common practice in Asia, though by virtue of working in a general hospital Nik had come across a few of the religion before. "I see. I don't know much about secular holidays but I would be interested in what you can tell me about it," she offered, slowing her steps at they reached the line for the small cafe.


Additionally, family-oriented holidays had never mattered much to her until she'd had one of her own.


"Christmas isn't particularly religious in Japan, either," she noted. "Many of the holidays were either imported or Shinto in origin. Even the Buddhist holidays are grandfathered into our culture, and unless one actively practices a religion, the holidays are symbols and events rather than true holy days. Though let it never be said that we as a people will miss a chance to celebrate something." Even if they did so in manners strange to outsiders, Japanese parties were something rather unique in their diversity. They could either be respectful events, enormous festivals... or something akin to a college bar the night before Homecoming. It depended on the situation.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

“We all have our skills,” Sean remarked sagely. While he was committed to self-improvement, he didn’t think that anyone was obligated to operate outside of their comfort zone, when they had nobody else to provide for (in the case of children) or they could rely on someone who had skills that one lacked. In several past relationships, the telepath had been the one to cook, and that had suited him fine, because everyone’s needs were met in one way or another. “What do you garden?” He was genuinely interested to hear what she grew.

Upon reaching the café, Sean came to a halt. He peered over the people in front of them to study the menu options. As expected, there were several holiday-related specialties, and he turned his consideration to those. Not because the holidays were as important to him as they were to James, who needed to relate everything to Christmas during December, but because he enjoyed trying new things, and they were available for a limited time only.

The telepath nodded his acknowledgment. “I’ve heard that about Japan, although you would know far more about it than me. Celebrating Christmas where I grew up was much the opposite; everyone was Christian and invested in both the holiday as well as the faith.”

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

"Vegetables, when the season is right," Nik replied, remembering the feel of the earth under her hands during the summer with a light smile. "I have a few herb pots around the house for most of the year, as well; rosemary, sage, and the like. Considering when we moved, I wasn't able to plant much this year, but I hope that spring will come early and I can plant some leeks and kale. Perhaps some strawberries as well, if the weather permits it." Gardening was something that she'd always wanted to try her hand at, but their old apartment had allowed little more than a window-box. Their new home had a backyard, and as such a small plot of it had been tilled by hand for just a purpose.


With a quick survey over the menu, the doctor found a word that she didn't know and looked to the tall man beside her. "I may be showing my lack of culture, but I have never had eggnog before," she stated, slightly amused at the term. "Do you have a fondness for the taste?"


"If you're interested, Vincent and Ari seem to be in the habit of throwing small parties at The Velvet-tone for all sorts of holidays," the woman answered, dry humor in her tone. "I'm certain I can find out when his next escapade would be." For a man who didn't enjoy social gatherings, her husband certainly liked exposing people to various traditions and holidays, whether they were his own or not. A side-effect of being a religion major in college, she supposed.


"I've never had a particular faith myself," she admitted, one hand motioning palm up in a nonchalant gesture. "Do you still practice Christianity?" She gathered not, given his choice in partner and the overall feel of his explanations thus far, but she would rather be sure than assume.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean smiled, listening to her describe her home garden. “That sounds wonderful,” he remarked. He liked the idea of gardening, although he hadn’t done it effectively since his box garden in New York. Ironically, given the size of his backyard in Vermont.

“I do, but I’m told that it’s acquired,” Sean warned her. He had grown up with eggnog available, and thus he liked it, but others without that exposure objected to its heaviness. “It’s heavily dairy but sweetened and usually has a kick to it.”

The telepath nodded, considering the open invitation to that. He’d heard of the parties, although he had yet to actually attend one of them. “I’ll have to float that by Josh tonight, to see if we can make it to the next one. Is there one for the New Year, by any chance?”

His partner would have his fill of Christmas parties by the time they left the Campbell residence, but New Year was a more neutral holiday. It also involved massive drinking and an excuse to kiss at midnight, so Josh’s fondness was guaranteed.

He then shook his head, immediately denying the notion that he still subscribed to Catholicism, or Christianity broadly. “No. I came from a Catholic family, which is particularly bound up in hierarchy. I fundamentally disagreed with many of the teachings and then drifted away from the Church when I was younger.”

He hadn’t looked back. Despite what he had thought as a boy, he also didn’t miss it.

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

"It is," she agreed. "Gardening has a peace to it that few other labors do. That, and the things that you nurture tend not to complain very often." As a doctor of the body rather than the mind, there were a number of patients she'd treated who seemed to find fault in everything. Some of them she'd healed out of pure spite, though most got over themselves before she was forced to use her abilities.


"I see." Such drinks were uncommon even in Tokyo, so the doctor immediately became a little more wary of such a thing. She had never been fond of cream, and if the consistency matched she would likely have a stomachache by the middle of the beverage. "Best to leave that for another time, then, I think." Peppermint was always something she liked, so the idea of a mocha with the flavoring sounded heavenly and she decided on that mentally before returning to their conversation.


"We will likely be lighting a few small fireworks in the neighborhood," she explained, "though nothing so spectacular will be happening until the Chinese New Year. You are welcome to join us if you wish, however; there's always enough sparklers and sake to go around." She was sure that neither Vincent nor their daughters would complain about having guests.


"I believe you made a wise choice, considering your particular preferences," Nik replied, nodding. "It seems silly at best to be a part of a religion that hates you because of who you are." A culture was one thing; you were born to that. A religion was a belief choice, regardless of family inclinations. "From what I remember of her, my mother was Russian Orthodox. She never did appreciate how the world worked, nor the place of metahumans in it."


It was one of the many reasons why Nakia had never sought her out as an adult. She did not abide to hateful personalities well, regardless of their reasons.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

“Certainly,” Sean agreed with a smile.

“I can always bring you some eggnog, so you can try it on your own time, if you’d like,” he offered. He kept some during the holidays, and he had a friend who brewed her own from a family recipe. She distributed it as part of Christmas presents, and he was always happy to share. In the meantime, there were other flavors to enjoy. The gingerbread latte interesting, and it combined a holiday treat with an afternoon pick-me-up.

“I’d like that,” he said with a smile of gratitude. “I’m sure that Josh would like to go as well, although I have to run it by him first.” Sean tried not to make plans for both of them without confirming with his partner first. However, a family party with friends was right up his alley, as was the ability to share in other people’s cultures and customs.

“Catholicism has a rich history of dichotomy between very conservative positions and very liberal ones. They tend to create a peculiar tapestry while simultaneously canceling out one another in the political sphere,” Sean explained. He didn’t often have the ability to discuss the history of his childhood religion, since he tried to avoid arguing and lecturing strangers, Josh knew more than enough on the topic, and friends already had their opinions. Nothing was gained from debating the matter with James, for instance, because the parish in Pilot Ridge was liberal, and James had found a way to accept both his love and his faith without compromising one for the other. “Some of it is inspirational, but I’ve found that too much of it has been used to corrupt for too long. Some of that has to do with position in the hierarchy.”

The telepath shook his head to himself, remembering the long debates he’d had on this topic years ago. “From what I remember, the Russian Orthodox Church has many teachings in common with the Roman Catholic Church, for better or for worse. Although, most Catholics I know are accepting of meta-human status.”

Most. His sister and her husband could not be counted among that number.

[Dr. Nik Kenjutsushi]

"I would like that very much," the pale woman agreed. Even if she wound up not enjoying it, she was sure someone in her household would. There was quite the collective sweet tooth among those three (provided that it didn't include chocolate, as Appoline was quite against that particular product).


"Of course. When you have an answer, you can let myself or Vincent know, so that we will expect you." Now that they had more space to live in, there was infinitely more space to entertain guests and host small gatherings, and Nik had been itching to do so for some time. Besides, what better way to show off Vincent's cooking skills?


Nik made a noise of general grumpiness at the idea. Between her dislike of bigotry and her husband's outright aggression in the face of hypocrisy, very few religions had appealed to them at all, even before they had met. Now that they looked at such things together, there was very little in the way of spirituality that inspired them at all. "If there were a balance in-between the extremes, there might be some hope for them," she stated coolly. "There's too much power in the hands of those who no longer hear the people and not enough understanding in regards to real issues. The world is changing, and many parishes refuse to change with it."


Her general iciness thawed with Sean's next words, however, and she nodded. "I would think so," she replied, voice softer than it had been. "People do not always follow the policies of their officials if they believe them to be wrong." Such acts had been what founded the multiple sects of monotheism Vincent had studied, not to mention a goodly number of revolutions. Japan had known their fair share of those, though few were religious oriented.