plurk meme { 2020 } christmas shenanigans

[iluvroadrunner6]

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Word Count: 31,200

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let nothing you dismay | sam & patience | 1,307

[wellread]

“Alright, everyone, gather round!”

Suzanne claps her hands together as she draws the attention of the rest of the group. Sam and Patience both turn towards the blond at the head of the crowd as she dispenses her instructions. They go through the same ritual every year as the Lockwoods prepare for the Founder’s Christmas Ball, but this is Suzanne’s first year taking on so much responsibility, and Patience can tell her friend is taking it seriously.

“We are looking for three trees,” Suzanne begins, glancing over each of them. “One, a fairly sizeable fir tree for the main entranceway, one smaller one for the guest residences, and the biggest one you can find for the town square. If you find one, call for myself or Lord Salvatore, and we will take it down. Please do be careful; some of the older trees have been creaking this year.” Suzanne clasps her hands together in front of her. “Any questions?”

The crowd is silent, and she nods with a wide smile.

“Then, good luck! And thank you for your help.”

With that, the crowd disperses into the snow. Patience reaches for her betrothed’s hand as they dredge through the freshly fallen snow, careful not to misstep into a drift that seems more substantial than it is. Sam takes her hand firmly, pausing every so often to help her over a log or other obstacle in their way.

“I can’t believe the whole town turns out for this,” Sam sighs as he looks over the people weaving their way through the trees. “I thought it would be mostly the founding families.”

“The Lockwoods are very generous. If you help in the process of finding the trees, Lord Salvatore will assist you in chopping down a tree for your own family, and the Lockwoods would cover the expenses.”

“That is generous,” Sam comments, before tipping his head to the side. “Though I did see a rather large fir in your aunt’s sitting room this morning. I assume that’s not why we’re here.”

Patience laughs, glancing up at the trees as they pass. “We are here because I’m helping Suzanne with everything for the ball because she is my friend. And Elena is a founding family member, so the Gilberts and all their descendants are expected to help.”

“But you’re not a Gilbert, are you?” Honoria Fell quips as she and her escort come up behind them. “So your intended is right, Lady Winchester. You really didn’t need to grace us with your presence.”

Patience presses her lips together in a thin smile as she pauses, letting Honoria move past her and Sam. “Lovely to see you too, Honoria.”

“A pleasure as always, Patience.” Honoria smiles as she clasps her hands in front of her. “I tried to reassure Suzanne that we had everything covered, but she insisted on having you tag along. Then again, I suppose it makes sense that you two of our friends. In some ways, you deserve each other.”

Patience’s grip on Sam’s hand tightens as she does her best to maintain her calm. “That is the mayor’s daughter of whom you speak. I would be careful about how you proceed.”

Honoria rolls her eyes, utterly unaware that Suzanne can hear her. Not that Suzanne didn’t already know, but it still hurts all the same. “Her father may be the mayor – that we know if, at least – but let’s not forget who her mother is. My mother says –”

“Your mother is a malicious gossip.”

“Careful how you speak of your betters, Lady Winchester.” Her escort interrupts, a man she doesn’t recognize who certainly knows her, and he turns his gaze to Sam. “You may be aiming to be a nobleman’s wife now, but his house is precarious, and you know it.”

This time, Sam’s fingers tighten around hers as he stares the other man down. Patience glances at Sam curiously before turning back to Honoria. “The Hale house is still a strong one, and while the people around me might question it, they have always seen me as one of their own. And as much as I would love to continue this absolutely sparkling conversation, we have a tree to find.”

With that, she pulls Sam away from the pair and heads deeper into the woods. Once she’s sure they’re out of earshot of the couple, she looks up at Sam, concerned. “Who was that?”

“Lord Arthur Ketch,” Sam sighs. “We met in London at University. An organization has ties back to my father’s family. We didn’t know, as our grandfather went missing when my father was still a child, but apparently, we’re legacies.”

Patience straightens, concerned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought they were admirable, these Men of Letters. I thought they were monitoring the supernatural, as it were. Research, learning. It turns out they also hunt. And they seem quite intent in exterminating as much of the supernatural as possible. I didn’t want them getting an eye on your family.”

“My family has been what they are and where they are for centuries, Sam. They likely already knew.”

“I know,” He sighs. “I also didn’t want to give them an excuse to use me as a mole.”

“I see,” she reaches over to rest a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. That you both found your family and lost it at the same time.”

Sam shrugs, squeezing his hand in hers. “It wasn’t meant to be. I would much rather have you than them any day.”

Patience smiles softly before pushing up on her toes to kiss him. “Good. I’m glad. Now, we have a tree to find. And I would much prefer we come out ahead of Honoria Fell.”

Sam laughs before nodding his agreement. “I think I know just the tree.”

- - - - - -

The fir stands tall and healthy over the rest of the village’s trees, with sturdy boughs and fresh needles. Sam’s head tips upwards as he studies it. “I had no idea this tree was even here.”

“It’s further out than people usually go for trees, so it’s allowed to grow, big and sturdy.” Patience smiles as she rests her hand against the bark. “I thought we’d give credit to the pastor’s daughter, April. They need the tree more than we do. Her father’s been quite ill this year, sadly.”

Sam nods with a small smile. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.” His arms wrap around her waist as he pulls her in closer, his tall form buffering her against the cold. She leans into his arms with a smile, resting her head against his chest.

“Do you want to know more about that side of your family, Sam?” She looks up at him curiously. She’s been turning the situation over in her head. There has to be a way to meet in the middle.

Sam shakes his head. “I’m not sure there is. I know what they stand for – how can I join and pretend I support that?” And still love you is the part that comes through silently.

“Large portions of my family are not human. But I am.” Patience takes a breath as she looks up at him. “We’ll figure it out when we return to London. Perhaps the Duchess has some insight she could provide.”

“Perhaps,” Sam nods slowly. “But for now, I wish to enjoy the holidays with your family and not think of it at all.” He leans in to kiss her softly before looking up at the tree again. “Which, preferably, we figure out what to do about this tree so that we can get out of the cold and somewhere much warmer.”

Patience laughs before nodding. “You fetch Suzanne; I’ll find April?”

Sam nods in agreement, pressing one last kiss to the top of her head. “Done.”