domesticity

[duke_of_illusions]

Al had stayed over last night... and hasn't quite left this morning, either. The day is stretching on, and Barma is still beautifully comfortable, now immersed in a book, as his fingers trail through Al's hair.

Comments

[al_truism]

"Such a romantic."

Grinning to himself.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"What did you do for Christmas at home?"

[al_truism]

"Nothing. We don't have the religion associated with Christmas. Instead we had Starsfall on the winter solstice. That time of year we always get tons of shooting stars. And I lived out in the country, so the whole town would turn off their lights just to watch."

Al beams.

"Legend has it that the lights were the souls of our loved ones who have passed on, come back to check on those they left behind. Children would make Catchers, painted glass balls to invite spirits into. To entice them to stay longer. That way they could bring their families luck."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Will you make me one?"

He asks, curiously.

"I'll get you a Christmas present."

[al_truism]

"I'd love that."

Warm and sweet.

"How do you celebrate?"

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"My family is from a different country than Break's."

He reminds him.

"We indulge in a vegetarian feast."

[al_truism]

"Is there a reason it's vegetarian?"

Al snuggles under his chin. It's starting to get really cold.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Well, that's an old, old tradition."

He smiles.

"One I'll tell you inside."

[al_truism]

"Please, tell me?"

Smiling once they've closed the door behind them.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Well, Christmas is the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, one of the central figures of the religion- the Son of God."

He explains, calmly, blowing on Al's fingers.

[al_truism]

He nods. Ginia's told him the story, though not traditionally.

His fingers move, and he reaches up to brush off Barma's hair before the flakes melt.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Heavily pregnant, his mother wandered the world, seeking an inn to give birth. Eventually, unable to find either space or mercy, she lay in a manger. The warmth of the animals about her, their breath heavy in the air, on a deep winter night she safely gave birth to her son. Wise men stood on, bearing gifts. A bright star hung in the sky. His life on earth began."

Moving to pull their robes off, since the snow needs to be shaken off them.

[al_truism]

"They'd really turned her away?"

That bothers him, draws him in more than any of the other details.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"The retelling is hazy- half allegory, half myth. It may have been, in fact that it was a custom of the nation that the animals were taken in to family homes and inns just for such a purpose, to keep warmth there. What began as legends about a birth surrounded by animals became confused, mistranslated, interpreted and explained as taking place in a barnlike setting. This is religion we're talking about."

Barma is obviously not devout.

[al_truism]

Al frowns, obviously confused. Religion is strange that way for him.

"People can be so odd in what they'll believe."

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"It gets better."

He promises, grinning.

"The animals in this legend saved his life, after all-"

[al_truism]

Al settles down on the bed, eyes wide and listening.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"The vegetarian meal is in recognition of the fact that on that night, they saved His life. We say a prayer, and give thanks that Christ has been born- the eldest member of the family says that part. Christ has been born- he offers bread dipped in honey to his family member, they answer Let us praise him and accept the morsel. And the animals, for doing what they did, may on that day choose to speak the tongue of men, come into the household, and sit at the table in our stead, eat the food we have prepared."

[al_truism]

"... oh."

Frowning, a little. More confused than anything.

"But really, those particular animals didn't do anything, right?"

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"They witnessed the miracle of the birth of the son of God."

He reminds him.

"Or their kind did, at least."

[al_truism]

Al nods, even if he still has a hard time understanding why that makes sense. He supposes it's spiritual and ritualistic, but he's always been a scientist.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"Anyways, by the time the prayers are done, it may be assumed that the animals will not be joining us, and we eat. Twelve courses."

[al_truism]

"How does anyone eat twelve courses...?"

Sputtering.

[info-barma.livejournal.com]

"You have a small morsel of each, and don't eat much else during the day. No lunch."

[al_truism]

"That makes sense."

Al nods, taking Barma's fingers and kissing them, pressing them between his palms to warm them.

"And you exchange gifts too?"