I was sat on the plush couch in my rge living room. Fur rugs pced on the waxed wooden floors. log fire burning, casting warmth and light into the room. Out the window blew strong winds carrying flurries of snow.
The lights of the surrounding houses, as they all celebrate winter with their families. They had all adopted some of the traditions I brought with me to this world. Chiyun was cuddling our son, a white and brown tiger beastfolk, with human ears to pair with his fluffy tiger ones. His light skin matching my own. Then there was Hilda, our two girls running around looking at the presents under the tree, our son asleep with his head on my p. Mi was in the kitchen, our twin girls in a crib beside me. Lei and Nura were changing the nappy cloth of our daughters. The rge fur tree decorated with beads and hand made ornaments. At the top, a carving of my Leviathan with wings outstretched, my kids loves its dragon mode. Emi was hugging into my side, her swollen belly carrying out test addition. Our eldest two were in the kitchen helping Mi and Hilda. It was calm, beautiful. The horrors and drama of the st years, fading away. I thank my stars every day, that I had come to this world. Not one person in my city wore a colr, no sves in my city. All are equal, we are united against the world. That was the idea anyway, then all the crazy happened. I just wanted a calm isekai adventure. Zillie was curled up with her egg in the corner, it took us a long time to conceive our first child, but now we are on our sixth! if you included my whole family there were twelve wives and fourty three children, four grandchildren. I had a couple of in ws too, but the ones who aren't working in the castle are in their homes right now. I sipped from my hollowed out horn, the sweet taste of mead running down my throat.
"This is nice..."
Emilia lifted her face, pulling mine into a gentle kiss. I was currently wearing this worlds version of an ugly Christmas jumper, trousers, socks and slippers. As was tradition. My smart phone pying jazz covers of christmas songs. It was a really calm and warm atmosphere.
The day moved on and eventually we all came together for dinner, all my wives and our children. Seventy five people sat at the table all in all. My eldest three children and their spouses. Heidi like her mother having twins her first time out. Her twin brother Hans was proudly sat with his Ibex beastfolk wife. Mine and Leis child Seraphine was kicking her feet under the table, while mine and Nuras daughter Zelda was drooling while looking at the roast stag on the table. Zelda was what you would think about if you thought elf in my world, she was slender, blonde and refined in features like Nura, yet got my white complexion and blue eyes. She was a genius with healing and nature magic.
After a lovely dinner we adjourned to the living room once more, as we handed out presents from under the tree. We had a rule, it had to be something aesthetically pleasing or useful. It could be new, but it was better thought of to be refurbished or repaired without any powers. If it was made from scratch even more points. I cheat a bit, but only on the parts, the rest I do by hand. I have made toys for all my children, so I was practiced.
My presents were mostly nice looking from my younger children and grandchildren. My oldest son being Caelum, with his mother Emilia. He had blue hair and eyes like his mother, but other than that was my double. He carved a wooden sculpture of me with armour and a sword, he heard tales of our fights early on. I can say this now, I hate using a sword. Halberd, all the way, I mean Axe, spear & war pick? It is the ultimate weapon! However, I did use a sword in the beginning. I have bad memories of my first use of a sword, pretty sure that first forest still smells of my vomit even after fifteen winters. (20ish earth years). Zelda got me a nice crystal, she had trimmed with gold, mounted on a polished wooden base, with an enchanted pte that lights it up when you feed it mana. My wives each got me coupon books, the same thing I get each of them. Daughter Heidi and Hans got me an item they shouldn't have been able to.
"Where did you get this?"
Hans smirked.
"She went back with me, we tracked your time and world of origin, then we jumped through. Found your house and took a few things from your room. We also left the letter you wrote grandma and grandpa. Letting them know you went to find your purpose. After coming back, we posted a new one through the letterbox. Telling them about us and the family, we took the words you wrote in your diary, so you could let them know how well you were doing in your own way. We even took your phone and send the family pictures, after Heidi removed the none human features. Also may have left a few jewels and gold in a parcel for them."
I hugged my oldest children, I couldn't believe they had fixed my only regret. Worrying my parents and bringing all my stuff over to this world.
After presents came singing and dancing, we danced, ughed and joked into the night. Then as it was getting te, we went to bed.
......
I wake up to a jolt, the carriage wheels bumping along the dirt road.
"You okay?"
I look over at Hilda, she wasn't fully restored yet. Nothing like the horned beauty I just dreamt of.
"Yeah, have I ever told you about a special holiday from my world?"
She shakes her head.
"Well, this one is called Christmas. And it all began..."
Thus this strange new world, started to get a new tradition within a small close group. The celebration of Christmas.
Sion_Dracul
