~ Christmas at the Vaight Cottage 2031~

Darius happily obliged him. He ripped the parcel open.

The cage inside, held a small black fox-like creature with dark wings tipped with red. The body itself was covered in thick black fur, and as a pup, it was curled up in the centre, sleeping.

Slowly, it's eyes opened, and fiery gold spheres could be seen, watching all around it. A small pink tongue licked around it's lips, revealing sharp teeth.

((something like this...))


((but smaller, fluffier and curled up in a fluffy black ball.))

Isabella raised an eyebrow. Thank god it wasn't a dragon.

"It's called a Flying Fox, Darius." Reginald explained. "It'll learn to fly one day."

"Wow!" Darius exclaimed. He couldn't believe his luck. "And it's mine?" He went and hugged Reginald.

Ferderico pretended to be disinterested. But dammn, a winged fox was pretty good. Good thing he brought the big guns. "It's time for my present now Darius." Ferderico announced.

Reginald smirked openly. How could he beat a flying fox?

Isabella hid her boredom with some difficulty. Men tended to get so competitive about these things...

Darien blinked. Nah, he couldn't have said a flying fox. No way. Probably flying box or something.

"Where is it abuelo?" Darius asked. Unlike Reginald, Ferderico had not been carrying a package.

"Follow me," Ferderico said.

Darius complied carrying the little cage containing his new little friend.

Ferderico headed to their back door where it opened to a respectable sized garden. Darius followed suit. And in the garden there was Nicolas.

"Niiiick!" Darius greeted. "What are you doing here?"

"Just giving you your Christmas present." Nicolas said simply. He stepped aside and revealed a little grey pony with wings.

"Happy Christmas Darius!" Nicolas grinned.

"Wow! A pony!" Darius said coming to stroke the creature to licked Darius' hand in return.

----

"Darien." Her attempts to return to sleep had failed having eavesdropped on most of what was said downstairs. She had written off 'Winged Fox' as Darien said 'Winged Box' she was on her way back to dreamland but hearing Nicolas' voice with an excitable Darius saying 'pony' there was no mistaking it. She should have known her grandfather would do something like this. She sat up. "They didn't just give Darius a pony did they?"

Reginald's expression of disdain was contradicted by his inward cursing of Damn.

Darien blinked. "A pony and a winged box?!" He got out of bed faster than he ever had before in his life, and ran to the window. "...It's your cousin. And a pony. And a furry black thing in a cage."

Grabbing his wand, he somehow managed to transform his pyjamas into everyday wear, and began to run down the stairs. "Hurry!"

"Shoot." Diana followed suit and ended up downstairs.

Darien successfully staggered into the garden without falling over himself. As his feet touched the wet grass he remembered his lack of shoes. Trying to preserve as much dignity as possible, and ignore whatever the hell the black winged thing was-he doubted he wanted an explanation - he smiled.

"So...what's going on here?"

Damn the whole bloody lot of them. Darien had a feeling this was going to end in tears. Didn't anyone think this stuff through? A horse and a flying box?! Was this a house or a zoo?!

Reginald's tone was silky, and filled with feigned innocence. "Christmas presents, of course." He raised an eyebrow at his son's lack of shoes and less-than-presentable hair. "I see you've surfaced."

Diana appeared next to Darien. "Oh my." She said as she saw the animals in her own eyes. This was not going to be good.

Throughout this time, Nicolas was teaching Darius how to pet the horse properly. "This is Eurydice - or Dice for short. She's one of the fastest horse I've ever seen."

Darius nodded amazed at his gifts. Best Christmas ever. "Dice." He said. Dice licked Darius' other hand in greeting.

Darius giggled, it tickled. Then he realised his parents were up and about. "Dad! Mum! Look! Aren't they cool?"

Ferderico for his part, looked rather pleased with himself.

Darien opened and shut his mouth several times. "Yes...and no." The latter was much quieter.

He glanced at Diana. "What in hell are we going to do? He'll be so upset..." He muttered out of the side of his mouth, trying to avoid Darius overhearing.

"Um...what are they all doing here?" He gestured helplessly at the animals.

Reginald raised his eyes to the sky. "It is Christmas, Darien. Surely it's obvious." Damn that Ferderico for getting a horse...Reginald's eyes flickered between the horse and flying fox, unsure who had won...

"I don't know." Diana said quietly. "I think we'll have to... oh dear..."

Diana sighed. "I'm going to kill them."

Diana smiled... a little too sweetly. "Abuelo? Can I talk to you inside for a minute?"

"Why of course." Ferderico was in a really good mood. Darius seemed to like his present better. He moved to go inside.

Darius turned to Reginald. "What's its name Grampa?" Darius said looking at the winged fox.

"Shifts or just corner them both at once?" Darien muttered to Diana.

His father would pay for this.

Reginald beamed. "I believe she answers to Daisy." The flying fox yawned, and glanced up at the sound of it's name.

Heh, that pet shop owner really was a prat. Don't they realise I'm not a girl? I thought he was qualified...Bloody uneducated fools. The black winged fox licked it's lips and glanced around.

Darien raised an eyebrow. Of all the names, Daisy fitted the evil-looking fox thing least. Irony, at the very least...

Dice the Granian laughed. Daisy?

"Daisy." Darius echoed.

"Both at once. Better. Both." Diana whispered seething. No one made Darius cry and get away with it.

Darius looked at Daisy in her - his cage and figured that he must be very uncomfortable being cramped in that small bit of space.

"While I remember Father, I need to talk to you as well." Darien folded his arms.

Reginald shrugged. "Surely it can wait?"

"It's rather urgent." Darien's voice was steel, and Reginald complied, handing the cage to Darius.

Oh goodie, a kid. Possibly with a heart. Time for little ol' Daisy to get some flying time. How can I ever fly off and rescue Mummy if I don't practice? Shouldn't be too tricky. Daisy's eyes became amazingly large, and he silently pleaded with the boy, whimpering quietly and shuffling around in the cage. Look at this, it's so tiny, look at me, so pitiful and cramped...Aren't I cute? C'mon, you know I am. Just open the cage, I'm good as gold I swear. Honest! Look at my eyes, so huge and innocent and cutesy, don't you just want to pick me up and cuddle me? You know you want to. Come on little boy, you know you want to let me out. It's so small in here. I can barely stretch. I'll get cramps...Pwease, I'm so ickle and cutesy, I wouldn't do anything bad would I? Look at this face. Can you refuse this face? At which point, he seemed to grin, and winked very obviously. I won't tell. Your parents need not know you let me out of the cage. What could a little mite like me do? I'm so young, I just want to feel that grass beneath my paws, that's all I ask! Not much, really. Won't even notice I'm there. I won't be in the way! I'll go in the corner. C'mon, you know you want to let me out... The flying fox pawed at the edges of the cage, poking a paw through the bars in what it hoped was a commanding gesture.

Once everyone was inside (except for Darius, Nicolas and the animals of course), Diana turned on them.

"What were you thinking?" She demanded mainly to her grandfather but it did apply to Reginald as well.

Outside, Darius was watching Daisy with a frown. Poor little pup, all in there cramped and unable to move.

Nicolas was watching the adults through the window with a slight grin. "Ha, I think someone's in trouble."

"Who's in trouble?" Darius asked distracted.

"Oh no one." Nicolas said not wanting to concern Darius. "What do you have there?"

"It's a winged fox! Daisy!" Darius exclaimed.

"A winged fox?" Nicolas said unsure that he heard him right. He looked through the cage. "Well what do you know."

Nicolas looked at his wristwatch. "Hey Darius do you think you'll be alright if I left? Aurora's just about to wake."

Darius nodded. He had everything here to keep him occupied.

Nicolas smiled and ruffled his hair. "That's a good boy. I'll come back later for Dice."

"What do you mean?" Darius said alarmed.

"Well I don't think you have enough space here for her." Nicolas said gesturing around. "There's space for her in the stables back at the Manor."

"Oh..." Darius said a bit put out. He thought she was going to stay here with him. "But I thought..."

Nicolas chuckled. Kids were so easy to read. "Don't worry Darius, she's all yours. You can visit her anytime you want. Or you just tell me, and I'll bring her to you."

Darius thought about it. Well... that did make sense. "Okay."

"I don't think your parents know about that arrangement yet." He looked up and laughed. "I'll see you later. Merry Christmas Darius!"

"Merry Christmas Nick!" Darius said hugging him. "Thanks for Dice!" Darius let go.

"Bye! Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Nicolas winked and with that apparated.

"I won't." Darius called out grinning.

Now Darius was all alone. He stroked Dice and glanced at Daisy. Well, he wouldn't want to be locked up in a small box. Darius unlocked the cage.

Darien made sure the door was shut and also turned on them. "Yes. What exactly was crossing your minds?"

"I don't appreciate your tone." Reginald's own tone was ice.

"I don't appreciate your constant sniping at each other! Now you're even doing it with Christmas presents! You're both well aware that we don't have room here for it to be turned into a gargantuan and slightly mythological zoo!" Darien spat in irritation. Mostly because he knew that he and Diana were going to look like the bad guys. And Darius was going to be really upset...

Victory! Daisy leapt out of the cage and was on the ground in an instant. Now...to explore. Right, let's see...This should do for a run up...Right, three, two, one...run! He started to race past Darius and then jumped into the air, desperately trying to fly before landing back on the ground. Ah. Not dignified. So, not quite got it yet. No worries...Ooh, is that a plant? Easily distracted, it began to dart from plant to bush to path to small water feature, and jumped into the latter.

Hah, now if there's one thing I can do, it's the doggy paddle. It was around this point he remembered the kid. Not a bad kid I suppose. I mean, he let me out. I suppose I should say thanks or something. It turned back towards Darius and deliberately began to show off his mad water skills.

Or, to put it more accurately, swam round and round in circles.

Darius was watching Daisy with interest and laughing.

Eurydice turned her head away from Daisy. She didn't associate with lesser beings. This plant on the other hand. She took a bite. Was exquisite.

Darius ran to the water fixture. "What are you doing Daisy?"

Meanwhile...

"Exactly!" Diana snapped. "What were you thinking giving him those animals?"

Diana sighed and calmed herself down, "We can't... We can't keep them. He'll be so upset."

Ferderico looked indignant. "I am not completely draft you know. The horse will stay with Nicolas - it's all been settled. There is no point to over-react."

Okay fine... That was acceptable... But ugh! That wasnt the point!

"That isn't the point Abuelo!" Diana yelled. She was not over-reacting. She was normal-reacting. "The point is you two are constantly making trouble for us and I will not stand to let our son to be brought in the middle if this riddiculus affair! The fox and the horse were completely unnecessary."

"I was merely trying to give my great grandson what he wanted." Ferderico said defensively.

"He wanted a puppy!" Diana snapped back. "A little baby dog! And Darien and I are perfectally able to oblige him! Because that's what this is about isn't it? You don't think we can give him want he wants."

"I merely thought it would be novel present." Reginald waved a hand slightly.

Darien glared. "It's not novel, it's provocative. You should get your grandson a present because you give a damn about him, not to get one over on someone else! A puppy and a furry thing that flies are two different things! How in hell are we meant to look after a flying biting thing?!"

Reginald sullenly contemplated for a moment. "Well, I suppose he could stay with us at the Manor."

"You know we don't have room for crazy mythological creatures here. Is it even legal?"

"Perfectly." Reginald's tone was cold. "I do not plant illegal animals on my grandson."

"Glad to hear it. And we can give him any animal that he wants-provided we see fit to do so." Darien continued. "It's our house, and he's our son."

-----

Daisy emerged from the water and dusted himself off. My god, what an effeminate name I have. I almost feel camp just hearing it. Must avoid that conclusion. Shame I can't speak English really. I guess I'll have to settle for a playful attempt at jumping or something...Ooh, a stone! It moves! A moving stone! Or a rolling one. Must...get...moving...stone... He lunged for it, and jumped into the air, managing to flap his wings once before crashing down into a plant.

Squeaking, confused and dangling upside down from between some leaves, Daisy paused. Why is the sky where the grass should be?

"What are you doing Daisy?" Darius said laughing. He picked Daisy up and turned him frontside up. "Is that better?"

Eurydice followed Darius and the little flying thing, curiously watching. It was actually rather amusing watching that furball make a fool of himself.

-----

Diana nodded at Darien's statements. "It's cruel what you've done and really irresponsible! Darius shouldn't be used as some sort of leverage. I won't let him! I don't want him exposed to your silly little games. If either of you can't behave yourselves - we'll cut both of you off!"

Ferderico at least had the decency to look sheepish.

Diana sighed. "It's Christmas, we shouldn't be... we should be enjoying ourselves."

Daisy voiced his appreciation by grinning up at the boy, tongue lolling out of his mouth.

Noticing a...really tall thing nearby, he stared. ...You're tall. I'm Daisy. Who're you? The noise to the human ear was similar to a strangled yapping of sorts. Or a squeak.

--------

Reginald accepted defeat, for the moment.

Darien secretly thought that a family Christmas would not exactly be counted as fun or enjoyable with the two warring gangs in the same building, but nodded.

"So, you'll explain to Darius?" He asked his father.

Reginald merely nodded. "May we leave the conference now?" He asked, in a mild attempt at politeness.

Eurydice The granian replied.

Darius wondered if he could pet Daisy. He slowly extended his hand ready to retract it if things went south.

---

"Yes," Diana said becoming conscious of the fact that they just told off a pair of family heads. "Would any of you like some thing to drink?"

Daisy tilted his head to one side. What was it mummy said about petting? Um...I remember it was something...I'm meant to be strong and powerful and fly really really high...I don't think she said I couldn't be pet...Other animals seem to like it. Maybe I could just try it. Maybe. Thus decided, he raised his head to rub against Darius' hand.
Yup, liking the petting. Most definitely liking it. He decided, grinning at the taller creature.

Hello Eur-Eur---Eurydice? The young fox stumbled over the name. Are you a unicorn? I heard unicorns grow REALLY tall! Have you ever seen one? I wish I'd seen one-Mummy said when I'm older, I can go see one! And they live over the rainbow and everything! What's it like over the rainbow? Is it nice there? I wanna go over the rainbow! It sounds fun-when I can fly and everything, I am so going! Can you show me how to get there? Is there like a secret password or door or passage or something? I love tunnels! Don't like doors. They swing shut when you're not expecting it. Do you find that? Don't you hate that? I hate that. It's mean. And giant boots like kicking them shut. I don't like those giant boots. They used to hit my mummy. When I'm older and bigger and stronger, I'm going to kick them! What's it like being a unicorn? How do you breathe up there? It's really high. Or it looks really high. What's it like being so tall? Were you always that tall? Can you see above the clouds? Is it nice up there? The excitable pup finally paused for breath.

------

Reginald shook his head. "Thank you, I am fine."

Darien said nothing. He had a feeling that although his father was now on best behaviour, this would not be the end of it.

"I'm fine as well." Ferderico interjected.

"Darien?" Diana asked. "Do you want anything from the kitchen? Before I make breakfast anyway."

-----

Darius giggled as he felt Daisy's fur. He was so fluffy!

Dice then if you can't manage it. And no I am not a unicorn. Unicorns have horns on their foreheads something I obviously lack. I am a winged horse - a most noble breed. And I am quite sure unicorns do not live in rainbows which are nothing but illusions of light.

Darien shook his head. "No thanks - need any help?"

"Well, I must be leaving soon in any case. I'll send Bob for the fox later." Reginald's face was impassive.

________

Daisy blinked at the giggle, and sniffed at the human's hand. Hm...smelt funny. Really, quite odd...

Dice! I can say Dice!! The fox seemed to grin with pride. Wow! You use long words! I'm a flying fox! I ...don't know about noble though. Oh...Unicorns don't live in the rainbow? His little face fell. Rainbows are a lie? But-but----oh. Rainbows aren't real? And you can't ride on them to the other realms and stuff? His little lip wobbled. Bu-bu...Mummy! She wouldn't lie to me! Mummy loves me...Doesn't Mummy love me? He looked at the horse with pleading eyes. Mummy does love me, doesn't she Dice? Suddenly reminded of his lack of mother, he stared around him, and promptly began to whimper, curling up in Darius' hands.

MUMMY! *sniff* I want Mummy. I don't wanna be half a year old anymore! I wanna be with mummy!! At which point, the flying fox broke into his own version of crying-whimpering and sniffing with his paws over his eyes.

"I'll best be leaving too." Ferderico straightened himself.

"Abuelo wait." Diana said feeling slightly guilty now. Stupid guilt. She neared him. "Thanks for the gift. Even though it was completely - "

"I know." Ferderico said quickly before she went on another rant.

"Yes, I'm sorry." Diana continued. "Thank you. I know you meant well - well relatively speaking. Darius - I know Darius would love it." She kissed him on the cheek.

Ferderico nodded. "Yes, well... yes." He cleared his throat. "Here." He took something out of his pocket, a small box with a little red ribbon around it. "Feliz Navidad Nieta. Espera. A abrirla más tarde." (Happy Christmas Granddaughter. Wait, open it later.)

Diana was surprised. "Por mi? Abuelo que no tenía que darme un regalo." (For me? Grandpa you didn't have to give me a gift.)

"Si, pero yo quería. Usted es mi única nieta." (Yes, but I wanted to. You're my only granddaughter.)

"Thank you Abuelo." Diana hugged him.

When he was released, Ferderico cleared his throat again and said, "Adios." And with that he walked out.

______

Now Eurydice felt bad. Um... Well so-much for being noble. She might as well humour the little runt. Yes, of course your mother loves you. Um... Shoot she made the little thing cry. And I was just joking about the rainbows. They're nice really...

"What's wrong little one?" Darius said in alarm. He didn't know much but that sounded a lot like crying to him. "What's wrong?" He sat on the grass and leaned forward. "Are you hungry Daisy?"