apocalypsejack | Christmas Time in Hunger City

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Christmas Time in Hunger City

Jack had immunized quite a number of people in the past few weeks for safety's sake. The virus in their water worked fast on those without immunity. It was one of the things the founding members of the Diamond Dogs all had in common, a natural immunity to the virus. However, as more sought asylum they had to develop a vaccine. That was neither here nor there at this point.

Jack was waiting not far from his doorway for those who wanted to come. He knew the twins at the very least would arrive soon. Minoru had insisted on gifts for the kids. He had managed to scrape up some gifts for the twins as well. He wasn't sure if Balthazar would be there when he got to his high rise space. The angel was welcome when they got there but he thought maybe he would prefer something more private now that they were living more and more like a family.

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It was the first time either of the twins had seen where Jack lived. Naturally, they looked around at everything while following others into the family room. It was such a stark contrast to the world outside, and even the reception-turned-kitchen. With the large windows, gorgeous view and plenty of sunlight, it was pleasantly warm and inviting.

Minoru set both bags down by the doorway and hurried over to meet everyone. Which probably didn’t help Hanna’s nerves.

When introduced, they bowed politely.

“It is a pleasure to meet all of you.” Isamu replied, his voice still a little shaky from everything that had happened.

“Hey there Choko! Good to see you again!” Minoru waved. He’d seen her friendly face at the physical therapy clinic where he was volunteering. “Doing your daily exercises?”

“Tea sounds particularly good right about now, thank you.” Isamu nodded gratefully to Balthazar. “Though after the eventful arrival, perhaps something with less caffeine?”

"She is always reminding me." Hannah answers reflexively but the faint smile is still nervous as she watches the two people who have arrived. Charlie also seems to have buried himself in Jack's chest and doesn't want to see anyone. Though anyone who knows kids will see the tired in the way he balls his fists up against his unfocused eyes.

"Are you sleepy?" Jack asks Charlie before turning his attention to the conversation. "There's dried mint and lavender in the cabinet but leave the willow and calendula. You might want to make a bottle while you're out there too."

Jack did keep a stash of herbs for minor things and when medicine was in short supply. He was not a master at herbs though, just merely picking up a little from the others in the city when he can.

"You can sit." Jack offers the twins. There are two couches, and of course the thick rug on the floor if they wanted to sit with Choko.

Less caffeine.

Well, if Isamu wanted less caffeine than perhaps something along the herbal variety might help. Listening to Jack's words, Balthazar rummaged around and found the dried mint and lavender placing a few in a teapot and adding the hot water once it boiled. Carrying the teapot into the room, he also brought in some cups so that the twins and Jack could have some tea.

"Here we are. Lavender and dried mint tea. I should thank Jack for procuring said items most perfectly."

Balthazar moved to fill his cup up taking a drink of the beverage. Not bad. Then, passing Isamu his tea and tipping some into Jack's cup, passing his. This was also accompanied with a kiss to his cheek before the angel sat down, smiling.

Isamu accepted a cup graciously and sat down on one of the couches. His nerves were slowly starting to settle and the gentle aroma of herbal tea was certainly going to help.

Minoru plopped both himself and the bags down on the rug near Choko. He’d be Santa Claus today. (He may not have looked the part, but it wasn’t like anyone in Hunger City knew what Santa was even supposed to look like. Or who Santa even was...)

He grinned happily, “Who wants to open a present first?”

Jack took the cup and offered it to Hannah who took it. He offered the angel a kiss on the cheek and stood up.

"Why don't you start on the gifts and I'm going to get some more mugs?" After all there would be more and he was going to have a cup as well. Charlie was also getting fussy and the walk might help a little with the toddler.

Choko smiles. "You should give Hannah one."

The woman smiled and blushed. She's received gifts before but her poor memories make each time feel exciting and new.

Balthazar smiled at Isamu as he gave him his tea and then found his attention going over towards Jack and Hannah. The kiss on the cheek was welcome as he then noticed there weren't enough mugs. He should have gotten more out. But it seems Jack was now aiding that problem. As for presents? They were always fun and the angel's eyes lit up at the fact that the twins were going to give some out.

"Ooh presents, what fun! I'm glad you boys have big hearts and kind souls."

The angel placing a hand on Isamu then Minoru's shoulder, squeezing slightly. It warmed his celestial soul. Really it did. Just seeing Hannah receive a present tugged at Balthazar's ancient heart.

Of course, out of all the presents and supplies they brought, Choko had to select the smallest present. Minoru, though, just took the opportunity to take everything out of the satchels and spread it across the floor. A lot of it was wrapped in brightly-colored paper. But some of it, namely the foodstuffs, were not.

Minoru gathered the various canned goods and bags of dry rice and beans together for Balthazar to take to the kitchen next time he went.

Soon, though, he found what he was looking for - a small box wrapped in bright green paper. “This one’s for Hannah!”

Inside was a locket that the boys had picked out. It was heart-shaped, but plainly decorated, something that hopefully wouldn’t be too out of place here. It could be opened, and there was space to put something special inside.

If needed, Isamu would explain its purpose more thoroughly, as well as suggest some of the things - such as a photo, small piece of cloth or lock of hair - that historically were placed inside one.

“The feeling of having a loved one so close brings security to many people. We hoped it would have the same effect here.” He admitted. Minoru unconsciously touched the chain around his neck.

Edited 2021-02-05 12:44 (UTC)

Jack didn't mind. He knew the angel was new to families and large gatherings. He also didn't know what everyone liked. It would take time for him to learn. Once there were enough mugs and he had a bottle, Jack sat down beside Balthazar to feed Charlie while he watched Minoru act as the gift giver.

Hannah opened the box eagerly and listened but her eyes turned worried to Jack and then the twins. "I don't remember anything important."

Jack winced a little because he knew there was a possibility someone might say it was about love. That would turn things south. He smiled at Hannah, knowing how to handle her mental health by this point. He put a gentle hand on her arm and smiled.

"Why don't you look in your journal later? We can figure our something from it to put inside."

She nodded to Jack's suggestion and seemed to smile a little. It was only then that she randomly remembered. "Oh! I.. thank you."

She had such a hard time remembering things but politeness still remained even through the loss of her memories.

Watching Hannah closely, Balthazar slipped an arm around Jack and realised this could be difficult for him if she did actually remember fragments of their past together. If so, then the angel would deal with it and accept that things between her and Jack were close. They were lovers and that part could not be changed, nor did he wish that to be. Jack and Hannah had endured hell and Balthazar wanted to be there for both of them since Hannah was family now.

"How are you, love?"

It was more a soft few words in Jack's ear, more so that he could hear it on a personal note. Balthazar just wondered how he was feeling after the Ministry attack and the poor twins dealing with such a thing. Also, the whole thing with Hannah and her journal. It must be hard on him just seeing her like that, not even remembering anything. The angel pressed a soft kiss to Jack's cheek before offering the twins a broad smile.

"So boys? I am pleased about your choice of present. You have a good eye. Both of you."

By loved ones, Isamu meant family. But when her question brought about such a pained expression, he was perceptive enough to simply be quiet and let Jack take over the rest of the explanation.

Minoru was still sorting through the parcels.

“Choko, that was really polite of you to suggest Hannah. Why don’t you open one next.” Minoru smiled as he handed her the box containing the doll and several sets of doll clothes. He’d done his best to find one that looked like her and hoped that she’d like it.

“I have something for Charlie next.” He announced, not sure how much help the youngest one was going to need.

Jack nodded to Balthazar's question. It was hard to watch but he cared for her, always would even if she didn't remember him any more, or at least not their past. He manages a smile to the twins though. "She'll find something worth going inside."

He was thinking pictures of the kids because she did have some memories of them. Choko blushed a little when she was called out next for a gift. Even so, she took it gratefully. Once it was open she scooted over to give Minoru a hug to say thank you. She'd never had a doll before, and certainly not one that looked like her.

Jack looks down at Charlie, who has fallen asleep, and chuckles. "You might have to wait."

[OOC: All I imagine is Minoru bringing her a Barbie from this Barbie series with a bunch of outrageous 80s clothes. XD ]

"Oh, a doll! That's wonderful, darling. Such sweet presents you're giving out, boys. Now I'm jealous. But then who needs a present when I've got mine right here?"

Balthazar offered both twins and Choko a mischievous smile as he gently pulled Jack into a hug. The leader of the Diamond Dogs was all the angel ever wanted and he often saw Jack and his family as a gift into his life. A gift that he would protect with his life and treasure forever. Glancing down at little sleeping Charlie, the angel's heart melted even more. It was such a sweet sight. Letting go of Jack, Balthazar went back to the drinks, picking up one himself and sipping slightly.

"If I had a Barbie doll I'd probably dress her up in a sparkly gold dress and give her wings."

Because of course he would.

“Charlie’s asleep already? I guess we’ll have to wait to open his.”

He set aside that package, as well as some of the books. The books were Isamu’s gift to the family, but at the moment, he was still clutching his tea with lingering trepidation.

“I’ve got a couple more things for you, Choko.” Minoru smiled. “In case you can’t always make it to physical therapy, I wanted to make sure you could still do your exercises.”

That box contained a set of the inflatable exercise balls they had her using for balance, and another set of resistance bands.

Minoru looked around to see if Donya had come up yet.

“Jack, do you want to open one that’s for everybody? Or Balthazar? You could open it too if you want to.”

"Thank you." She scoots across the floor to give Minoru a big hug. "Dad helps me when I don't come to see you."

Jack only smiles. He would do anything for his kids. Choko was teaching him some of the exercises so he could help. Jack smiled at Balthazar. He sees this as an opportunity to make the angel feel more included in the family.

"Why don't you open them, Balthazar?"

The angel smiled when Choko scooted across the floor to hug Minoru. It was touching to have such good family friends such as the Uchiwa twins. Now, it was Balthazar's turn to start becoming a more proactive member of Jack's, or rather, his family. He wanted this. All of it. To be an adoptive father to his partner's kids and be there when they needed him most.

"Oh, me? I'd love to! I wonder what's inside it?"

He looked at the present and glanced towards Jack with a big smile over his face like a big kid. The one to everyone should be something good if it's from the twins. His fingers danced over the outer paper carefully as he gently began to open it. Peeling back the layers of paper, the gift finally revealed itself as a make your own gingerbread house.

"Oh, how delightful! A gingerbread house kit. We can all have fun making this. Who wants to make little gingerbread angels?"

Because guess what kids? Balthazar does.

Minoru just grinned from ear to ear. “I thought it might be a fun activity for everybody!”

Even Isamu had to smile at the reaction. (Which suggested he might be starting to come around from their brush with the welcoming committee.)

There was another gift for the family too - a game called Paint Chip Poetry. The goal of the game was to rearrange the cards to make poems out of all the weird color names. Colorful and creative, it was perfect for a night in - that probably also involved gingerbread angels.

“We brought a selection of age-appropriate books from our world for everyone to enjoy as well.” Isamu ventured. “Including one that even Charlie would be able to read on his own, one day.”

“Donya’s next!” Minoru called out, looking over his shoulder. Hopefully the teen wasn’t having trouble with the horses. They’d miss all the fun if they didn’t come up soon!

None of them have even seen a gingerbread house before so Jack leans in to get a look at the kit, not quite understanding as much as the twins and Balthazar. "I've never seen one of these before."

In a world without holidays and sweets being for the elite, Jack and his family rarely even had cookies let alone a kit to build with cookies. Jack perks up at the mention of a book for Charlie.

"You brought a braille book?" Jack sounds surprised and then sighs when he puts things together. "I've read about them. When the government started culling people they burned all the assistive items. I don't know if anyone here can read it anymore."

Apocalyptic world but Jack saw an opportunity to use this in a broader sense. Charlie wasn't the only Diamond Dog that was visually impaired. He would definitely be in the books they had squirreled away in the various buildings to see if they had something to teach how to read it.

Donya is just coming in with a glass of water.

"What?" It comes out in the usual caught off guard teenage tone. They come in and hop over the back of the couch to sit between Jack and Hannah. Their eyes looking around at the presents with a smile, especially Choko's happiness.

"Oh, it is fun, darling! We can all have a go at making the gingerbread house and angels. I'm still understanding some human customs but this is something that was prominant in the Victorian times with Seth. He said that it was Prince Albert and Queen Victoria who loved gingerbread since Albert was German and loved to bring gingerbread gifts to her. Of course, I could have been there during that time but I was rather busy elsewhere."

History could be rather complicated for an immortal angel who saw a few hundred years ago as nothing compared to his vast lifetime. The twins had brought joy into Jack's household and this pleased Balthazar greatly because he set out to do the same. The braille book was also a very heart-warming gift.

"Such beautiful presents indeed! I'd love to make a gingerbread Jack too."

He sidled up next to his partner, shooting a knowing glance and wrapping an arm around Jack, kissing his cheek. Then, Donya was coming in as they always did in their own way. Ah, to be a teenager again.

“Not simply braille books.” Isamu added while Minoru was flagging Donya over to the present pile. “When someone opens the gift we picked out for Charlie, they are sure to encounter an educational surprise.”

(That surprise would be in the form of a plush dog-shaped backpack filled with braille blocks - the kind with visible letters overlaying the dots. It was a way to learn the writing system and hide it away if necessary.)

Minoru handed a few small packages to Donya. Inside one was a collection of funky hair accessories. Inside another was a nail art kit, complete with all the polish, brushes, stencils and glitter. The third was a set of colorful tattoo pens specially-made for drawing on skin.

“We both thought you might enjoy these.” He smiled.

“There are a couple of design books in the stack as well.” Isamu noted. “For inspiration.”

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Christmas Time in Hunger City

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