[Date: December 25th, 2003. Time: Late Morning.] [So after a traditional Japanese Christmas Eve with Kyon, in which a good fried chicken was had by all, Katie was insistent on introducing Kyon to a *real* American-style Christmas! In Japan! What are the odds? Fairly high when you're with a girl like Katie Andrews apparently. Especially since this had been planned for a while.] [The two of them are probably on their way now, outside a fine three-story condominium complex in Tokyo where the Andrews claim residence. The yard is normally well maintained, but with the snows of winter coming along, there's a nice gentle sheet of white outside along the bare trees. Still, it's not bad. Not necessarily in the ritzy part of town, but comfortable and affordable.] [What monstrous traditions await Kyon inside? Let's find out.] [Session Start.] 06* Kyon is in his ash-grey leather jacket, with dark blue jeans and warm leather boots. He goes through the process of locking up the bike, breath puffing lightly in the wintry air. 06* Katie is *gleeful* today. She got up early - not because of nightmares, okay a little because of nightmares - and made sure the presents are ready and everything! On that front, she's carrying a large bag with brightly colored packages inside. [The Andrews door has a *wreath*. And lights around it and everything! Sure it's the same old wreath they've saved from years past and it's the only one in the complex, but it's the thought that counts!] 06* Kyon carries along a smaller black bag, and stalks along at Katie's side to get to this bewreathed door. Weather reminds me of home. Don't usually get much snow here. 01 There's been a lot this winter, yeah. It's nice, though. 06* Katie grins at Kyon. "Mostly because I'm inside all the time." She takes his hand and leads him into the complex and over to the correct front door. Not that he doesn't know where it is, but this way she gets to hold his hand. 06* Kyon nods curtly, and totally doesn't protest about the handiness. His grip is light, but he's there for the holding. He does grasp his bag more tightly, though. 06* Katie gets to the door, which is on the first floor, and adjusts the bag so she can knock! 06* Kyon watches the knocking occur and straightens himself a bit. [The door practically *flies* inward a few seconds later revealing a tall, thin, sandy-blond haired, brown eyed man. In a red knit sweater that's only *slightly* tacky. It's got reindeer and candy canes on it. Although the bags are under his eyes, he appears *unusually* exuberant as he greets them at the door, eyes focusing on Katie with an unusual smile. "" He turns his head back in side as he stands in the doorway. "" And then goes to engulf Katie in a crouching hug.] 06* Katie laughs in surprise. "" and she gets hugged, and she hugs him back, which requires letting go of Kyon's hand. "" 06* Kyon just watches this, and smirks slightly. 06* Katie is also kind of cold and wet, having been out in the snow. [John Andrews lets go of his daughter carefully as he looks at her for a moment. "" He then turns to Kyon, as if just noticing he's there and then clears his throat, adding for his benefit in forced, broken Japanese. "Uh. Welcome home." Then, louder and in English, calls back into the condo. "" 06* Kyon nods curtly. "" 06* Katie winces a little at her dad's yelling over his shoulder, but her expression clears once he turns back to her. [John looks at bit at Kyon, as if surprised he spoke English, then remembers it. He gives a little smile. "" He steps away from the door and waves him into the place.] 06* Kyon steps in, and gets to debooting. "Pardon the intrusion," he says politely, and tries to leave enough room for Katie to get in, too. 06* Katie steps in and sets the presents aside while she removes her coat and scarf. Underneath is a red turtleneck sweater (that hides her scar) and maybe her nicest pair of dark blue jeans. But they're still jeans. She hefts the bag w/presents, grabs Kyon's, and takes them to the tree. There must be a tree! [The interior of the place is comfortable and decently furnished, but not extravagant. Tinsel is decorating the walls up by the ceiling and there's Christmas decorations *everywhere*. And of course a *tree*. A little table fake tree, with frocking on it. A few ornaments are left wrapped to the side, probably so the two of them can do *some* decorating. Underneath, there's already three colorful packages: green, red, and blue.] 06* Kyon unzips his coat, and has on a burgundy sweater underneath. He follows Katie in, looking at the tree, and then at Katie's presents bag. [Katie's mother walks in from the kitchen to the living room carrying a tray of candies and setting them down on the table. She's wearing a nice kimono, somewhat *unusual* for her mother, but it is a special occassion. Lines by her eyes crease slightly as she smiles at the two of them and gives a small bow. "Welcome to our home." She then turns to her daughter and the smile widens. ""] 06* Katie hums, removing packages from the bags and putting them under the tree. "When we lived in America, we'd get a real tree," she says to him without looking up. "I tried to climb it once. It was a pretty bad idea." And then her mom appears and she smiles at her. "" She stands up and gives her mother a hug! Aww. 01 06* Kyon smirks at that thought. "" he echoes. [Mariko laughs. "You were lucky we didn't have to bring you to the hospital, dear. You were so eager at that age." And she gives hugs. Oh boy does she give hugs. "It means so much to your father that you could come. "] 01 Yeah, he said something about turkey. It's almost like you wouldn't let him have any before we got here. 06* Kyon glances down at Katie. "How old were you?" he asks, voice low and bemused. [John Andrews seems totally oblivious to the gratuitous Japanese because *BY GEORGE THERE'S GOING TO BE TURKEY!*. He heads off into the bedroom for now.] 06* Katie looks at Kyon, then her mom, then admits, "Five." 06* Kyon takes this in, and then holds a hand around upper thigh height. "So like this big?" [Mariko smiles at the banter between the two of them and then gives Katie a knowing look. "Actually, I wouldn't. I could use your help putting the finishing touches on the meal, actually. If you wouldn't mind." She then glances at Kyon and adds, with a bit of bemusement, "When you're done getting comfortable."] 06* Katie nods to Kyon. "Yeah." She holds her hand there. "That's about right." 06* Katie then gets distracted by her mother. "Okay." To Kyon, more quietly, "I'm going to help with the cooking, all right?" 06* Kyon nods curtly. "Yeah. Go for it. If she needs your help, you should help." 06* Katie smiles at him and squeezes the hand at thigh-height with both of her own. "Coming!" she calls to her mother, though she doesn't raise her voice much. She hurries after her. [Mariko goes back into the kitchen! Which for now will be #arcana2! Conveniently, John Andrews comes out of the bedroom at just that time. How convenient! He goes over to the stereo player and puts in a CD of soft Christmas Music.] 06* Kyon watches Katie go, flexes his hand a couple of times, and watches this. He moves closer to the tree, for something to look at. [Mr. Andrews hums along with the Christmas music and then goes over to the couch, then watching Kyon looking at the tree. ""] 06* Kyon looks up at him. "" [John furrows his brow a little. "" He turns away slightly, seemingly a bit offended. Or maybe he's just tired.] 06* Kyon gestures at it. "" [Mr. Andrews gets kind of quiet as he processes the information, then looks at the ornaments. He's gotten a tad slower as he fingers over it. ""] [Mr. Andrews looks hard and long at Kyon, as if about to stare through him. "" Yes. He called him 'son.'] 06* Kyon looks back at him, eyes widening slightly, and then nods. "" [Mr. Andrews nods and sinks into the cushions, suddenly showing his full tiredness. "" He sighs and then leans forward towards the candies on the table, suddenly quiet.] 06* Kyon turns to look at him, unsure what to say. He cocks his head and looks down at him. [Mr. Andrew unwraps the chocolate, then pops it in his mouth. He gestures to the tree. ""] 06* Kyon nods again, looking more easy at that. "" [Mr. Andrews mmms a little, and looks about to answer something a little different, then nods. "" He looks a bit distantly towards the window.] 06* Kyon looks curious at that, and goes to poke at the ornaments more closely. "" [Mr. Andrew nods and leans back in the couch. ""] 06* Kyon fingers a small clay bird one, and holds it up. "" [Mr. Andrews nods and stands up suddenly. ""] 06* Kyon blinks, and nods. "" [Mr. Andrews might be getting *brandy*. Are you a *brandy* man, Kyon?] 06* Kyon will take anything that's offered! 06* Kyon will also wander around looking at stuff in the room if he's being left to his own devices. [Kyon *is* left to his own devices. With jaunty Christmas music! The candies do look good. Also the tree is kind of cute, now that he gets a good look at it. He can try to shake the presents too if he wants! There's even a small manger scene! And also John's cry of "" from the other room.] 06* Kyon shoots an amused look towards the door at that, and looks through the various ornaments. Then he goes looking around the room for other stuff with potential Katie insights or connections. Or if there's anything else that stands out. He doesn't want to poke the presents - that seems risky. [Kyon, other than the ornaments, doesn't really find much Katie related stuff. Luckily for Katie, her mom isn't the kind to keep the photo album out on display. Not even for Kyon. Even her old room seems to have been converted into an office. The door's open a crack, so it's not as if it's very hidden.] 06* Kyon can maintain curiosity levels below going to look at that for a while, at any rate. But maybe not a long while. [Mr. Andrews comes back in and holds the bottle of brandy with a grin. "" Drinking doesn't necessarily mean *drinking*. Fortunately, Kyon has enough time to look totally innocent from his snooping if he wants!] 06* Kyon is certainly innocent! "" [He sits down at the couch and pours Kyon a nice glass over ice. "" He's concentrating on his pouring.] 06* Kyon crosses over to sit next to him. "" [Mr Andrews nods slightly and hands Kyon the bottle. It really is a nice imported brand. He doesn't comment on the differences. He could probably write a *book* on the differences.] 06* Kyon inspects it with a professional eye, and then hands it back. "Very nice," he says approvingly. [He turns the glass a moment, looking down in it and adds, "<...say, Kyon. Ya mind if I chat with ya a bit? After presents. *Man* talk, ya hear? Girls'll probably be ready shortly.>"] 06* Kyon nods quickly. "" 06* Katie walks in, humming Carol of the Bells along with the music in the background. She starts setting the table and 'ignoring' whatever man talk is going on right now. [Katie can't be too sure what's going on, really. But she *does* notice out of the corner of her eye John's hand going into one of his pockets. And there's a slight crinkling sound of paper, like feeling an envelope. Might be something that he wants to give to Kyon in private, given his demeanor, but hard to tell.] 06* Katie glances at them. "" Like she didn't notice her father picking up the brandy from the kitchen. 06* Kyon glances over at Katie. He swishes about the brandy, and nods quickly. [John gives Katie a half-guilty, not-really-defensive, not-glare. "" And just in case it wasn't clear, he does give her a small grin as he sips his brandy.] 06* Katie rolls her eyes, amused. "" There's no anger there, though, and she finishes setting the table before going kitchenward. [Christmas is on hold for now!]