CHISHMUS

Okay. So I’m starting to understand why Bonnie and Blair made a big deal out of this every time we had a Chistmas party. Honestly, it is nothing but work, but as my newfound duty as tempoary leader I should do what I must.
First off, I had to prepare my house for visitors - which meant a major clearout. I started by sweeping the piles of rubbish to the edge of my room, then sorting them out. Bottles and cans to one side, quilts, fabrics, blankets to the other. I simply have no room for it if I wanted to have visitors over, so I considered getting a shed or something to store it all in. Of course, Devon met this with amusement.
“You don’t need to spend all that money for rubbish.” he giggled
“It’s not rubbish, someday we’ll find a use for it.” I asserted, when Devon pulled out a bend coathanger and gave me a deep eye. “That’s a perfectly good bit of wire.” I replied.
Long story short, Devon suggested we host the party as his house instead, which is considerably bigger (and emptier) than mine. I agreed.

Finding the decorations was harder than putting them up. Devon never really used them, so they were all in a crumbled box... somewhere in his apartment. We searched all over, until he suggested inside a cubuard he apparentlyy didn’t go into a lot.
When he opened it, it was quite easy to see why he didn’t.
It was full of... coats? Why would anybobdy need to many coats?
“It’s from the last occupant.” he explained hasitly
“An’ you never cleared it out?”
“Well...” I reached into the closet, looking for a big box shape and half expecting to go tumbling out into Narnia. My hand reached into something much worse. “There was an issue with the pumbling, the the cubuard was a little flooded.” I pulled my hand away from the soggy, brown  coat, lumpy resudie dripping from my fingertips. “Yeahhh... I just left the coats in there to soak up the smell.” I rushed over to the sink and wondered if that actually wroked... could coats soak up smells or was Devon just being naive? He said something muffled and his head was buried in the cubuard when I returned. Within seconds he pulled out his head gasping.
“So?”
“IT’S EVEN WORSE.” he wailed, “I really need to fix that.” We sat there for a few seconds, then he casually shut the cuboard again with a smile.
We looked a little more for the decoation box, and began to consider trying if next door had any, or we’d end up having to go to the mall (during Christmas season) to get some more. Just as I was about to go, Devon suddently called on me.
The humble box was sitting under his bed.
We immediatly got to work - hanging tinsel on all the chairs, curtains and shelves we could find.
“Devon, hun.” I asked, as we decoraded a portrait of an elderly Ciccino. “Do you happen to share this apartment with anybody else.”
“Just my mom...” he said sheepishly, “But she’s visitng my Uncle’s for Christmas, she won’t mind us.”
“Riight.” I murmered. I honestly would’ve preffered people thinking I live in a dump than with my grandmother, but I didn’t have time to change my mind.

The following day was Christmas Eve, and we set out the buffet in the kitchen. Devon is actually quite good at cooking when he puts my mind to it.
And it mosly involves warming up sausage rolls.
“So why are you hosting the party this year anyway?” Devon inquired. I was a little surpised he didn’t allready know. “Well... I’m sorta the leader of Amizade now since Rosie stepped down. I think she couldn’t do without the added hassle.” I leant in closer to his ear “And between you and be, I think Bonnie would be terrible without Blair’s help.” To be honest, she didn’t so much ‘step down’ as ‘quit in a fit of rage’, but I wasn’t going to argue. I was added to take on the extra responsibilty and I have less on my plate than her. Devon eyed me curiously though.
“Why you? Why not Rowyn or... Blair or...”
“Because I’m second in command. And I could probably focus better - Rowyn had daddy issues and Blair is... well...” Devon sighed and nodded. I didn’t understand what the matter with him was. “And when the Mervin-Twine Tourney is over and Bonnie is back in place, then we can focus on the wedding. There’s no rush, we’re not falling any less in love, after all.” Devon gave a huge grin and nosed me tenderly, which I returned. It was good to know we would always be loyal to me, my previous affairs met with less luck.

The first guest was Albany, who came baring a basket of cookies.
“Am... am i early...” he murmered, looking anxiously around for other guests.
“Not at all, just the first one here - look, Terria and Kyle are right behind you.” Albany looked back and loosened up a little. I lead him inside and put the tables of a plate, while Albany stumbled around the way he usually did. I didn’t expect him to stay long - he’s never been much of a party person.
Come early, leave early - that’s Albany’s mind. On previous parties he’s been insitant on leaving before the party’s even really begun, and I always feel bad that he misses out. I wanted him to stay longer, so I offered him some food to hopefully make him more confortable. He politely rejected.
“So what have you been up to since the... uh... last round.” I didn’t like using that timeframe. Amizade had bearly met up since we found out Bonnie was pregnant, which wasn’t a bad thing, really, but it was lonely month or so. Usually we’d had a fight at least every week, often daily in a peak season.
“Not much.” Albany replied, not sure what to say. I tried to squeese a conversation out of him, but I just felt I was convincing him to leave. I wasn’t sure what to do - make him stay or enjoy himself? Or just let him go. I suppose at the end of the day it was the thought that counts.
Terria came to save the day, And Albany approached her as she walked past.
“How’s the course?” he asked,
“Oh, it’s doing great!” the serpeiror chimed in her usual, optimistic self.
“What was it again? Medicene?” I asked, and she shook her head.
“Not quite. It’s nothing to advanced, just three years. Statomics. it’s about all the pokemon moves and how to fix them - like with cut you need-” she stopped mid-sencenced, could she see I was bored. “It’s starting to get a bit hectic now though.”
“I nocited, you’re at that school almost all the time.” She had been attending school ever since she left home, but only now was it heating up.
“Only half a year to go now.” she smiled, “Then I’ll be a Statologist!” I gave her a grin, and she explained a  bit more about Statomics. I’ve always had a bit of admiration for Terria, she wasn’t always the brigtest girl, and would often wimp out of a fight, but she was optimistic, kind and always determined. Being able to balance school and a fighting career was quite a feat. Yet I wondered. If she became a Statologist, what use would she be in Amizade? It was alwyas clear she was never the best fighter, and a degree would open up a lot of new jobs for her, she would find somewhere more worthwile than fighting in an arena.
She liked to assure us by saying she would stay with us, but I hated to guilt her into things. I wanted to tell Terria that she didn’t have to do what other people wanted all the time - of course she wouldn’t listen, but I’ve never had a chance to talk to her about it. When Albany left the conversation and it was just me and Terria in the kitchen, so I took it.
“Terria, you reallise once you pass you’ll be... overqualified, right?”
“Overqualified for what?” She giggled
“Fighting. You’ll be better than Amizade. And I personally don’t want to hold you back.”
“But you’re not holding me back!” The serperior retorted, “I like it in Amizade, don’t you understand?”
“Then why are you studying statology if you don’t want to use it?”
“Because statology insterests me. Besides... I’m not going to pretend that Amizade will be around forever... we won’t remain fighters all our lives.” I nodded slowly. In truth, my life after Amizade was not something I liked to think about. I’d always thought I’d have years to decide, but slowly those years were going down. The thought that other members were quitting and talking about ending just worried me more.
I took a sip of special Christmas wine and decided not to think about it.

The next few hours went along fine. I tried to greet everybody as they came in but it got to a point where I had to do so much catcing up that I kept missing them.
Hamish was a surpsing face, as he was suaully too busy on Christmas Eve to attend our parties. The minute he stepped in he made it very clear he wasn’t staying long.
“We should remember how Christmas came to be.” he announced with is usuall dramatic clairty “with the birth of baby jirachi - son of arceus.” Everybody was listeneing, but it was obvious this was only out of politeness as nobody seemed to take him serious. After he finished his speech, everybody talked about how silly the story was - or how it actually occoured in summer but was moved and therefore less special. Hamish turned to me and looked at Devon. “Ferelith, should you ever wish to come to my church remember that our doors are always open.”
“No thank you Hamish.” I said politely, “And, I apologise people are a bit-”
“You should’t apologise for what other people do.” Hamish corrected rudely, “I taken to understand few people belive the words of arceus.”
“It’s not that I don’t belive it myself...” I murmered. I found the religon hard to undersand, yet I tried to belive it. “I just don’t think there’s any use in going to church. I don’t have anything to say.”
“Really.” Hamish gave one final glance at Devon before leaving. Why did he keep looking at Devon?

Shortly after, Blair came bundling in, followed by a less enthusiastic Cece.
I’ve always questioned their relationship, allthough was none of my business I kept a close eye on them over the night. Eventually Cece picked up on it.
“What’re you staring at?” she inquired, jumping over to me.
“Nothing, I’m just watching you and Blair get along.” I replied, forcing a smile. Cece narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re a nice couple.”
“Yeah right.” she scoffed, “Blair’s a pain in the butt.” I gave a laugh and agreeded.
“He is a little, isn’t he.” Cece’s face seemed to ligthen.
“A nice pain, just immature.” she murmered, half to herself. “We jsut don’t seem to have been getting along recently.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it. Me and Devon went though some tough times, but the longer we knew eachother the closer we got.”
“Mm. I think Blair just needs to grow up a little.”
“Oh, trust me.” I hissed, “That little whimsy ain’t growing up. He’s just got a childish personality, and if you don’t like him with that, you don’t like him at all.” Cece frowned at me.
“I don’t belive this is any of your business.”
“It is, actually. I happen to be Blair’s boss. All you’ve done to him is hold him back from battle after battle. I understand you want to be with him but... give him a little elbow room.”
“Escuse me!” Cece snapped, “Me and Blair are in a relationship and - no offence - we don’t need old felines like you butting in!” with that she stomped away, or at least the equivalent of stomping from a foot tall floating sheep.
I watched she and Blair talk a little later, then she pulled him from the party. Blair looked a little dissapointed, but somehow I don’t think we was enjoying himself. He lacked the certain look he always had when he had an oppertunity to show off or cause havoc.

The night was drawing to a close and the last guests were leaving. Albany hovered at the door, and I was a little surpised to see he was still here.
“What’s the matter.”
“It’s a bit late out and I was worried... if something happens that I...” he stammered.
“Would you like to stay with us?” I offered, glancing to Devon. He replied with a thumbs up while nomming on a cookie and leaning over the couch watching TV. Albany seemed immensly relived at once.
“I’d appreicate that. I’ll help you tidy up.” He at once got to work gathering up the plastic cups and fixing all the cushions. I watched him for a little bit, then heard a knock on the door.
“Hey! Ferelith!” she shouted. And I recondized her at once and let her in.
“Bonnie? You’re a little late?” Bonnie smiled sheepishly as she wearliy tried to stand up.
“Yeeeahhh. A little, right?” She studied the apartment and the zebstrika clearing up. “I took the wrong bus and had to walk here.”
“All the way here? Wow, no wonder you’re exausted.” Bonnie tried to hold her body firmly, but it was clear she was struggling to say upright - I pulled her into the apartment and offered her a chair to sit down in.
“I made some brownies, by the way.”
“Really? Where are they?”
“Well uh... the bus ride was quite long and I had an early tea so...”
“Never mind. I have some leftover snacks if you-”
“Don’tmindifIdo!” Bonnie had a burst of energy and dashed though to the kitchen, subsquently filling her mouth with all the snacks she could.
As she was in the kitchen, I took a seat on the couch below, resting my head on his chest. I expecting him to nose me like he usually would, but there was no reply.
“What’s the matter?” Devon looked a little worried, then gave a long sigh.
“Look, Ferelith, I have to come clean... I don’t want to be one of those couples who go ‘oh, we’re getting married’ for years. We’ve been engaged for nearly a year and... maybe it’ll be better if I just called off the wedding?”
“What?” my heart sank... call off the wedding?
“It dosen’t mean I love you any less, I just don’t think we’re quite ready yet.”
“No!” I retorted, “We can have a small wedding. Tonight - now - in the church or the city hall or-”
“I want our wedding to be special.” Devon said slowly. “Not just an undetermined date.”
“...I understand.” I said slowly, I didn’t really, but I wan’t sure what to say. “I mean, it’s not like we have the money to marry anyway.”
“When the tourney’s over and the team’s problems are out the way, you’ll be able to focus a little more on us. But until then we-”
“Wait.” Bonnie  interupted, staggering in from the kitchen. “You need money, right?”
“Yeah... quite a lot.” I replied, a little angry that she’d been listening to us. Bonnie thumped down on the couch and passed me an evelope. “What’s this?”
“Well. Orotiv felt a little guilty that we’d arranged a propsition-”
“You mean getting you pregnant?” Bonnie hissed.
“Yes. And he insisted on giving me this... so... wedding’s on me.” I opened the letter up.
And inside was more notes than I could ever expect from a single evelope.
“What...” I gasped. “Why there as to be-”
“$5,000, that’s enough right?”
“And then some! Bonnie are... are you sure you want to give this to me?” Bonnie shugged her shoulders as if it was nothing.
“Well... I don’t exactly have a use for $5,000, unless I want to buy anything stupidly expensive. And... I suppose... I figured since you were always looking out for me and I was so stubborn and stuff...” I leant over and hugged the mienshao as hard as I could, obvously in her disgust. As soon as I let go Devon pounced onto her and squeesed her too, grinning madly.
“Damnit Bonnie I knew there were some good in that fat mushy brain of yours! Damn you little pregant mienshao you little ball of fuzzy white pink mushy-goodness-”
“STOP.” Bonnie hissed. “Let go!” Devon obediently let go, still grinning like a madman. Bonnie got up, still as tired as she was when she came in. “And if anybody asks it was due to... hermonies or whatever.” she shrugged. “Now get off my bed I’m sleepign on the couch.” I got off, laughing, and couldn’t help but embrace Devon.

As bonnie had more or less made herself at home and we had offered Albany Devon’s room, the two of us ended up sleeping in the strangely-sceneted mother Devon’s room. We couldn’t sleep, still smiling between us. I looked at the envelope of money of the table, and felt more serious.
“Devon, look. I know we both want to get married but you’re right. We don’t want to rush it, we want to make is special.”
“Right.”
“So we should wait a little while, ‘till things cool down.” Withought saying much else, we both calmed down and began to drift off, but just before I fell asleep Devon stirred me.
“Hehe,” he giggled, “Tomorrow’s Christmas!”