Tory had only been to Christmas celebrations offered by his family, at least during the years that is they did so. He did not know any other way to celebrate. His mother remembered a time before Christmas of course, but they had adopted the holiday to blend in. His father was much younger than her, so he was not so old fashioned in his ways. However, the holiday never had a religious meaning in his family. There was no god when you've lived through the rise and fall of several organized religions.
Still, he had ideas, "First we need a tree," he started, walking into his apartment after James. The high ceilings offered ample room for a tree. There was little else to the rooms, barely furnished with brand new furniture. Since he had not been here for a few weeks, a thin layer of dust had settled down on every surface. Tory made a mental note to contract a cleaning agency while he was away from now on.
Tory made quick time over to the master suite, depositing his bag and slipping Gatto into the attached master bath. He closed and locked the doors before the cat could escape. Coming back into the main room, he pointed out the spare to get bedroom to James, saying, "That will be yours for the duration of your stay." With an apologetic smile, Tory added, "I am sorry that it is so bare, I did not fully move in last time I was here."
Without giving James time to check out his new abode, Tory quickly moved them on. It might have been day at Idris, but it was well into Christmas Eve here in Hong Kong. They had to work quickly if they wanted a Christmas day at all. "Let us go then!" With a final laugh, he pumped one fist playfully into the air, calling out, "Onwards to our quest!" It was probably the most excitement and liveliness that he had displayed in a long while.