Book 5 - Bonus Epilogue - A Very Berri Christmas (Patreon)

Only a week had passed since Avalara created her second vessel, but a strong cold front had already blown through. The migratory birds and animals already began heading sound, as winter was imminent.

The Winter’s Giving Festival was a festival of family and gratitude for the beastkin, a time very much like that of Christmas on Earth. Stories were exchanged, where they passed down the stories of their ancestors and the importance of the cyclical nature of life.

It was a time for reflection on the year with meditation and introspection, giving thanks, and preparing for the challenges the winter months would bring. Various decorations lined the main plaza of Life’s Haven, and new traditions were being added as the new people and races joined the beastkin in their celebration.

The first was the large magical hearths in the plaza, one blazing fire emanating warmth and life. A second one with an odd transparent dome or barrier persisted nearby, giving off deathly energy, which enabled the Emberborn to participate.

The cold weather on the plateau was agreeable to them, and they were able to join the festivities as they arrived from their home world in batches.

Singing and dancing occurred all across the plaza, the stories and merriment among the beastkin and the Elysians.

Ophelia, Fhesiah, and Tanda gathered hundreds of children and spriggons off to the side, preparing them for the next tradition. The three girls were dressed up in red and green dresses with candy-striped stockings, wearing Santa’s helper outfits.

Bells began to echo, the children taking notice immediately.

“What’s that sound?”

“Where’s it coming from?”

Tanda held a hand to her wolf ear, a smile on her face and her tail wagging behind her. “What’s that sound? Everyone, look to sky!” She pointed with her other hand, drawing the kids’ attention.

The kids looked to the sky, sounds of awe and excitement escaping them as they spotted what Tanda was pointing to. A large sleigh flying through the sky, being pulled by Bloodberri and Valora dressed as reindeer.

Ophelia waved at them with a smile. “It’s Santa Claus! Look, everyone!”

The children shouted with excitement, as they saw the nonsensical giant snake and magical horse pulling the large sleigh. It weaved back and forth through the air, as Jake’s enchanted sleigh aided in their flight.

The kids laughed as the sleigh got closer. “Is that Bloodberri? Why’s she dressed like a reindeer parentage?”

“Blood…Berri!” the many spriggons shouted with glee.

Ophelia, Fhesiah and Tanda motioned for the kids to back off, allowing for space for the sleigh to land.

Bloodberri and Valora landed in front of the kids, the sleigh with Jake dressed as Santa Claus filled with presents.

Jake’s voice rang from the sleigh. “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Winter’s Giving, everyone!”

“That’s not Santa, that’s Chief Jake!” The kids were already skeptical.

“Why’s he got such a long beard? Is he a goat parentage?”

Jake jumped off the sleigh, carrying his large sack. Avalara’s lesser avatar jumped off, wearing a Santa’s helper costume.

Berri smiled at all the kids, looking at all the children fondly. Looking almost a few months pregnant already, somehow, she had been non-stop eating since their pairing. Jake was scared at how much she was eating.

She reveled in the idea of one day her children experiencing the same thing.

“Santa Claus brought presents, but only for the kids who’ve been good! Have you been good this year?”

The many children shouted that they had, Ophelia and Tanda helped them get in line. Jake and Fhesiah handed out gifts to the numerous children, various toys and treats contained within.

Berri smiled once more, as she got the children’s attention again. Producing a rack of skewers, she handed out the delicious cooked treat. “Now, make sure you get your muckbill meat! It’s the Winter’s Giving tradition, starting now! Any time you are hungry for more, make sure to visit your local Node.”

The kids enjoyed the meat skewers, and many treats and toys handed out to them. She also handed out baseball bats, balls, and mitts for kids to play with.

Jake then removed his implement that he had crafted. “Here’s my gift to you, Berri.”

Berri squealed. “Yay, it’s the gnome thingy!”

It wasn’t. Not trusting of something called a gnomish weather discombobulator which would both affect the world’s weather in unpredictable ways and potentially explode, he made something that would blow snow into the air. It was only a magical upgrade over a more mechanical version from Earth.

It wasn’t enough to spread snow all across Life’s Haven, but for an area within the plaza for hundreds of kids to play in, it was no problem at all.

The many children made pleased sounds as they began to play in the snow. While it was colder on the plateau, snow was still rare this far in the south. Only on the taller mountains would they see it much.

Jake even created an ice skating rink, allowing the many kids to play with the many provided skates. Fhesiah and Ophelia skated around for a while, helping the kids learn how to move around the rink.

Fhesiah spun on her skates, spinning and leaping through the air. Avalara looked like she was having trouble, wobbling on the implements. Jake spent some time helping her, getting her used to them.

Berri looked at the kids having fun, trying to learn how to skate. “Ice skating blows. That doesn’t even look fun.”

Arriving back for a moment, Ophelia laughed, realizing that the ice skating implements or just traveling on ice was not something all that interesting for Berri. “Oh, I suppose you feel a little left out, huh?”

Tanda’s tail was wagging, as she looked at the many kids enjoying themselves. “That does look fun, but I bet Santa Claus can come up with something even better!”

Berri gave Jake a pleading look. He stroked his fake beard for a moment as he thought, before he went over to tweak his snow machine. Funneling some more of his mana inside, the pace increased, and he angled it to spray down one of the streets going downhill.

Adding some additional casts of ice and wind, snow quickly built up and filled the street. Jake had Tanda and Ophelia go and close off the different sections, funneling any additional foot traffic to the plaza down other side streets.

Producing some additional sleds, Jake prepared his sled, and some additional seats and implements to put on Bloodberri’s back and tail.

Her armor morphed and twisted, producing the necessary sled blades beneath the front of her snake body, and slots for the seats on her long tail.

“There, this is much better than that lame ice skating! Who wants to ride on me, or Santa’s sleigh?”

Many beastkin children broke away to join Bloodberri and Jake, but there were only so many slots to go around. They began giving snake toboggan rides and sleigh rides down the hill, the path enabling the kids to enjoy an exciting speed.

Taking the snowless path up the hill, Bloodberri easily took many kids down and up the hill of Life’s Haven.

Later, they gave out hot chocolate in steaming cups, the many children enjoying the warm, tasty treat. The many children were enjoying the new winter playtime and traditions, trying out playing with snow, riding sleighs, and ice skating.

Avalara played with the children as well, her other lesser avatar making its appearance. She gathered snowballs and joined in a snowball fight, the southern children quickly learning this winter pastime.

Tanda enjoyed making her ice sculptures once again, but with Berri busy, managed to focus on making some sculptures of the many children instead.

Their entourage eventually moved over to the hearths, where the many families were exchanging gifts with others within the community.

Jake gave out many more gifts as Santa Claus, having special support boxes for those in need. Having additional food and magical implements for heat, would help keep the less fortunate healthy and warm throughout the winter.

Tanda smiled, as she hugged Jake and Ophelia together. “This is the best Winter’s Giving ever! The kids are having so much fun–and the parents too!”

Jake laughed, enjoying as he watched the many parents building their own snow and ice sculptures with their children. Many of the various beast parentage had their favorite activities, the many songs and sounds of their hearts filling Clan Hart with joy.

Avalara smiled from next to Jake. “Their songs are so filled with happiness. It is wonderful to see all these new people in harmony. Even if I can’t feel the song of the elysians and the other new peoples, I can feel them as a part of the beastkin’s song.”

Jake smiled, nodding. “They get along well, like they were meant to be. I am glad they found their place here.”

Bloodberri arrived, from playing with the many kids.

Blood noted, “There’s really a lot of fauns and satyr children here now. The Mass Migration has finally been completed.”

“Thank you so much for the snow machine, hubby! Tanda was right, this was the best Winter’s Giving ever!”

Ophelia frowned. “It was your first Winter’s Giving ever, Berri.”

“Blood says I’m technically correct, which is the best kind of correct! Can we go home now, so we can exchange our gifts?”

Arriving back in their living room next to their own Hearth, the family exchanged gifts. Many were just thoughtful items, things to do as they shared time with one another.

When they could buy nearly anything they wanted, or make it, their time was the most valuable commodity.

Because of that, Avalara was a focus of many gifts, as she received a large pile. Almost as if making up for lost time, they gifted her countless outfits and gifts for her future room within their Refuge.

Avalara smiled. “Thanks, girls. You are really thoughtful. I like my vine dress, but some of these are really cute. I never wore shoes before those ice skates, too.” She held up a yellow sundress. “What do you think, Jake? Would you like to see me in this?”

“I do like your vine dress, but I think that would look good on you.” He gave her a smile. “Here’s my gift.”

Jake held out a present, Avalara smiling at it in anticipation. She lifted the top of the box, and the life energy coming off the item was palpable as she looked into it. “What is this flower?”

He smiled. “It’s a twilight blossom. It shifts between giving off life and death energy with the moonlight. I figured you could wear it in your hair, and keep it alive.”

“I love it. Where did you get it?” She placed it in her hair, and one of her hair strands connected to it and tied it into her hair.

It was a golden flower currently, but Jake knew it would shift to a black color in the full moon in its original world.

“I got it on an auction, I saw it and figured it was perfect for you.”

She beamed. “Why, thank you, my mate. I don’t have much to give you, at the moment. But I do think I know what you might like.”

Avalara walked over and sat on Jake’s lap, her butt pressing against Jake’s crotch. Her tail fluttered against Jake’s belly. She turned her head to look over her shoulder.

“This is a Santa thing, isn’t it? I want to tell you my Christmas wish. My desire is for us to find harmony, and for you to put your necklace around my neck, symbolizing that I’m yours and have joined your family–and soon. For now, I’ll settle with giving you a kiss.”

She spun in his lap until she was facing him, and her lips met his. Jake felt her desire through their bond, her excitement and her joy at having such a wonderful time with her potential clan together.

He pushed his desires back to her, causing her to shiver as his arms wrapped around her.

Avalara returned to her chair with a smile, seemingly satisfied with the result.

Tanda and Ophelia clapped, but Tanda looked a little envious of the flower. “That was cute!”

Jake chuckled. “Don’t worry, my mate. I have gifts for you all.”

Each of the girls got unique flower hairpins, each of them either alive or semi-alive, at least if powered by their magic. Tanda got a purple flower pin, while Ophelia got a blue one. Blood and Berri each got a black and white one, for each side of their head.

Each girl enjoyed their gift, thanking him and rewarding him for his thoughts.

Fhesiah smiled at her golden orchid. As long as she supplied it with a small amount of heavenly energy, it would continue to live. “I love it. Thank you, my dear husband.”

Ophelia said, “It looks like we got a few gifts from our friends!” She brought in a few gifts from their entrance.

Seamus had provided them with a giant keg of beer, and Rookard plenty of auril beast meat from his hunts. Valtor and Amara provided some cute children’s clothing, making all the soon to be mothers swoon.

Fhesiah pushed herself up against Jake from the side, her breasts threatening to spill out of her dress. She smiled innocently at Jake as he sat. “So what do you think, Santa Jake? Was I naughty or nice this year?”

“As always, you’re just the right amount of both. But Blood and I can try to punish you for being naughty.”

Blood chuckled. “I’m not so sure if that will work to curve her behavior, but as long as milord enjoys it, I’m willing to try as many times as it takes.”

“I was definitely nice! But I already got the best gift.” Berri rubbed her belly, which had already grown somewhat. “I’m going to make sure this one grows big and strong. Oh! That reminds me.”

She began chewing on some more food from her storage bracelet, her appetite voracious.

Tanda rubbed her own belly, with a wide smile on her face and her tail wagging. “Me too! I can’t wait to meet our children.”

Fhesiah looked at them with a little bit of longing. “Aw, now I feel like I’m a little left out. I’m the only one.”

Jake sighed in sadness. “We’re all going to miss you, you know.” Then he smiled, “But when you get back…”

Fhesiah smirked. “Oh? So eager, lord husband. Just to think, it wasn’t that long ago that you were a pit of worry about making our bellies big. Now, you’re practically the one begging me.”

Jake hugged her, and held her to his body tightly. “I do wanna make your belly big, and we’re both going to enjoy doing it. So you hurry and come back safely.”

She shivered, smiling. “It’s a promise. I cannot wait to see my many clan children as well–I have much motivation to make it back in one piece. I love you all, and I can’t wait to continue my journey together with all of you.”

All the girls joined into a large hug with Jake around Fhesiah, the family joining together in a moment of peace.

Jake had enjoyed his first happy Winter’s Giving, and planned on making damn sure his family and friends would experience many more.

END OF BOOK 5