Apartment Above Lukes, Christmas Day

Kathy had gone slightly less Christmas!Kathy this year, in part because her apartment was smaller. But there was a tree - the largest she could fit in her apartment - and decorations up everywhere that wasn't low enough for Ronin's tail to knock over. Most of the tree was covered in decorations she'd bought last year, but on the front were two very important ornaments, a half-burned clay pine tree, clumsy and made by a child, and six delicate metal fans knotted on a length of fishing wire.

There were Christmas carols playing softly through speakers, cookies and cocoa (and stuff to spike it with) on platters on the table, and presents waiting to be unwrapped under the tree. But, more importantly for the moment, there was a blanket on the couch and a dog looking for cuddles, and a moment of peace during the hectic holidays was a gift not to be squandered.

[Open for holiday guests]

The Streets of Fandom to Jono's House, Christmas Day

Christmas was still going in full swing at Kathy's place, but when Ronin needed to go out, it was time to go out. Or she'd be greeted with the adorably pathetic picture of a dog clutching his own leash, sitting by her front door, very obviously waiting. And every time she passed without taking him out, he just drooped lower and lower in sadness.

Kathy was pretty sure she was being manipulated by her dog and it was downright embarrassing.

"Yeah, you keep frolicking," she said, trying to sound stern. "This is a business trip only. We're heading right back to the house as soon as your done, you hear me?"

( Warning for gore and the aftermath of ultraviolence )

[Preplayed with the wonderful that_oldsaying and furnaceface. Lots of blood and gore, but no actual violence (or misgendering) here, because this post is NOT full of jerks.]