Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters and I don't wish to make a profit from this story.

New Traditions

Intrigued, Horo looked at all the vendors as she and Lawrence strolled along the city street. The sun was setting and a slight chill began to settle in the air. Oddly, the merchants did not seem as eager to close shop as they normally would at this time of day. "Everyone seems more energetic than normal."

"Christmas is a good time for merchants," Lawrence explained, rubbing his arms to warm himself. "People buy extra food, and some even buy gifts for the new year."

Horo tilted her head, flicking an ear inside her hood. "So, Christmas is a big holiday?"

"It's one of the most important and religiously significant," Lawrence explained, as they moved through the crowd. He was slightly surprised by the question. Christmas was one of the few holidays that was celebrated universally by all. "Didn't you see any the celebrations in your village?"

"Oh, I did, I just didn't pay attention." Horo grinned smugly. "I'm much more familiar with the Winter Solstice."

"I've heard of that." He stroked his chin. "It was a pagan holiday to celebrate the beginning of winter correct?"

The wolf nodded. "My friends and I used to enjoy it. However, it would appear that this Christmas has taken over and has merged the old traditions into it." She smirked. "It's not the same as the old days though."

Lawrence raised an eyebrow. "So, you're not interested in celebrating Christmas then?"

"I don't see the point, when I'll be thinking about how celebrating Winter Solstice was more fun."

Lawrence nonchalantly folded his arms. "Oh well, there goes my plans of buying you mince pies."

Horo's ears twitched. "Mince pies?"

"Nothing special, it's just a traditional pastry that people eat about this time, I'm fairly certain they didn't have it for the Winter Solstice." He closed his eyes. "The filling has a mixture of meat and dried fruit, quite tasty."

The wolf god drooled, imagining how blissfully it would taste in her eager mouth.

"There's actually quite a few treats at Christmas. Gingerbread, pies, not to mention all the endless feasting involved, some would argue it's the most vital tradition." He pretended to ignore the dreamy look on the wolf's face and the growls from her stomach. "But, since you're not interested, it would be a waste of money," Lawrence replied innocently. "So let's forget it-"

"I want some," Horo interrupted as her stomach growled more loudly than usual.

"Oh," Lawrence grinned wickedly. "I thought it would be pointless."

"A wise wolf is one that is willing to admit she made a mistake," Horo argued with her tail wagging beneath her cape. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to gain knowledge about new traditions. Now, let's go buy some before the shops close."

Lawrence softly chuckled as Horo licked her lips, making up several strategies of how to fit all the food into her stomach.