Another Holiday special coming atcha!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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The day seemed to drone on as Trein gave the lecture in that usual monotonous voice of his, with the occasion strangled meow from Lucius.

Most, if not all, students were about to pass out of boredom. Ace has his head down, a small puddle of drool forming on his notebook, Deuce scribbling furiously, and Grim catching much needed z's. But Charlie was different.

Her head wasn't in the lecture nor focused on it either, for once in her life. She was too busy thinking about other things to be dedicated to her work, which would definitely freaked her out if she found out about that she was slacking off. But she stayed that way.

'I wonder how Shawn and Elaine are back home...they're probably worried sick about me....here, it'll be my first thanksgiving without them....'

The shriek of the bell snapped her from her train of thoughts, and she stared at the clock to see it was time to move to the next class.

"Fgnna!" Grim woke up in a fright. "What happened?!"

"Class is over. We've got PE now." Deuce answered, and taking his things he helped Charlie up.

"Hey, uh, Ace is still asleep. Should we take him up?" She asked.

"The good side of me is saying yes...but he's got his own problems." Deuce muttered as Treins stood slowly from his desk and approached the already waking up ginger.

"We should run."

"Yea, I like that idea."

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"Can't believe you left me to suffer in the classroom!!" Ace scowled as he and Deuce ran side by side around the track.

"Not my fault you're sleeping away like it's your nap time." Deuce remarked.

"You could've at least helped me! That was out of line on his part! Right, Charlie?!" Ace expected to hear the female come to his defense, but got no response back. "Charlie?" He looked behind him to see the female jogging slowly, her head down and eyes full of sadness.

"Huh?" He stopped running and stared at the melancholic girl in confusion.

"She's been like this since the week began..." Grim crosses his arms. "What's eatin her?"

"Not sure...." Deuce muttered, and stood in front of Charlie, making the girl bump into him.

"Oh! Sorry, Deuce. Guess I wasn't watching where I was going." She giggles politely and moved out of his way, the sad look in her eyes returning.

The three stared at her as she walked ahead of them, confusion written on all of their faces.

"What was that?"

"Dunno...."

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Charlie pushed around her mashed potatoes with her fork. She didn't feel very hungry even though her stomach was begging her to eat something.

She looked all around the area seeing everyone was busy with their own cliques. But she had her eyes on her phone.

She scrolled through her camera roll and looked back on all the pictures that were taken last year on Thanksgiving. She remembered it clear as day.

It was a bit rainy that day, but it didn't deter the family in the slightest. She and Elaine helped out their mom and Aunt Sam in the kitchen, getting the feast prepared while Shawn and her dad prepped the table. The guests were coming in a few hours and most of the food was about done. Stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes and butter, and of course: the turkey. Aunt Sam also threw in some of her famous cherry tartlet with pumpkin pie, and when her grandpa Lucio and grandma Josephine arrived, they bright Josephine's famous flourless chocolate cake with Nutella filling. There was also cousin Gabrielle's Mozarella Sticks from her bistro, baby corn and hash salad from uncle Alonso and who could forget the twins: Guido and Bianca's hot cocoa milkshakes and Spinach casserole?

Everyone around the dinner table, laughing, chatting and eating, the men were completely invested in the football game as the women drank wine and chatted, while the kids played and talked to one another about school and their lives in general.

Charlie sighed to herself, a melancholy smile on her lips. Where did those times go?

"Charlie?" Deuces rotates her shoulder, seeing her lost in something.

"Oh! Deuce!" She snapped out of it and nearly dropped her phone had he not caught it.

"Whoa! Better be careful there!" He went to hand it back to her when the picture caught his eye and he saw it. "Whoa....is that your family?"

"Y-yeah...." she nods shyly.

"Wow.....I never knew you had a family this big!" He smiled as he looked at the photo with wide eyes.

"Wait, she's a big family?" Epel looks over Deuce's shoulder to see the photo as well. "Wow!"

"Well, coming from Italian blood, you kinda lose track of how many relatives you may have exactly....." she giggled a bit.

"When was this?"

"Last year at my house for Thanksgiving."

"Thanksgiving?" Deuce raised an eyebrow.

"What's that?" Epel followed.

"Y-You're kidding me?" She looked between the two. "You don't know what Thanksgiving is?!"

Her question caught Jack, Ace and Grim's attention.

"Thanksgiving?" They asked.

Charlie looked between the other first years and sighed. "You guys seriously need education on my world...."

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"Okay. So thanksgiving is a holiday in my world where people celebrate one day to be thankful for all they have in their lives: like life, a roof over their heads, food in their Stomach, education, family and friends, everything! It's a day to be grateful for everything you've got in your life and more!"

"Wow....Wait, there's food involved?!" Ace starts drooling.

"Ace!" Deuce slapped his arm. "Be courteous to her!"

"Geez, Sorry!" Ace stuck out his tongue.

"When did this begin?" Jack asked.

"Several hundred years ago in my world. Settlers from Europe wanted to travel to the new world to begin a new life. And because of overpopulation. They had built a ship called the Mayflower and sailed the Pacific Ocean to reach the new land. But the journey there was treacherous and the seas were rough. And when they got there, they settled in with high hopes. But things didn't go as they had hoped. So many people had gotten sick due to the winter weather and many fell ill and died within time. But when spring rolled around, the natives who inhabited the land first saw the Europeans as savages. But later, their view on them changed and they saw them as friends. Within time, a bond Between the settlers and natives grew. The natives taught them many ways to grow crops, raise animals and harvest food. By the time the Fall rolled around, they had such a large harvest, they decided to share a feast with the natives as thanks for all they've done to help them survive. And thus, Thanksgiving was born."

"Wow....it's so cool to see different clan share a strong alliance over something impactful." Epel smiles.

"And that's just the start. Over time there had also been a few additions to thanksgiving. Like parades and of course, football."

"Did someone say parades?!" Kalim popped up, scaring the first years. "Oops! My Bad! So what's this I heard about parades?!"

"Kalim, stop eavesdropping on them." Jamil sighed, pulling him back. "Sorry about that."

"No, it's fine. Of course he'd get excited over that..." Charlie waved it off.

"So what is this 'Thanksgiving' your talking about?" Jamil steered them back.

"Basically it's a holiday where you celebrate for everything that you're thankful in life." Ace shrugged.

"And there's a feast involved." Grim adds.

"Feast?! I'm on board!!!" Kalim cheers.

"Oh! Well, uh, we haven't exactly planned anything...." Charlie mumbled unsurely.

"Charlie?" Jack went up to her. "What's Wrong?"

"....I....This is gonna be the first Thanksgiving without my family...." she breathed.

Jack's wrapped an arm around her, bringing her into a side hug. "Go on." He nods sympathetically.

"That picture I showed you guys was taken last year....it was me and my family along with my relatives. And...now that I'm far away from them....I-I....."

"It's okay. You don't have to continue." Epel went up to her and hugged her side. "We know how much you love your family...."

No one said anything due to the stiff silence. Charlie stares at her shoes, finding more interest in them than the topic about her family picture.

".....Maybe....why don't we have a 'Friendsgiving'?" Epel perked up.

"Friendsgiving?" Ace perked up.

"Oh yea...." Charlie nods. "I forgot: there's also a Friendsgiving back where I'm from. Except you celebrate with friends.....not that I had any from the start....."

"But you've got us." Epel smiles encouragingly. "We're your friends, Charlie! I know we're not as close to you as you family, but....we've been filling the hole in your heart since you dropped in here! And we still can! We'll help you throw a Friendsgiving right here at NRC! All of us!"

"That's sweet of you. But I dunno...."

"Charlie." She looks up and sees Ace coming up to her. "You were there for us when we fought against our dorm leaders. You saved us in ways no one else could! And you put our leaders back on a better path! You're smart, you're rebellious, stubborn, and generous to a fault! And we owe you our lives! You're our thing to be thankful for as we are to you! And no matter what happens, we'll be the family you'll have as long as you're here. I promise."

Charlie felt tears in her eyes. "A-Ace...." she sniffles, trying to hide her face.

"O-OI! Why are you crying?! Was it something I said?! Dude, cmon, not with the waterworks. I can-"

Suddenly, Charlie glomped him to shut him up. "Shut up, Ace. I was having a moment."

Ace was frozen to say the least, but he returned the gesture with as much vigor as her.

They pulled away from the hug and smiled at one another. "Thank you....I needed that." She giggled, tears gone and a smile in place. She faces the others. "You're right. We should have a Friendsgiving. And we'll host it at the Ramshackle Dorm!"

"Yes!!! Bring on the feast!" Grim cheers.

"Awesome!!!" Kalim cheers. "I'll bring all kinds of animals for the parade! We'll need bengal tigers, parakeets, Ooh! Maybe camels!! And how about...."

"Can you make sure he doesn't go too crazy?" Charlie whispered to Jamil. "Last thing I need is a noise complaint from god knows where....."

"Can't keep any promises. But I'll try." Jamil nods. "Oh, by the way. You need any help with the feast?"

"Sure! More hands, the better!" She smiles. She gathers the others in a circle. "Okay, here's the plan..."

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"Friendsgiving?" Riddle looked at the invite skeptically. "What the bloody hell is a 'Friendsgiving'?!"

"It's something that's similar to a holiday over in Charlie-Chan's world!" Cater winked. "She's inviting ADeuce, Trey, you and me over to the dorm next week for a huge feast! And she's letting me be the photographer for the evening!"

"A feast huh....." Riddle thought, taking a sip from his teacup. "Trey!"

"Yes, Riddle?" The third year jogs over to him.

"Clear my schedule after classes for next Thursday. We're attending this 'Friendsgiving' that Charlotte invited us to. And gather materials for tart baking next Wednesday! We're not leaving without something to give back as thanks, or something...."

"Right away." Trey tilts his hat and saunters off.

"Ooh, yay! Time to chow down and take as many pics as possible~!!"

"You are not to upload until the day after and no phones at the table!"

"Poo, Riddle-kun~...."

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"Eh? The Fuck is a Friendsgiving'?"

"It's something Charlie wants to celebrate with us with a feast next Thursday." Jack answered.

"Hmm.....yea, not goin." Leona turned over on his bed so his back was facing the door.

"B-But Leona-senpai, she requested you, Ruggie and I attend!"

"So what? If anything, I'm not going even if she has to drag me herself." Leona shrugged.

"But-"

"Jack, lemme handle this." Ruggie tapped his arm and ushers him out silently. Jack left the room and stood outside.

"Leona...you sure about not attending?" Ruggie asked.

"Tch, if I said it once, I'm saying it again: Fuck NO."

"Aww, that's too bad...." Ruggie scuffled his shoes. "And here I thought this be a good chance for me to chow down on something extravagant. A whole turkey leg, stuffing and gravy with potatoes, sounds like a paradise to me!"

Leona scowled and continued to ignore Ruggie. But the hyena already has his trump card out.

"It's just a shame! That if you weren't coming, I'd have to tell Charlie about what happened to her....when she became a baby, and show her proof of you cuddling her in your sleep."

Green eyes flew open and Leona spat up to glare at Ruggie.

"You wouldn't." He growled.

"Would I?" Ruggie snickers and produces the photo he took of Leona nuzzling baby Charlie in his bed the day she changed into one after a freak accident.

"You-" Leona lunged for the phone, But Ruggie used a freezing spell to keep him in one spot.

"Ah-Ah-Ah, Leona!" He wiggles a finger. "Do you want to make Charlie happy? If you want you, you're going to go to the feast whether you want to or not. Because if you choose not to, I can just text her this picture-"

"Don't you fucking dare!" Leona growled, though it sounded muffled from his face plant to the floor.

"I didn't say I would do it this second! I'm just....offering you the chance. You wanna see her cry? Or see yourself as a mushy kitty cat for the school to witness from one photo?" Ruggie grinned.

Leona wanted to grab Ruggie by his leg, maul him and then turn him into sand along with his phone. But if he did that, he'd just be going back to what happened during his overblot episode, and Charlie would hate him immensely. He can already hear his mother scolding him in the back of his mind.

'You will never make your future wife cry from anything you do to her! And I mean ANYTHING! If you so much as scar her from something for life, then it seems you're not fit to be a husband that's loving and respecting towards her or your future children!'

He let out a long sigh. "Fine. I'm going."

"Yes!" Ruggie cheered.

"But if you even think about showing her that photo once, I'm leaving. And I'm dragging you back with me. Understood?"

"Aye-aye, captain! Shishishishishishi!!!"

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" 'Friendsgiving'? Hmmm...." Azul stares at the invite that was delivered to him in his office. "Never heard of something like this."

"It must be something weird humans celebrate....." Floyd cracked his knuckles as he stretched his limbs.

"On the contrary, it's not weird." Jade nods. "I overheard Charlotte talking with her friends. It ties off of an actual holiday called 'Thanksgiving', where people celebrate being thankful, except you host a feast with friends."

Floyd perks up immediately. "Ah~! Koebi-Chan said there's a feast involved?! Azul we need to go!!!"

"Hold on, Floyd. It's not until next week so we've quite a while." Azul reassured him calmly.

"Naw....." Floyd pouts. "There goes me telling Koebi-Chan I'm thankful for doing this for us if we got there today...."

"Floyd, you can still tell her the day of. Just keep your head up." Jade tried not to laugh.

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"Epel, what are you doing?" Vil tried not to seem irked at Epel rummaging through the many boxes of apples stacked in his room. That now littered his bedroom floor.

"L-Looking for apples...?" he shrugged.

"For what exactly?!" Vil demands.

"CHARLIE WANTS TO HOST A FREINDSGIVING FEAST AND SHE NEEDS ME TO BRING SOMETHING FOR THE DINNER NEXT WEEK! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!!!"

Vil stopped as he let his words be heard.

"What in the Seven's name is 'Friendsgiving'?!" he sputtered.

"I-It's something that ties off of an actual holiday in her own world, and you celebrate with family, friends and all that you have in life! S-She wanted to invite you but...."

"Hmph. Well as long as there's nothing that'll cause fattening, then I'll attend." Vil relents. He walks off, typing away on his phone, Epel running after.

"W-What about Rook? I'm not sure if he'd-"

"Wish to attend?! Non! Of course I'd be there!" Screaming, Epel nearly dropped the apple in his hands when Rook appeared behind him.

"Ah, Rook. There you are. We need to set to work." Vil wave him forward to follow him.

"Oui, Roi!" Rook ran after, leaving Epel standing in the hallway, making sure his heart was still beating.

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"Nii-San!" Ortho pops in. "I just got the most wonderful news!"

"What....?" Idia looks up to see Ortho running to him.

"Charlotte Luchessi is inviting you and me over for Friendsgiving at her place next week!"

Idia froze in his chair. He couldn't even comprehend the entire sentence.

Charlie. Invite. Friendsgiving. Ortho. Him. Her place....

"nononononononononononono...." he began to shake, tucking himself in his jacket like a turtle going back in their shell. "Wait....WHAT EVEN IS FRIEDNSGIVING?!"

"I couldn't find anything in my search for 'Friendsgiving' on the web. But she told me It's something akin to "Thanksgiving" where she's from. It's something where you're thankful for in life. Nii-San, this is a good chance for you to get to know other cultures more! And this Friendsgiving is a good jumpstart!" Ortho perked up.

"N-N-N-No way....I-I can't risk going out! I'll....I'll make a fool outta myself in front of her!" Idia shook his head from inside the jacket.

"Well, you still have time to think about it. The get-together isn't until next Thursday!" Ortho offers.

Idia's eyes peek from the zipper hole in his jacket to see Ortho putting a crisp white envelope on his desk.

"Just consider it, Nii-san." Ortho smiled and skips off. Just as he left, Idia grabs the letter, scans the contents and felt himself blush profusely.

"I need more time to hide!..." he shook and ducks back into his jacket, hugging the letter close to him.

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"Huh.....a 'Friendsgiving' banquet...." Malleus murmured, looking at the letter he was given to by Charlie when he was leaving his last class for the day. She handed him the envelope with a few words said and left. This perplexed him to no end, and as soon as he got back, he sat on his throne in the lounge, pondering over the letter.

"Oho? 'Friendsgiving'?" Lilia, upside down as usual, stares at the letter beside Malleus. "Much akin to the holiday 'Thanksgiving' I believe...haven't attended a feast in such a long time myself....Mal-Mal, what do you think....?"

"....I....I never had gotten invited to anything except in the dorm's confines...."

"Well....i think this may be a great chance for you to take that chance. Besides, she'd be heartbroken if you didn't come." Lila smiles gently.

"Lilia-sama, with all due respect, Waka-sama shouldn't go!" Sebek stood in, interrupting the two fae's convo. "That human girl just casually gave that letter to him without proper respect! You both ma stay here and I'll deal with her myse-"

"Malleus-sama, ignore him." Silver sighed. "Sebek's just worried and thinks that you may get poisoned or attack at the banquet."

"I DON'T THINK. I KNOW! AND DON'T THINK YOU HAVE THE SAME THOUGHTS AS ME, SILVER!!!"

"Now, you two. You may have your own opinions, but this is still his decision." Lilia chided, flipping over to his feet. "He can decide whether to go or not. Don't pressure him."