2019 Advent Challenge

Ana was having a dilemma.

This was not an unusual occurrence for her, but right now, it was a particularly serious dilemma.

Christmas was only a couple of weeks away, and she had no idea what to do for it. Most years, she hosted a late-night Christmas party and invited everyone in Sargon's organisation (or at least, all of the Loyals) to come and have a good time, but this year... she was having an urge to do something just a little different.

'If only I knew what Sargon would like,' she murmured, sitting on the foot of the stairs at the man in question's mansion.

'Are you talking to yourself, Ana?' came an amused voice from above her.

She whipped around to see Armin, one of Sargon's other followers, staring at her from a few feet away. She had no idea how he'd managed to sneak up on her; maybe it was just because he was a vampire.

'Mind your own business,' she replied calmly.

'It becomes my business if I have to listen to it,' Armin pointed out. 'So, what's your problem? Can't decide what cheesy novelty present you're going to buy for Sargon this year?'

She scowled at him. 'No. I already bought everyone presents,' she said stiffly. 'I've been thinking about our annual Christmas party... I'm considering changing things up this year.'

'Why, though? Everyone loves those parties. In fact, the main reason anyone in this army likes you is because you can organise good parties.'

'It's getting old. Lord Sargon always shows up, but I can feel that he's getting tired of doing the same thing every year, and so am I. Don't worry, we're still going to have a party. But it needs to be... different.'

There was a long pause.

'...Well, that didn't clear up anything,' said Armin, frowning slightly. 'Are we having a Christmas party or not?'

Ana said nothing. While she'd been speaking, an idea had come into her head. Just the beginnings of an idea... the faintest traces of an idea... but she seized hold of it and dragged it greedily closer.

'I know! We can have a Christmas ball!' she exclaimed, leaping to her feet and making Armin back away in alarm. 'With beautiful decorations and music, and we can dance with our partners and wear pretty costumes!' She beamed, happy to have finally thought of something good enough. Would Sargon like it? She didn't know. But as long as he agreed to attend, then she would consider it a success.

'Oh no, Ana,' said Armin warningly. 'First of all, most of us don't have partners, and second of all... do you really think Sargon's going to want to--'

Ana, however, didn't stick around long enough to hear whatever he was going to say next. Pushing past him, she ran off down the corridor to find her friends and start organising the event, her heart thumping wildly with anticipation.

'--dance with you,' Armin finished, now alone.

---

The planning of the Christmas ball went surprisingly well, considering at least half of the organisation weren't keen on the idea... but none were brave enough to say no to Ana's enthusiasm. She was utterly determined to make sure everything was perfect; she wanted this ball to be a night to remember! Something that she, and Sargon, and everyone else would look back on for years to come!

It was drawing close to 7PM when her team of volunteers finally finished hanging up the last of the decorations. Ana walked slowly across the 'ballroom', barely able to summon the words needed to describe how beautiful it looked.

The 'ballroom' was actually the attic of Sargon's mansion, a large space with a surprisingly high ceiling that, in the space of a few hours, had been transformed from a dusty room nobody used to something that resembled a royal palace. A smooth raised area had been set up in the middle to serve as the dance floor. No fewer than four decorated Christmas trees had been dragged up into the attic and arranged around the room. Strings of tinsel and coloured fairy lights hung from the rafters. The rich smell of mulled wine and spiced cake hung in the air like a fog, heavy and intoxicating.

Off to the side, away from the dance floor, three trestle tables stood laden with dishes of all kinds. There was a lot of alcohol; Ana found herself momentarily grateful that everyone in Sargon's organisation was an adult. Trying to keep kids out of this party would have been a nightmare.

'It's ready,' she breathed. The volunteers hurried off to open the trapdoor that would allow the partygoers to climb into the attic.

---

An old-fashioned jukebox in the corner blasted out Christmas songs that Ana had to restrain herself from singing along to. Colour-changing lights cast a lazy glow across the dance floor, steadily shifting through a whole spectrum of colours. Sitting on a chair near the banquet tables, she smiled proudly at what she'd created. Well, OK, her volunteers had done most of the work, but the whole thing had been her idea!

A lot of people had shown up, too; she wasn't sure if all of them were Loyals, but it was mostly impossible to prove whether they were or not. She resolved to ignore it and just concentrate on welcoming guests into the room. Walking over to the trapdoor, she began to greet each person who climbed up.

'Lord Sargon! Welcome!' she said brightly, when the vampire's familiar blond head appeared through the trapdoor. He seemed... less than enthusiastic, but Ana wasn't going to let that dampen her spirits. She knew he wasn't an openly emotional person. 'Feel free to take a look around, help yourself to food and drinks, and just ask me if you need anything, my lord.'

Sargon nodded lightly and wandered away to explore, quickly striking up a conversation with someone about his future plans.

Ana's satisfaction didn't last long; a few minutes later, another blond head appeared through the trapdoor, and this one was considerably less welcome in her eyes.

'Oh, it's you,' she said, grudgingly stepping aside to let Armin clamber up. He gazed around with a startled expression.

'This looks like it was a lot of work,' he said.

'Thank you,' said Ana, immediately mollified.

'I wasn't congratulating you, I was congratulating the people you probably paid to do it for you.' Suddenly, he spotted Rex Walter – Ana couldn't remember whether they were friends or not – and sauntered over to talk to him.

Annoyed but not letting it show, Ana returned to the banquet area and helped herself to a glass of wine. She was just finishing it when Sargon came over, impatiently pushing his way through the crowds to reach her.

'Ana, is this a ball?' he said slowly.

She blinked, trying to look innocent.

'Maybe, my lord,' she said.

He sighed under his breath.

'I hope this is not a ploy to persuade me to dance with you,' he said. 'You know what the answer is going to be.'

'Never, my lord! I'd only ask if you actually wanted to.' Despite her words, Ana couldn't quite keep a note of longing out of her voice, and winced internally when she heard it.

'Hmm.'

Sargon poured a glass of wine for himself, and then – to her delight – decided to sit beside her and observe the various couples spinning and twirling on the dance floor, his crimson eyes tracking every movement. She had no idea what was going through his mind. But one thing was obvious to her; despite not wanting to join in with the dancing himself, he thought that the ball was a good idea.

'I am sure everyone will appreciate this,' he said after a while. 'It does nobody any good to work all the time. One night to relax and think about the future...' He trailed off, and Ana gazed at him over the top of her glass, heart thumping.

Including you, sir? she wanted to ask him – but was much too afraid to say the words out loud.

After a few minutes, Sargon murmured an excuse and walked away, disappearing into the crowds.

Ana watched his retreating back, momentarily disappointed that he hadn't stayed any longer. But it was swiftly pushed aside by elation. Sargon had complimented her idea! He thought that the Christmas ball was a good thing! And what's more, he had chosen to sit and talk to her, when there were a hundred other people in the room he could be talking to instead!

She smiled and let herself relax, mulling over their little conversation with fondness. She didn't know about anyone else, but she knew that she would never forget tonight.