Christmas In Scotland (Zephyr Family)

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(Post Order will go Alpin, Walker, Viona)

Normally the Zephyrs were unable to go to their native Scotland over Christmas. However, this year Alpin made special arrangements for a very special reason- he wanted Walker to meet more of his family. So off the Zephyrs went to the Land of the Scots.

While there were plans for Walker to meet Donalda's side of the family on the trip, that evening they would be going to the home of Alpin's parents, Angus and Morna Zephyr, for a festive holiday get-together. The elderly couple was quite anxious to meet their new grandson too, and prepared quite the feast for him.

As the family visiting from London stepped up to the door, Alpin turned to Walker.

"Just to warn you, lad, me dad will probably punch you on the shoulder when he sees you," he said to Walker. "But don't be taken back by it. It means he likes ya."

Alpin smiled, then knocked on the door.

DONALDA JAZMINE ZEPHYR @shava444

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Having been adopted was wonderful of itself and knowing that he had a sister and parents alone was good enough for him, but finding out he had an entire extended family now? And they wanted to meet him too? That was rather like icing on top of icing, right? So finding out his first real Christmas with anyone was going to be in the midst of a whole crowd of new family had taken him aback at first, and then made him feel nervous. Hopefully they would like him at least!

The entire difficulty they had had between him and Viona (which thank Merlin had been fix-a-ble) even though it had been a misunderstanding had in a way prepared him for this moment and the wild feeling of worry running through his head. In fact he had been worried enough to take it to his mother the day he had returned home from Hogwarts saying how much he was afraid they might not like him or decide he wasn't fit for the family.

She had done a number on his thoughts in such a way he decided that mother's deserved their reputation for being able to fix anything their kids got into.

And of course there was Viona who, at this moment, was standing in front of him with his arm around her middle as if restraining her from leaping through the air into the arms of whoever opened the door. He hadn't put any pressure on her, mind you, and he knew she was only letting him do that till she was ready to charge into the house like the whirlwind she was! Nodding at his father he said "Right, because nothing says acceptance like a punch." He laughed, letting off some last second nerves as his father knocked on the door...

@alpin, DONALDA JAZMINE ZEPHYR, @viona

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(Alpin, Walker, Viona, Donalda it is!)

Viona was beaming. A surprise visit to the family! And on Christmas! She couldn't wait to introduce Walker to all her cousins. As her brother held her, she tried to calm herself from excitement as her father knocked on the door. She looked at Walker and smiled.

"We're going to have so much fun the next few days," she said. "Our cousins and I will show all our fun hang out spots, and we'll go to the village nearby. I'm so happy you can see our home and meet the family, Walker!" She gave Walker a kiss on the cheek.

The door opened and out stepped the burly, bearded Angus Zephyr, who gave a hearty laugh before hugging his son, daughter-in-law, and daughter.

"There you all are!" he said. "Get in here before you all freeze your arses off!" He then looked at Walker and studied him for a moment. "Is this me new grandson?"

"Aye, Papa Zephyr," smiled Viona. Angus then laughed again and socked Walker on the shoulder before hugging him.

"Welcome to the family, me boy," he said. "Now get in here too. "Morna! They're here! Pour us all some coffee and two cups of cocoa for the youngins! And come out and meet yer grandboy Walter!"

"That's Walker, Papa Zephyr," said Viona.

"Aye, so it is!" he said.

DONALDA JAZMINE ZEPHYR @shava444

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(Permission was given to speak for Donalda here.)

Alpin watched the interaction between his father and his son and chuckled a bit. His mother Morna then greeted them all, giving Walker a warm welcome without the punch on the shoulder. She then asked if Donalda wanted to join her in the kitchen for the rest of the food preparation.

"He'll get your name right eventually," whispered Alpin to Walker after Angus called him "Walter". "He used to call me Alvin all the time."

The cousins, who lived not too far from Angus, then entered and practically tackled Alpin and Viona with hugs then asked about Walker. When Alpin told them who he was, they hugged him as well and introduced themselves. Their parents joined in the greetings, proving they were just as kind and friendly as Walker's remote family was.

"Alpin, Walker, and the rest of the lads, join me in the parlor for a few drinks and some stories while we wait about for the big supper!" said Angus.

(Will do one more post for Viona for this scene, and then it will just be Alpin and Walker for a bit.)

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Viona accepted the hugs from her family, chuckling at their enthusiasm. Upon hearing that the men were going back in the parlor, she hugged and kissed Walker once more, then made her way to another room with her cousins. Later she planned to have her and the lot play with Walker, but for now she left her beloved brother to enjoy his time with his grandfather.

"See you at supper, Walker!" she said, then began giggling along with the others at something her youngest cousin said. Said cousin was three and still learning to say things properly, so most things he said made people laugh.

@shava444

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Viona was just telling him about the next few days and all the happy chaos she was looking forward to when someone opened the door that Walker would have had no problem pegging as Scottish! The bushy man swept everyone into hugs and then asked about him. "Nice to meet yo--" he managed before being socked and hugged as well, leaving him with a semi-stunned smile as they were all went in. As Viona tried to correct Mr Bushy (and failed he noticed, amused) his father whispered to him about it.

Ahhhh. "Thanks Papa Zephyr!" and followed in with the rest. Nodding to his father he bent down to Viona saying "I've been called worse, V, don't worry about it." He then met his new grandmother and thoughts of how large this family was began to float in his mind. And then the next group arrived and a flood of new cousins were brought into his universe with mounting chaos! As he tried to get names and respond, he found it wild to think of all these new people being in his family!

As the 'guys' were told to head 'on back' somewhere, Viona hugged and kissed him and he hugged her back chuckling. "Sure thing sis! Food it will be..." Accepting a mug of hot chocolate (he'd never had it with real whipped cream and it make his eyebrows go up at the difference!) he followed the crowd back into the parlor and chose a footstool to sit on, leaving the couches for the adults. He did choose one near his father however as he wasn't feeling brave enough yet to throw himself into the rest yet who were already chattering away.

"Is this everyone, dad?" still a bit taken aback clearly, sipping his hot chocolate with relish and to give himself an excuse to wait for an answer.

@alpin

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Alpin chuckled at Walker's question about this being everyone and then shook his head.

"Oh Merlin no," he said. "This is just me country relatives. Several living in the magical section of Glasgow have yet to show up." He was then handed a pint of ale by one of his cousins. "You're part of a large family, me lad. Best get used to that."

Angus then stepped over and placed his strong arm around Walker and laughed. One could tell he already had a good bit of ale and scotch himself.

"Did yer father tell ya 'bout the Christmas he tried to ride our fiery steed Inferno because he thought it was a present for him?" he said. "He lasted 'bout ten seconds on it, and walked in the house covered in mud. He only had one bruise and it was his wee bottom. Couldn't sit down for a fortnight, even had to stand to eat his meals!"

Alpin stood and looked a bit awkward at the story. It wasn't a fond memory.

"So Wilbur," he said.

"Walker," corrected Alpin.

"Walker," said Angus. "Tell us 'bout yerself then. Handsome fella like you must have the lasses runnin' all at ya. You got yerself a sweetie yet, do ya?"

@shava444

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The fact there were going to be a lot more people coming over made him think in a way he had been moved from a family of orphans to a hoard of scots. "Really? Seriously there are more? Wow, how did it get so far spread out like that?" What a bewildering pile of people to get to know! And he thought three people would be tough to be family with! "It might take me a while when I am trying to remember everyone's names at the same time, dad..."

Then his new grandparent came over and put an arm around him man to man like and his breath showed he'd been into stuff. Walker's eyes got a bit wider and he turned to drink his hot chocolate as an excuse for a second before turning his head back with more of a smile on his face. His face showed his surprise at the story and a quick glance at his father's face told him all he needed to know. "Uh, no we have not talked much about his growing up, I've been learning the bakery business mostly. It's pretty cool place actually!"

The attempt might help, you never knew.

He winced at the Wilbur comment; that one was too far off to be comfortable, but his father saved him back and he was grateful for it! "Yeah sorry, I do have a tricky name for some people" he said trying to be cheerful about it like it wasn't a big deal. His ears did a bit of burning as his grandfather started in on his dating, which he doubted he wanted to be remembered that way. "Nah, nothing interesting happening there, have not found the right one yet. Guess I'm picky in a way," shrugging off the attraction comment in favor of other stuff.

"Didn't have a lot of options before, I spend as much time as I can swimming and boxing for exercise, nothing serious like a sport, and then I've been sort of getting interested recently in joining the fight for the environment...."

@alpin

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Alpin laughed and nodded his head as Walker spoke of there being more Zephyrs.

"Aye, we're a large brood," he chuckled. "But give it time, lad, give it time, and remember many of these you won't get to see quite often so they'll understand if you forget a name or two."

Angus listened as Walker spoke of having no lady just yet and what he liked to do. The old man beamed when he said boxing.

"BOXING! HA HA!" he said. "I used to be a boxer in my time. Zippin' Zephyr they called me because I was fast on the punches. Had a pretty impressive record on the Scottish Magical Boxing Circuit before I retired- Twenty-Three and Two, and only lost one of those to a knockout due to the fact that I have a wee bit too much ale before the match. But it's good you're learnin' the bakery business, lad. Much safer than bein' in the ring and no mistake about that."

Morna then popped her head in and smiled.

"Alright you crazy lot, dinner's on the table!" she said. "You skinnier ones best get there before Angus cleans it off!"

@shava444

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Curiously he asked his father "Is that typical in Scottish families or is this unusual? I knew people sometimes had extended families, but this really seems large!" As his father explained he didn't need to worry about names, that no on expected him to remember them all he felt better. "Thank Merlin for that! Id be sunk if not-- hey dad," he said suddenly thinking, "Is there a family tree somewhere I can see that would help me see who is attached where?"

That would help him keep a lot more people straight for sure!

"There's a magical Scottish boxing circuit? Whoa! Did you have a bunch of pictures and belts?" That was a good spot to bond on! Although Walker only did it for exercises and defense without a wand, he found the sport impressive in how much skill was really needed. And having a grandfather who knew the tricks made it all the more a good family connection. "Oh no, I just do it for defense without a wand and some exercise, I never planned on really going on the circuit!"

He was sipping his hot chocolate which was about half done when his new grandmother poked her head in about dinner. To his father as everyone hopped up he said quieter "Dad? What did he do after the boxing?"

@alpin

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Alpin beamed when Walker asked about the family tree. He had wanted to show his son the album, and was glad the boy reminded him.

"Aye, me boy," he said. "Dad has a small library with our family book. Has the tree and a lovely history in general. I'll show ya once things calm down a wee bit."

Angus laughed a hearty laugh when Walker reacted to his tale of his days as a boxer. He shook his head about the photos and belts.

"Alas, only a few photos and no belts," he said. "I never got into the big leagues with all the fancy titles. But it was a fun time." Angus was glad to hear the boy just used it for defense. "Glad to hear it, lad. You got a sister to protect after all."

Alpin listened as Walker asked about what Angus did after boxing.

"He got into the baking business," he said. "How do you think I got into it?" Alpin smiled and winked as they stepped in for dinner. Angus took hold of Walker.

"Me new grandson sits with me!" he laughed.

@shava444

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Amusement at the idea that things needed to 'calm down' a bit got Walker to nod in acceptance to his father. It was hard to imagine how big the whole family must be, but it was a certain thing he'd never feel very alone again! Nodding to his grandfather he asked "Maybe I could get a copy of one of them sometime? To take with me to school Papa Zephyr?" It would be nice to start building up a family photo album of his own, but a grandfather who used to box had particular attraction to him for some reason, as if there was a connection between them, not because of the violence.

"Oh yes sir!" he said with a wide grin, "I try to keep an eye open for her all the time! I'd be devastated if something happened to her and I could have stopped it!" Although she led a peaceful life, Walker was aware there were some real jerks around. Although hearing his grandfather had gone from boxing to baking threw him a bit; was there some sort of odd connection or something?

"Really? Like what, he decided punching dough needed a steadier arm or something?" He chuckled under his breath and then it was time to go in for the meal and he was suddenly reminded that the Scottish ate haggis. Was he about to be surprised with some ghastly concoction of sheep's stomachs and other oddities? As his grandfather caught him he smiled, but there was suddenly a touch of nerves at the wonder of what might be awaiting him in the dining room...

@alpin

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Alpin smiled and nodded at Walker's request.

"Of course, me lad," he said. "A simple duplication spell will take care of that. Just remind me before we leave." He patted Walker on the shoulder.

Angus beamed when Walker promised to protect his granddaughter. Angus thought the world of Viona and the two had really bonded when Viona lived in Scotland for the first part of her life.

"I know you will, lad, I know you will," he said. "You have yer dad and mum's courage, and yer sister's too of course."

Alpin chuckled about his father punch dough.

"You may jest now, me lad, but you might say something different when you try his black currant bread," he said. "Nobody bakes it better."

The dining room table was of course packed. Viona was lost in a sea of her cousins, but managed to pop her head up and smile when Walker and the others walked in before disappearing again. Angus stood at the head of the table and motioned at the nearest seat on the right for Walker to sit in. He then raised a pre-dinner toast.

"You all know how I like to blabber on, but I'll keep this short because I'm as hungry as you lot are," he chuckled. "But I want to say how happy I am to be able to spend another Christmas with me lovin' family. We Zephyrs are a mad lot, but we're right proud and fortunate folk as well. And I'd like to officially welcome me new grandson Walker into the family. He's a fine lad and I hope now that he's a part of us, we'll see him and his dad, mum, and sister more often." Everyone toasted and gave smiles to Walker. "Alright, let's get to eatin'!" Angus then sat down and the food began being passed around the large table.

@shava444

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Glad to hear he would get one and it wouldn't be a problem, Walker followed the crowd as everyone began heading for the dining area. "Thanks!" Seeking roots, the picture represented for him a real connection to his new family, something he shared with at least one of them. And being told he had his parent's courage he was surprised about as he had not seen anything yet to make him see them as particularly courageous, but his little sister he could see that immediately! "Oh she is a spitfire, sir, I'm not sure I can compare to that," with a chuckle.

He nodded, sobering up a bit. "Not meaning the jest so much as surprised at the connection and trying to understand it more I guess. From a physical sport which can be violent and dangerous to being a baker is sort of a jump in my mind I haven't figured the tie in yet." And he did want to understand. As they walked in (tables in places which didn't make complete sense to him tucked in the corners of the room even yet magically continuous) he spotted Viona but by the time he smiled she had disappeared again.

Walker did blush at the toast and tried to smile back at everyone from where he sat. As they began to pass food around, he tried to guess at what a few things were, but seeing bread tops he assumed they were not organs and took a few spoonfuls to try as he passed things on. THAT part at least was more familiar from the orphanage about passing things around! "Certainly a lot tastier then what I got in the orphanage, I'm afraid everything has been better since then..."

@alpin

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Angus laughed about Viona being called a spitfire.

"That she is, me lad, that she is," he said.

Alpin also chuckled as Walker said he saw no connection between his dad being a boxer and a baker.

"Oh there's no real connection between the two at all," he said. "Simply that we have a quite a few bakers in the family and me dad learned at an early age just as I did. When he got weary of the harsh life of a boxer, he simply picked up an old skill."

As Angus stuffed his face with the food, he listened as Walker spoke of the orphanage he was from. But before he could say something, Grandmother Morna smiled at Walker.

"I was adopted too, lad," shes said softly, a great contrast to Angus' voice. "I know what you've been through."

@shava444