…
Urgh, what a headache. What the hell happened last night? I can't remember anything.
Opening my eyes did nothing to answer my questions, in fact it only added to my disorientation.
What? I'm sure I've never been in this room before. It looks quite cozy, though, with the fire spitting and the lit candles on the fir tree in the corner. But... what is that touching my wing? It's like someone's breath.
Looking around, I saw someone had cuddled up to me, using my wing as a pillow. I couldn't help but smile, it looked to silly, and yet adorable at the same time.
I decided to get up from the couch I must have slept on, to get some hints on where I am, how I got here, and what happened last night, before my … friend? Significant other? … would wake up. I couldn't even remember her name, and not knowing the name of your sweetheart would probably get me in trouble...
Then I spotted a note on the floor.
“You are confused, don't know what happened last night. Don't worry, you'll remember soon. Look at the dinner table.”
What was that supposed to mean?
My confusion was soon replaced with curiosity though, and so I walked up to the mentioned furniture and inspected it. There were two plates on it, with some remnants of pizza on it. A bottle of wine had been opened. Apparently I had eaten here, together with her.
Next to an empty glass was another note.
“The food was delicious. Thanks a lot. We had so much fun together that night. There, in front of the fireplace we laid and talked the whole night. Just look at it.”
That sounded... great? I wasn't entirely sure what to make of this. Was that really directed at me? Nevertheless, I decided to take a look at the chimney and see if it helped me remember a bit more. A vague recollection of yesterday's evening was already starting to form in my mind, and I was determined to investigate further.
Not entirely unexpected, I found yet another note next to the pile of firewood.
“This here is the place where we shared our deepest thoughts and feelings. Where we realized we could trust each other. We were so glad to be able to spend this special evening together, and expressed our thoughtfulness with a small gift under the festively decorated tree.”
This was getting really sappy. I would have laughed, but instead I just stared at the note in disbelief. The heck had I hooked up with? Ah well, it's the thought that counts, besides it's kind of cute... isn't it?
Looking for the presents mentioned in the note, I found one with my own name, still unopened, and one with a somehow familiar name.
Night Star
That had to be her name. I remember putting the present, deeply blushing, under the tree. With that, all other memories flooded back in. The dinner, the fireplace, cuddling up on the couch... Yet I still couldn't remember much of her.
“Merry Christmas, Red Feather”
I stared at her. Or rather him, as he was definitely a male with long hair. What a surprise. I didn't care and gave him a kiss. A kiss of friendship. Or was it more than just that? Who knows. It didn’t matter anyway.