An Unlikely Christmas in the Shack

[Shinku]

The air had gotten crisp, and the surrounding trees that stood tall around the trio’s hiding place, had their branches adorned with a thin layer of snow. The crackling fireplace inside the shack provided a warm respite from the wintry chill outside.

Unexpected delays for their supposed departure to Opealon forced Shinku, Callon and Jack to stay for a while in the Hinterlands. That night, as the embers in the fireplace glowed and shadows flickered on the walls, Callon broached an unexpected topic.

"You know, lads, it just occurred to me that Christmas is around the corner. Any plans for the occasion?"

Shinku, his shadowy form blending with the dimly lit interior, raised an eyebrow. "Christmas? I've never been one for such festivities. The shadows don't celebrate holidays."

Jack, the ever-colorful pirate captain, grinned from ear to ear. "Arrr, don’t be such a grinch mate! It’s a fun holiday! Anyway, why do you ask, Callon?"

Callon leaned back against the shack's sturdy walls, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Well, were stuck here for now, I thought it might be nice to share a bit of the holiday spirit. A small celebration to break the monotony, what do you think?"

Shinku crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "I don't see the point, but if it makes you both happy, I suppose I can indulge in your festivities."

Jack chuckled, slapping Shinku on the back. "That's the spirit, mate! Now, Callon, what's the plan? A feast? Gift-giving? Decorating the shack with some festive trinkets?"

Callon smirked, appreciating the unexpected enthusiasm. "Let's start with a small feast. I've managed to secure some supplies that might add a touch of home to our celebration. We'll have a humble Christmas in our little shack."

Shinku, still skeptical but intrigued, leaned back against the shack wall. "What do you get from such festivities though?"

Callon chuckled, pouring a mug of spiced tea for each of them. "Well, in our case, I guess from all the missions we had, a bit of light and warmth might do us good. Besides, Jack seems to be in high spirits at the mere mention of Christmas."

Jack raised his mug in a mock toast. "Aye, that I am! And it’s a magical festivity mate, even for a pirate like meself. Ye’ can enjoy the festivities, the camaraderie, and of course, the grog!"

Shinku arched an eyebrow. "Grog for Christmas?"

Jack winked. "Why not? 'Tis the season for a little extra merriment."

Callon chuckled at Jack's infectious enthusiasm. "Well, if we're going to have grog, might as well make it festive. I've got a bottle of that spiced rum we got from our last client. This will be perfect for the occasion."

Shinku couldn't suppress a smile, seeing his peers having a good time "I suppose that’ll work."

Jack, taking a swig from his mug, grinned widely. "Oh, it will, mate! Ye’ both be singin’ sea shanties with me by the end of the night."

Callon suddenly getting curious opened a question to Jack, "Do pirates have any particular Christmas traditions? Or is it all about grog and sea shanties?"

Jack chuckled, setting down his mug for a moment. "Aye, we've got our own ways. Sometimes we exchange 'gifts' we've 'acquired' from unsuspecting ships. Other times, it's just about enjoying a hearty meal and singing songs to the night sky. The sea, after all, is our endless canvas."

"And what's the most memorable 'gift' you've ever acquired during a pirate Christmas?,” Callon continued with his questions.

Jack leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ah, that's a tale worth tellin'. One year, we stumbled upon a merchant ship loaded with barrels of the finest rum you could ever taste. It was like the sea herself decided to gift us the treasure of spirits."

Shinku raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what did you do with the barrels of rum?"

A sly grin played on Jack's lips. "Oh, we had ourselves a grand feast, inviting every pirate in the vicinity. It turned into a legendary night of revelry. The sea sang with our laughter, and the stars, well, they shimmered a bit brighter that Christmas."

Callon chuckled, "So, the best Christmas gift for a pirate is a barrel of rum?"

Jack winked, "Aye, mate, you'd be surprised how much joy a well-aged barrel of rum can bring to a pirate's heart."

Amidst the laughter and camaraderie, Callon couldn't help but continue the banter. "So, Jack, any other unique pirate traditions for Christmas? Or is it all about the grog and stolen gifts?"

Jack scratched his beard, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, there's the tradition of the 'Ghostly Grog.' We gather 'round a bonfire on the shore, share tales of our fallen mates, and toast to the spirits of the sea. It's a way of rememberin' those who've sailed on to Davy Jones' locker."

Shinku, intrigued by the notion, chimed in, "I didn’t know you pirates get sentimental."

Jack nodded, a rare seriousness crossing his face. "Aye, mate. We might be rogues of the sea, but we've got our own way of showin' respect to the ones who've shared the deck with us."

Callon, sipping from his mug, looked contemplative. "Sounds like a tradition with depth. You pirates have a knack for mixing the rough and the sentimental."

Jack chuckled, swirling the liquid in his mug. "Aye, that we do. Keeps us grounded in the sea's realities, yet lets us hold on to a bit of humanity. 'Tis a fine line we walk."

As the night wore on, the trio continued to share stories, occasionally interrupted by bursts of laughter and the clinking of mugs. The shack, now filled with the warmth of shared tales and the lingering aroma of spiced rum, felt like a haven in the midst of their adventurous lives.

With the moon high in the sky and the candles burning low, Shinku finally proposed, "I think that’s enough talk for one night. We still have some decorating to do for tomorrow.

Callon and Jack, surprised at Shinku’s mention of the decorations, couldn't help but exchange glances. Nevertheless, they gestured agreement with nods. They then stowed away their mugs, extinguished the candles, and found their respective corners in the cozy shack. As they settled into their makeshift beds, the anticipation for the unconventional Christmas ahead lingered in the air.