Holiday Party

It was the year 2065, and Christmas was resplendent across New York, both in the holiday-themed feeds playing on every Spine and in the festive parties bringing together friends and family for a moment of respite.

Buddha's kitchen was all decked out and ready for the celebrations, with gloriously lit-up Christmas trees casting a soft glow across the space. Other green and red decorations filled the gaps between wine bottles, matching the velvet bow ties on the bartenders as they worked behind shiny golden counters. Old and new Christmas melodies drifted past the clink of glass cups and silverware.

When Jake and Shavir got off the podcar, the city felt more alive than it'd been in a while, the colors of Buddha's kitchen bouncing off the surrounding towers and streets. Jake paused to make sure their baby daughter was secure in the sling around his body, and Shavir took the chance to wrap a scarf around his neck.

"What's this?"

"A couple item from Carrie. I'm wearing the same one under my coat. It's her gift for today, since she couldn't make it," Shavir explained, checking their reflection in the dark windows of the restaurant.

"She talks to you way more than she talks to me these days," Jake said, leading the way in. "It's a pity, though. Zoe will miss seeing her cousin."

"Yes, well--Oh! Troy, you're already here!"

The young man smiled at them from behind the bartender's counter. He'd softened his spiky hipster haircut today by slicking it back instead, looking neat and clean in his black suit.

"You all look beautiful," Troy said, as he selected a flask from the shelf. "Especially the little one."

"What are you doing here?" Shavir asked, "Weren't you going to join us today? You said you weren't work--"

"Relax, *sheesh*. I'm just preparing the drinks for us. The tables you reserved for ten guests is right there, so you can go ahead and sit down first."

Before Shavir could reply, Jake called out excitedly. Masao and Ethan had just arrived, walking hand in hand.

"Hey Jake!" Masao said, "And hello to you too, Ms. Shavir. I hear about you nonstop at work everyday now. And about the little one too, of course."

Shavir laughed, leaning in for a hug with Masao and for a handshake with Ethan. "It's so lovely to see you! I've barely seen you since the wedding. Ethan, by the way, congratulations on the art opening at the Met. I've always adored Katsushika Hokusai's works."

"Thank you," Ethan said, wrapping an arm around Masao's waist. "It was an anniversary gift for my lovely partner. Hokusai's gorgeous depictions of natural scenery also worked well with the Met's focus on the climate this year."

"Come," Jake said, waving them over. "Come sit and order something first. Oh--your friends, Shavir!"

Shavir spun around in time to be engulfed in Tara's hug. Then Lenny, Nacho, and Zeno took their turns, while Tara went to fawn over the baby.

"You look like a young Santa," Shavir said, laughing at Lenny. "And I love your bandana today, Nacho."

Nacho smiled shyly, touching the Christmas-themed bandana with little penguins and blue snowballs. Lenny laughed, rubbing the beard that was slowly turning salt-and-pepper colored.

"I'm trying to grow it out," he explained. "It might give me a demeanor that's convincing enough for Tara to listen to me sometimes."

"She *does* listen," Shavir laughed, patting her friend comfortingly. "She listens in her heart, but you could never make her say that aloud."

"Where is Sam, by the way?" Zeno asked, as they all found a seat around the table.

"Judy actually offered to take care of him tonight," Jake said, having just returned from the bar with Troy. "We're very grateful. She doesn't have time to eat with us, but she said she could keep an eye on our dog at Roots."

Tara made a scoffing noise. "She just doesn't want to hang out with a bunch of people from SAFE. I don't blame her, honestly."

"Way to make things awkward," Troy said, after a beat of uncertain silence.

"No, it's alright," Masao laughed. "I know it's still strange to be meeting on friendly terms like this. But quite honestly, we both benefit from collaboration. Right, Jake?"

Jake looked up from playing with his baby, who'd awoken from her sleep. "Ah, yes, of course. Your experiences allow us to know which supplies are in need, especially in the Queens and Brooklyn areas. And in turn, we can better serve the people here."

"I agree!" Lisa said, having emerged with Niya trailing close behind. "It's remarkable how much more efficiently we're managing the supplies now, ever since Jake met Shavir. Natural disasters and global supply issues are as tumultuous as ever, but improvement is always improvement."

"Welcome!" Shavir called, standing up and redirecting the attention to the new guests. Lisa was wearing a stylish Christmas sweater and her usual bright smile; only Niya was out of place in a wrinkly looking cargo jacket and sweats.

"It's wonderful to see you somewhere other than the office, behind all your screens," Jake said, standing up to give Niya and Lisa a hug.

"Yeah, well," Niya shrugged, "You said there'd be chocolate cake."

Once everyone was all settled down, they finalized the orders and settled into easy conversation. Lisa was sitting by Jake and leaned over to amuse the baby.

"She's adorable," Lisa said musingly. "You two are such good parents. You must bring her to my home again; both my kids and my mother adores her."

Niya, sitting near them, overheard. "What did you name your daughter, again?"

Jake paused before answering, and Shavir looked over at him, sensing his shift in emotions. "Her full name is Danielle, but we call her Dan or Danny. It's in memory of my brother-in-law, who was killed in the Queens protests in 2058."

"Ah, yes," Niya said, looking at the baby tenderly. "I remember."

Shavir reached over and wrapped an arm around Jake's shoulders, giving him a warm squeeze. Before anyone could say anything else, the food arrived. Glamorous dishes filled the table one by one, gold plates lined up besides marble platters, the colorful, elegant food arranged on the plates like pieces of art. The aroma was just as delicate, tantalizing but light.

"Here," the waiter said, introducing the salads and soups. "We have your salade niçoise, s*om tam*, insalata caprese, kritikos dakos, and salat katzutz. For the stews, we have your *know suey*, *thukpa*, cream of mushroom soup, ramen with miso shiitake broth, and *puli rasam*. Enjoy! Let us know if you would like to add any orders."

Troy was finishing everyone's cocktails and drinks, meanwhile, and soon, they were facing one another with their glasses, ready to begin.

"Well," Shavir said, as the music began to play the very old song "Let There Be Peace" by Carrie Underwood, "To all my friends and loved ones here, I'd like to propose a toast. After many years of chaos and very nearly entering a second Global Supply Crisis, we've reached a time of peace and hopefully slow but gradual improvement. So, while we celebrate the holiday season, let's raise our glasses and toast to a healthier world! Cheers!"

"To peace!" Lisa added.

"To happiness!" Lenny said.

"To free animals!" Tara said, ignoring a few sidelong glances.

"To safety!" Zeno said.

"And to a better future ahead," Jake said, bringing his glass in. Everyone brought their drinks close as well, filling the restaurant with the silvery clinks of glass against glass.