SHIELD Agent Rhapsodos: A Part That Remains

:: Thanksgiving ::

On the fourth Thursday that November, both Robert and Genesis were invited over Hazel's house for Thanksgiving.

At first Genesis wasn't very comfortable with the idea. It was supposedly a family occasion, but with Hazel's persuasion that her family wanted both Robert and him to be a part of their Thanksgiving dinner, he relented. For obvious reasons, he felt uncomfortable being in a family setting for so long. The only time he remembered to have a real family dinner was at Angeal's house back at Banora. If there was something similar, then perhaps his time at ShinRa with Angeal and Sephiroth counted. But even then they could only do it once a week due to their busy military schedules.

Much different than Halloween, Thanksgiving was a celebration of gratitude. In the past it may have to do with the fact families were celebrating the harvest they received for the winter. These days, however, the occasion was for the family to get together and give thanks.

The dinner overall was a heartwarming experience. There were various dishes that marked the day, which included the main course of roasted Turkey, and other accompanying festive foods. As much as Genesis wanted to remain polite in front of guests, he couldn't deny he'd try a bit of everything while he was there. He was used to eating very simple dishes since he arrived on Earth. Having Turkey was something he considered now to be luxurious and he ate slowly to enjoy every minute of it.

However, that dinner wasn't really the highlight of his first Thanksgiving on Earth. It was the conversation back at the hospice with Robert afterward that would be such a memorable remembrance, Genesis would laugh at every time he recalled it in the future to come.

"Did you have something to celebrate at the end of harvest back then? Something like Thanksgiving?" Robert had asked out of curiosity, implying about Banora Whites.

Genesis blinked at the thought. Come to think of it, he didn't recall there were any. So, he shook his head as a no.

Robert on other hand had a comical expression he didn't quite believe what the teen was saying. "Are you serious? Farming isn't quite as easy as some people put it," his tone said with utter disbelief.

In turn, Genesis chuckled. Robert apparently was misinterpreting about what grew in Banora, and he hadn't exactly heard what the other name Banora Whites were famous for.

The old man didn't like that he was left in a loop. "What's so funny? Am I missing something here?"

"It has to do with the Banora Whites themselves," the teen smiled. "It's just; they're very different from most fruits."

"What's so different about them?"

"Well, Banora had a Mediterranean-like climate or so to speak," Genesis explained. "There weren't harsh winters to face, and above all, Banora Whites don't have an expected cycle. They grow at the most unexpected times and as much as when they wanted to; another name for them were 'Dumb apples'."

Robert's stupefied surprised face alone was enough to make Genesis burst out laughing.

"Dumb-apples?" Robert exasperated indignantly. "Couldn't anyone figure out a better name?!"

Genesis shrugged all the same, still struggling to keep the laughter in. "The name's been around for too long anyway. Supposedly you'd figure out that that's because they grew so randomly they weren't smart enough to have a cycle."

"And I think I realize why Thanksgiving would have been hopeless if not ridiculous to celebrate," the former agent commented. That would have meant that every time the village had harvest randomly. Just how many Thanksgiving days would have they celebrate in a year if Thanksgiving existed?! Even two was too many for Robert's mind.

"Stop thinking too much old man," Genesis teased. "At this rate, you're going to have more wrinkles on your head."

Robert, in turn, sighed, "Your original world's very unusual, and I'm being generous here." Maybe it was just too weird for his liking, the old man thought, rubbing his temples.

"No offense taken," the teen smirked back. "I just wished we had more recipes for apples like on Earth."

"I think it's time for bed, for both of us." Robert quickly diverted the conversation to another direction. The last thing he wanted to talk about was more weird apples or anything to do with the fruit.

"Sleep," was the old man's last word, as he plopped himself down from his sitting position on the bed, and covered himself with a blanket.

Genesis didn't press the issue. All the same, he enjoyed that night sleeping at the hospice on a spare bed, to the point where he dreamt of eating Dumb apple pie at Angeal's home in his younger days along with his best friend and Gillian. It was nice to have a dream that left him thankful of what he was given. That night was the most peaceful dream he had in months.