How Green Becomes Wood

"I still cook in metric," Daizi said, "our scale reads out numbers and I have much more success with measuring that way compared to when I am trying to differentiate tablespoons and teaspoons in all their different fractions."

"It is really best to be familiar with both major forms of measurement," Dark said but Cooger snorted.

"Nah, metric sucks. I know it's supposed to be easier to convert and all, but for every day uses, it's way easier to deal in whole numbers and not .59 centimeters."

"Says our resident handyman," Daizi teased.

"Well, sure, if I'm working on something serious I use metric," He replied, furrowing his eyebrows, "but for estimating? Freedom units make more sense."

"I think Peter already proved the utility of different measurements depends on what we are trying to do," Dark said calmly, but was privately very glad to have a reason to reiterate his point, "which is why we should know both."
 
"Yeah, but what are the odds we're actually going to be in another area long enough to need to know the native measuring system?" Xander pointed out. "If we leave the good-'ole US of A, it'll most likely be to visit Egypt or something, and I don't think I need to know a whole different measuring system just to visit. Plus, phones."

"Phones?" Alec echoed.

"Phones these days are just mini-computers and perfectly capable of converting," Xander told him.
 
"It probably will be to visit Egypt," Daizi agreed, "but understanding both is a lot quicker when you're told, 'oh be careful, it is 39° out today,' because you will know they mean 102° Fahrenheit, but if you don't, you have to pretend like you know what they mean and then take the time to look it up... And what if you decide you want to be a scientist, or someone gifts you a cookbook in metric? Do you want to have to write out by hand every measurement? Or if you want to cook dinner while we're in Egypt and you have to make use of all the metric cooking tools?"

Dark squinted, "If we are visiting your family, they will not be cooking."

"Okay, if they decide to study abroad some day or take a gap year backpacking across Europe," Daizi replied.

"Hey, keep having this conversation," Cooger teased, bending to look more closely at Ivy's face, "if you keep debating units of measurement, you may actually get her to sleep through the night."
 
"I'm not learning metric," Xander said flatly.

"I'll consider learning metric," Alec said happily.

Jack finished off his coffee and patted his knees. "You make excellent coffee, Mr. Dark," he said cheerfully. "We should probably be heading out, though."

Sally heaved a sigh. "True. We have an early start to tomorrow."

"Already?" Peter asked, frowning. "Alright, I suppose it's for the best."
 
Cooger sat up straight and extended his hand, "It was great to meet the three of y'all, I'm sure we'll see each other soon. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call, alright?"

"You're always welcome to visit, Peter," Daizi said, standing along with Dark to show them out, "We have a few weeks left of winter break, we're not going to forbid you from seeing your friends. And of course, Sally, you and Jack are always welcome too."

"Thank you for visiting," Dark said, and he meant it, even if he was much less expressive about it than his wife.

"Is this what you meant by a stampede to the door?" Daizi asked, knowing they were all bound to walk the bulk of their guests out. Cooger, however, stayed firmly on the couch, but they all knew he came and left when he chose to.
 
"Yes, that's exactly what I meant," Xander nodded. He stayed where he was, letting the others walk the Hollis family to the door. There was only so much space in front of the door.

Alec followed them to the door to say goodbye. "Peter, do you know when you'll be free next?"

"Next week we can get together for a session," Peter assured him, offering a fist bump.

Sally gave Daizi a quick, gentle hug. "Call me anytime!"
 
"I will," Daizi replied, squeezing Sally once, "thank you. It's always great to have you over." Then she pulled away and made her goodbyes to Jack, while Dark crept up beside his wife's friend.

"Goodbye, Sally," he said, bending slightly to be nearer to her height, although really it didn't do much to change the gap between them, "Have a Merry Christmas." He watched her for a moment, trying to figure out if he should say something regarding their earlier conversation, but ultimately decided against it and instead extended his hand to Jack, "Drive safely, I do not know if you have noticed, but nobody here knows how to drive in the snow."
 
Sally smiled up at Dark. "You too, Dark," she said softly. "May you get the best gift of all." She gave him a wink and stepped out the door, shrugging into her coat as she went. Peter was quick to join her and looked up at the stars.

Jack laughed and shook Dark's hand. "Sadly, that extends to me a bit. That's why I leave my driving to my lovely wife, who grew up in a more snow-inclined climate. I had noticed people's driving, but I thought it was just me." He thanked Daizi, as well, and joined his family. The three waved and walked themselves to their car, soon settling and driving away.
 
"I think I already have," he murmured, taking a swift glance at his wife and sons. To Jack he said, "I apologize, I misunderstood. When you said the coffee would help you with getting home, I interpreted it as you being the one driving. Still, be safe." He smiled as much as he was able and waved along with Daizi as they left, but as soon as they were a suitable distance away, he shut the door and leaned against it, tucking his hands beneath his armpits, and sighed, "I forgot how exhausting it is to be with people."

"They are very nice, though," Daizi replied empathetically.

"They are, and I would not claim otherwise, I like them," He squeezed his eyes shut, "but I think I am better suited for hushed conversations with two or three other people in shadowed corners of dim rooms."

"You are perfect for conspiracies."

He nodded, "I would do great as part of a conspiracy. But these days you need to be born into wealth or power to be in one, the days of anyone being able to plot and scheme are over," he cracked a wry smile at his own joke but then it faded and he pushed himself off the door and walked into the bathroom, but didn't shut the door because he was only looking at himself in the mirror, "Do I really look awful? I know my hair has grown out, but I thought I styled it well."
 
Alec yawned and stretched. "That was so much fun! I really liked it a lot." He fell silent, watching Dark walk into the bathroom. He hoped his foster father wasn't too hurt by the remarks. People just wanted him to remember to take care of himself, but he knew even the best intentions could cut deep. He considered following but left it to Daizi instead. She would know better what to do. Instead, he rejoined Cooger and Xander. And Ivy, but she barely counted yet. "What was your favorite dish, Cooger?"
 
"I love your long hair," Daizi said, following Dark into the bathroom and reaching up to run her fingers through his hair, "You always look wonderful to me."

He frowned at his reflection, "Sally said I look like Sasquatch."

"Sally has never seen you in Winter before, she doesn't know what's normal for you." She comforted, rubbing his shoulder.

"I know, and I know she meant well, but..." He pulled on his beard, "You haven't had your hair cut since she was born either, everyone tells you how great you look, and you do look great, they do not begrudge you having a hair out of place."

Cooger had kicked his feet up on the coffee table and was letting Ivy (who was still asleep) hold his finger, "Oh I liked all of it," he said, looking over at him, "I'm a simple man, I just really like food. I've never been particularly hard to please. But those kebabs Jack brought were real tasty, I've never had surf and turf prepared like that."
 
"I liked Darks dish best," Alec confided.

"Aw, what about my turkey breast?" Xander protested.

Alec smiled and patted Xander's knee. "Second favorite dish, I promise you."

Xander looked mollified then commented, "As long as I don't have to eat anymore of Aunt Ciara's potatoes."

Both twins shuddered.
 
"She tried her best," Cooger chuckled, "but to be honest, she doesn't seem like the kinda lady who normally cooks dinner for herself. I'd guess on the average day she orders food in, but thought it wouldn't look right to bring something store-bought." He rolled his shoulders back and adjusted how he was supporting Ivy, since after awhile even her tiny weight felt like a lot, "And hey, I told you, Xander, I liked everything. Your turkey breast was great."

He looked up, curious about where Dark and Daizi were, but when he did he said, "Aw shit, I forgot, I got y'all presents."
 
"You did?" Alec asked, trying not to show too much excitement. It wasn't so much the presents as it was the fact that Cooger thought of them and wanted to do something like that for them.

"Is it a cat or cat related?' Xander asked suspiciously.
 
"No, it ain't cat related. I think both your parents would kill me if I gave y'all a cat," he huffed, "nah they're just small little things, gotta bring a present to the whole family. Even brought something for her," he nodded towards the infant in his arms, "and she can't even understand ownership."

He pointed out where the presents were, "You can go get them. Just don't judge how they're wrapped, I did my best." In fact, the presents were wrapped in visibly old wrapping paper with way too much tape, and in a few places, aparant gaps were fixed up with even older and more faded 'Happy Birthday!' paper.
 
The twins scrambled to fetch the packages and brought them back to the table. They set them down and looked them over before ascertaining which belonged to which twin.

"Should we open them now?" Alec asked Cooger.

Xander was already wiggling his finger in one of the gaps and trying to tease the paper off.
 
"Yeah, sure, go ahead," He nodded, but then paused, "Wait, nah, hold up, we should probably have Dark and Tarot in here for it, right?" He opened his mouth to call for them, but Ivy squirmed and he realized that was a horrible idea, so frowning, he sat back. Luckily, after a few moments, they also came back, and Cooger gave full permission to the twins to open their presents.

He gave both twins a pair of nice, but not top quality noise cancelling headphones: Alec's were white with LED lights that changed colour with the beat of the song whereas Xander's were black with a red lightning bolt to either side. Alec's gift also included an art kit and Xander's had a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle that would, upon completion, create a QR code that when scanned would reward him with a sum of money between $1 and one million dollars.
 
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Alec instantly put on his headphones and grinned. "How do I look?" he asked. "Stylish?"

"Like a really stylish lumphead," Xander said dryly and put his on before inspecting the puzzle. "This puzzle is going to be evil."

Alec held up the art kit and smiled at Cooger. "Thank you very much! I would hug you, but you seem a bit occupied at the moment."
 
"Aw, you're welcome, kid. And it's no problem, you can hug me later. For someone so small, she certainly takes up a lot of space. Is this really what you two do all day now?" He asked Dark and Daizi, since they were back amongst them.

Daizi shook her head and leaned in to stroke Ivy's hair, "Not always. When she's having a less grumpy day, we let her sleep in her crib, but she's been more fussy lately."

"Babies are really lucky they're cute," Cooger commented, "Xander, good luck on that puzzle. I hope you win big."

Settling into the couch before moving to stand up again, Dark sighed, "I should probably start cleaning up."

"Nah, sit down, brother. Hosts don't clean up until all their guests leave, and I'm still here." He shot a firm look at the twins, "And kids don't clean up on Christmas."
 
"We don't?" Alec asked in surprise, having just taken off his headphones. "Why not?"

"Because he's bucking for the rank of coolest uncle ever," Xander replied, still examining the puzzle box. He hadn't opened it yet, but he wanted to! Tomorrow. He'd work on it tomorrow and spend the day doing that.

"Hmm, he is a shoe-in for that ranking already, but he is right," Alec mused. "No one should clean up until after all guests have left."
 
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