Ada Winter Special - It Isn't So Bad

Ah, Christmas. That time of the year when people are filled with a festive spirit and start adding a touch of vibrant colours to their homes. A season of joy and unity where generosity, love, and solidarity become the central values, even for those who had long forgotten them.

Even with demons lurking, the town of Sorrol does not stray from this tradition. Its residents have adorned their humble abode with beautiful garlands on every lamppost, and twinkling lights of various colours stretching from one wall to another, forming a gentle arch downward. There is an aroma of roasted chestnuts, freshly baked cookies, and gift wrapping paper wherever you go, combined with the freshness of natural Christmas trees and the familiar plastic of the artificial ones, sometimes mistaken for children's toys.

From the outside, the town must have looked like a giant Christmas tree, with festive decorations bringing life to all the buildings in Sorrol. From the shops to the residential units.

Well, almost all of them.

Your eyes shift away from the window and glance a the inside of Ada's clinic. Its walls remain entirely white and empty, and the smell of alcohol and disinfectant still lingers in the air like an old friend. The only touch of colour is the muted green of the plant on the corner.

"Don't you feel like decorating this place a bit for Christmas?" you ask, stepping away from the window.

Ada leaves a heavy supply box on the floor next to the reception counter. She places a hand on her hip and looks at you with a raised eyebrow and a mocking expression.

"Decorate the clinic? Seriously? As if I have nothing better to do than cover everything in glitter and risk one of my patients getting an infection. Not to mention the hassle of taking down all the decorations afterward."

You laugh, knowing that Ada isn't exactly the most enthusiastic person when it comes to Christmas.

"Come on, think about how nice it will look!" you say enthusiastically, pointing to the window. "Everyone else has already decorated their homes, and the clinic shouldn't lag behind. Besides, it will cheer up your patients."

Ada follows the direction of your outstretched finger and watches the illuminated town for a moment before sighing.

"Sorry, $name, but Christmas isn't my thing. I prefer to keep it simple."

There's a glint in her eyes of an emotion you don't quite catch as Ada turns away and starts placing the contents of the box she had left on the floor onto the shelves.

You purse your lips and decide to use humour to try to persuade her.

"Oh, come on, Ada. Decorating won't take years off your life! And, even better, you'll have my help," you exclaim, pointing your thumb at yourself. You approach her and lean on the counter with a charming smile. "Plus, who else could put up with me through the whole decoration process?"

Ada shakes her head, showing a half smirk as she continues organizing the supplies.

"Albert, for one. Probably Rayco. But forget about Leire."

Putting the jokes aside, you approach Ada and place a hand on her shoulder. She stops what she's doing when she feels your touch and turns to you.

"Look, I understand. If you don't want to decorate, that's okay," you assure her. "But how about we do it together? If you don't like it, I'll take it all down myself, promise," you say with one hand raised and the other on your chest.

Ada keeps her eyes on you, internally debating whether to yield to your proposal or stand firm in her decision. With a sigh, she places the box of pills she had in her hand on the counter and puts her hands on her waist.

"Alright, $name. But only because you're the most stubborn person I know and because I happen like you, unfortunately," she replies, giving you a slight poke on the forehead.

"Perfect!" you exclaim triumphantly. "Let's make the clinic look a little more festive, then."

You didn't take long to bring boxes filled with Christmas decorations into the office. The reception area turned into a storage space for garlands, twinkling lights, Christmas baubles, and a bunch of other ornaments waiting to be hung.

You were excited, while Ada remained somewhat sceptical.

"How did you used to spend Christmas in Astian?" you ask her as you finish sticking an ornament on one of the doors.

"Like everything else in the big city, in the most extravagant way possible," Ada laughs and starts placing some lights on the small tree you've chosen for the reception desk. "We had a huge tree in the garden. Putting up the lights was a nightmare. We needed a ladder to reach the top."

"You're exaggerating."

"Not at all! If there's one thing about the big city, it's that everything has to be done the same way, big." Another laugh. This one doesn't last. A faint smile is what remains on the doctor's face afterward. "We weren't a large family, but we had quite the feasts. And there were never any shortages of gifts under that tree. Especially for my-" Ada clears her throat before continuing. "For my father."

"That sounds very lovely, Ada. Christmas traditions always feel so special."

The doctor's smile grows slightly, but you can detect a trace of nostalgia in it. Sadness, even.

"Yes... My favorite was when he always insisted on placing the candle in the tree's holder. Every year, he wanted to be the one to do it. It made him happy, and me too," Ada laughs. "I always told him the same thing, 'Be careful climbing up or you may fall.' But he barely listened to me with all the excitement he had."

"Does your father really like placing the candle that much?" you ask with a laugh.

Suddenly, Ada's eyes widen in surprise, and her smile fades. She quickly composes herself with another clearing of her throat and takes a step back to admire the reception area.

"What do you think of these lights? Too bright?"

You approach her and pretend to think for a moment before smiling.

"It's never too bright for Christmas, Ada," you reply, hands on your hips and puffing out your chest.

You move from the reception area to the hallway leading to the patient rooms. As you continue decorating, curiosity gets the better of you.

"Hey... if you enjoyed Christmas so much when you were younger, what made you change your mind?"

Ada raises an eyebrow.

"What a way to call me old."

You laugh and shake your head.

"I'm serious. Did something happen?"

Ada avoids your gaze and shrugs.

"Well, I guess with age one becomes... wiser, I suppose. In the end, it's just not the same."

"I suppose you’re right, in part," you comment thoughtfully. "Although I still enjoy the season just as much as when I was a child."

The doctor turns to give you a teasing smile.

"Wait until you reach my age."

"I highly doubt anything will change. Just look at your father!" you say with a laugh.

Ada laughs along with you, though it sounds a bit strained.

"Heh. Right."

Together, you continue decorating the clinic, laughing and joking as you hang the ornaments. Gradually, you transform the place into a festive and cheerful setting, from the reception area and waiting room to the clinic's facade.

When everything is done, you step out onto the street to admire your handiwork. The lights on the windows create glimmers that reflect on the delicate snowflakes falling and on the white blanket that has formed on the ground. Some neighbors also stop to gaze at the magical corner you've created, in tune with the rest of the town.

"You know what, $name?"

Ada's voice snaps you out of your Christmas reverie. You turn to find the doctor, her gaze fixed on her clinic, smiling broadly. Her eyes have a special sparkle, and not just from the different colors reflecting in them, but one that can melt the ice with its warm, pleasant emotion. There’s something hidden that's now coming to the surface.

"Hmm?" you encourage.

Ada finally looks at you and drapes her arm around you before turning her gaze back to the twinkling lights. Her smile can’t get any bigger.

"This isn't so bad."