It's in the eyes. Always the eyes.

Chapter Thirteen| A Bandicoot Christmas

          The Bandicoot household buzzes with energy as the tropical island breeze carries the scent of pine and the sound of holiday music through the open windows. Even without snow, the holiday spirit is unmistakable. The usually wild and untamed living room is slowly transforming into a festive wonderland, with pine branches adorning the walls and twinkling lights casting a warm glow over the space.

"Crash, the garland goes around the doorway—not on the floor!" Coco sighs as she watches her brother try to hang a string of garland, only for it to fall back down in a heap. Crash, undeterred, scoops it up and makes another attempt, his tongue sticking out in concentration. But in his enthusiasm, he accidentally knocks over a box of ornaments, sending them rolling across the floor.

"Oops!" Crash grins sheepishly, shrugging off the minor disaster. He dives after the ornaments, but instead of tidying up, he somehow manages to get himself tangled in a string of Christmas lights. Coco huffs in exasperation but can't help but smile at her brother's antics.

Amidst the mild chaos, Penny stands to the side, observing everything with a puzzled expression. She's never seen anything like this before. The shiny baubles, the twinkling lights, the flurry of activity—it all seems so strange. It reminded her of when they were all decorating for Halloween, but this felt different—the decorations felt livelier than Halloween.

Noticing Aku-Aku floating calmly nearby, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he watches Crash and Coco work, Penny decides to seek some answers. She walks over to him, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

"What's all this for?" Penny asks, gesturing to the chaotic scene in front of her. "Why is everyone so excited about these... decorations?"

Aku-Aku turns to her with a warm smile. "This, my dear Penny, is how we prepare for Christmas. It's a time of joy and celebration, a holiday where we come together with loved ones to share warmth and happiness."

Penny tilts her head, still not entirely sure she understands. "But why do you put up all these things? What do they mean?"

He explains gently. "The decorations, the lights, the tree—they're all symbols of the season, ways to make our home feel even more special during this time of year."

As Penny listens, something inside her begins to click. She watches as Crash, now completely wrapped up in the lights, manages to untangle himself just enough to dangle a few ornaments on the wall, his face lit up with excitement. Coco, still shaking her head at her brother's antics, hung red socks around the fireplace, her expression softening with pride.

"So, it's about more than just the decorations?" Penny says quietly, more to herself than to Aku-Aku. "It's about being together, making the house feel like a home."

Aku-Aku nods, his voice warm with approval. "Exactly, Penny. Christmas is about the love and joy we share with those who matter most. The decorations are just a way to express that, to fill our home with the spirit of the season." His expression is full of warmth as he continues. "One of the traditions is exchanging gifts—small tokens that show our thoughtfulness and love. It's a way to express our gratitude and to bring happiness to those we care about."

The mention of gift-giving seems to spark something in Penny. Her eyes light up with interest, the idea of giving gifts to show how much you care for others striking a chord with her. It's a concept that feels both new and exciting, yet deeply resonant.

Penny feels a warmth spread through her chest, a growing excitement at the thought of experiencing this special holiday with her new family. She begins to see the twinkling lights and colorful ornaments in a new light, as symbols of something much deeper and more meaningful.