Its trunk was grey, more like rock than bark. It was thicker than most trees you had seen and its branches didn't start until much higher up the trunk. Long, thin, almost green-black needles stuck out like hair from thin weeping branches. Like if a palm tree and a pine tree got smushed together, or a truffula tree.

Whirl was slinking around the treats table poking at this and that and being stared down by many bots who disapproved but weren't brave enough to do anything. He scooped up what looked like a Turkish delight to you and bobbed toward the ornaments with Drift and Rodimus.

"Maybe this goes on top?" Drift offered referring to an ornament shaped like a spark casing. "Humans like their spark shaped objects, right?" Rodimus scratched his head and looked at star topper he held. It was red with old white lights and a triangle swirled base.

"I'm not sure, I could've sworn it was the star," peaking up and noticing you with your reindeer shaped hot chocolate mug on the counter, he grins, "let's ask tiny!" Both bots, beaming with newfound excitement held only for human things, held up each of their items like prizes in a show. "Which one goes on top? Roddy thinks it's the star but it must be the spark, doesn't the red suited human hold a special place in the other humans hearts?"

"No, it's gotta be the star because Santa comes from the stars on his ship right?" You're not sure what Drift is talking about but he's cute and Rodimus isn't entirely wrong. "Well, Santa comes from the north pole, and his reindeer make his sleigh fly. I'm not sure why we put it there but it's usually a star or an angel. Maybe a spark isn't so far off? I think I'd be cute to have a little Drift at the top of our tree." Smiling and taking a sip of your hot coco Drift blushes waving a servo at your boldness. "Oh you," he takes the star and gives it to Megatron to put on top.

"What of the other decorations for the tree? What is the point of those?" Whirl who has surprisingly not made a sound up until now, scoops up a few of the jingle ornaments and beigins to decorate himself. "To make the old guy feel welcome, obvuously. I'm sure the only reason he comes down from his fancy shmancy mansion in the arctic is because the other fleshies make it look appealing. Isn't that why we put out that organic food?"

Earlier you had convinced Chromdome, Rewind, Cyclonus, Tailgate, Whirl, and Swerve to make 'reindeer feed' to keep them occupied while Brainstorm, Perceptor and Nautica figured out what colors to light the tree. In actuality, it was just oatmeal, glitter, sugar, and sprinkles but they didn't need to know that.

Whirl dangled a particularly shiny ornament shaped like a reindeer in front of his optic. Megatron looked to you with a confused frown. "I don't know the point of the star but I sort of know what's up with the ornaments. Historically, garland made of orange slices were used as an offering to welcome the coming sun and popcorn was used to bless what was collected from the fall harvests. Simple ornaments like bells or glass balls were used as similar offerings and to ward off evil spirits. Today though it's variable. Much of what exists is just because it looks nice and many people have their own spin on it. I used to have an ornament as a kid that looked like a little Muppet head. Its mouth would open and we would put a chocolate in the mouth and whoever woke up first got to have it."

Megatron nodded, he didn't know what a Muppet was but if decorating the tree welcomed good tidings who was he to stop it. Whirl busied himself putting tinsel on the tree but not before giving you a bell of your own to wear. "So I don't step on you," is what he said when he pushed it at you, his optic was surprisingly bright.

Meandering over to the scientific minds of the lost light where Brainstorm was wearing a santa hat. He held his arms wide open where several tiny beakers with varying colored fluids in them hung delicately from twine. Percy, as entertained as he could possibly look, held his servo to his chin and nodded in approval, "Very nice". Brainstorm beamed from behind his mask. "Horay! It looks so good! It will look even better right above the holovid." Nautica ushered Btainstorm over to the lounge area and begun hanging the lights up under the large holovid set up to watch movies.

Rung, Ratchet, First Aid, and Blaster sat surrounding the TV. Rung and Ratchet on the couch and First Aid and Blaster on the ground in front of them. The movie, much to your surprise, was Jim Carrey's 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'. Picked out by Ratchet because, "nothing that ugly could possibly be created for such a holoday."

Ratchet sat sipping a cup of engex, Rung scrolled through a data pad with his own glass near, and Blaster and First Aid lost themselves in what looked to be a very heated game a scrable. At least you thought it was scrabble, they changed some of the glyphs and by First Aids current huffing you'd assume Blaster was winning.

You sat next to Rung sneaking a peak at his pad. You're almost starting to understand the language. It's a how to of sorts but he turns the pad off once he notices you perched next to him in the socks he got you as an early present. "Are they to your liking, little one?" He asks pointing toward the polar bear socks. "They're perfect, Rung, thank you very much." He's glad you like them, much of this human stuff cost most bots an arm and a leg from swindle but what didn't these days.

Rung offered his arms to you and you gladly snuggled up with your hot coco. Watching Jim Carrey in a ridiculous green outfit drive a comically small car through whoville causing destruction and chaos by the likes of which Whirl has never seen. Rung chuckles when Whirl pokes his head between you to, "I could do better, he didn't even break the fountain."

Reaching to wrap a blanket around you and Rung, Tailgate smiles and waves from in front of a very miffed looking Cyclonus. His horns were decorated to look like antlers and he's sporting a lopsided red nose and bells. He looks ridiculous but Tailgate is glowing with pride. You're glad they're enjoying the festivities.

"This is far too much," He speaks sheepishly looking at Tailgate. Tailgate only grabs him by the arm and leads him to a comfy corner to watch the rest of the movie. They're quick to get comfortable when the sound of ringing bells begins and Whirl decides that his new favorite recharge spot is in both of their laps.

Brainstorm and Percy take up the recliner. Roddy and Drift sit on either side of Ratchet. Chromdome has Rewind sat in his lap in their own pulled up chair. Nautica greets Skids at the door before draging him over to the front of the holovid. Megatron and Minimus weren't around though, that is until you realize they've self-imposed a banishment to the back of the room. Pushing at Roddy to make more space on the couch you wave them over. Megatron shifts slightly but Minimus takes his hand and pulls him over. Deciding to sit between you and Rodimus, with Minimus on his lap. You smile warmly when the Grinch sings, very badly, with the who's. Surrounded by friends and Christmas magic the movie ends.