![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=673%2C505&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This was the first actually Boxing Day fight he actually got to fully witness.\u00a0 Oh he heard about it, even made a few bets over the years, but never got to really see it.<\/span><\/p>\n The first time he was actually at the Manor during the holidays, for the infamous Christmas Eve dinner, since he was finally recognized as part of the family – it had been a pretty shit year.\u00a0 \u00a0The Machine sent him on a mission, the Winchesters ended up called into work, there were sibling fights, Mate fights, and when he showed up for Midnight Mass it was just Papa and Harold, with Thomas sitting in the pews.\u00a0 \u00a0Despite the fact he had got called for a job, he felt the cold stare from across the pew.\u00a0 \u00a0This was a big family tradition, one he was finally a part of and missed it.<\/span><\/p>\n The second time he was invited, he made sure The Machine knew not to contact him, add in the fact it was the Christmas after Giles got viscerated on the lawn – it was more somber yet at the same time healing.<\/span><\/p>\n The third time was two days ago.\u00a0 \u00a0They had decided to stay the holidays, actually be part of the whole traditional family event.\u00a0 \u00a0Warrick was away, finally dealing with the Ad\u00e9wal\u00e9\u00a0 side of things, training at Masyaf.\u00a0 He hoped it was going well and that Ezio and Warrick weren’t doing to much damage.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Even with the Pirate missing, it was an enjoyable Christmas Eve Dinner and Mass.<\/span><\/p>\n And now he sat next to Papa watching the traditional Boxing Match take place.<\/span><\/p>\n “When exactly did this start?” He asked Nico, who was enjoying a cup of coffee while watching the two kids go at it.\u00a0 “I remember Hugh talking about it a while back, and Warrick’s been taking bets since you arrived in New Orleans.”<\/span><\/p>\n “After Speed was Turned the two fought like siblings.\u00a0 \u00a0Tony didn’t like the new kid, and Timothy was dealing with a lot of grief, so the two fought all the time.\u00a0 \u00a0It was mostly verbal, with a few fist fights.\u00a0 Over time they settled into a relationship, but there were moments they just need to get it out.\u00a0 \u00a0We were visiting Camelot, and they were in an exceptional mood. Arthur had it with them, told them to fight it out on Boxing Day.\u00a0 The rest was history.”<\/span><\/p>\n “So every Boxing Day?”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nico nodded.\u00a0 “There’s been a few times circumstances have not allowed it, but despite the outcome or where in the world, Speed will always bring me a feather.\u00a0 \u00a0Even if it’s a few he’s collected over the years.\u00a0 Even during the Second World War, he had a handful for me when we were reunited.\u00a0 I have a box on my alter that has a collection, some have a specific meaning, others are unique as he couldn’t find a wren.\u00a0 I have a Swan feather from a decade ago, and while we were pirating ended up with a few parrot feathers.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m surprised you’re okay with him killing the wren.”\u00a0 Rhys glanced over at him, one eyebrow raised.<\/span><\/p>\n “I understand traditions.\u00a0 We used to eat small sparrows in Rome.\u00a0 Besides, he’s not touching the birds in my aviary.\u00a0 He knows blood would be spilt and it wouldn’t be mine or the birds.”\u00a0 Nico sipped his coffee.\u00a0 \u00a0“He never harmed the parrots in the Caribbean, they actually ended up doing more damage.”\u00a0 He laughed lightly, remembering the few scratches and cursing in Gaelic when one feisty cockatoo bit him, when he tried to snitch a feather.<\/span><\/p>\n “How often do others get involved in the fight?”\u00a0 He was learning a lot and enjoying every moment of it.\u00a0 \u00a0He was also noticing his siblings fighting styles, and both had skill.\u00a0 \u00a0Speed was quicker on his feet, fought low and dirty.\u00a0 Tony was cunning, watching all sides and damn good at defense, always looking for an opening.\u00a0 “I know last year they had a truce and went for drinks, after everything that happened it was understandable.\u00a0 The year before that, we already left, but heard it was pretty viscous.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Now, it’s more to get their anger out from the year.\u00a0 Them fighting each other, because they are pissed with each other is long gone.”\u00a0 He set his cup down, smirking at Tony’s dodge and landing a good left, only to lose his feet out from under him.\u00a0 “But there are moments they go for each others throats.\u00a0 \u00a0At the turn of the century, when we all went our own ways for a few years, that last Boxing Day, they both left bloody.\u00a0 \u00a0But to answer your question, yes, some have challenged.\u00a0 The rule is you take both on.\u00a0 You don’t get to challenge one or the other.\u00a0 \u00a0And let me say, they are both damn good fighters.\u00a0 \u00a0Anyone who counts them out because they look at Tony’s expensive suits, or Speed’s laid back attitude is going to get their ass handed to them, individually.\u00a0 Together they are a formidable team.\u00a0 \u00a0Kenway took them on once, they both bowed out quickly realizing that was not going to end well.\u00a0 \u00a0I’ve gone at it a few times with them, and I do use my Assassin skills against them.\u00a0 Haven’t done it in a while though.\u00a0 Warrick has only gone rounds with them a few times.\u00a0 Once when he was a Pirate, he learned quickly not to under estimate them.\u00a0 \u00a0Van Helsing at times has had enough of their antics, and reminded them why he’s my Lead Hunter.\u00a0 \u00a0So many people lost money when Riddick went down.\u00a0 \u00a0They refuse to fight his girls.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Well at least they aren’t stupid.” Even he would question taking on Riddick’s twins.\u00a0 They played nasty, and were damn good at it.<\/span><\/p>\n “Why are you asking?”<\/span><\/p>\n Rhys gave him that specific smirk, that always met trouble.\u00a0 \u00a0He stood with a grace, Nick never felt or thought he could pull off, slid off his coat and tossed it over the railing, only to hear Harold yell about not disrespecting the material Mr. Rhys!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Well this should be interesting.”\u00a0 Harold took his Mate’s seat, them smiled at Thomas who set an appropriate tea service down on the table.\u00a0 “Thank you.\u00a0 Tell Cook she makes exceptional tea, and that I appreciate her having my favorites on hand, even when I only visit on occasions.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thomas gave him a smile.\u00a0 “We strive to take care of family.”\u00a0 He wasn’t going to tell him, they had no idea how the tea ended up on their order, but it did.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nick wasn’t exactly sure how this was going to play out, but he grabbed his phone opened up the App Warrick had created for bets to be taken just for Boxing Day.\u00a0 He knew it tied into Caesar’s but wasn’t quite sure how, nor did he ask.\u00a0 All he did was update the fight stating there was a new contender.\u00a0 \u00a0With in seconds, alerts of new bets, cancelled bets and messengers were popping up, to the point he had to turn the sound off and set the phone aside.<\/span><\/p>\n “No Sithing.”\u00a0 Tony gave a pointed look at Rhys, who just shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n “No wolfing.”\u00a0 Rhys gave a pointed look at Speed, who just shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n “Are we going to let this happen?”\u00a0 Harold asked as he picked up his tea, cringing slightly as Tony got the first blow in, while Speed distracted their oldest sibling.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “You going to stop it?”\u00a0 Nico glanced around to see his coffee had disappeared instead there was tea.\u00a0 He glared at Thomas from behind Harold’s back, then picked up his new cup.\u00a0 “It’s good to see the kids playing.”<\/span><\/p>\n Harold gave him a side-eye.\u00a0 “You do realize Rhys is deadly on a good day.\u00a0 And that the US government paid a lot of money to make him worse.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Ah my tax payer’s money at work.”\u00a0 He flinched when Speed landed on Tony, both laying there for a moment before giving each other a look and running full tilt back into the fray.\u00a0 “Don’t underestimate the kids.\u00a0 Tony has grown in his skills lately, and Speed has always been scrappy in a fight, but lately has been pushing himself more.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Both took a deep breath in when all three went down, they weren’t sure who was laughing, but the manic in it, they put good money it was John.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “How much do you have riding on it?” Harold asked with some curiosity.<\/span><\/p>\n “Didn’t your kid tell you?”\u00a0 Nico eyed the phone on the table.\u00a0 “But in all honestly, I don’t.\u00a0 I never bet on these days, even if they take someone on.\u00a0 Don’t like them thinking I’m choosing one over the other.”<\/span><\/p>\n He patted Nico’s hand.\u00a0 “You’re a good father, Mr.\u00a0 Meridius.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Thanks Mr. Finch.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I put a few grand down on my Mate.\u00a0 He’ll wipe your kids off the grass.”<\/span><\/p>\n Nico let out a laugh.\u00a0 His sister was likely right.\u00a0 Rhys had been doing this far longer than his kids.\u00a0 \u00a0But he knew Tony and Speed would give a good run at it, and would likely want lessons later.\u00a0 \u00a0It was likely the lessons they learned from Kenway was what still kept them in the game.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “I would pay to see John and Kenway go at it.”\u00a0 Nico imagined it would be a damn good fight.\u00a0 \u00a0Not many took John on, even at Masyaf.\u00a0 Altair had been sneaky, and used the Apple only to be countered by John’s own gifts.\u00a0 He remembered the McManus’ taking him on once, and he wasn’t sure out of the three of them which one was having the most fun.\u00a0 John talked about training with Sifu, and even got stuck waiting for butterflies – it’s a neat trick that not many have figured out how Sifu does it.<\/span><\/p>\n “Rematch!”\u00a0 Tony demanded laying on the ground, head on Speed’s stomach.\u00a0 “Want a damn rematch, and you have to teach me that move.\u00a0 Damn my hair hurts.”<\/span><\/p>\n Speed patted Tony’s head for a moment, but not really pushing him off quite yet.\u00a0 “How the hell does someone that big move that fast.”<\/span><\/p>\n Rhys laughed and helped both of them up.\u00a0 “You’re using your wolf senses.\u00a0 That’s good.”\u00a0 He patted Speed on the shoulder who winced.\u00a0 “And I saw Ezio’s training in there.\u00a0 You should adjust it slightly, you’re taller than him.”<\/span><\/p>\n Nico glanced at the app, he didn’t hide the eyeroll at the commentary the Machine was making, including sending video to Speed and Tony with notes and tips.\u00a0 “Considering they’ve never fought him before, they did well.\u00a0 By the way Mr. Finch your winnings have been sent to the Friends of the Library.”<\/span><\/p>\n Harold narrowed his eyes at his brother.\u00a0 “Sneaky Mr. Pearce.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Aye, learned from the best.”\u00a0 He answered with a soft brogue.\u00a0 “So this time next year?”<\/span><\/p>\n “It has been quite enjoyable, Mr. Meridius.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Thank you, Mr. Finch.”<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Results are in! See the snippet below the cut for the winner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[975,1003,66],"tags":[117,849],"class_list":["post-19312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-snippets","category-sylum-advent-2021","category-sylum-stories","tag-happy-boxing-day","tag-sylum-snippets"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Da1M-51u","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":23117,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/boxing-day-results-8\/","url_meta":{"origin":19312,"position":0},"title":"Boxing Day Results","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"February 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Boxing Day Results. Guys it was a tie.\u00a0 Here's the thing - the Tied section didn't win.\u00a0 Just that it came down to a tie between Speed & Tony.\u00a0\u00a0 This made me laugh hysterically, that it still ended up a tie. So I decided to have fun with this\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Holidays"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Holidays","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-holidays\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20038,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-archive-snippets-update\/","url_meta":{"origin":19312,"position":1},"title":"Sylum Archive: Snippets Update","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"September 4, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Sylum Archive Update I've reorganized all the snippets on the Archive.\u00a0 I dug through the blog and found all the snippets (even some that had gone missing) plus Teasers.\u00a0 Everything has been uploaded into the Archive!\u00a0 So even if you've checked out some of these over the weeks make sure\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Archive"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Archive","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-archive\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/taibhrigh_banner-SylumTeaserSnippets2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20620,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/boxing-day-results-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":19312,"position":2},"title":"Boxing Day Results","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"January 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"So the results are in!\u00a0\u00a0 And this year's winner is Tony! Two things you get this day. A small snippet!\u00a0 And a surprise after the snippet. Jethro held his hand out, smiling when Horatio put down a hundred dollar bill into it.\u00a0 \"I know they are both damn good warriors\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Snippets"","block_context":{"text":"Snippets","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-stories\/snippets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/banner-WinterWren.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6433,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/boxing-day-results\/","url_meta":{"origin":19312,"position":3},"title":"Boxing Day Results!","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"December 27, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"And we have our Boxing Day Results! And the Winner is .... Speed! The final results were: Speed: 17 Tony: 13 Tied: 6 Thank you everyone for participating. *Warrick walks off counting is cash","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Holidays"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Holidays","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-holidays\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23011,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/snippets-2024-archived\/","url_meta":{"origin":19312,"position":4},"title":"Snippets 2024: Archived","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"January 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"All of last year's Snippets - including 2023's Boxing Day (I was way behind) - has been archived. Just check out the various snippet posts to find the new ones.","rel":"","context":"In "Snippets"","block_context":{"text":"Snippets","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-stories\/snippets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/taibhrigh_banner-SylumTeaserSnippets2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17702,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/boxing-day-results-5\/","url_meta":{"origin":19312,"position":5},"title":"Boxing Day Results","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"January 23, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"And the Winner is ... Both: They tagged team and took out other competitors And lucky me this tied perfectly into another snippet: Eric\/Riddick snippet below! Eric blinked, looked around, blinked again, but he still wasn't quite sure what had just happened.\u00a0 This was the third time he had actually\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National Day"","block_context":{"text":"National Day","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/national-day\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/98245692.nJwB36ux.IMG_9449_winter_wren.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19312"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19312\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}