Alyxander smiled in return and nodded. "Very much so. Quite rarely before have I been given such a chance to enjoy the company of others." He answered wholeheartedly; he meant every word, and it was obvious by the chiming tone in his voice. He took a bit of the potatoes as Kate held the bowl for him, then passed it along. "So when is the festival?" He asked after swallowing a bite of food, looking over at Kate. "Or at the very least, when do the true festivities start?"He was very excited about this whole season, the merriment and happiness that spread to everyone... perhaps not to John as much as it should, but he didn't worry about the other boy. He was just bitter, nothing more.