Tenth Firefly - [Action] - Forward-dated to Christmas morning

[presumablyalone]

[Under one of the lit up trees, not too far from the plaza, is a young boy just slumped up against it with only new feathers white pants on.  Snow that had fallen from the tree branches above him is now on the top of his head, his shoulders and lap, but he's too far out of it to feel the icy sting on his skin.  It's obvious he's been out there for

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[lostinmyway]

[Grune has just set out to deliver all her presents, dressed for the occasion beneath her usual winter clothes. She hums cheerfully to herself, and she isn't really paying much attention, until--]

Seto?

[Grune virtually never moves quickly. This morning is an exception.

She immediately rushes to his side and starts pulling off her coat to wrap him in it. He looks so cold....]

[presumablyalone]

[Seto doesn't move, even when Grune speaks out to him. He doesn't even shiver from the cold. Instead he purses his lips for a moment before relaxing again and lets his shoulders drop]

[lostinmyway]

[That small movement is encouraging, but she still isn't going to so much as pause as she covers him in her coat and then gathers him into her arms. Seto is a wisp of a boy and Grune is stronger than she looks, and so it doesn't take as much effort as might be expected for her to stand and start walking back towards House 34 with him.

She needs to get him warm and make sure he's all right. She won't let him get any more hurt.]

[presumablyalone]

[As Grune carries him, he lets his head fall and rest against her shoulder. Even though he's pretty out of it, he can tell he's been lifted up off the ground, so he groans in response of her actions. His eyes open after he groans, but only a little. Where is he? He can't tell...]

[lostinmyway]

[Hearing that groan, she glances down. She doesn't stop walking.]

It's all right, Seto. Everything is going to be okay.

...I'm glad you're home.

[presumablyalone]

[Oh--it's Grune. That's who's carrying him.

And if she's carrying him then that means...

....He smiles sweetly] I'm home...

[lostinmyway]

[She smiles back.] Yes, that's right. Welcome home.

[presumablyalone]

T-Thanks Grune...

[He makes an attempt to rub his eyes but realizes that his hands are shaking... and they're cold.] W-Where are we? I can't... tell. [Looking around, all he can see is one big blurry mess]

[lostinmyway]

Oh, we're in the village. [Where else would they be?]

[presumablyalone]

The village?

[Guess that makes sense, it's not like he'd be put in the mountains upon returning, but the tone in his voice as he said that sounded more confused than anything. He hesitates for a moment before speaking in a more wary voice] H-Hey Grune, does everything look... normal to you?

[lostinmyway]

Normal?

[Why wouldn't it look normal?]

[presumablyalone]

Like... can you see everything clearly?

[Please don't tell him it's just him]

[lostinmyway]

Oh, yes. Why wouldn't I be able to?

[presumablyalone]

I-I can't...

[A bit more desperately than before, he rubs his eyes but everything just appears just as blurry and out of focus as before]

[lostinmyway]

[As much as she wants to get Seto inside and warm as soon as possible, she stops and looks down at him, suddenly very worried.]

What can't you do?