eighteen.

[dawn_is_coming]

[Sora has successfully dragged Riku back from his studying---and only with one punch, too. They'd trudged back to the cabin in the snow, linking arms in order not to lose each other in the worsening blizzard. By the time they get back to the cabin, Sora's hair is thick with snow and ice, eyelashes crusted with snowflakes

Comments

[conniving_flame]

[he's not in the cabin, but at least some of his usual sarcasm is back on his face]

The fat man managed to come through.

[dawn_is_coming]

Have you met Santa? He always comes through.

[conniving_flame]

Nope. I never got that chance to. Too bad.

[dawn_is_coming]

[is pawing through the gifts, now, reading the labels]

Hey! There's one for you! Santa must be thinking of you, even if you are a Nobody.

[dawnward]

[Riku is pretty much just as frozen, though less excited about the presents]

...were those there yesterday?

[dawn_is_coming]

I don't remember them being there. I wonder if there's anything for us!

I know I've been good this year.

[dawnward]

I don't really trust anything the ship just magicks up out of nothing.

[dawn_is_coming]

What's the worst that can be in those boxes?

I mean. Other than bombs or something.

[redpaperfan]

...Armageddon presents would be amusing.

[dawn_is_coming]

What d'you get someone for Armageddon?

[redpaperfan]

A handbasket.

[ he's not smiling. or is he? doesn't matter; he's moved off the screen of the sphere to poke his head into the front room where the tree is. ]

[dawn_is_coming]

[Sora laughs, going through the presents. He finds one, holding it up]

Well, this one's for you. Maybe it has your handbasket in it?

[celestial_okami]

Presents? [Tired Ammy lifts her head off the arm of the couch, watching Sora blearily. She can't even muster a tail wag at the moment, but her ears cock forward.]

What is a Christmas present?

[dawn_is_coming]

Yeah, presents. Christmas is a fun holiday. People give each other gifts and wrap them up. It's a surprise.

[Sora blinks, frowning at her]

Hey, Ammy, are you okay? You look tired.

[celestial_okami]

I have never heard of it before. [She rests her chin on the arm of the couch again, watching the fire. She looks older now, as if all the fighting was catching up with her. Even Solar Flare was going dim, its flames beginning to die.]

I can feel the darkness, Sora. It is draining me. That hole in the stars has a power that even I cannot overcome. I do not know of anything that can stop it, none of my techniques have that power.

[She sighs, sounding exhausted.] I am very tired.

[dawn_is_coming]

[He goes through the presents until he finds one that has...lettering he can't read. At all. He squints, and...well, it feels like it should be hers. He takes it, sitting down next to the wolf goddess. He kisses the top of her head, setting the present in her lap]

Maybe this'll cheer you up, Ammmy.

We're all kind of tired.

[marredgoldfinch]

[tilts his head]

Presents?

[foreign concept to the poor vampire]

[dawn_is_coming]

You know! Christmas presents!

[marredgoldfinch]

[the tree and lights should have been a hint. ah yes, Christmas]

It's Christmas already?

[a ghost of hope goes over his face]

Are there presents for all?

[dawn_is_coming]

[dives back into the present pile]

There's one for everyone!