The Christmas Eve service ended as some of the students as well as some family members began to filter out, Nova looked over to Stasis sitting beside him a wide grin coming to his face as he rose to his feet. He remembered back to earlier that night, when he saw her quickly asking with eyes clenched tightly shut.
“Stasis will you go to Christmas Eve Mass with me?”
He never saw her reaction, whether she rolled her eyes, smiled softly, shook her head, whatever it was, all he heard :
“Yes Nova, I will”
It was his first Christmas Service, and it was likely one he would never forget, not because of some kind of council invasions or anything that would stand out so much, just, it was something to him that would never slip from his mind.
The two of them stood, as the crowd making their way out started to thin, they made their way in the opposite direction towards the front. Father Montoya stood there wishing people leaving a Merry Christmas, his eyes catching two large pair of wings poking their way through the crowd.
“Nova!” he exclaimed in that warm familiar voice as a hand shot up waving back, only a few people away now.
Nova would always call him Father Montoya, never able to get the hang of Father Bob, and greeted him with an equally warm smile, it was almost scary a bit of similarity between the two of them, though decades and decades apart.
“Didya get em?” Nova spoke up making his away around the last person, Stasis at this point a few steps behind him keeping to herself.
Father Montoya only nodded as he said the last of his farewells leading them to another room in the Chapel, on a large wooden desk there stood a stack of old books, not particularly thick, maybe a dozen of them stacked up neatly.
“They are all yours Nova” The old man said motioning to the stack, Nova’s eyes immediately widening as he scooped them up.
“You’re the best Father Montoya! Thanks so much for finding them for me!”
His only response was that familiar warm smile and a nod.
*******
Nova and Stasis made their way back to the dormitories, changing into much warmer clothes as the night was looking to be quite cold. They met up again a short time later, Nova bundled up from head to toe ready for what looked like an Antarctic expedition, Stasis, much less bundled. They had spoke about it earlier, a plan for tonight, for Christmas Eve. They went door to door asking some of the students still on campus for the Holidays if they would be interested in coming. Slowly but surely a small crowd gathered out in the Quad, most of them bundled up ready to take on the cold night. As they stepped outside heading for Founders Falls, large white flakes of snow begun to fall from the sky, the ground cold enough, that they showed no signs of melting.
There was some friendly chatter between friends, as the group made their way to the destination Nova had picked out. By now the snow had really started to fall, but everyone still seemed to be plenty warm. What followed seemed to be a bit of an oddity in such a large city, usually reserved for smaller towns in the country side. The students that gathered pulled out the small books the two of them had picked up earlier opening them up. What followed was like something out of a movie, friends, some of them strangers to one another managed to quickly fall into a state of harmony as familiar Christmas Songs began to fill the street they stood on. They made their way from building to building, house to house for a while. Most people who saw it started with a look of shock, but it would quickly turn into a warm smile as arms would be crossed standing with a content look allowing them to finish before a “Thank You, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas” would be exchanged between the two parties. They weren’t all the best of singers, but that didn’t matter, the spirit behind it seemed to bring everyone together well enough. Nova did well enough leading the group, with a strong cheery voice, the surprise though came from Stasis.
She had protested the idea of singing at first, but things had changed over the past week. That look came to his face, this was something important to him, something he really wanted to do, and she had smiled agreeing to come along warning him that she was pretty bad when it came to singing. Despite her getting off to a quiet start, it didn’t take her long to show her true colors. She could sing, and she was good at it. The two of them seemed to share leadership in the various carols, and the smile on his face the entire time seemed to be as bright as ever, despite the cold. The night ended with “Joy to the world” outside several building just in front of one of the Parks, an actual crowd of people making it out from their homes to see just what was going on. There may have even been a few pictures snapped of the small group of kids filling the chilly night air with the sounds of Christmas. As they made their way through the verses of the song, both looking down sharing a book, his gloved hand slid down to hers, intertwining with it, as he looked over with a small smile, cheeks already flushed from the cold hiding the bit of redness that would appear.
A bit chilled now, they made their way to the green line, catching it to skyway, then the short trip to Overbrook, at Nova’s request. Walking up to the small shop he worked at, surprisingly a few lights still on at this hour on Christmas eve. A short Asian woman appeared in the door, a wrinkled face giving a warm smile to the students standing there, more than a few shivering a bit. Inside, there was Hot Cocoa as well as some recently brewed green tea set out for them. Nova introduced the woman as Grandma Chiho, the owner of the small noodle shop. The inside surprisingly did not smell of noodles, but rather warm cookies. Shortly after everyone had a seat of their choosing, quiet chatter filled the small chop as tea and cocoa began to warm them back up, Nova had vanished into the back at some point returning with the old woman following behind him. He carried out a large tray of sugar cookies waiting to be iced, she brought with her the icing as well as the tools to decorate it. There were Christmas Ball’s, snow flakes, Christmas tree’s and Stars, and plenty of icing. Some were of course eaten there, but there were more than enough to take home.
At the end of the night, everyone now full on a mix of warm drink and sugary cookies, they all set out for their dorms once more, taking a short trip on the green line, getting off just next to campus. Nova and Stasis stayed behind, to help clean up despite the old woman’s protest that they be on their way. A short time later, they made the same walk back to their dorms, walking through the decorated streets, stopping to look at a few of the brighter houses. As they were about to go their separate ways he produced a wrapped cookie from behind him. Unwrapping it, it looked to bear a striking resemblance to her with her armor on. A warm laugh echoed between them as she spoke quietly.
“Merry Christmas Nova”
((Feel free to add your own Christmas at Saint Joes story, or if you would have gone out caroling, your take on it))
Christmas at Saint Joes ((Interludes, Open))
Moderator: Student Council
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El Nuevo Diestro
- Posts: 246
- Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 7:15 pm
- Location: Inner receses of the mind. Or Brunos.
Re: Christmas at Saint Joes ((Open))
He moved quickly to the side altar. He wouldn't have as much time as he'd wanted. He still had to go to Confession before Mass. But he also had to do this. As he reached his destination, he leaned over and lit the first of the three votive candles he intended to light, then knelt.
His first prayers were for his ancestors, his bloodline, the souls whose voices were now constant companions in his head. It was a legacy whose depth he had still only scratched the surface of, whose stories he was still only beginning to learn. Stories of Granadeño, who took part in the last campaigns of the Reconquista; stories of El Piadoso, whose unshakeable faith and morals brought him into conflict with both subversives and the Inquisition itself; Mata-Piratas, who had England and France both howling for his blood as he hunted those who preyed on Spanish ships in the Caribbean; and, of course, the first Diestro, whose skilled blade and keen mind both assured the reputation of the Spanish school of swordsmanship and set his family on the path of Destiny.
He leaned over and lit a second candle, and again began to pray. These prayers were for his family. Not the bygone voices of generations past, but his family: father and mother, aunts and uncles, cousins. The ones who raised him, whom he'd grown up with, the ones he lost forever on that day his world had ended. He still sometimes thought he should have died with them on that train, and one of them been left behind to continue. Too late for that now, though. Too late....
He lit the third candle, and began to pray prayers of thanks. He was still bitter he'd been made to leave Spain, leave home, and come to this loud, foreign place called America. Still, things had gone so much better than he'd ever had a right to hope. There was certainly no shortage of opportunity to train, both practice and on the streets. Some of the staff here actually appeared to understand enough to maybe help him learn to function better with, or despite, the voices always speaking to him. Some of the other kids seemed perfectly willing to take him at face value; some seemed actually interested in finding out more, understanding. And one.....
Diego gave one last heartfelt prayer of thanks for Kelly, and for her well being and that of her family. He couldn't keep a smile from his face as he thought of her. Finally, he finished and stood. Things seemed clearer, easier, than they had in a while. He made up his mind to talk to Nova about joining the singing, even if he didn't understand all the words, even if he just kept to himself and didnt fight to join in conversation over the constant voices and through the language and culture barrier. He would sing to celebrate the holiday and give thanks, because for all he'd lost, he'd gained so much, and that was what mattered right now.
His first prayers were for his ancestors, his bloodline, the souls whose voices were now constant companions in his head. It was a legacy whose depth he had still only scratched the surface of, whose stories he was still only beginning to learn. Stories of Granadeño, who took part in the last campaigns of the Reconquista; stories of El Piadoso, whose unshakeable faith and morals brought him into conflict with both subversives and the Inquisition itself; Mata-Piratas, who had England and France both howling for his blood as he hunted those who preyed on Spanish ships in the Caribbean; and, of course, the first Diestro, whose skilled blade and keen mind both assured the reputation of the Spanish school of swordsmanship and set his family on the path of Destiny.
He leaned over and lit a second candle, and again began to pray. These prayers were for his family. Not the bygone voices of generations past, but his family: father and mother, aunts and uncles, cousins. The ones who raised him, whom he'd grown up with, the ones he lost forever on that day his world had ended. He still sometimes thought he should have died with them on that train, and one of them been left behind to continue. Too late for that now, though. Too late....
He lit the third candle, and began to pray prayers of thanks. He was still bitter he'd been made to leave Spain, leave home, and come to this loud, foreign place called America. Still, things had gone so much better than he'd ever had a right to hope. There was certainly no shortage of opportunity to train, both practice and on the streets. Some of the staff here actually appeared to understand enough to maybe help him learn to function better with, or despite, the voices always speaking to him. Some of the other kids seemed perfectly willing to take him at face value; some seemed actually interested in finding out more, understanding. And one.....
Diego gave one last heartfelt prayer of thanks for Kelly, and for her well being and that of her family. He couldn't keep a smile from his face as he thought of her. Finally, he finished and stood. Things seemed clearer, easier, than they had in a while. He made up his mind to talk to Nova about joining the singing, even if he didn't understand all the words, even if he just kept to himself and didnt fight to join in conversation over the constant voices and through the language and culture barrier. He would sing to celebrate the holiday and give thanks, because for all he'd lost, he'd gained so much, and that was what mattered right now.
*El Nuevo Diestro kneels down in the Chapel before the Altar*
"O my Lord Jesus! Teach me to be generous; teach me to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give, and not count the cost; to fight, and not heed the wounds; to toil, and not ask for rest; to labor, seeking no reward...."
"O my Lord Jesus! Teach me to be generous; teach me to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give, and not count the cost; to fight, and not heed the wounds; to toil, and not ask for rest; to labor, seeking no reward...."
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Double-Cross
- Posts: 133
- Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:31 am
- Location: Paragon City
Re: Christmas at Saint Joes ((Open))
Noah sat in a snowy field, making a familair crunching sound on the snow beneath him. The air was cold and crisp, and snow flakes trickled down from above. He held out his hand watching a few flakes land and melt away. Noah reached in his jacket, pulling out a small Angel like you would put on top of a Christmas tree. He reached out wiping the snow off the stone marker in front of him.
"Merry Christmas Mom" Noah said quietly as he placed the Angel in the snow in front of the stone with tears in his eyes, "I miss you so much."
Noah buried his face in his hands, his whole body shaking. Noah had taken on many opponents, been beaten and broken, but never once did he cry. However, sitting in the snow facing his greatest loss Noah was no longer the tough kid most knew. He was helpless, and cried a years worth of loss, pain, and lonleiness. Noah sat himself back up with a deep breath trying to compose himself.
"Man, I thought this would get easier" Noah said as he wiped tears from his eyes, "I saw dad...he wanted me to give you his love too. He hasn't been the same since you left, but he's doing okay. I've been keeping an eye on him. I'm doing okay too. The school is nice, although I have been in a bit of trouble from time to time. What do you expect, I am my father's son *chuckle*. I have a girlfriend, her name is Jessiy. She's a real sweetheart too, I know you would love her..."
Noah could feel his composure slipping, he took another deep breath closing his eyes, "I keep having this dream, that I bring her home with me for the Hollidays. You and dad are there. You give her a hug and tell her how pretty she is, dad nudges me and nods with that stupid grin of his...he was such a goon sometimes" Noah chuckled to himself, "We would all have dinner, and sit around the fireplace. You'll pull out baby pictures and embarass the hell out of me. Christmas morning, we would all sit down by the tree with hot chocolate. You'd start handing out the presents. Dad would do what he did every year...start guessing his presents. That was always my favorite part. Dad would guess them, and you'd monolauge about psychic's and Christmas." Noah chuckled again, "After awhile...I think he just did it for me...cause he knew I loved it..."
"I had the perfect Christmas this year..." Noah said opening his eyes, "...until I opened my eyes."
Noah stood up, wiping the snow off his pants. He kissed two fingers, placing them on the marker, "I love you mom...Merry Christmas"
"Merry Christmas Mom" Noah said quietly as he placed the Angel in the snow in front of the stone with tears in his eyes, "I miss you so much."
Noah buried his face in his hands, his whole body shaking. Noah had taken on many opponents, been beaten and broken, but never once did he cry. However, sitting in the snow facing his greatest loss Noah was no longer the tough kid most knew. He was helpless, and cried a years worth of loss, pain, and lonleiness. Noah sat himself back up with a deep breath trying to compose himself.
"Man, I thought this would get easier" Noah said as he wiped tears from his eyes, "I saw dad...he wanted me to give you his love too. He hasn't been the same since you left, but he's doing okay. I've been keeping an eye on him. I'm doing okay too. The school is nice, although I have been in a bit of trouble from time to time. What do you expect, I am my father's son *chuckle*. I have a girlfriend, her name is Jessiy. She's a real sweetheart too, I know you would love her..."
Noah could feel his composure slipping, he took another deep breath closing his eyes, "I keep having this dream, that I bring her home with me for the Hollidays. You and dad are there. You give her a hug and tell her how pretty she is, dad nudges me and nods with that stupid grin of his...he was such a goon sometimes" Noah chuckled to himself, "We would all have dinner, and sit around the fireplace. You'll pull out baby pictures and embarass the hell out of me. Christmas morning, we would all sit down by the tree with hot chocolate. You'd start handing out the presents. Dad would do what he did every year...start guessing his presents. That was always my favorite part. Dad would guess them, and you'd monolauge about psychic's and Christmas." Noah chuckled again, "After awhile...I think he just did it for me...cause he knew I loved it..."
"I had the perfect Christmas this year..." Noah said opening his eyes, "...until I opened my eyes."
Noah stood up, wiping the snow off his pants. He kissed two fingers, placing them on the marker, "I love you mom...Merry Christmas"
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Kylie Sheldon
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:57 am
- Location: At the end of the tunnel.
- Contact:
Re: Christmas at Saint Joes ((Open))
Kylie exited the chapel, and with a quick flourish, changed into her white robes, and emanated a soft white glow.
"I'll see you all, like, later!" she called to no one in particular. And with that, she took flight.
She landed softly at the northernmost point of Scyllia Island, there, before a pile of crumbled rocks she knelt and waited.
"Merry christmas," she whispered to the harsh ocean breeze. And there she sat, not letting more than a single shiver escape her, for long into the evening, she waited.
"I'll see you all, like, later!" she called to no one in particular. And with that, she took flight.
She landed softly at the northernmost point of Scyllia Island, there, before a pile of crumbled rocks she knelt and waited.
"Merry christmas," she whispered to the harsh ocean breeze. And there she sat, not letting more than a single shiver escape her, for long into the evening, she waited.
I am a leaf on the wind... Watch how I soar.
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Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Re: Christmas at Saint Joes ((Open))
“Stasis, will you go to Christmas Eve Mass with me?”
Her first reaction was to say no. He'd already talked her into the singing thing, what more did he want? Sure, she'd gone a few times on Sundays with Mimi, even once or twice with Jester but being that she didn't believe in God, it felt sort of hypocritical to go and pretend. You couldn't even sleep in there, with all the kneeling and the sitting and then the standing and then the kneeling again.
But looking at his face, eyes screwed shut for courage, she couldn't do it. Somehow it was important and you didn't mess around with the important things, she'd figured that much out at least. The smile he'd given her after she'd said yes had been pretty nice.
So they'd gone and she'd enjoyed herself even. It was probably the whole ritual of it all, the feeling that it had always been done this way, for years and years and years. From the little girl who carried the first candle and the singing and even the reading of psalms that were as incomprehensible as another language. When Father Montoya said the words "Pax vobris" she knew enough to reply "Et cum spiritu tuo" even though she mangled it a little. Nova shot her a little smile and she felt pretty nice about that too.
They picked up the caroling books and then went back to the dorms to get changed. She hesitated but grabbed a jacket on the way out. Not that she needed it really but it wouldn't look right if she was running around in a tshirt while everybody else was bundled up. She was grateful for it too when she stepped out into the quad and realised it was starting to snow. Snow and short sleeves just screamed freak and the last thing she wanted to do was stand out.
She goofed around and joked with everybody as people showed up. It was a great, almost quietly lazy feeling and she was glad she'd let herself be talked into it. It was fun to be part of a group as they struck out, sorting out who was going with who, who got to carry a book and who had to share. She stuck to Nova and did her best not to sound like a croaking frog when the singing started. It wasn't as bad as she figured so after awhile she just stopped feeling self conscious about it. Privately she thought Nova sounded like a girl when he sang, sort of like a bell. His voice sure seemed to go a lot higher than she'd expected anyways. Maybe it was a dayball thing.
When he whispered to her that it was about time to wind up, she was grateful for that too. His breath steamed in the air as he sang the last song and when his hand slipped into hers, it seemed the thing to do. She grinned at him and didn't even try to hit the last high notes, singing almost a full octave below where it was safer. Some of the kids split off then to head back to the dorms or to do other things but most of them trooped along when Nova said he had a surprise waiting. It was almost like everybody didn't want to be alone, wanting to be together. Sort of made sense once she thought about it. Those that had homes to go to already had... what was left in the quads was those that didn't.
She'd heard about Grandma Chiho but this was the first time she'd met the lady so Stasis did her best to be polite. The whole place smelling like sugar and cookies didn't help to be honest because she was salivating so hard when she walked in she thought for sure she was drooling. Grandma seemed to understand and soon enough everybody was laughing and getting warm again after the couple of hours of walking in the cold. She sat on the floor because there weren't enough seats and ended up leaning on somebody's legs. She got icing all over her fingers trying to decorate her cookie but she wasn't the only one.
Staying behind to help clean up then walking with Nova back to the train was really nice. He didn't try to hold her hand again and she wasn't sure if she was grateful or disappointed. Probably both, knowing her. When they got back to the school and he gave her the cookie he'd held back, she laughed. Trust the dayball to try and figure out how to render her armor in confectioner's sugar.
"Merry Christmas, Stasi," he said. His wings rustled as his fingers withdrew from hers. "Thanks for coming. I had a great time."
"Merry Christmas to you too, Nova," she replied. "And yeah, it was a lot of fun. Thanks for inviting me." Something else hovered on the tip of her tongue but she just smiled. It had been really nice, that's all. She waved, almost a half salute and headed back to her quad before the almost-words coalesced into something she understood.
Curling into bed a little later, she still felt that way. It had been a good idea to go. She felt warm, full of cocoa and cookies and even the singing because it had been a part of something bigger.
It had felt good to belong.
Her first reaction was to say no. He'd already talked her into the singing thing, what more did he want? Sure, she'd gone a few times on Sundays with Mimi, even once or twice with Jester but being that she didn't believe in God, it felt sort of hypocritical to go and pretend. You couldn't even sleep in there, with all the kneeling and the sitting and then the standing and then the kneeling again.
But looking at his face, eyes screwed shut for courage, she couldn't do it. Somehow it was important and you didn't mess around with the important things, she'd figured that much out at least. The smile he'd given her after she'd said yes had been pretty nice.
So they'd gone and she'd enjoyed herself even. It was probably the whole ritual of it all, the feeling that it had always been done this way, for years and years and years. From the little girl who carried the first candle and the singing and even the reading of psalms that were as incomprehensible as another language. When Father Montoya said the words "Pax vobris" she knew enough to reply "Et cum spiritu tuo" even though she mangled it a little. Nova shot her a little smile and she felt pretty nice about that too.
They picked up the caroling books and then went back to the dorms to get changed. She hesitated but grabbed a jacket on the way out. Not that she needed it really but it wouldn't look right if she was running around in a tshirt while everybody else was bundled up. She was grateful for it too when she stepped out into the quad and realised it was starting to snow. Snow and short sleeves just screamed freak and the last thing she wanted to do was stand out.
She goofed around and joked with everybody as people showed up. It was a great, almost quietly lazy feeling and she was glad she'd let herself be talked into it. It was fun to be part of a group as they struck out, sorting out who was going with who, who got to carry a book and who had to share. She stuck to Nova and did her best not to sound like a croaking frog when the singing started. It wasn't as bad as she figured so after awhile she just stopped feeling self conscious about it. Privately she thought Nova sounded like a girl when he sang, sort of like a bell. His voice sure seemed to go a lot higher than she'd expected anyways. Maybe it was a dayball thing.
When he whispered to her that it was about time to wind up, she was grateful for that too. His breath steamed in the air as he sang the last song and when his hand slipped into hers, it seemed the thing to do. She grinned at him and didn't even try to hit the last high notes, singing almost a full octave below where it was safer. Some of the kids split off then to head back to the dorms or to do other things but most of them trooped along when Nova said he had a surprise waiting. It was almost like everybody didn't want to be alone, wanting to be together. Sort of made sense once she thought about it. Those that had homes to go to already had... what was left in the quads was those that didn't.
She'd heard about Grandma Chiho but this was the first time she'd met the lady so Stasis did her best to be polite. The whole place smelling like sugar and cookies didn't help to be honest because she was salivating so hard when she walked in she thought for sure she was drooling. Grandma seemed to understand and soon enough everybody was laughing and getting warm again after the couple of hours of walking in the cold. She sat on the floor because there weren't enough seats and ended up leaning on somebody's legs. She got icing all over her fingers trying to decorate her cookie but she wasn't the only one.
Staying behind to help clean up then walking with Nova back to the train was really nice. He didn't try to hold her hand again and she wasn't sure if she was grateful or disappointed. Probably both, knowing her. When they got back to the school and he gave her the cookie he'd held back, she laughed. Trust the dayball to try and figure out how to render her armor in confectioner's sugar.
"Merry Christmas, Stasi," he said. His wings rustled as his fingers withdrew from hers. "Thanks for coming. I had a great time."
"Merry Christmas to you too, Nova," she replied. "And yeah, it was a lot of fun. Thanks for inviting me." Something else hovered on the tip of her tongue but she just smiled. It had been really nice, that's all. She waved, almost a half salute and headed back to her quad before the almost-words coalesced into something she understood.
Curling into bed a little later, she still felt that way. It had been a good idea to go. She felt warm, full of cocoa and cookies and even the singing because it had been a part of something bigger.
It had felt good to belong.
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
Re: Christmas at Saint Joes ((Open))
The girl was sitting alone on the roof of a building in Overbrook, watching the Christmas sunset burn through the sky. There was no smile on her face.
Kierin had heard of Nova's plan to go singing, but she knew that she would do no good attempting to spread the Christmas spirit. She had long since grown out of feeling any magic in the holidays, even before the day her life had been transformed. Her parents, usually traveling elsewhere for the holidays, had let that particular magic fall away rather quickly.
She thought that maybe this would be the chance to have a truly wonderful Christmas, with her new family at St. Joe's. Things hadn't quite worked out that way. She had spent too much time feeling sad, but even after that she had spent more time not even realizing when the time was going by. Perhaps it was a gift from the Sky that today, a day that she once thought was special, she might be able to have clear thoughts. A clear mind was certainly the only thing she could have wished for in the last few weeks.
Kierin knew that she should feel happy today. But though she could organize her mind, it was still hard to feel anything at all.
Should have gone with them to sing. Should have tried to get presents for other people. Should have talked to my friends. Should have, would have, but she could do little more than exist in the haze the Sky had put her under. Even her grades were starting to slip under the shadows in her mind.
Activity below caused her to glance down. Several teenagers were walking up to one of the nearby shops, many shivering in the cold. It didn't take long for her to recognize them as her fellow students. She was mildly curious as to what they were doing here, as Nova's singing was supposed to be at Founders Falls. Maybe they were finished already.
The thought was confirmed when she saw Nova among the students, the big wings being an instant giveaway. He was gesturing wildly to a slender, white-haired figure walking next to him. Kierin felt a clenching pain inside her chest for a split second and turned away.
She sighed, and waved her hand a little, causing a gentle rain to fall around her. She needed the cold, refreshing water on her face. Almost immediately the drops coalesced and formed into one of the rain creatures that brought her the Sky's messages. Kierin frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"You called me."
Kierin shook her head, but said no more. The Sky's powers constantly confounded her.
The figure of water sat in silence, crossing its legs and staring off into the sun with Kierin. Despite everything else, the Sky's Chosen felt a little twinge of happiness not to quite be alone.
For several minutes they sat in silence. Kierin relaxed, tried to let go of her worries and just concentrate on how beautiful the sunset was. It couldn't last long; the sunset didn't last forever. But the sky was amazing anyway, and maybe there was something special in the air after all.
She looked back at the rain creature still sitting next to her. "...Thank you."
The figure's head turned almost mechanically, and it bowed slowly and deliberately. "Merry Christmas, Kierin."
It didn't reply to Kierin's amazed expression, merely turning back to watch the sky.
The girl sat with her companion on the roof of a building in Overbrook, under the darkening Christmas night sky. She had what might be tentatively called a smile softening her face.
Kierin had heard of Nova's plan to go singing, but she knew that she would do no good attempting to spread the Christmas spirit. She had long since grown out of feeling any magic in the holidays, even before the day her life had been transformed. Her parents, usually traveling elsewhere for the holidays, had let that particular magic fall away rather quickly.
She thought that maybe this would be the chance to have a truly wonderful Christmas, with her new family at St. Joe's. Things hadn't quite worked out that way. She had spent too much time feeling sad, but even after that she had spent more time not even realizing when the time was going by. Perhaps it was a gift from the Sky that today, a day that she once thought was special, she might be able to have clear thoughts. A clear mind was certainly the only thing she could have wished for in the last few weeks.
Kierin knew that she should feel happy today. But though she could organize her mind, it was still hard to feel anything at all.
Should have gone with them to sing. Should have tried to get presents for other people. Should have talked to my friends. Should have, would have, but she could do little more than exist in the haze the Sky had put her under. Even her grades were starting to slip under the shadows in her mind.
Activity below caused her to glance down. Several teenagers were walking up to one of the nearby shops, many shivering in the cold. It didn't take long for her to recognize them as her fellow students. She was mildly curious as to what they were doing here, as Nova's singing was supposed to be at Founders Falls. Maybe they were finished already.
The thought was confirmed when she saw Nova among the students, the big wings being an instant giveaway. He was gesturing wildly to a slender, white-haired figure walking next to him. Kierin felt a clenching pain inside her chest for a split second and turned away.
She sighed, and waved her hand a little, causing a gentle rain to fall around her. She needed the cold, refreshing water on her face. Almost immediately the drops coalesced and formed into one of the rain creatures that brought her the Sky's messages. Kierin frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"You called me."
Kierin shook her head, but said no more. The Sky's powers constantly confounded her.
The figure of water sat in silence, crossing its legs and staring off into the sun with Kierin. Despite everything else, the Sky's Chosen felt a little twinge of happiness not to quite be alone.
For several minutes they sat in silence. Kierin relaxed, tried to let go of her worries and just concentrate on how beautiful the sunset was. It couldn't last long; the sunset didn't last forever. But the sky was amazing anyway, and maybe there was something special in the air after all.
She looked back at the rain creature still sitting next to her. "...Thank you."
The figure's head turned almost mechanically, and it bowed slowly and deliberately. "Merry Christmas, Kierin."
It didn't reply to Kierin's amazed expression, merely turning back to watch the sky.
The girl sat with her companion on the roof of a building in Overbrook, under the darkening Christmas night sky. She had what might be tentatively called a smile softening her face.
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Jacob Carpenter
- Posts: 466
- Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:29 pm
Re: Christmas at Saint Joes ((Open))
Jacob slapped a scoop full of mashed potatoes on to the side of the plate and handed it to the next person. He picked up the plate from the person to his left and looked up at the person across the counter.
"Would you like some mashed potatoes?"
"Yes, please."
He slapped a scoop of mashed potatoes and passed it to the next person.
She was in charge of rolls.
It had become a mind numbing repetition now. At first it was exciting. He felt like he was making a difference. After a while though the repetition and tedium set in. There were so many homeless and needy in Paragon City.
He looked up to his left and saw Sister Moltar flash genuine smiles to everyone who passed through. It was weird seeing her smile like that. He'd only seen her like that once before.
It was the night of the Halloween dance. He had his home made dread pirate roberts costume all ready to go. She had helped quite a bit with it. He took off his mask and looked up at her. She looked back down at him and smiled, "Now don't you look handsome?"
Jacob tried not to blush.
"Do you think Joni will like it?"
"Of course, dear."
"Th-thanks, Sister Moltar, I mean... for everything."
He almost thought he saw her eyes start to water. She just patted him on his back.
"You better get going or else you're going to be late."
He slapped another helping of mashed potatoes on a new plate. That seemed like a long time ago now.
"Stop day dreaming you little brat! And don't be stingy with those potatoes! Not all of us get things handed to us you know!" Jacob looked up at an old man with deep set wrinkles and matted hair in disbelief and then quietly scooped an extra helping of mashed potatoes on to his plate.
===================================
Jacob was washing dishes when Moltar walked in. It was quiet now. Most everyone had left. Moltar looked down at him.
"So, Jacob, what did you think of your Christmas?"
"I- it was different."
"Yes I suppose it was for you."
"I some times wish I could go back... to the way it was before. Then I remember..." Jacob trailed off.
"There are a lot of things we wish we could change that we can't. It's better to focus on the things that we can."
"That one old guy was a jerk."
"Jacob!"
"What? He was!"
"You're supposed to respect your elders, Jacob!"
Jacob paused for a moment thinking of his own parents, "Some elders don't deserve respect."
Moltar gave him a very stern look. When she spoke it was not with caring or kindness, but with a cold sternness that only Moltar could speak with, "Since when has being a Christian been about giving people what they deserve?"
With that she turned and left him to think on that.
"Would you like some mashed potatoes?"
"Yes, please."
He slapped a scoop of mashed potatoes and passed it to the next person.
She was in charge of rolls.
It had become a mind numbing repetition now. At first it was exciting. He felt like he was making a difference. After a while though the repetition and tedium set in. There were so many homeless and needy in Paragon City.
He looked up to his left and saw Sister Moltar flash genuine smiles to everyone who passed through. It was weird seeing her smile like that. He'd only seen her like that once before.
It was the night of the Halloween dance. He had his home made dread pirate roberts costume all ready to go. She had helped quite a bit with it. He took off his mask and looked up at her. She looked back down at him and smiled, "Now don't you look handsome?"
Jacob tried not to blush.
"Do you think Joni will like it?"
"Of course, dear."
"Th-thanks, Sister Moltar, I mean... for everything."
He almost thought he saw her eyes start to water. She just patted him on his back.
"You better get going or else you're going to be late."
He slapped another helping of mashed potatoes on a new plate. That seemed like a long time ago now.
"Stop day dreaming you little brat! And don't be stingy with those potatoes! Not all of us get things handed to us you know!" Jacob looked up at an old man with deep set wrinkles and matted hair in disbelief and then quietly scooped an extra helping of mashed potatoes on to his plate.
===================================
Jacob was washing dishes when Moltar walked in. It was quiet now. Most everyone had left. Moltar looked down at him.
"So, Jacob, what did you think of your Christmas?"
"I- it was different."
"Yes I suppose it was for you."
"I some times wish I could go back... to the way it was before. Then I remember..." Jacob trailed off.
"There are a lot of things we wish we could change that we can't. It's better to focus on the things that we can."
"That one old guy was a jerk."
"Jacob!"
"What? He was!"
"You're supposed to respect your elders, Jacob!"
Jacob paused for a moment thinking of his own parents, "Some elders don't deserve respect."
Moltar gave him a very stern look. When she spoke it was not with caring or kindness, but with a cold sternness that only Moltar could speak with, "Since when has being a Christian been about giving people what they deserve?"
With that she turned and left him to think on that.
Muffins suck.
Re: Christmas at Saint Joes ((Open))
You Better Watch out... better not pout , better not cry I'm tellin You why...
She had snuck in quietly, as she did often now it seemed.
Hoping not to be noticed, not to be heard.
Tip toeing down the halls during hours she was sure noone would be around.
Someone was always around some place in St Joes though and she knew most likely she would be seen.
A bright red velvet santa hat adorned her long raven hair . The white furry fluff around the rim a beautiful contrast between the red and black. The long dark brown leather duster, a gift from her mother this last visit replaced what should have been a santa jacket for this escapade.
At Quad 1 she stopped and sat several small gift bags in front of the door , tacking a sprig of mistletoe to the top of the doorframe and giggled.
" now lets see, Crickets bag, Jaz, Frankie.... "
She peeked into the door slowly hoping noone was inside and silently counted the beds making sure not to forget anyone. Content that was all she walked foreward.
Quad 3 would be next , she was saving her quad for last.
In front of Quad 3 she tacked up another sprig of mistletoe with a giggle and again sat a carefully counted number of goody filled gift bags in front of the door. It didnt matter that were no names on the bags. She was sure everyone would trade the candies the cakes between each other for thier favorites anyways.
" Mimi, Moth, Eshy, and Rudi...." again peeking and counting.
Satisfied again she made her way to the next quad.
This one had one resident she wasnt sure would want the goodies but she could picture maybe the furry inhabitant possibly wetting the sticky candy and sticking in the hair or another just for kicks and that made her grin.
Everyone here was so different and yet in many ways so much the same. Thats why she had chose these bags... each bag had a seen from the christmas cartoon with the land of misfit toys. Everyone here was a misfit from someplace else. But together... its like it was supposed to be this way and the ones outside St Joes were the misfits.
Quad 5, Kali grinned big as she headed there.
Stas would love the treats , she could already picture Stas and Erika half argueing half playing as they decided who got what from the bags.
Stas would know where they came from. Stas always knew when it was Kali's doing.
Kali counted again...
"Stas, Erika, Quis, Ang, ...."
it felt like she was missing someone but she shrugged and left only 3 here anyways.
She kept going from one quad to another. Attempting to hurry and make it before the Mass was finnished.
As she reached quad 14 she laid the final bags down and hung the mistletoe once more.
She still had an extra bag though.
As she turned to leave she remembered Saskia... how could she forget Barrier.
She rushed to make it to her door but stopped a short distance away remembering the last time she had snuck to put something there.
Kali and Jack had played a joke on Saskia once long ago. It seemed so very long ago now.
Kali smiled remembering and tacked another piece of mistletoe above Barriers door and laid the bag carefully in front on the floor.
Hurrying back to dorm 2, she tried in vain to keep the rustling of the duster from making much noise.
She hoped to be back to Quad 2, leave the final bag and sneak back out before anyone saw her.
At Quad 2 she pushed the door open soooo quietly. The squeak from the old hinges made her wince as she hoped noone was inside.
It was dark inside and Kali was sure noone was there.
She flipped on a nearby light and laid the final bag on Myra's bed.
No mistletoe for this door... she sighed. She must have miscounted , or maybe dropped a piece.
She went to her side of the room and pulled out some glitter pens and paper and drew a picture of what could have been seen as mistletoe.... or maybe a doodle gone terribly wrong. Coloring it in quickly with the glittter pens she cut around it in the shape of a Christmas tree and tacked it outside the door.
With a satisfied grin she wrote Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in the frost of the window inside her dorm and proceeded to attempt sneaking back out.
Happily she sang in a whisper....
"He's making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty and nice, Santa Claus is coming to town"
it started as a whisper anyways. By the end she full blown yelling
AND TO ALL A GOOOD NIGHT!!
She never was very good at being sneaky.
She had snuck in quietly, as she did often now it seemed.
Hoping not to be noticed, not to be heard.
Tip toeing down the halls during hours she was sure noone would be around.
Someone was always around some place in St Joes though and she knew most likely she would be seen.
A bright red velvet santa hat adorned her long raven hair . The white furry fluff around the rim a beautiful contrast between the red and black. The long dark brown leather duster, a gift from her mother this last visit replaced what should have been a santa jacket for this escapade.
At Quad 1 she stopped and sat several small gift bags in front of the door , tacking a sprig of mistletoe to the top of the doorframe and giggled.
" now lets see, Crickets bag, Jaz, Frankie.... "
She peeked into the door slowly hoping noone was inside and silently counted the beds making sure not to forget anyone. Content that was all she walked foreward.
Quad 3 would be next , she was saving her quad for last.
In front of Quad 3 she tacked up another sprig of mistletoe with a giggle and again sat a carefully counted number of goody filled gift bags in front of the door. It didnt matter that were no names on the bags. She was sure everyone would trade the candies the cakes between each other for thier favorites anyways.
" Mimi, Moth, Eshy, and Rudi...." again peeking and counting.
Satisfied again she made her way to the next quad.
This one had one resident she wasnt sure would want the goodies but she could picture maybe the furry inhabitant possibly wetting the sticky candy and sticking in the hair or another just for kicks and that made her grin.
Everyone here was so different and yet in many ways so much the same. Thats why she had chose these bags... each bag had a seen from the christmas cartoon with the land of misfit toys. Everyone here was a misfit from someplace else. But together... its like it was supposed to be this way and the ones outside St Joes were the misfits.
Quad 5, Kali grinned big as she headed there.
Stas would love the treats , she could already picture Stas and Erika half argueing half playing as they decided who got what from the bags.
Stas would know where they came from. Stas always knew when it was Kali's doing.
Kali counted again...
"Stas, Erika, Quis, Ang, ...."
it felt like she was missing someone but she shrugged and left only 3 here anyways.
She kept going from one quad to another. Attempting to hurry and make it before the Mass was finnished.
As she reached quad 14 she laid the final bags down and hung the mistletoe once more.
She still had an extra bag though.
As she turned to leave she remembered Saskia... how could she forget Barrier.
She rushed to make it to her door but stopped a short distance away remembering the last time she had snuck to put something there.
Kali and Jack had played a joke on Saskia once long ago. It seemed so very long ago now.
Kali smiled remembering and tacked another piece of mistletoe above Barriers door and laid the bag carefully in front on the floor.
Hurrying back to dorm 2, she tried in vain to keep the rustling of the duster from making much noise.
She hoped to be back to Quad 2, leave the final bag and sneak back out before anyone saw her.
At Quad 2 she pushed the door open soooo quietly. The squeak from the old hinges made her wince as she hoped noone was inside.
It was dark inside and Kali was sure noone was there.
She flipped on a nearby light and laid the final bag on Myra's bed.
No mistletoe for this door... she sighed. She must have miscounted , or maybe dropped a piece.
She went to her side of the room and pulled out some glitter pens and paper and drew a picture of what could have been seen as mistletoe.... or maybe a doodle gone terribly wrong. Coloring it in quickly with the glittter pens she cut around it in the shape of a Christmas tree and tacked it outside the door.
With a satisfied grin she wrote Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in the frost of the window inside her dorm and proceeded to attempt sneaking back out.
Happily she sang in a whisper....
"He's making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty and nice, Santa Claus is coming to town"
it started as a whisper anyways. By the end she full blown yelling
AND TO ALL A GOOOD NIGHT!!
She never was very good at being sneaky.
“Stasis Kiss: Sometimes you just have to do something drastic and shake things around a little. ”