Very... Christmasy?(open)

[Dante]

Snow! Perfect! Almost everything in sight was white, excluding the colorful houses and the myriad of neon light bulbs glowing in the town. The sounds of elves singing could be heard over the laughter of the children who were throwing snowballs. Snowmen lined even the outskirts of town as snow angels, foot prints, and sled tracks marked the fluffy ground. Everything in this town was so cheerful and happy and all of the wonderful things in the world.... Except Dante.

Dante, unlike many of the others he had met on his journey here, didn't believe in Santa Claus or his magical flying reindeer. He didn't believe in elves and he couldn't fathom the thought of a fat man who sneaks into houses and eats thier food flying all around the world in one night, on a fruity magical sleigh, with fruity magical reindeer. He'd rather believe that Jack Skellington was 'Sandy Claws'.

He tracked through the snow with a scarf on, the tails flowing in the blistering wind. It was red, the color of that damned sleigh and that damned red suit. He had recieved it form the person who had helped him in Destiny Islands. There was also a note that read,

[color= Dear Dante,

I've recieved word that you beat the bad monster down. Nice job! I was thinking, you know, that since it's close to Christmas and all and Santa will be making his rounds soon, that I would buy you an early gift. It's a scarf to take with you on your journey to Christmas Town. I know all about you Dante. You don't believe in Santa or anything, so I want you to meet him in person. He has been notified of your travel and will be awaiting you. Have fun.

Love,

Mary

Dante had the letter in his pocket, keeping a grip on it. This Mary... she was a weird one, alright. As Dante rounded a bakery, he smelled the scent of... could it be!? No... it can't... Yes... YES!? It was the scent of pecan and apple pie! Apples and pecans all mashed together in a burst of flavorful delight! He hadn't even seen a picture of it in his mind since... He sighed and stopped into the bakery, a warm flush of air rushing into his face.

Behind a counter was a pudgy, small old woman with white and gray hair all tucked neatly under a little green and pink hat. She waved at him and motioned for him to come on and hurry with it. He slowly made his way towards the counter and nodded. The woman spoke, "Why, hello there. It's always nice to meet such young, new faces. Since it's your first time here, you get the first piece of pie free. So, which kind would you like, young man?" Dante knew what he wanted. He picked the special pie and the lady quickly grabbed a plate, a plastic fork, and a napkin, opening the drawer and reaching for the slice of pie. She placed it gently on the plate and, as she stepped back up to meet Dante's height behind the counter, she took her fingers and reached for a pinch of cinnamon, spreading it lightly over the dessert. She handed it to him, smiling as always.

"Thank you for coming in. Merry Christmas!" "Yeah... sure. Thanks." Dante walked out, beginning to devour the pie. It tasted just like it did before when his mother baked it. He sat down on a becnh and quickly finished the pie, setting the plate into the garbage can. He wiped his mouth and made his way towards what was Santas house.

[♥ kats KAT kats ♥]

What's this? White fluffy stuff? Soft like the fur on a white fluffy cat. What in the world could this stuff be? A-and it was cold. Sun shivered at the bleakness of the white snow, though it was amazing it was also cold. She was traveling down the hill, seeing lights in the distance. Bright, colorful lights. Maybe she could get out of this white fluffy cold stuff.

She slipped down the small slope, ending up on her behind. The back of her dress become wet some as the snow began to melt from her body warmth. Sun was wearing her Native outfit, that was just bits of cloth covering her body. Not an outfit for this kind of weather, especially snowy cold weather. She stood up straight, she needed to be careful when walking in this fluffy white cold stuff.

She wrapped her arms around her body, trying to keep herself warm. She had never experienced cold like this before. She walked down the slop towards the lights. She could see her breath in front of her, her body shook and shivered. The hairs on her arms stood up straight from the cold. She reached the carousel, brightly with colors. She then caught the smell of something. Something that was warm and inviting. Something sweet. She walked towards where the smell was coming from. Her body remained cold, her lips turning a slight blue. Making her lips seem a light purple color.

She saw a young man with a red scarf. She starred at him, her body shaking and shivering. This was no place for Sun to be. She was used to warm, sunny places. With fields that she could run free in. But this place intrigued her. What was this white stuff? She had never seen it before. She dragged her feet across the snow, unable to walk from how could she had become. She stumbled and fell, falling into the snow in front of her.

She would need warmth and fast. How she wished to be back in the sunny covered fields back in Neverland.

[Dante]

Something crashed loudly in the distance... More like a pluff sound, but it's all the same. Dante looked over, wiping his mouth of the last crumbs from the delicious dessert, seeing a person fall in the snow. This was slightly hilarious, but the person was, surprisingly, his size! It was a female, too, and she was wearing something that wasn't really needed for a place like Christmas Town. This was quite odd. Usually girls would accesorize in any way they can for the winter months, but this young woman kept herself in a cloth like clothes, something that looked entirely too thin.

Now Dante felt bad for the poor soul. She must be so cold in the ice and snow. Dante rubbed the back of his head and sighed. The things he would do to cheer someone up. That was one of his weaknesses; He would do anything to make someone as happy as they could be. He would kill if that meant a smile. Dante contemplated a thought for a moment and finally moved over to this young woman.

"Hey, what are you doing in the snow in such akward attire? You'll freeze your nose off if you stay out here dressed like you are now." Dante removed his scarf and the outer layer of his shirt, leaving the long sleeved one left on his body. He would happily offer her his long sleeved shirt, but that would mean becoming halfnaked in the snow where the kids play. That would be bad. He hand the young woman his scarf and short sleeved shirt, hoping that she would take them. He had no need for them.

"Take them. You'll become much warmer in these." Dante gave a little smile to support his kindness, waiting for her to take the clothes. If she did so, he would take her to "Santa's" house and ask him if she could stay there.

[♥ kats KAT kats ♥]

She just happened to try and get up and her hand slipped on the snow again, her face ending up in the white fluffy cold stuff. What was this stuff anyways? It felt awfully like water, but when it touched her hand it seemed to melt into...water. She finally managed to sit up, her knees folded underneath her. Flakes of snow melting on her face as she sat there. She made no attempt to stand up, it would just end up with her slipping again. She looked up at the young man. He seemed to contemplate if he should help her or not. Did she seem that incapable?

His red scarf billowed in the chilly wind, that made the hairs on the girl’s arms stick up even more. She stared helplessly at him. Her gray blue eyes staring up at him. She felt lost. Cold. Numb. Much like a puppy.

Hey, what are you doing in the snow in such akward attire? You'll freeze your nose off if you stay out here dressed like you are now.

Snow? So this stuff was called snow? He took off his scarf and his shirt, it seemed he had two. Then…. the weirdest thing. He handed them to her. She stared at them as the young man held them out in front of her. W-why was he giving her his clothes?

Take them. You'll become much warmer in these.

S-she was cold. She slowly put her hand out and took the clothes from him, then quickly grabbed them away from him. She could feel the warmth they emitted. His warmth. She looked back up at him, after hugging the warm scarf and shirt to her chest. She did not utter a word. She then stood up, being careful to not fall again. She wrapped the scarf around her neck, feeling its soft warmth. She then slipped her arms into his shirt. It was still warm as well. She rubbed her cheek against the scarf. The wind seemed to pick up as they stood there.

A feather lay on the snow, having fallen off from her headdress. She had yet to notice it. It was a beige color. It almost mixed in with the white snow.

[Dante]

Dante grinned at this. It made Dante feel a little bit happier, knowing that the young girl would be warm now. He stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before he began to speak to her again. "Well... How are they, the clothes? Do they keep you warm enough?" At that moment, a shot of pain went through his head and he grabbed his right ear with his hand, hoping to look more casual then in pain. He knew exactly who was causing that damned pain, too. Madam.

No, no no! That's not how my apprentice should be! I'm not your apprentice anymore. Your little friend told me so. Now leave me alone. I don't want to have anything to do with you or anyone associated with you any longer. Then the talking stopped. Was she really gone? Dante wouldn't get his hopes up, though. She usually came back every now and then to mess with his head. He took in a deep breath of air and looked at the girl.

"Well, I should get you to somewhere warmer. By the way, my name is Dante." Dante was always so eager to make friends that he would tell someone his name the first time they met. That was another weakness that he soon hoped to overcome someday. He motioned the young woman to follow him to "Santa's" house, hoping she would follow. Even with the clothes, she wouldn't last long in this place, especially if that "elf" was right about that storm.

[♥ kats KAT kats ♥]

Well... How are they, the clothes? Do they keep you warm enough?

The young female looked up at the guy standing before her, she nodded slightly. Shyly. She was shy around strangers, especially in a new world. She stood there, still cold but a bit warmer. She lightly smiled at Dante, who had just introduced himself. She nodded again, as he said that they should go somewhere warmer. She looked around, trying to see where they could go... but she came up empty handed. She did not know this place. Didn't know who would welcome her here. Was Dante from here? D-did he have a home?

She looked towards the sky, it was cloudy. Gray. She pointed towards the faint light, the faint globe that was the sun. She tried to get his attention so as to tell him her name. She continued pointing towards the sun, hoping he would catch on.

She was thinking of how else she could tell him her name when she happened to glance downwards and saw a feather had fallen from her headdress. The feather was part of who she was, where she had come from. She would cherish it. She quickly picked it up, but ended up slipping in the snow. She was sent towards Dante... She tried to regain her footing but ended up slipping more.

[Dante]

Dante watched as the girl pointed at the sun. What was she doing? Did she want to tell him something about the sun? She was awfully quiet and it seemed that she couldn't speak. What had happened to her to make her this way?

She kneeled to pick up something, but instead slipped towards him. "Woah! Hey, be careful. You could get hurt if you keep slipping." Dante came down to help her up, but when the girl tried to stand up again, she slipped and hit the already unbalanced Dante, making him fall over and into the snow. Maybe this girl needed some help walking? She must really live somewhere far from this place.

Dante rubbed his head and he stood up slowly, brushing himself off as he did. He stared at the young woman for a while before reaching down to help her. "Are you alright, Miss? you seem to be slipping a lot, so I'm just wondering you're feeling well."

[♥ kats KAT kats ♥]

She felt shy and...stupid for slipping in this white soft, slippery stuff that Dante called snow. She was finally able to regain herself though not after falling onto Dante and making him fall over as well. She remained on the ground on her knees. She looked up at Dante as she saw his hand in front of her.. as he asked.

Are you alright, Miss? you seem to be slipping a lot, so I'm just wondering you're feeling well.

She nodded quickly, shyly. Repetitively. She took his hand as he helped her up. She was fine. She was just...cold and kept slipping. She was finally able to stand up correctly. She didn't bother trying to move, afraid that she might slip again. She still had a hold of Dante's hand. She then wrapped her arms around Dante's arm, clinging to him...

It seemed that she had warmed up to him quickly, plus he was warm and helpful.

[Dante]

Well, this was awkward. Dante wasn't used to people clinging to his arm, or any body part for that matter. He could see that she was cold, her body becoming white and some parts a light blue. He smiled as he gave a little chuckle, motioning to the young girl the way to "Santa's House". "Come on. You're becoming paler by the second. If we stay out here for much longer, you'll become a popsicle."

He moved in a slow fashion to allow the maiden to walk across the snow safely and without slipping. She was really clumsy, although he had been like that, too at one point. Giving further reinforcement to her body, Dante reached around and grabbed her shoulder with his free hand, which hopefully allowed some of his warmth to circulate between the both of them. This girl, though, she needed the warmth more than he probably ever would. It was weird, though. He had seen her fall in the snow, so helpless and confused, more confused than anything. Why did he even think about helping her?

This wasn't something that he would do on any given day. As he took one last glance at her, he felt sadness. He now knew the reason for being so helpful. Like it or not, Dante had been just like this young woman once. Alone and without anyone to save him, wondering if he was going to live through this, or not. He helped her... probably because he didn't want her to face his problems. It was no use in taking the past and using it against everyone. It only hurt others, leaving them dazed and confused.

Dante looked away, still holding on to the girl as they made their way through the fluffy snow and towards the warm, cozy house that belonged to "Santa". Dante wondered if this girl new about "Santa". What would she make him and how would she react? Would she hide, or run? Jump or finally begin to speak and yell for help?

[♥ kats KAT kats ♥]

Come on. You're becoming paler by the second. If we stay out here for much longer, you'll become a popsicle.

She let him guide her through the snow to some house that he had motioned towards. She continued to cling to his arm, to his warmth. She found that through her clumsiness she had become much colder, even with Dante's shirt and scarf on. She might as well have been naked with the close that she was wearing. And her feet were the coldest, as well as her fingers. A..and her nose was becoming cold as well. She could already imagine how red it was from being so cold.

He gave her more reassurance, more warmth when Dante wrapped his arm around her. As he did she moved her body closer to his, snuggling into his arms. Into his chest for warmth. With her body so close to his he could probably feel her body trembling, shaking from the cold. She wasn't used to such conditions, she was used to the sunny fields back home. The warm summers and springs. The warmth of the forest. Of the fires. In all her life she had never seen snow, not even in winter. Though, they were cold. But she had skins and furs from animals. Bear skins. That would keep her warm through the winter nights.

She walked in sync with Dante as he led her to 'Santa's House'. Suddenly she felt her nose twitch, itch. "Achuu~" She let out a small sneeze, a squeaky sneeze. A cute sneeze. That was the only noise she had made since she had come here. And probably the only sound anyone would ever hear from her because she never spoke. No one knew if it was because she chose not to, or because she wasn't able to. But...she was mute, whether she could speak or not. She continued with Dante towards the house. She could already imagine the warmth it held...

[Dante]

"Bless you." Dante still kept his amrs around the shivering girl, hoping that she was getting at least a little warmer. The house wasn't too far from where this girl had appeared, maybe a few meters away. The snow was still falling, but harder and faster and in more amounts than before. This was the beginning of the storm that that elf was talking about. A blistering cold wind wrapped around the two, making Dante shiver.

As they rounded up to the house, Dante took his hand off of the girl and knocked on the door, quickly replacing it. Hopefully a helpful elf would come and allow the two entrance to the inside. Almost as a blessing from God himself, one of those elves opened the door, reaching on his tippey toes to turn the knob. With his squeaky and scratchy voice, he said, "Welcome! How may I help you today, sir?" "Um, I'm Dante. Santa was notified of my arrival by someone..." The elf closed the door and Dante could hear the small pitter patter of soft feet on the hard wood floor. Dante was going to kill these midgets someday, but for now, he had to get this girl inside and see "Santa".

The sound came again as the elf opened the door, allowing the two to come in. "Please, go take a seat in the living room to your left. Santa will be with you momentarily." Dante walked in, bringing the young woman with him. He was so relieved to be in this house, probably not as relieved as the girl, though.

Dante didn't linger too long in the hallway, making his way into the living room on the left. He let his arms dangle on his sides, the girl still clinging to the right one. The fireplace was so warming; it made him feel so much better. He looked over at the girl beside him and smiled again. "Well, here we are. Say, do you know anything about Santa?"

[♥ kats KAT kats ♥]

She looked up at Dante as he said 'bless you'. She would of stared at him if it wasn't for her being so clumsy she had to focus on what was in front of her, so that she wouldn't fall or slip again. She had already embarrassed herself enough. She had become very comfortable with Dante now, maybe it was just because of his warmth though. One couldn't be sure, but she still clung to his arm as he 'guided' her towards Santa's House. They got to the door and he took his hand away from her to knock on the door... Nonm..Warmth.. She thought to herself as he moved his arm, she would of reached out to grab it. For his warmth to return, but by the time her almost frozen body could react his arm was back around her. Mmmm...

Then...a short guy wearing a green outfit and a green pointy hat...A..and pointy ears opened the door. Sun stared at him. She had never seen such a short person in her life. If it wasn't for the fact that she was cold, freezing at that she might have giggled at the fact at how short he was.

Um, I'm Dante. Santa was notified of my arrival by someone...

Who was this Santa person? Did he live here? And...what were these boxes with pointed roofs? B...but she had no time to think over that for she could already feel the warmth of this place. T-then...the door closed. And moments later if opened again.

Please, go take a seat in the living room to your left. Santa will be with you momentarily.

Dante then guided her inside, she followed not wanting to stay outside...in the snow. The freezing freezing snow. They came to a room, Dante removed his arm, but she clung to his other arm still. She was alone in a place she didn't know and the only person she 'knew' was Dante... Sun could feel the warmth from the fire, before Dante could ask her if she knew who Santa was. She quickly went to the fire, placing her hands near it. She felt her fingers tingle as they grew in warmth.

Well, here we are. Say, do you know anything about Santa?

She looked back towards Dante, tilting her head and then shook it. She did not know who Santa was...

[Dante]

Scratching his head as he tried to find the right words to explain Santa, the warrior sat down in a comfortable chair. Then, it hit him! "Well, Santa... he's this big guy that wears a red suit. He apparently travels through the worlds on a sleigh that is guided by magical reindeer and delivers presents to the good boys and girls, but, if you're bad, he'll give you coal... Those elves are his helpers and they pack and wrap the presents, placing them into Santa's magical bag." It was unbelievable that he was speaking of this. He didn't even believe in this guy!

Well, the teen was in for a surprise tonight, since Santa began to shuffle in. "Oh, my. Hello, everyone. It's so nice to meet you all. So, where's the lucky boy that gets to sit in Santa's lap today?" Santa looked around, squinting his eyes as he looked around. Dante was unimpressed by this, but he let the old man go on. It was amusing to watch.

"Oh, my. I wasn't expecting such a grown young man. Oh well, I guess you'll have to stand up and tell me your list of gifts." Looking around one last time, Santa spotted the girl, nodding. "It seems you've brought a friend. Well, now, I don't think that it'll be a problem to have two visitors. Come, please. I'll do my best to write your gifts down." The young warrior stood from the chair as Santa scuttled across the floor, motioning for Dante to move.

The old man made himself comfortable, opening an ear for the wish lists. "So, you're Santa, eh? I'm not really impressed. I was told that I would meet Santa Claus and not some old man in a costume." Santa was stunned! A non-believer! Oh how this agitated Santa so. The man summoned a giant list and a pen, searching it quickly to find cross out the name of the teen. "Don't you see, Dante? This is why you're here! To learn about me and to believe in me! I'm here, aren't I? Isn't that enough?"

"No. No, I don't think it is. You give false happiness, you bas..." Dante restrained himself from saying any innapropriate words in this place. It seemed peaceful, and the warrior respected that and only that.

[♥ kats KAT kats ♥]

Suncatcher listened to her new friend as he explained who 'Santa' was. She still wasn't clear on who he was, so he wore a red suit? Traveled through worlds on a...sleigh? W-with magical reindeer? Reindeer weren't magical, they had no powers. They were magnificent though. Sun had seen them in the forest surrounding the island but had never gotten close to one before, they always seemed to run off before she could get any closer. Presents? What were presents? E-elves? So that creature with pointy ears, a pointed green hat and was short, was an elf? She was slowly started to understand...but was it plausible that reindeer were magical?

Suddenly a big man in a red suit came in, he was fat. Sun edged away from the fire, away from Santa. She didn't trust strangers, but hadn't Dante just been a stranger to her? But now...she classified him as a friend. A-and..this man in a red suit was big and scary. She hid, but it seemed he had already spotted her.

It seems you've brought a friend. Well, now, I don't think that it'll be a problem to have two visitors. Come, please. I'll do my best to write your gifts down.

Sun remained where she was as Santa and Dante talked about gifts and believing. She was hiding behind the arm of the couch in the room. She looked, afraid. Like this was something new to her. Well, it was. She had never heard of Santa before, had never seen him before.

[Dante]

"Young man! I travel through the worlds in one night and deliver happiness. True happiness! Tell me what you want and I'll deliver it to you on Christmas Eve! Don't think for one second that you can outsmart me!" Dante stood there. Was he awe struck? Was he finally aware that Santa was real? None of these options were correct.

From under the black hair came a soft snicker, the snicker soon turning into a full laughing spasm. Dante was laughing at Santa's proposal. "I can't outsmart you? Alright then. You come to my house and deliver my presents, but... You have to be where I can see you. I'll stay right in the living room. We'll have a little chat, some cookies and milk, and then see if you can still make your rounds through the worlds. K?" Dante didn't enjoy acting like this, but he really wanted to see a fat man in a red suit travel through the worlds on his reindeer and come into his house. His plan was to waste a bit of his time and then see if he can deliver that true happiness.

He brushed his hair away from his eyes, the laughing finally ending. He took a deep breath to calm himself down, looking away from the old man and the girl. Santa shook his head and stood up, forgetting completely about the girl. He walked to the doorway, turning back around with a cheerful face. "I'll have some of the elves bring cookies and milk for you two. The snow is picking up and it would be rude of me to push you out into that." The old man finally dissapeared, the awkward silence picking back up.

The warrior made his way into the wooden chair that sat next to the window. He placed himself on the seat, staring out of the glass frame, watching the snow.