page twenty-four

[fantasies]

[The journal opens this afternoon in a rush, a flurry of pages. Henry actually has to flip around to get to the first blank one.

The holidays have been good to him this year, and it's easy to hear it in his voice. Even with all the bad things, the people he's lost, he's been fighting hard to keep his chin up -- and for the past few days, it hasn't been that hard.]

Hey, everybody! I know Christmas is over now and everything, but that just means we're getting into the best part of Christmas.

Anybody who's not from Earth probably doesn't know this, because most of the time when people explain Christmas they skip over this part, so you're lucky I'm here. After-Christmas is my favorite part. Okay, here it is:

[He pauses, for dramatic effect.]

After-Christmas is just like Christmas, except you don't have to worry about Christmas anymore. Everybody has their presents, everybody gets cookies, and all you have to do is have fun.

Basically, I made sugar cookies and I've been practicing on my sled. Anybody wanna race?

Comments

[the_effect_she_has]

Will there be hot chocolate?

[princelyspirit]

[Laughs a bit]

Okay, okay, I have to admit, that does sound pretty fun. Sure, I'll race - just let me grab a sled and some snacks, alright?

[dgaf]

Only if you would sing the tune as we go.

[fantasies]

There will be great hot chocolate. I make it the right way.

[fantasies]

Awesome! I'm gonna practice, so you better hurry, okay?

[Otherwise he'll get BOSS AT SLEDDING in the span of those few minutes.]

[fantasies]

I don't know, it's hard to sled and sing at the same time. You have to help.

[shortishandbossy]

But then you gotta wait another whole year for Christmas to come back.

[the_effect_she_has]

I didn't know there was a wrong way ... but how do you make the right hot chocolate?

[fantasies]

I can't tell you that! Then everybody's going to know the secret.

[fantasies]

That's okay. Christmas wouldn't be so fun if we didn't have to wait for it.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She can't help it, she smiles at that.] You ... are not wrong about that.

[fantasies]

So now you definitely have to come. You know, so you can try the world's best hot chocolate.

[the_effect_she_has]

Count me in. I can't miss the world's best hot chocolate. [She felt her lips turning into an actual smile - damn it, Henry.]

[shortishandbossy]

I guess I see your point.

[fantasies]

Great! Meet me in the kitchen, I'll make sure it's ready when you get here.

[fantasies]

[beat]

I wouldn't mind if it was two times a year, though.

[the_effect_she_has]

I'll see you there in five minutes.

[She grinned, before grabbing her satchel, her journal and ... the measure of all things in her trust in Henry, only her bow and arrows.]

[dgaf]

I'll sled then. [ Like hell, she'll sing! ]

[fantasies]

[When she gets there, he's on tiptoe at the counter, putting the finishing touches on two mugs of hot chocolate.

From the looks of things, it's a sprinkling of cinnamon.]

[fantasies]

Nuh-uh, we both have to do both. It's gotta be a race. We can sing after.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She put down her satchel, looking at the cup of hot chocolate with a thoughtful tilt of her head. ]

That looks like cinnamon. [Which she loved.]

[dgaf]

That's cheating. I weigh twice than you do.

[fantasies]

[Henry holds a finger to his lips, but he's smiling.]

Shhh! It's a secret.

[fantasies]

Fine, then Bandit can ride with me, too. That'll make it even.

[Maybe.]

[the_effect_she_has]

[She smiled brightly in turn, before pulling up close to the cup.]

I won't say a thing.

[fantasies]

[He bounces eagerly on the balls of his feet, holding his mug close to his chest to absorb the heat.]

Quick, you have to try it first.

[He really wants to know what she thinks.]

[the_effect_she_has]

[She pulled the mug towards her, arching an playful eyebrow at him.]

And you swear, best thing I've ever drank?

[dgaf]

Who's Bandit?

[fantasies]

Cross my heart. [He does so.] It's science.

[fantasies]

Oh, right. He's my dog. I'm pretty sure you're not heavier than both of us.

[the_effect_she_has]

Well ... if it's science ... then it must be true. [She grinned at him, before picking up the mug and taking a small sip. Her lips quirked.] Oh, science.

[dgaf]

Is this the part where you tell me I don't sound fat?