Grounds [afternoon]

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

It was snowing. She'd only passed one winter with the phenomenon, and when she woke to it today, she spent a rather long time just sitting at her window, looking out at it.

She'd finally dressed in a warm gown and fur-lined cloak, though, and was now just leaning against a tree out on the grounds as her dog ran around and she watched.

[open, though prone to weeeeeeeeeeeetiny bits of SP! SNOW.]

Comments

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

Bridge is on his way back to the dorms when he spots Aravis. So he runs inside quickly and within a few minutes is back outside, this time with a medium-sized package (http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Non-Electric-Cream-Maker/dp/B000050AV4) wrapped in shiny green paper.

"Um, hey," Bridge says, giving her a little wave with the hand not holding the package. "I wanted to thank you for helping me out when I was sick," he adds. "And, well, it's also Hanukkah, so I got you something. A present."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Oh." Aravis hadn't expected gifts in return for her work in the clinic, but like she was going to turn it down?

She had a more important question, though.

"What's a Hanukkah?"

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

This isn't exactly the first time Bridge has had to deal with that question.

"Oh! It's a holiday for my people. It's about, you know, religious freedom and miracles... and also there's a *lot* of really good food and celebrating and gift-giving and stuff."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

She peered at him. "You mean Christmas."

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Noooo," Bridge says, shaking his head. "Hanukkah lasts for eight days, and takes place- well, okay, it's always at the same time during the Jewish calendar but it takes place at different times in the western calendar because they don't match up exactly. But usually in December. Today's the first day of Hanukkah, actually."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis blinked. "Oh. My birthday's like that. It's possibly wrong on this calendar because I had to guess. But your holiday lasts eight days?"

She thought about what she liked best about Christmas. "...is there mistletoe? Or Santa Claus? He's a terrifying man, no matter what Seely says."

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"No mistletoe," Bridge says sadly. "But no Santa either! So maybe they balance out? Or something."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Good," Aravis said, nodding. "Santa's horrible. Karal and I tried to stop him this weekend but Seely stopped us because apparently we're supposed to encourage this sort of horrifying trend towards children."

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Santa kind of weirds me out too," Bridge admits. "I mean, he breaks into people's houses! And eats their food."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"...he eats their food?" Aravis stared at him with wide eyes.

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Usually just the milk and cookies," Bridge admits. "Not, like, everything in the fridge. But still."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis still looked horrified. "Still! And he sees you all the time too."

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"And keeps a list of who's been naughty or nice. As defined by the guy who spies on everyone."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Exactly!" Aravis nodded emphatically. "And children do not like him at all. Not from what I saw."

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"I prefer my holidays to be a lot less scary," Bridge says. "Well, except Halloween. That can be scary. But open the present!" he bounces excitedly.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Aravis did, and then stared at the odd object.

"...what is it?"

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"An ice cream maker," Bridge says proudly. "Non-electric, too, so it can totally work in places that are, well. Non-electric."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Like home," she said, smiling and almost bouncing. "I can make ice cream with this? Truly?"

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Yep!" Bridge says, totally bouncing. "There's instructions with recipes and everything."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," she said, grinning. "It's the best gift I've gotten in a very long time."

[im-afrog.livejournal.com]

Adam had never really experienced snow what with having lived in California all his life. So, of course, he took the opportunity to head outside with Sara in tow.

Spotting Aravis, Adam waved. "Hey."

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"Hello! Look, it's snowing!"

In case he hadn't noticed.

Ata, however, had noticed the other dog, and was scampering over to look.

[im-afrog.livejournal.com]

"It is, yeah," Adam grinned, excited about that.

Sara tentatively sniffed the snow and then saw the other dog. She stopped in her tracks, watching Ata with wide eyes.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

"It's beautiful," Aravis breathed, smiling dorkily.

Ata was perplexed by the snow, but other dogs were more interesting. He stepped a little closer, sniffling at her.

[im-afrog.livejournal.com]

Adam chuckled. "It really is," he agreed, admiring the snow as it fell.

Sara's curiosity got the better of her and she trotted forward, sniffing at Ata.

[notqueenyet.livejournal.com]

Ata sniffed at her in mutual curiosity, then yipped a greeting.

[im-afrog.livejournal.com]

Adam couldn't help but smile at the two dogs interacting.

Sara took a step back, then yipped back excitedly, her tail wagging quickly.

[robinthefrog.livejournal.com]

There was something green and blue bounding through the snow. Actually it was a small frog wearing a weetiny blue parka.

"Wheeeeee!!"