{A New Day} -->P R I V A T E (Winter Time Skip)

[Aidan De Verita Alerio]

"So what topic do you want to talk about for today. It's a free day today; last before I let you guys go for Christmas break." Niccolo asked upon everyone.

[ December 19th, 2011 ]

Steven got up and turned on the radio on a low volume for listening in the background.

(( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuheuIDqo6c ))

"How about we talk about these bracers.." Aidan said as he laughed with an annoyed face.

"You don't ever shut up about dem' bracers Aidan. Aha!" Steven said as he lightly and playfully slapped Aidan on the back of the head.

"Hey listen I tell you I know there is something with these bracers!" Aidan said as Steven as he leaned towards him to ensure that he is certain.

Zafirah had already gotten used to Aidan's curious habits for the bracer. She obviously knew that the bracer contained a hidden blade, as well of the creed. Niccolo and Kadir talked together to explain it too her. She didn't take the religion factor very well. She told them that she had wasted all that time trying to believe, and trying to reensure for her mothers sake that she would believe in her religion. She eventully understood that the reason she was so angry is because she didn't believe it and wanted to because of her mother. She eventully stopped wearing her Hijab. As much as she wanted to continue her religion; she wanted to make sure that she finally stopped living by the governments speech and start believing in what the truth is to her.

Zafirah smiled towards Aidan and held up her bracer, "Hey Aidan!" Zafirah said to get his attention.

Aidan looked over to Zafirah confused at what she was doing with her bracer.

Zafirah simply said "Man it's good to know a lot about this bracer."

Aidan looked at her with a serious dropped face. "What! I knew it! What do you know!" Aidan questioned excitedly and seriously.

"It's bracer. With a key." Zafirah said as he looked away with a mischievous smile.

Aidan's jaw dropped. "ARGH!" Aidan yelled.

Niccolo observed the students with a smile and turned around to erase the broad.

Azure looked around wanted to suggest something.

Steven turned over at Kadir and said "It's amazing that we don't have snow yet, I'm really confused."

"Uhh, speaking of snow!" Azure said as everyone looked at her. "How about we learn about what Christmas truly is? You always tell us about how you don't want us to learn false information. What about Christmas? What is it truly?" Azure asked.

Niccolo stopped in place as he was wiping the board. He smiled and said; "Looks like you want to know about something that's more of a religion topic. I'll tell you about Christmas." Niccolo explained as he looked at everyone.

Aidan took a look at Daniel in wonder. "I never thought about that; like what Christmas really was. I don't know much about the history of it. I just know the basics that I was told before. That it was about Christ, Jesus Christ that is, and some other things from the Christian religion." Aidan explained to Daniel.

[Danilo Isaia]

Kadir chuckled at Aidan's antics, he still hadn't told Aidan what was in the bracer. That's didn't mean he hadn't asked him, Aidan had almost constantly pestered him about it, but he had always played dumb about it. Aidan didn't need to know of such a thing, or at least that's what Niccolo said. Kadir figured that he would find out one day, hopefully not in the same way he did though. Kadir held back loud laughter as Zafirah tricked Aidan, he wondered when the boy would ever give up.

Kadir's face contorted when Steven mentioned snow.
"It's not weird, it's great. Don't even talk about it, it's cold and wet, everything that sucks in the world!" Kadir grumbled.

Daniel smiled a little to Aidan.
"You don't know the meaning of Christmas? It's a celebration of the birth of Christ. It's the most important holiday in the Christian religion." Daniel explained with a chuckle. Daniel didn't know if he could really be called a Christian still, he didn't believe in much of what his religion taught. He did believe in some things however, and filled in the blanks with his own beliefs.
"And yet on that day people are so wrapped up in getting gifts and things about Santa Clause and Christmas trees, that they really have no idea what they are celebrating." He then said.

"They believe in some magic guy supposedly born in Turkey of all places!" Kadir added to what Daniel as saying with a laugh. He found the idea of Christmas funny, even though his own culture had adopted something similar for new years. At least his cultures celebration traditions were appropriate for the meaning of the holiday.

[Aidan De Verita Alerio]

Zafirah smiled as Kadir laughing about the trick she had pulled on Aidan, and continued to smiled bigger into a laughter when Kadir was teased by Steven about the snow. She didn't like the idea of snow either; but she was willing to give it a try. Zafirah was on the same boat in the hot times of Syria; she was used to that. Unlike Istanbul; Syria gets a lot more snow. Especially in areas such as Masyaf.

"Ahh, so you know the steriotypical story of Christmas and what they try to explain. I'm sorry everyone but; that isn't true." Niccolo explained as he grabbed a piece of chalk. "First; which is probably the piece of information that you guys will be shocked. Jesus Christ; the image of this person; the meaning of Chirstmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ. He was not born on Christmas. He was actually born in the summer time. His birthday was moved to coincide with the traditional pagan holiday that celebrates the winter solstice with lit fires and slaughtered goats. A pagan festival; if you may. The thrid century when the Roman Emperor Aurelan claimed the winter solstice on December 25th as a feast day for the Romans sun god. With that; historical fact, was that in the fourth century Pope Julius I dedicated December 25th as the feast day/birthday of Jesus Christ." Niccolo had explained.

Aidan looked at Niccolo understanding more than the other kids it seemed. He didn't learn like the others did before because Niccolo never taught him what the others had been taught.

Zafirah looked as if she was trying to understand and think about what Niccolo had said. She nodded to her self as if it made sense to her.

Steven looked at Niccolo shocked, "They lied..?" All that Steven could say.

Azure looked at Niccolo with sadness. "What about Santa?" Azure asked.

Niccolo, Steven, Aidan, and pretty much all of the kids shook back a little.

"A-are you asking if he's real? What's the truth about h-him?" Niccolo asked upon Azure.

"Y-yeah.. wait... IS IT REAL OR NOT!?" Azure yelled ready for tears.

"U-u-uh... Well.. from what I hear.." Niccolo began as he looked a bit stressed. "There was a man named Saint Nicolas. He delivered presents just as Santa does. In fact he would be considered to be the first Santa; if not the only. Santa, or Saint Nicolas; is indeed real.. but the truth Azure about the image of 'Santa'... is not. I'm sorry, in fact Coca Cola created the image of Santa Claus. " Niccolo explained. "They did it to make money; and certainly a lot of it. Though it created the Christmas Spirit Per se. In general; I would say yes; he is real." Niccolo concluded.

Steven found the fact that Azure believed in Santa was cute; though funny at the same time; trying to hide it.

Zafirah found it quite typical of an average citizen. She began to question why she was in this house; being a part of the creed technically.

Aidan smiled with a little laugh; he was learning a lot in this school program that Niccolo set up. He was glad that he would be learning the truth and more reliable information then the other kids in regular schools. After thinking about that; he did feel sorry for the regular kids as well.

[Danilo Isaia]

Daniel nodded along to the information Niccolo was mentioning. He had done his own research about Christmas and it's origins. He knew that Jesus didn't look how he was portrayed, in reality he would have looked more like Kadir then some white man with long dirty blond hair. Daniel looked back at Azure in surprise as she asked about whether or not Santa was real. He would have thought that she was kidding, but her face was serious. He listened as Niccolo tried to explain to her in the kindest way possible that he wasn't actually real, or atleast not in the way people portrayed him. He felt bad for her, she seemed almost in tears over the matter.

"Santa, real? Hah!" Kadir laughed when Azure asked about Santa being real. He couldn't believe she actually believed in a magic guy who flew around the world and delivered presents to every child. He wasn't sure how every kid in the world was supposed to get a Christmas gift when many kids around the world didn't even celebrate the holiday. Most weren't of the religion.
"Of course he's not real! Haven't you ever been told that by other kids?!" Kadir questioned Azure as he tried not to laugh too hard for her sake.

[Aidan De Verita Alerio]

The group looked at Kadir talking about how Santa not being real.

Aidan could see that this wasn't going to go very well.

Steven tapped Kadir on the shoulder. "I don't think you should have done that.. You know how Azure is very immature for her age.. she's too childish.. she doesn't want to grow up; so she tries to make herself as childish as possible. She's doing it so much I don't even think she notices anymore." Steven whispered to Kadir.

Azure quickly glared at Kadir with small amount of tears coming out. "You know what's the difference between a Turk and Greek! ... This Turk is an a** hole!" Azure shouted out as she ran off from the room.

Aidan looked over at Daniel with a surprised and awkward face.

Niccolo looked around, "Hmm.. hold on class.. I'll be right back." Niccolo said as he ran after Azure.

Zafirah ran with Niccolo to go after Azure.

Aidan commented to Daniel; "Man, She looked so sad.. I wonder if she's crying because of the fact that Santa isn't real.."

Niccolo and Zafirah caught up to Azure. Azure was crying in her more serious way possible. She couldn't stop thinking about how she didn't want to believe something that helped her through keeping her youth as much as possible. Azure turned around to the both of them. "I'm sorry..." Azure said as she looked down.

"What's the matter, Azure?" Niccolo asked as he keeled down to Azure and laid his arm on her shoulder.

Azure sniffled as she explained. "I'm not crying over Kadir making fun of me.. I'm just crying over the fact that everything in my childhood is quickly fading away.. where I don't even know what is real and what my childhood keeps my personality young. I don't want to be serious. I've heard from other children saying about Santa not being real. Not directly; I just tried to ignore it.. but.." Azure said trying to wipe away her tears.

Zafirah came closer to Azure and put her arm around her. "Hey, why don't we head by in and show everyone that you can believe what you want, and be who ever you wanna be." Zafirah suggested.

Azure looked over to Zafirah surprised over the fact that she believe that Zafirah wasn't all that fond of Azure since a while ago. She still hasn't got used to it. "O-okay" Azure stuttered as she stood straight.

Steven said to Kadir; "I'm sure she'll be okay, She won't be mad at you I don't think." Trying to ensure Kadir.

[Danilo Isaia]

Kadir's face fell when Steven began to whisper to him, about how Azure acted childish because she didn't want to grow up. And by the time Azure reacted, and actually called him an a** hole, he felt like one. He watched as she ran out of the room crying, and he had no idea what to do to make it better. Kadir sighed and face palmed himself, he figured that he should have really thought about what he was doing before he did it. He looked up at Steven as he told him that she would be fine and that she wouldn't be mad at him.
"She sure seemed to be when she left. I was just teasing, I didn't think it would actually hurt her." Kadir replied a little worried.

Daniel watched as Azure called Kadir an a** before running out crying. He hadn't exactly been expecting it, and now that it happened he really didn't know what to do. He stayed where he was and looked over at Aidan.
"It could be, I'm sure by now she would be used to...Kadir" Daniel replied quietly so that Kadir wouldn't here.
"I would understand if she didn't want to grow up... depending on what her situation was in the past, she might be trying to hold onto something she had." Daniel explained. He had seen it so many times in his times in orphanages and foster homes.

[Aidan De Verita Alerio]

"I think I understand what your getting at, do you have anything like that because of the orphanage? U-Uh.. Except the piano exception.. I'm sorry for mentioning." Aidan said cautiously.

"I know you were Kadir, I thin- Oh wait. Here she comes." Steven said as he looked over to Azure.

Azure stepped back in the room and looking at everyone. "I'm sorry about that everyone." She said happily and looked down a little as she walked to Kadir's desk. She looked up at him and said. "I'm sorry about that Kadir. I'm sorry for calling you an- yeah." Azure replied with embarrassment. "I know you we're only teasing. Something just really hit me when I thought about it... At the orphanage, I was there ever since I could remember. I found it hard not acting childish; even for a girl that age, and my age now. I found it more childish then the usual child. I never wanted to grow up, because the feeling of an adult taking care of me, and having a guardian watch over me feels amazing to me.. Niccolo was the first parental figure in my life that felt right. I want to stay young; because I don't want to lose the childhood that I had lost before.. as many did." Azure said as she try to smile. She shook her head and quickly commented to Kadir; "It's not your fault though Kadir. I'm sorry." Azure said as she hugged Kadir for a little and then sat down on her seat.

[Danilo Isaia]

"Me? Well... not really. I'm more the opposite. I try to... avoid things that remind me of my parents." Daniel explained nervously.
"I've been told it's because of the post traumatic stress disorder, things that are too familiar from the past stress me out." Daniel continued.

"Hey, it's alright. I understand that, I shouldn't have been so mean in the first place." Kadir replied as he hugged Azure back. He watched as she sat down in her seat, and then he looked over at Steven.
"Well... hat ended better then expected." He said to his quietly with a smirk.

[Aidan De Verita Alerio]

"Well that ends today everyone, I'll see everyone here later on. I'm going out to the store later anyone wanna come?" Niccolo asked as he got this big jacket on.

Steven looked at Niccolo putting on his winter jacket. He though to himself; Yes~! It must have snowed! I hope so badly!

Azure agreed to go with Niccolo and so did Zafirah.

Aidan looked at Daniel to see what he wanted to do. Aidan didn't know what he wanted to do; but he did know that he should get ready for Christmas. They we're celebrating Christmas, or what Aidan thought it to be; 'Gift-mas'. He wanted to get everyone a gift as well. It was getting so late in the month closing in onto Christmas. I still gotta get everyone a gift. I mean last month I was able to get some money from the side at working for the security office. Niccolo did give them all money to get Christmas gifts for each other, so he wasn't as worried; but he really did want to work for it. "Daniel; wanna go Christmas shopping or something?"

Niccolo commented towards Aidan's question; "If you all come you guys will have to go on your own, I got to get gifts for you guys."

Steven looked towards Kadir; "Oh man; the mall. We should go, it'll be fun. Trust me." Steven said mischievously as he loved the fact that they'd all be in the mall and not have to be watched over.

Zafirah heard that the guys would probably be on their own without someone watching over them. She knew that even though no one was protecting them or watching over them; they'd still be protected by the creed and Niccolo. They just don't know that yet.. Except Kadir. Zafirah thought as she smiled from the fact that at least Kadir was there and could help with his hidden blade.

[Danilo Isaia]

Mikhail sighed as he trudged along the snow covered dirt road. He had left town right after it had started snowing, not because it would somehow be warmer for him in the outskirts, but because he had simply given up trying to play for tips for the day. People were too busy to even glance at him as he played for them, they were much too busy trying to get home, trying to go somewhere comfortable and warm ,to think of how cold he might be. It wasn't like he minded the cold, on the contrary he had grown up in the cold grasps of Siberia. It snowed almost all year where he came from. He didn't mind the cold, it was his lungs that couldn't handle it. Every since he was young he had had a bad cough, one that almost never left. He had been told that it was chronic bronchitis, brought on from the pollution of his old home. He had lived in a Nickel mining city, that sported a multi mile wide dead zone around it. Nothing grew, and children were often sick. The average life expectancy was 10 years shorter then normal there.

Mikhail grimaced as he coughed, and felt the mucous loosen from his lungs. He shifted his scarf to cover his mouth and nose better as he walked, so that the air that entered his lungs may be a little less cold and irritating. He adjusted the strap of his guitar as well it had to rest over his backpack, and it was a constant struggle not to have it fall off of his shoulder. He glanced around at the scenery, the place seemed empty aside from forest and fields, no one seemed to live nearby. Mikhail was glad for that.

"Mall trip? I'm in!" Kadir said happily as he got up from his seat. It had been a while since they had gone to a place so public, it was usually avoided due to the possible danger of Templar spies. He figured though that if Niccolo was in the mall, and they all had bracers, even if not activated they should be fine. The mall was much too public for too much of a fight anyway.

Daniel smiled and nodded to Aidan. It had been so long since he had gone Christmas shopping, he hadn't gotten the chance too often at his previous homes. He wondered what a christmas celebration among mostly athiests and past muslims could be like. He was positive it would be different then what he was used to.

Kadir got on a the jacket he had warn there, he hoped it wouldn't get too much colder then it already was. It had been -6 when they had arrived their that morning, which was already 12 degrees colder then what he was used to.

[Aidan De Verita Alerio]

Everyone began to get into their clothing that included sweaters, jackets, scarfs if they had them, and especailly gloves. Aidan made sure to wear his sweater that he got from Niccolo. The one with the eagle beak. He absolutely loves that sweater.

Steven grabbed his headphones and his music player; putting it in one ear and on lower volume so he could hear anyone that wanted to talk to him. Especailly Kadir because he knew that he would be talking to him most of the time.

Zafirah went in the closest and saw her Hijab. Her hand went to it but pulled back. "You know what; I may not be sure of my beliefs. But damn it was that thing warm." Zafirah said as she grabbed her Hijab and wore it down around her neck.

Azure ran out the door, "Come on everyone lets go-" Azure said as she turned her head and stopped in her tracks to see so much snow on the ground. "G-g-guys~!" Azure screamed out as if she was to see a ghost. "Steven! Aidan! Kadir! Zafirah! Daniel! Azure! Niccolo, Especailly Kadir! Come~!" Azure shouted out.

Steven ran out cause he knew exactly what it was. "Yes~!" Steven shouted. "Yes! Kadir, come out!" Steven called upon.

Aidan walked out with Daniel to see the sight of the amount of snow that seemed to be endless. It was beautiful to see the clear snow on the ground untouched. He walked down onto it, and his foot sank down a foot. "It seems to be almost a foot guys." Aidan said as he turned his head around to see everyone.

Niccolo walked out as said "Our first snow fall of the year." Niccolo continued to the truck to unlock it.

Zafirah stepped out after with Kadir. She knew what was coming for Kadir's mind. She did however shiver at the amount of snow and of how cold it had become. Her eye lids dropped down into a glare. As serious as she tries to be with her speech; Zafirah claimed; "This sucks...".

[Danilo Isaia]

Kadir grabbed the rest of what he needed to wear, some gloves a turquoise scarf and a fuzzy winter hat. He Smiled and chuckled at Zafirah as she put on her Hijab and commented on it's warmness.
"I've always wondered if that thing was warm." He joked as he slipped his boots on. He stiffened as he heard Azure calling to him teasingly and Steven telling him to come outside as well. he knew full well why.
"There better not be-" Kadir began to warn as he walked to the door, cutting himself off when he saw the amount of snow blanketing the ground.
He stared at the snow from the door, being unable to comprehend how much there was.
"What in the name of allah?!" He yelped as he back away from it.
"This is ridiculous!" He then muttered as he glared at the white blanket and moved towards it slowly. He stepped into it, not aware of it's consistancy, and stank in a foot. This ruined his balance and sent him face first into the snow.

Daniel put on his white jacket and black mittens. He found his red scarf and hat and put them on as well. He slipped on his boots and followed Aidan out of the room and too the door. He smiled a little as he glimpsed the huge white blanket of snow covering the land and buildings around them. He thought it was beautiful, the way the snow covered the black leafless trees, making some of them, especially the willows look like they bore white leaves. He couldn't help but chuckle at Kadir's reaction, and the fact that the first step he took into the snow sent him falling into it. He made sure not to laugh though, as he knew that Kadir wouldn't be impressed when he got out of the snow.

[Aidan De Verita Alerio]

A bunch of the kids chuckled at the fact that Kadir was frightened at the snow. "It's deep-!" Steven warned Kadir; but it was to late. Kadir had fallen face first into the snow and he didn't look to happy at all.

As much as Steven was laughing so hard from Kadir falling face first into the snow, he ran over and pulled him out. Steven helped him brush off and placed both his hands on Kadir's shoulders leaning on him and laughing even more. "S-sorry, that's just too damn funny!" Steven said smiling greatly at him.

Everyone else had a great laugh cause of Kadir. Seemed to have cheered everyone's spirit a lot. Zafirah seemed to be much more chilled with the weather now because of Kadir. See what I did there? Chilled? Yeah. Aha.

Aidan looked at Daniel laughing and placed his arm over his shoulder getting close and laughing. While looking at him he smiled and placed his fingers over his mouth making a 'shhh' noise while he tried to conceal his laughter. "Hurry, let's get in the truck before he gets up." Aidan suggested with a chuckle.

Niccolo smiled and got into the truck getting it started to make it as warm as fast as possible.

[Danilo Isaia]

"Deep, that's an understatement..." Kadir grumbled as Steven helped him up and brushed him off. He rolled his eyes when Steven leaned on him, continuing to laugh. Kadir's face burned from the cold snow on it, and he brushed it off ans pushed Steven back gently.
"Let's get into the truck before you have a frozen Turk on your hands!" He said to Steven as he ran to the truck and snatched the passenger seat.
"By the way, shotgun!" He yelled as he put his seatbelt on and stuck out his tongue.

Daniel smiled shyly and chuckled as Aidan put his arm around his shoulder and brought him closer as he laughed. Such closeness made Daniel nervous, but he did enjoy it. He could only be comfortable with Aidan so close, he didn't have enough trust in most people, and he didn't feel comfortable near them. Aidan had won his trust, he didn't seem to have any hidden plans or agendas for wanting to be his friend, he seemed to have a genuine interest in him, and he seemed to be fine with anything that Daniel had wrong with him. He even let Daniel sleep on his floor, and sometimes offered his bed to him as well when he became scared and panicked at night.

Daniel walked with Aidan to Niccolo's truck and got in one of the back seats of the van and moved over to the far seat so Aidan could get in beside him.

[Aidan De Verita Alerio]

"Either way you look like Daniel now." Steven commented as he laughed and look at Daniel as he was going into the car with a smile. He didn't want Daniel to think he was making fun of him; he's made sure that he isn't making fun of him before; he hopes Daniel still thinks that way.

"Frozen Turk? Looks like we'll have to defrost you for like four hours and cook you for the rest of the day. That'll give us one big hell of a Christmas dinner." Steven said as he hopped in the middle of the front seats next to Kadir.

Aidan sat next to Daniel in the back and looked out the window at all the snow. As they pulled out of the drive way and started to head down the road; Aidan said. "At least we have our first snow angel." As everyone began to laugh.



They pulled into the parking lot and Steven and Kadir ran out of the van ready to get going in.

"Who wants to go with me for their first Christmas shopping for everyone?" Niccolo asked.

Azure raised her hand and ran over to Niccolo when she got out. Holding his hand she began to pull him to the mall. "Too da mall~!" Azure said childishly. "Okay, Okay, Who's next after Azure?" Niccolo asked.

"I'll go." Zafirah said as she thought over her ideas.

"Okay guys~! Let's go!" Steven said to the rest of the group that wasn't going with Azure and Niccolo.

The malls were packed with crowds that seem like they could be pushed off the edge by crowds within crowds.

"We call top floor!" Steven yelled out claiming for Steven and Kadir as if it were beds.

"Uh.. Steven.. you can't have a floor-" Aidan said as he got interupted.

"Oh I see! You just want the floor all you your self! No~! If I can't have; NO ONE CAN~!" Steven yelled out. "EVERYONE! THE TOP FLOOR IT MINE!" Steven yelled out.

"Hey shhh!" Aidan yelled out.

"Don't worry, with this crowd seption we have going on here. No one hears me nor cares." Steven explained.

"Yup; no one does care. He's right." Zafirah said.

"Yeah exactl- HEY WAIT A MINUTE." Steven said realizing what she exactly said.