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Carol pinched the bridge of her and shook her head slightly, " I think there's going to be a rule at my house about who puts what on the tree and when or I can see all three of them rushing to shove breakables and candy canes and tinsel everywhere." Still, the woman smiled " Though I'll probably make the biggest mess just trying to get lights on the thing unless I buy a pre-lit." She paused to look at the other woman " How did you fair with the lights?"

To that Bishop shrugged " I think grown ups have their own enemies to fight from when they were small like us, it's a like a cycle thingie" the young girl tried to explain her theory" But if we stick together we'll be fine." Bishop wondered if of a toy sword or something was a good present for this boy, he seemed to need courage.

Andrea nodded " Plus soon it's Christmas and I heard on tv that wars always used to stop on Christmas so no more fighting for a while." Andrea even if she didn't fully get the holiday marveled at it's power to stop wars.

" Ahh , Maybe I'll get Nickle to come over and help then. The small one in the store was prelit so I didn't have to struggle with it." Carol had lived alone for years and never saw the need for a big elaborate tree for herself. This would be the first time she attempted to string a tree with lights assuming she didn't ask Nickle for help.

" Nickle's money boy" Rook added helpfully. Bishop had explained to him that Nickle's were money on another planet and the man's name and he worked with money in his job. Thus Nickle was in all aspects money boy to Rook.

Carol laughed softly at her son and kept an eye on the kids up ahead. " Looks like they're doing more talking than admiring the sights."

Bishop nodded " We have to protect them and Rook becuase he can can't protect himself either. If we walk infront we can be scouts and keep an eye out for any enemies." Slowly in the back of her mind the desire to pretend was taking over. it was harder with some people and easier with others. Still the desire was coming.

" It's Ok Nickle owes me anyways and he can bring his kid over to play with mine so we don't have to worry about bore kids getting in the way." Carol knew not much would get done if her three were underfoot the whole time trying to help or asking questions.


Bishop and Andrea both nodded agreeing to the plan.

" Hot chocolate now?" Andrea suggested

Carol nodded " Probably, then maybe we can plan which path to follow and which sculpture sets to look at instead of letting the kids lead us aimlessly in circles." Carol had no doubt that given the chance to just run wild ahead the children would move in a haphazard manner towards whichever thing attracted them the most. " I'd like to see the snow palace myself."

Bishop grabbed the dark skinned boy's hand again and began to tug him back towards the adults. " Mom can we go for warm drinks now." Bishop herself preferred hot apple cider to hot chocolate.


Rook had a deep hope that once inside he could take his jacket off. The thing might keep him warm but it was restrictive and it bugged him.

Bishop grinned at the mention of the snow castle, yes there would be the perfect place for some good fantasy to happen." I want a warm apple cider please." Bishop was all smiles giving her requests as far as she was concerned you couldn't just say please to be polite, you had to smile too to show you meant it.

" Hot chocolate with marshmallows please " Andrea replied. This was going to be nice, she thought and once they were warm with drinks they'd have more energy to explore with.

Rook stared up at Thali as he tried to figure out what he wanted " dunno" he answered honestly. He was thirsty but he didn't really have a clue what he wanted, everyone was asking for special things he'd never had.

" We should probably get him cider as well" Carol said thoughtfully and flashes a smile at Thali " I'll grab the treats next time round." considering how well the kids got along there was very likely going to be a next time.

Carol resisted the urge to laugh at Josh's outburst about protection. She had a feeling that was Bishop's doing somehow. " Coffee sounds good right about now."

Bishop grinned at the adults confirming her mother's thoughts. " You're safe with us , we're scouting a head... which way is the drinks?" The girl couldn't scout very well if she had no clue where she was headed.

Carol just shook her head " I don't think that's a good idea, although we should probably get drinks and go see the palace while drinking. It'll keep them from running ahead too much." That and after seeing the snow palace the woman should probably get her three home for a nap, heck she was starting to think she might need one herself.

" Hey soldiers aren't supposed to go before the scouts silly" Bishop called to the boy and hurried to catch up. " You could fall into a trap." The girl's imagine had replaced the ice festival aroudn them with a small village high in the mountains. The locals seemed nice enough but it was foreign territory and the enemy had the advantage if they'd gotten hear first. They might even have had some of the locals watching them.

From his position in the stroller Rook merely tucked his tail behind his body for warmth. He stopped fussing with his clothes and decided to just watch the people around him. They were all so different.