Welcome to Gaia! ::

The outdoor skating rink was in the park right besides Barton Mall, and was just as busy. The lazily falling snow hadn't deterred anyone from the activity: if anything, it had drawn even more of a crowd. What could be more romantic than a slow skate with your special someone in the evening while snow cascaded around you like in the movies? The string lights all around the large rink were little beacons of joy in the otherwise white-painted landscape. Pines and firs wore heavy cloaks of snow, branches drooping, and the freshly falling coat sparkled in every light like diamonds.

The oblong rink was lined on the longest sides by rows of gaiely decorated christmas trees. On one end was the single standalone christmas tree, the tallest of all, with its crowning glory of shimmering gold stars. Flanking the large tree on either side were two large-screen displays where people could pay to display holiday wishes, play little greeting videos, request certain songs, or anything at all they could fancy. For the moment it played a slow jazz rendition of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" while the screen displayed the message "Merry Christmas Jessie: I love you! -Mark". Once the song changed, so too would the message.

On the other end of the rink were the concrete stairs, wide enough to take the entire width of the rink's. From atop those three-tiered stairs people could go out into the park for walks, streetlights and string-lights illuminating the snow-filled paths. The rink was sunken compared to the rest of the park, and the top of the stairs was the best spot to watch from. People skated around and around, a constant flow of colorful winter clothes. Some skated in close pairs, holding hands. Some skated in groups, friends talking and laughing. Some skated in a line chasing one another, famillies trailing after their enthusiastic and energetic children. It was the perfect postcard picture of a joyful Christmas time.

The thrum of excitement in the air was unmistakable, breathing life into the night itself. Zul couldn't make out the stars well from where he was atop the large staircase, but the lights set about the rink that blinked in soft yellows, pale whites and Christmas cheer surely were attempting to rival them. The scent of ice and warm, sweet drinks of the season washed over him, something unique to that time of year that really let him know it was in full swing: cinnamon, apple cider, a hint of chocolate -- that, mixed with the cold night air and the musky wetness of the snow said 'Christmas' more to him than any visual ever could.

He floated down a few steps, putting one hand on the railing, the likes of which immediately warmed to his touch, removing the snow and frost that clung to it. Even dressed down in rich blues and frosted whites, he knew he still didn't quite fit in, but it wasn't a thought that bothered him in the least. Zul watched the skaters with minute interest - he had no legs, and thus anything that had to do with them gave him little pause - finding more intrigue in the body language of people in the area. It seemed that that particular night was one people could forego the stigma of physical affection in abundance: clinging to each other, holding hands, hugging, merely leaning on one another to stay warm...it was a pity the season only lasted a handful of days.

The Sigel exhaled softly in a plume of crystallized breath, smiling ruefully to himself. He was certain he was there to meet Rivener, which meant he would undoubtedly be joining the throngs of affectionate couples in due time. Lazy sky-blue eyes flit over those he could see, but lingered upon an individual that was with none other. Zul could not deny the swell of familiarity that burned in his chest, and despite the tell-tale curls, the flawless skin he knew quite well - even the wings that were delicate and elaborate - it took him several heartbeats before he recognized her in the garments she wore.

"Ooh, Rivener!" he chided into the night air, the words swallowed by another Christmas song. The demon descended the steps to her position, floating around to her side. He meant to say something, but his breath was momentarily snatched by the brisk air. She was illuminated by the lights of the rink and the colorful glow of the tree she faced, her expression touching on wistful, he thought, those beautiful eyes closed as she seemed to bask in the light of the night. Even though her clothes were different, he was struck by the look on her face, one that seemed to lack the fear and uncertainty of the last few times they'd met. Melisande may have thought the skaters looked like angels, but Zul would easily argue that title could be graced by none other than her.

"Melisande," he greeted her warmly from a short distance away, spreading his arms to the side in a 'look-at-you!' gesture. It was only then that the demon allowed himself to really take in her attire, this beautifully painted angel of ice. "You -- wow. You, ah -- you look stunning! Like winter itself, all soft beauty." Zul grinned, then, slightly lop-sided in his wonderment. What were the odds? "I hadn't anticipated to see you --"

And then it struck him.

And it's the most precious, perfect, amazing flower i have ever seen.

Rivener hadn't meant a flower in the literal sense -- he'd meant Melisande. He should have seen it, but the Scorpion had him quite blissfully blinded on their merry excursion of notes and gifts. And now, even though he wasn't there, the Night Sigel had delivered unto him the greatest gift of all: her time.

What were the odds, he repeated to himself inwardly, thinking a certain Scorpion was going to be in for it when they got home. " -- which, in hindsight, was a bit foolish of me." Zul laughed then, a soft, rolling sound, his eyes lowering in acknowledgement that he'd been bested. "But what a most perfect surprise indeed."

"Zul?" Just his unmistakable voice was enough for her to turn, but Melisande paused, eyes wide and wings furling slightly as she took him in. She'd never seen him dressed as he was. With the handsome jacket, the pale scarf, the tie...he looked new. It was only the wrapper that had changed, but suddenly she was giving the Demon a fresh take. Zul was far more handsome than she'd credited him, but she'd never thought to measure him in those terms. It seemed irrelevant, considering the depth of him.

This new perspective made her smile. It still mattered very little, whether he was lovely or not, but the fact that she was able to look beyond their past and for the first time see something she hadn't was exciting. It gave her hope. A smile warmed her eyes, and even as her lips parted to return his greeting Rivener's voice filled the skating rink.

The Muse was stunned. She had expected to greet Rivener next, but his message made it clear. He wasn't coming! The entire day had been for her and Zul, who, she realized belatedly, had been on a scavenger hunt as well. She lifted her eyes to the Demon, marveling. "Did you-"

"Excuse me?"

Pasha jumped a little at the strange voice. She'd been so caught up in the message she hadn't heard the man approach. Smoothly, she turned to face the same direction as Zul, settling one gloved hand upon the back of his upper arm as she drifted back a few inches. Whether it was Melisande's residual distrust of humans, or her faith in Zul to shield her, the result was the same. She'd turned reflexively to the Demon for protection.

As he presented the treasure, Melisande smiled, looking sidelong up at the Sigel beside her. There was no worry in her face, she'd simply been startled. "He isn't finished yet!" Her heart was racing again as she fished for her key in her pocket, and her smile dimpled as she remembered the Scorpion's promise of pulse pounding entertainment. She would get him back for this! Melisande brandished her key and pressed lightly against the side of Zul's arm.

"Ready?"

Pasha could barely feel Zul's hand upon her back, but she was very aware of it as the box opened. Her eyes widened in disbelief for only a moment. "He's very...confident, isn't he?" Surprisingly, her voice was affectionate, not offended. Melisande stared at the frosted green mistletoe silently for a moment longer before taking the ornament and glancing up at the Demon.

"If he wants a kiss, let's give him one." She pressed the fingers of her free hand to her lips, waiting for Zul to follow suit, and tilted her head to face the camera. "One...two...three!"

She blew a kiss to the camera, hopefully at the same time as Zul, eyes laughing over her round lips and extended fingers. Her laugh rang out after the flash brightened the rink, light glittering along the snow crusted railings. The jewels at her neck gleamed like a star. Melisande waited until the photographer excused himself to drift back a bit from Zul, lowering her eyes again to the mistletoe. A little smile still brightened her features.

"Please don't think me cold." Humor at her little pun twinkled as she glanced up at him for just a second. She dropped her eyes again modestly. "My last real kiss was...a long time ago." The ornament she tucked carefully into her slingbag, but she kept out the mistletoe, along with a small folded note. She kept the mistletoe in her hand, but she offered the piece of paper to the other Sigel.

"I know he wrote this for me, but...I'd like you to see it. I'd like to know if he speaks for you." The note trembled slightly as she offered it to him.

...This took me a while to understand when Zul first suggested that we could be more than two: our love won't be split. It won't be me and you, you and Zul, Zul and I. Not three relationships. It would be ONE relationship. Me, you, and Zul...

She watched him read, heart beating too fast. "What he is suggesting is...more than coffee. More than casual visits." Part of her worried that looking at a thing so close could take the life out of it, but it was something she had to risk. The Muse held the mistletoe up by the ribbon to make a point, smiling as it twirled slowly. "I didn't know he was so full of surprises. But I didn't want this to be a surprise to you. Before I...get to know you, Zul..."

She lowered the mistletoe, smile fading into seriousness. White crystals rimmed her lashes, making her eyes seem very, very blue. "...before I step into something so new to me...is this the way it would be?"

There was a whole world inside Melisande, a beautiful storm of little pieces trying to fit together. She had never felt so delicate and so invincible at the same time. Carefully, she slipped the note and the mistletoe into her bag, yet left her hand in his. "Thank you. For being so clear, for...the invitation."

Her expression gave heart to the words. They were not words of parting. Her hand tightened lightly, and her eyes searched his for reaction. "As I understand it, this would be something new. Something unusual." The thought didn't seem to faze her. Her little smile made it seem as though they had discovered something wondrous in plain sight. "But without clarity, it would be dangerous. For your relationship with Rivener, as it is now. For...me."

The fingers of her free hand sought the ring at her neck reflexively, brushing it through the pale fur of her collar. She didn't need to elaborate. What was left of the Muse had been pieced and pinned and delicately sewn back together. Her heart was no longer a reward. It was a responsibility.

"I trust you, Zul." A year ago, she never would have imagined saying those words. She said them now clearly, and though they were quietly spoken, they rang with blessing. Melisande drew closer slowly, close enough to smell the scent he wore. Once again, she was captured in the reflection of his eyes. "And I trust Rivener. So promise me that everything that needs said will always be said...and we can see if those seeds you planted can blossom."

The way her eyes narrowed for a moment over her smile called him out again on his carefully laid plan. She was still in shock that such a discussion, about her, had began so long ago. It was dizzying, being so close to him, but in her own small way she was keeping the Demon pinned. He'd generously confirmed the terms...the Muse now sought a signature. It was a much different dance, with three hearts, but if they could agree on the steps, it could be something beautiful.

Melisande's breath caught at the kiss. The snow seemed to slow and her heart raced, looking at his proud crown bent low over her hand. As he rose, she returned his smile, and turned naturally as he drifted to be beside her.

"Anything?" The offer sent a thrill of shock through her, and she paused to hold his gaze for a long while before she spoke. Her free hand rose...not to the ring, but to the chain she wore. "I don't know what else I could ask of you, Zul." Her words were heartfelt, and she looked to the huge screens reflexively before meeting his eyes again with a smile. "You've already given me what I didn't know I needed."

Pasha kept her arm linked through his as they crested the rise of the steps, but unbuttoned her jacket with her free hand as they moved. It was so much warmer beside him, and the snow refused to settle. Once they were at the edge of the ice, the Muse slipped free from her sling bag and jacket, settling them neatly on a decorated bench. "But it is a dashing coat. I've got a dress that goes surprisingly well with it, don't you think?"

With a rare playful gesture, Pasha did a single turn, the asymmetrical dress Rivener had chosen for her sparkling as she moved. The Muse laughed, and closed the distance between them. She was in high spirits. For now, her questions had been answered, and her concerns laid to rest. Pasha took Zul's hand tentatively, eyes lifting to his face in askance. It was still unbelievable that someone so complicated, someone so fierce was...for the evening at least...at her command. Smiling at his expression, Melisande relaxed and placed his hand gently on the curve of her slender waist. "If I can truly ask for anything...will you take me out? On the ice?"

Her hand was still resting over his as she twisted to watch the families together in the skating rink. They couldn't participate in the truest sense, but everyone looked so enchanted that Pasha wished to try. "Just for one song?"

She didn't think much on his detour to the DJ, but her smile blossomed as he suggested two songs instead of one. "Of course!" They fit beautifully together, despite the space between them. His hand low on her waist was more than enough to make her feel close.

Pasha settled her gloved hand into his, and tugged him backwards onto the ice with a furl of her wings. She could hear the murmurs start around them, but there was something different in the voices. A note of wonder, instead of gossip. Her smile was brilliant as people naturally parted, making room for them to move. Melisande's laugh echoed, bright as bells, her wings wide as Zul spun her unexpectedly. Even as they picked up speed, the song faded to an end.

"Two." She agreed, her cheeks pink from excitement.

The next song started slower, with a different tone than the holiday music that had filled the rink. Pasha was only half listening, finding a more comfortable stance with the demon. She slid out of his arms as the tempo increased, fingers trailing down the sleeve of his coat until he caught her hand and gently pulled her back in.

Melisande's curls tugged free of their pin as she twirled, her back coming to rest against his chest as the beat suddenly slowed. A man's warm voice picked up, song rolling out over the rink.

Looks like you got me where you want me
So go ahead and roll up your web
The best things in life are hard to come by
But sometimes the best things come from accidents-

She looked up at him, over her shoulder, eyes wide. She'd had many a Christmas, and this was the first song they'd played all evening that she hadn't recognized. Pasha turned slowly, unwrapping herself from Zul, but didn't release his hand.

Is it just me, am I seeing things?
Or does the way we breathe make perfect sense?
I could start fires with what I feel for you
The sun could fade out and we'd see it through-

The lyrics imprinted as she listened, like they always did. Every pause and nuance would be hers to recall like the faces of old friends. Suddenly, Melisande wished she would always remember all of today so clearly. She didn't balk at the heartfelt words, or the way the Demon watched her as they revolved. She no longer needed to question if he'd picked the song for a reason, or if it was how he felt. With a surge of joy, Pasha slid both of Zul's hands down to her waist and draped her arms lightly over his shoulders before closing her wings sharply.

The two Raevans ascended, still spinning slowly...leaving behind the collective gasp over the ice and pausing only once they were level with the brilliant golden star atop the tree. They were amazing, Rivener and Zul both. To have hearts so strong, and faith so sure. The gold of the star cast warm light though her fallen curls, and for the first time, there was true affection in her smile for the Demon.

"Merry Christmas, Zul."