Quote:
On a cold winter night, when the moon is nearly full and bright in the sky, you hear laughter. At first, you can't place it, but then you feel little pokes and prods, tugs on your hair, your clothes. Sometimes you think you see something out of the corner of your eye--a small, icy body. Sometimes you hear wings flapping in the night. As long as you are out in the cold, you feel eyes on you and you find yourself the target of small mischief from what seems to be icy little fairies, though they move too fast for you to see or grab. They never speak, only laugh. When you go inside, or venture to anywhere with too much light or heat, they seem to disappear and do not bother you again.
"Did you see that Santa? His beard was falling of, and I swear he was ogling one of the elves," Izzy was saying as the bus slowed, body leaning close so she could keep her voice low, eyes sparkling with mirth. "They need better background checks at the mall." With a chuckle she scooped up her shopping bags and got to her feet, leading the way off the bus and out into the chilly night air.
It was a little later than they'd planned on being out, but there'd been a lot going on at the mall between all the holiday kiosks, the sales, and the bustle of crowds. Izzy didn't mind, because it meant spending more time with her best friend.
Winter had swept in almost over night it seemed, and at Izume it seemed colder than it usually was mid December, but admittedly she didn't pay that much attention to weather patterns and dates.
She paused just off the bus, half turning to wait for Lovi to step down as well so they could walk back to the school together. "You think they'll be pissed were out this late doing, you know, none worky things." When they were powered the staff seemed to turn a blind eye.
strickenized
