Strawberries and Darkness

All I Want For Christmas

Peacemaker was quietly reading a scroll in his sleeping cave with his clawmate, Dusky, getting well-earned rest after having to deal with more of Bumblebee's bizarre ideas of fun.

There was a lot of noise filled with random dragons singing Christmas carols and more talk about giving presents to one another among tribes. Peacemaker was increasingly annoyed, he just wanted some silence at the current moment. 

Also...

Kinkajou busted through the door, startling Dusky awake.

Kinkajou: Ho! Ho! Peacemaker!

Peacemaker *grumbling*: You woke up Dusk...

Kinkajou: Oh, sorry about that. But why are you guys sitting quietly? It's Christmas, you guys should be having fun! School time is over for a few days, it's pretty much a special event!

Peacemaker: Yeah I know but do I have to be with all the other dragons? Sounds like something could easily be destroyed or get out of hand and I'd rather not be a part of it.

Darkstalker: Sounds fun to watch.

Kinkajou: But isn't that the beauty of it? Being with others. Even if you get into a little bit of trouble it's still a fun time to remember.

Dusky: Most are too busy to pay attention to me, I'd rather get some more sleep since according to Peace I've been lacking in it.

Peacemaker *nodding*: You've been getting only four and a half hours of sleep on average, I counted and did the math. That isn't healthy for a dragon your age.

Dusky: You're....arguably worse.

Peacemaker: I just want you to have some more sleep that's all.

Kinkajou: So are you guys not going to enjoy your time?

Peacemaker: By your definition, no. 

Kinkajou: Alright then. If I can't convince you, I know who will.

Kinkajou dramatically marched off.

Dusky: She's going to get our friends.

Peacemaker: Yep. Here's how it's going to go. Cliff is going to urge me to sing Christmas carols with him, Auklet is just going to be quietly on Cliff's side, Bee is just going to prank everyone by hanging up mistletoes everywhere, and Mink...I don't know. Maybe have me help bake Christmas cookies. Sounds like something she'd do.

Dusky: You aren't sure?

Peacemaker: I never asked nor seen her during traditions like these. 

Dusky: Not even scrolls?

Peacemaker: I don't look up traditions like Christmas since I never celebrate it.

Dusky got up, visibly a little surprised.

Dusky: You've never celebrated Christmas before?

Darkstalker: That's a shocker for me. Even I had.

Peacemaker: Nightwings no longer do that because it's hard to get cheery in a volcano and now there just isn't a point to it. One time, my mother tried to do something with just us but um... she got busy with work with Queen Glory and I kind of spent it alone.

Dusky: That sounds a bit depressing.

Peacemaker *mumbling*: You get used to that sort of life. 

Peacemaker got up and stretched, setting aside the scroll he'd been reading.

Dusky: What were you reading anyway?

Peacemaker: True stories that a war prisoner managed to write about their time being there. I believe it was the War of the Coastal Domain thirty years after Darkstalker times. It's kind of funny since the Sandwing, Fossil, just insults the Seawing Queen, Queen Kraken, by constantly referring to her as a petty little-

Dusky: Okay! So what I'm getting at, is that you've never truly celebrated Christmas with anyone, you have poor sleeping habits, and during the opportunity you have to finally celebrate it, you're reading a war scroll. This just sounds worse every minute.

Peacemaker *starting to walk out*: Yeah, yeah. Anyhow, I'll be going before the others arrive.

Dusky: Are you trying to avoid them because you know you'll be convinced to join?

Peacemaker: Yeah.

Dusky: Where are you even going anyway?

Peacemaker: To a comfortable spot I know, if you guys know me well enough and did your fair share of studying the geography outside of Jade Mountain, then you'll know.

Peacemaker headed out.

He found a weird comfortability in just being alone, there was nothing needed, just himself. Although he knew he could enjoy his time with his friends, it felt weird to try it for the first time.

Later...

He lay down on the soft grass, gazing upward at the progressive Crimson sky. The three moons shined dully from Peacemaker's perspective. He heard wing beats very far in the distance, he knew it was just some random students hanging out.

Darkstalker loomed above Peacemaker.

Darkstalker: So buddy, was what you said back there true? Was Dusk right?

Peacemaker: Er...yeah. What? Don't trust me in telling the truth?

Darkstalker: No, I don't trust you, I don't even trust your mind.

Peacemaker: I got no reason to lie so yes again, that was the truth.

Darkstalker: That sounds like the most saddest crap I've heard in a while. 

Peacemaker: It doesn't bother me that much. Not sure why it's a big deal.

Darkstalker: Look, how about this, how about this time we can finally get you a Christmas to spend some time with somebody.

Peacemaker: I'm guessing that "somebody" is referring to you.

Darkstalker: Mhm. We can't split so how about we spend more time together?

Peacemaker:  To do...what? You're a ghost, you're pretty much with me every second of every day.

Darkstalker: I do tell a lot of stories and although I can conjure more from my memories, I am interested in your life.

Peacemaker: My life isn't that interesting as you can see.

Darkstalker: I'm not buying it.

Peacemaker: Is this even how you celebrate Christmas?

Darkstalker: So? If it's not, I don't care. It's supposed to be spending time with others you care about not just hanging up a tree and having annoyingly vibrant lights hung up everywhere.

Peacemaker: Fair enough. I guess I thought of one.

That's what Peacemaker and Darkstalker did as the sun eventually started to set. The star appeared and Peacemaker stared at them, recalling each funny story he tried to remember.

I might do a second part but that's all I'm doing for this sort of thing. Writing has mostly gone back and hopefully should continue as normal.