The Purple Haired Craze

In Which Presents Are Discussed

The days after the first mission for the Dead Men were quiet, up until Mid-Winter.

Valkyrie, who was happy enough just to spend time with the group of boys and Liv, completely forgot about what for her would be Christmas Day. It was only the day before Mid-Winter's Day that Aura mentioned it at the breakfast table, making both Joy and Valkyrie squeal in delight.

"Overexcited, much?" Skulduggery raised his eyebrows at his girlfriend as she began to babble about presents and decorations.

"Not at all! Mid-Winter is the best time of the year! You get to give stuff to other people, and other people give you stuff, and then you eat a stupid amount of food, and you can ignore the fact that it's cold, and-"

"Calm down!" Skulduggery gave her a nudge, but kept on smiling at her. Aura and Roshan were hiding their own grins in their plate of porridge whilst Joy was still happily chanting "Presents!"

"But it's Mid-Winter!" Valkyrie was beginning to look a little crestfallen at Skulduggery's dismissive attitude.

Anton spoke up. "He has never liked Mid-Winter's Day much," he explained.

"That's because Skully is stupid!" Joy said, sticking her tongue out at her older brother.

"Joy, be nice to your brother!" Aura reprimanded, but the grin didn't waver on her face.

Valkyrie managed to tone down her emotions, asking Aura and Roshan what they usually did on Mid-Winter's Day.

"We generally either all go over to the tailor shop, or they all come over here," Roshan explained. "We have a big meal, give each other gifts and spend time together. Who's turn is it this year?" he asked his wife.

"Theirs, but we need to bring pudding over."

"Fair enough."

"I haven't bought any presents," Liv said, a little guiltily.

"Me neither!" Valkyrie looked horrified at herself.

"We need to go to the market anyway today," Aura calmed them. "You can go in with me and get some little gifts from the town. I'm assuming Skulduggery hasn't remembered to get presents either." She gave her son a glare.

Skulduggery just grinned.

"I'll go in too," Anton offered. "I have gifts, but I figure you would need some help, Aura."

"Thank you. Roshan?"

"I'll stay here with Joy," he said, finishing off the last bit of porridge from his bowl. "I have some paperwork for the Sanctuary to complete so I can have the day off tomorrow."

"We'd better go and get ready, then!" Aura told them, a cheerful smile on her face. Today was going to be interesting.

Liv and Val walked arm in arm through the plentiful market stalls, weaving in and out of the thick crowd. Everyone seemed to be in town today, making last minute preparations for the next day.

So far, neither of them had found anything interesting whatsoever.

"Seriously? Another jewellery stall?" Valkyrie looked down at the third stall that housed precious stones and metals in mild annoyance.

"At least these ones are better quality than the other two," Liv said, fairly. "Look, that would be a nice brooch for Aura. Or me." She batted her eyelashes slyly.

Valkyrie raised her eyebrows at the purple girl's antics. In order for her to get away with her odd appearance in public, Aura had covered her face in make up and a large hat was placed over the main bulk of the girl's hair to hide it away, also drawing attention away from her face. The long sleeved cloak and gloves were made of very fine material, and covered the rest of her purple skin. It was unnoticeable to a certain extent and good enough for a small excursion where most people would be focused on their own plans.

"You buy it for Aura then," she told Liv. "It's not the sort of thing I buy for people."

"Fair enough." Liv turned to the stall owner, asking the man what it was worth.

It was more expensive than most jewellery, a waste of money in Valkyrie's point of view, but at the same time she knew Liv had good judgement and it was probably of good quality.

"I've nearly bought something for everybody, and here you are with a single, measly book of poetry for Anton."

"The boys are difficult to buy for," Valkyrie countered.

"You know them much better than I do!"

"Yes, that makes it even harder. I don't want to get it wrong. I remembered that Anton likes poetry in the future, so I figured he would like it now considering how old some of the poetry he has recited previously is." She paused. "Will be." She turned to Liv, a confused expression on her face. "Has been?"

"Don't even bother trying to work that out. I know what you mean. I'm a time traveller and the tenses I should use always confuse me."

"Glad I'm not the only one."

"Trust me. Every time traveller had these problems."

It was only towards the end of the shopping trip that Valkyrie finally found a stall where the perfect gifts for each of her friends were laid before her. She smiled as she bought them, carefully ensuring that Liv was preoccupied with another stall as she got them all packed into her basket.

Finally!