My Diggy Diggy One Shots

Christmas Time

Happy Holidays! I know this is a bit late but.. This was also for someone but I forget the name (apologies! also sorry this took me so long holy crap)

TW: Sjips, Angst

The Laughing Demon is full of friends both old and new, a pleasant escape for anyone from the the bitter cold outside. The demon the bar is named after watches angrily from behind reinforced glass. Ravs and MintyMinute take turns playing bartender as Xephos and I run around playing host. In between chatting up guests and making sure we have enough of everything, there is little time to think about the statue out front, all alone.

It was Xephos' idea to throw a party on Christmas. I wasn't too keen on it right away, but Xeph brought up how good it would be for business and the farm, eventually talking me into it. We've been preparing this for weeks now: Xephos making and sending invitations to everyone, myself preparing food, calling up Ravs and Minty to see if they would offer their services, Xephos making sure everyone knew it was a war-free, weapon-free zone.. We even went so far as to call in a favor from Ridge, who made the farm 'Peaceful' for twenty-four hours.

"Hey Sjin," Lalna walks over, sitting down next to me. "How's the farm?"

I shrug, not looking up from the glass of amber liquid in front of me. "'S fine," I slur.

"Does Xeph know you've been drinking?" I hum, bringing the glass to my lips once more. It burns going down, and I welcome the feeling.

"No? Maybe; dunno." I shrug, waving to Ravs.

"Are you sure you want another one, Sjin? You've had quite a few already." I look up and glare at Ravs.

"It's my party, I can do whatever I want. And I want 'nother!"

"Whatever you say," The Scott mutters, moving to get the bottle. "You know, you kinda remind me of Rythian? He would, on more than one occasion, come in and drink until he passed out on my counter."

"Ah Rythian, he was a cool guy. A bit crazy, but a cool guy. Him and his little girly friend, Zoeya or something?" I shrug. "She was a bit weird too, talking to mushrooms and all that. Guess I can't say much, I talk to a statue."

"What? You talk to statues?"

"No! Just Sipsy," I smile sadly.

I don't see the confused look Ravs gives Lalna, or how Lalna glances in my direction once before leaning over the counter. "Sips got abducted or something like that, and we found him on Mars, frozen."

Ravs nods, still looking mildly confused. "I guess if Zoeya can build a teleporter out of lapiz then Sips can become a statue."

"Zoeya built a teleporter? No way!" Lalna sits back and laughs. "I knew I was a good teacher."

I turn around in my seat, looking at everyone in the room. The HAT boys sit on the couch, being their loud, obnoxious selves. Lomadia and Nilesy sit with Nano and raise their glasses together over something. The small dwarf is passed out at one of the tables, his spaceman trying unsuccessfully to wake him. Even Parvis and Will seem to be having a good time, Parvis curled up under Strife's arm as they talk about whatever it is a blood mage and CEO could talk about. With the exception of Lalna sitting next to me instead of with his apprentice Nano, everyone has someone to call theirs. Even Rythian had Zoey.

And I'm here alone, the other half of the dynamic duo sitting on a cart out in the cold, most likely covered in snow, alone. We're both alone.

My body moves of its own accord, my legs carrying me through the crowd of people and to the door.

Just before I reach the door though, Xephos calls my name. "Sjin! Hey, where are you off to, friend?"

"I- I just need to be alone for a bit, okay?"