jingle bell jingle bell jingle bell

[mansionstaff]

Who: YOU
What: SNOW
When: DECEMBER 6th
Where: EVERYWHERE
WHAT: SNOW (BONUS TREE DECORATING)

As a quiet Friday dawned on the school's campus, one could perhaps...feel it in the air. A creeping chill, a silent, barely-detectable indication that yes. Tonight would be the night.



By Saturday morning, the entire academy would be covered in snow.

BUT WAIT



That wasn't all--a large pine tree had made an appearance on the main quad, in desperate need of decoration.

Comments

[kuragekasa]

"Time does fly, doesn't it?" Clear's agreement came with a curt nod, his smile still strong despite Chihiro's having faded away. "It was a fine year, though, wasn't it, Fujisaki-san? We should close the year out with celebration."

Slowly, however, he began to notice that he wasn't quite as enthusiastic, if not a little reluctant to speak, and his brows started to stoop concernedly. "Is that okay? Or... are you not feeling well?"

[cplusplus]

"Oh- um, I... don't really do well in cold weather," he lie, although it wasn't like it was complete false either. "I used to get sick a lot when I was younger... I guess I'm not entirely immune to it still, I'm sorry for causing you to worry."

He sighed as he ducked his head in shame, he really didn't want to lie. However, he didn't really want to talk things out. At least, not yet; it was just not the time for it.

[kuragekasa]

"Eh? Fujisaki-san! You don't need to apologize," he reassured him, removing the scarf from his neck and holding it out to him. Clear started trying to sling it around his neck, in fact, to ensure that he'd accept it. He was insisting here, and he wasn't taking no for an answer. He needed this more than he did.

"Here," he spoke firmly, yet gently. "Please wear this. It should protect you and keep you warm."

[cplusplus]

Chihiro frowned further, this wasn't... suppose to happen.

On impulse, Chihiro slipped the scarf off and fled from the scene. Though as he ran, he was starting to regret the abrupt decision in doing so.

[kuragekasa]

"E-Eh? Fujisaki-san?!"

Clear couldn't help the harsh gasp that whisked past his throat, his hands just barely capturing the fabric in his hands. Carelessly, he swung it back over his neck in a hurry, his feet taking him forward as though by instinct. What had he done? Did he do something wrong? Was something specific about this situation making his supposedly courteous action impolite?

Oh no.

"Fujisaki-san! Wait!"

[cplusplus]

Eventually, in combination of exhaustion and tears blurring his eyesight, Chihiro tripped in fell into the snow.

For the first time in what it seemed like forever, had the snow not muffled most of the sound, Chihiro could be heard screaming in absolute frustration. He hated this, he hated winter; he hated how he could never seem to truly feel at ease. He did try not to think about it, he thought he could get stand up and move pass it like how he had since Naoki comforted him since the aftermath of the Seth incident.

But no, face it, he was still blaming himself from Charlise's murder.

Overwhelmed by how unreal the situation felt for him and that it being the first of many triggers to recovering his lost memories, he never truly recovered from his former roommate's death. The thing that made him inexplicably angry at himself further was the fact he flat out forgot about her for a long period, it was only during the signs of snow fall that the thought started to haunt him again, making his face just as pale as what a ghost would look.

The small boy got up, just so he could furiously rub the tears off his eyes. Things started to just go out of control, he could no longer keep his emotions in check, he could feel the red hot anger mixed with the irredeemable guilt that he had forgotten of Charlise.

[kuragekasa]

"...-isaki-san! Fujisaki-saaaan!"

Clear's voice yet rang out for him as he drew closer and closer, his feet hurriedly carrying him towards his fallen body as fast as he could move. His heavy footsteps met the forced breathing of his panting lungs, trying to expand so feebly against the sheer cold. Once by him again, he dropped to his knees, his hands cupping trembling shoulders.

"Fujisaki-san..."

He didn't know what to say or what to do now. He knew he was crying. He could hear it. He could feel it. He could see it. Rarely did he ever have to confront someone in this position, so his fears started playing out in his head of Chihiro reacting in an ill manner to his attempts at comfort. His heart wretched at the very thought of such rejection, of making things worse.

Despite it all, he also knew he had to do something.

With that in mind, his arms surrounded his shoulders, pulling his back onto his front and yanking him as close as he possibly could. His hands stroked his body in a solacing manner, slow and delicate movements being all he gave him.

"Shhh... I'm here..."

He only hoped that wasn't a hindrance.

this is dumbly short i'm real sorry

[cplusplus]

Chihiro was hesitant in accepting the embrace, but his sniffles grew louder without his permission. He didn't have anything to say, couldn't really. Anything coming out from his mouth at this point would soon be drowned by uncontrollable sobs, so he continued to be silent, with only his sniffles and small sobs be any indication that he was still an emotional mess.

Slowly, his hand reached for Clear's arm and clutched it as hard as he could.

hehehe its ok!

[kuragekasa]

Time just passed with them like this, trailing along slowly as though time and space were but a slug and snail. Chihiro's body was trembling, yet Clear's own was as steady as a boulder, grounding them both and keeping them nestled in winter's chilly, yet safe, embrace.

Soothingly, his hand slid down his friend's hair, fingers brushing through locks and strands. Just as suddenly as everything happened... he felt as though everything came to a stand still, his lips parting and eyes shutting to make way for a melody habitually sung.

Perhaps that would be enough to calm him down?