Lucia

"Hey... have you seen Elle?" I asked Tazi and Lizzie as the three of us headed down to breakfast.

"Hmm... nope." Tazi shook his head.

"Me neither. Why?" Lizzie added.

"I haven't seen her all morning." I bit my lip nervously. "You're sure you haven't seen her?"

"Yeah. But it's nothing to worry about, I'm sure. If she hasn't turned up by noon, we should go to Olvan and Tyler." Lizzie reassured, putting a hand on my arm.

"Okay." I nodded slowly.

We traipsed down to the dining hall, and immediately spied the other five members of our group sitting together at a table. They waved us over. I slipped into a seat beside Niko, accepting the bowl of porridge he pushed over to me. I forced down one or two spoonfuls, but it tasted like sawdust and after few bites I pushed aside my bowl and stood. Niko stood with me, a hand on my shoulder.

"You okay?" He asked softly as he guided me out of the room.

"Yeah, just not hungry." I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

"Oh...kay..." He seemed hesitant, but quickly jumped to a new topic. "Hey, I have a surprise for you. Go up to your room and get dressed in something warm then meet me back here, okay?"

I lifted an eyebrow at him. "Alright... be back in a sec."

I ran up to my room, grabbing my warm jacket and throwing it on. I trotted back down the stairs to where Niko was still waiting.

"Ready?" He asked, taking my hand.

"Ready." I nodded, "where are we going?"

Niko winked cheekily at me. "You'll see. Now, close your eyes."

He lead me outside, where the cold air stung my cheeks and nose. We walked for a while, our footsteps crunching in the powdery snow. Suddenly, Niko stopped. "Okay, you can open 'em up."

I slowly opened my eyes, and my jaw dropped. I let go of Niko's hand and ran forward, throwing my arms around Elle's neck. "There you are!" I murmured, petting her freshly groomed coat before stepping back.

"Wow..." I whispered, finally noticing the sparkly sleigh that stood behind Elle. A harness was connecting the two, making it so my spirit animal could pull the sleigh through the snow.

"So?" Niko inquired, hoisting himself onto the seat. "Do you like it?"

I turned to him, my mouth falling open in surprise. "You did this? For me?"

He laughed, "well for us, but yeah, pretty much!"

I giggled, "it's amazing!"

Niko blushed. "Uh, thanks. I'm glad you think so. Now," he offered me a hand, pulling me up onto the seat beside him, "how about we take this baby for a spin?"

I grinned, nodding excitedly. Niko picked up the reins and whistled through his teeth. "You know what to do, Elle!" He called, holding the leather reins in one hand and pulling me close with the other. We were yanked forward as Elle started moving, but the sleigh soon fell into a smooth and elegant rhythm.

"So now what?" I asked, rubbing my frozen nose.

Niko shrugged. "I figured we could talk or somethin'. I dunno."

I rolled my eyes at him, an idea sparking in my head. "Oh! I know!"

"Yeah?" Niko cocked his head to the left, reminding me of his ostrich, Jesse.

"We can sing songs!" I tapped his nose.

"Okay!" Niko laughed, "I'll warn you now, though, I'm not the best singer!"

I shook my head with a chuckle. "That's okay. I'm not the best either."

"You start then?" He said.

I nodded and cleared my throat. "Um.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you." I coughed out, growing steadily stronger as I went along.

Niko nodded along and hopped in as I died off.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You, baby!" He smiled sheepishly at me.

I joined him, trying not to giggle.
"I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You!"

Niko's soft tenor left, leaving only my gentle soprano.
"All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me..."

Then he took over, rhythm and melody strong despite what he'd said earlier.
"Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You."

We turned toward each other for the last verse, our voices blending and creating these amazing harmonies.
"All I want for Christmas is you baby
All I want for Christmas is you baby!"

I leaned forward and Niko wrapped his arms around me, planting a soft kiss on my snow dusted hair. My cheeks burned, but in the cold I didn't even mind, instead snuggling closer.

And that's the 23rd! Sorry for the late update 😅 I've been busy all day and haven't had time to write it. Enjoy and keep an eye out for the 24th! ♫

edit: 23/12/22
power out :(
anyway I edited like one thing lmao hope y'all enjoyed