onepassingnight | ○ 04 ○ Little Surprises

[Christmas may have come and gone, but this dream is still full of unwrapped presents. They're everywhere, all in big boxes, lined up on all the walls, stacked in the corners and, of course, piled high under the brightly lit tree in the center of the room. Though the soft glow of this tree somehow illuminates the entire room, you better watch your step!

Oh, yes, because it's not only brightly wrapped boxes you have to worry about stepping on. You see, most of these presents are for a certain little boy. That boy has already made a fair dent in his pile of gifts...and there's a reason the boxes are so big! Each one, so far, has contained a small baby animal. They aren't normal animals, though; some look like kittens or little flowers, or strange bunnies or flying foals!

Or the puppy...kitten...SOMETHING that refuses to leave Sora's side. Or stop licking his face, for that matter!

But that's far from all; there are a whole bunch of these strange baby creatures wandering around, though none are fully grown (and some of the aquatic ones even seem to be floating through the air, though there are plenty of water tanks around, too...).

They seem to be looking for friends...and how in the world is Sora going to take care of them all by himself? Maybe he needs some help!

Besides, look around. There may be a present or two for you in here.]

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[Homura does look around. It says something about her, perhaps, to note that the abundance of cute animals and festive packages make her wary. If something seems too good to be true...

Well. Everyone knows the end of that saying by now.

She does, at least, resolve not to be the one to bring ill-will here. If nothing else, it's better to learn more about what's truly happening. So when she spots Sora, there is a faint, neutral smile on her face like any older girl might give to a little child in the midst of a homey scene like this one. If her eyes fail to reflect it perfectly... it'd take a sharp pair to notice it.]

You seem to be enjoying the holiday festivities. Were these pets given to you as gifts?

[Thankfully for Homura, Sora has never had the sharpest pair of eyes, even for his age, so he just smiles back at her...at least, as soon as he manages to get the little Meow Wow to sit by his lap and ask for attention there instead.]

Yeah, I think so. I don't know who they're from, though.

[He checked every single tag, but they all just said "To Sora". No one else had come by yet, either.]

Maybe Santa brought them!

[He should be careful, a part of her knows. Gifts are rarely - never, really - given without a price, or expectation, or 'catch'.

But it'd take a harder heart than Homura's to ruin a child's surprise and wonder and joy at Christmastime.]

Perhaps he did. Perhaps some are from him, and some are from your parents, or friends.

[Maybe there is a price, of sorts, but it's one that Sora won't understand for a long time to come. Meanwhile, some of the Dream Eaters are taking an interest in Homura, but none have approached yet.]

Yeah, maybe that's it.

[But, if that was true, why didn't they tell him? The Meow Wow looks up at Sora, as if it really wants to answer his silent question, but can't. Instead it just bounces (yes, literally bounces) back into Sora's lap, curling up there happily.]

What do you think these things are, anyway? They don't look like any animals I've ever seen before.

[It seemed natural to ask; after all, he's met this person before, and she seems really smart!]

I don't know, either. For that reason, you should be cautious around them. They may not be used to humans yet.

[This is a much milder way of saying he should really get away, he doesn't know where they've been, and if they ask him for anything, definitely refuse it.]

○ 04 ○ Little Surprises

/waves!

:D

<3

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