So it was upon them, the days of Solstice when the nights grew longer, the days shorter and the air freezing every breath in short lived puffs of smoke. The snow covered the ground with a light dusting, promising more as the days moved on. It was the time of Solstice, the time of year to give respect and love to one another in the form of gifts. So in the days to come, celebration in kind was due.
Exodii was no different from any other place in this respect. The city was blanketed with a light dust of snow. Mistletoe adorned nearly every doorway in the hopes of spreading that Solstice cheer.
The Citadel had descended to land where the old Burr Manor used to rest, outside Exodii City to the east about an hours ride away. The Citadel filled the crevace that the explosion of Burr manor had left so long ago. No one ever went there, and very little grew. Outside the air was cold and now covered the ground, but the inside of the manor and the immediate grounds outside of just the gardens were as warm as a summer day.
Wreaths of evergreens, ribbons and bows were placed upon the doors, clippings laid across the mantles and windows of nearly every room giving the place the fresh scent of pine. Mistletoe adorned every doorway, luring those of opposite sex to pause with the touch of admiration formed on the lips with a kiss.....
One huge evergreen tree was brought in and placed on display in the main family room, decorated with all manner of lights and prettily decorated bulbs. Presents were laid with care addressed to the various people who lived and worked there.
In rooms that had been designated as belonging to Luke, Aria and Anne, a gift was left for them upon their beds... marking the begining of the season, just the first of more to come. The gifts clearly labeled to each and were marked, Open Me Now or I'll go away! They were, of course, signed from Sha'uri.
Luke would find a Bag of Holding, Aria a pretty butterfly brooch, and Anne would find an unusually well crafted gargoyle apparently made of stone, Alex a guitar ... mother knows best... and many others would also find a single present marked with love from Sha'uri.
And thus the season of Solstice would begin.
Exodii was no different from any other place in this respect. The city was blanketed with a light dust of snow. Mistletoe adorned nearly every doorway in the hopes of spreading that Solstice cheer.
The Citadel had descended to land where the old Burr Manor used to rest, outside Exodii City to the east about an hours ride away. The Citadel filled the crevace that the explosion of Burr manor had left so long ago. No one ever went there, and very little grew. Outside the air was cold and now covered the ground, but the inside of the manor and the immediate grounds outside of just the gardens were as warm as a summer day.
Wreaths of evergreens, ribbons and bows were placed upon the doors, clippings laid across the mantles and windows of nearly every room giving the place the fresh scent of pine. Mistletoe adorned every doorway, luring those of opposite sex to pause with the touch of admiration formed on the lips with a kiss.....
One huge evergreen tree was brought in and placed on display in the main family room, decorated with all manner of lights and prettily decorated bulbs. Presents were laid with care addressed to the various people who lived and worked there.
In rooms that had been designated as belonging to Luke, Aria and Anne, a gift was left for them upon their beds... marking the begining of the season, just the first of more to come. The gifts clearly labeled to each and were marked, Open Me Now or I'll go away! They were, of course, signed from Sha'uri.
Luke would find a Bag of Holding, Aria a pretty butterfly brooch, and Anne would find an unusually well crafted gargoyle apparently made of stone, Alex a guitar ... mother knows best... and many others would also find a single present marked with love from Sha'uri.
And thus the season of Solstice would begin.