The tree had been up a couple of weeks, the first one they have had since being together. Chris had cut it down and placed it on the table in the corner of the main room then Zara and Spera had decorated it with homemade ornaments: trees cut out of felt in green with gold and silver threads sown into them to represent garland, gingerbread men out of brown cotton, circular balls in various colors stuffed with scrap fabric. Each was tied to a branch with green twine to blend into the tree to give the illusion of hanging there. There were a limited number of store brought decorations added to the tree but they were few and far between.

Each day since the presents underneath the tree grew by one or two boxes or containers. Most were for Spera: clothes, toys and the always dreaded educational items. There was one pouch from Icer-a silver necklace with jewels of varying shades of blues and purples.

Last night when she arrived home, another box was added: a small jeweler's box wrapped in silver paper with only the recipient's name on it. It took a while to locate it and when she finally did, a grin crossed her face-hopefully he would like it.

Chris had been a scarce sight for anyone, his family included. He spent most of his time the week prior in a small building he had constructed for his magical research. Really, if one got a good look at him it'd be doubtful they'd peg him as the intelligent type. He looked fairly brawny, had visible scars, a gruff demeanor, but his mind tended to be the most useful weapon in his arsenal. He had replicated the medallion successfully. It'd almost been more trouble than it was worth. Dark brown eyes were examining the object. It was slipped into his pocket.

The last two days, he had been nowhere in sight. In seclusion to meditate on various things. Only beings who had access to the realm of shadows would have been able to find him. It was important that he be undisturbed. Very few understood his standoffish ways. Even those that did rarely had a complete grasp on why. Strength was everything to him. It was the tool he used to protect people. Be that his family, friends, or just someone innocent. Without his abilities to battle, he was nothing.

After a few more moments of examining the focus item he had created, he slipped it around his neck. It was only useful when on his person, afterall. He spoke a few words and vanished from the shadow realm. He was deposited out behind the cabin, near his "labratory". He moved inside the cabin. For some reason he felt very odd. Like a prescence was lingering there that was familiar. He glanced around for a few moments. When he couldn't find anything suspicious he shook his head and went inside. As he passed by the table, he paused. He saw a necklace lying there. It took a few moments for him to realize where it had come from. He was unsure what to do with it. It didn't appear anyone was in the cabin, but he was unalarmed. He just went to sit by the fire to think.

Zara had found herself spending more time in the garden since the weather turned warmer and more time in the dueling venues since Chris had all but disappeared. Her head turned to look at the lab that had been built earlier in the year: he had gone to devoting all his time to whatever research he deemed fit at the moment. Zara sighed then turned back to digging around the plants and herbs that were blooming, even the roses that Vinny had given her after the duel a while back were flourishing. Spera was off in her little section of the garden with Anisha watching over her: Zara could hear the giggles and laughs coming from that area. There had not been enough of that around here of late: mostly silence was the norm for both the house and surrounding gardens.

Zara sat up for a minute, brushing the dirt off her hands onto the towel she usually had tucked into the band of the skirt. Dark eyes fell on the little girl and Zara smiled-at the moment Spera was the one bright spot in her life. Standing, Zara wandered over the the gazebo that had been built in one of Chris's absences and poured herself a glass of lemonade then paused in lifting the glass. Peering into one of the dark corners, Zara spied a shadow and took a hesitant step that way. Anisha growled as she felt the presence too, canting her head towards the shadow but staying near the little girl. A pause in her steps, Zara could barely make out a face then she gasped. It reminded her of one from the past but not quite-word had reached her that he and his family had moved back to his home. So she just continued looking until it finally hit her-but she was under the impression that he was dead.