Jack was sleeping, lying in his bed with a blanket on top of him. The blanket was more of a formality really, since he didn't feel cold anymore. His head rested on a soft pillow.
Suddenly, a noise came from the window in front of his bed.
PAM
Something hit the window — and then again.
Looking from the window, while snow was falling down lightly on their faces, Aos and Mila were standing next to each other.
"Hey! Don't throw rocks!"
"We can just wake him up normally."
Aos was wearing a brown coat that paired with his hair, while Mila was wearing a dark coat that paired with her eyes and hair.
Mila looked at Aos, confused.
"Oh right..."
She placed her hands around her mouth to make her voice sound louder.
"JACK, WAKE UP!"
"JACK!!"
"IT'S THE FESTIVAL!"
Jack slowly opened his blue eyes, tired from the encounter he had this morning.
I guess using my powers really tires me...
"JACKKK!"
Looking outside of his window, he saw them. He placed his hand over his mouth to cover a light yawn.
"Okay, okay... I'm going."
Jack left the lodging, and the three of them were taking steps on the white snow, heading towards the village, which was now lit with many lights covering the area. Lights hung from house to house, and even tree to tree.
There, in the middle of the village next to the stone statue, rested a pine tree — tall and grand in comparison to the others. Decorated with light bulbs as well as small little ornaments.
Jack's thoughts echoed in his mind.
I've never seen anything like this.
So many people...
Below the tree lay hundreds of presents, each handmade by Nicholas — one for each and every person in the village.
Jack looked at Aos and spoke calmly.
"So what is this festival?"
Aos looked back at Jack with a thoughtful look.
"Well, it's the first time Nicholas does it really. I'm not sure."
"He wants to give us all gifts to improve our lives."
"He did say something about implementing a list in the future…"
"Not sure what that means, but yeah — he really takes care of us."
Jack stared at the beautifully lit village.
Mila made both of her hands into fists of excitement, her eyes lit up despite them being dark. She faced Jack and spoke.
"I want a doll this time!"
"Ralf is cooking today too!"
Aos' eyes also lit up with excitement.
"I love his dumplings and soup — they're the best!"
Jack stared at both of them curiously and spoke.
"What are dumplings?"
Both Mila and Aos stared in disbelief at Jack's words.
Aos spoke, bewildered.
"You... don't know…"
Mila spoke before Aos could finish.
"DUMPLINGS!?"
Jack scratched his face awkwardly and spoke nervously.
"Well, I didn't really leave my house very often."
"The only town near us was kilometers away."
"When me and my father left the house, it usually meant hunting."
Aos looked at him with a mix of excitement and empathy.
"Well, we'll try them today!"
Jack, Aos, and Mila went on their way, playing with the snow. Mila was attacking Jack, while he deflected them all effortlessly.
"Hey, your powers are cheating!"
"Sure, sure... how about this then..."
Jack started gliding on the snow. With ice on his feet, he threw snowballs that he grabbed with his arm. As he dashed, he threw some at Mila.
"HEY!"
A snowball hit her face.
And then suddenly, Aos managed to hit Jack in the back of the head, making snow cover his hair.
"Hey!"
"That was… impressive."
"But not enough."
Jack threw two snowballs at the same time, hitting both Aos and Mila in the face.
Mila stared furiously at Jack and said in a comedic tone,
"Hey, I said no powers!"
Suddenly interrupting them, a bell rang. Everyone started approaching the tree. Jack and the rest followed the crowd.
Nicholas was standing in front of the statue. His voice, strong and loud, made everyone fall quiet.
"Everyone, gather here!"
"You will be able to open the gifts I made for each of you."
"Take this as a thank you for what you have done for me."
"Back then, I was alone, until all of you took me here and accepted me without any doubts."
"My grandfather — who you all say once founded this village —"
"Made me have a place to stay."
"So thank you… once again."
Nicholas bowed and gave them all a wide, appreciative smile. With his brown hazel eyes and long beard that hung from his jaw, he wore the same red jacket as before. Only now, above his head, he was wearing a red hat that ended with a white piece of fur at the top.
"Each gift has your names, so go and look."
Everyone clapped and thanked Nicholas for his kind words. The twins that Jack had seen before were each opening their gifts underneath the pine tree. One received a fishing rod, while the other — Rodrick — received a longbow.
Jack waited for most of them to open their gifts, and then it was Mila and Aos' turn to receive theirs.
Aos opened the paper-wood wrapped around the gift, revealing a pair of comfortable-looking brown boots. His eyes widened.
"Yes!"
"Look, Jack, they look so comfortable!"
He raised them to show, then instantly started switching into his new boots, while Mila opened her gift as well.
She, on the other hand, received a small wooden box. Her eyes showed confusion as she opened it, revealing a beautifully crafted ballerina in the center. Her eyes widened in awe. She spun the music box, then released it. A beautiful tone echoed into the snow, reaching everyone nearby.
Then it was Jack's turn to open his gift.
A long, wrapped paper box was under the tree. Jack carefully opened it, breaking the wrapping. Inside was a long, elegant wooden staff, its end curving inward.
Jack stared curiously and grabbed the bottom of the staff.
He felt the rough wood — a potent cold could be felt from it.
"This…"
Jack gazed intensely at his gift, then pointed it downward, creating spikes in the floor.
I can channel my power through it...
Nicholas' steps could be heard from behind. His strong voice now sounded a little nervous.
"Well… what do you kids think?"
"Cough, cough… do you like your gifts?"
Mila went straight to Nicholas and hugged him around the leg. Aos nodded strongly as he proudly wore his new pair of boots.
Jack stared at the tall man. His smile widened.
"Thank you… Nicholas."