Post by ebonyviper on Dec 24, 2008 20:40:07 GMT -5
Christmas in Nitropolis
by EboneeV
DISCLAIMER: Cars and everything related to it belongs to Disney Pixar. Ebony, Storm, Maven, and Krill, and Savannah belong to me. Phoenix, Gryffin, Chase (Jr. and Sr.), Neil, and Topaz belong to Insane Pirate Dragon (and yes, I asked permission first), respectively. No copyright infringement in intended. I'm only doing this for fun.
NOTE: This fanfiction is based off of the storyline from the Moonlight Shadow RP on Wingnut City. Just so there's no confusing of what's going on and who the characters are.
SUMMARY: Savannah wants to know what Christmas is and Ebony learns the true meaning of what Christmas is, all at the same time.
A small child car, about the size of a go-cart, sat in wonder as tiny, white flakes floated down from the heavens and settled on the ground around her tires. Pale blue eyes blinked as some of these little, white miracles alighted on her hood and melted. She was still unaffected by the cold, but that didn't concern her at the moment.
Savannah had slipped away from her mother again and had gone wandering up the tunnel that led to the outside world beyond the abandoned subway that she called home. The little white Ford GT knew that she wasn't supposed to be out here by herself and was always reminded of what had happened to her last time she came up here by herself. Her mother was determined to fiercely protect her daughter from her father at all costs.
But that didn't deter Savannah from exploring the world as much as she could before she would get caught by her uncle, aunt, or the Mustang she now referred to as her father again. She clearly couldn't understand why they wouldn't let her go farther than they liked her to go. And she couldn't understand why her mother was so against her going out on her own.
She had never seen her mother smile or laugh. Not once. Even when she asked her aunt if she knew a spell that would bring back her mother's sight in her left eye, the answer wasn't what she had expected and it wasn't even satisfactory. Why was it so hard for her aunt to answer such a simple question? Didn't she know enough magic herself to be able to figure out a solution even as she is teaching Savannah how to control hers?
“Savannah!” someone called out, “What are you doing out there? Come back inside where it's warm!”
The GT gasped and turned to the one who had caught her. It was the metallic purple Dodge Viper SRT/10 that Savannah knew as her uncle. His gray-blue eyes looked down at her.
“Uncle Boost,” Savannah said, looking up at him, “I'm sorry. I was just curious about what all this white stuff is.”
“That's snow,” Boost answered, pulling up to his niece.
“Snow? What is that?” asked Savannah.
“It's really tiny, very cold, and it only falls when the temperatures at at a certain low temperature,” Boost explained, “Plus, if you look really closely, you can see intricate little patterns.”
“Patterns? Wow,” Savannah watched the snowflakes fall with even more awe then before, “But why do they fall on only this time of year?”
“Well, it's winter,” answered Boost, “and it's Christmastime...”
Savannah looked up at him. This word she had never heard utter before in her life. “What's Christmas?”
“Uh... it's a holiday that's celebrated at this time of year,” the Viper replied, “and it's where everyone goes around and shops for presents for their loved ones, but they wrap those presents up and put them underneath a tree.” I think I said too much, he thought.
“Do you do that, Uncle Boost?” asked Savannah.
Boost was caught off-guard by the GT girl's question. He hesitated a moment, trying to come up with an answer to the question, but to know avail. “I... can't answer that, Savannah,” he said at last, “We've never celebrated it down at the Arena.”
“Why not?” asked Savannah.
“We just don't,” said Boost before he gave Savannah a nudge to get her to go back inside, “C'mon, let's go back before you mother finds you missing again.”
Savannah sighed and let her uncle herd her back into the tunnel, but still feeling that her question has gone unanswered. The mention of Christmas intrigued her and she wanted to know more.
* * * * *
Ebony awoke from another nap as she heard two engines approach the center of the Arena. She lifted her front a bit and sniffed the air. It was her brother and her daughter and she wondered where Savannah had wandered off to this time.
She was annoyed that Savannah would disobey her instead of sticking around the Arena like she was supposed to. Ebony was extremely protective of her daughter now since Savannah's recent kidnapping by her real father a few months ago. She was also keenly aware of the dangers the city up there posed to those who went into there alone. The city was no place for a child as young as Savannah to be wandering around in.
The Viper slowly lifted herself up onto her tires and pulled over to the makeshift doorway, which was made out of old blankets and poked her nose out. She edged out into the Arena to watch as Boost brought her daughter back from wherever she had wandered off. Savannah scampered over to her mother as soon as she saw her and nuzzled her. “Mama, I'm so sorry.”
“Why did you disobey me, Savannah?” Ebony asked her daughter, “You know you're not supposed to wander off. What if something horrible happened to you?”
“I didn't mean to,” whimpered the little GT girl, “but I wanted to see what all the white stuff on the ground was.”
“That's snow,” replied Ebony, “but it's cold and you could've gotten sick.”
“I'm sorry, Mama,” said Savannah, “I won't do it again. I promise.”
“Better not,” h'rumphed the black Viper, then she finally returned the nuzzle her daughter gave her, “I really don't wanna lose you. You are too precious to me.”
“I know, Mama,” Savannah looked down at her hood guiltily as her mother told her this.
There was silence between mother and daughter for a while, but Savannah spoke up again, “Mama, can I ask you a question?”
“Yes?”
“What's Christmas?” asked the GT.
Ebony blinked in surprise, wondering why her daughter would ask such a question. There was something in the way the question was asked that caused the Viper's senses to shut down emotionally. She wasn't sure she could handle the answer herself.
“Savannah, why do you want to know something like that?” asked Ebony.
“Because Uncle Boost didn't tell me enough about it and he said that we don't celebrate it down here,” replied Savannah, “But, I wanna know what Christmas is. Do you know?”
Ebony sighed, “Savannah, your uncle is right. We don't celebrate it down here, and we don't have any reason to anyway. Honey, I'm sorry that you have to hear it this way, but I don't want to see you get disappointed about something that you can never experience in your lifetime.”
“But, Mama...” protested Savannah.
“Savannah, listen to me,” Ebony interrupted, “You know that I love you very much and don't want you to get hurt, okay? I just wanna protect you from being disappointed and hurt.”
Savannah sniffed, feeling mollified, and nodded resignedly, “Yes, Mama...”
“I'm glad you understand,” Ebony said, giving her daughter a gentle nudge, “Now, how about going to find your siblings and cousins and play with them and let your Mama rest, okay?”
“Yes, Mama...”
* * * * *
Even though her mother had told her that she should go play, Savannah was still wondering about the subject of Christmas and what it was and what it really meant. She wanted answers and she figured she could still ask around, providing that wouldn't worry her mother about wandering off again.
Maybe Aunt Nixie will tell me what Christmas is, Savannah thought as she headed toward her aunt's den.
Chase and Topaz were playing outside their mother's den, then looked up when they saw Savannah coming up to them. “Hi, Vanna,” they greeted her, using a shortened form of her name.
“Hi,” Savannah said with a nod of greeting of her own.
“Wanna play?” Topaz asked, nudging the ball that she and Chase were playing with toward the GT.
“Uh, maybe later,” Savannah shook her front, “Where's your mama? I wanna ask her a question.”
“Mama's inside her den,” said Chase, “What did you wanna ask her?”
“It's about Christmas,” answered Savannah.
A black, tuned Pontiac Trans Am came out at that moment to check on her children. She blinked as she saw Savannah there. “Hello, Savannah,” the Trans Am said, “Why do you want to know about Christmas?”
“I wanna know what it is, Aunt Nixie,” said Savannah, “Neither Mama or Uncle Boost will tell me, though. I was wondering if you knew.”
Phoenix looked at her niece for a moment, then at her children, who also appeared to have taken an interest in Savannah's question as well. Then she looked over at Ebony's den, knowing that the Viper was inside resting. She gestured with a tire.
“Come inside,” she told them, “and I'll tell you what I remember about Christmas.”
Savannah, Chase, and Topaz followed Phoenix into her den. They settled around her front fender and looked up at her expectantly.
“Okay, let's see,” said Phoenix, thinking back to as far back as her memories reached, “There was a time when I was only seven-years-old and it was during the Christmastime, a very funny thing happened while my Dad and my Uncle Neil were setting up the Christmas tree.”
“Christmas tree?” asked Savannah.
“Don't interrupt,” said Phoenix, “Anyway, Dad and Uncle Neil were having a hard time trying to get the Star on the top of the tree. Every time they tried to put it up, it fell off. So, Uncle Neil had a great idea. Or, at least, he thought it was a great idea. Now the idea that he came up with is that they could hoist the star up by a pulley system. After they spent some time setting it up, they finally managed to get it working and lifted the Star to the very top and were just about to put it on top, when my Dad accidentally bumped the tree, causing it to tip over. And here's what was funny about the whole story. It feel on top of my Dad's hood.”
The three children giggled at that part.
“What did he do?” asked Chase, interested in who his namesake was like.
“He just shook off the pine needles and laughed about the whole thing with Uncle Neil,” answered Phoenix.
“How do you know this happened, Aunt Nixie?” asked Savannah.
“I was there and I was watching the whole thing,” said Phoenix.
“Did they know you were there, Mama?” asked Topaz.
“Yep, Dad heard me giggling and caught me under his tire,” Phoenix smiled at the memory, “Then we both just burst out laughing ourselves. One of the best memories I ever had of my father before he passed away.”
Savannah, very intelligent for her young age, sensed that her aunt had only told this story because her children wanted to hear it, but figured that the Trans Am still carried some emotional baggage that revolved around her father's death and was usually reluctant to talk about it. She looked up at her aunt apologetically.
“Did I say something wrong, Aunt Nixie?” she asked, seeing the sad look on Phoenix's face.
“No, you didn't, Savannah,” Phoenix replied, “I haven't had to think about that memory for a long time. It's okay. You said nothing wrong, so don't worry about it.”
“Okay,” nodded Savannah.
“So, what else did you want to know about Christmas?” asked Phoenix.
“Mama and Uncle Boost don't celebrate it and I'm just wondering why,” said Savannah.
“Did you ask them?” inquired the Trans Am.
“Yes, but they won't tell me,” Savannah shook her front.
Phoenix sat back and thought for a moment, wondering what she could do to help answer Savannah's question. She had noticed that neither Boost or Ebony celebrated the Christmas holidays over the past five years since she lived in the Arena and wondered why.
“Well, how about I talk to them for you?” Phoenix offered, “Find out why they don't celebrate Christmas.”
Savannah smiled and nodded, “I'd like that.”
* * * * *
Phoenix pulled up the Ebony's den and knocked on the side of the entrance, “Hey, Ebs? You awake?”
There was silence, but then a sleepy black Viper soon appeared in the entrance. “I am now...” she grumbled irritably, “What'd ya want...? I was sleeping...”
“Sorry, but I just want figure out something,” said Phoenix, “Why don't you and Boost celebrate Christmas?”
“You know why...” huffed Ebony, “It's a moot point.”
“No, it's not, Ebs,” said Phoenix, “You're avoiding the question, aren't you?”
“I am not,” Ebony protested angrily, “You're cornering me!”
Phoenix let the anger wash over her and gave the Viper a level look. “Ebs, talk to me. What's going on? Why don't you like Christmas?”
Ebony wanted to pull back and hide in her den, but she found herself cornered by Phoenix. She had no choice but to speak of her reasons for not celebrating Christmas down at the Arena.
“It's been going on since as far back as I can remember,” said Ebony, “Me and my brother, we always hid from anyone who we thought might harm us when we were growing up and we didn't trust nobody.”
“And that made it hard for you both to enjoy the holidays, right?” asked Phoenix.
Ebony nodded, “Yeah, it wasn't worth the risk and what does it matter, anyway? All it does is just bring me more sadness.”
“But, it's not like that, Ebs,” Phoenix said, “It's a season where you get to gather with friends and family and to have a good time. I mean sure, there are some who are 'Bah Humbug' about it, but that doesn't mean that the whole world is like that. You aren't giving Christmas a chance.”
“I wish I could believe you, Nix,” sighed Ebony, “but it's so hard to think of it in no other way, but that.”
“Ebs,” said Phoenix, giving her a serious look, “You should, at least, try to. Savannah wants to know. At least, try to give her an answer she'll be satisfied with.”
The Viper saw the snow-white form of her daughter peeking out from behind Phoenix to look at her and sighed, “Alright, but I don't know what to do. I've never been any good at celebrating Christmas or any other holidays for that matter.”
“Don't worry,” said Phoenix with a smile, “I know how. Just get Boost and Gryffin together and we can start planning.”
Ebony nodded, “Alright. If you think it'll work.”
“It will work, Ebs,” smiled Phoenix, “Trust me.”
* * * * *
It took about a couple of hours, but things had finally been set up for the first ever Christmas party held in the Arena. All tuners were invited, including the resident children as they were told that there was a special treat for them.
Phoenix pulled up to Ebony, Boost, and Gryffin. “Well, what do you think, guys?”
“I think it looks great,” smiled Boost as he nuzzled his mate, “You really went through a lot of trouble to make this happen. We haven't had a Christmas in so many years. I'm proud of you, Hon.”
“Thanks,” said Phoenix, “but the real thanks should go to Savannah, because she was curious enough to ask a very challenging question.”
Savannah looked up at the adults when she heard her name. She was sipping on a small can of some child-size eggnog infusion with her siblings and cousins. “I'm not in trouble?”
“No, Hon,” Ebony said apologetically as she came over to nuzzle her daughter, “You're not in trouble. I should've listened to you. I'm sorry for being a bad mother.”
“You're not bad, Mama,” said Savannah, “I know that you're trying to protect me. Thank you.”
Phoenix smiled at the pair as Gryffin went over to join his mate and his adopted daughter. “You see? This is what Christmas is all about. Being with family and friends and having a good time.”
“I know that now, Nix,” said Ebony, turning to look at the Trans Am with her one good eye, “Thanks for knocking some sense into my thick hood. I guess I really needed the reality check.”
“No problem,” said Phoenix, “Maybe we can start a tradition with this.”
“HO, HO, HO!” a jolly voice suddenly called out, which sent the children rushing toward the source happily.
A metallic-blue Chevrolet Camaro, dressed up in Santa Claus garb, pulled into the middle of the Arena, hauling a large sack on a trailer. The children quickly gathered around and bounced excitedly around him.
“Well, looks like Storm has their undivided attention,” said another Camaro, steel gray in color, as she pulled up to them, “They are so happy.”
“Thanks for helping out, Tempest,” Boost said the Camaro, “We really appreciate this.”
“You're welcome,” smiled Tempest, “We were glad to volunteer. It's the Christmas holiday. Time for spreading goodwill and cheer.”
The children were exclaiming excitedly as “Santa Claus” handed out presents to each of them while their parents watched, smiles on their faces. There was laughter and cheering all around the Arena. Everyone was just joyful and happy.
“You know,” said Ebony after awhile as she looked at Gryffin, Boost, Phoenix, and Tempest, “I think this might be the coolest tradition ever. I like it. The children love it. Let's do this next year, okay?”
“Sure thing, Ebs,” replied Phoenix with a smile, “I'll teach you everything you need to know about it so you'll know what to do.”
“Deal,” nodded the Viper.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
by EboneeV
DISCLAIMER: Cars and everything related to it belongs to Disney Pixar. Ebony, Storm, Maven, and Krill, and Savannah belong to me. Phoenix, Gryffin, Chase (Jr. and Sr.), Neil, and Topaz belong to Insane Pirate Dragon (and yes, I asked permission first), respectively. No copyright infringement in intended. I'm only doing this for fun.
NOTE: This fanfiction is based off of the storyline from the Moonlight Shadow RP on Wingnut City. Just so there's no confusing of what's going on and who the characters are.
SUMMARY: Savannah wants to know what Christmas is and Ebony learns the true meaning of what Christmas is, all at the same time.
A small child car, about the size of a go-cart, sat in wonder as tiny, white flakes floated down from the heavens and settled on the ground around her tires. Pale blue eyes blinked as some of these little, white miracles alighted on her hood and melted. She was still unaffected by the cold, but that didn't concern her at the moment.
Savannah had slipped away from her mother again and had gone wandering up the tunnel that led to the outside world beyond the abandoned subway that she called home. The little white Ford GT knew that she wasn't supposed to be out here by herself and was always reminded of what had happened to her last time she came up here by herself. Her mother was determined to fiercely protect her daughter from her father at all costs.
But that didn't deter Savannah from exploring the world as much as she could before she would get caught by her uncle, aunt, or the Mustang she now referred to as her father again. She clearly couldn't understand why they wouldn't let her go farther than they liked her to go. And she couldn't understand why her mother was so against her going out on her own.
She had never seen her mother smile or laugh. Not once. Even when she asked her aunt if she knew a spell that would bring back her mother's sight in her left eye, the answer wasn't what she had expected and it wasn't even satisfactory. Why was it so hard for her aunt to answer such a simple question? Didn't she know enough magic herself to be able to figure out a solution even as she is teaching Savannah how to control hers?
“Savannah!” someone called out, “What are you doing out there? Come back inside where it's warm!”
The GT gasped and turned to the one who had caught her. It was the metallic purple Dodge Viper SRT/10 that Savannah knew as her uncle. His gray-blue eyes looked down at her.
“Uncle Boost,” Savannah said, looking up at him, “I'm sorry. I was just curious about what all this white stuff is.”
“That's snow,” Boost answered, pulling up to his niece.
“Snow? What is that?” asked Savannah.
“It's really tiny, very cold, and it only falls when the temperatures at at a certain low temperature,” Boost explained, “Plus, if you look really closely, you can see intricate little patterns.”
“Patterns? Wow,” Savannah watched the snowflakes fall with even more awe then before, “But why do they fall on only this time of year?”
“Well, it's winter,” answered Boost, “and it's Christmastime...”
Savannah looked up at him. This word she had never heard utter before in her life. “What's Christmas?”
“Uh... it's a holiday that's celebrated at this time of year,” the Viper replied, “and it's where everyone goes around and shops for presents for their loved ones, but they wrap those presents up and put them underneath a tree.” I think I said too much, he thought.
“Do you do that, Uncle Boost?” asked Savannah.
Boost was caught off-guard by the GT girl's question. He hesitated a moment, trying to come up with an answer to the question, but to know avail. “I... can't answer that, Savannah,” he said at last, “We've never celebrated it down at the Arena.”
“Why not?” asked Savannah.
“We just don't,” said Boost before he gave Savannah a nudge to get her to go back inside, “C'mon, let's go back before you mother finds you missing again.”
Savannah sighed and let her uncle herd her back into the tunnel, but still feeling that her question has gone unanswered. The mention of Christmas intrigued her and she wanted to know more.
* * * * *
Ebony awoke from another nap as she heard two engines approach the center of the Arena. She lifted her front a bit and sniffed the air. It was her brother and her daughter and she wondered where Savannah had wandered off to this time.
She was annoyed that Savannah would disobey her instead of sticking around the Arena like she was supposed to. Ebony was extremely protective of her daughter now since Savannah's recent kidnapping by her real father a few months ago. She was also keenly aware of the dangers the city up there posed to those who went into there alone. The city was no place for a child as young as Savannah to be wandering around in.
The Viper slowly lifted herself up onto her tires and pulled over to the makeshift doorway, which was made out of old blankets and poked her nose out. She edged out into the Arena to watch as Boost brought her daughter back from wherever she had wandered off. Savannah scampered over to her mother as soon as she saw her and nuzzled her. “Mama, I'm so sorry.”
“Why did you disobey me, Savannah?” Ebony asked her daughter, “You know you're not supposed to wander off. What if something horrible happened to you?”
“I didn't mean to,” whimpered the little GT girl, “but I wanted to see what all the white stuff on the ground was.”
“That's snow,” replied Ebony, “but it's cold and you could've gotten sick.”
“I'm sorry, Mama,” said Savannah, “I won't do it again. I promise.”
“Better not,” h'rumphed the black Viper, then she finally returned the nuzzle her daughter gave her, “I really don't wanna lose you. You are too precious to me.”
“I know, Mama,” Savannah looked down at her hood guiltily as her mother told her this.
There was silence between mother and daughter for a while, but Savannah spoke up again, “Mama, can I ask you a question?”
“Yes?”
“What's Christmas?” asked the GT.
Ebony blinked in surprise, wondering why her daughter would ask such a question. There was something in the way the question was asked that caused the Viper's senses to shut down emotionally. She wasn't sure she could handle the answer herself.
“Savannah, why do you want to know something like that?” asked Ebony.
“Because Uncle Boost didn't tell me enough about it and he said that we don't celebrate it down here,” replied Savannah, “But, I wanna know what Christmas is. Do you know?”
Ebony sighed, “Savannah, your uncle is right. We don't celebrate it down here, and we don't have any reason to anyway. Honey, I'm sorry that you have to hear it this way, but I don't want to see you get disappointed about something that you can never experience in your lifetime.”
“But, Mama...” protested Savannah.
“Savannah, listen to me,” Ebony interrupted, “You know that I love you very much and don't want you to get hurt, okay? I just wanna protect you from being disappointed and hurt.”
Savannah sniffed, feeling mollified, and nodded resignedly, “Yes, Mama...”
“I'm glad you understand,” Ebony said, giving her daughter a gentle nudge, “Now, how about going to find your siblings and cousins and play with them and let your Mama rest, okay?”
“Yes, Mama...”
* * * * *
Even though her mother had told her that she should go play, Savannah was still wondering about the subject of Christmas and what it was and what it really meant. She wanted answers and she figured she could still ask around, providing that wouldn't worry her mother about wandering off again.
Maybe Aunt Nixie will tell me what Christmas is, Savannah thought as she headed toward her aunt's den.
Chase and Topaz were playing outside their mother's den, then looked up when they saw Savannah coming up to them. “Hi, Vanna,” they greeted her, using a shortened form of her name.
“Hi,” Savannah said with a nod of greeting of her own.
“Wanna play?” Topaz asked, nudging the ball that she and Chase were playing with toward the GT.
“Uh, maybe later,” Savannah shook her front, “Where's your mama? I wanna ask her a question.”
“Mama's inside her den,” said Chase, “What did you wanna ask her?”
“It's about Christmas,” answered Savannah.
A black, tuned Pontiac Trans Am came out at that moment to check on her children. She blinked as she saw Savannah there. “Hello, Savannah,” the Trans Am said, “Why do you want to know about Christmas?”
“I wanna know what it is, Aunt Nixie,” said Savannah, “Neither Mama or Uncle Boost will tell me, though. I was wondering if you knew.”
Phoenix looked at her niece for a moment, then at her children, who also appeared to have taken an interest in Savannah's question as well. Then she looked over at Ebony's den, knowing that the Viper was inside resting. She gestured with a tire.
“Come inside,” she told them, “and I'll tell you what I remember about Christmas.”
Savannah, Chase, and Topaz followed Phoenix into her den. They settled around her front fender and looked up at her expectantly.
“Okay, let's see,” said Phoenix, thinking back to as far back as her memories reached, “There was a time when I was only seven-years-old and it was during the Christmastime, a very funny thing happened while my Dad and my Uncle Neil were setting up the Christmas tree.”
“Christmas tree?” asked Savannah.
“Don't interrupt,” said Phoenix, “Anyway, Dad and Uncle Neil were having a hard time trying to get the Star on the top of the tree. Every time they tried to put it up, it fell off. So, Uncle Neil had a great idea. Or, at least, he thought it was a great idea. Now the idea that he came up with is that they could hoist the star up by a pulley system. After they spent some time setting it up, they finally managed to get it working and lifted the Star to the very top and were just about to put it on top, when my Dad accidentally bumped the tree, causing it to tip over. And here's what was funny about the whole story. It feel on top of my Dad's hood.”
The three children giggled at that part.
“What did he do?” asked Chase, interested in who his namesake was like.
“He just shook off the pine needles and laughed about the whole thing with Uncle Neil,” answered Phoenix.
“How do you know this happened, Aunt Nixie?” asked Savannah.
“I was there and I was watching the whole thing,” said Phoenix.
“Did they know you were there, Mama?” asked Topaz.
“Yep, Dad heard me giggling and caught me under his tire,” Phoenix smiled at the memory, “Then we both just burst out laughing ourselves. One of the best memories I ever had of my father before he passed away.”
Savannah, very intelligent for her young age, sensed that her aunt had only told this story because her children wanted to hear it, but figured that the Trans Am still carried some emotional baggage that revolved around her father's death and was usually reluctant to talk about it. She looked up at her aunt apologetically.
“Did I say something wrong, Aunt Nixie?” she asked, seeing the sad look on Phoenix's face.
“No, you didn't, Savannah,” Phoenix replied, “I haven't had to think about that memory for a long time. It's okay. You said nothing wrong, so don't worry about it.”
“Okay,” nodded Savannah.
“So, what else did you want to know about Christmas?” asked Phoenix.
“Mama and Uncle Boost don't celebrate it and I'm just wondering why,” said Savannah.
“Did you ask them?” inquired the Trans Am.
“Yes, but they won't tell me,” Savannah shook her front.
Phoenix sat back and thought for a moment, wondering what she could do to help answer Savannah's question. She had noticed that neither Boost or Ebony celebrated the Christmas holidays over the past five years since she lived in the Arena and wondered why.
“Well, how about I talk to them for you?” Phoenix offered, “Find out why they don't celebrate Christmas.”
Savannah smiled and nodded, “I'd like that.”
* * * * *
Phoenix pulled up the Ebony's den and knocked on the side of the entrance, “Hey, Ebs? You awake?”
There was silence, but then a sleepy black Viper soon appeared in the entrance. “I am now...” she grumbled irritably, “What'd ya want...? I was sleeping...”
“Sorry, but I just want figure out something,” said Phoenix, “Why don't you and Boost celebrate Christmas?”
“You know why...” huffed Ebony, “It's a moot point.”
“No, it's not, Ebs,” said Phoenix, “You're avoiding the question, aren't you?”
“I am not,” Ebony protested angrily, “You're cornering me!”
Phoenix let the anger wash over her and gave the Viper a level look. “Ebs, talk to me. What's going on? Why don't you like Christmas?”
Ebony wanted to pull back and hide in her den, but she found herself cornered by Phoenix. She had no choice but to speak of her reasons for not celebrating Christmas down at the Arena.
“It's been going on since as far back as I can remember,” said Ebony, “Me and my brother, we always hid from anyone who we thought might harm us when we were growing up and we didn't trust nobody.”
“And that made it hard for you both to enjoy the holidays, right?” asked Phoenix.
Ebony nodded, “Yeah, it wasn't worth the risk and what does it matter, anyway? All it does is just bring me more sadness.”
“But, it's not like that, Ebs,” Phoenix said, “It's a season where you get to gather with friends and family and to have a good time. I mean sure, there are some who are 'Bah Humbug' about it, but that doesn't mean that the whole world is like that. You aren't giving Christmas a chance.”
“I wish I could believe you, Nix,” sighed Ebony, “but it's so hard to think of it in no other way, but that.”
“Ebs,” said Phoenix, giving her a serious look, “You should, at least, try to. Savannah wants to know. At least, try to give her an answer she'll be satisfied with.”
The Viper saw the snow-white form of her daughter peeking out from behind Phoenix to look at her and sighed, “Alright, but I don't know what to do. I've never been any good at celebrating Christmas or any other holidays for that matter.”
“Don't worry,” said Phoenix with a smile, “I know how. Just get Boost and Gryffin together and we can start planning.”
Ebony nodded, “Alright. If you think it'll work.”
“It will work, Ebs,” smiled Phoenix, “Trust me.”
* * * * *
It took about a couple of hours, but things had finally been set up for the first ever Christmas party held in the Arena. All tuners were invited, including the resident children as they were told that there was a special treat for them.
Phoenix pulled up to Ebony, Boost, and Gryffin. “Well, what do you think, guys?”
“I think it looks great,” smiled Boost as he nuzzled his mate, “You really went through a lot of trouble to make this happen. We haven't had a Christmas in so many years. I'm proud of you, Hon.”
“Thanks,” said Phoenix, “but the real thanks should go to Savannah, because she was curious enough to ask a very challenging question.”
Savannah looked up at the adults when she heard her name. She was sipping on a small can of some child-size eggnog infusion with her siblings and cousins. “I'm not in trouble?”
“No, Hon,” Ebony said apologetically as she came over to nuzzle her daughter, “You're not in trouble. I should've listened to you. I'm sorry for being a bad mother.”
“You're not bad, Mama,” said Savannah, “I know that you're trying to protect me. Thank you.”
Phoenix smiled at the pair as Gryffin went over to join his mate and his adopted daughter. “You see? This is what Christmas is all about. Being with family and friends and having a good time.”
“I know that now, Nix,” said Ebony, turning to look at the Trans Am with her one good eye, “Thanks for knocking some sense into my thick hood. I guess I really needed the reality check.”
“No problem,” said Phoenix, “Maybe we can start a tradition with this.”
“HO, HO, HO!” a jolly voice suddenly called out, which sent the children rushing toward the source happily.
A metallic-blue Chevrolet Camaro, dressed up in Santa Claus garb, pulled into the middle of the Arena, hauling a large sack on a trailer. The children quickly gathered around and bounced excitedly around him.
“Well, looks like Storm has their undivided attention,” said another Camaro, steel gray in color, as she pulled up to them, “They are so happy.”
“Thanks for helping out, Tempest,” Boost said the Camaro, “We really appreciate this.”
“You're welcome,” smiled Tempest, “We were glad to volunteer. It's the Christmas holiday. Time for spreading goodwill and cheer.”
The children were exclaiming excitedly as “Santa Claus” handed out presents to each of them while their parents watched, smiles on their faces. There was laughter and cheering all around the Arena. Everyone was just joyful and happy.
“You know,” said Ebony after awhile as she looked at Gryffin, Boost, Phoenix, and Tempest, “I think this might be the coolest tradition ever. I like it. The children love it. Let's do this next year, okay?”
“Sure thing, Ebs,” replied Phoenix with a smile, “I'll teach you everything you need to know about it so you'll know what to do.”
“Deal,” nodded the Viper.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
