Snowdown Tales

Chapter One— Syndra's Snow Day

"Why the morons in this Institute decided to change the weather in Halls of Justice just for Snowdown is beyond me. It's a disgusting holiday." Syndra growled as she pulled her thick coat closer to her chest. She glowered at the soft snow that laid in the garden. The once green grass was covered in a glittering white and the flowers were encased in ice—even the fish in the pond were frozen solid.

"I never took you for a humbug, Syndra." Zed chuckled. He lifted his mask above his lips to drink his hot tea from his festive Styrofoam cup he got from the lobby before Syndra dragged him out to the garden.

Everyone but Syndra and the ninja was celebrating Snowdown inside the halls—Syndra could cheers and laughter from where she sat. The two Ionians sat beside each other on a bench alone in the garden, watching the snowflakes flutter softly to the ground.

"Don't tell me you enjoy this time of year." The sovereign moved her glare to the ninja. She saw his scarred lips crack a grin before he adjusted his mask.

"Not as much as others but I do." He said, glancing at the woman. Zed saw Syndra clutching her coat over herself—she was clearly freezing. He handed her his cup of tea, "This will warm you up."

"I don't need it." Syndra huffed, turning her nose up.

"Syndra—" The ninja started but the sovereign turned her back to him. He sighed as he conjured a shadow beside him. The shadow took its master's seat as Zed walked in front of Syndra, who was kicking snow around with her boots. The ninja knelt down and offered her the cup again, "Syndra, It's the season of giving."

"Well you're giving me a headache." She shot back. The mage shoved her arm, causing a wave of snow rolling towards the ninja. Syndra's teeth began to grind as she saw the snow crush a shadow clone, bursting it into a dark cloud.

"You missed." Zed snickered behind her. "Just have a sip. I didn't add any sugar to it—I know how you hate anything sweet."

"Very well!" The mage growled and swiped the cup from Zed's hands. She frowned down at the happy penguin design on the drink—it was this year's party theme. She was getting really tired of seeing the flightless bird everywhere she turned. Syndra sighed as she slowly brought her violet lips to the rim and let the heat of the tea warm her face.

Jasmine. Her favorite.

"Good?" Zed asked. Syndra nodded as she took another sip. "Hey, Syndra?"

"What." The mage spoke into the cup.

"May I ask why you don't like Snowdown?" Zed watched as the woman dropped her hands into her lap and glared down at the snow.

"It's hard to enjoy a holiday meant for family and friends when you're alone." Syndra answered lowly. Her eyes caught Zed's hand reach over and grab her own. She looked over at him with a confused look.

"You don't have to feel that way anymore. You have a friend: me." Zed patted the top of her hand. Syndra's cheeks felt suddenly hot and she covered her face.

"M-Maybe we should go back inside. I can feel my face turning red from the cold." Syndra said as she got to her feet. Zed followed behind her as she slushed through the snow.

"Why not just levitate like you usually do?"

"These boots were expensive and intend to make use of them!"

Happy Holidays everyone and a Happy Snowdown! Be sure to spend as much time with your loved ones this season, the holiday season!