It was the last days of November and snow came early but not too thick. Gallia and her friends played in it all day. There was just enough for them to start diving in. Gallia was excited for Lucion. He came from a place where it snowed almost all day. However he never showed up. Thanksgiving was one thing to miss, but Christmas was a no-no. She was getting bolder and if she had to she would tell him the wildest things after breaking down the door. She'd do it all in one breath too if she had too. She already had a few gifts for him. One she made herself. It was a red scarf that was nice and warm. She worked on it from the start of December and wouldn't stop till it was done. Fortunately, since she loved knitting, it only took a standard day.

Zuros came by and gave them all gifts that they actually enjoyed. All the children got gifts from the guild Except Gallia. She got a gift, personally, from Penelope. It was a heart scale pocket watch with a platinum chain, golden numbers, and silver hands. The note with it was also from her. It was only telling her how much she appreciated her taking care of Lucion and giving him the letter. The last part shocked her. He literally took Gallia's advice and visited her! They spent an entire week with each other and she was so thankful for Gallia. The watch was extremely old and still functional. It apparently was her grandmother's. The condition seemed to be too good for such an age. As a reward she wanted Gallia to have it. She also added, "I think I am quite fond of you Gallia, and I hope to meet you one day."

"And here's a message to all of you," Zuros added, "To the children under Felicia's care: We now understand how much you care about the old girl and have reached a decision. It would be wrong of us to take something so dear away from you and have thus decided, as a Christmas present, to let her stay and continue caring for you."

The children cheered.

"In addition we also add our sincere apology for the inconvenience and have given each of you gifts. Thank you for your understanding, signed, etcetera and so forth, The Shop Owner's Company Guild," Zuros smiled and bowed.

"Wow, that's so awesome!" Rixon bounced repeatedly.

"Yea, and with gifts too!" Milly smiled, hugging the stuffed mew toy.

Nini fawned over her gold chain necklace that had a small but jeweled pokeball insignia.

Gallia examined her ticking watch. It's history and it's material made it very special to her. She somehow felt a connection with Penelope now.

"Welp, I'm off. Enjoy your gift, kids," He smiled and took off.

"Bye, Mr. Zuros!" They shouted.

He waved and returned their dismissal. The children took their gifts home and returned to play. Today however was Kira's birthday; thus they played all of her favorite games. She was now five and a "bigger girl" than before. Gallia gave her a scarf as well. When they were done they went home to wait for the next day.

Gallia thought to give a present to Lucion that day. She wanted to give the scarf to him, but she also wanted to wait. She had made the decision that the scarf would be for the actual day of Christmas. She gave it some thought and came up with the idea of giving him a sweater. However it didn't feel right with his chest spike and all. She knew only the scarf would be any good. With a little more thought she only found to give him something he already had and could use a replacement for. Looking the Miss Fi's shop she found a machete. It was almost like the one he had but in perfect, sharp condition. She brought it to Miss Fi's attention and she had a better idea.

"Well, dear, I would agree but that short blade he has was his grandfather's; he wouldn't want to give that away. It may be a little chipped but it's handy still. That is thoughtful though. How about… these?"

Miss Fi brought her to some cloaks. Though her memory was a little fuzzy she could remember his cloak was in desperate need of replacement. As a matter of fact, a cloth with no hood and nine holes would probably not be considered a cloak. Gallia agreed and traded the product with a knitted sweater, some gloves, and socks. Miss Fi folded it up, boxed it, then wrapped the product for her to give to Lucion. Upon entering his property she knew he wouldn't take it personally; thus, she put in front of his door.

She knocked twice, "Lucion, you don't have to come out, but I have a gift for you. I'll lay it here and leave. I hope you like it."

She left and turned to see the gift still there. To keep him comfortable, she left; only hoping he would take it. The next day it was replaced with a smaller box that was just as big as a soap bar. Did her gift shrink? She ran to the door and saw a tag on it:

"To: Gallia,

From: Lucion."

Exited, she picked it up and tor the paper off. She carefully opened it to find a unique, extremely detailed, and high quality made, wooden figure of a Kirlia. It was her!

"Thank you so much!" She smiled at the door, "It's beautiful!"

She took the figure but not without keeping the trash. She respected the rule to not liter.

All day, even with her friends, if she wasn't doing anything she was looking at the figure and smiling at it's wonderful design.

"Where did you get that?" Asked Milly.

"Lucion made it for me. I gave him a gift and he gave me one back," She explained.

Milly giggled and asked, "What did you give him?"

Gallia answered, "A cloak so he doesn't get cold on trips. His old one was getting too many tears and holes."

"I would have given him a knife," Rixon scoffed.

"I almost did but the one he has belonged to his grandfather and is very dear to him," Gallia replied, "At least, that's what I was told my Miss Fi. She recommended a cloak."

"Why didn't you give him then extra warm scarf filled with love," Nini asked.

"First of all: he's married. Second of all: that's behind me and should be behind you. Now, to answer your question: I want to give that to him when we actually see him or on the day of Christmas. I don't just want to give him all the gifts he has and have him receive nothing at Christmas."

The children nodded and agreed in unison.

"That's a good idea," Kira smiled.

"Thank you, Kira," Gallia smiled.

"Maybe we should all get him something," Rixon pitched.

"Yea," Agreed the group.

"Like what though," Asked a miscellanies child.

Rixon smiled with his teeth, "Glad you asked. I say we get him, no, not a knife, Gallia, just thought to throw that in, but a knew bag. Didn't you see it last time? It was sewed together multiple times!"

"Hmm, come to think of it, I did see Lucion's bag torn a bit. In fact, it looked as if it was torn on purpose, like someone was trying to steal from him," Gallia pointed.

"I bet, if that happened, they regretted it," Rixon laughed.

The children agreed and laughed with him.

"I think so too. So what bag are we going to get him?" Gallia asked.

"Right this way," He directed.

He took off at full stride. The children tried to follow. He stopped at the shop and kindly waited. He was working on his act of not being naughty this Christmas so he also made no comments.

"Come on, let's go," He bobbed his head.

They ran in the store.

"Hello, dears. What can I do for you?" Miss Fi smiled.

Rixon spoke up, "Where's that survival bag you had, Miss Fi?"

"Survival bag?" She asked.

"Yea, the one I was asking about earlier," He reminded.

"Oh, well, that was beyond your price range, I thought. But, as promised, I have it right here, on hold for you."

She picked it up. It was a leather bag with a sleeping mat on top, some rope, and whatever else one needed inside. It had two big pouches in front and heavy duty straps that promised not to break. The bag was closed by belts, same as the pouches, and the mat was held by tight straps that buckled like a belt as well. The model was a solder's dream to have! Mostly because the model helped relieve stress from the shoulders.

"Wow, that's a great gift, Rixon," Nini cheered.

"Lucion will love that," Milly added.

"Oh, it's for Lucion? Well he's going to be spoiled this Christmas. I have no doubts he'll finally come out and be a part of the community again. So do you have the right stuff to trade it for?"

The children looked at each other. They didn't want to give away the presents they were given.

"Maybe we can work it off?" Rixon asked.

"The work I have is meant for adults, honey, and I could never ask you to work on fine days like this," She shook.

They tried to think.

"We could get you fire wood. I'm sometimes sent to cut it since my dad has to work at late and my mom can't do it," Gallia smiled.

"I get firewood from Zuros and I'm a Delphox. I don't need a fire to stay warm. I'm always warm."

Miss Fi wanted to give it to them, but she didn't want to be unfair. There were other customers listening in. If they weren't there she would just hand it to them and keep it a secret.

"I'll buy it for them," A soft voice volunteered.

A fluffy Pokémon was at the door. She had fur around her neck like a thick scarf, and it was around her wrists and ankles too. Her ears were extra long and almost about as long as she was. She had this innocent appearance about her. Who was she?

"Oh! Penelope!" Exclaimed Miss Fi, "I didn't know you were visiting so soon!"

Miss Fi got out from behind her counter and hugged the Lopunny.

"Hello, Felicia," She smiled, "How is business?"

"It's doing fine, dear, fine and better that you're here. Just visiting for the day and heading out?"

"No, I'm staying with Lucion. He and the children are staying home and having father son chats."

The group was chocked. That was Penelope? Gallia found herself jealous. She was cute, maybe even cuter than her. No wonder he married her.

"So these are Lucion's DLFs?" She asked.

"'DLFs'," Milly asked.

"Dear Little Friends," She answered.

"Yes, they are," Miss Fi smiled.

She introduced them one by one saving Gallia for last.

"So, this is who I thank for taking care of my mate," She smiled.

"Puh-pleasure to meet you," Gallia curtsied with a stutter.

Penelope grinned and curtsied far more graciously, "The pleasure is all mine. If it weren't for you I never would have seen him again. Would you honor me for a private chat some time?"

Gallia turned from jealousy to flattered, "O-of course!"

Penelope's smile just melted her, "Thank you. Now, I believe these children wanted a gift for Lucion. I'd be happy to supply the proper things to trade."

Penelope dug into a satchel and reviled a small bottle.

Miss FI's paw went to her moth, "That's…!"

She was shocked.

"This is a healing herb. They are very rare," Penelope finished.

"Honey, are you sure?" She asked again.

"It's alright, they grow around my property. Though they still are hard to find."

"Alright, one gift for a healing herb," Miss Fi smiled.

She took the bottled plant and gave the bag to the children.

"Thanks, Mrs. Lucion," Rixon smiled before racing out the door. The children followed.

"Come on, Gallia, let's go wrap this for Lucion," Milly pulled.

"Actually, I was hoping she could stay with me," Penelope interrupted.

Gallia nodded, "Why don't you go on, Milly I'll meet you at Rixon's house."

"Okay," She agreed.

She took off without her, leaving them there.

Penelope took Gallia outside.

"Shall we walk, then?"

"Yes, ma'am," She agreed.

They slowly strolled along side each other.

"You should realize how important you are to my mate. He really cares for you," She started.

"Thank you," Gallia floundered, not knowing what to say.

"I was hoping you could tell me how the two of you met."

Gallia shrugged and replied, "Not much to say. He was knew and Rixon had a big imagination. I didn't know what to believe. Said he was a killer."

Penelope laughed.

"I was afraid of him. He was just so…"

"Serious?" Penelope smiled.

"Yea, that. He had this piercing look about him, he… He was just… I don't how to put it. My mother called him my guardian angel after he rescued me from a mean Pokémon named Cypher. He also rescued me from being hurt real bad. It was impossible how he reached me so quickly. He was at the other side of the porch and then he was catching me when I fell off."

"Extreme speed."

Gallia looked at her, "What?"

"He used extreme speed. It's a move Lucarios learn not too long after they evolve. It's very handy. Saved my life too. Your story and mine are very similar, you know."

"Really?"

"I'll tell you after you're done," She smiled.

"Yes ma'am. Anyway, after he saved me we wanted to know more about him. We constantly asked Miss Fi about him. He never talked either. I wanted to try to get him too so I spent most of my mornings waiting for him to return on his daily walks and talk to him. I told him stories, asked about what he does, and just tried to get to know him. Soon, I just… felt a connection."

"Hmm, unlike me you were more persistent. He actually pursued me, but I gave in eventually. He's a interesting one, isn't he? That's what I first found attractive about him."

"Well, what's your story? I'm done with mine," Gallia smiled.

"Well, I'm a dancer or was. I'd been a part of a traveling entertainer's carrier. My boss was a pain and unfair but he gave me money, food, and whatever else. I was never mistreated, but I was harassed by him. I met Lucion when I was done with my act. I was just getting away from all of the compliments and fans and getting fresh air. Lucion was just there, staring at me for a moment. When I caught him he turned away, bowed, and left. I never saw any male do that. I should have seen right there that he was different. My boss decided we were going to stay there for an extended time because they paid so well. Every time, I saw Lucion was at the back of the room watching my dance and leaving when my part was done. There was a time a saw him and he was with Felicia that time."

"So this is how you met Miss Fi too?"

"Yes, anyway, he was always silent never saying anything to me but always glancing at me one second to another. I first thought it was nothing then I thought he was just a… bad Pokémon waiting for a chance to get me. It was then that night that I was trying to get back to my inn. I felt like someone was following me. Every time I looked back no one was there. Then he was in front of me. I was scared at first. He just looked away and sighed. I didn't know what he wanted so I scolded him about starring at me. He felt bad of course, and maybe I was a little too harsh, but he respect what I said. When I was about to pass him he stopped and shook his head. I wish I listened to him then. Especially with that look he gave me. It was so concerned, so afraid. I almost listened, but I shrugged him off."

"Do you still regret that?"

"More than ever. It was the first time I rejected him. I told him to stop following me when he tried to warn me without words. I think he was too shy to talk to me then. I should have known that I was taking a dangerous path. The part of town I wondered into was the worst part yet, and on top of it I was going the opposite direction of my inn. I had no idea he was supervising me, but I still felt followed. No one was behind me when I looked. I couldn't take it anymore, and I broke into a run. I was attacked as soon as I took a wrong turn. It was about to get bad, but Lucion came when I needed him. I didn't see him, but I knew it was him when the next day Felicia asked if I was alright and said Lucion told her all about it. He was hurt too. He didn't even look at me. He kept his eyes closed around me all the time. I had hoped his eyes were not damaged in the process of protecting me."

"So what did you do about it?"

Penelope took breath and replied, "Oh, I started asking about him. Miss Fi and I made a bond and we talked about him almost all the time. Then I did what you did. I wasn't waiting for him but every dance I said my hellos and tried to get a word out of him. He still wouldn't look at me, but when I apologized to him and said I'd like to get to know him. He suddenly just looked me in the eyes and smiled. Then, I fell in love him. I knew he was different from every male in that town. You should have seen his face when I asked him if we could court. He was always nervous every step of the relationship but seemed to have this hope of making me his. I knew I had feelings for him one night when we were enjoying each other's company the most. I whispered into his ear one thing I thought was going to be my last to him. You see, my boss had decided that we needed to go and 'continue to remain traveling entertainers."

"What did you tell him?" Gallia asked eager to know.

"I told him the one thing I had been waiting to say to the one I knew was the right mate. I said: I love you. He looked so happy. When the next day came we were all packed and ready to move on. I waited for him to say goodbye to me, but he never came. I was so confused. I wanted to see him that day; I needed to. It was going to be the last time, and I at least wanted to hear one word from him. I had spent the time crying in my carriage. Then, it happened."

"What?" Gallia asked hyper.

Penelope grinned real wide, "A loud thud banged against my carriage and my boss was yelling at someone. Whoever it was wouldn't say a word. I stuck my head out when I hear d my boss say, 'If you want something spit it out! Stop playing charades with me!' And I saw him. Lucion looked at me with heavy breaths and wide eyes. My heart skipped a beat. He walked to the window and didn't say anything yet. I could only hear his breath. I asked him if he wanted to talk when he motioned me out of the carriage. I got out and the first words he said to me came out, 'Penelope, don't leave alone. I've been alone for too long. I want to mate with you.'"

Gallia sighed, "That's so romantic."

"I know!" She replied, "It was the best day of my life! I didn't know what to say. I tried to tell him how happy I was, but I couldn't move. Then he said to me, 'Penelope, I want you to stay… with me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. If I have to do something more to prove I'm the one then I'll do it. I'll kill myself if I have to.'"

Gallia laughed.

"Of course that was the only thing he needed to do to convince me he was the one. It now impossible for me to say no. So the only thing I could do to show him I felt the same was… well… I tackled him."

"You tackled him?" Gallia tried to say quietly.

"Yes, and I didn't even touch lips with him. I just tackled him and pinned him down. I don't know what happened. If I tripped or did it on purpose, but he understood. My boss didn't like it though. But thanks to my friends, being all of the performers, I got by to staying with him. Ten years later that nearly ended because of a war and some intoxicated solders thinking that they had rights to me. But then you happened. You saved our relationship; so I wanted to come and thank you personally."

"That's alright," Gallia blushed, "It was nothing. But I'm glad that I could help. I loved that story though. You should turn it into a book!"

Penelope giggled and replied, "Maybe, but I have a family to take care of and no time to spare. This was very beneficial to me, Gallia. I thank you for taking your time to talk with me."

"It was worth it. I think it was benf… benenef… bfinel…"

"Beneficial."

"Yea, that… to me too."

Penelope curtsied and smiled, "Gallia, I think there's something to you that no one will ever be able to see. Something rich, something impossible to find, even in Lucion."

"What is it?" Gallia asked.

"I don't know, but it shows it's there."

Gallia's and Penelope's eyes met with each other's and found a true bond. Gallia thanked her but she didn't even notice that she accidently said, "Big sis."