Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note or anything other copyrighted material referenced.
So, this has absolutely NOTHING to do with Ebony's story, I'm not going to reference it at all. This also doesn't reference the main story at all either, for instance L and Ebony haven't met. I thought about making them a year younger, but then I couldn't put any MattxEbony fluff and I wanted to do that. Making them younger would've just made it awkward for me.
Christmas Special: A Very Ebony Christmas
I blew a piece of ebony black hair out of my eyes as I leaned against the window, turning my head so I can look completely disinterested as more and more of my fellow genius orphans filtered into the room. Sunlight broke through the clouds, patches of dead grass looking slightly more alive in the frigid winter air. There is a freaking song dedicated to a White Christmas, isn't one too much to ask for? Eh, probably Mother Nature be trollin', like always.
"Order in the Playroom! All rise for the Honorable Master of Pranks, Ebony!" Matt announced snapping me out of my train of thought, my head turning toward the front of the room. My face got smacked by the fuzzy ball of my Santa hat. My eyes widening as I remembered what exactly was happening. I remember what day it is, but not the tradition I set up, for shame. Though only a few people would pick up on my subtle facial changes, but those who could weren't the kind of people who would let this kind of thing go. I stood up and stretched, it's too cold to live here sometimes. To my surprise, everyone rose as I took my place at the Lego podium of awesomeness and put my beat up composition notebook on the surface, the cover "Not a prank plan book" shown to the wall.
I cleared my throat and overlooked the eager eyes of my people up in Wammy's house, time for Ebony in her red turtleneck to shine. I pulled at the sleeves, having them lay around my elbows, how people keep sleeves all the way to their wrists is beyond me, personally I find it uncomfortable and itchy. I cleared my throat loudly and opened the book casually. I flipped through the pages, seeing how long the silence of the room was going to last. "We have gathered from the far reaches of the orphanage and not one fight has broken out in the past five minutes, that's a record just saying," I started after I finally got to the prank in my book with a clear fake royal English accent making wide gestures like I was running a world peace meeting and not what this actually was, a plot of Christmas Cheer. Codename Christmas Cheer Code L, yeah it needed work I know.
"Shut-up and get to the goddamn point, you know we only have an hour before Roger notices that we've all congregated here," Mello growled followed by a snap of his chocolate. He sat crossed legged on the floor, like everyone else in the room, head resting one his knuckles. His elbow was resting against this leg, looking completely out of style of the room. While everyone was wearing Christmas clothes, Matt had a reindeer on his normal black-and-white shirt, looked freaking adorable, he was still in his black sweater and sweat pants. I frowned at him slightly, well if he's going to be that way, I have no choice but to make fun of him. It's the Rules of Wammy Kid Society, nobody goes against those rules, bad things happen. I don't know what exactly, I just know.
"Well Bah-humbug! Alright, here's the plan for the tradition Wammy's House Christmas Ba-Blam," I explained, nodding toward Matt as I pulled the goggles around my neck to rest on my head, pulling the hat off to position them. I readjusted the hat while the wall behind me lit up with the copy of the plan, measurements included for once. Man did the pencil sketch look so messy, I could hardly tell my tree from my garland. "We have all established that L listens to our Christmas festivities through Watari's laptop, if you didn't know….why are you still here?" A rumble of laughter spread through the room, even little Tulip a three year old who has been there for a week knew this is what L did. "So, this time instead of Mello walking around yelling 'I wonder how L is celebrating Christmas. Ha-ha I'm Mello and I'm stupid' Alright, maybe he doesn't say the last sentence, but in my head he does. Anyways, I figure we make a L banner." I picked up a laser pen and pointed behind me, right at the banner. Yes, my voice did dip down in a fake Mello voice, earning me a deeper scowl. I responded to the blonde by smiling innocently. I call him my best friend and he can't stand my presence, how nice is that?
"As usual we need the littlest kids to have the most important part, distract the warden. I can't tell you how less awesome this would be every year without Roger being conveniently occupied by like ten different kids with ten absurd needs. He gets mad and overwhelmed at the same time, and we should all know by now when he gets that what, whatever antic I am doing automatically becomes less 'bad.' Then we need a group of people to sew this banner, I have the 'L' outlined, we just need it blacked out." I pulled out a white banner and handed it to Linda, the resident artist who stood up to take it. "After that we need people who are light on their feet and not afraid of heights, techie nerds, and as always people who are good at getting things.
"The overview of how this will all look in the end is going to be beautiful, cascading snow and streamers, but before that happens it's going to look like a prank gone wrong, everything is going to fall, and we grade A acting here look like Christmas had just been ruined. Tears are acceptable, in fact they are encouraged. I don't want anyone killing someone else. We don't need a murder to go along with this crazy orphanage, we already have someone from here that moved on to become a criminal, lets not make another alright? After those things we need to build the snow castle will fall inches behind us, Near, Mel, I need you two to double check my concept of physics on this, it will end looking really pretty as the cannons fire and the snow falls. Any questions?"
"Who gets the talkies?" asked Wires, next to Matt that guy knows the most about computers. I'll be the first to admit that watching their geek talk is pretty interesting, once I know what they mean using their jargon. Though that normally takes me a while, and a gesture from the gamer toward what doo-dad they are actually talking about. Stepping forward Matt lifted his shirt, revealing only his belt laying claim to the techie talkie. I always had one seeing how I was in charge, but I was also putting everything together. Near was in charge of aesthetics mainly because he plays with the toys more than anyone else in the orphanage, Mel in charge of getting stuff, Linda was the sewing team, and this year I was giving the kid talkie to Tulip, why not, she had already started following me around in anticipation.
"Any other questions before we break up into teams? Banner people, as always we like you guys to be finished first so we can hang it up and start covering it up in madness. I understand you have a second banner to work with, look at what we have planned, it's going to take a while to get both trees up with the garland hanging in the right spot. Besides I want to make sure my math is right before we get too into it especially with the net. Lay the net down first and organize the ornaments, just don't drill in any hooks until Scrooge and Kid give the OK, alright?" The room was silent as I clapped my hands once. "Break!" The screen flashed, centering around the center end result. I handed Mel my plan book so he knew what we needed and started sorting through the kids.
According to the plan, what looked like a normal Christmas den, a single tree, small toys scattered everywhere, really boring in simple terms for a Wammy's house Christmas, was going to fall apart, completely and utterly. I thought about setting the tree on fire, but it's plastic and Roger would freak. Not only that, but burnt plastic stinks, like worse than crap on the floor stink. After that, two mostly bare trees, come in and are then decorated with planes. An army of builders use blocks to build a castle, while snow and confetti cannons go off. Garland is also going to be used to decorate the ceiling. The room is going to be totally covered in Christmas, Mello won't need three ghosts to turn him into a wannabe Santa. Though when that guy is actually happy, he's really quiet and smile gets kind of creepy after a while. There is a reason why he smirks.
"Joker, let's go get some ladders, we're going to need to see if the planes can carry the stars, and if they can't see if Matt's team can organize the copters to reach the trees, Also, we have too many lights. The white lights are going to have to be put on beforehand, maybe some colored ones too. Ah heck let's just hang them all so we won't have to worry about planes tangling the cords. There are already little elves tangling earbuds, we don't need RC ones with Christmas lights," I said buckling my tool belt onto my waist, attractive I know, especially in Christmas clothes. The tall brunette looked over his shoulder and nodded as he straightened his back from carrying on one of the three trees we needed. I hooked my thumbs in the belt loops of my jeans as the poker champion of the house, and I walked out. A few ladders laid in the middle of the hallway, about 6 if I had to put a number on it. I didn't haul them inside, and I wasn't putting them back, I had other things on my mind, like which pocket did I put my apple in.
"Here let me help –nevermind," Joker started to offer as I picked up the ladder easily. Someone forgets I do this for a living because this orphanage bores me to no end. I smiled and walked inside, asking if he wanted the left or the right. "Uh, It doesn't matter, the right." I nodded and walked in, ladder hoisted on my shoulder, crossing the room, smiling to myself at the sight of Mello and the pj wearing genius working together. It's a Christmas Miracle brought on by me. Well maybe not, I do this every year. I am determined to get the blonde to at least tolerate the white haired kiddo, call it a gut feeling but I think that eventually they will work together. I'm not hoping for a group hug or anything, just mutual toleration.
"No, you carry a 3 not a 2," Mello barked scribbling down a few numbers and showing Near who twirled his white hair around his finger before writing down his own formula. I kicked the ladder in position and looked up, crossing my arms as I decided it was in the right spot. I never said their work would be peaceful now did I? To be honest I'm surprised Mello hasn't stormed off yet, he normally does. Maybe this has something to do with the guy's idol being the center of this "prank."
"We were both right, you just went the more time consuming way of calculating the solution. I figured using this formula would be more beneficial seeing how Ebony wants the conformation as soon as it's available. The math is correct though," Near said as he stood up and shuffled toward the team I assembled for him. I sighed and pulled the goggles Matt gave me down over my eyes, removing my Santa hat to fix my hair. I then replaced it, it couldn't be accurately called a Christmas prank unless someone was wearing a Santa hat. Call me Ebony Claus!
"Here," grumbled the chocoholic of the house as he handed me the sheet with all of their math, proving my math was right. My prank book was under it, signaling he didn't need it anymore. He started grumbling under his breath, something about how Near was making him mad, and how he was going to go down during the next exam. Sighing I shook my head and hugged him quickly and unexpectedly. The blonde furrowed his brow and looked at me with the "what the hell was that for?" expression. I merely smiled started to get back to work, like nothing had happened. Waiting for a minute, forming my explanation and waiting to see if he was going to leave, he didn't.
"Thanks Mel. Before you ask why I dared to touch you, it's Christmas. And yes, that is my answer for everything today," I said as I gathered my box of Garland and lights, planning on putting the box at the top of the ladder before starting on the tree. "Yo Spaz, mind helping with the tree?" There was a confirmation below me as I set the box as the top of the ladder. "Grab a box cutter from Mel." As I climbed down from the ladder, I held out my hand as the kid with black spiky hair and frosted blue tips tossed me my own box cutter. We hid these, Roger didn't know we had them, there were some loose bricks in the fire place, it's cliché sure, but we needed a hiding place. I would've preferred a secret passageway, but there are none in Wammy's trust me, I've looked.
I knelt down and cut the box, smiling as the smell of artificial pine filled my nostrils. Car air fresheners aren't just for cars anymore kiddies. The plastic tree was then thrown out of the box and handed to Spaz who, contrary to his name, swiftly and precisely cut the rest of the plastic ties on the fake tree. I started assembling the stand, pieces of plastic flying around the room. Casually ducking under the debris, I pulled a candy cane from my tool belt and unwrapped it. I stuck the hooked part in my mouth, smiling as the peppermint spread across my tongue, making my mouth feel more like the holidays as the mintyness made my breath feel cold.
"Oh you better watch out, better not pout, better not cry I'm telling you why," Matt started followed by everyone in the room following with the next line in the song, everyone singing in their own key and pitch. It was murder on the ears, but hey it's Christmas and we're not killing each other, seriously the pride of genius orphans is massive. We fight about the dumbest things, like whose parents died the most gruesome way. There is always the troll "Oh yea, well I never knew my parents." They win. I smiled and sat on top of the ladder, pulling a strand of lights from the box and wrapped them loosely around the top of the tree, holding the strand in place as I dropped it for Spaz to continue wrapping.
"Hear that Mello, stop pouting, and don't smirk either, it freaks us all out, man," said Psycho, no she really wasn't psycho, she just chose that name because it freaked people out. Needless to say, she has fun with her name and acts like a mad genius around the newbies, it scares them .We hung out from time to time, but overall we were pretty distant. She was one of those who if someone ranked above her in the tests, she'd act casual around them, like they were equals. If someone was below her, she acted like they were dumber than dirt, and trust me, it took a lot to prove to her that us down-listers were actually worth her time. The room broke out laughing as Mello did the exact opposite of the order and pouted.
"Aww come-on Psy we all know Mellodramatic only has two expressions, mad, and evil," I said from the ladder adding more laughter into the room. "Though he did genuinely smile once, I was stuck in a dirt hole last winter, almost passed out due to hyperthermia. Might not be fun for me, but he got quite the kick out of my pain." I shrugged and continued to dig through the Christmas decoration box, seeing what other goodies I had in there. "Oh bubble wrap!" I pulled the sheet out and started popping the bubbles.
"Really Eb, bubble wrap?" Matt called from the floor. I shrugged and looked at the sheet for a moment before turning toward the tech genius and nodded as I rolled up the sheet and wrung it like a rag, like twenty bubbles popping at once. Laughing insanely for a minute, I widened my eyes like I was really insane, earning more laughter. I heard the red head sigh as I returned the sheet into the box, and pulled out some ribbons to hang from the ceiling.
"He's making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out whose naughty and nice," said Mello monotonously to everyone's surprise. His voice sounded like a freaking zombie, like one who could talk. What I'm getting at, when I said monotonously, I mean he made a carol sound like a funeral song. The entire room stopped dead and looked at the blonde all eyes widened. After a pause Mello looked up from the table that held the paper snowflakes we were going to hang from the ceiling, and scanned the room, smirking slightly when he found out that he managed to halt production. Sadly, there was nothing I could say to break the silence before he started talking. "What? It was either I chime in or have Ebony comment about how much of a Scrooge I am during Christmas." Still silence filled the room. For once, The Great Ebony had no smart comment to make, nothing, nada. "Just sing the next line, my god people." A smile spread across my face as I threw a strand of fake gold garland at the blonde, the entire room using that as a sign to continue with the off-key song as Mello glared at me.
"Mello, Ebony has already implied that you are similar to Charles Dickens's Ebenezer Scrooge, she pointed this out at the beginning of the meeting," Near pointed out twirling hair around his finger after the laughter died down. A hum of "Ooo's" filled the room. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the tree, wrapping a strand of colored lights around the tree, aiming, and letting them fall on Spaz's head. He snapped back to reality. We might be geniuses but we were still just as immature as any other kid in any other orphanage, this right here proves it.
"Don't pay them any mind, Mel's going to insult Near and then Near will either say nothing, or insult Mel without really insulting him. They'll probably go back and forth like that for a while and then I'll have to use my 'talents' to distract Mello before he tackles the smaller kid. It happens all the time during class," I explained with a shrug, as I continued adjusting the lights. "The good thing is, I'm already set up for how I'm going to break up the supposed 'fight.'" I turned my head toward him and smirked, my hair covering most of my right eye.
The kid below scoffed as the first part of my "prediction" came true, the two of them started their emotional versus monotonic "debate." I looked down at the sound of my name being called and sat on the ladder, draping my arms over the top and kicked my feet, noticing the thoughtful look in Spaz's eye. "You organize this every year, and it always goes without flaw. Half of us easily can't do this, how do you to this?" I tilted my head to the side. I then smiled evilly and stood back up on the ladder. Every year this gets asks once, and every year I give a different answer, but the kind of answer was the same. I never answered the question, simply supplied another distraction, everyone had rights to secrets did the not?
"He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!" I continued yelling through the noise of the room stopping all the cheers for Mello to pounce on Near, knowing what comments were going to be spread around simply because everyone in the room was 10 or older, making fun of Santa was second nature at this point. Still, it was that or answer the question, and a good prankster never reveals what is up her sleeve. I looked down at Spaz who looked slightly insulted I just chuckled as the comments started coming.
"So Santa's a Stalker?" Matt chimed, as I stood up, to hang more garland on the ceiling, or at least one end of it so the copters that were being outfitted with cameras would only have half the work to do. The AV team was going to need some helping hands to I didn't want to make this too technical. Personally, I knew how to pilot a small plane, but I was clueless to the kind of things we'll be doing today. I could just figure it out like a boss and pat myself on the back after we're done cleaning this all up, that's going to take an hour, especially when watching the buckets of snow being made, at least 20 so far.
"I knew it! Everyone hide yo kids, and hide yo wife and hide yo husband 'cause he's giving presents to errbody out there," Joker followed up as he finished with the strand of lights, dropping them to the floor from his ladder so his partner could plug them in. Everyone laughed at the old internet meme, this was one of the few occasions where we all got along, and I started this tradition, was I proud? Yup, and Roger appreciated it too, the looks of pride that spread across everyone's faces when everything clicks together. Though I was under some pressure too, I had a perfect record and I intended to keep said record. Still the laughter and sense of brotherhood here always managed to warm my heart.
"Ebony, Roger's heading toward the playroom," came a panicked voice over the talkie, right on cue. The fake danger was a part of the game. If we didn't compensate, the old man would turn away at the last second, but distracting the old man was too good to pass up. Messing with Roger during Christmas was a tradition that exceeded my time here at Wammy's, I just made it more interesting. Though, I couldn't help but to wonder who the mastermind behind this tradition was. I think I remember reading about it somewhere, Beyond's journal, perhaps it was A before the whole suicide thing.
"Copy that, we're setting up a distraction as we speak," I said calmly into the talkie, putting it down on the ladder and taking an extra roll of paper streamers and climbed down the ladder, finding Spike a muscular 13 year old blonde kid. Personally I thought he was German, but talking about the past is a no-no. Personally I had to qualms about it, I was one of the few that actually answered question should someone ask me. Sure, I was still vague, but most people here if they couldn't tell from my accent knew I was American, my slang-filled Spanish was a side effect of growing up in the bad part of town in Las Angeles. With the right amount of research anyone could figure it out. I just leave things as they were, if I managed to find the ethnicity of everyone here, there goes my reputation.
The kid ran up and smirked as handed the streamers to him. He looked down at them and frowned slightly in confusion. "Alright pal, Roger's on his way here and even though we all know he's not going to peep, it still freaks the little one's out. Now, run and make a mess!" I pushed him toward the door and turned around, taking in the progress made, looking at my watch. We needed those banners soon. I'm always paranoid about those things because of they are the center piece. Sure we can reconstruct them with Legos, but the banner looked nicer, added class to destruction.
"Yo Eb, come check this out," Matt said standing up, pulling my hand toward his station, my hands finding the goggles around my eyes and pulling them down. I followed and paused at all of the computers, unsure at which one I should be looking at. There were cameras all over the halls, a second defense from peeping eyes, another two screens were dedicated to games. He really didn't think he could do all of this right? I did smile at the screen with the Sims up, there was another reserved for the confetti cannons, and then my eyes were drawn to the screen showing cameras of the toy helicopters, slowly each part of the screen snapped to life. I frowned and looked at the red head, raising both my eyebrows in question.
"So, computer screens…they glow," I said spinning in the chair, trying to figure out what is it Matt needed me to check out. I knew he was up to something, the more I spun, the wider his smile got, and to top it off he wasn't looking at me, he was looking above me. Now, I know girls complain when a guy's eyes are too low, but his eyes being too high? "Yo Matt, my eyes are down here." Yeah, it didn't have the same ring to it. He cleared his throat and I stopped spinning and he pointed up. Furrowing my brow in confusion I looked up, my eyes widening, there was a tiny green plant. No, not the happy green plant that is constantly smuggled into the US and is available for coffee house purchase in Amsterdam, but it was a Christmas plant.
I reached up and tapped the green leaves, smirking as it swung. A silver gleam stood out to me, solving the mystery of the floating plant. Fishing line, nice choice, it was almost invisible to the naked eye, and it was really hard to break. My hands will vouch for that, I had a small scar wrapping around my right palm when I tried to break it by hand. Yeah, it didn't work well for me did it? Either way me and fishing line was almost as good friends as I pretended Mello and I were, I used it all the time. "It's a mistletoe," Matt mumbled his hair covering his eyes, me not noticing that he had pulled his goggles around his neck. I blinked and studied him for a minute before returning my thoughtful gaze to the plant, tapping it again. He had a slight pink hue to his cheeks. I never thought Matt would be a person to blush.
"Really? I thought it was a red air plane. Please Matt, tell me more of this thing called 'mistletoe' I am vastly interested," I replied sarcasm dripping from my voice. This was elaborate, well not really it was just a small pulley system, but Matt was lazy and only really played video games. In short, this plot was unexpected and for him, and complicated. Honestly, if he was going to pull something like this I'd expect him to use a plane, not pulleys and line. I continued to stare at it though, blinking like I was an idiot. So, letting him watch me plot how I was going to prank Roger all these years had rubbed off on him.
"Well," the gamer started with a smirk on his face, crossing his arms. He then closed his eyes and held a single finger in the air like he was an older sibling explaining something trivial to a little kid. Hey wait a minute; I am the older one here! For a kid 11 months is a large margin, I should be the one lecturing no fair! "A mistletoe is a plant that is typically used by a guy who wants a kiss from a certain girl, or the other way around. Just put an unsuspecting person under the plant, and when they step under reward them with a kiss. Simple enough?" His tone wasn't condescending, like mine it was sarcastic. Sure it wasn't dripping in sarcasm like my response, it still made me smile. I tapped my chin and noted how there was a literal wall of computer monitors.
My eyes focused on one of the monitors, Watari was here. He was early, normally he doesn't get here until noon –at least. Looking at the other sections on the screen for the other cameras we had in the halls, I bit the inside of my lip as the banners were on their way too, which was good news letting go of the fact that at the rate the two of them were going, they were going to collide with each other. Sitting up straight, I reached for my talkie, realizing I left it on the ladder. Really? Of all the dumb mistakes I was going to make today something that essential was left on the –wait a minute Matt has a talkie.
"I need to borrow this, I'll pay the mistletoe dept later, promise," I said hurriedly, holding out my pinky with my right hand, the talkie in my left hand. Matt's eyes flashed toward the screen as I pressed the button. "Linda, I need you to detour, our namesake is in the house and, well the laptop is tucked under his arm. Roger is near the mess hall, so don't worry too much about him. I'll see if Tulip can tell our streamer distraction to keep him in that area," I said calmly, smiling as Matt wrapped his pinky around mine. I nodded curtly as I stood up, handing Matt his talkie back. Time to be the leader I was deep down, it was the only day it showed that I was made to be here.
"Alright Watari is in the house, we need at least two people, plus Mel to go greet him obnoxiously. Mel, if anyone spills what we're doing, I will personally help in the revenge. This means I get the girly permanent paint out. Who wants to wake up in floral print?" I announced holding my arms out in a "come-at-me-bro" gesture. There were a few snickers, the older kids remembering what happened to Joker when he challenged me, he woke up the next day pink with a daisy field scattered throughout. He looked very pretty. Nobody answered my challenge, but people did get up to meet with the request toward Watari. I waved them off, saluting a few of them as the blonde relayed the message to Tulip.
"We got it!" yelled Linda running in breathless, holding two rolls of fabric over her head. Fist pumping I ran over and hugged the little girl and pulled her arm toward the trees that were still mostly bare, ornaments laying scattered all over the floor. Alright, they weren't "scattered" per-say it was more like a mine field that was completely symmetrical. Under the mine field was a net that after the hooks were screwed into the ceiling would be hung up. How we were going to pull that off was beyond me, I was just happy we had some non-breakable ornaments. That would be one heck of a Christmas, go down in the books as the "Glassy Christmas," or the "Shardy Christmas." I scratched my head, half of the people here were going to be needed to hang up the net. Another headache, I didn't really think out that detail, there is always one detail I always forget.
"Yo AV guys, how many planes do you guys have ready? We're almost done laying out the tinsel and colored lights for the RC copters and stuff," I called as folded my ladder up and went to move it to the center. I hugged the heavy metal structure against my body. "Joke, move the ladder for Linda, and Matt, you yell at us on where to put these things." My head was angled up as I worked on positioning the ladder to be under a tiny clear hook.
"Alright!" Matt cheered as he simply kicked against his desk and leaned back in the chair, using his hands to support his head. "This is easier than my main job." Oh no he didn't, I literally gave him the easiest job. Every year he was making sure that everything electronically didn't blow up, or malfunction. He could play games and do this. It was easy. Sure I could never do it because the longest I've actually sat still was never unless I was napping, but you can hardly count that as sitting. He had to pay for his ignorance, actually I just wanted to see him being hit with something, but I should have a "grown-up" reason for my order. Pausing my assent on the ladder, I turned toward Spaz who was making the fake snow. I smirked, too easy, but hey, I can get away with it.
"Hey Spaz do me a favor why don't ya, and make a snowball, aiming for the bright red target that's Matt's head please?" I asked quietly pointing toward the box, trying –unsuccessfully –to hide my smirk that suggested the truth, I was up to no good. Then again, I'm never up to good. I am forever cursed to be a prankster. Oh well, someone has to live with this curse. I will do it, for the children. That makes everything sound better. "Hey I'm killing this murderer, for the children." The kid winked at me and jerked his head up. I nodded getting the message and continued climbing, taking the steps two at a time, standing just below the step with the warning "don't stand here" sticker, giving me the perfect view. This was going to be so awesome! I almost jumped up the steps of the ladder, and that's gutsy even for me. Not only would I fall, but I'd leave a dent in the ceiling given my height on the ladder.
I lifted my head, looking at the hooks that were installed the first year we had done this. The main banner was always the same size and in the same spot. Reaching up, my finger curved so it would latch onto the small hook, I tugged at it, testing the strength like I did every year. Linda tested the other hook and we both nodded. Eventually I knew we were going to have to move these, and that's easily going to get us back a good thirty minutes so we can line everything up. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
"What the hell?" I heard Mat call, causing me to break out in laughter. "What did I do? Damn, that stuff might be fake but it still is fucking cold!" Matt continued to complain, rubbing his arms to promote heat through friction. I watched him for a minute, trying my hardest to hold in my laughter, Mission Failed. Bending over the top of the ladder, lowering the banner in my hands my laughter got louder, tears building up in my eyes. Golden! It was freaking golden! He then paused and looked up at me, coming to a realization. I waved innocently and then turned to Linda, lifting the festive green and red banner to the hooks. "You owe me!"
"I know, but now we know that the snow works! Though it looks like my plan to use the magic of snow failed, I wanted to knock the lazy outta you, hmm maybe I should try pixie dust. Does anyone know where I could find some pixie dust?" Linda laughed as we slowly let go of the pole of the banner, letting it hang by itself. We told the little kids that there was a magical purple bush hiding in the area around the orphanage. That bush supposedly held fairies, I even went as far as to take my spray paint and find a bush to turn purple, nobody has looked for it, though it probably wasn't purple anymore, stupid rain. I was positive that most of them didn't buy our act, Near never did for example. Though, the kid was a special case, he was always different, secluded in a way. Much like me when I first showed up, I wasn't trying to turn him into another me. Just, I wanted him to be out of his shell, it's not healthy, everyone needs one friend.
"We have some glitter in the other room maybe that could help," Linda suggested laughing with the rest of the room. Thinking about it for a while, letting the thought of using glitter, which could be hazardous to the eyes, sink in. I announced that the glitter would work, the gamer had goggles he was hopefully smart enough to put them on when I attacked him. Though, this is something I'd do to Mello in false hopes of getting him to laugh. Yeah, it makes him mad, but he always comes up with a revenge plot and he smiles then. The character of the smile is downright creepy, but it's a smile.
"Ebony, Watari's trying to get to the room. I don't know how much longer we can stall. We've already enlisted the help of the brats," came Mello's voice slightly panicked. I sighed and bowed my head, it's the one thing I hoped wouldn't happen. I leaned against the side of the ladder, trying to think of a plan C, seeing how Mel already enlisted plan B. There was a loud crash, the floor vibrating. A chair left spinning as a knight went to comfort the princess laying on the floor of the playroom. Yeah, I fell off the ladder. I know I'm a klutz it's one of the many things that makes me awesome. My reason for almost dying by the hands of gravity? Mello never asks for help, end of story.
"Alright guys Code W, get tape where we have the two big trees, hang up that banner and the net. Sorry, your gonna have to hang the net alone. Get those freaking RC planes online, and put up the fake den. I have a Watari to stall," I ordered as I stood up with Matt's help and retrieved my talkie. "Near and Matt are in charge unless Matt follows me. In that case it's Shine and Near." A hand wrapped around mine as we met eyes and nodded.
Matt, moving the fastest he has all year, and I stalked the shadows through the halls toward the foyer a plan forming in my head. I had most of a plan, there were some consequences that were going to have to be paid, but it was all for the winter wonderland we were building. The gamer wasn't going to be happy with it, but Mello was once he chases us down might actually tolerate my presence more than he usually did. Given how that blonde pretty much hates me, that give a big hint as to what my plan was. Oh well, it was going to be epic any ways. I mean, it came from my brilliantly hidden genius. I might get into trouble, but hey it was going to be worth it, assuming I don't get busted on the spot. That would be bad, no it'd be catastrophic!
Stopping in the shadow of a hallway, I leaned forward and saw the target – I mean Watari – in the hall casually turning the corner, he was being distracted by a frantic Mello. Looking back on it, I have never seen Mello frantic about anything. This is something for the memory books. Turning toward Matt, I did the cliché hand signal gag. I pointed toward the older man and pounded my fist into my hand, then I picked up my invisible dress and twirled in a circle finishing off with a slit to the throat while pointing to my elbow. The gamer sighed and shook his head at me, running a hand through his hair.
"So we're getting the laptop and running for our lives?" He asked unfazed by me and my antics. Man he knows me so well, I was sure this would've gotten him thinking for a while. I nodded and saw Mello's reinforcements running up to distract the grey-haired person. The two of us stepped backwards, our steps light and silent. "Alright what about Mel? If we let him in whatever you plan on doing with L won't be happening." I smirked and pulled the ultimate tool from my tool belt. It is said this legendary tool will fix anything, and if it can't it's forever broken. That tool was, Duct Tape.
"We use this, duh," I whispered giving him the silver roll. "Just put it over his mouth, maybe tape his hands together and I can ask my one question for the guy." Pushing my hair behind my ears I watched the blonde stumble on his words, this was going to be fun. I pulled down on my Santa hat, can't have my festiveness fly off now can we? Talk about an anticlimactic end to Ebony Claus. "Alright, just follow my lead, and I mean to the 'T.' If I explode after jumping off a cliff Wile Coyote style I expect you to follow." The gamer just looked at me and shook his head telling me to just carry out my crazy plan. Crazy it was, the more I thought about it, the colder my feet got.
I nodded and took a deep breath, oh the trouble I was going to get into, or could get into. Watari was always the kinder person, if we conducted mischief when he was around, he'd sit us down and talk calmly to us. It was a lot more effective than to chain us to a bed by the ankle so we don't escape. Alright, I'm the only one who got that punishment, but still. Everyone was happier when the older man came to visit twice a year at least. Back to reality, should I get in trouble, it was going to be worth it in my opinion. I took one step before running through the hallway with a war cry that probably would've made more of an impact if Matt had done it, but he was casually walking behind me. Kill joy. Watari did jump, so I guess my female war cry gets some points.
"Thanks Watari I'll give him back don't worry!" I yelled as I grabbed the white Mac and continued running to the only room I knew nobody would try to open even if they had a key. If you said any other room but the bathroom, you're wrong. Really, that place is a sanctuary, and a really thought stimulating place too. What, some of my best prank ideas came to me while I was having some well deserved Ebony time. Sliding in on my socks, and almost falling face first on the floor, I closed the door and putting my full weight against it, hugging the stolen laptop to my chest. My breath was labored, since when was I this out of shape? Huh, I was going to have to change that by pestering Mello. I was going to be on so much trouble. Goodbye sun, it was nice knowing you. I won't be able to see you until Spring maybe.
Deciding it was safe, well safe enough, I put the computer on the counter of the bathroom and lifted the lid, pressing the power button before staring at the screen intently, waiting for it to jolt to life. My breath, the one I was unconsciously holding, came out in a rush as I pulled my hat off and ran my hand though my hair in thought. I was going to be talking to L, fulfilling the dreams of almost everyone here, mad talk about public enemy number one. I put my hat back on and smirked, like I cared what people thought. Was I shocked I had done this? Not really, I mean I've done crazier things, but a part of me was putting the blame of this plan on falling off the ladder. That wasn't that much fun. Still, saying I had a recent injury could lessen my punishment. Watari though, he had smiled when I took the laptop, what did that mean?
Jumping at the knock at the door, I turned my head and granted entry to the two guys recognizing the secret knock. My shoulders relaxed, the screen behind me lighting up the dim off white colored room, casting my shadow on the wall in front of me. The door was thrown open as Mello ran in and pushed me aside from the laptop and then his shoulders slumped when he saw a desktop and not a white screen with a L smiling at him. His hands then clenched, anger taking over. I took a step back, my shoulders even with Matt. This was real anger, not the weak annoyed Mello I love to pester. This is how he is just after seeing Near beating him again, I knew better that to mess with him. Shrugging at Matt he returned it and took the two steps needed to put a hand on his friend's shoulder. The blond snapped his head toward him, slightly relaxing at the sight of the red head.
"I'm sorry man," he said quietly as I stepped in front of the laptop and tapped my chin. I haven't seen Watari open anything before. Why was this taking a while, unless Watari was truly ahead of schedule, then L isn't expecting for the laptop to be on at this moment. In that case, L would know that it isn't Watari with the laptop. That means, the detective probably won't connect to the laptop. That means we'll have to call off the entire celebration, and I won't do that. I'll video tape the thing and give it to the old man to give to L if I have too. Though, L doesn't have anything to fear, he knows Watari is at Wammy's and that the only thieves who could get a hold of this are genius ones. Huh, a thief, didn't know I had stooped so low. How disappointing.
"Holy cheese waffles!" I yelled when a beep rang through the bathroom echoing. I tuned toward the laptop and smiled, L finally established a connection, booya! I would take this time to do my infamous happy dance, but that would look silly in front of L. I have some dignity thank you very much. I turned toward the guys and chuckled weakly. "Hey guys look, it's L." I turned toward them and they both looked at me confused. I turned my head to the side matching their expressions as they looked at each other."What? And I know nothing is on my face this time, I looked in the mirror so I know I'm clean."
"We really need to teach you how to cuss 'cheese waffles' isn't going to cut it," Mello said breaking the awkward silence. All thoughts stopped right there, my jaw dropping in shock. He just went there! I can't believe it, he called out my pure tongue and made it seem like a bad thing! I'm so proud, he's managed to insult something that I personally thought he'd never find a way of insulting. I closed my mouth, straightened my back, and shrugged turning to the laptop and cheerfully greeted the detective, purposefully not introducing myself. I was sure my cheese waffle statement was a giveaway, but I wanted to see how long he'd take to answer with my name. I then found it appropriate to give Mel my two cents on why I don't curse, in my own fashion of course, meaning in the way nobody and their dead mom expects.
"Maybe I don't want to stoop down to your vulgar language," I said turning toward the two of them putting my sophisticated voice, holding my arms behind my back. "So L, Merry Christmas! Sorry we haven't said it before, but later is better than never amiright?" I smiled as I started pressing the talk button on the talkie in morse code, asking Near if they were ready yet. Through the mirror, I saw Matt watching my hand, freaking pervert! I had the talkie in the back pocket of my jeans. Where was the extra roll of TP, someone is going to get some Angel Soft thrown to their head. Maybe TP'ing his room would have more of an impact, wrapping every screen so he can't play video games, but it's Christmas and it'd be too much like opening presents. Why must all these plans have fatal holes in them? This is madness!
"I suppose. Ebony you have a history of always being up to no good. What purpose is served by having Matt, Mello and you locked inside a bathroom?"Well, that didn't take long, the famous L called me out –by name no less – and pointed out how compromising our situation was. Well, on the bright side, Matt –who probably figured this out a long time ago – wasn't making matters worse and making it seem like something was happening behind that closed door. I blinked a few times, and turned toward the boys who were looking at each other smirking. I glared at them and shook my head, thinking about what L really had said. The bad thing was he knew I was up to something and that took a little of the pizzazz out of my plan. It's always better when the victim is clueless.
I listened to the fuzz of the talkie, trying to buy time by putting a thoughtful look on my face, the one I use before I give some absurd reason for my actions, like I thought I saw an asteroid in the sky and I had to live one more time before we all died, and the interruptions within it made by who I assumed was Near. Fighting the urge to smile, I put a fake pout on I shrugged and turned toward twiddle dee and twiddle dumb, winking once my eyes were out of view of the laptop. Putting my actress mask, I shrugged and hung my head, sighing loudly."Well guys looks like L's found us out – no shock there – but we might as well show him," I said my voice not dripping in bad acting like the TV shows. This is grade A acting here –the kind I was talking about earlier –skills honed in while I play dumb during class. That takes practice and effort, mainly effort because of all the other people miss details but I made a pact with myself to be last, so last I shall be.
Matt and Mello looked at each other, each with a raised eyebrow. I dug my eyes into them, trying not to give anything away from behind. This meant no body language whatsoever. This killed me simply because I like to think I'm a very animated person. I go off on my own tangents instead of sticking to the one at hand. I'd be the genius orphan proving –or disproving –that there was a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow. It's a shame they disappear before my investigation was over. I wasn't even going to try smiling, my back might be to the laptop, but L was no fool. Well, the hype everyone gives him makes it seem that way. My personal assessment was still in the works. I just needed one of those two thunderheads to say something. Gawking at my submissive move wasn't going to get us anywhere.
"Right," Matt said recovering first blinking a few times in shock, "I'm surprised you even tried to hide it from him." Matt shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets, shaking his head as if disappointed in me. He even through in a sigh for good measure. "Though I am surprised you didn't try to convince L that you are up to nothing. You do it to Old Man Roger all the time." He turned toward Mello who also recovered, crossing his arms and sticking his hip out slightly. It's time like these I question Mello…
"Yeah, that typically is something you'd do. Though, every Christmas there has been some sort of explosion with your name on it," Mello commented rolling his eyes, shaking his head. "Keeping a plot like that from L is just a waste of time, for once Ebony is being rational." The blonde turned to leave as Matt went for the laptop, leaving me there to frown unhappily at Mello. Since when am I irrational? I may not act like I know what I'm doing at all times, but I do. Well, until my clumsiness kicks in and I almost fall to my death but that happens to everyone more or less.
"Come-on Miss Frowny pants, let's show L what you've concocted this Christmas," Matt said taking my hand in his, using his computer nerd skills by balancing the laptop on his arm as we walked out of the bathroom, the screen facing us, making it awkward. Looking back at this, if I hadn't known where the entire orphanage was in the game room, I would be slightly panicked. I mean let's look at the facts, two guys and a girl walk out of a bathroom with a laptop. Kinda kinky when you think about it now isn't it?
"So L, what do you normally do for Christmas?" I asked as we weaved through the hall, swinging our hands. The question must've caught both Matt, and the detective off guard, silence ensued, and the walking pace slowed down substantially. Turning my face slightly, I saw the red-head's head turned toward me, eyes taking on a thoughtful gaze, like he was trying to figure me out again. "Matt quit looking at me like that. You know exactly why I'm asking the question, and I know that this could be a gutsy move, but we're not playing chess now are we? I have no strategic obligations."
"Normally I'm alone," L confessed as a smile spread across my face, just as I suspected. "If I wasn't aware of your record at the orphanage, I would be concerned at this moment. However, it's Christmas, and I always enjoy seeing the faces of the children when this is over." I smiled and commented on how what kind of treat he was in for this year, maybe the illusive man wasn't as heartless and distant as he seemed, only calling us that one time in July this year. Even then, I knew it was a test, what kind I was unsure of, but it was a test nevertheless. Virtually everything we did was a test, it's getting old.
My eyes widened as we got to the entrance to the play room. I'm not going to lie, the entire place looked like a freaking magazine page! It was better than I thought it was going to be. I dream about my pranks sometimes and this looked better than my dream! There was a tan rug with intricate red and green swirls along the edges, beautifully decorated Christmas Tree, a nice cheery fire was in the fire place. It warmed my heart, that's not impressive, I feel like crying when I see cute puppies sneeze. It warmed Mello's heart, how about that? I didn't want to destroy it for the sake of my prank it was so beautiful.
"Oh my god," I whispered covering my mouth with my hands. "This is better than it looked in my head, good job Near." The albino kid raised his head and nodded once as I slowly let go of Matt's hand and paused, taking a deep breath, before walking into the room. I saw the red-head hand the laptop back to Watari and then disappear as I paused. A small gleam caught my eye, and that string lead to a net that held planes and blocks and ornaments, that was going to fall mere inches from where everyone was congregated. See why the math was important now? I then turned around and smiled as a crowd gathered around me, a small one with the others hiding behind closed doors ready to jump in and reconstruct Christmas.
"Merry Christmas L!" We all yelled as I threw my hands up, the fishing line catching the back of my hand causing the tree to fall over. Matt, who was holding his hands behind his back since I let go of his hands, handed me a remote for the plane and I took control of one labeled with an "E" flying around the room, dropping the banners before handing my ornament on the trees that were brought out by Joker and Spike. A metallic rainbow filled the room, the lights reflected off of the metal and it was hard to concentrate it was so pretty. After hitting the tree a few times, I hung my green ornament on my tree, I looked the picture from, landing my plane so I wouldn't have to worry about a mid-flight crash. The ornaments were hung on the trees, the entire thing so busy with cheer that it was more personal than the normal tree we had in here before, it was personalized with ornaments that others have made over the years.
The smaller kids helped Near and a few other people who were here for the set up make a castle out of blocks less than a minute, the signal was set at that point. The light blue blocks needed a little more personalization, snow. I closed my eyes and covered my face as the stars were placed on the tree and four cannons went off all at the same time. A mixture of screams and laughter spread through the room as I uncovered my face and looked up as colorful bits of paper mixed in with fake snow cascaded down. The room suddenly felt warmer with happiness, not real physical warmth. Like Matt said, the snow might be fake, but it was still cold, talk about authenticity.
I turned around and looked at the laptop, not a word came from it, though a part of me said this was a bad sign, I smiled at the man, or I should say after much thought I've come to the conclusion that the person was a man, behind the computer. I was also sure nothing like this has happened to the guy, go me! The room stopped moving for a second, sensing my gaze. Again everyone gathered in the middle of the room. "…Thank-you everyone, happy holidays," came the robotic voice from the laptop. Another snow cannon went off, a fresh blanket falling onto the floor.
Turning my head, giggling as I cupped my hands, letting fake snow collect in my palm, my eye's focused on the blonde. He was standing looking up as the winter wonderland fell around him. Immediately I knew what he was doing, and the look on his face confirmed my thoughts. He looked like he was in deep thought, what about I wasn't sure, but following his gaze I saw that he was focused on the "L" banner. That's when everything clicked as I started walking toward Mello. I dropped the snow in my hands and wiped my hands on my red turtleneck, putting my hands on his shoulder. He jumped and turned toward me, frowning, but then relaxing when he saw it was me. Turning back toward the banner, he shrugged off my hand, frowning.
"Hey, it's Christmas, I know you want to ask him, but don't you think today of all days you act like the British and Germans during World War One and call it truce for a day?" I asked in reference to the ranking system here. I pulled a candy cane from my tool belt and handed it to Mello. The blonde turned toward me as I gave him a reassuring smile and jerked my head slightly toward Near. "This might even give you bonus points if L sees it. Breaking through your enemies defenses by earning their trust, though Near is going to be suspicious, still. It's good practice."
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Mello took the candy cane humanely from my hands, that's monumental here normally he snatches it and stomps off, no this time he was civil. Maybe there is some hope for this scrooge. I looked up at the icy blue eyed guy and he actually mumbled "Thank-you" in a humane voice. Perhaps he doesn't really hate me. Sure I pester him like there is no tomorrow, but that's because it's too easy. I actually value his friendship, without him, I can't tell you what kind of Ebony I would be without him. Probably boring, I try out some prank ideas on him, mainly the ones involving paint because those are always really easy and fast to set up.
Chuckling I turned around and watched as Mello, very awkwardly I might add, gave the tiny white themed kid the red and white stripped cane. He makes me so proud. I wiped away a fake tear, chuckling as I crossed my arms as Near looked up at the blonde in muted curiosity, actually blinking a few times at him before reaching up and grabbing the sugary treat, pausing and then sneaking a look at me through his hair. I merely shrugged in response. He knew I had everything to do with it, but it didn't matter, Mel called a truce, my work as peacemaker was done for today, I could finally relaxed, that castle looked freaking epic.
"When will you cease to amaze me? One moment you're bursting at the seams with excitement, the next you're acting with a believable performance even to those who know you, and then you convince Mello, who utterly despised Near to give him a candy cane. What's next? Drawing L without seeing his face?" came Matt's voice from behind me. I jumped and turned around, seeing the gamer leaning against a wall, arms and ankles crossed. Tilting my head to the side, I thought about what he had said. I have been quite amazing today haven't I? Ebony for the win!
"That is on the list," I commented sarcastically, "but it's Christmas, and I have a philosophy when it comes to Christmas, don't make enemies, make friends, it's a lot easier not to mention it brings smiles to people's faces. If I were to accurately do the impossible, I'd be the enemy to the world, because you and I both know I'd end up abusing my power." I spun on my toe, holding my hands out in a "T," smiling as I closed my eyes. My eyes snapped open as my toe got caught in the rug.
Hands caught my upper arms as I braced for impact with the floor. Letting out my held breath, I looked up and saw Matt's eyes widened, worry seen in them. Blinking at a slightly increased rate, I looked through the plastic of the goggles on Matt's eyes, watching his pupils dilate as he pulled me back to my feet. Coughing I bowed my head, letting my bangs to fall into my eyes, avoiding his gaze. Why did I choose then to be so observant? Of all the times, really? I had to watch his pupils dilate. I mean that's great for me, because I know there is a mutual attraction here, but it made the butterflies in my stomach commence World War III.
"Thanks again," I muttered, as I continued to avoid his gaze, playing with the strap of the goggles around my neck. When did Wammy's get so warm? Roger's a freaking cheapskate, keeping it just warm enough to where we didn't need coat to keep warm, light jackets were needed to keep the cold natured warm. Right now though, it felt sweltering. "I guess my awesome unpredictableness only lasts for so long eh?" I asked scratching the back of my head chuckling, closing my eyes and lifting my head. I wasn't going to look into those deep blue eyes, I'd just blush and The Ebony doesn't blush. Trip and almost die sure, but blushing is out of the question.
My chuckle died as I noticed we were alone. I went as far as taking a 360 to make sure, just the two of us. Facing the red head again, I rocked back on my heels and then leaned forward on my toes. This just got slightly more awkward than it actually was, and take my word for it, it was pretty tense already.
"So," I trailed off looking at Matt raising my eyebrows for a brief second. I went to say something else, but I was cut off as my upper arms were held onto firmly and yet shy at the same time. My heart started racing as I thought about opening my mouth to sooth the nerves that suddenly sprung up by rambling. As if he was going on impulse, Matt's lips were pressed firmly against mine, effectively shutting me up from an upcoming ramble. The sad thing was, I had no clue what I was going to say anyways. Even my inner ramble was shut-up as I kissed him back during the short lived kiss.
He broke it up, pressing our foreheads together, pulling his goggles to hang around my neck, like mine. "You had that rambling look on your face. Have I ever told you that you're cute when you don't know how to fill an awkward silence?" Has Matt always had that English accent? Well, I guess he has, and I never really noticed it because I am in England, it's an expected norm. I was the one of the odd ones with my American accent, sure I mimicked the English, but it was only when making fun of Roger and what he said the last time he busted me for my latest prank.
"I guess I do tend to ramble," I whispered, not trusting my voice to use my normal voice without squeaking. I tensed slightly as Matt started to brush my hair over my ear. He paused for a second, watching my expression before finishing the movement, his hand moving to my chin, lifting it, forcing me to look at him. "Uhh…" I brilliantly said, yeah good work Ebony. One minute your organizing a winter wonderland and the next you're saying "uhh" You truly are a genius that could find the cure to Cancer, and when you get the Nobel Prize you stand up at the podium wanting to say "In your face!
but you end up saying "uhhh"
The gamer scoffed and kissed me again, this time it seemed like he had thought about it, that it wasn't just something he forced himself to do to get over nerves. It was like jumping into cold water so you don't slowly wade in and squeal after every step because the water is colder than ice. This was more like walking into class with a purpose because you have actually studied for a test. Either way, I responded and kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck, and stepping closer slightly.
"You two make me want to barf," came Mello's tough slightly peeved off voice. Finishing the kiss we smiled at each other, Matt moving his hands to hold me around the waist. The gamer raised an eyebrow as we went to turn toward Mello, probably going with a combined sarcastic remark, but things rarely go as planned when someone, as klutzy as me is involved. I was even planning on using this fake snow as a snowball and throw it at the blonde, then slip and slide into a tree or the walls as I ran away.
"Ow!" I said when our heads smacked together the elastic of the goggles being the source of the pain. "Well, isn't this convenient? Here we were going to make some sarcastic comment to Mel, and we get hurt. Talk about instant karma." Mello smirked and crossed his arms, lifting his chin as he leaned against the door frame. "And to think I helped this guy." I shook my head, not helping the situation at all by hitting Matt's head a few more times.
"Well, this is your luck we're messing with Eb," Matt said as he reached up and started messing with the goggle straps, looking at nothing in particular. I tilted my head and tried to see what was going on from Mello's point of view. We both laughed at our predicament, my luck today hasn't been the best. "No offence Mel –like it matters Ebony was going to contradict that sentence – but why are you here?" The blonde perked up, seriously can this guy only be civil toward Matt? What have I done to the guy? Don't answer that! I know I've done a lot to the guy, but I gave him a chance, I really did. He's the one who said I was stupid, so I had to prove him wrong, it's the circle of pranks.
"It's time for lunch, Roger sent me," Mello shrugged "My job is done, you two can continue with whatever you were doing, I won't tell." I lifted my right hand and opened my mouth about to comment on how "nice" he was. Mello cut me off though as if he saw this coming. Really? Am I getting that predictable? "And before you say anything it's because Matt's involved, if it was you with anyone else Ebony, I'd be making posters." The blonde peeled off of the door frame and walked off. Oh he thinks he has the last laugh, but he is oh so wrong.
"Love you too Mel," I called waving as I stood on my tip toes, somehow helping Matt by untangling us. "Oh look, FREEEDOMM!" I threw my hands up as I yelled the word. After getting that out of my system, I took hold of Matt's hand, and pushed up on my tip toes, letting go of his hand and wrapped it around his neck and grabbed the collar of his shirt lightly kissing him. He stiffened slightly, but eventually he came around and returned the kiss. "That's for the mistletoe," I mumbled looking as our hands as they weaved together, the two of us swaying in the low light of the playroom. My assumption was Mello turned off the lights.
"Merry Christmas!" Matt said cheerfully resting his cheek on the crown of my head as the sun started to cast elongated shadows into the play room.
"And a Happy New Year," I answered matching his expression, taking one last look around me. I wonder how I was going to top this next year. I have set the bar high this year.
Thanks Prince of Oriel for the goggles idea, it seems like it's something that would happen to Ebony so I added it.
This marks the end of my absence, and because I'm out of school expect more chapters of Ebony! I am going to warn you guys that I glaze over the Yotsuba arc and basically dive right into the retrieval of the notebook because I, as a fan, don't really like that arc. I know this wasn't what you'd expect, but it's 18 pages long, 8 pages longer than a normal chapter.
In other news, this made my day so I thought I'd share. On December 9th I decided to look at who is still reading my stories, and 110 views 84 on this story alone. I get that kind of recognition whenever I post a new chapter, maybe I should take longer vacation. Just kidding, I got NOTHING done.
Thanks for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and alerting. I should have chapter 21 out before 2013.
To Kashgal and Nature's Ruler: Sorry I didn't PM my reply, I was getting ready to disappear at that time and then I forgot about it.
Ebony: ….What happened Mel? Are you alright?
Matt: Eb, he looks like he's asleep, how is he going to answer you?
Ebony: Telepathy duh. And you play fantasy games. Ha!
Happy Holidays!
~ Pie