Another Zim Hanukkah
Chapter Eight: Day Eight - Discovery
Dib stared at the ceiling in his room, the waxing first quarter moon reflecting off his glasses. Gaz had done a rather noble deed of the heart by giving up her most prized posession for the sake of their holiday. But it wasn't the GS2 itself; he'd probably be giving that back to her eventually. it was something that was pbviously not eat for her to do, and Dib vowed to respect that. But that means for tomorrow, the final night of Hanukkah, he'd have to get her something that would really blow her socks off.
Dib leaned over and set his alarm for 4 A.M. Maybe he could sneak out and get some ideas before he had to head to skool.
Outside, the wind began to blow harder.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BE--- -
"Alright, sheesh," Dib reached over and slapped the off button to his alarm clock. Quickly he jumped up and began to stretch, hoping to ward off the urges to go back to bed.
The idea was quite tempting. After all, his bed was nice and warm, and outside, well... it was pretty darn cold. But Dib resisted, and eventually found himself in the kitchen, dressed warmly for his trek outside.
After making a quick cup of coffee to drink on the way to town, Dib made his way outside and noted that the wind had finally died down, however that didn't make it any warmer. Taking a sip, he took the first step on his adventure to find Gaz the perfect gift.
As soon as Dib rached the end of the driveway, something white and fluffy landed on the tip of his nose. "Hey, it's snowing!" he cried with a smile. "Nothing like a little flurry to get'cha in the holiday mood."
But soon the snow began to come down harder and flakes got bigger. Occasionally one would float behind Dib's glasses and melt in his eye, blurring up his sight for a brief moment. Still, he trudge on in the slowly accumulating snow, facing against the light wind.
The wind began to blow harder and harder as Dib continued to walk. Gasping for breath under a streetlight, he looked at his watch. Almost 5 o'clock. He had left at 4:25, meaning he had spent roughly a half-hour outside. As he adjusted his gloves and hat, he wasn't sure how much longer he could be out.
Right around the corner was a steep incline on a hill. Once at the bottom he would be in the main city. Dib didn't come this way often, but he figured that with the snow coming down, he could slide down the hill, giving his legs a break. He lay down on the sidewall using the bushes as support, and slid down on his side, hoping it would give him good control as he was hurtled downhill.
Dib found it pretty easy to maneuver between the mailboxes, streetlights, and the like... when he could see them. The hill he was on was steep indeed, and the snow was blowing in his face twice as hard with the wind whipping like it was.
At last he reached the bottom. Brushing off the front of his coat, Dib made his way through some of the side streets as a shortcut to some of the stores. By this time it was 5:15, and Dib couldn't take much more of the cold. He collapsed onto the snowy ground and curled into a ball, hoping to retain what little body heat he could still feel.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ngh... ohhh..."
"Moo?"
"...huuuhh...?"
A gasp. "He's awake!! MASTEEEEER, YOU'RE FRIEND IS WAKING UP!!"
"Master, what.... oh..."
Sitting up, Dib held his head. He felt as is he had been struck by a car. He opened his eyes to find everything blurry. Wherever he was, his glasses weren't on. "Hey, could you give me my glasses?" He asked the voice he heard.
"Okie dokie!" A gray-and-cyan form appeard in front of Dib, his glasses in its... arm? Or was that a metal pole? Taking the glasses, Dib found the blur to be not arm or metal pole, but Gir.
"HIIII!!!!" he chirped.
"Uh... hello." Dib was suddenly aware of the couch he was laying on and the blue fleece blanket draped over him. his boots were on the floor, and his coat, hat, scarf, and gloves were across the room, drying on a table.
Gir giggled and pressed his face next to Dib's, peering through his glasses. "I can see you!"
"Uh, yeah. Um, where's your... 'master'?" Dib asked of the android.
"Right here."
Dib looked up and screamed. "AHHH!! YOU!" He jumped up, knocking the blanket to the floor. "What did you do to me?!"
Zim stood calmly in the doorway without his disguise and stared at his rival. "What, you mean other than taking you out of the cold, keeping you warm, and drying your winter attire?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Nothing."
"....huh?"
"I SEEN IT!" Gir exclaimed.
Dib raised an eyebrow. "Riiiight..." Turning back to Zim, he asked, "May I ask why?"
"Why what? Why I took you inside?"
A nod from the human.
Zim pointed to the Menorah that was gleaming brightly in the window. "See that, human? That is the symbol of everything I have going for me at the moment on your pitiful planet. If I do not have that, my stature here is nothing. And because the Menorah protects my stature, I must respect it during its reign, which is why I did the right thing and took you to my home."
Dib nodded. Then he frowned. "But how? In my last memory I was nowhere near here."
Zim pointed to Gir, who was making paper stars. "He wanted to go out for a morning breakfast. Besides, skool was cancelled due to a 'snow day', and I was curious to see how the other human monsters dealt with the situation. We found your big head sticking out of the snow near the taco stand."
"TACOOOO!!!"
"My head is not big!"
Zim shook his head. "Say what you want. Anyway, getting back on tangent... I saved you out of respect for those who ricked their lives to give me my Menorah. In a way, you can think of it as my Hanukkah gift to you: not destroying you."
Gir overheard this last bit. Gift? Master got a gift for the Dib? Well, that meant that HE had to get one too! Oh, but where? Panicking, Gir screamed and ran into the kitchen. Zim backed out of the doorway to let him through.
Dib raised an eyebrow in question. "What---"
-SPLAT-
Dib was cut off by a cupcake with chocolate frosting meeting his forehead. "HAPPPIEEE HANUKKAAAAAHHH!!!" shouted the mental android as he ran repeatedly into a wall.
Dib plucked the cupcake off his head and stared at Zim, who tried not to burst out laughing. "Here..." the Irken stifled a giggle, handing the human a box of tissues.
"Thanks..." Dib said slowly as he took one. 'but Zim, I still don't understand. How did you know---"
"That you celebrate Hanukkah? Well..." Zim grinned smugly. "Gir found something last Saturday when he went out for his morning slushie..." The green boy took a photo out of his pocket and held it out to Dib, who quickly snatched it up. "I must say it surprised me."
It was a picture of a lively young woman with brilliant purple hair. A younger version of Dib sat on a table next to her, while a smaller Gaz sat in her arms, tiny hands clutched to the woman's dress. Behind them was a menorah, all nine candles shining omnipotently over them. Dib stood in awe staring at it. "This is... oh my gosh, I dind't know I dropped... oh man... thanks Zim!" Dib grinned widely. Then he paused. (WHAT did I just say?!)
Zim stared wide-eyed at the boy. (WHAT did he just say!?)
A moment of tension passed between them. Dib cleared his throat. "So, of all things... how come you chose not to kill me as my gift?"
Zim groaned. "You human ask too many questions! I told you I needed to uphold respect for the Menorah, and in order to fulfill that, I had to do something that the reciever would appreciate!!"
Something about Zim's response made something go -SNAP- in Dib's head. He had the perfect idea on what to get Gaz. "That's it! Zim, I'd nevet thought I'd say this but, you're a genious!" With that he made for the door.
"Hold it, you moron!" Zim screeched. "You can't waltz out in the snow in your socks!!"
"Oh yes he can!" exclaimed Gir, who jumped through the mailslot wearing nothing BUT a pair of socks.
"Oh, right. I um... kinda forgot..." Sheepishly, Dib walked to the couch, put on his boots, and then crossed the room for his hat, coat, etc., and caught a glimpse outside. "Wow, it's pretty dark. What time is it?"
"4:15."
Dib's eyes grew huge. "WHAT?! How long was I out for?!"
"All day, I'd say."
"Oh man..." Dib went along muttering curses under his breath as he got his winter clothing on. He grabbed Zim's hand and said, "Thanks for everything. In return, I promise not to break into your lab for a month." Then he slipped on his gloves and ran out the door, shutting it with a -click-.
Zim blinked a few times, his right hand still in the position Dib had left it when he shook. He looked at his hand, and then realized what had happened. "AHHHH!!! HE TOUCHED ME!!!!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gaz tackled her brother the moment he burst through the front door. "Where were you?!" she gasped. "Hurry up; you have to do the ceremony!"
Dib tossed his coat on the couch. "Why me?"
"Because I never learned it."
"I could teach—"
Gaz thrust her finger at the clock. "There's no time now, you idiot! Just do the blessing and you can teach me for next year."
"Okay, sheesh." Dib cleared his throat and set up the Menorah, then performed the final lighting with a flourish.
Gaz looked up, a look of shame on her face. "That was beautiful, Dib, but… I'm afraid II don't have your present for tonight."
"That's okay, Gaz," he said, taking her hand. "You'll think of something. I'll go first." He took her outside where the snow was just starting to gently fall once again.
In the middle of the yard, Dib positioned his sister so she looked straight ahead. "Now stay there," he commanded. "Don't close your eyes."
Gaz nodded.
"Now don't move…" Dib said, slowly moving backwards.
"Why not?"
Dib bent over and picked up some snow.
"What are you doing?"
He shaped it and stood up straight.
"Dib, what's going on!?"
Aimed...
"Dib, it's really cold out here. You'd better answer me right this—"
-SPLAT-
Gaz resisted the urge to scream as she felt something deathly cold slide down her back. Seething, she whirled around and looked at her brother, whose arm was still positioned in front of him.
He was laughing.
And strangely enough, Gaz found herself laughing too.
And so, dear readers, another Hanukkah season closes upon the children of the Membrane household as their engaging snowball fight is silently watched through the window by their 9-stand candelabra, and the spirit of the keeper herself.
Chapter Eight: Day Eight - Discovery
Dib stared at the ceiling in his room, the waxing first quarter moon reflecting off his glasses. Gaz had done a rather noble deed of the heart by giving up her most prized posession for the sake of their holiday. But it wasn't the GS2 itself; he'd probably be giving that back to her eventually. it was something that was pbviously not eat for her to do, and Dib vowed to respect that. But that means for tomorrow, the final night of Hanukkah, he'd have to get her something that would really blow her socks off.
Dib leaned over and set his alarm for 4 A.M. Maybe he could sneak out and get some ideas before he had to head to skool.
Outside, the wind began to blow harder.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
-BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BE--- -
"Alright, sheesh," Dib reached over and slapped the off button to his alarm clock. Quickly he jumped up and began to stretch, hoping to ward off the urges to go back to bed.
The idea was quite tempting. After all, his bed was nice and warm, and outside, well... it was pretty darn cold. But Dib resisted, and eventually found himself in the kitchen, dressed warmly for his trek outside.
After making a quick cup of coffee to drink on the way to town, Dib made his way outside and noted that the wind had finally died down, however that didn't make it any warmer. Taking a sip, he took the first step on his adventure to find Gaz the perfect gift.
As soon as Dib rached the end of the driveway, something white and fluffy landed on the tip of his nose. "Hey, it's snowing!" he cried with a smile. "Nothing like a little flurry to get'cha in the holiday mood."
But soon the snow began to come down harder and flakes got bigger. Occasionally one would float behind Dib's glasses and melt in his eye, blurring up his sight for a brief moment. Still, he trudge on in the slowly accumulating snow, facing against the light wind.
The wind began to blow harder and harder as Dib continued to walk. Gasping for breath under a streetlight, he looked at his watch. Almost 5 o'clock. He had left at 4:25, meaning he had spent roughly a half-hour outside. As he adjusted his gloves and hat, he wasn't sure how much longer he could be out.
Right around the corner was a steep incline on a hill. Once at the bottom he would be in the main city. Dib didn't come this way often, but he figured that with the snow coming down, he could slide down the hill, giving his legs a break. He lay down on the sidewall using the bushes as support, and slid down on his side, hoping it would give him good control as he was hurtled downhill.
Dib found it pretty easy to maneuver between the mailboxes, streetlights, and the like... when he could see them. The hill he was on was steep indeed, and the snow was blowing in his face twice as hard with the wind whipping like it was.
At last he reached the bottom. Brushing off the front of his coat, Dib made his way through some of the side streets as a shortcut to some of the stores. By this time it was 5:15, and Dib couldn't take much more of the cold. He collapsed onto the snowy ground and curled into a ball, hoping to retain what little body heat he could still feel.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ngh... ohhh..."
"Moo?"
"...huuuhh...?"
A gasp. "He's awake!! MASTEEEEER, YOU'RE FRIEND IS WAKING UP!!"
"Master, what.... oh..."
Sitting up, Dib held his head. He felt as is he had been struck by a car. He opened his eyes to find everything blurry. Wherever he was, his glasses weren't on. "Hey, could you give me my glasses?" He asked the voice he heard.
"Okie dokie!" A gray-and-cyan form appeard in front of Dib, his glasses in its... arm? Or was that a metal pole? Taking the glasses, Dib found the blur to be not arm or metal pole, but Gir.
"HIIII!!!!" he chirped.
"Uh... hello." Dib was suddenly aware of the couch he was laying on and the blue fleece blanket draped over him. his boots were on the floor, and his coat, hat, scarf, and gloves were across the room, drying on a table.
Gir giggled and pressed his face next to Dib's, peering through his glasses. "I can see you!"
"Uh, yeah. Um, where's your... 'master'?" Dib asked of the android.
"Right here."
Dib looked up and screamed. "AHHH!! YOU!" He jumped up, knocking the blanket to the floor. "What did you do to me?!"
Zim stood calmly in the doorway without his disguise and stared at his rival. "What, you mean other than taking you out of the cold, keeping you warm, and drying your winter attire?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Nothing."
"....huh?"
"I SEEN IT!" Gir exclaimed.
Dib raised an eyebrow. "Riiiight..." Turning back to Zim, he asked, "May I ask why?"
"Why what? Why I took you inside?"
A nod from the human.
Zim pointed to the Menorah that was gleaming brightly in the window. "See that, human? That is the symbol of everything I have going for me at the moment on your pitiful planet. If I do not have that, my stature here is nothing. And because the Menorah protects my stature, I must respect it during its reign, which is why I did the right thing and took you to my home."
Dib nodded. Then he frowned. "But how? In my last memory I was nowhere near here."
Zim pointed to Gir, who was making paper stars. "He wanted to go out for a morning breakfast. Besides, skool was cancelled due to a 'snow day', and I was curious to see how the other human monsters dealt with the situation. We found your big head sticking out of the snow near the taco stand."
"TACOOOO!!!"
"My head is not big!"
Zim shook his head. "Say what you want. Anyway, getting back on tangent... I saved you out of respect for those who ricked their lives to give me my Menorah. In a way, you can think of it as my Hanukkah gift to you: not destroying you."
Gir overheard this last bit. Gift? Master got a gift for the Dib? Well, that meant that HE had to get one too! Oh, but where? Panicking, Gir screamed and ran into the kitchen. Zim backed out of the doorway to let him through.
Dib raised an eyebrow in question. "What---"
-SPLAT-
Dib was cut off by a cupcake with chocolate frosting meeting his forehead. "HAPPPIEEE HANUKKAAAAAHHH!!!" shouted the mental android as he ran repeatedly into a wall.
Dib plucked the cupcake off his head and stared at Zim, who tried not to burst out laughing. "Here..." the Irken stifled a giggle, handing the human a box of tissues.
"Thanks..." Dib said slowly as he took one. 'but Zim, I still don't understand. How did you know---"
"That you celebrate Hanukkah? Well..." Zim grinned smugly. "Gir found something last Saturday when he went out for his morning slushie..." The green boy took a photo out of his pocket and held it out to Dib, who quickly snatched it up. "I must say it surprised me."
It was a picture of a lively young woman with brilliant purple hair. A younger version of Dib sat on a table next to her, while a smaller Gaz sat in her arms, tiny hands clutched to the woman's dress. Behind them was a menorah, all nine candles shining omnipotently over them. Dib stood in awe staring at it. "This is... oh my gosh, I dind't know I dropped... oh man... thanks Zim!" Dib grinned widely. Then he paused. (WHAT did I just say?!)
Zim stared wide-eyed at the boy. (WHAT did he just say!?)
A moment of tension passed between them. Dib cleared his throat. "So, of all things... how come you chose not to kill me as my gift?"
Zim groaned. "You human ask too many questions! I told you I needed to uphold respect for the Menorah, and in order to fulfill that, I had to do something that the reciever would appreciate!!"
Something about Zim's response made something go -SNAP- in Dib's head. He had the perfect idea on what to get Gaz. "That's it! Zim, I'd nevet thought I'd say this but, you're a genious!" With that he made for the door.
"Hold it, you moron!" Zim screeched. "You can't waltz out in the snow in your socks!!"
"Oh yes he can!" exclaimed Gir, who jumped through the mailslot wearing nothing BUT a pair of socks.
"Oh, right. I um... kinda forgot..." Sheepishly, Dib walked to the couch, put on his boots, and then crossed the room for his hat, coat, etc., and caught a glimpse outside. "Wow, it's pretty dark. What time is it?"
"4:15."
Dib's eyes grew huge. "WHAT?! How long was I out for?!"
"All day, I'd say."
"Oh man..." Dib went along muttering curses under his breath as he got his winter clothing on. He grabbed Zim's hand and said, "Thanks for everything. In return, I promise not to break into your lab for a month." Then he slipped on his gloves and ran out the door, shutting it with a -click-.
Zim blinked a few times, his right hand still in the position Dib had left it when he shook. He looked at his hand, and then realized what had happened. "AHHHH!!! HE TOUCHED ME!!!!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gaz tackled her brother the moment he burst through the front door. "Where were you?!" she gasped. "Hurry up; you have to do the ceremony!"
Dib tossed his coat on the couch. "Why me?"
"Because I never learned it."
"I could teach—"
Gaz thrust her finger at the clock. "There's no time now, you idiot! Just do the blessing and you can teach me for next year."
"Okay, sheesh." Dib cleared his throat and set up the Menorah, then performed the final lighting with a flourish.
Gaz looked up, a look of shame on her face. "That was beautiful, Dib, but… I'm afraid II don't have your present for tonight."
"That's okay, Gaz," he said, taking her hand. "You'll think of something. I'll go first." He took her outside where the snow was just starting to gently fall once again.
In the middle of the yard, Dib positioned his sister so she looked straight ahead. "Now stay there," he commanded. "Don't close your eyes."
Gaz nodded.
"Now don't move…" Dib said, slowly moving backwards.
"Why not?"
Dib bent over and picked up some snow.
"What are you doing?"
He shaped it and stood up straight.
"Dib, what's going on!?"
Aimed...
"Dib, it's really cold out here. You'd better answer me right this—"
-SPLAT-
Gaz resisted the urge to scream as she felt something deathly cold slide down her back. Seething, she whirled around and looked at her brother, whose arm was still positioned in front of him.
He was laughing.
And strangely enough, Gaz found herself laughing too.
And so, dear readers, another Hanukkah season closes upon the children of the Membrane household as their engaging snowball fight is silently watched through the window by their 9-stand candelabra, and the spirit of the keeper herself.