disclaimer: goodness gracious, you know how this goes. i don't know the newsies. :( Everybody else owns themselves: sage, snooza, stretch, sapphy, brownie, duck, ears, striker, and of course, mahself!

Okay, I know its a BIT late, but hey, who cares? lol. besides, i was on vacation! and i couldn't really go to a nearby computer anywhere. *pout* but i just got back today and i'm really anxious to get this out! ^^ that and i can't really sleep... geez, i couldn't even sleep in the airplane! i have a feeling this is gonna screw up my whole sleeping time clock thingamabob. :P

so basically, this ff will be my christmas gift to you guys... or the friends that i have made here at NML and at ff.net since this summer. so for those that i sent an email about a "surprise" this is basically it. i'm going to be writing each chapter in a different person's perspective, so if you see anything you don't like tell me okay? and send me anything you want to add about your character! okie dokie... now on with the ff!

~*~ Ten Dames of Christmas - Prologue

~*~

The cold breeze of the wind passed by, shivering any who wasn't prepared for the coming winter. The green leaves of the trees and the blossoms of the flowers were slowly disappearing, replaced by beautiful ice sculptures that lined up the sidewalk. The lakes started to freeze; creating an endless space of ice that mirrored the dark sky. Day by day, clouds started to roll in, bringing in with them a gift that came only during that season. Mounds of snow blocked the sidewalks, created by the soft white patches falling from the sky. There were traces of snow angels found here and there, with small tiny footsteps encircling about them. It was winter once again, which meant one thing. Christmas.

The newsies loved this time of year; they really did, who wouldn't? But even though the feel of Christmas was slowly creeping in towards the lodging house, icing the corners of the windows and the singing of carols floating towards the bunkrooms, it wasn't exactly easy. The thought of buying gifts for everyone was a real challenge. The money in their pockets were hard earned, gained by standing outside the heat of the sun and dealing other experiences that came by. Everyone longed for something they wanted, from a simple brand new eye patch to a beautifully and carefully made dress hung out on the shops of windows.

It wasn't everyday for them to see their own Santa Claus. Though it didn't take to long for them to recognize that it was just a fantasy. Something made up so that the little kids would have something to look forward to. It was a way of having hope. The older newsies would sit by the fire, smile at the younger newsies and tell tales of Rudolph and Santa Claus. But in their hearts, they knew it wasn't real. All they were going to receive that Christmas was a decent meal and the memory of another year gone by.

They were grateful for what they have, living a better life than what they could have gotten. They all escaped their past, rewriting their own story into their hands and becoming in control. It wasn't everyday children during that time could do that. Lucky, that's what they were. They knew that Kloppman, the newsies, and the lodging house are the best things that happened to them. It gave them the home and security that they needed. It gave them a place to care and love for others without harm.

Each year, they would have a party, a feast with all the newsies in the Manhattan Lodging House. There would be Kloppman, Jack, Blink, Mush, Race, and even David. Smiles and laughter would be plastered on their faces; it was Christmas after all wasn't it? They weren't faking it. They were really happy with what they had, but what's wrong with wanting more?

Ershey breathed a sigh, a slow white cloud escaping from her lips as she rubbed her palms together and wrapped her hands about herself. She always loved Christmas, though she always preferred summer days to the season she was experiencing now.

She had seen the lodging house change ever since the time she had been there. It was a newsboys lodging house, that was true, but that didn't stop the boys from bringing helpless girls they found on the streets. There were even times when girls would just appear in the bunkroom mysteriously.

The lodging house was a magnet, that's what it was, calling children here and there, giving them new possibilities and freedom to what they had had before. It didn't take long for the lodging house to be also occupied by girls. Sure, Kloppman was irritated at first… this wasn't how it was supposed to be. A newsboys' lodging house was for boys, not girls. But it didn't take long for Kloppman to care and fall for those girls. The newsgirls' house was full and the orphanage was unbearable. What else was there to do?

So there it was, a lodging house filled with a variety of newsies, boys and girls, young and old. There was never a time when silence ruled overall, not even at night under the cloak of the darkness. The younger newsies would be running around, looking up to the older newsies as their hero and learning the joys and troubles of being a newsie. A group of boys would be huddled in a corner, their interest solely on a poker game. The couch placed on the corner would be filled with boys and girls tired from that day's work. The floors of the bunkrooms would be unseen, covered with clothes and other trinkets owned by the girls and boys. Whatever image it took, it was still their home.

Ershey's ears perked up as she heard the voices of a Christmas carol being sung not to far away. Her lips curved into a smile, remembering why she was alone that day. She had turned down meeting the others at Tibby's, but she needed some time to think. She couldn't let Christmas pass by just like before now, could she? There was something different. Something that she just couldn't put her finger on.

The atmosphere in the air shifted and the Christmas feeling was increased much more when she felt a tingle move down her spine. This year's Christmas was going to be different. It was going to be a special Christmas you'll never forget. She knew it. It was bound to come sooner or later.

~*~

^^. there ya have it. sorry the prologue's so long... but i just couldn't help myself!