Disclaimer: Obert Skye owns Leven Thumps. I just love the world he created.

Author's Note: Though Christmas may be over for you and me, it still continues for Leven and Company. That's why this story probably won't be finished that soon. (Well that and the fact I changed some of the storyline…) Expect me to finish by the end of break, unless I procrastinate.

If you haven't figured it out already, there are some spoilers in this story for Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra. I'll try to stay clear of most of the massive life-changing spoilers though. You have been warned.

This chapter is a continuation of the chapter before it. So without any further commentary I present…

Summer Homes and Christmas Shopping? --Part Two

Snow covered the streets of Cusp like a thick blanket, hugging to the sides of buildings. As with all things in Foo, the snow had a magical quality about it. Foo's snow seemed fluffier and could easily be compacted into miniature projectiles.

Winter felt at home in the snow. That's the only way she could describe the feelings filled her person, her very being.

To her delight Clover leapt behind her, careful to land in each and every one of the indentations left in the snow by her boots. Clover was adding a bit of flair to each bound. A somersault here… a twirl there… each move executed brilliantly, a tribute to the graceful quality of sycophants.

Winter's head cleared, and, for a moment, she remembered her former life in Foo… a life that revolved around a white sycophant.

"Lily," She whispered.

Cold gripped Winter's heart for a moment. She almost regretted the choice she had made… almost.

As Clover continued his antics, Winter trudged on with a heavy heart.

---

The sun climbed higher in the sky, shining light over all of Foo. Drifts of snow reflected the sunlight forcing them to shield their eyes.

Leven and Geth had taken the ropes to get to Cork, but from there on, they walked. No alternative to walking was readily available in the snowy conditions. Plus, as Geth had pointed out, a little walking never hurt anyone.

They followed the main road to the edge of Cork, before turning onto a winding dirt path that ascended into the hills. If they followed the path all the way to its end, they would arrive at Mr. and Mrs. Claus' home.

They would be there within an hour.

Geth was the one who started talking first. He made some small remark about the weather, and soon after they were enveloped in a conversation.

"So you and Winter…what's going on between you two?" The lithen seemed curious, to say the least.

Leven felt his face flush and diverted his gaze. Quite honestly, he didn't know the exact details of their relationship. They hadn't held a private conversation since they had returned to Cusp.

"It's complicated…" was all he could manage to say.

Geth nodded in understanding and remained silent.

"So… what about you and Phoebe, what's going on between the two of you?" Leven asked feigning innocence. Geth wasn't getting off that easily… He had pried into Leven's personal affairs and now it was time to return the favor.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Sure…"

Leven glanced at Geth, who was eyeing him critically, before bursting out in laughter. Geth joined in, and they continued to walk, the mood having lightened considerably.

---

Winter glanced between the two items in her hands. Both were feasible gifts, but neither of them seemed to fit Leven. Winter stood alone in the aisle of a store, her forehead wrinkled in concentration.

She was holding a baseball cap and a pair of mittens.

Picking out Christmas presents was a more difficult task than she had expected. Besides, neither of these presents would work for Leven. What had she been thinking? A baseball cap and a pair of mittens… Leven didn't need either of those!

Maybe it was time to ask Clover what Leven liked… Winter began looking around for the sycophant.

Where was he? He wasn't in the clothes section, or the toys section, or even in cosmetics section of the store.

After looking high and low, Winter found Clover happily looking through the food and beverage section of the store.

"Hey Clover, what do you think Leven would like as a Christmas present?" She hoped Clover would have at least one good idea.

"Well Leven does like candy… maybe you could get him some."

Winter shook her head. She did not want to give him that.

"What did you get him, Clover?"

"A little of this and that…"

Clover was holding an assortment of chocolates, mints, and other candies. The sycophant even had some roast sheep… covered in chocolate. (Ugh…) Apparently he had decided to make up for all the candy Leven had missed while in reality.

"Do all of your gifts involve some sort of food?!!" Winter exclaimed, gesturing to the things Clover had bought.

"Well, obviously I hid your gift… so I can't really say. It might spoil the surprise."

"It has food too, doesn't it?"

"Maybe…"

Clover wasn't convincing anyone with that tone of voice. Especially not her…

---

At the top of the hill, a cozy-looking house lay, nestled between possibly two of the largest trees in the forest. Smoke rose into the air above the brick chimney that stuck out of the sloped roof. At the bottom of the hill, lay a fenced-in building that looked like a stable. Leven thought he saw what-appeared-to-be two deer-like creatures grazing near it.

Upon approaching the house, Leven was even more startled by the man that emerged from the woods beside them. He appeared to be an old man, with thick white hair on his head, a long white beard, and a thick white mustache. He wore a cherry red suit and hat, along with big black boots and gloves. To top it all off, his sheer bulk was impressive. It was obvious this guy was not underfed.

Though the man was a startling figure, Leven felt no urge to run away. Beneath the white locks of hair, lay twinkling eyes and rosy cheeks.

"Ho-ho-ho! Geth and Leven… why are you standing outside in the cold? Come inside, and have a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up."

"He knows my name…" Leven whispered.

"He knows everyone's name." Geth replied. "Now come on, let's not keep the Santa waiting."

---

Author's Note: There's still a long ways to go. Hopefully I can finish this soon though… I thought about making this chapter longer, but decided against it.