Chapter 19

'Reinventing the Sith: Ambush Makeover'

'Seven Friends'

'Sith Will Swallow You Whole'

Son'ya waits for an answer. Boone chuckles.

"Son'ya, we're just messing with you because we saw you coming over. Relax."

"Is he telling the truth, Dani?"

"I swear on my life, Son'ya."

"Oh…okay; well, in that case, Happy Befana Eve, everybody."

She hands each of them a small white gift box. Dantius takes the box.

"What is it?"

"A Befana Eve gift. What's wrong with you?"

"But I didn't get you anything."

"I never expected anything. You're scared of me and Boone's too cheap. Well, aren't you going to open your gifts?"

"Oh, sure."

Boone shakes his box.

"Is it a figurine? It doesn't weigh much."

"Boone, you are such an ingrate. Give it back if you don't want it."

"No, I'll accept it. Anyway, you can't recall a gift once you've offered it to someone. I'll make an exception. If it sucks, we'll give it back."

Dantius is very sincere and gracious.

"Thank you, Son'ya. You're very kind." He breaks the seal on the lid and opens the box. He pulls out a tube of cloth and unrolls it. It is a green racing bib. Son'ya distributes the other boxes to Roman, Fern and Magnus. She places another one in an empty seat beside Roman. Boone dangles it from the string.

"A racing bib, Son'ya?"

"Yes, I registered us in the slalom and downhill race. Didn't you see the flyer inside the brochure of your travel packet?"

"Yes, and I trashed it."

"Boone, you're no fun."

"Oh, honey, I beg to differ. I am a big fan of fun, right, Dano?"

Dantius rolls his eyes and then smiles. Son'ya waits for his answer.

"You know, I can organize people to have fun, Dani."

"I don't doubt it, Son'ya."

Boone interrupts.

"Dano's just trying to be nice. This is not fun. I know fun…trust me. A racing bib! You must be out of your 'effing' mind. A bib. Are we going to eat before we start the race?"

"Try to have a little class and take this seriously. I think the bibs are cute. It'll make us stand out on the slopes."

"It's green, Son'ya! It does not stand out anywhere. You know what you can do with your racing bibs? Roll them back up, put them in a bucket of water, leave them to freeze, we don't want them."

"Who's 'we'? I didn't hear Dani say anything. Dani, do you agree with Boone?"

Dantius was hoping to be left out of this discussion but since he is being drawn in, he may as well score some points with his new friends.

"Well…it might be fun if we do it the right way. What we need is a worthy opponent…"

Dantius discreetly shifts his eyes to the left at the two Jocks who now occupy the double seats near the window. Son'ya pays close attention to his body language. Boone stubbornly refuses to indulge Son'ya and her 'crackpot' schemes. He does, however, listen to Dantius make astute suggestions. Son'ya's eyes light up.

"Dani, you're a genius!" She leans over the seats in front of them to confer with Magnus, Roman and Fern. Boone gets her attention before she speaks to the rest of the group.

"Don't tell anyone it was his idea. He'll never live it down."

"Boone, I know what I'm doing." She leans over the seats. Boone slides down in his seat to peek under her grey knit mini skirt. She is wearing a long-sleeved pullover, black leggings and sepia Sand Lug boots to complete the ensemble. Boone elbows Dantius to follow his lead.

"Psst!"

Dantius appears confused. He tips his head to the side then shrugs. Son'ya hears giggling behind her. She turns.

"If you're going to laugh about my idea, Boone, think twice."

Boone and Dantius bolt upright in their seats. Dantius plays with the plasma screen. Son'ya rolls her eyes then continues chatting with the group in the next row.

"Hey, Mag, I had a great idea."

Magnus looks upward without turning around.

Oh, man…Son'ya, can this wait until we arrive on Hoth so I won't get a headache during the flight?"

"Well…actually, it's Dani's idea…"

Suddenly Magnus is interested.

"Speak." Without turning around, he directs his next remark to Dantius. "This had better be good, D.P. or you'll be shunned for the entire trip." He then speaks to Son'ya. "Son'ya, you're on."

"I made these green bibs for everyone but Boone says that they suck." She turns to give Boone a snub. Boone interrupts her.

"Dark 'effin' Befana Eve green …"

Son'ya continues.

"Anyway, Dano suggested that if we participate in a race, which was my idea all along…"

Magnus is becoming impatient. He whirls his index finger above his seat.

"Point? I'm feeling a headache coming on….wrap it up."

"I think we should race against the jocks."

"And you thought that up?"

"Uhm-hum…I've signed us up already. Does anyone read the brochures?"

Everyone in the group chimes a unified, "No."

"I did all of the work during my trip home. I sewed every one of these bibs myself."

Fern examines her ski bib then holds it against her chest.

"The printing is nice…and the stitching is straight." She grins.

Son'ya is annoyed.

"You people are impossible."

Roman mocks her in a high-pitched, whiney voice. It sounds nothing like her but generates great laughter from everyone.

"I'm Son'ya and no one ever listens to me because I'm annoying and my ideas…like…suck…you know? But it's cool 'cause I know I'll be vindicated in the end or whatever…" He mimics her flipping her hair. Son'ya gives him a dirty look.

"Eff-you, Roman."

"Whoa! Hey, Act like a lady! Such language! Dano's virgin ears are burning back there."

Dantius is flushed with embarrassment.

"Hey, guys, I'm sitting right here…behind you… along with a hundred other people."

Roman pokes his head around his seat to see Dantius.

"Oops, sorry...my bad." He chuckles quietly then whispers to himself. "This trip is going to be fun."

Another member joins the group.

"Hi, Everyone."

It is Sigrid. Dantius sits up straight at the sound of her voice. He smoothes his hair and watches her. She stands in the aisle to greet everyone. He notices that she is sporting a new coat. Her face has that natural but heavenly glow and her hair sparkles like freshly polished strands of flax. Everyone stops what they are doing and turn in her direction. She attempts to toss her carry-on bag into the overhead storage compartment. Two young men stand behind her, and a third sitting in the next aisle to the right, all drop what they are doing. They help her with her bag.

Dantius has his elbow on the armrest of his seat. His arm almost slips as he ogles her. Boone catches him at this awkward moment and snorts out a laugh. Sigrid flashes her intoxicating smile as she thanks the three male passengers.

"Happy Befana Eve, everyone. What's going on?"

Fern looks up at her friend.

"Son'ya is our Hoth activity director."

"Oh, that's nice that you nominated her."

Roman giggles.

"Nominated? It was a coup."

Sigrid listens while removing her hooded white fur-lined coat. She lays it over her seat before she sits. She removes her hat and stuffs it in one of the deep slit pockets. Something sparkles under her long blonde hair. Son'ya notices immediately. The discussion about the ski race is momentarily curtailed.

"What is that? You've got major ice on your ears. Why?"

Sigrid casually sweeps her hair off her shoulders.

"Oh, these? Fin's parents gave them to me."

Fern leans across Roman's lap to get a closer look.

"And they're real…I hate you…they're gorgeous! ...and a new coat?"

Son'ya reaches over the seat and touches the new coat.

"How many Wampa's were sacrificed for that coat? Do you know how much those coats cost? You can feed an entire Tatooine refugee village for the price of that coat. What happened to your moral compass?"

"What?"

Roman laughs.

"Son'ya, have you seen a Wampa lately? That's one creature that looks better as a coat."

Fern giggles.

"Sure does. So tell us everything about how you spent the holiday."

Dantius overhears the conversation. He is intrigued but also a bit envious as Sigrid talks about how she spent Befana Eve with Finis Valorum and his family.

"Oh, Fin's family insisted that I spend the early part of the holiday with them. They missed seeing me."

Roman takes the sleeve of the Wampa shearling and smoothes his hand over the soft fur cuff. He murmurs.

"When's the wedding?"

Sigrid blushes and gently shoves him away.

"Roman, will you stop?" She turns in her seat and glances at Boone and Dantius in the row behind her. "Hi, Dani…"

Dantius smiles politely as he acknowledges her.

"Sigrid."

"Happy Befana Eve,"

"Happy Befana Eve to you too."

Boone raises he hands.

"What about me?"

Sigrid smiles.

"Happy Befana Eve, Boone. How are you?"

"I'm good. Thanks for asking."

"I was getting to you, Boone. I didn't forget about you."

"Yeah, right."

The passengers have all been checked in and boarded. The computer-generated voice over the COM instructs everyone to be seated and recites the in-flight emergency drill.. Dantius fastens his seatbelt. He prepares himself for his new adventure.

The ship takes off and is soon in cruise mode. The computer generated voice announces that the passengers may now leave their seats to move about the ship freely. There is a reception in the holo-deck lounge. Dantius decides to sit out this portion of the flight. He had been up for almost 24 hours. He sleeps through most of the voyage Dantius slept so soundly that he did not awaken until the shuttle lands early the following morning.

He hears odd chatter and senses that he is being watched. The chatter sounds very much like Ewoks. Such a strange dream he is having. The chatter becomes more intense. The leader of the tribe leans in close. Dantius can feel their breath on his face. He can feel a furry paw brush across his face too. He is surrounded. Oh no, they're going to eat him alive. He paws at them as if they are Mustafar Lava Fleas swarming over his head. He hears giggling. He finally recognizes a voice he understands.

"Dude! Hey! Stylus-Dude, wakey, wakey."

Dantius squints as he emerges from his slumber. As he opens his eyes and focuses a blade of sunlight streaks across his face from the larboard side of the shuttle. The occupant in the window seat has opened the shutter letting the Hoth daylight through. Dantius blinks several times. The 'gang of six' stares down at him. Dantius is slouched in his seat and his in-flight pillow is askew. There is a stream of drool pouring from the corner of his mouth. Roman giggles.

"Dude, you must have been having some powerful dream. You were pawing at the air as if you were trying to swat flies."

Boone has a big smirk on his face.

"…and you're drooling, man."

Sigrid passes a hot moistened face towel to Boone. Boone grins.

"What am I supposed to do with this?"

"It's for his face."

"You want me to wipe his face for him?"

Dantius sits up then snatches the cloth from Boone. He quickly wipes away the spittle. He is embarrassed, and now has a headache.

Son'ya sits in the empty seat beside him. Her arm rests against the back of the seat as she looks at him.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes…I'm fine."

"Good, because we've landed and I don't want you embarrassing us if they have to carry you off this shuttle on a stretcher."

Boone takes issue with her comment.

"He doesn't need a chick to tell him he's embarrassing her. He's already an embarrassment." He slaps Dantius on the shoulder. "I got your back, bro."

"Thanks…I can tell."

Dantius stands. His balance is a bit wobbly but he is soon able to steady himself long enough to reach in the overhead baggage compartment to retrieve his rucksack. He regrets not taking food with his medication. It has left a bitter taste in his mouth. He puts on his parka and joins his friends who are already lining up to disembark.

Once off the shuttle, Dantius follows the line to the luggage pick-up and customs area. They retrieve their passes and lift tickets. The spaceport arrivals terminal has a large banner with blue lettering at the reads: 'Tervetuloa Hothi/Mt. Ison!'

Everyone seems so friendly and polite. Even the 3-D holo-posters of the Ison mascot, a caricature of a bright-eyed tauntaun smiles down at them from the atrium. This is the first visit to a ski resort with friends and Dantius has a good impression already.

The group heads out of the spaceport to the ground transport. Visitors are immediately put into the ski holiday mode with the beautiful vista of the mountains in the distance. The air is frigid but clean and invigorating. That awful taste Dantius had in his mouth is now gone. Everyone takes in a deep breath of the frosty air.

Boone exhales and smiles.

"I am stoked."

Roman agrees.

"Totally!"

A land speeder caravan pulls up and they all pile in after loading their luggage. They are soon on their way for a scenic ride to the ski lodge. The panoramic views from the highway of the alpine forest are magical. The snow-covered pine trees appear to be dusted with crystal sugar and sparkle like Geonosian diamonds in the sunlight. Dantius has never seen anything so magnificent in his life. He barely listens to the conversation going on between his friends. Such a pity it will be that all of this fertile beauty will be gone in the next sixty or seventy years from now. It will be all because of him.

The speeder caravan slows down and comes to a stop in front of a series of rental lodges. There are several other caravan speeders parked directly in front of this one letting out its passengers. The 'crew' emerges from the vehicle and waits for the driver to unload their luggage and ski equipment onto the snow-covered sidewalk. Boone stands in front of the cabin. It is a wooden structure; it is old and appears in disrepair. Boone grimaces. It is not as he remembers it from the previous year.

"What a dump! I can't believe we rented this place before."

Magnus rolls his eyes as he grabs his skis.

"That's because it's not our cabin." He turns left and points to a neighboring cabin a few meters away. The reddish brown stain on the wooden structure and quaint Jedi folk carvings on the window shutters resemble a Befana Eve gingerbread house. Boone follows Magnus. He stares at the cabin from the sidewalk then nods approvingly.

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about!"

Roman agrees.

"Sweet."

Magnus turns to look at his two friends in disbelief.

"It's the same cabin we always rent, you idiots!"

As they head up the steps the wooden door swings open. A tall man with a graying beard and shoulder length hair walks out to greet them. He is wearing a sheared bantha ushanka hat with the Jedi emblem attached to the front. His long gray cashmere-lined cloak is belted. His heavy fur-lined leather boots echo against the wooden deck. Puffs of vapor billow from his mouth and nostrils. He reaches in the inner breast pocket and pulls out a small curvy pipe and a small nuna skin pouch. He fills the oddly curved pipe, puts it to his lips then lights it. He draws in a few breaths until smoke emerges from the bowl of the pipe. After stuffing the nuna pouch back into his inside pocket he looks at the group standing before him. The aroma of the sweet, musky aroma of the tobacco wafts through the air.

"Welcome back, boys! Ladies…" He gives to girls a respectful nod and then a sly wink. Magnus and Roman step up until they are on the deck with him.

"Thanks. It's good to be back, Master Quint."

The observant Quint notices something different about this group he has known for the past several years. He looks at Dantius who is still at the bottom of the step.

"I don't believe we've met, young man. You're new to these parts, aren't ye, eh?"

"Oh, I'm Dantius…My friends invited me…" He starts up the steps and extends his hand. Quint hesitates for a moment, his bright grey eyes fixed on Dantius for what seem like an eternity. He accepts Dantius' handshake. His grip tightens around Dantius' thin, pale hand. Dantius feels the pressure. Quint studies him a bit longer.

"Come to think of it, you do look oddly familiar for some reason. Yet, I know that I have never met you before."

"No, never, Sir."

"Probably mistook you for someone else from another time…or place…" Quint's voice drifts off to the point that it is inaudible. He releases his grip. Dantius drops his hand to his side.

Dantius remains still on the deck. There is a Force most powerful standing before him and Dantius does not feel the ability to move forward. Finally, Quint steps aside and stands near the rail at the top step.

"Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. I'm sure the boys will show you a good time. Ja, good people they are…good indeed. Don't want no harm come to them." After that somber tone, a wide grin suddenly sweeps across Quint's face. He grabs Boone into his big arms and hugs him like a most beloved child.

"Hey! How's my boy! Still working in that dive of a canteen at the university?"

Boone feels the pipe directly above his head. He knows his hair will wind up smelling like pipe tobacco for the remainder of the day. He and Quint playfully spar on the deck. They stop and both begin laughing. Boone sweeps his hair off his face.

"Still gainfully employed. Got to keep serving rations to the masses."

"You look good, kid. I'm keeping my eye on, ye."

"I know, you never miss a thing, Master Quint."

"Never." He nudges Roman "You two lads up to your usual high jinks?"

Roman smiles brightly.

"Every time!"

"Good on ye then. Well, I best be going…got to check on my crew. I've got two of my Jedi knights on the mountain with me this week…Three big snow storms in the last three days. They've been blasting N-2 on North Ridge for the past two days. Damned avalanches. That N-2 is a wicked one; she'll swallow you whole. Got to keep our visitors safe."

Quint looks up at the sky as he puffs on his pipe. The others stand on the deck in silence watching him as if he is a prognosticator of bad weather and any other foreboding Force. A large dark cloud rolls across the morning sky that was a moment ago bright and sunny.

"You kids better get inside….Don't know what this weather is liable to do. It's been changing like this since your shuttle landed."

Quint descends the steps and walks off down the hill and disappears.

Dantius leans over to pick up his rucksack and luggage. He is worried too. He looks up at the sky and follows the others inside. He can sense that he is being pursued. He whispers to himself as he takes one last glance up at the ominous rolling dare clouds.

"Go away…leave us" The beeper goes off on his new watch. Time for another dose.

Magnus starts a fire in the huge fireplace in the main sitting area. Dantius trails behind the others up the stairs.

He continues down the row of rooms on the landing that has a full view of the sitting area downstairs. He locates his room after seeing the first three doors slam shut and Roman is running out of one of the rooms with a pillow closing on impact with his head. He laughs as he passes Dantius on his way to his assigned room. Roman has just missed bodily harm from Fern and Son'ya. Dantius pokes his head in the door of the last room on the landing.

Dantius sees Boone's luggage lying haphazardly in the doorway. Dantius looks over at the other side of the room. The remaining bed is situated near the window. Dantius steps over Boone's belongings.

Boone lies cross-legged on the bed near the door. He watches as Dantius enters the room.

"Pick a bed."

"There's only one left to take."

Boone lifts his head from the two eider down pillows.

"That side is a little drafty."

"Thanks for the warning. I am the newbie after all."

"There are extra blankets in the closet."

Dantius sets his luggage neatly at the foot of his bed. He sits on a wooden bench near the unlit fireplace to remove his boots then grabs his rucksack and walks over to the bed. Boone looks over at him.

"How's the bed?"

"Oh…it's fine." Dantius presses his hands into the soft featherbed. "It's fine." He reached for the rucksack beside the bed and takes out a thermos containing warm blue milk. Boone is now fast asleep; preparing his body for an evening of heavy partying. Dantius discreetly flips open the silver vial and takes his medicine. He follows it with the blue milk chaser. He decides that this is the perfect time to take a nap. Boone and Roman warned him during the flight that first evening will be fun.

The clouds soon pass and the Hoth sky looks less frightening. The sky returns to a bright wintry blue and the sun is high over the North Ridge.

After s few hours rest, everyone in the house is rejuvenated. They get dressed for the slopes. Everyone is ready and waiting downstairs. Dantius finally comes down to join them. Roman's bottom lip drops.

"What are you wearing, your great-grandfather's ski outfit?"

"Of course not, it's mine. Why, what's wrong with it?"

Dantius looks down at what he is wearing; thick brown blouson trousers and a bulky bantha wool turtleneck pullover.

"You look like our grandpa's come to ski with us. That sweater has to go. It's definitely not cool." Roman points to the girls, Boone, and then Magnus who is busy gathering the gear and ignoring all of them. "What Magnus is wearing is cool --- where is he?"

Fern indicates with her thumb towards the front door.

"He's outside."

"Okay…and even Boone is fashionable."

Dantius looks around the room at the others then shrugs.

"What am I supposed to do, ski naked?"

"That would be an improvement…no wait…no it won't."

Magnus re-enters the chalet. He has obviously been doing all the physical work. His ski boots are caked with snow and his ski suit is unzipped revealing a white turtleneck thermal shirt. And his goggles are on his forehead.

"What are you guys doing now, having a meeting?" He sees Dantius and purses his lips to keep from laughing. He finally regains control and speaks. "You're wearing that?"

Boone pats Dantius on the shoulder as if to show some support.

"You've got your credit card on you?"

Dantius responds tentatively.

"Uhm…yes…why?"

"Good! Let's make a stop before we hit the slopes."

Roman agrees.

""I'll come along for moral support and so Boone doesn't go crazy with your card."

Son'ya raises her hand.

"Can I come?"

Just as the guys are about to shout 'No', Sigrid smiles.

"I'm going with you."

Magnus folds his arms. He turns to Fern who seems to be torn between joining him on the ski trail or to follow the 'bantha herd' to the ski shop.

"Is anyone going to ski today? I can't believe this. Okay, Fern go ahead. You know you want to."

Fern has a guilty look on her face.

"Are you going to be okay, Mag?"

"Oh, don't worry about me. I'll be just fine. You'll find me waiting near the gondola with all your equipment!"

"Thanks. We won't be long…I promise"

The now, 'gang of five' takes Dantius to the Mt. Ison Ski Shoppe. The ski retailer is within walking distance of their lodge. The blond oak interior gives a warm feeling. It is designed so the visitors will be inclined to buy. The brightly colored merchandise is beautifully displayed on tables and kiosks. A large fireplace is located in the footwear department near the entrance. An employee is handing out fondue samples. Boone helps himself before following the others to the skiwear department.

The gang hangs around the dressing room while Dantius tries on several different outfits. They vote on each item that they like best. The girls sit on a long wooden bench waiting for Dantius to change into a new outfit. Roman and Boone have since wandered off to other parts of the store. The two friends are trying on hats and the latest in ski goggles and sunglasses. Boone poses while trying on a brightly colored four winds hat and ski goggles.

"Hey, Ro, how do I look?"

Roman turns to look at Boone and smiles. He is also wearing a pair of sunglasses from the revolving display.

"Cool!"

It seems that the girls are the only ones paying attention to Dantius as he works on his 'makeover.' Fern critiques the second outfit he changes into. It is a form-fitting racing suit. She contemplates a response.

"Uhmm….too much of you showing through."

Son'ya shrugs.

"You've got no ass." She tilts her head towards Sigrid. "What do you think, Sigi?"

"I prefer the one-piece jumper…but not the red one."

Dantius looks at the ski suit lying in a pile on a chair. He liked the red outfit with the zip-up jacket.

"Really? I like that one and the red ski boots."

Sigrid's opinion is quite clear.

"Ok…the red boots are in. The red ski suit is out."

Dantius goes back into the changing booth. Son'ya reminds everyone about the race.

"Remember, he's got to wear something that will help him on the slopes…and it has to match the racing bibs I gave everyone."

Fern rolls her eyes.

"Enough with the racing bibs, Son'ya. Let's get him dressed and on the slopes, we're losing time." Fern raises her voice as she turns towards the changing booth. "Dani, pick an outfit and get your pale flat ass out here."

Boone overhears Fern as he continues to check out the sunglasses on the revolving rack.

"Hey! You can't talk to my roomie like that!" Boone looks into the small mirror attached to the display. He strikes a pose pointing his finger like a blaster. The merchandise tag dangles from the bridge piece. He starts a conversation with his image in the mirror. 'Hey…how you doin'? You ski here often? Yeah, I know I'm cool. Yeah…I'm the man. What more can I say?" He senses someone behind him and turns around. "Oh, hi, Dano…just tryin' on the new stuff… ahem…" Boone takes one last look at the expensive eyewear.

Roman is about to remove the ski goggles he is trying on. He does not necessarily want them but he enjoys joking around with Boone. Boone removes the whimsical looking hat. He is about to insert the sunglasses into the display rack. Dantius seems to be amused.

"They look good on you."

"You think so?"

"Really. You want them?"

"Do I want them? Yeah. Do I need them? Maybe not. Can I afford them? Hell no!"

"Well…we do have a competition coming up tomorrow. We need to have the best advantage."

Boone has a smile so wide that his dimples resemble two deep pools. He grabs the hat and places it back on his head then tilts his head towards the scanner on the checkout counter the merchandise tag on the hat spins wildly. The scanner makes a beeping sound. He then turns; face forward wearing the sun glasses and goggles as if he is looking in a mirror.

"Lookin' good!" The scanner makes two beeping sounds as the clerk at the checkout counter tries to discourage him.

"You shouldn't do that. You could go blind."

"If these glasses are half as good as the tag says, I should be just fine or I'll demand a refund."

The clerk rolls her eyes. Boone hands the clerk the goggles that Roman was trying on earlier. Dantius hands the clerk his credit card. The other merchandise is tallied, including the ski gear and ski outfit for Dantius, thermal underwear, socks, gloves, additional goggles for your six teammates, crazy wool four winds hat for your new 'BFF roomie' totaling two thousand one hundred and eighteen credits…Team spirit with your six newest, coolest, and closest friends…priceless.

The 'gang of six' head out of the ski shop with their purchases. The store arranges to send Dantius' old clothing and other items back to the ski lodge.

Magnus is at the gondola line waiting for them. He does a double take when he sees the group arrive in a surreal image…almost in slow motion. Boone greets Magnus with a broad smile.

"Okay, we're ready."

"Oh great Jedi, what have you done?"

Son'ya beams.

"Doesn't he look the coolest?"

"I guess it's an improvement."

"Oh, and we all got cool shades…a Befana Eve gift courtesy of Dani. Oh, here's a pair for you too, Mags." Son'ya hands Magnus a pair of sunglasses with a matching neck strap and case. Magnus is at first speechless.

"Wha…uhm…thanks, Dantius. This is very generous of you…I…"

Dantius stops Magnus in this awkward moment. He knows that Magnus has not been his biggest fan and wary of this newcomer to the group. There is still time to develop trust and perhaps a friendship.

"You're welcome."

Magnus clears his throat. He regains control of his wayward team.

"Okay, now that everyone has finished their post-Befana Eve shopping spree, how about we take advantage of that fresh powder on the mountain, eh?"

The response is unanimous. They ski until after dusk. This is truly the best Befana Eve holiday Dantius has ever had so far.