Christmas had confused Kyrie to no end. She enjoyed the music, naturally, as well as the lights that people put around the city.
She loved staring at them as they seemed to twinkle against the snow that had fallen. Fortuna would only rain in the winter months which would give away to freezing rain sometimes.
The snow crunched under her feet and caught in her hair as it fell from the sky. It added to the mystery that was the holiday for her.
She knew it had religious origins which she understood but the many customs that people had adopted that had little to nothing to do with the religious aspect is where she was confused.
Dante, Lady, and Trish had simply said it was the season of giving and told her she would have time to work it out next year. Giving she understood.
It was customary she soon found to give presents to the people around you that you cared for during the holiday season.
Kyrie had wanted to get something great for each one of her friends, a specific item for each of them that would be perfect for them. It wasn't as easy as she suspected it would be at first.
While she had known them for just a few months she had been able to figure out what the women liked more or less but there tastes proved to be expensive.
Kyrie made good money working at Devil May Cry and suspected Dante was giving her more than she felt due but still it wouldn't be enough to buy Trish or Lady something that they would like.
Dante was a bit easier. She had wanted to buy him something for his weapons, a kit to maintain their upkeep but he really didn't need it. He kept himself well stocked in what he needed on a regular basis.
In the end she had relented in buying a few cases of beer that she knew the trio particularly enjoyed.
On Christmas Eve they had all hung around the office drinking, playing pool and darts. There was a lot of laughter and an insane amount of teasing as well as some flirting, it was a blast.
Kyrie couldn't remember the last time she had had so much fun. It was the first time the four of them had the time to spend together and it was wonderful. She had never had friends back in Fortuna like she had now.
She couldn't help but giggle thinking what the people she had formerly known would think of her now. They'd whisper behind their hooded robes and gawk at her, everything would be wrong in their eyes.
The idea gave her a sense of liberation and she felt the last stands that she had felt tie her to the island snap. She was free.
The feeling was sudden and almost made her feel giddy. It gave her a rush that she had never experienced before and she started to see her situation in a different light.
Since she had been on her own she had merely felt as if she were simply surviving, going through the motions of living day to day.
Dante helped her through the monotony but there was still that deep, oppressing sadness she couldn't seem to escape.
After Christmas came New Years Eve only a week later. In Fortuna the new year was often met with trepidation. She had spent many years praying in a church until the early hours of the morning for protection.
Now she saw that many people saw the new year as a fresh start. It was something to look forward to, to let go of what had happened in the past year and move on.
She sat on top of the desk with a beer in her hand. Trish sat next to her in the middle of a very rare giggle fit. Kyrie suspected the alcohol was to blame.
Lady stood as tall as she could with her hands out to her sides as Dante just laughed at her. They were playing darts and Lady swore that Dante was cheating.
"You were standing over your own imaginary line." She yelled.
"Oh knock it off. You're just pissed because you actually lost for a change and if it is my imaginary line then wouldn't it be where ever I want it to be?" He stated cockily placing his hands on his hips.
The rage hit Lady full force. It was as if her inner thermostat blew as the blood slammed into her face giving her a bright red complexion.
"How about music?" Kyrie asked suddenly jumping off the desk and stumbled over to the jukebox. Her alcohol tolerance wasn't anywhere near what the others were used to.
She kicked the base of it hearing the record fall down into place. It crackled with static for a minute before blaring to life.
'If it hadn't been for cotton eyed Joe I'd been married a long time ago. Where did you come from, where did you go; where did you come from cotton eyed Joe.'
The music was kind of hokey but upbeat. Dante laughed even harder as he grabbed Lady swinging her around.
"No, damn it! I'm pissed at you, I don't want to dance with you." Lady said despite the grin that spread across her face.
"What? Sorry, can't hear ya'! Music stop loud!" He shouted back at her playfully.
"Oh my god, when are you going to grow up and stop being an idiot?" Lady asked laughing.
"Hm, how long have we known each other?" Dante asked with a wink.
"Ugh, to damn long." She replied rolling her eyes.
"Come on babes!" Dante said motioning to Trish and Kyrie. Kyrie took a step back towards the desk only to have Trish grasp onto her wrist pulling her towards the middle of the floor.
"You heard the man." She said. Dante and Lady linked arms and swung around in a circle. They let go as Lady grasped Kyries in the same fashion as Dante went to Trish.
Kyrie couldn't stop herself from laughing. The alcohol made her head feel light as she moved around causing her new found sense of freedom to grow.
She let go of Lady linking her arm into Dante's. He smiled down at her as she still giggled.
"Having fun sweetie?" He asked affectionately.
"Oh yes! A ton." She enthused.
"Good." He replied. The song ended as the next song came on causing the group to stop their antics to catch tier balance again.
Dante snapped his fingers towards the jukebox and grabbed onto Trish pulling her closer to him. "She's a brick...houuuse." He sang along.
"Midnight! Almost!" Lady said suddenly nearly choking on her beer. He grabbed Kyries hand running to the steps that led upstairs.
Dante and Trish were close behind them as Lady led her through the small apartment to the back door next to the bed.
The group went out onto the roof. Farther away closer to the heart of the city Kyrie could hear people courting down from fifteen.
Trish handed Kyrie a noise maker as the count neared five.
"Four, three, two, one...happy new year!" Dante, Lady and Trish exclaimed in unison. Trish threw her arms around Dante placing a light kiss against his lips.
She smirked at him sweetly as he returned the gesture.
"Happy new year baby." She said softly.
"Happy new year darlin'." He replied letting her go. "Lady, come here." Lady responded with a hug and a kiss on his cheek. "That's it?"
Lady punched him in the chest and shoved him a bit.
"Be grateful you're getting that jack ass." She stated trying not to smile at him.
"Happy new years Kyrie." Dante said as Trish and Lady exchanged theirs.
"Happy new year Dante." Kyrie replied walking into the hug he offered.
It was cold out and he was so warm. She snuggled herself further into his embrace enjoying it. As she felt Dante begin to loosen his grip on her she pulled him down slightly to her placing a light kids against his cheek.
"What was that for?" He wondered smiling broadly.
"For everything." She said. Dante nodded his head a few times in understanding.
"Well alright, kisses from three beautiful women...this years starting off right." He exclaimed happily.
"And on that note I'm going inside. It's freezing out here." Trish said.
"Come on, let's take on a game of pool, after all the night is still young." Lady said walking inside behind Trish.
"Wanna partner up with me?" Dante asked Kyrie as she made her way to the door. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled.
"Absolutely." She replied as Dante shut out the early morning air.