Back? # **Chapter Eight: Favorite Time Of Year** *The Goldthorne House, 8:45 AM* --- Song(s): **Christmas Time Is Here - Idina Menzel** --- After concluding her meeting with the Peacekeepers, Mirina could feel a chill settling into her bones. She retrieved Burgundy and helped her to her feet, and they set off towards the warmth of Mirina’s home. As they crossed the threshold, Mirina’s glasses fogged up from the blast of heat. After removing their winter gear, the pair settled into the living room, where Burgundy slumped onto the plush couch without even bothering to remove the decorative cushions. Mirina’s mother, Annora, strode gracefully into the room, carrying a steaming tray of cinnamon apple tea -- with three mugs. She did a double take, glancing at her daughter with concern. “Fileran?” she mouthed. Mirina shook her head, grimacing. “Tell you later,” she mouthed back. Annora nodded, her auburn curls swaying. Without a word, she placed the tray on the coffee table and took the third mug for herself, swiftly departing the room. Burgundy reached over and grabbed her cup, sipping it halfheartedly. Her swallows were rough, and tears began to smudge her blush-covered cheeks. Mirina noticed this and placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Burgh…what’s wrong?” “What isn’t wrong?!” She snapped, shrugging away. “O-oh. Sorry,” Mirina mumbled, startled. “It…it’s not your fault. I didn’t mean to scare you like that, sorry.” Burgundy whispered. “It’s just that…gods, Mirina. For once in my life, everything was going so well. No one missing, no hurt feelings or misunderstandings, everyone together for the holidays…it was going to be great.” “It can still be great,” Mirina encouraged.” “How? All our hard work went down the drain in an instant. The bastard that did it is still on the loose -- in our friend’s body, for gods’ sakes -- and my boyfriend and best friend are stranded in another country when we needed them most. Even with the Magispace’s help, there’s no way we can pull this off in time. I knew this Festival was too good to be true.” Mirina was dumbfounded. “I…Burgundy, I hadn’t realized how much this meant to you…” “Don’t blame yourself, I didn’t exactly publicize it. I don’t like getting excited about things — everything I look forward to gets crushed right before my eyes. Can’t be disappointed if you never got your hopes up in the first place, right?” Her weak, halfhearted laugh quickly petered out. “I guess. But I’m going to make this right. I have to -- I can’t let you down, not now…” Mirina clenched her fist, trembling. Burgundy leaned over to hug her. “Gods, you’re sweet…” She sighed. “Mirina, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make things worse -- I know how stressed you are already. And, even though I think you’re biting off more than you can chew, if anyone has a chance to pull this off, it’s you, you crazy kid.” She smiled sadly, ruffling Mirina’s hair. “Is there anything I can do to help you?” “The best thing you can do is to not worry about me. I’m gonna be fine; you just do what you must. I do have to nap, though. Do you mind if I rest here? That fall messed me up.” “Of course! Take all the time you need to. My mom’s here if you need anything. I’ll check back in on you later.” Burgundy raised an eyebrow with a faint grin. “Going somewhere?” “Oh, right -- I’m going to find Spencer. Even if we can’t get the Festival back up and running, we still need to figure out how to defeat the Lord of Frost.” “Attagirl,” Burgundy nodded supportively. “Sorry I can’t help you more, but I think you’re more than capable of handling it. Just…be safe, alright? I’m sure the roads are rough out in Mistvale right now.” “I will, don’t worry.” As Mirina bundled up to face the elements and the unknown, Burgundy curled up and reminisced on Christmases past, of the simpler times in her youth, before drifting off to sleep.