The Yule Ball

"Yes I am. And I plan to stay that way." Elrohir retorted, sticking his tongue out at her. He lowered his hand slightly then jerked it back whenever Sonia reached for it. Who knew tormenting her could be so fun?

"Violence lover? Now where'd you get an idea like that?" Maik asked as she viciously attacked Descartes' piece. She cupped her hand on the table again, this time revealing a fox when she lifted it again. "I think he's just misunderstood."

Courtney II nodded like mama and papa?" she asked watching.

Descartes laughed. "Yes, like them." he said smiling at Maik.

Sonia pouted. Turning from him she started to walk away acting like she was upset.

Maik raised an eyebrow and moved one of her pieces forward. "Mama and Papa? What do you mean?"

"Hey!" Elrohir called after her "It's just your nose! I'll give it back...eventually!"

Cpurthey II shook her head. She set the rabit down next to the fox. "Survival of the fittest right?"

Descartes cringed slightly. "You're starting to sound like your da."

"Is that bad?"

"Sometimes." Descartes said.
********
Sonia laughed. "I think I'll let the plants play around with ya before I get it back."

Maik's eyes flicked between Descartes and Courtney. She had no idea what they were talking about, but it was probably a good thing. She jumped another of Descartes' pieces "King me!"

Elrohir frowned slightly and waved his hand at Sonia "Fine! Take it back!" He carefully picked up a snowball in his other hand and hid it behind his back. Sonia just needed to turn around....

Sonia laughed. She turned and started running towards him.

Descartes kinged Maik before stiffening. He blinked. "Er, whoa, chills up my spine."

Maik, who had been attacking the ice bunny with the ice fox, looked up at him "What? What happened?"

Elrohir grinned evilly and threw the snowball directly at Sonia, then bent to pick up more. It was getting cold and dark, but he didn't care just yet. At least not until he lost all feeling in his feet.

Descartes shrugged. "Nothing." eh lied silently moving a checker forward. The last time it had happened he got an owl the next day saying his parents were dead.

Sonia fell backwards as the snowball caught her in the face.

"oops." Elrohir said and ran over to Sonia. He bent halfway over and looked down at her. "You seem to have fallen down."

Maik didn't believe Descartes, but she didn't say anything about it. He wasn't a very good lier anyway. But obviously he was distracted by something, as he had moved his piece directly into the path of hers, leaving it open for her to jump it.

Descartes yawned. "Are you going to jump me or what?" he asked querking an eyebrow.

Sonia groaned rubbing the back of her head. She had hit the ground pretty hard.

Maik did the noble thing and jumped him. She then began creating a pack of hounds to chase the fox and the rabbit. Altogether, she was enjoying herself immensly.

"Are you ok?" Elrohir asked anxiously "I didn't mean to hit you that hard." He reached his hand out to help her up

Sonia took it letting him help her up. "I know."

Descartes smiled. "Thanks." he said. "You just fell for my plan." he smiled.

"Curses!" Maik grumbled. But she would not go down without a fight. She double jumped Descartes then sat back and tried to strike the pose of a noble hero. "Do your worst!"

Elrohir pulled her up and gently felt the back of her head. "Does that hurt? I could get you and ice pack or something inside."

"It's okay. I'm fine. It's just sore." she said blushing.

Descartes laughed and shook his head. "Nah, I think I'll lure you into a false sense of security first."

Maik frowned slightly. Descartes was bursting her little bubble of smugness. So she stuck her tongue out at him in a mature fashion and told him to make his move.

"Are you sure?" Elrohir asked, still not believing her.

Descartes laughed. He moved a piece forward and waited for her to jump one of his three open pieces.

Three victims to choose from. But which one? Maik tapped her fingers on the table as she examined the board. Finally she chose one and jumped it. In the back of her mind was the nagging thought, wondering how much longer this would last. How much longer until Mrs. Higgs succeeded and everything was changed.

Descartes smiled and jumped one of her only to leave it open. He was doing it on purpose. "By the way, you know Mrs. Higgs and Morgan have the letter?"

Maik looked around. "But they're not here. How do you know she got the letter?" She jumped his piece, but half wondered why this particular event was occuring so often. he was up to something

Descartes looked at Maik. "You didn't feel it?" he asked before noticing her confused expression. "Nevermind."