Christmas Town (Nik) ●

[Alena Maksim]

It had been a long, boring day at school where once again most of her classmates had been busy talking about their plans for Christmas rather than actually paying attention to what the teacher was saying. Just because Christmas break was right around the corner did not mean that classes had stopped entirely and the constant chatter made it exceedingly difficult for Alena to concentrate even after she had politely asked them to be quiet. Of course not many people listened to her even with her rather obvious disability. If it wasn't for Donna who silenced the entire class with an ear splitting dissonant shriek, Alena wasn't sure she would have been able to hear anything the teacher was saying, even with the recording she took of every class, all dated and labeled accordingly of course.

It wasn't that Alena disliked Christmas, quite the contrary, she loved every minute of it including the snow and the smell of freshly cut pine. Everything about Christmas was something that she truly enjoyed, and it showed, especially since she had instructed Donna to play nothing but Christmas music. Really, it was a wonder that her classmates hadn't grown tired of hearing Jingle Bell Rock or some other classic Christmas song by now but then again, Donna only listened to Alena so there was little use in arguing. Besides, Donna would only play the music that much louder in retaliation. Thankfully school was out for the day and Alena was headed outside to wait for her ride home. The bus was an option, but Alena hated how crowded and loud they were with obnoxious teenagers that only liked to tease and bully her every chance she got. Her first and only time on the bus, someone had screamed in her ear and another had put gum in her hair. Since that time, Alena refused to take the bus and had always worn her hair up while she was at school to make it harder to put anything in it without her knowledge.

Humming along with what Donna was playing, Alena leaned against a wall and waited for the sound of an approaching car or honk that indicated that her ride was here. Donna always let her know either way but before she had gotten Donna, Alena was used to listening for approaching cars or the sound of footsteps coming her way. The familiar was handy certainly, but there didn't seem to be any use for the orb other than to act as a guide of sorts or help her compose when she was stuck on something. When the deity or whatever approached her, she had apparently been given an insignia that triggered some power. Of course said power meant being able to find the insignia and since that required sight, Alena still hadn't quite figured out what she could do. Maybe that was something to ask one of her siblings about since she certainly couldn't figure it out on her own.

"Maybe I can ask Mom if I can do some Christmas shopping, what do you think Donna?"Alena mused, laughing as the orb started playing 'Santa Clause is Coming to Town' in response. "Yeah, I'm excited too,"she continued before falling silent as she waited for her ride as Donna continued to play various Christmas songs to pass the time.

Words: 558 | Notes: --- | Tags: Nikolai Maksim

[Nikolai Maksim]

Alena was in for a surprise for it would not be the familiar sound of the family vehicle that would come any time soon but the smoother roll of a slightly nicer car. While not the Rolls Royce of the year by a long shot, it was fairly new and in good condition carrying the weight and stature of a car that had not seen a wreck in its life. It did not squeak when the breaks were applied. Stopping up next to the curb, the car settled before the passenger’s side window rolled down, and a surprisingly youthful white haired man was revealed in the driver’s seat. The last tendrils of Christmas music playing from the radio were silenced before a smile was offered. “Alena,” Nikolai Maksim spoke. “It’s that time of year again,” he mused smoothly. “Ready to go Christmas shopping?” He already expected the answer to be yes.

It had become a mild tradition of sorts in those days for Nik to pick Alena up and go shopping for the special season. The uncertainty was always when exactly he would do it, however. Not even their mother got fair warning save for a text about an hour before Alena’s pick up time that Nik was headed over, but somehow it always came out smoothly in the end with presents bought and things done. Nik himself did quite a lot of planning to ensure he had time to do such things and not be interrupted, and that day and time fell right on schedule— not that he would tell anyone, of course. There was something to keeping everything a mystery of sorts that Nik enjoyed with his family.

A yip echoed from within the car before a small unbalanced wolf pup stretched up her unbecomingly long legs to press against the door’s interior as if perhaps to help open it. Nik’s gaze dropped to the pup before a soft sigh was given. “Anya, you’re in the way,” he said simply though the pup seemed to freeze at this proclamation and readily bounced from the passenger’s seat to her favorite place instead: his lap. A small ‘umph’ echoed from Nik as the motion was complete, and a displeased scowl crossed Nik’s features for a moment. However, his attention returned to Alena thereafter, and a softer smile returned once more. He’d deal with wolf hair later.

[Alena Maksim]

When Alena didn't hear the familiar sound of the family car, she was beginning to worry that they had forgotten. Mom had never forgotten before though so it wasn't likely that was the case...perhaps something had happened to her. Just when Alena was beginning to think of what might have happened, she heard a car roll up that certainly wasn't the family car...the brakes didn't squeak for one and Alena could tell that it had stopped in front of her. Shouldering her bag, Alena listened carefully to the quiet sound of what could very well be a window rolling down and frowned slightly, trying to remember if any of her older siblings had such a quiet car when she heard a familiar, if unexpected voice.

"Nik...?"Alena asked, not quite believing it was really her oldest brother in front of her. As he continued to speak, Alena's face lit up as she closed the distance between her and the waiting car,"Of course I'm ready!"she replied, practically beaming at her older brother. She always loved these surprises when Nik came and picked her up without any warning. It was something special she could do with him without any other distractions or anything else around her. She relished what time she could spend with Nik really considering that his job kept him so busy most of the time. It was to be expected really but Alena did miss being able to just walk to his room whenever she wanted to talk or something. Sure, she had a cell phone, as did Nik but Alena preferred being able to talk to the actual person rather then through a phone call. Really, it just seemed better to talk in person rather than on a phone mostly because it was easier to pick up on the tone of voice.

Alena was just about to open the door when the yip stopped her that had to have come from Nik's familiar, Anya. Her guess proved to be accurate as Nik told the pup to move though judging from the sound that Nik had made, Anya had decided to jump right into Nik's lap instead. A soft laugh escaped Alena as she opened the back door and stashed her backpack in the backseat before climbing into the passenger seat. Before she even fastened her seatbelt, Alena reached over and gave Nik a hug, squeezing him as tight as she could considering the small space. "I missed you,"Alena murmured before finally letting him go and fastening her seatbelt to indicate she was ready to go,"Where to first?"she asked just as Donna flew through the window and spun around Anya's head in a greeting of sorts. The orb was always so much fun to have around and considering Donna was playing 'Dashing Through the Snow,' it seemed that she was just as excited about the days events as Alena was.

Words: 490 | Notes: --- | Tags: Nikolai Maksim

[Nikolai Maksim]

Rather than assure Alena that it was indeed him, Nikolai had continued on to why he was there. It would become obvious that it was him once those follow up words were spoken, and sure enough, Alena exclaimed she was ready to go. A warm smile clasped Nik’s features easily thereafter as his youngest sister approached the car, but this would be cut off when his wolf pup decided to make a silly entrance of sorts. He told her to move- and she certainly did, right into his lap. A soft sigh escaped from Nikolai, and he reminded himself again at least he could get wolf hair out. Anya was cute but a bit too rambunctious for his tastes.

Making sure the car was unlocked with a simple hand gesture to his door buttons, Nikolai watched as Alena put her backpack in the back and climbed in to the front seat. The hug that ensued was met with a returned one, and Nik smiled softly to himself. As she spoke those words, Nikolai understood them all too well. It was good to see her too, and he missed his siblings daily. It was sometimes hard being at work when he felt he could do more in their lives outside of it. Years ago, he might have gone to art school in order to have more freedom, yet those days were done. Financial stability for his family was too important to him than certain pleasures. “I hope you’ve been doing well, Alena,” he spoke gently before she released him and fastened her seatbelt.

Nik looked thoughtful as the question was asked before recirporcating. “I was thinking the mall would give us the most options,” he noted briefly. “Any objections?” Anya, meanwhile, sprung from Nik’s lap to Alena’s, quickly licking at whatever parts of the girl she could. As the ball of light flew around her, however, she made to snap at it as if perhaps to consume poor Donna. “Anya,” Nik scolded briefly before shaking his head and putting the car in drive and starting at least.

[Alena Maksim]

When Nik returned the hug, Alena couldn't help but smile more. It had been so long since she had seen her oldest brother that really any time she got to spend with him was special. She knew that Nik was busy with work to say the least of things but he still continued to go out of his way to make them feel special. His words earned a smile and quick nod from Alena as she fastened her seatbelt so that they could drive.

"Mhm~, I have. School has been boring lately though, a lot of movies and mostly free time. I can't wait for break to start,"Alena explained briefly before Nik suggested they go to the mall,"The mall sounds good to me, I haven't been there in a while anyway,"she continued before Anya saw fit to pounce her and give her face a thorough wash. Alena couldn't help but laugh at the pup's behavior before Donna distracted Anya by flying around the wolf pup's head in greeting.

Despite being snapped at, Donna didn't seem fazed at all and instead turned into a tennis ball and making to bounce off Anya's nose and into the backseat perhaps in an attempt to play. If nothing else it would serve to rebuke her for seemingly trying to eat her.

~~~

Nikolai Maksim

[Nikolai Maksim]

As Alena explained what was going on in most of her classes, Nikolai fought the urge to roll his eyes. He remembered the days up until winter break even years after being in high school. It seemed so superfluous when he could have been doing so much more with that time. Christmas was always the best and busiest season for the eldest of the Maksim children, even back then, and sitting in class for no other reason than to have free time so long as he stayed in class seemed so silly. “I see,” he replied a bit smoother than he felt on the matter before suggesting the mall.

The mall was the easiest place to start considering the very nature of it, and when Alena agreed mentioning she hadn’t been there in a while, Nikolai easily started driving in that general direction. He knew the streets well from having to be virtually all over town for one reason or another. It helped he had lived there for so long, too. Either way, he needed to at least focus on the road. Thus, Nik glanced forwards watching everything carefully.

Anya, meanwhile, had other plans apart from paying attention to where they were going— like greeting one of her favorite people. Like Nikolai himself, she had a strong sense of pack, and all of the white haired man’s family members were a part of it without exception. The laugh in response earned a wag of tail and puppy grin. However, as that light shimmered around, the pup couldn’t help but equating it to a firefly and wanting to take a bite. When the ball turned into a tennis ball instead and knocked into her instead, the wolf squeaked barking a few confused notes before watching as it disappeared into the back seat. Hopping on the middle arm rest, she quickly took after it making to bite the tennis ball now.

Nik glanced in the rear view mirror and resisted the urge to deadpan. “Anya lay down,” he ordered. The pup whined but at the very least sat down in the backseat up next to Alena’s belongings. Nik sighed and continued driving a bit calmer now that all that motion had stopped.

[Alena Maksim]

Nik's short reply earned a nod from Alena before Anya saw fit to jump on her and give her face a thorough washing. Thankfully Donna seemed to distract the wolf pup before too long and couldn't help but laugh at the sound of the barking probably because Donna was being ridiculous again. The orb in question was indeed having fun avoiding Anya even as the pup tried to bite at it. That was until Nik ordered the pup to lay down which was boring. The orb morphed and blew a raspberry at Nik before opting to mimic Anya and turned into a smaller wolf pup and sat in front of her, barking and wagging its tail playfully.

Alena couldn't help but face/palm at the sound of Donna's antics and sighed before giving Nik an apologetic smile,"Sorry about that..."she murmured quietly before turning to the backseat where Donna was still barking,"Enough," Alena said sternly, hoping that the mischievous orb would actually listen this time. Sure enough, Donna stopped barking and laid down with a soft whine at being chastised. "Are we almost to the mall?"Alena asked after a moment.

Alena was excited about being able to spend with Nik, especially since it was the mall and it seemed like it had been a while since she'd been able to go there. That and it was going to be fun Christmas shopping with Nik. Christmas was one of her favorite times of the year and it showed even if she didn't have a lot to spend on her siblings, it was the thought that counted more than the actual gift anyway. Not that she was worried about cost, it was just something to keep in mind when looking at presents. Alena just hoped that the mall wouldn't be too crowded at this time of day but as long as she was with Nik, it didn't really matter.

~~~

Nikolai Maksim

[Nikolai Maksim]

Though it wasn’t necessarily ‘fun’ to stop her chase of the other familiar, Anya was obedient when Nik’s tone hit her ears. It was a natural reaction, as she saw him as alpha and before her by nature. However, a snarl escaped from her muzzle when the orb of light decided to disrespect Nik. It was a simple and sharp feral order in their own familiar tongue: enough. Even though she was formed from a different god, the orb of light should have been able to discern that much.

Upon that raspberry escaping into the air, Nikolai simply rolled his eyes and ignored it. He was not so immature as to take such childish actions to heart, and yet somewhere in the back of his mind, that was another ‘strike’ against the familiar. As far as he was concerned, it was not a part of Alena, not a part of their family, and he was free to mentally judge it as such. Focusing more on his driving, Nik took another turn and accelerated as they made their way down the road. Just a little further and the mall would come into view.

As the orb took the form of a pup and sat before her, Anya raised one paw and set it on the tail of this new form as if to keep it steady as the car moved- and keep it from escaping to the front again, perhaps. Sniffing up into the air briefly, she became aware, however, that there was something tasty in the air. Glancing over to Alena’s bags, the wolf pup slowly leaned over on one, her nose executing a series of interested sniffs thereafter.

Alena’s apology caused Nik to glance sideways briefly before a small shake of head was given. “It’s fine,” he replied simply before turning right down the path that led to the mall. As Alena’s question hit his ears, Nik gave another habitual nod before speaking. “Almost,” he assured before pulling up into a parking lot. “I just need to find a place to park, actually,” he commented after another moment. Circling around and finally deciding to go into the parking garage rather than continue unsuccessfully, he finally parked before shutting off the car and unbuckling. “We’re on the department store side,” he commented simply. “We can walk through it and into the rest of the mall.”

[Alena Maksim]

Donna didn't really pay attention, or really care that Anya had told her to stop. At least until she heard Alena tell her the exact same thing and finally settled down. Alena was the only person that Donna really listened to and even then only when it suited her. When Anya put her paw on her tail, Donna yelped softly and looked at Anya curiously, wondering why she had done that when she was lying down and being good. That was until she saw Anya sniffing the bag and barked at her, trying to tell the pup to leave the bags alone.

At Nik's reply, Alena smiled at him and nodded, glad that he didn't seem to upset over her familiar's antics. Honestly, she wished she could have had a puppy like Anya or really anything else that wasn't as obnoxious and irritating as her current familiar. Maybe she could ask for a different familiar from Peace sometime since Donna seemed to do nothing except annoy her and everyone around her. Perhaps she could get lucky and get a cute puppy like Anya that actually listened when Alena told her to do something. Donna however only listened when it was convenient for her, or so it seemed.

Nik's next answer about being close to the mall drew an excited giggle from Alena as she smiled even more. She couldn't wait to get there and finally be able to spend the day together. Christmas shopping with Nik was always so much fun, especially now when they didn't get to spend near as much time together as Alena would have liked. As soon as Alena heard Nik put the car into park, she unfastened her seatbelt and all but jumped out of the car and around to Nik's side of the vehicle, bouncing on her heels as she waited for him to get out of the car.

"Well come on then, let's go!"Alena said excitedly,"Maybe we can get some lunch first or go to the music store! Do you think that they still have those pet scarves? I think Olaf would look adorable in one and maybe a little jacket too. Oh! We could get Anya something here too, do you think she'd like that?"she continued, taking hold of Nik's hand as soon as he exited the vehicle. As soon as Alena felt Nik take her hand, she all but dragged him in the general direction she knew the mall was in judging from where she heard Donna playing 'Jingle Bell Rock'. It seemed Donna was good for something after all.

~~~

Nikolai Maksim