Probably the only time winter is referred to as a holiday in my writing. This is a (stand-alone) short story draft, created for a university project.
Powerful and Fragile
Krista grunted as she paced into the dark hallway, wrenching Freyja out of their bedroom by the scruff of her pyjama top. Krista’s hand abandoned Freyja’s collar and she turned to her.
‘What’s the matter?’ Krista rasped. ‘You want to ask Dov, right?’
Freyja glanced down as her hands pressed together. ‘Yes, but–’
‘Well, come on!’ Krista snatched up Freyja’s elbow and continued her march down the hall. ‘You’re happy to spar with any merc in the ring, but you’re afraid of the one fighter who’ll never hurt you.’
‘I’m not scared,’ Freyja mumbled, stumbling behind her.
Krista stopped beside Dov’s door, turning Freyja to the handle. ‘Then ask him.’
Freyja’s gaze darted between Krista retreating into the shadows and the door, then she knocked on the frame.
‘One moment.’ The door creaked open and Freyja shuffled back as Dov stepped out, adjusting his Australian Army tracksuit. ‘Shalom, Freyja. Would you like some tea or hot chocolate?’
‘No, Dov.’ Freyja’s gaze shifted to her feet. ‘I had dinner with Krista. We are going to bed now.’
‘You earned an early night,’ Dov said. ‘Again, I’m impressed.’
‘Ah, thank you.’ Freyja swallowed as her features reddened. ‘I…uh…’
Dov stroked Freyja’s hair. ‘Relax, it’s okay.’
Freyja’s eyes darted up to him. ‘The winter holidays are coming and…’
‘How about a trip north, to the mountains?’ Dov said. ‘I’ll teach you skiing.’
Freyja smiled. ‘Perfect.’
Dov patted her shoulder. ‘Anything else?’
‘No,’ Freyja replied. ‘Sorry to keep you awake.’
‘I’m always here for you,’ Dov said. ‘Good night, Freyja.’
‘Have wonderful dreams.’ Freyja’s smile grew as Dov retired to his room, closing the door behind him.
Krista paced forward and caressed Freyja’s side. ‘Mazel tov.’
Freyja spun and wrapped her arms around Krista. ‘You were right. That was easy.’
Krista wheezed as Freyja’s hold tightened. ‘You just needed practice.’
‘And Krista needs to practice hiding,’ Dov called from his room. ‘Now go to bed.’
There’s a nice Christmas-like holiday called Galiausmos or Galasmass or Galismas or Winter Festival (depending on the race of the citizen) which is kind of a hybrid of Christmas and Valentine’s Day because of the heavy emphasis on spending it with your significant other. For Sorcerers, it’s a wintertime celebration of love which happens once a year and lasts a week. At the end of the week, Sorcerers can officially tie the knot and become partners.