This is sort of a Ranma fic. Be warned some of the characters my seem
to be acting out of character. This is due to them being from my Sunrise[1]
serries. Think of this as comming sometime after Sunrise[1][2]. I won't
vouch for the quality...I just got an idea stuck in my head. Hope it
doesn't suck too much...
As a brief synopsis: this story contains, one sunset, two Christmas
parties, a bum, snow, Sarcasm, coffee, Death, and
chess.
If your copy of this fanfic does not contain the listed components
please return it to the mailing list you got it from and ask for a new
copy. If you local mailing list is out of copies, you are S.O.L. The
author of this fic takes no resposibility for bad grammar and spelling
which may cause hemmoraging in people who know how to spell. This fic is
delivered as is, and no garentee to its correctness is implied by the
fact that you just payed three hundred dollars for this bug riddled piece
of . . .. . . fiction.
All C&C appreciated. All donations accepted. No, I can't spell.
Matthew Trotter, Footnotes now availavle in
matrix notation as well as
the standard array notation.
[1] By popular request, and in the intrest of not pissing people off,
I'm changing the name of the Sunrise serries to "Hinode". Questions
as to the meaning of the name should be directed to:
copout@samesong.secondverse.org
[2] Which naturaly isn't finished, so this is all horribly unjustified.
_________________________________________________________________________
Arron Whitehall sat down next to the staircase. It sheltered him...well,
it kept the wind from blowing on him from the left. That was an improvement.
It was going to be a damn cold Christmas eve. He knew he should go back
to the shelter...but he couldn't stand to be in there. Christmas was one
of those times the real homeless people came out. Not the street
people like himself and Barney and Tom. They had a home and a family of
sorts. It was a weird kind of family, but street people were street
people. You were in it together...
The homeless were those poor bastards that, even on Christmas, didn't
have anyone that cared for them. So they would come to the shelters and
volunteer their time so they could feel needed. It made his skin crawl.
The first flakes of snow whirled by him. It was going to be a very
cold night.
-------------------------
A Christmas Story
1997
----
Its not death if you
refuse it...
it is if you accept it.
-J. O'Barr
-------------------------
"Morphine!"
He looked up, Tofu was balanced on the ladder holding a sprig of
mistletoe over the door way.
"Is this centered?"
"Yes. Thinking of Kasumi?"
Tofu wobbled on the ladder, "Ha..h...h.hand me a nail..."
He leaned over and picked up a nail. He lobbed it toward Tofu. Tofu
caught it easily.
"Thank you, Morphine."
He hadn't thrown it. It shouldn't have made it. It did though. That
was how Tofu did magic. Things that couldn't happen, did. Not because
he exerted his will over the fabric of the universe and shaped events to
his will. No, things happened because Tofu thought they should. If he
threw Tofu a nail, Tofu assumed that he threw it hard enough to make it
to him. If he watered the garden with sulfuric acid, it grew nicely,
because Tofu expected he would be using water. It was interesting. He
was wondering to what extent Tofu could control the events around him.
That was part of the reason Morphine had decided to throw this party.
"Morphine?"
"Yes?"
"Why are we having a Christmas party?"
"Lots of people have Christmas parties."
"Yes, I suppose...but Christmas is really a Christian celebration."
"Not really. Not anymore. Its more of an over commercialized excuse
to be kind to the people that you love and care about."
"That's a bit cynical."
"Yes, well, you know me. Evil sorcerers are infamous for their cynicism."
"So why did you elect to hold a Christmas party?"
"Well, I was thinking that I rarely see anyone show goodwill toward
each other and figured this would make a perfect excuse for people to be
nice. The hope here being that since this is supposed to be a day for
goodwill that people will be good enough to get along for a few hours."
.
.
.
"andtoseeifyouandKasumiwillactualyspendsometimetogether"
"That's what I thought."
-------------------------
"Nabiki, are you leaving for Mr. Morphine's Christmas party already?"
"Huh? What Christmas party?"
"You mean you didn't get an invitation?"
"Oh, that party. I got an invitation, I'm just going to a different
party."
"There's another party?"
"Tatewaki is having a party of his own."
"But everyone will be at Morphine's party."
"Oh darn. You mean Tatewaki and I will be spending Christmas eve all
alone in his big empty house?"
"I'm sure it will be all right if you two come to the party."
"Akane."
"Yes?"
"Why don't you and Ranma stay here tonight and have your own little
party?"
"But everyone else will be at Morphine's party."
"That's the idea."
"But we'd be all alone."
"I worry about you sometimes, Akane."
-------------------------
Arron looked up, there was a man there. Dressed in black jeans, beat
up black boots, faded black T-shirt, and a black leather jacket. The guy
was pale with black unruly hair. He looked like trouble.
"Whadda ya want?"
"Shitty day to freeze to death alone on the street, pall," the guys
voice was like a raw electrical current.
"Whadda ya gonna do? Gimme a home?"
"Wish I could, but it doesn't work like that."
"Figures."
"I can't change your fate, but I can make it easier."
"Whatha fuck?"
The snow started drifting away from them. It almost looked natural...
almost. Arron also noticed that the temperature was starting to go up.
He looked around, everywhere else it was snowing and a wind was whirling
dervishes of snow around the street. Except near them.
"Do you play chess?"
"Who're ya? God?"
"No. I'm nobody really important."
"But ya gonna save an old bum ona street?"
"I told you, I can't save you. I can only make things easier."
"I ain't gonna freeze ta death?"
"No. You'll just die."
"Why?"
"Your time is over."
"No. Why ya doin' this?"
"I'm dodging a Christmas party."
-------------------------
Ryoga trudged through the undergrowth. He had missed another
Christmas with Akane. This had to be Ranma's fault. If he hadn't . . .
if he hadn't made Ryoga chase him half way around the world...he...he
never would have met Akane...
Ryoga steeped into the clearing. Time stopped. In fact, Time tapped
Ryoga on the shoulder handed him the hourglass and said he would be back
after the Christmas party.
Ryoga hardly noticed, the sunset was that beautiful. He had rarely
bothered with nature's beauty. Normally he was a bit ticked at nature for
not leaving him better directions. But this, this was too incredible. He
stepped to the edge of the cliff and looked out over the valley. Down by
the half frozen stream there was a deer drinking. In the trees there
were birds singing. And all around there was a gentle blanket of snow
that was being tinged golden orange in the sun's setting rays. It was
like a master piece that someone had set here just for him. He wiped
away a tear and sat down to watch the rest of the sunset.
-------------------------
<Knock Knock>
The door slid open to reveal Nabiki's older sister Kasumi. He smiled
disarmingly, "Good evening. I, Tatewaki Kuno, have come to take the
precious treasure of the Tendo house hold to a Christmas party of my own
invention."
"Your here for Akane?"
"Um, no, I have brought myself to your abode to..."
"Hi, Tatewaki."
"Ah, Nabiki Tendo, the very person I have brought my..."
"I don't think anyone else is going to be at your party tonight."
"...what? And why would half of Nermia choose to dishonor me on this
evening?"
"Morphine's throwing a Christmas party, and everyone is going to that."
"Ah, what a cursed fate it is, that a simple..."
"That means that you and I will be all alone at your house."
"Oh my. Nabiki, I'm sure Mr. Morphine will be happy for the two of
you to come to his party."
Nabiki frowned at her sister, "Kasumi, ... ... never mind."
"If you would rather go to the other party..."
Nabiki glared at him, "Maybe I'll stay home and watch bad Christmas
specials on TV tonight."
"I see. In that case, might I divulge that there is a large viewing
theater built into my abode for just such occasions."
Nabiki put her arm in his, "Don't wait up for me, Sis."
Kasumi looked shocked, "oh my..."
-------------------------
"Fellowship! Fellowship!"
She turned around to see her sister charging down the hall behind her,
"What's wrong Emotion?"
"Ryoga! Ryoga liked my sunset!"
"Really?! That's wonderful!"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm looking for Sarcasm."
"Why?"
"I thought he might be lonely..."
"Fellowship has a crush on Sarcasm...Fellowship has a crush on Sarcasm..."
"Is there something wrong with that?"
"Huh...uh...no...aren't you embarrassed about it?"
"No, love is a wonderful thing! Everyone should be in love..."
"oh. Well, Sarcasm said he was going to the Christmas party."
"What Christmas party?"
"You mean you didn't get an invitation? Morphine's Christmas party?"
"Oh, that party...wait a minute, Sarcasm hates parties...why would he
go to Morphine's party?"
"It's the last place you'd look for him?"
-------------------------
"Kodachi, please to tell Shampoo why Shampoo no kill Akane yet?"
"It would only serve to drive Ranma further away from you."
"But if Shampoo no can win Ranma, then can at least have fun."
"Would it make you feel better to know Ranma would be miserable for
the rest of his life?"
"And it not bother Kodachi to watch Akane dance with Ranma."
"It makes me want to cry."
"Shampoo wish we go to Kodachi brother's party."
"No. That's worse. Then we'd have to watch Nabiki hanging all over
Tatewaki."
"How that worse?"
<whisper whisper whisper>
"AIYA! Shampoo not old enough to see thing like that!"
"Joe?! What are you doing here?"
"Heeey, Fellowship. Can't a camel soak up some holiday cheer?"
"But your a god of time, shouldn't you be running the universe or
something?"
"Not a problem, it's my night off."
"Then who's in charge of time?"
"Lesseee, I left it with the Hibiki kid."
"You left Ryoga Hibiki in charge of time?"
"Suuuure, I have a plan."
"It's gonna be a long night."
"That's the plan."
"This is a wonderful party, Mr. Morphine."
"Thank you, Kasumi. Things are working out quite well."
"I never thought I'd see so many people getting along so well.
Shampoo and Kodachi haven't spiked the punch, Ukyo hasn't even kicked
Mr. Saotome, and Ranma and Akane haven't fought the whole night."
"Yes, I think its probably time to try one last thing."
"I'm sorry?"
"It's time to open presents."
"Oh!"
-------------------------
"A pair of new shoes!"
"Red, how did you know?"
"I thought you might be running low on ammo..."
"Thank you, Morphine!"
"Certainly, Emotion. Now, lets see, here's a present for..."
In a chorus of two, Genma and Soun cried, "RANMA AND AKANE!"
They looked at each other. It was the ring. It was always the ring.
"Here, Son, open it!"
"Make your Daddy proud, Akane."
Ranma sighed and picked up the box, Akane watched him as he unwrapped
it. The box was the same old ring box they both knew and hated. He
opened it...there wasn't a ring. There were two free movie passes in
it. No ring?
"Wow, Daddy! Thank you!"
"Hey! Thanks, Pop!"
They looked at each other. It was supposed to be a ring. It was
always a ring...
"Tendo..."
"Yes, Saotome?"
"There WAS a ring in there when we wrapped that wasn't there?"
"Yes. Yes, there was."
"Should I ask?"
"No."
"Ok. Well, lets hit the buffet again instead."
"Ok, that was nice. Next we have a present for Kasumi from someone
named Doc Tofu."
Tofu leaned over, "where did that come from, morphine?"
Morphine grinned, "maybe santa brought it. Here you go, Kasumi."
"Thank you, Morphine. And thank you, Doctor. Is this a poem on the
card?"
---------------------
Does love grow in the summer?
Does it bloom in the spring?
Does it die in the winter,
only to grow back again?
---------------------
"Doctor, that's beautiful."
"Th..hthhhttth..."
"Oh my! A white rose!"
"I. . .th..t..h.."
"Doctor, you shouldn't have."
Morphine smiled as Kasumi gave Tofu a little hug. Merry Christmas, Tofu.
-------------------------
"Good game."
"Didn' think I still had it in me."
"More coffee?"
"Sure. Ya want me ta set up for another game?"
"ARRON WHITEHALL," said a voice like a thousand coffin lids slamming
shut at once.
"That's me."
"YOU ARE NOW DECEASED."
"Figures. Cupa coffee?"
"... ... SURE. SARCASM, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"Dodging Morphine's Christmas party, you?"
"I'M WORKING. AM I THE ONLY ONE DOING HIS JOB?"
"Yeah, I think so. Joe ditched to go to the party, and I think
everyone else went."
"FIGURES. GOOD COFFEE. ARRON WHITEHALL, ARE YOU READY?"
"Yeah, lets go. Thanks for the coffee."
"Anytime."
-------------------------
The wind blew down the street, slowly building a little snow drift
around the body. The cold no longer mattered to it. It was a thing
now. The cold was just another tool that would work over its form.
Sarcasm picked up the chess set and placed it in his pocket, there was
nothing left but to go home now. Hopefully the others would stay at
Morphine's party most of the night. Hope died quickly.
"hi"
"Shouldn't you be at Morphine's party?"
"I was, but he gave me this."
She offered him a card.
----------------
1309 1/2 Lee St.
----------------
"Traitor."
"Who was he."
"Arron Whitehall."
"What did he do."
"He played a good game of chess."
"I mean, why was he important."
"He wasn't."
"Then why?"
"It's a shitty day to freeze to death alone on the street."
"Can I walk you home?"
"Sure."