A Summoner Birthday
Special Quest: Ded
I really shouldn't be here. I know Christmas is still a long ways, I still have a lot of work to do.
I know. But I thought you could use a break. You have all year to prepare, I'm sure one day won't hurt.
Ded: Well, as long as we don't stay too long.
Lupin: Don't worry, Kurogane has a timer to make sure we leave on time. And this is virtual reality, so time in the real world pretty much stopped.
Ded: I hope you're right.
You managed to convince Ded to take some time off from the Santa School to spend the day with you. You decide to take him to the virtual fairytale world.
Ded: (impressed) But there's no denying, this place is really great. If only we had something like this for our next Christmas display. It's enough to make me feel so warm inside. So joyful. So... So...
FLASH
So jolly! Thank you, Lupin, for bringing me here, today.
Lupin: (a bit surprised, but happy) You're welcome.
Ded: I heard from Krampus that there's a beach near the home of the dwarves. I would like to see that while we're here.
Lupin: Okay. Consider it an early Christmas present to you.
And so, you and Ded go to the dwarves' house near the beach.
You both arrive at the cottage. The weather and the sea are a beautiful as ever.
Ded: (happy) Ho ho ho! This is really wonderful. Kurogane really outdid himself.
Lupin: And Boogeyman. This is his creation, too.
Ded: That's true. He deserves the credit, as well.
Lupin: So, now what? You thinking what I'm thinking?
Ded: I know a lot about others, you included... And I guess we can do that, too... I wonder if they also remembered to put in swimsuits.
Lupin: They did.
Ded: (glad) Wonderful. Let's get changed in the cottage.
You and Ded go into the cottage to change into your swimsuits.
(inhaling deeply) The air here is so sweet. It's hard to believe that everything here is just 1s and 0s.
Same here. It's really a dream come true.
Ded: (happy) Ho ho ho! I'm glad we agree. Let's go in. Let's see who can swim the farthest.
Lupin: I've improved on my swimming thanks to Ryota. Are you sure you can keep up?
Ded: I'm sure I can. I'm just as much a good swimmer as he is.
Lupin: (laughing) You're on!
Ded: Ho ho ho! Okay. Ready? Set. Go!
You and Ded both jump into the sea and swam far out into it as fast as you can go. You look ahead and you see Ded has already passed you.
Lupin: (thinking) Wow. He wasn't kidding. He really is a good swimmer. Here's hoping Ryota's lessons pay off.
You then do a butterfly swim. You find yourself slowly catching up to Ded. He notices you are now next to him.
Ded: I see. Ryota's taught you well... I guess I better step it up.
FLASH
Dash away! Dash away, all!
Ded began to go even faster. You try your best to keep up with him. Before you two knew it, you were so far out at sea, you could barely see the land.
Ded: (proudly) Ho ho ho! Looks like we have a tie!
Lupin: (panting) Looks like it.
Ded: (changing back to his "jolly" self) We should head back now. I think we've earned ourselves a break.
Lupin: Yes, let's... Do you think you can help? (siring) I think I have a cramp.
Ded: I'm sorry. Just hold on to me tightly.
You hold on tightly to Ded as he does the swimming for the both of you back to shore.
You make it back to the cottage where you're resting on a chair while Ded went to get a snack.
Snack time! Here you go.
Ded lays tray of milk and cookies before you.
Ded: I know it's a little cliché, but it's the perfect all-around snack there is.
Thank, Ded. This looks good.
Ded sits next to you as you both enjoy the setting sun.
Ded: How's your leg?
Lupin: It's gotten a lot better, thank you.
Ded: I'm glad. This is such a good sight. It really is like a dream here.
Lupin: Makes you wish you could stay.
Ded: Wouldn't that make my Christmas. But, we all have to get back to reality at some point.
Lupin: I know.
Ded: But don't worry, the feeling we have right now, we can take with us. So when things get us down, we just think of this moment and we'll feel better.
Lupin: That's good to hear.
Ded gets closer to you.
Ded: But I do wish I could stay here.
Lupin: Why?
Ded: (smiling) ... So I could be with you. We rarely see each other outside of the Christmas festivities. I do wish we could see each other more often.
Lupin: I know. Me, too.
Ded: Heck, I wish I could see all of you at times other than Christmas. I bet I would love to spend a lot of time with Wakan Tanka.
Lupin: I'm sure he would. He would want all of us to spend more time together. We shouldn't have to limit ourselves to just certain holidays.
Ded: I know. Though I do find it curious.
Lupin: What is?
Ded: That would would want to be with me? And old man such as myself. I know you have a few in your circle, but me? I'm probably as old as I can be.
FLASH
Wouldn't you rather have a younger man? Someone stronger and more handsome? Someone you can really depend on when the time comes?
You smile and wrap your arms around Ded.
Lupin: Ded Moroz, I love you no matter what age you are. And I'm sure Wakan and the others would say the same thing.
Ded: (back to jolly mode) You mean it? Or are you just trying to butter me up so I would get you something really good this year?
Lupin: (laughing) You bet I am.
Ded: And... What is it you want from me this Christmas?
Lupin: ... You.
Ded: (happy) In that case, there's something I would want from you for Christmas?
Lupin: And what could I possibly get Santa Clause for Christmas?
Ded: (smiling) ... To let me join your Guild.
You and Ded embrace each other happily as you both watch the sun sink further into the sea.
Night fell and you and Ded decide it's time to go home. After getting changed, you make your way back to Candyland and back to the real world.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I forgot to add that Daikoku would also like to join the Summoners as a liaison for the Warmongers. I just hope you all understood that earlier.
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