Christmas? What's So Merry About It? (Solo)

Christmas Day 2010 – Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters – New York City


Christmas time, in a mansion full of teenagers, kids, runaways and general strays, all without a place to go back to, was hectic, to say the least. In the few days Mat had been here, he had seen all sorts of little mutants running about in the mad rush that only the holidays can bring. The palace he now found himself in was covered in greens and reds and golds, decorations of all shapes, sizes and varieties hanging from whatever surface they could claim. So far as Mat could figure out, the kids here were the ones whose families had given up on them, all because one little gene that could do so much. Yet despite this, there was nothing but good cheer floating around the halls and rooms of the mansion.

Mat still couldn't believe he was actually crashing in a mansion.

After waking up to his strange surroundings, and getting used to the idea of staying in a place full of mutants once again, Mat had taken to exploring the property, trying to gain a feel for the place. It was, at once, similar and yet nothing like the commune he had lived in back home. The mansion was like the commune on steroids, what the commune could have been with a limitless bank account.

With luck, this one wouldn't burn down.

Today, if one was to peek through the walls of the mansion, one would see scenes of happiness, of love and charity. With the morning came the excited squeals, the cheers and the laughter of children and adult alike, who revelled in this time of year. Friends sat in circles all over the mansion, sharing meticulously wrapped presents with one another. In the kitchens, the smell of roasted meats and vegetables wafted in the air, causing taste buds to tingle and mouths to salivate in anticipation of the feast to come. The jingle of pianos, the singing chirp of strings, and the melodious sound of voices, all intermingled and weaved together, creating the familiar melodies and harmonies of Christmas carols. The crackle of flames indicated the warmth of fireplaces well lit, keeping the cavernous mansion toasty warm, melting away the cold sadness of those without homes to return to. If one was to look through the walls of the mansion, one could see friend embracing friend, the forging and strengthening of bonds. Family, without the complication of blood-ties.

If one was to look outside the mansion, on the grounds, away from the warmth and the cheer, one would see a thin layer of white powder snow covered the grass, blanketing the grounds in a pure, stark coating. Chill winds swept the yards, slipping through clothing and biting at exposed skin. Clouds shrouded the sky, threatening to drop more winter onto the city and beyond. If one looked out into the yards of the mansion, one would see a pair of lone figures, one huddled up in the cold, the other impervious to the elements.

The only Christmases Mat could remember had been been clear skied, and scorching hot.

Coat wrapped tightly around his body, bare hands in his pockets, Mat had tucked under his arm a small Christmas parcel, poorly wrapped with a scrap of discarded wrapping paper he had scavenged from the floor. The warmth and cheer from inside ignored for now, Mat could be heard speaking to his acquaintance.

“...and I met this chick when I was...shopping one day. I dunno if she was a little crazy or not, but she was definitely hot. Something about her, I dunno. She wasn't like anyone I have ever met...”

Standing a good head shorter than Mat, wearing a beautiful, flowing summer dress, was a young girl, made of glass. Her delicate features were that of a girl soon to blossom into womanhood. If one was to look closely, one could see the similarities between her and the man in front of her. The same nose, the same chin. If she had held any colour, any opaqueness, her eyes would have been the same shade of blue as Mat's.

“...and then the next thing I know, this giant snake is wrapped around my neck, licking my ear. On the other side are, like, six other snakes, all hissing at me...”

The girl barely moved, barely reacted. Instead, she stood there. Statue still, with the occasional nod of her head while Mat told his story.

“...Anyway, I got you a present. It's not much, but I think you'll like it. Sorry I couldn't get you anything better. Next year, I promise.”

Mat held the present out and commanded the golem to take it. Fragile glass fingers tore into the paper, revealing the knitted brown scarf inside.

“I got it from Derrick, the guy I was telling you about just before. He has a heap of scarves, so he gave me a couple for the winter. You'll have to thank him if you ever get a chance to meet him.”

He wrapped it around the golem's neck, and stood back to admire it with a weak smile.

“Looks great on you, Lil.”

If one was to look outside the mansion, into the grounds, one would see a man move forward and wrap his arms around a glass statue imitation of a person he loved. One would see the statue, under the man's influence, return the gesture, return the hug. And if one was to look closely, one could see the tears that began to fall from the man's eyes, the anguish on his face of knowing that, no matter how closely he could make a sculpture to resemble her, no matter how much detail he poured into it, it could never, ever replace what he had lost.

Mat buried his face into the girl's glass hair, the surface freezing cold on his cheek.

“Merry Christmas, sis.”