The festival itself struck him as odd.
Or, perhaps, it struck him as odd to attend such festivities. Almost pointless, and yet a place that deigned to keep so many captive also was a place that threw a festival where all were welcome. There were no fees, no grandstanding. It simply was, and so despite his curiosity he was made aware of how odd it was when a jolly-faced stranger placed a warm cup in his hand, and told him that Oz had been given extra marshmallows with a wink.
He hadn't drank from it, simply looking at the provided beverage in a silent attempt to process the events that had just transpired. Quietly, at least, until he saw a shock of white hair, and a girl who looked slightly younger than Arthur standing in the cold.
Her bright blue eyes struck that cord in him that fatherhood had unearthed, despite his denial, and he found himself holding the cocoa out to her. She was small, and the weather had taken a turn for the cold. While it did not bother him remotely, he knew it wasn't that way for most.
"It's cold." He said quietly. She had been at the stand, and the employee who had given him the hot cocoa looked on in awe (and disappointment) as Oz gave away his free drink. "He says it has extra marshmallows, which I believe means it is worth more."
@aegiscurio
