This version of the character has been retired. The blog remains

Reflections of December Past

“Yes, let’s do it,” he replied. “But only if you’re sure you don’t mind using that favor.”

Reflections of December Past

He had seriously just been offered an enchanted weapon by an elf. When had his life become a fairy tale?

…Probably somewhere between becoming a knight and marrying a princess.

“I don’t know? I have to admit, magic is one of those things that’s way over my head.” He chewed at his beak as he thought it over. “I guess I’ve had problems with vampires and… I’m not sure what else to call them other than demons. Is there anything that can deal with that?”

Well, that was a bit of an odd request.

“That… sort of thing isn’t really Elf territory. You could try having it blessed by a priest or something afterward? I meant more along the lines of elemental magic, or glowing when there’s danger nearby.”

Gyro hummed and nodded. He should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.

“In that case... in that case, is there a way to make it so it can’t be used against me?”

Reflections of December Past

He had seriously just been offered an enchanted weapon by an elf. When had his life become a fairy tale?

...Probably somewhere between becoming a knight and marrying a princess.

“I don’t know? I have to admit, magic is one of those things that’s way over my head.” He chewed at his beak as he thought it over. “I guess I’ve had problems with vampires and... I’m not sure what else to call them other than demons. Is there anything that can deal with that?”

Reflections of December Past

Gyro blinked. He wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but it wasn’t this. The “sir” did the trick, however, and the ghost of a smile found its way to his beak.

“Well, I’m sort of useless with a sword, but there is this old woodcutter’s axe I’ve been using. But, um... I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m not sure how much a new axe would help compared to the old one.”

Reflections of December Past

Gyro stared at her for a while, their conversation juxtaposed bizarrely with the twins’ laughter in the other room. He’d do anything for the family and friends he had left.

“...I promise.”

Reflections of December Past

Her words startled him at first. How could she have known any of that? He hadn’t told her, and he was pretty sure Pernie wouldn’t have, either… it took him longer than he’d care to admit to realize that drawing her power from the cheer around her probably meant she was sensitive to emotion. She probably couldn’t even help herself.

“Don’t worry about it,” he sighed. “In the past, I’ve… had some problems with some truly terrible people. I’ll spare you the details, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had any peace of mind. I just suppose I’d rest easier if I knew once and for all that they couldn’t cause any more trouble. Not that I’d ever ask you to do anything like that! But… I suppose dark days lead to dark thoughts sometimes. It’s nothing to trouble yourself over. In fact, forget I ever mentioned anything.”

Jubilee frowned deeply. She wouldn’t press him, but she certainly wasn’t going to forget it.

“Well, you’re certainly right that I can’t help you with anything like that. But I could maybe help you in other ways. But first you would have to make me a promise.”

“...What kind of promise?” he asked. Where was she going with this?

Reflections of December Past

Her words startled him at first. How could she have known any of that? He hadn’t told her, and he was pretty sure Pernie wouldn’t have, either... it took him longer than he’d care to admit to realize that drawing her power from the cheer around her probably meant she was sensitive to emotion. She probably couldn’t even help herself.

“Don’t worry about it,” he sighed. “In the past, I’ve... had some problems with some truly terrible people. I’ll spare you the details, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had any peace of mind. I just suppose I’d rest easier if I knew once and for all that they couldn’t cause any more trouble. Not that I’d ever ask you to do anything like that! But... I suppose dark days lead to dark thoughts sometimes. It’s nothing to trouble yourself over. In fact, forget I ever mentioned anything.”

Reflections of December Past

The last few hours had been grand. Together, she and Gyro had thoroughly pranked Copernicus, had a touching reunion, and even embarrassed each other a little with the stories they all knew about one another.

Now, however, they had said goodnight to the Gremlin and parted ways to attend to matters elsewhere; namely, trying to get Gyro’s boys to settle down and watch one of those classic Christmas specials so that some sort of dinner arrangement could be made. After finally getting the twins to agree to a mediocre snowman cartoon- something about comic books, and fun being outlawed? Jubilee shook her head- the inventor was able to order some pizzas. As he hung up, she motioned for him to join her in the kitchen.

“So… about those wishes. As fun as it was, I don’t think messing with Pernie really counts,” she said with a giggle.

He glanced back at Nick and Jason, who seemed to be enjoying themselves, then took a seat at the kitchen table. In truth, he really hadn’t given it a lot of thought; he had just been caught up in having some fun.

“I’m not really sure what I’d wish for. I know I want to make sure Andy and the kids have a nice Christmas this year, and I know I want to do something nice for a few other people, but beyond that?” He shrugged.

Then, after thinking on it a few more seconds, his demeanor shifted and he added, “...Well. No, that’s not entirely true. I can think of a good few things I’d wish, but I don’t think you’d be allowed to do any of them.” Or even willing, for that matter.