Having survived last month in the mall, Malcolm's not sure if he's glad that they're still here for another month or not. On the one hand, at least this place is (relatively) safe and it has literally everything he could possible need. On the other, the Christmas music is already starting to get to him.

When Santa arrives, Malcolm hangs back. It's not as if he's a child and going to sit on his lap to ask for a gift. Besides, the gift of going home probably isn't one that he's going to get. After seeing what some of his fellow travelers are getting as gifts from Santa though, he decides to test his luck.

When it's his turn, he wishes Santa a Merry Christmas - safely from the distance of a few feet. Santa laughs and asks if he's been a good boy this year. Visions of his sister stabbing a man flash through his mind. With a sigh, he answers that he's tried to be.

Fortunately, Santa laughs again and reaches into his bag. From it, he pulls a small bird cage with a green and yellow parakeet inside.

"Sunshine?!" Malcolm can't hide his glee. He takes the cage from Santa and thanks him profusely. There are no words for how glad he is to have his emotional support pet parakeet here with him. He missed her so much.

Anyone that he sees over the next few weeks is going to get introduced to his loud, sassy daughter. How many bird toys can he buy and fit into a bag to take along with him to the next island? Everyone's about to find out.

Still on a high from receiving Sunshine as a gift, Malcolm is pleased when the ice skating rink opens. Add in a live jazz band and he's there. Malcolm is a surprisingly good skater. He has a grace that one might not expect from him, though one would probably also not expect that he did ballet for 5 years as an adolescent.

Malcolm glides around the arena, enjoying a jazzy rendition of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas". He closes his eyes, feeling the wind against his face and enjoying the sensation of flying...

Until he bumps into something. Maybe it's you?

"Shit," he says, opening his eyes and reaching out to whatever he hit. "Sorry."

[ Want something else? Feel free to send me a PM or message on sparks_fly. I'm also happy to switch to brackets if desired. ]