Sonic the Hedgehog:  Happy Solstice
by Bookshire S. Draftwood

the author of this work will accept questions and comments at the
following addresses:
bookshire@inficad.com  bookshire@rat.org

based on locations created by SEGA, Inc, and by DIC, Inc.  Todd appears
courtesy of Craig Fox

Dedication:
	I'd like to dedicate this particular piece to the closest friend
in the world to me, Craig Fox.  We're spending this Christmas (96) in
Chicago where I hope to see my first white Christmas.  Still, even if I
don't, at least I will spend it with the one who means more to me than any
other.

Definition Reference:

GIN - Global Information Network

Story:

	The cold, chill winds of winter whipped gently through
Mobitropolis and the Great Forest.  The time of Solstice was coming and
everywhere one looked there were signs of the season.  Brightly decorated
red and green ribbons strung their way around building and landmarks and
even the Castle where the king ruled.  Even outside the capital, the
Mobians were all getting ready for the Solstice.
	In fact, in a medium-sized village at the edge of the Great
Forest, everyone was busy going back and forth.  Some where hurrying to
catch the shuttle to Mobitropolis where they did much of their shopping.
Other's where decorating the buildings around there and setting up for
local events and celebrations.  It was truely shaping up to be one of the
best Solstice's ever.

	One of the public shuttles swept in from Mobitropolis and set down
at it's stop.  Among the many Mobians that departed from it, one was a
rather pretty vixen with soft red fur.  She wore a thick cape over her
normal attire of a conservative blue dress to shield her better from the
icy cold, and she carried a bundle of packages she had gotten while she
had been out.
	After the shuttle departed, taking a new group out to the city,
she paused to get her breath and look around.  Things always look
beautiful in the village around this time, she thought to herself.  This
year would be especially wonderful.
	As she gathered up the packages and headed for her next
destination, she thought back to all the things that had happened that
year.  The most notable was that her walking nightmare of a mate left.
Took a bit of force, but he did.  The fact that she hadn't seen him since
was a good sign.  Her son, Todd, was growing and developing just as a
carefree child ought to, and it would truely be the first Solstice they
had together in complete happiness.
	Soon she arrived at the local arts & crafts store where she had to
pick up one last thing before she went home to see her son.
	"Well, good evening, Cammy," the shopkeeper, a portly walrus, said
as she entered "Busy Solstice shopping?"
	"More or less," Cammy replied "These are just assorted decorations
for the cottage just in time for the decoration contest."
	"I didn't think you were into the commercial side of the holiday,"
the shopkeeper noted.
	"Oh, I'm not.  I just thought it might be fun for once," Cammy
said "Besides, with my mate gone, I can d as I please now."
	The shopkeeper nodded.
	"Yes, I'm glad to see you're not with him any more," he said "He
certainly wasn't very good for you."
	"That's an understatment," Cammy replied "However, on a more
pleasant note, have you any stuffing?  I need some for Todd's gift."
	The shopkeeper nodded.
	"You know I always do," he said as he went and got some "I always
keep it in store for you.  You make quite a few things from scratch these
days."
	"Yes, well, my mother always said that replicators were overrated,"
Cammy said "Sure they give us everything.  But there's nothing like
working on something yourself to give you a better sense of pride and
accomplishment.  If fact, I only use my food replicator for base
ingredients when cook.  I make the actually food myself."
	"A traditionalist to the end," the shopkeeper smiled "Too bad
there aren't more like you around.  I'd do better business.  Anyway,
that'll be 14 mobiums even."
	Cammy happily paid for the item.
	"Well, I'm of for home then," she said "Have a very merry
Solstice."
	"You also," the shopkeeper smiled.

	Cammy left the shop and headed across the village to a more quiet
part set a little out of the ways from the mainstream where she and her
son made their home.
	Cammy's home was indeed a nice one.  A study cottage of the old
materials, brick, wood, ad plaster.  Out in villages like this, such
buildings were common, unlike the space-age materials of the building in
metropolises like Mobitropolis.  The cottage had a small, neatly trimmed
lawn.  Nothing too big for Cammy to manage.  There were two windows in the
front of the house in one of which was a Solstice tree.  It had yet to be
decorated, but Todd and her would take care of that.
	She went up to the front door and let herself in, depositing the
packages in a chair nearby and taking off her coat and scarf, hanging them
on the coat hanger by the door.
	"Todd," she called "Are you home?"
	"Mommy!" came the happy reply as a small kit ran into the room and
lept into her arms hugging closely.  Cammy hugged her child snuggly and
fuzzled him.  It may have been odd that Cammy left her son alone in her
home when she went shopping, however, despite being only five years old,
Todd seemed to know enough what was dangerous and what wasn't in their
home.  As she set him back down on the floor, she smiled. 
	"And how is my favorite kit?" she asked.
	"I'm your only kit, mommy," Todd giggled.
	"Doesn't matter," Cammy smiled as she went to sit on the sofa in
the living room "I still want to know how he is."
	"He ok," Todd said as he went an joined his mother "Just play alla
day."
	Cammy smiled.  Normally she'd correct his speech, but he was only
five after all and still learning.
	"Well, that's good," she said "But now that I'm home it'll be
different.  After dinner, how about we decorate the tree, hmm?"
	Todd nodded vigorously.
	"Yep, yep!" he exclaimed "Wanna decorate it."
	"Then you shall have your wish," Cammy smiled and kissed her son  
"First, however, comes dinner.  How does grilled chicken sound?"
	"Sounds wonerful, mommy," Todd said "I'll get the pans."
	Cammy hugged Todd.
	"Now, now," she said with a smile "You don't even know which ones
I need.  Come on, we'll go and do it together."
	She picked her son up and held him in her arms as she carried him
into the kitchen and they got to work on their meal.

	As the two sat down to eat the meal they fixed, they talked as
they always did.
	"Whad ya get in the city, mommy?" Todd asked.
	"Oh, things to decorate the cottage with, as well as the tree,"
Cammy said "Also a few things for you present."
	"What ya maing me?" Todd asked.
	"Now, now, TYodd," she smiled "You know you can't see until
Solstice eve.  You can have one present then, but the rest wait until the
morning."
	"Awwww," todd said "Don't wanna wait."
	"It's tradition, dear," Cammy said "Besides, it's worth the wait."
	"Oh, ok," Todd said "I'll wait."
	"Good fox," Cammy smiled.

	After dinner mother and son went into the living room to decorate
the tree. It was a large, 7' pine tree with dark green, prickly needles
and a firm strong base.  Cammy got out her box of ornaments as well as
some of the ornaments she had bought in the city and to two got to work.
	As the two decorated the tree, they sang lots of different song of
the season.  Todd loved to hear his mother sing.  She had such a beautiful
voice in his opinion, so it was quite natural that she made her living as a
singer for one of the local quiors.  It wasn't much, but it was always
enough to live on.  The two foxes had quite a decent life, and,
therefore, much to be happy about.
	As they decorated, the only real mishap was Todd getting tangled
up in the solstice lights, but Cammy was quick to untangle the playful
kit, and give him a healthy tickling before returning to the decoration.
	When they were finished, the tree was all aglow with multi-colored
lights and beautiful ornaments in the style of the Solstice season.  Cammy
put a few of the presents she had gotten for Todd underneath it and
started a fire in the fireplace before sitting down wit her Todd to admire
the beauty of the scene.
	"Well, Todd," she said "We got it all done.  Just in time too.
	"It tomarrow isnt it," Todd said.
	"Yes, it is," Cammy replied "Tommarow is Solstice eve.  The day
after that will be the winter Solstice when the season changes.
	Todd looked at the tree and thought for a moment.
	"Mommy," he asked "Why we celerbrate the Solstice and not any of
the others?"
	Cammy smiled.
	"Both of the Solstices and both of the equinoxes all have their
importance, Todd," she answered "We must never forget that the other three
exsist.  The Winter Solstice is special to us for another reason."
	"Why that, mommy?" Todd asked. 
	Cammy smiled.
	"That shall wait until tomarrow night," she said.
	"Why?" Todd asked.
	"Tradition, my son," she said "Only on Solstice eve can the reason
be spoken."
	"Oh," todd said "Ok, I wait."
	"That's a good fox," Cammy smiled and kissed Todd's nose.
	Todd blushed softly in the light.
	Cammy hugged her son lovingly.
	"My little Toddie," she said "This will be the perfect Solstice."

	Later, after she had tucked Todd in for the night, she went to her
bedroom and got out the stuffing she had bought as well as some other
materials.  She sat on the edge of the bed and smiled to herself as she
began sewing.  Todd would love what she was making.  He would, no doubt,
love all the presents she would give him also.  She thought about the next
day and the day after.  Solstice was the happiest time during the year
that she could ever remember.  This year would be the best.


	The next day, Todd asked if he could go off exploring with some of
his friends.  Having done so in the past, Cammy gave her permission and he
was off like a shot running down the street with a ferret, a feline, and a
couple of foxes he had made friends with a few months ago.
	Cammy smiled and watched them go.  After awhile she went inside to
get the decorations and began decorating the exterior of the cottage
liberally, not overdoing it as many of her neighbors had done.  Simply a
string of lights around the fringes of the roof and around the top of the
fence surounding the house did very nicely in Cammy opinion.
	As she was stringing up the lights on the fence, she heard the
vidscreen inside receiving an incoming call.  She paused what she was
doing and went inside to answer it.
	"Accept call, please," she said to the blinking screen as she came
inside.
	The screen brightened and displayed the image of another vixen
about Cammy's age.
	"Suzanna," Cammy said, recognizing her sister "Happy Solstice Eve."
	"Happy Solstice Eve to you, also," Suzanna responded "How are
things going for you two up there?"
	"Wonderful," Cammy replied "The decorations are all up and the
weather report on the GIN calls for thick snow tomarrow morning."
	"Perfectly timed, I must say," Suzanna said "Have you receive the
presents yet?"
	"Which presents?" Cammy asked.
	"Why, the ones our mother and I sent you," Suzanna said "WE both
sent them about a week ago."
	"Well, they haven't arrived yet," Cammy said "But I'm sure they'll
be in the mail today.
	"Ever the positive one, huh?" Suzanna smiled.
	"Always," Cammy said "After this year, I have much to be positive
about."
	"That's true," Suzanna said "I do wish I could be with you this
year, but things are so hectic down here."
	"I know," Cammy said "Well, you'll make it next year, then you can
see what cold is really like."
	"Frankly, fourty is enough for me," Suzanna smiled "I don't know
how you manage to survive sub-zero temperatures."
	"Todd and I manage," Cammy said.
	"How is Todd anyway," Suzanna said "I would so love to say hi to
him."
	"Todd's out with his friends right now," Cammy said "But I'll be
sure to let him know you said hi."
	"I'm so glad he's doing well," Suzanna said "He's growing up very
quickly."
	"I'm more aware of that than ever," Cammy said "He'll make a fine
fox one day."
	"He certainly will," Suzanna said "Well, I need to get going.
Robert needs some help with the groceries. Any way, you take care, and
tell Todd that his Aunt loves him."
	"I will," Cammy replied "Happy Solstice Eve."
	"Happy Solstice Eve to you too," Suzanna said "Good bye."
	"Bye," said Cammy.
	The vidscreen clicked off.

	Cammy went outside to finish decorating the house.  After she was
done, she went back inside and finished her work on Todd's gift for that
night.  She was certain he'd enjoy it.  She had always made it something
of a tradition to give him a handmade little something on the Eve that he
could sleep with that night.  As she put the finishing touches on it, none
could tell the difference between it and some replicated piece.  Awhile
after she finished, the mail came, and with it the packages from her
sister and mother.  She placed them under the tree as well as sampled the
cookies her mother had sent.

	Todd finally came back around dinner time and was holding
something behind his back.  Before Cammy could question him on it, he took
it to his room and hid it.
	"What was that," she asked when he came back into the living room.
	"Jus' somethin' for you, mommy," he said with a smile "For the
Solstice."
	Cammy smiled.  For the first time, Todd had gotten her something
for Solstice.  what a touching gesture.  He was learning to be a giving and
respectful Mobian.  He would, indeed, make a fine fox one day.

	After dinner that night. The two sat down in the living room and
turned on the vidscreen again and tuned into the traditional address the
king always made.
	One the screen, he appeared in his royal blue uniform and golden
crown.  King Acorn the XII, ruler of all Mobius.

	"Mobians of all races and species.  Tonight is the Eve of the
Winter Solstice.  Over this last year many things have happened.  Many
good.  A few bad.  Even now as we celebrate life, the Great War with the
Eastern Continents progresses onward.  Still, as we work to bring total
peace to the land once again, we must never forget that peace is what this
holiday is all about.  Everyone of us, each in his or her own way,
celebrates this holiday with the thought that life is a precious thing.
We all have our ways of being thankful that another year has taken it's
turn and the world is well on it's way to the next.
	Now, I am happy to be able to announce that Julian, our War
Minister, has succeeded in calling a temporary cease fire, at least for
tonight, so that both sides of this conflict may celebrate in peace.  This
has come as a hopeful sign for all of us.  I feel confident that soon it
will be over, and peace shall once again rest upon the world of Mobius for
all eternity.

[Majority of speech cut since most people get bored with political
addresses...I know I do]

	For now however, there will be no politics, no fancy speeches.
Simply from my family to all of you out there, Happy Solstice to you all.
May the world of Mobius find the upcoming year of 3224 to better than
ever."

	As Todd watched the King speak, he thought more about it.
	"Mommy?" he asked again "Why we celebrate the Solstice."
	Cammy smiled.
	"For hundreds of years, many great and wonderful things have
happened during the times of the Solstice.  Great things have even
happened during the times of the equinoxes.  If you were to look back into
history, you would find that the city of Mobitropolis was completed on the
Fall equinox.  The original country of Mobius was established during a
Summer Sosltice.  Even the final signing of global peace between the
nations into one unified world was done on a Winter Sosltice."
	"All of these great things have made this a time of celebration.
All the wonderful things that happened throughout the year, especially
those that happened during a solstice or equinox are all celebrated in one
grand holiday.  The Winter solstice."
	"But why winter?" Todd asked.
	"Because," Cammy said "To many people, the beginning of winter is
an important symbol.  It represents a kind of renewal.  The winter season
prepares the world again to be filled with new and bright things when
Spring returns.  The winter is a time to stop and realize that even though
it's cold outside now, things will get better.  For those who aren't as
fortunate as us, or those who are having a hard time, the winter can
represent the idea that things will get better, no matter how bad they get
first.  I guess, deep down, that's truely was the winter Solstice is
about: Celebrating what you have, even if it isn't much.  Things can and
will always get better."
	Todd listened quietly and nodded softly.
	"Thank you, mommy," he said.
	"You're welcome," Cammy said "One day you can tell that to your
children when you have a family."
	"Me?" Todd said "Naw...not ver getting mated."
	"Lots of kits say that, Todd," Cammy said "We'll wait and see.  In
the meantime, would you like your present for the night?"
	"Yes!" Todd exclaimed.
	Cammy smiled and went to her room to get it.  She came back in a
moment, handing it over to her son.  It was a plushie.
	It was a handmade, stuffed fox with soft fake fur and a long
bushy tail.  It had a soft, white underbelly and velvety ears.
	"Oh, mommy," Todd exclaimed as he hugged the toy close "I's
wonderful!  thank you so much!"
	He hugged Cammy tightly and kissed her cheek.  Cammy held Todd in
her arms and nuzzled him motherly.
	"You're welcome," she said "Happy Sosltice, Todd."
	"Happy Solstice, mommy," Todd replied.
	"Wanna give you your present too, mommy," Todd said.
	"My present?" Cammy asked with a smile "Why, certainly."
	Todd gripped his plushie tightly and ran into his room.  He came
back a few moments later, and handed the plushie to his mother.  When she
saw it, she almost gasped.
	It was a flat, round blue stone, polished to shiny perfection that
reflected the light as it hit it.
	"Todd," she said, amazed "Where ever did you get this from?"
	"Down by the river," Todd said innocently "Stuck in a ditch kinda
in the mud.  Had onna my friends clean it up for me."
	"This is beautiful," Cammy said as she looked it over "Thank you
very much, Todd."
	Todd hugged his mom and kissed her cheek.
	"You're welcome, mommy," Todd replied.
	Mother and son hugged snuggly and smiled.

	Later that night, Cammy put Todd to bed.  She tucked him in nice
an snug with his brand new plushie whom he had already named Vixy and
gently sang him to sleep.  Her soft, dulcid tones lulled the small kit
into a deep slumber that night.  One filled with happy dreams of innocent
childhood.
	Cammy got up and left her sleeping son and went to her room and
slipped into bed also.  In the morning they would open their gifts from
their relatives and sing songs together and celebrate all that they had.
It wasn't much compared to some, but it was certainly enough to be
thankful for.
	Cammy, for her part, was most certainly thankful of the kit hat
she had been blessed with.  He would grow into a strong, fine example of a
fox, and she hoped she would be around to see it.

	Todd slept soundly, dreaming of what he had to be thankful for.
He had a mother that loved him and took care of him.  He had friends that
liked him and played with, and he hoped it would last forever.


	In the end, we all know it didn't, but we can also take comfort
from Cammy's words...the meaning of the Solstice as it has been celebrated
for centuries past: Things can and will get better.
	No matter how bad things may ever get for the creatures of Mobius
in the times ahead, things can and will get better.  And, as you and I
know...they did.

	Happy Solstice from the creatures of Mobius.  Merry Christmas and
the Happiest of Holidays.  Always remember the things you have and never
forget that life will always get better no matter how bad it gets...


		   Such is the meaning of the Solstice