A few days passed since the last minute preparations, and solscele's eve had come. 

Almost all were still missionless, and would celebrate the holiday in the dorms.

It was once again a sunny day, at the beginning of the afternoon.

Red seemed somewhat down, which worried Gretel.

"Are you alright, my little angel?"

"It's nothing..."

"The brat says he's a good boy, so why does it look like he's scared of having a solscele's nightmare?"

"I'm a good boy, I always get presents! Why would I have n-nightmares…."

He fills his cheeks with air, pouting.

"Hansel, if you keep this up, you'll be the one having solscele's nightmares..."

Gretel's stare once more said Hansel's life would be in danger if he didn't shut up.

"We're going out to buy the ingredients for dinner, anyone wants to come along?"

Jack asked, completely changing the room's mood. He and Lupin had just finished getting ready for their outing to the city.  

"Meeeeeeee!"

Red instantly answered enthusiastically, jumping nonstop on the same spot.

Seizing the opportunity, Gretel picks a rolled up paper parchment and hands it to Hansel.

As he unraveled it, the contents written were very varied: honeycomb, goat's milk, premium limited edition "super delish" eggs, many kilos of beef, blueberries, oriental spices, and many more… 

The paper reached the ground, and yet still kept on having more and more to unravel.

"What is this?"

"Since you have nothing better to do right now, buy me everything on that list."

Hansel wanted to refuse, but he already planned on going with them anyway, so he just accepted his new duties in silence with a cynical smile.

"Are you coming, Katty?"

She slept peacefully on the sofa, like a cat would do when the weather is cold.

"...I don't think she's going, Jack."

After answering in her stead, Hansel grabs his scarf, wool cap and gloves while Lupin dresses Red for the cold.

It was rare for it to snow in the area, and there was even a lot of green in the environs, but the temperature was still freezing.

With everyone ready, to the city they go.

Decorations all over, bustling stores, some people smiling full of tranquility as they walk while others run hastily with worried expressions…

On solscele's eve, all over, there were people making last minute purchases. It was always one of the busiest days for common stores and restaurants.

"I have to buy some things over there, we can meet up here later."

Lupin says, a little awkwardly.

"Ah, I'll look after Red for you then."

"Thanks, Jack!"

"I'm also going that way, I need to visit many shops to find all those special ingredients… what the hell does Gretel wanna cook...?!"

"Want to come along then, Hansel?"

"Ok."

The two walked away, leaving only Jack and Red there.

Strolling side by side, Jack seemed to give off the aura of a reliable big brother.

Red accompanied him while silently observing the people around them.

Jack went into the stores and was friendly, being able to get some extra discounts atop the ones expected to hunters.

Of the folks around them there were many groups of families and friends sauntering about, as well as many people on their own who gave the impression of feeling lonely.

The decorations of the shops were so diverse and different that Red couldn't help but wonder, what would happen if he knocked down the solsceline statue?

Or if he pulled the wreaths off.

He could also push one of the showcase tables, certainly that'd be interesting to do, but is stopped before having the chance to do anything.

Jack knows better than anyone that kids do questionable things for no particular reason, and can easily detect the moment when something of the sort is about to happen.

"Red, don't make a mess. Think about how the owners would feel if anything broke. Would you like it if someone destroyed your crossbow out of nowhere?"

"...Ok, sorry Jack."

Red goes back to looking around, and remembers what Hansel said earlier.

Solscele made him somewhat scared every year, since he always had nightmares on that day.

But he always got presents, so they shouldn't be related to the so-called "Solscele's Nightmare". Misbehaved kids only got coal and bad dreams, he knew at least this much, although at the same time he only knew this much.

"Hey, Jack… What's a solscele's nightmare?"

"Has no one ever told you, Red?"

"I never asked."

He never cared much for such things until then, but thanks to Hansel it started to bother him.

"Do you know what's solscele, then?"

"The day when everyone gives me presents?"

Jack smiles, and begins explaining the tale of how solscele became what it's like on the current day to Red...

From a long time ago the celebration of the winter solstice was commemorated by all races in a plethora of ways.

But there existed some who thought the festivities to be unequal.

Rich and powerful families had much, while the less fortunate barely could eat something special… 

Unsatisfied, a fairy couple decided to change that. The two started to make presents to all children who were well behaved in the year, and to all adults who did enough good deeds.

All kingdoms had happier and livelier celebrations the following years thanks to the actions of those fairies, who made even those with nothing able to enjoy the holiday.

That inspired another fairy.

If there's someone to reward good, why not someone to punish evil?

The fairy, who was equally powerful compared to the couple, decided to grant misbehaved kids and persistently wicked adults nightmares, alongside coal.

The fairy couple and the lone fairy got into conflict, which was swiftly solved with a simple treaty: don't get involved in each other's businesses.

And thus was reached today's stability.

Santa Klaus Noel and Santa Nivis Noel deliver gifts using magical reindeers, leaving them below the decorated trees.

Furthermore, they give special gifts, delivered personally, to some who leave milk and cookies close to the tree as an offering and were specially good over the year.

The two regularly switching who observes the people and who makes the presents, always supporting each other…

Meanwhile, the lonely Knecht delivers coal and bad dreams using unknown methods, also visiting a single target per year with a special punishment.

And all were gifted and punished equally by the neutral entities, depending solely on their own self and their own actions as to what they were given, not on riches, status or power.

"Therefore, a solscele's nightmare is a punishment Knecht gives alongside coal to naughty kids."

Jack finishes his explanation by messing Red's hair in a friendly manner.

He was a bit surprised with the story, but that cleared up his doubts.

"Then, I really never had a solscele's nightmare."

Since he always got gifts.

The two continued to buy what Jack needed, and went to the meeting place when finished.

Not long after comes Hansel, holding enough items to appear more like a dubious street vendor rather than a customer, and Lupin, who's carrying a considerable amount in one hand and a white sack in the other. 

"Hansel looks like a pack mule."

Red didn't miss the opportunity.

"Gretel's fault, what does she need all this for?!"

The way back home is lively, with those two arguing along the way.