[Sadrain]

December 1st, Chicago; "Polar Bear Cafe".

Leila felt a little relieved that he didn't ask further. Either out of respect for her privacy and past (which she doubted) or not wanting to get into an argue. However, Amante's question didn't bring much happier thoughts to her. The girl took another spoon of ice cream and grew silent, in thoughts. Various memories went trough her mind, and in half absent minded manner, she shared some of them, although avoiding to mention any place names.

"In early years, there was always a Christmas party at where I resided... I usually went to the big Christmas tree in city's center instead." In fact, few times she had stayed staring at it whole night, until the Mistress came and dragged her home. It was only time she didn't beat her up for wandering away from "Home". Maybe even she felt tiny bit sympathetic... Or just wanted to use that pain, woken up by Christmas, to fuel the little girl's hate.
"Later, I tried decorating Christmas tree for my self, but... I didn't like that. So, I sit home, or wander trough streets in evening, sometime come here. Visit graveyard." As if the last words and memories had snapped her out of some hypnosis, she winced visibly and looked away. "I guess I won't this year."

"What about you?" she asked Amante, but thought wheels were already stirring in her head. If this was her only day outside in December, there was something she had to do...