#absolute corruption

Maggie - 11/12-years-olds, Bradey's younger cousin who they adopted. She plays soccer, has a dog named Perdita, and loves space! Her favorite weekend activities include: Going to Disney or playing on the beach!

Walker - 3/4-years-old and a hybrid human/android of the ai Kronos and the clone Cleon xiii. They live on a planet far from Empire's purview and a good distance from the locals. Walker loves exploring the nearby forests and quarries of their home and listening to her mother tell the stories of the long-lost homeworld of humanity, Earth.

Rowan - 14-years old, Rowan is Adeline's youngest sister who She and Hector have taken custody of. She likes video games, spending time with her friends after school, playing with her dog, and hanging out with her sister and Hector. She looks forward to joining the drama club in high school, and trying out for the Cheersquad in her sophomore year.

Evelyn - 5-years-old. After losing her family in the tragic sinking of the Titanic, she was taken in by the man who saved her, Caledon Hockley. She now lives in a lavish with her father and nanny-turned-mother, Miranda. She likes horse riding, playing with her mother, going for car rides, and eating chocolates cake.

Vivian - 4-years-old. So much like her parents, Eddie and Mika, Vivy loves using her imagination and playing knights on the playground with her best friend Ethan. When the two aren't there or at pre-school, they're at ballet class together. She loves playing with Eddie's old dnd minis and watching Mika's old theater club recordings, her favorite is Beauty and the Beast because both her parents play the lead. And she's very excited for her little brother to be born.

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Athos and Amélia agreed not to exchange gifts this year and to just get things for Celine, but he had a new dress made for her anyway.

She felt bad not having anything for him, but he adamantly assured her she didn't need to, and that he's perfectly happy with simply being able to spend the day with his two loves.

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Hector, Adeline, and Rowan spent Christmas on an Alaskan cruise. They spent the day together, cuddled up in their hoodies out in the cold air on deck, drinking hot chocolate.

They watch Polar Express in their room later that night and all fall asleep curled up together.

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Peter and Stelle spent Christmas morning with May and the three of them went to Stelle's mother's for dinner.

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Peter gave Stelle a silver pill case for her meds and some new stickers for her headphones, and she got him a custom strap for his camera and a dark teal beanie.

They cuddled on the couch and watched both Gremlins movies before bed.

Caspian and Retta spent the morning together, exchanging gifts before they were pulled away help get ready for the Christmas ball.

He gave her a beautiful silver and crystal necklace to wear with her gown and she gave him a heavy set of gloves and a new pair of hunting boots.

They spent the night hosting the Christmas ball and banquet, greeting guests, and dancing.

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"Just be careful of fallen apples," He calls after her when she runs off after the dog, "I don't want you breaking your ankle!"

"What do you mean? I'm always careful!" She turns back to him, stumbling backwards only to slip on one, "Whoa!"

"Rowan-"

She catches herself and waves him off, "I'm fine- ah!"

When she turns to go again, but doesn't notice Gunner running up to her and she trips over him, falling on her face.

Hector waits for her to pop back up and laugh it off, but worry floods his body when she rolls over and sits up with a sniffle.

"What's wrong?" He asks, jogging over, "Are you hurt?"

She wipes her nose on her sleeve and nods.

"Show me where," He kneels next to her.

She shows him her bloodied knee and scraped palms.

"Just as clumsy as your sister," He sighs, "Alright, come on."

Her eyes go wide when he picks her up.

"I can walk," She mutters.

"It's fine- Gunner! Come!" He whistles and the dog comes bounding after them.

He brings her inside and sets her on the kitchen counter before grabbing the downstairs first-aid kit.

She has bits of gravel and dirt from the path stuck to her forehead and leaves in her hair, but she seems more focused on the hand moving to clean her knee.

He's already wiped it with a damp paper towel, now all he has to do is disinfect it and put a bandaid on.

"Deep breath."

She winces at the sting of the alcohol wipe, more tears springing to her eyes.

"And.... there!" He smooths the bandage on her skin and presses a quick kiss there, "That's my brave girl. Now, let me see those hands."

She holds them out for him to examine.

"Poor thing," He coos, getting out more disinfectant, "Quick sting and we're done, okay?"

She nods, hissing at the feeling on her palms.

"All done," He sets the used wipes aside and brushes away her tears, "Feel better?"

She nods again.

He offers her his arms, lifting her off the counter before gently setting her on the ground.

"Good. Now be more carefull," He ruffles her hair, pulling a small giggle from her, "For my sake."