Two Sizes Too Small (for Ashes)

Samus did not have a family to celebrate Christmas with. The lights were too bright for her eyes. The songs were repetitive and annoying. And, worst of all, she could not get the more cheerful residents of the Smash mansion to get off her back about being a "Scrooge" or "Grinch" or whatever. She only ever got gifts from or for Mario and Pikachu, being her two closest friends in the roster.

And so, a disinterested bounty hunter laid on her bed in casual clothes, her standard blue shorts with a gray, baggy t-shirt overtop, one hand to her hair, which was lazily tied into a ponytail behind her, and the other on her phone. It wasn't Christmas Eve for her, it was Sunday. And given the nature of the festivities going on outside, she was resolved to stay in her room if it meant not ruining anyone's mood. So long as nobody bothers her-

"Knock, knock, knock" went a hand on the other side of her room's door. Samus groaned in anticipation of who that could be. Pausing momentarily to see if they'd go away without her having to get up, she sighed, calling back "Who's there." monotonously.

[Atlas]

"Your daily dose of Christmas spirit!"

The owner of the voice soon stepped into the room; her normally pink dress currently red with white puffy frills around the sleeves and bottom edge, which stopped at her mid thigh level. Though her crown was replaced with a large Santa cap, her long blonde hair and face were well known throughought the home, belonging to none other than Princess Peach.

Practically gliding into the room, the fesitive woman suddenly held out a wide green box towards the other."While we're still a day early...I thought I'd get you a gift for today and tomorrow! I'm not saying you have to wear it..." While she meant that sincerely, from her eager expression, and the way she kept glancing at the box, it was obvious that she wanted her to try it on.

It could be guessed who that voice belonged to before they came barging into the room unannounced, Samus only having enough time to roll her eyes without being spotted before Peach mosied into her room without invitation. Not the first time that had happened, even.

Samus sighed, dropping her face down onto her covers while dreading the following conversation. "Princess..." She acknowledged, getting up and sitting on her crossed legs. The huntress eyed the present, looking between it and the blue eyes holding onto it with a cut expression.

"You know I don't celebrate." She answered with a deadpan tone. But seeing she wouldn't relent until she opened it, Samus huffed, and then took the present from her hands.

[Atlas]

"You say that now, but I'm sure after some time spent with the others will get you in the mood~" As the box was taken, inside would be what appeared to be a knit, thick sweater. The fabric was a multiude of green and white stripes on a red background, across the middle a image of a reindeer head with a bright red nose.

"Isn't it sooo cute? Granted, I'm not sure your exact size but it's a sorta combination between large and medium!" Her eyes shining a little as she talked, the princess clasped her hands infront of her after, not seeming to notice the other blonde's expression or tone or rather, she wasn't upset by it.

Samus didn't frown, or pout, when she opened the box to find a large, ugly, holiday-themed sweater inside. Naturally, she had been expecting something along these lines, but was holding onto some glimmer of hope that she was wrong. She held it up momentarily, trying to think of how to gently shut this down.

"...it's... something." She started, before instantly deciding that was a terrible opening, "I mean, yeah, it's cute, thanks.."

Her eyes surveying the room momentarily, she then muttered "Um... I'm actually a... small, though, so this won't fit me. Thanks anyway." This, of course, was a boldface lie, since Samus towered over even Charizard when standing straight.

[Atlas]

"I see..." While even Peach had her doubts on this, she continued to smile and then said sweetly,"Well it does stretch and if you try it on now, maybe I can see if another size would suit you better?~" Sitting on the edge of her bed, Peach smoothed down her lap some before speaking up again.

"As a matter of fact, we're going to get together later tonight to watch movies! Perhaps you could join us if you'd like? It's a bit of a tradition really that we all get together in our sweaters and drink hot cocoa!" She let out a small sigh, as if reliving some previous memory before gazing back at Samus.

"Peach." Samus growled. She caught hold of herself before losing her temper. Given the nature of the holiday, she really didn't want to spoil anyone's mood before their big celebration, but she wanted nothing more than to be left alone right now. "I'm thankful for the gift, but really. I'm not into this holiday."

Folding the sweater up, she put it next to her on the bed, her eyebrows still furled. "I'll see you later sometime." She sighed in frustration.

[Atlas]

"But..." Searching for the right words, Peach flustered a bit before saying slowly."With being alone so much...don't you want to be HAPPY for once?" Her eyes widened in shock as she realized how judgmental that sounded, quickly gesturing with her hands. "I-I mean I'm sure you're happy and of course you have us for support, I only meant if you wanted to have fun with us is all!"

Knowing it wouldn't be that easy, Samus turned to Peach while she began stuttering, her patience quickly wearing thin. Her shoulders reeled back at her comment. Even while she began back-tracking it, Samus rose to her feet and stood next to the Princess, easily looking down on her even while she was in heels.

"Being 'alone' so much? What's THAT supposed to mean?!" She lashed out, her temper gaining the better of her, "I'm sorry I don't own a kingdom of brainless supporters, Peach! Maybe I'm happier being away from all of you!"

[Atlas]

"B-Brainless? Samus I realize I was being too suggestive but you have no right insulting the people of my kingdom!" While she had tried to speak in a firm tone, her voice was still a little shakey as she eventually looked down at the floor, unable to meet the blonde's gaze.