Vlad spun his chair and looked out the large window to his office. It was barely three in the afternoon and it was already dark outside, no snow had fallen yet this December, but what was lacking in snow the weather made up for in cold and ice coated roads that turned driving into a hazard. Ten more minutes and he could get back home where a hot meal and his cat was waiting for him. All thoughts of turning in early from the Mayor's office was dashed by the sound of emerging footsteps to his office. Vlad knew these particular steps by heart. They could only be described as a one man elephant stampede. Two loud bangs and before Vlad could start answering back, the door was kicked open by Jack with such force that the office door unhinged itself. Did the man even grasp the concept of doors? Vlad didn't even fight the urge to bury his face in his hands and let out a muffled groan. First the social workers begging money for the homeless shelter earlier, he was pretty sure one of them had stolen a reservoir pen as revenge for his excuse that he could not work miracles at such a short notice. And now this!
"Merry Christmas, V-man! Jack cried out, oblivious to the seated man's woe at his arrival.
Vlad schooled his features, "Merry Christmas, Jack. Was it something you needed? And no, I've told you this before, I will not have them cast a blind eye at your tax evasion."
"Better than that, Vladdy! Better than that!" The large man boomed out. "It's Christmas Eve and I thought, who is miserable and all alone on Christmas? And I thought of you!"
"How sweet of you..."
"So I thought that I should swing by and invite you over for christmas lunch tomorrow!"
Vlad blanched. As much as he would love to spend time with Maddie, and in part Daniel, there was no way that he would partake in any form of celebration under Jack's roof. The less he saw of the oaf, the happier he was. Not to mention that the Fenton's were notoriously known for their rows over whether Santa was real or not. In fact, there had already been three complaints this week. If there was even the slightest chance that the inane disagreement could separate the couple, well, let's just say that Vlad would take a closer look on how to use it to his advantage later.
He licked his lips and tried for an apologetic approach.
"I'm sorry Jack. I really am. But I have already made plans for Christmas Day. I will be leaving early tomorrow for a business gala." Vlad of course had made no such plans, but the made up excuse beat the option of accepting the invitation.
The large man looked crestfallen at the news.
"Aww. That's a real shame, V-man. This is your first year celebrating Christmas in Amity Park since you moved here."
"Yes well, not much I can do about it now, as much as I appreciate the gesture." Who was he kidding, the only gesture he'd appreciate from Jack was if the moron poured a gas tank over himself. Vlad would even volunteer with providing a lightning match. "Oh, would you look at the time?" Vlad made a great gesture of looking at his wrist clock, "It seems like it's time for me to head home now!" He got up and donned his coat, hoping that Jack would take a hint and leave. No such luck, Jack followed him like a lost puppy. Pathetic.
"Are you sure you can't depart later?"
"No Jack, I can't. Good afternoon."
"It's just a quick lunch. I'm sure you can leave right after that."
"Good afternoon, Jack" Vlad pressed on, marching down the corridors."
"Are you really sure, Vlad?" They were now at the main entrance to the office building.
"Good. Afternoon. Jack." Vlad slammed the door shut in Jack's face, the fact that Jack was still inside the building did not matter much. Details, details. "And Merry Christmas to you." He spat, "Idiot."
Vlad did not exactly run to his Bentley, but more of a brisk walk to put distance between himself and Jack before the oaf got out. He slid into the driver's seat, thankful for the car heater, as the short time outside had left his cheeks rosy and his hands cold. He pulled out of the parking lot, mindful of the ice, it would do him no good now if he drove his car into a ditch, or worse. In his back view mirror he could see Jack wave back at him. Vlad muttered, "Christmas... Humbug." under his breath.
The exterior of his mansion was covered in festive lights that lighted up the whole block and on the frosty lawn stood a Christmas tree that reached up over nine feet.
However, as he walked up to his door and fished for his keys there was something particularly out of place. Where his door knocker used to be, his door was now adorned by a ghastly face sporting a flaming mohawk and goatee. Vlad gave Skulker an unimpressed glare.
"And what, pray tell, owes me this visit?" he asked his 'employee when convenient', emphasis on the 'when convenient'. Skulker's head phased back though the massive oak door and it swung open soundlessly. Vlad entered and took off his coat, paying little mind to Skulker who closed the door behind him. The interior of the mansion was in stark contrast to the cheery exterior. While the outside had looked like a couple of Christmas elves had gone on a drunken rampage with glitter and lamps, the inside however bore no sign of any seasonal decoration, save for Vlad's usual Green Bay Packers theme.
The mansion wasn't even close to the size of his Wisconsin castle, but for one man alone the place seemed vast, not that Vlad minded much, he had gotten used to it. That and he lived with the delusion that he would one day fill the space with laughter and the presence of a certain auburn haired woman and the son that should have been his. So far what greeted him was the soft thump thump of paws running towards him and a 'mreow' from his cat. He picked up Maddie and nuzzled her soft fur, not caring about the white fur shedding on his black suit. "Did you miss me darling, hmm? He held the cat from him and gave her a mock stern look, "Or is it just food you want?" before holding the pet close to him and turning towards Skulker who had quietly stood by, waiting for his employer to finally pay him attention.
"I hope it is something of importance that made you decide to welcome yourself to my home like this. What do you want?"
"I came here for two reasons, Plasmius." Skulker looked amused over the display of affection Vlad had given his cat. Vlad harrumphed and walked over to the dining area to put out food for Maddie, fully expecting Skulker to follow him. He put down the cat and readied her bowl, all under silence, which was doing nothing for his dwindling patience. When he was done he focused back on Skulker. "As much as I love the building tension, I would prefer it if you got on with what you wanted." Skulker leaned on the table and grinned.
"First of all I came over to wish you a Merry Christmas and to remind you of the annual Christmas Truce."
Vlad scowled. "I am well aware of the truce and I stay in line every year out of respect for the set rules and traditions that the ghosts follow. I'm not foolish, Skulker. Why did you even bother telling me this?
"Well Plasmius, we were all hoping that you for once would actually turn up for the celebration tonight.
"Not you too." Vlad groaned, "First the lumbering oaf and now you."
"Why don't you think on it then? It would not hurt you."
"How about no."
The mirth seemed to melt off Skulker's face, leaving the metallic surface sober and neutral. "I was hoping that you would say otherwise."
"And what do you mean by that?" Vlad straightened his back, not putting it above Skulker to try anything funny, truce be damned.
"Easy Plasmius. I didn't mean it like that." The ghost gave a pacifying gesture with palms open.
Vlad gave him a hard look before he decided to take the ghost's word for it.
"There was something else I wanted to speak with you about. They are only rumors so far, but I thought that you should know anyway."
"Is it important?"
"As I said, rumors. But I'd rather warn you now, than getting into trouble for it later for not telling you."
"A wise choice." Vlad made it over to sit down at the dining table and motioned for Skulker to do the same.
He seated himself and rested his chin on his intertwined hands. "So what's the local gossip this time in the Ghost Zone?" Vlad had learned from past experiences to pay attention to the latest news from the Ghost Zone. Whether it was for rising opportunities, or knowing when to stay away from regions where altercations between ghosts were taking place. Skulker had provided him with information earlier in change for a minor upgrade or two, if Vlad was feeling generous.
"Word has it, that after the stunt Ghost Writer pulled last year with Phantom, the big shots are planning something to enforce that the truce is being upheld during the holidays from now on."
"And this is of concern to me, because?"
"You're half ghost yourself, so this count for you as well. Though you haven't broken the truce before, it might affect you by default. Since the runt was partly responsible for the ruckus last year and he's a half ghost too, so yeah…" Skulker trailed off and looked apologetic.
"So you're telling me that Daniel's and my shared status as half ghosts might get me in trouble. As in, guilty by association?"
"Pretty much." The ghost seated before him had the gall to find it amusing.
Great. The day was just getting better and better as it passed. Now he had to worry about ghosts higher up in the hierarchy breathing, figuratively, down his neck too, without Vlad even having done anything this time. Just his ill-luck it would seem.
"Thank you for telling me this."
Skulker got up from his seat, "Yeah, just thought that you should know. Do come by tonight would you? Who knows, it might even help keeping whatever is going on off your back." he grinned.
"You always get so awfully cheery this time of year."
"What can I say? It's Christmas. I'll show myself out." He cast Vlad one last cheeky grin, "Merry Christmas, Plasmius I hope to see you later at the celebrations."
"Yeah, yeah." Vlad waved him tiredly off with a flick of his wrist as the ghost removed itself from his presence.
He stared out into nothingness as he let the information sink in. Big shots? Sometimes Vlad genuinely wondered if he was dealing with spirits or with organized crime units. Knowing some of the ghosts he had run into before, it might as well be a bit of both. He threaded his fingers through his hair, yanking on the hair tie in frustration. No use getting winded up over it. It was probably nothing that would affect him in the end. He would most likely hear from Skulker later in the week on how Daniel had gotten the brunt of it. He entertained the thought of warning the boy but disregarded it quickly. To be fair, the teen had it coming, if what he had heard was true about Daniel's involvement last year. He guessed that he was partly at fault for never informing Daniel about some of the more vital traditions and rules of the Ghost Zone. Although, it was not that the younger half ghost would have bothered to heed his words anyway. Feeling old and weary, he got up from his seat. Right now all he wished for was that hot meal and a glass of brandy in his study before he would retire to bed.