This is a fic I started working on eons ago, like years ago, and then I got distracted and never did anything with it. It's a bit different from my others. Generally I don't like posting anything too OC central on this site. I figure if people want to read fanfiction, they want to read about the canon characters, not my OCs. In any case, I 've decided to post this anyway. I'm not sure where it's going yet, but you'll find out as soon as I do! ;)
Mr. Claus looked up at the sound of a sharp rapping on his front door. It was almost 11pm. The residents of Christmastown were early to bed sorts for the most part. A visitor at this hour was highly unusual.
"My, I hope nothing is wrong!", Mrs. Claus said from the kitchen. Stepping back from the sink, she wiped her hands on her apron. Her husband set aside his mug of hot chocolate. Outside, a short, sturdy woman stood impatiently, holding the hand of a small child. The door opened, spilling butterscotch-colored light onto the snow. The woman spoke quickly. Her hands gestured in fluttery movements.
"I-I-I'm...sorry, Mr. Claus. I'm so sorry. I just can't. Not overnight. I'd be happy to take her tomorrow when we'll all be up and about! It's just...I just..."
She ran out of steam, eyes pleading. Santa simply nodded.
"I'm sorry to cause you trouble.", the woman said weakly.
"It's no trouble in the world for me." Santa said. The woman thought she heard a trace of emphasis on the "me". It's no trouble in the world for me. As if it wasn't trouble for him, and therefore should not have been trouble for her either. She could hardly press the matter. This was Santa Claus after all. The woman smiled graciously, and nodded her head before turning to walk back home. As Mr. Claus's door closed behind her back, she grumbled to herself. He could hardly judge her for this, as if she were one of those naughty children in the human world who would wake up to find nothing under their tree on Christmas morning. Really, what else could she have done? It was easy enough for him. Santa Claus had no children of his own to worry about.
Mr. Claus looked down at the child. She was almost completely covered by a dark green, felted wool coat with a hood. The coat pockets were applicaed with pumpkins. A small bag hung from one hand, a tattered stuffed toy from the other.
"Well, now... Let's take your coat. It's very warm in here for that, isn't it?" He gently took the bag and toy, laying them aside on a sofa., then helped the child off with her coat.
"Who is it? Is everything alright Nicholas?", Mrs. Claus called out. Santa took the child's hand and lead her to the kitchen.
"Everything is fine dear. We're very lucky! We have a princess staying with us tonight! Isn't that wonderful?"
Mrs. Claus turned from the counter. She felt the briefest of shivers at first site of their little guest, but recovered instantly. She smiled.
"Hello, Hazel! This is a most splendid surprise!"
The couple traded glances. They had been married a long time, centuries as a matter of fact. Entire conversations could be had in seconds, and without a single world spoken aloud:
Why is Hazel here? Wasn't she going to stay with Ivy?
We'll talk later. She can just as easily stay here can't she?
Of course. I just wondered, that's all...
"It's very late for such a little girl.", said Mrs. Claus. "I'm sure you must be ready for sleep, but would you like something to eat first? I have the table all arranged for Nicholas' snack before bed.
"Yes, ma'am.", said the Hazel. Santa Claus helped her into a chair. The table was fairly covered with food. There were dishes of every description, a variety set to make most any human's mouth water. Not being a human, Hazel peered from plate to plate in search of something familiar.
"I'll bet I have a treat for you.", said Mrs. Claus. Reaching into a fancy little cabinet with tin doors, she produced a pumpkin pie. "Your mother sent this. Would you like me to cut you a piece?"
"Yes, please.", Hazel said gratefully. The Clauses laughed. The girl smiled lovingly at the slice of pie on her plate. She very much wished she had sugared spiders to sprinkle across the top, but it would have been rude to ask for them. Placing a bite of pie into her mouth, she closed her eyes and could almost imagine sitting at the kitchen table in her own house. Santa Claus interrupted her thoughts.
"It's almost October. Things must be getting busy around your home."
Hazel nodded, but did not elaborate.
A grandfather clock in the parlor room chimed the quarter hour. Mrs. Claus spoke:
"You're the image of your mother. Do people tell you that often?"
"Yes." A polite smile.
"Did you have fun playing with Ivy? I know you don't have many little girls to play with at home."
Hazel nodded once more, slowly. Santa poured himself another mug of chocolate as he continued:
"I'm glad. Ivy was excited for your visit. You two get along well then?" He poured a chocolate for Hazel. She watched with some fascination. Chocolate candy was well known to her, but as a beverage it was sheer novelty.
"You didn't have a falling out, did you?", Mrs. Claus pressed. Santa shot a flicker of a glance toward his wife. She added quickly: "It's alright if you did. The best of friends have arguments. Even Nicholas and I don't agree on everything!"
"Nooo... Ivy's my best, best, bestest friend.", Hazel said with a bit of a sigh. Her dark crimson lower lip jutted out in frown.
"That's wonderful to hear. In any case, you'll sleep here tonight, and we're glad to have you.", Santa Claus said, giving the girl a light pat on the hand. "You and Ivy can play for awhile tomorrow before your father comes for you, if you'd like that."
Mrs. Claus arranged the young houseguest in a spare bedroom. She tucked the girl in as she would have any child of her own, planting a small kiss on her forehead before leaving the room. Hazel searched the kiss for a trace of unease, but found none. Once alone, she sat up. The night was much more silent than to what she was accustomed. After a moment's thought, she hung over the edge of her bed, peering intently underneath. Nothing. Nothing and no one. She pulled herself upright once more, disappointed. Night sky shone through the a window near the foot of the bed. Between the candy-striped curtains, Hazel saw shimmering green and purple. Bright ribbons of light danced across the sky.
"Hello, Aurora Borealis", she said aloud. She'd seen it here once before, when she visited with her parents and brothers. At the time, the lights struck her as lovely beyond all description. Tonight, she was less impressed. The sky in Halloweentown never does such silly, gaudy things, Hazel thought. Folding her arms tightly around her stuffed toy, she flopped back into the bed.
