Chief of Elfish Resources Nozomi Tojo stepped through the door and saw three papers scattered across the pristine white surface of Eli's desk, she knew some disaster had occurred. Eli was sitting behind the desk, hands wide for balance, blue eyes with a dizzy look at the back of them, like someone had slipped and caused her to fall into a wall.
"How could she?" Eli asked, anger starting to clarify in her voice, "How could she?"
Nozomi was one fact away from knowing how to reply, although she had a guess as to the party involved.
"How could…" Nozomi stepped into the room, her question leaving a blank for Eli to fill.
"Maki." Eli shoved her chair back, standing. Another page drifted off the pile as the desk reacted to the after tremors. "Maki. Doesn't she realize…"
Eli turned away, overwhelmed by too many emotions. Nozomi scooted closer to the desk, reading upside down. Insurance information for someone named Honoka Kosaka. Accident?
"Is Maki all right? Does her father know?" Nozomi's concern was more than professional. Everyone at North Pole Nishikino had come to love the often grumpy but always kindly sole heir to the Santa suit and sleigh.
"Maki is fine. And not taking this seriously. How do I tell her father?" Eli glanced at Nozomi.
"Do you want me to?" Nozomi sat on the corner of Eli's desk, primly arranging the skirt of her purple dress over her knees, .
"It's not your job." Eli groaned. "It's not really my job either."
Nozomi neatened the papers, "My job is to take care of the employees. You are an employee. If it would be taking care of you, in the only way you'll let me…"
Eli pretended to ignore what Nozomi was leaving very openly unsaid, "I'll do it myself." Eli's smile barely qualified but Nozomi, as usual, took what she could get, "Thanks, Nozomi."
Nozomi bounced up, "Just take care of yourself, Eli-chi. Medical forms cause too much paperwork."
"Hey," Eli sounded indignant and Nozomi was glad Eli couldn't see the giggle she was holding back, "Last year was a fluke."
"Just make sure you get some rest," Nozomi twirled in the doorway, "And put up some mistletoe. I made sure it was regulation."
Eli shook her head at the flirtatious dark haired woman and sat down, staring out the window at the sunlit afternoon, wondering what other kinds of trouble Maki was getting herself into. ANd wondering if the young heir had read the detailed email Eli had spent last week on, about polishing her ability to serve as the public face of the company.
Maki woke to her phone going off. She hated setting the alarm so on weekends she never bothered. But Rin's chirpy text tone was enough to drag her out of a dream that involved Nico in candy cane stripes from head to toe and a Christmas tree and...Maki grabbed her phone.
R: Eli's so MAD at you, Maki (╯=▃=)╯︵┻━┻
Groggy, Maki stared at Rin's message. She hadn't done anything. Surely Eli couldn't expect a response to that ridiculously long email about public presentation and the North Pole Nishikino industrial image. Maki usually had a week before Eli started to get twitchy about that sort of thing, especially when Maki was working off site.
M: What happened?
R: Motorcycle crash? Remember? Or did you forget your helmet again?
M: It wasn't an accident. Someone ran over my bike. I wasn't even on it ┐(´ー`)┌
R: Eli's still REALLY mad. Nozomi looked worried.
M: It'll be fine. I'll send her an email. Papa wasn't upset.
R: Eli (╯=▃=)╯︵┻━┻
Maki decided it was time to take a walk.
Nico enjoyed market day, when she actually had the time to spend the morning downtown. So many people bustling happily, especially this time of year, that it was always easy to spread or catch a smile or a laugh. She was especially looking forward to stopping at her favorite bakery and seeing what treats they were making for the holidays. Take some food porn worthy pictures and she'd have a handy blog post, especially if she deconstructed the recipes and made her own versions.
Nico loved dressing for the season. Today, she had snowflake covered light blue leggings and a comfy red oversized sweater with a cartoony Christmas tree, white faux furry boots and a white puffy jacket. She'd only had a little fun with the lipstick, base red with some smudged white snowflakes. No snow yet, that'd be a story for tomorrow, according to the latest forecast, so today Nico was just going to enjoy the sun, the holiday bustle and the...Nico paused as she entered Central Market, the live music, holiday songs? Occasionally, someone would be playing the piano, but this was a much higher level of effort than Nico had ever heard her before, with the jazzy Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas songs making for an auditory treat.
Nico headed for the piano, recognizing as she got closer the red hair bouncing as Maki's long, slender fingers danced over the keys. There was only a second pause between songs, not much of a crowd had gathered. Nico frowned, they really should be more appreciative of this caliber a performer. Maki closed her eyes and then seemed to dive into the music. Nico knew this one. And she knew how to draw a crowd.
Market day. One of the pleasanter things about Tudor for Maki was their downtown market, open 3 days a week, with farmers and small business owners focusing mostly on local foods and crafts. There was also, right in the heart of the market, a piano, surrounded by some tables. Free for anyone to use. Maki had taken to spending an hour or so every weekend making sure her fingers stayed nimble. And since Thanksgiving, she didn't have to fight the urge to play Christmas carols anymore. People welcomed them. Today, she hadn't gathered a crowd, everyone was hurrying from stand to stand buying presents or supplies. A few people caught her eye and smiled, one little girl had watched for almost half an hour as Maki delivered her Santa related repertoire. Now, she was playing her way through the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack, when she heard a voice break in and felt hands settle on her shoulders:
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
families drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Then the pianist jerked a little as news personality Nico Yazawa whispered into her ear, beaming, "Good choice, Maki, with so many kids around. My siblings love Charlie Brown, we watch it every year."
Today, Nico had opted once again for a seasonal theme in clothing as well as lipstick...Maki leaned back a little, pressing briefly into her surprise accompanist, as her fingers forgot how to play anything but random notes. Turning her head, she caught Nico's smile at point blank range and her heart jumped. Nico seemed to have scattered snowflakes over her base red lips today. How did she manage that?
Nico glanced down, "No sheet music. Nico is impressed. Do you know "Frosty the Snowman"? The crowd will love it."
Maki gulped, nervous, as Nico held her glance, red eyes encouraging. Maki nodded and played the first few notes. Nico started to sing along and let go of Maki's shoulders, walking up to random people and getting them to join in. Soon there was a crowd and as Nico sang the last line, applause.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! Nico is just here to bring a little holiday cheer!" Nico curtsied and winked at Maki, whose mouth gaped open as Nico worked the crowd, yet somehow never lost eye contact with her. "What'll we have next? Did you see Nico sing "Jingle Bells" on the noon show, yesterday, no, well it went like this."
Nico slid into the bench, forcing Maki to move down. "Start us off, Maki." Nico smiled "'Jingle Bells'." And Maki started to play.
More applause, Nico kneeling down to sign an autograph for a child, this was Maki's chance to flee. She sprang up, ducked into the crowd and was heading for the door when she heard Nico say, "Let's thank my accompanist, Maki Nish...hey, Maki, where you going?"
Some laughter, people must have thought it was a joke. Maki picked up her pace. She made it to the street before Nico caught up.
Nico maneuvered through people too easily, maybe her size gave her an advantage when dodging between them. "Hey, Red and Rushing…"
"It's MAKI." Maki whirled at Nico's touch, "And I didn't ask you to sing."
Nico brushed off the correction, digging white gloves out of her parka, "But Nico thought you should have more of an audience. Sing alongs always make people smile. And we looked cute together."
Nico looked cute. Maki was wearing her bomber, a t-shirt, grey sweats and steel toed work boots. Maki looked like laundry day. She shook her head, shoved her hands in her pockets, "Look, you're a performer, I get that..."
"Nico is a journalist. So you don't." Nico corrected, confused, once again at Maki's attitude. She's been playing a piano beautifully in a public location and Nico had gotten people to notice.
Maki knew breaking off to head back to the Yorktowne would seem rude, but standing here on a street corner with those red eyes watching her and trying to figure out where the glitch was was not something Maki could tolerate for much longer.
"Fine. Sorry. You like having an audience," Nico nodded, as if Maki had finally gotten something right, "But I don't."
Nico blinked, "You were playing a piano in public."
Maki kicked the heel on one boot against the other's instep, reluctantly admitting the problem. "It's the only piano I could find."
Nico looked sad for a flash of a second, then bounced back, "You are taking Nico to lunch to explain."
"What?" Maki was 100% sure there was only one answer allowed. And Maki hadn't said it.
Nico cancelled Maki's escape attempt by latching on to her arm, "Where's your favorite weekend lunch spot? Nico is curious about what Maki does in Tudor."
"The pizza margherita at Vincenzo's is amazing," Maki finally managed to offer as she continued to fight the panicked urge to pull away from Nico's clinginess.
"Oh good, it's right down the block." Nico started down the street, pulling Maki along.
The waitress had recognized Maki and asked if she wanted the usual. Maki said "Yes".
Nico delayered and settled into the booth across from Maki, "There's enough to share, right?"
Maki nodded. Guess she wouldn't be taking home half a pizza for breakfast then. But company was good. Nico kept watching her, as if some gesture, some motion would defuzz the focus for her.
"So is where you live a lot different from here?" Nico wondered, after giving Maki too much time to start the conversation.
Maki glanced around the restaurant, inhaling the warmth and oregano and fennelly sauce smells, "There's only one diner, plus whatever the chefs at the company cafeteria put together. But they do a pretty robust international menu. And any time you want, you can get comfort food." Maki almost licked her lips as she remembered the Spaghetti Bolognese they'd just put in rotation as the Tuesday dish. "We grow a lot of our own herbs and vegetables. Mama decided it would be healthier and implemented it when she married Papa. " Nico laughed. Maki's eyes narrowed, "What?"
"That's cozy. Comfort food plus industrial innovation as a groom gift. You sound like you enjoy variety? Do you cook?" Nico fidgeted with the wine list on the table.
"Nope." Maki didn't mean to state it quite so proudly.
"Planning to marry a chef?" Nico teased, entertained by the light blush on Maki's cheeks.
"A baker, maybe…" Maki got distracted by the sight of the pizza coming their way and actually answered the question.
Nico leaned into her hands, watching Maki pay no attention to her and "just met my hot date" levels of attention to the newly arrived pizza. It was unexpected. Nico was impossible to ignore. Piano playing must burn off calories. So Nico refrained from grandstanding, enjoying the opportunity to really look at the woman across from her, an intriguing mix of girly curves and sportif style. Nico had to admit she liked the way the two styles clashed, especially with such honest eyes. Nico could read so much in them, it was refreshing in a business where most flattery was a formality. But 10 seconds of Maki swooning over choosing slices was really enough. "That one looks good; Nico will take it."
Maki glanced up, fingers on a crust, eyes wide and Nico knew the hungry redhead had forgotten Nico was there. Flattering. Nico sighed. But then there was that shy, sweet smile Nico liked better than sweets, "I'm so sorry, Nico…" and her name sliding so melodiously out of those lips as the initial slice was apologetically handed over. Nico might have been swooning herself by now, but Maki was on a date with someone named Margherita and not Nico. Given a little warning, of course, Nico could have made Maki forget anything else but this was an information gathering interview triggered by a random encounter, not a Date™. So Nico chewed quietly and thought seriously about what question to start with.
"So do you prefer jazz?" Nico asked when Maki reached for her second slice.
Maki paused, her lavender eyes thoughtful, then she shrugged, "Classical or jazz, both are challenging to play. And listen to."
"Hmmm…" Of course, pizza girl would skip over the part where she asked Nico questions. So Nico provided the answer, "Nico likes K and J-pop."
Maki almost put down her pizza, not bothering to hide her distaste at the Nico's revelation of Nico's taste in music. "Aren't those the silly songs where the band members wear as little clothing as possible?"
"Hey," Nico almost flung her crust as she pointed it at Maki, "Those are very danceable, if you dance anything newer than the grandparent wallflower waltz. They make people smile, give them energy." Nico dropped the crust and brushed crumbs off her hands, "And what's wrong with sexy costumes, some of the groups have the best fashion insight. Nico picks up tips. Just now, menswear is hot, the latest Mamamoo video, Moonbyul rocking suits onstage, sexy, but," Nico let herself get a little snarky as she quoted Maki, "not as 'little clothing as possible.' Sexy with style. Nico likes that. Nico looks good in that." Nico refrained from saying she looks good in anything. Here was Maki and the night they'd met, Nico had been rocking 'knocked sideways into weather' chic." So Maki already knew that.
Maki shook her head, continuing to chew, "You are going to take fashion tips from girls in suits...you seem too…"
Nico grabbed another piece, resisting the urge to flex her frequently worked out, can lift twice what people would expect bicep,"Nico is adaptable. I'm thinking tux for New Year's Eve."
"Tuxedo?" Maki tilted her head, one eye squinting, obviously trying to picture Nico in the outfit.
"Tuxedo jacket." Nico specified, stretching her leg out, "And fishnets." She winked when Maki's eyes finished the tour of her leggings. Maki grunted and glanced away, fumbling to pick up her napkin. Nico was starting to have fun.
"So why play at market if you don't want an audience?" Leave Maki with the New Year's Eve outfit visuals to imagine and move on. Nico congratulated herself on a solid strategy.
"You can't just pack your piano when you travel." Maki crumpled her napkin, tossing it on her plate. "I found that one the first month, mostly people don't notice."
Nico tapped Maki's hand, "Nico doesn't believe that. These have talent. Obvious talent."
Maki started, quickly pulling her hands all the way back to her lap, then tried to figure out how to take a sip of her slightly too distant iced tea without exposing them. Nico almost giggled as Maki decided to lean slowly toward the straw, stretching her neck out.
"This is really good pizza." Nico smiled.
Maki glanced up from her straw maneuvering, "I'm glad you liked it."
"Maybe next time, I'll take you to one of my favorite lunch places." Nico edged the iced tea closer to Maki, who latched onto the straw with her mouth, taking a long sip. Then she sat back, twisting glistening lips together as she thought for a minute, eyes brightening at her decision, "Maybe."
Nico bounced up, "Nico will take that as a date. How much do I owe you for the pizza?"
"You're leaving?" Maki and Nico seemed equally surprised by the redhead's disappointment.
Nico twirled, graceful even in the small space, "Nico's the weekend anchor. So I have a show to get ready for."
"Oh." The gleam in Maki's eyes dimmed, "don't worry about the pizza. I'll take care of it."
"Thanks, Maki." Nico swept in so fast Maki couldn't dodge and kissed her cheek, "Play the piano again for me sometime, okay?"
Maki nodded, hand ghosting over her cheek. Nico thought the pianist wasn't even aware the gesture had happened. Nico could definitely work with this.
Maki had been shopping for snacks to restock her mini fridge, then run out of errands to run. So she'd gone to see the latest blockbuster. Boring. Neither of these activities were nearly lively enough to follow up her accidental lunch 'date' with Nico Yazawa, so, once again, Maki found herself back in her hotel room, sprawled out on her couch, alternating between staring at stripey walls and the not so stripey ceiling. She hadn't posted anything on TWIG today so she took a ceiling shot with the caption "needs more cookies."
Immediate response.
StormCookie: Isn't that your ceiling? Cookies will fall. Gravity ヽ(´Д`;)ノ
SantaChan: ー(  ̄▽)_皿~~ On me ヽ(o o)/
StormCookie: SantaSpoiled, cookies don't grow on ceilings. Or trees.
You have to (σ`・∀・)σ BAKE them.
SantaChan: No (-_ )V
StormCookie: You're in a good mood. Need the second step yet?
SantaChan: Sure.
StormCookie: Are you sitting down? (-。-;
SantaChan: Sort of…
StormCookie: Well, SantaSortof, the second step is...LOOK UP FROM YOUR PHONE
Maki was shocked that StormCookie would suggest that in the middle of their conversation. Was StormCookie bored? Or busy? Or…
SantaChan: But you're here (´υ`)
StormCookie: ⊂(゚Д゚;⊂⌒`つ Actually, I have to run soon. So, step 2 is look up from your phone. Bonus: step 3 for advanced students, talk to the cute girl. I did it, so can you ಠ‿↼
"Talk to the cute girl." That sounded like Rin. Maki chuckled before she heard the next part play in her head "I did it?" Was StormCookie dating someone? Or trying to? And what would that mean for...suddenly, Maki felt sick to her stomach again, cold sweat on her forehead.
StormCookie had sent another DM.
StormCookie: I have faith in you, apprentice ( ̄ー ̄)b Step away from the phone and the cute girls will flock.
And then Maki will forget to offer them slices of pizza and insult their music choices. Maki sighed, hugged her phone to her chest, reaching again for the blanket while calculating the hours she had to wait until the Channel 11 Weekend News.
A/N
A little shorter than I'd planned (so you might get 4 chapters), but I wanted to post today.
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or...Thanks for reading. It means a lot.
Take care!
