AN: Thanks for the reviews! Here's chapter 2. I've got a couple ideas I'm bouncing around my head as to where this story is heading. Just to warn you, I'm terrible at dialogue, so if it sounds really stupid please forgive me, or even better, write a review and tell me how to fix it! Oh yea, I've noticed I'm not being hugely consistant on the spelling of Santa's last name, claus vs. clause, also carol/carole, please bear with me. As always, I own nothing but the clothes on my back and the Bernard-centric fantasies in my head, lol. R&R, people! Merry Christmas-in-July!
Chapter 2 - Small Talk and Big Plans
"Good morning, Bernard." The Head Elf stopped in front of the kitchen, and greeted Mrs. Claus with a smile. "Come sit with me, have some cocoa. We hardly ever get to talk." Bernard looked down the hall in the direction he'd been heading; he didn't really have anything important to do, Christmas having been two days ago. So with a shrug he turned and entered the kitchen, taking a seat next to Santa's wife.
"How are you? Having a good vacation so far?" Bernard silently thanked her for the mug of warm cocoa and took a sip before answering.
"Oh, I'm never on vacation, you know that. Always something that needs doing around here, he said with a laugh that anyone else would find completely normal. Mrs. Clause, however, wasn't so sure.
"Bernard, don't take offense to this, please, but don't you ever take time off to relax? It just seems like you're always so busy. We have a whole two months before we need to start working again. Don't you want to go have fun with your friends?" Bernard scoffed, and instantly regretted it. He tried to fake a cough, but the woman beside him wasn't fooled.
"Bernard, you do have friends, don't you?" Bernard put his mug down, a little too hard, and laughed lightly.
"I hardly have time to sit around doing nothing. I'm the Head Elf, there's always some problem that needs solving, or paperwork that needs doing, or-" Mrs. Clause's hand on his shoulder stopped him, and he wasn't quite sure why. He looked at her, and saw what he'd been afraid of: pity. His face hardened, but he put on his best smile.
"As a matter of fact, I just remembered something I need to take care of. Thank you for the cocoa, it was nice talking to you, but if you'll excuse me, I really must be going." Bernard nodded and swiftly left the room without looking back or stopping until he reached his office. Once inside, he closed the door and leaned his forehead against the wood.
A few days went by, and Bernard hadn't noticed any different treatment by either of the Clauses, so he assumed Carole had had the decency to pretend their little conversation never happened. All the better, Bernard thought as he walked down one of the many hallways in the main building. As he passed by Santa's office, however, he heard his name.
"Bernard, do you have a minute?" Bernard entered the office and saw Big Red sitting at his desk, looking at some papers.
"Of course, Santa. What can I do for you?" Not looking up from the papers, Santa motioned towards the chairs in front of his desk. Getting the hint, Bernard took a seat and waited patiently (or at least, as patient as he ever was). Finally the papers were set aside, and Santa smiled at the Head Elf, folding his hands in a relaxed gesture.
"Bernard, just out of curiosity, how long have you been Head Elf?" The question came as a surprise, and Bernard had to think a minute before giving an answer.
"Oh, I'd say about... a little over a thousand years now, give or take a few decades." Santa simply stared for a moment; he was still getting used to the extremity of elven lifespans. After taking a deep breath, he laughed and shook his head lightly, before continuing.
"Impressive. Right, well, to business. I've got a special job to offer you. You're the only one who can do it, but you can say no if you want; it's nothing that dire." Santa looked at Bernard, who waited attentively. "Yes, well, here's the thing. It's a fairly well-known fact that children usually stop believing in Santa as they grow up. Now, I know there's nothing we can really do to change that, disappointing as it may be. But my wife had an idea the other day. What I would like from you, if you accept, is for you to do some research. I want you to go out and pose as a mortal, and get a feel for how young adults think and act these days. Through the information you provide, we may be able to come up with something. It's all speculation of course, which is why it's no big deal if you decline. Just extra information, that's all. So, what do you think?"
Bernard just stared for a moment, mouth agape, before snapping out of it.
"Uh, well, it's definitely an... interesting plan. How long would I be gone for?"
"Oh, let's see... it'll take you time to really get to know anyone... Why don't we say a year?" Bernard stood in shock, almost knocking the chair over.
"And miss Christmas? But, who'll run things here? The paperwork, and if anything should go wrong..." Santa chuckled. This was exactly the type of response he'd expected from the workaholic elf.
"Bernard, relax. Curtis can take care of things while you're gone. Hey, before you say anything, remember that was over 10 years ago. He's improved a lot lately. Besides, as long as you let us know where you'll be, we can call you if anything happens. Anyway, haven't you ever wondered what the holiday feels like from the other side?" Bernard sighed heavily and sat back down. He knew he wasn't talking his way out of this one.
"As I said, you can decline if you like, but keep this in mind. Picture a world, in which children continue to believe in Santa. A world in which magic is believed in throughout the ages. You could be responsible for that, Bernard." The head Elf looked at Santa with a deadpan expression.
"You know, sir, this sounds an awful lot like a forced vacation. You said this was Mrs. Claus' idea?" Bernard took another deep breath. "Okay, I'll do it. But if anything, and I mean anything, should go wrong, you contact me asap, got it?" Santa laughed whole-heartedly.
"Yes, sir. Carole already made all the arrangements, so stop by the house first thing tomorrow morning, alright? Good. Have a good evening, Bernard." Seeing he was being dismissed, Bernard nodded once, then turned and left the room. Once outside, he shook his head as he walked in the direction of his apartment.
