Chapter 2:
Nolwenn had to look twice before deciding it was definitly safe to enter the main room. What happened here ?! It looked like a Christmas store had been relocated here... Wow !
Thanks to Jenkins'Back Door, she could go home in her small appartment in France everyday and come back here in any minute. Today, she was carrying her rabbit pet in her arms as she was just returning from the vet : Springtrap was sick and suffering from bowel obstruction and he needed a strict watch and medication. If only she could avoid the grumpy caretaker and put her pet somewhere he could stay warm and comfortable...
"No dog allowed inside the Annex. Spoke Jenkins with a stern voice, making her jump in surprise.
-It's not a dog, it's a rabbit ! She protested. My rabbit. He is sick and I have to watch him and forcefeed him every couple of hours."
The caretaker bit back a sigh : pets... Why did the Library choose a guardian with pets ?!
"Alright, keep him, but if your beast tries to eat the books, I will make a good stew of him.
-He is 5 years old, I doubt he is edible.
-I would still try."
He wasn't going to, but if it could make sure that she would NOT let her long-eared pet wandering inside the Annex, he was ready to fight dirty.
"What's wrong with him ?
-Hem... I don't know the exact english word, but I can tell that his stomach and intestines are obstructed. The vet gave him medication but it doesn't seem to work."
The sand colored rabbit wasn't moving, hidden in his human's coat. Jenkins could tell he was still breathing but not much more. He sighed and guided into the main room where the LiT were busy decorating under the Colonel's watch.
"Hello, everyone. Greeted the french woman. That's a big tree !
-Hi, Nolween ! Waved Cassandra. Jenkins found it, and the decorations too. Wanna help ? What's in your coat ?
-My pet, Springtrap. He is sick and I can't leave him alone in his current state.
-Is that a bunny ? Oh my god, he is so cute ! What's wrong with you, sweetie ?"
You could always trust Cassandra to find something cute...
"Hey, Runt. Called the Colonel. Jenkins let you in with your pet ?
-Yes, but he says he would make a nice stew of him if he tried to touch his books."
The blond woman chuckled : that was Jenkins in his good days...
They watched Cassandra and Ezekiel decorating the tree as Jacob was busy wrapping gifts, and threathening Jones with scissors when he was coming too closer to the presents for his taste. What made her think she had forgotten to bring their gifts for Christmas... Oh crap, she had been focused on her sick bunny and didn't think about bringing the gifts here. She sighed internally : stupid girl...
Nolwenn was busy feeding her pet with a seringue while listening to the LiT talking about why they liked Christmas when Jenkins walked into the main room, talking to someone and pushing a rolling telephone :
"What ? Wait wait wait. No. Please, Gretchen : listen. Of course he is not here ! Why would he be here, Gretchen ? Yes ! No ! Alright. Fine ! We'll do it anyway ! - he stopped the conversation and turned back to the librarians and guardians- Christmas is cancelled.
-Thank you ! Cheered Eve.
-No, I mean : Christmas is cancelled for the whole world ! And soon, the WHOLE world will be cancelled because SANTA CLAUS disappeared ! Follow me !"
Everyone watched him without saying anything for a few seconds : What ?!
"Santa Claus is real ?" Reacted the librarians, running after the caretaker.
The Colonel followed them in exasperation :
"Santa Claus is not real. He doesn't exist."
Nolwenn watched them and was actually wondering what the hell was going on here...
"Runt ! Called Eve. Come here !"
She got up and walked carefully, still carrying her sick pet toward Jenkins'workroom (well, one of his rooms anyway. Last time Nolwenn has counted, she had found five different workrooms and three laboratories, all different.)
"So, Santa exists ? She wondered, getting an eye-roll from her blond coworker.
-Santa doesn't exist. Grumbled Eve.
-Actually, he does. Explained Jenkins. But not exactly in the sense that you understand. Now the being called Santa -"Don't call him Santa!" from Baird -is an immortal avatar of Goodwill, traveling all year-long around the world, witnessing and participating in acts of kindness, humanitarian, absorbing all good spirits and at Christmas Eve, he elevate in the Atmosphere and release all this goodwill back into the human race, recharging all our karma batteries, something like that. Without Santa -"Not calling him Santa!" doing this, all humanity would run out of goodwill. Every city would be burning by Grounhog Day.
-What is Groundhog Day ? Asked Nolwenn.
-Not the subject ! Interjected the Colonel.
-So, spoke Ezekiel, that's why everyone is so cranky at holydays ? It's because people ran low of goodwill ?
-Precisely. And now that Mrs Santa called...
-MRS SANTA IS REAL ?!
-Oh, shiny balls... yes ! Sighed Jenkins feeling sighly annoyed.
-My ears didn't need that, Cassandra... Winced Nolwenn.
-Oh, sorry... Mumbled the read head.
-So, when Mrs Santa called -warning glare toward the Colonel and Cassandra-, she said that last he checked in, he was in a soup kitchen in London.
-What is a soup kitchen ?
-Not the time, Runt !
-I will fire the Back Door. Cut Jenkins, not wanting to be around the 5 Nuisances. Come on !"
The librarians ran after him, leaving a sighing Eve and a deadpanned Nolwenn :
"Still not going to call him Santa. Mumbled the blond woman before joining them."
The french woman frowned and share a perplexed stare with her pet : what the hell ?!
"Runt ! You're staying here !
-Why ?
-I already have to deal with three excited librarians, I'm not adding a runt to the equation ! Take care of your pet !"
Wow, let's talk about being cranky, here...
Jenkins sighed when the Door closed :
"Finally some quiet... -he eyed the french woman- I have work to do. Don't disturb me."
Yep... Cheerful holidays... She wanted to go back home and nurse Springtrap back to heath, even knowing that he had little chances for survival. She sighed : she had to stay here, with a grumpy caretaker, three hyperactive librarians and a cranky co-guardian... She headed for the kitchen. Perhaps preparing some tea and something else would keep her busy instead of waiting and letting her thoughts get the best of her...
Later, she could swear her mug of tea had disappeared from the kitchen table. Seriously ? How could a mug full of tea disappear like that ?
She just had not seen a sneaky Jenkins passing by and stealing the thing because the tea she had brung from her home had a very good smell and taste. If at first he had wanted to prepare himself a cup of his own tea, he wasn't saying no to an unwatched mug already full and untouched.
Springtrap had seen the caretaker though, but since he wasn't in the state to move out of his small blanket, he decided to let the big thief go away. He made himself a promise : next time he would catch this tall mountain of a human stealing his mom's drink, he was going to show him who was the boss here. No one was allowed to steal his mommy under his watch ! He had to protect her. It was his job as the alpha bunny from his warren. Now, he was watching her preparing some sweet food. He liked sweet food. A shame he was sick...
"Santa is not missing ! He has been grabbed !"
Jacob's voice resonnated in the main room, Cassandra following him with a strange expression. Ezekiel and Eve had come back earlier and were watching something on a old TV screen.
The thief had managed to hack the security cameras and was now searching for the sight of their missing target.
"The ones who grabbed him. Added Stone. Tattoos. Two blades. Snakes.
-Serpent Brotherhood. Identified the Colonel
-What is the Serpent Brotherhood ? Asked Nolwenn leaning against the nearest door and eating a fresh-baked magdalena. And don't tell it's not the time for this !
-Where did you get that ? Asked Ezekiel, eyeing the small cake.
-Made them. They are cooling in the kitchen. Be carefull if you want some. I found out that food and tea tends to disappear when you have your back turned."
Mr. Jones certainly broke a speed record for fetching the big plate of magdalenas before someone else could take them.
Needless to say, Jenkins was disappointed to find the plate missing from the kitchen table...
"It's him ! Gasped Cassandra, looking at the screen.
-Him who ? Asked Ezekiel and Nolwenn.
-The one from the Brotherhood. You only met Lamia but I'm the only one to have met him. It's the boss... Dulaque."
Something fell and shattered on the floor and everyone saw Jenkins wiping his mouth before walking closer, alarmed by something.
"Dulaque ? He repeated. Of course ! -he rambled- It's what he is calling himself... -he turned the screen so he could look at it- Of course...
-Hem... Jenkins ? Asked Baird. Quick question. What are you talking about ?
-If Dulaque and his Brotherhood have Santa, at least we know what happens next. Dulaque'll kill him. He'll kill Santa Claus.
-What ?!"
At least, Cassandra wasn't the only one shocked by this...
"If all they want to do is to kill him, they don't have to move him. He is still in London."
Eve was in her Colonel mode, walking around while the librarians were staying together next to the french guardian.
"Do you remember the adress where Dulaque's office was the first time you met him ? Asked Stone to Cassandra.
-I didn't see his adress. She answered uneasily. I was in a car. I was blindfolded.
-Well, smiled Jones. That's a start. Better than a start. One thing every thiefs know is that London is the most watched city in the world. A single person can get caught by a camera 300 times a day.
-Yeah but I don't it's possible to catch Santa on camera.
-Well, what about you. -he took a photo on the red head with his phone- In your first trip. Have they been that careful with you ?"
He pianoted on his keyboard and Eve smiled :
"Good we have a thief.
-Here's still half a million cameras in London..." Grumbled Jacob.
The french guardian decided it was time to give medication to her pet and walked away. Five minutes later, she was called by Eve for a rescue mission.
"You, Jones and Cassandra are working together and rescue our missing man. Stone and me are going to distract Dulaque and his acolytes.
-Yeah ! Cheered Ezekiel. I have the dra...
-Zekiel ! Shushed Nolwenn, showing sharper teeth than usual.
-The french... He tried again. Yes, the french. We have the french with us.
-Weirdos... Muttered Jacob and Cassandra was facepalming.
-Jenkins ? Called Eve. Can you keep an eye on the rabbit ?"
The caretaker grumbled : he wasn't a pet-sitter, but it was that or leaving an unattended rabbit in the middle of priceless books and rare and dangerous artefacts... He sighed and took the long-eared beast with him.
If finding the Chamberlain House in London had been easy thanks to the Back Door (or Jenkins), entering the place wasn't.
"Seriously, by the fireplace ? Whispered Nolwenn. Are you crazy ?
-It's called the chimney. Corrected Cassandra. The fireplace is inside the house.
-And if you use your dragon claws and scales, you shouldn't be hurt. Smiled Ezekiel. Oh, and if you could use it to help us, it would be great."
She sighed but shifted partially. The three of them had had a serious chat after the Minotaur Case. Nolwenn had to explain to them that she was a high-level druid, nature mage, and the dragonskin had been part of her training, finalizing it. Sadly, her powers and magic had been sealed three years ago by a demonic entity in exchange of saving a friends'life. The only things she kept from the deal was her dragonskin (but no fire or healing power), her knowledges and the memories. The memories were a real torture : it was just cruel to remember everything when it was now sealed away. And she had to deal with the risk of madness because of this. Her dragon-shifting wasn't well-controlled since the pact and she could feel the Abyss trying to get her everyday, wanting to imprison her into their cold darkness.
That, and the fact she was deadly afraid of eels (evil-fish in dragon mind)...
"Alright, let's go."
She used her claws to hold on the stones as Cassandra was clinging at her back. Her tail swang, hitting the wall and making ash drop.
"Watch out, Nolwenn !"
Oops, she nearly hit the thief in the process.
"Sorry."
The tail hit the walls with more strenght and she could feel her wings itching to pop out. No ! It wasn't the time for the wings to come out !
"Your ears !" Gasped Cassandra.
Great... Just great... Her claws slipped on the stone and she fell down on Ezekiel.
"Ouch !
-Ow!"
There managed to get out the fireplace, covered in ashes and welcomed by a tied up strange gagged man with a hat and a grey suit. This dude seemed to find them hilarious and he laughed as Cassandra was running to free him.
"Down the chimney, chuckled the guy. Well done !
-You're the Santa Claus ! Gasped the red head.
-Indeed, Cassandra Cillian.
-Santa knows my name !"
And she was a fangirl, now...
"You don't look like the pictures. Mused Ezekiel, untying the prisonner.
-Ho ho ho, Santa doesn't look like any of the pictures but all the pictures look like Santa, Ezekiel Jones.
-Santa knows my name ? -he was more worried than excited like Cassandra.-
-Oh, you're in Santa's Book.
-The same as her ?
-You've been a long line...
-If that can make you feel better, Zekiel. Spoke Nolwenn shaking her wings, putting ashes everywhere in the room. I'm certainly on the wall of shame.
-Oh, Nolwenn Larcher. 7 Class druid and magical dragon. Your picture is still on the wall you know, since you decided that putting fireworks inside the fireplace to welcome Santa was the best idea.
-It was fun at the time... It still is.
-And you taught your nephews to leave pizza and beer for me at Christmas Eve. They were 5 when they did that for the first time if I remember...
-Oh no, you didn't. Laughed Ezekiel. That's priceless ! Now, let's move before they find us.
-Cassandra, called Nolwenn. On my back. Can Santa move alone or does he need a little help ?
-Santa thinks a little help would be welcomed...
-Alright... But you rip the tailfins, I will rip you."
Climbing up the chimney with a woman and a man wasn't going to be pretty...
And it wasn't...
Ezekiel passed first and had to help the half-shifted dragon so she wouldn't tear the chimney with her tail and hurting people in the process. She clawed the walls, leaving some deep marks and growled as Santa was holding tight on her tail. She had to restrain herself to not roar in frustration.
"Come on, you can do it !" Cheered Cassandra.
Easy to say...
After managing to get out and to shift back to a full human skin, she could finally walk with the two librarians, and Santa, to join Eve and Jacob.
"It's Santa Claus. Introduced Cassandra. Like, for real.
-Jacob Stone, sir. Greeted Stone.
-Santa knows you. Answered the weird man. Both incarnations of you.
-Alright, decided Baird. Get him to the nearest door so Jenkins can bring him home.
-No. Santa needs to be in the North Pole tonight. Santa needs his sleigh.
-Number 943 of things I thought I would never have to say but I'm saying in this job... Okay, Santa, where did you park your sleigh ?
-Santa hid it near by, next to the railway line.
-And you're gonna talk at the 3rd person all day. Awesome... Alright : standard asset protection. They already believe that you three have him. Drive them off while I bring him to his transport.
-Alright. Answered Jacob, walking away.
-How will we get their attention ?" Asked Ezekiel, earning an irritated glare from the main guardian.
She sighed, took off Santa's hat and put it on the thief's head.
"Ho ho. Chuckled Santa. That should be interesting.
-You suck at being subtle. Told Eve. Work with that."
She pushed Ezekiel away so he could join Jacob, Cassandra and Nolwenn.
The french guardian sniffed absently the hat. It was magical. Very very magical... She hoped it wouldn't cause too much damages to the Thief's mind...
"Nolwenn. Whispered Cassandra. Scales."
Oh crap, sorry ! Her hands had already black claws and scales. She really needed to do something about these uncontrolled shiftings...
Holy crap...
Yes, Ezekiel Jones, world-class Thief, was being very generous and cheerful with the magical hat. That was scary.
Seeing singing Christmas charols with childrens was terrifying...
Needless to say, she was happy to be back at the Annex...
"Colonel Baird managed to get Santa out of London but there is no way to get him to the North Pole in time."
Jenkins : always the best to give a warm greeting...
"How about we just hold hands, bow our heads and be grateful that we're all safe together ?"Proposed Ezekiel.
Jenkins had to refrain a smile and the three others looked at him with pleading eyes :
"Please, do something, Jenkins. He's scaring us."
Jones seemed to get back to his senses. He dropped Cassandra's hand and walked, muttering :
"I don't feel so well...
-It's the hat. Explained Jenkins. Christmas magic. You should tell him to take it off.
-Nah." Grinned Jacob
This was too funny for him to do that.
"Wait, tilted Cassandra. Does it have to be the North Pole ? -Questionning glare from the caretaker- It's about Lay lines, right ? Santa releases his power at midnight. That power travels through the world using the Lay lines.
-Yes, approved Jenkins. And the northern ones are the most powerful whence the lengend of Santa and the North Pole. Pole... Polarity..."
Nolwenn saw Ezekiel heading to the kitchen and decided to follow him, just in case.
"Need some some help ? She asked, making him jump in surprise.
-Nolwenn ! I don't know... I want to make hot chocolate but it's not from me and it's nagging me and...
-Alright, alright. That's the magic from the hat. So, do you want help with preparing the chocolate ? I'm sure the hat knows the best recipe."
They shared a grin and started to work.
"You're the best dragon I've ever known. Laughed the guy as she was using her scaled hands to not be burned by the hot drinks.
-I'm the only dragon you know.
-Maybe, but I don't think the other dragons would help me to prepare hot chocolate and cookies.
-Oh, wanna bake cookies ? Hat recipe ?
-Hat recipe.
-Alright, let's have fun."
A shame she wasn't able to stop him from walking into the main room with the drinks and wearing this ridiculous apron they had found earlier (she was sure it was Jenkins' since it was a large size). At least, she got a good laugh. And the chocolate was good ! The cookies, too !
"Nolwenn. Whispered Cassandra while Jenkins and Jacob were busy elsewhere. Scales !"
What the... Oh yes... the tail... and ear-flaps. Oh dammit ! She was lucky they didn't see that !
"You will have to tell them one day, you know. Said the red head, softly.
-I prefer not. I am a druid, a protector, a healer, not a weapon.
-I don't think the colonel Baird would use you as a weapon.
-But can you be sure ? She is a soldier. I'm not a soldier. I don't want to be trained and transformed into an obedient weapon. I can't. Magical dragons are protectors, not soldiers.
-I understand. I'm not a soldier too. I'm a librarian, and you are a guardian. I'm sure they would understand if you tell them the truth, but if you don't want to tell them now, that's fine too. Maybe when you are ready.
-If I am ready.
-Alright : if... Now, I need to check all those maps and diagrams. Can you keep Ezekiel busy ?
-No problem. Baking activities, crafting activities... It shouldn't be harder than watching a bunch of kids..."
It was.
If Ezekiel Jones was already something when you had to keep an eye on him, an Ezekiel Jones with a magical hat dictating his behavior was something else. Crafting Christmas decorations, under the amused smile of Jenkins, stuffing the fluffy socks with sweets (and hiding the chocolates from the Caretaker), helping to wrap gifts...
"Jones, Miss Larcher ! Called Jenkins. You and Miss Cillian are going to a commercial shipping airport near the Colonel location. Mr Stone will wait them to the nearest town so he can drive them. You three have to secure a plane for Alaska.
-Alaska ? Why ?
-We will use the Northern Lights so Santa can release his power at midnight as he had to. Explained the red head.
-Alright. Let's go ? Grinned Nolwenn. I've never been in Alaska.
-Me neither.
-Jenkins ? Can you watch Spring', please ? I fear the medication is not as efficient as the vet told me it would."
The caretaker sighed but took the long-eared nuisance with him.
How ? Just how ?
They had one job : to get a plane for Baird and a pilot AND Ezekiel and this damned hat managed to send the pilot home ! The french guardian facepalmed and sighed : she was going to tear this hat into pieces.
"Nolwenn ! Called Ezekiel. Scales."
She growled but forced her tail to shrink back into her body. Oh god she hated magical days... Her claws gritted on the table and she had to stop : she was losing control on her shifting, again. Magical dates... The worst days for a druid with sealed powers...
And the Colonel had been less than impressed with the plane without pilot... Luckily for everyone, Santa was able to fly a cargo plane.
At least, the flight was smooth... until they heard some tingle outside.
"Santa's sleigh is missing, right ? Asked Cassandra.
-That was Baird said. Answered Jacob.
-I think I know who stole it..."
An alarm shreeked inside the plane and the cargo door opened, showing an old man and a beautiful woman sitting in a red and black sleigh.
"Well, that was new. Spoke the newcomer with an evil smile, making the french growl.
-Who are they ? She asked, her dragon instincts pleading for a fight.
-This is Dulaque and Lamia. Told Cassandra trying to get an hold on the guardian's hoodie to keep her still. They are the bad guys."
She hissed, showing sharp fangs at the intruders.
"What kind of person steal Santa's sleigh ? Asked the red head, walking toward the Serpent Brotherhood with Stone.
-A very talented one. Answered the man smugly. Now, hand down the Santa, blah blah... And you won't be harmed... Blah blah... a complete transparent lie of course... -"what the hell ?" mouthed Nolwenn to Ezekiel to stepped aside so she could get a straight line if she wanted to pounce on the threatening man- I'm going to kill you, blah blah... Blah.
-I see only one of you have a weapon, remaked Stone smirking. So..."
The Dulaque guy, drawed a sword from his elegant cane.
"Don't forget we have a dragon. Added Ezekiel without thinking.
-What ?! Reacted Jacob before looking behind only to see an half-shifted Nolwenn growling and ready to attack. Is that a nightfury ?!
-A magical dragon, Corrected Cassandra. But don't tell Baird and Jenkins. It's our secret.
-Well, if she can save us from being cut to pieces by the 2 psychos over here, I'm fine with it."
The half dragon growled, standing on all four, wings half strechted and tail moving slowly. Lamia walked defiantly when she met the green murderous gaze and it was her mistake. The dragon lunged and the jaws closed or her right arm, piercing the flesh. Dulaque sweared and charged, only to met a strong tail who slammed him to the nearest wall. She threw the woman against the sleigh and pounced on Dulaque, biting his arm and threatening to rip it off.
"Do it !" Cheered Ezekiel.
The plane took a sharp turn, making everyone fall inside and Nolwenn had to let go the intruder who took the moment to strike and stuck Ezekiel and Cassandra under his sword. Lamia managed to get Jacob and the dragon roared in rage.
"Tut tut tut ! Smirked Dulaque. If you want your friends to live, you better get that dragon-thing down."
She growled but a pleading look from the red head stopped her. She hissed and shifted back, just when Eve came supporting Santa.
"Guys ! Nick is..."
She stopped when she saw the scene.
"Santa has been poisonned with holly and mistle toe. Grinned Dulaque. Good old magic. Morgan Le Fay would be proud ! Now, hand him over or I will show you how good I am with a blade. -she shared a look with Santa- I've killed more librarians than you've seen stars, Guardian ! Do it !"
She released Santa and Lamia threw Jacob on the floor.
"Lamia ! Ordered Dulaque. Disable the plane ! Now prepare the sleigh ! We shall remove Santa and kill him for our own pleasure."
Nolwenn was itching to shift back and to hurt the intruders but they were still threatening two of the librarians.
"Jones, spoke Eve. Give Santa back his hat.
-Why ? Interrogated Dulaque.
-It's his. He need it.
-To regain his power ? Snarled the man.
-No.
-To fight off the poison ? It's a talisman, isn't it ? Give it to me, boy. I will take that power !"
Jones handed the hat and Dulaque put it on his own head.
"Can I kill them, now ? Whispered Nolwenn to Cassandra.
-No ! She whispered back. Wait ! Maybe we won't need to kill someone tonight..."
She doubted it : a bad guy, even with a magical hat, was still a bad guy.
"Hmm... He growled. I feel nothing."
The plane moved and everyone had to fight to keep balance.
"I would be all for killing Santa, now !" Claimed Dulaque with his sword.
-Actually, Screamed Eve to be heard with the noise. It would make me very happy if you just killed Santa right now ! All of us ! So happy !"
Nolwenn turned her head toward her co-guardian : what ?!
"Well... Spoke Dulaque, visibly fighting something inside his head and getting strangely cheerful. I will kill him, then."
Oh, using the hat's magic against him... Clever !
"Go ahead and take the sleigh ! He shouted to Lamia. I will kill Santa here on the plane !
-What ?! Are you sure ?!"
Stone saw the moment and decided to insist :
"It would very make my Christmas if you could send Lamia right along !
-Yes, Lamia ! Go ! Take the sleigh and go !
-Dulaque ! What are you talking about ?!"
That cheerfulness was way creepier than Ezekiel's...
"My toopy top Christmas wish is for her to go ! Added Jones.
-Go !" Ordered Dulaque.
This time, the woman started the sleigh and left the plane. Finally ! Cassandra kept an handful of Nolwenn's hoodie and spoke :
"Actually, we would be all very very happy if you told us all the secrets of Magic and how to stop the Serpent Brotherhood !"
That was a bit much to ask... And he managed to take off the hat from his head and to throw it on the floor.
"Bit too much ? Asked the Colonel.
-Just a touch." Snarled the man before charging Eve.
She kicked him away and he slipped toward the opening. The librarians and Nolwenn gathered to catch up Santa and to keep him safe from falling. They heard Dulaque laughing and falling down.
"Did you... ? Started Nolwenn
-Not me, he did it by himself."
She nodded. A shame : she wanted to rip his arms off... and maybe a leg...
"How is Nick ? Asked Eve.
-Santa... Started the man before turning around and vomit behind a small boxes
-Ain't gonna this plane." She finished before walking back toward the pilot seat.
That had been the worst landing ever ! Every one was more or less sore but they leave the plane and to see the shelter in this really bad weather. The wind was icy and snowflakes whipping them and they had to fight it to walk but they managed to get inside.
"It's colder inside than outside ! Sweared Ezekiel shivering.
-Let me take care of it."
Jacob pushed him and started searching and working here and there, reetablishing electricity and more importantly : the heater.
"Let's see if we can reach Jenkins on radio ar something. Told Eve, supporting Santa and guiding him to a seat. Right... Okay, Nick : do your thing.
-I... I can't.
-What do you mean "I" ? When did you stop talking about yourself at the 3rd person ? Nick, you're freaking me out."
Nolwenn shivered when she felt the Northern Lights. That was powerful ! She was used to that.
"Let's search something to eat. Proposed Ezekiel. Maybe there is rations or I don't know that.
-Alright. Let's go.
-I'm coming with you, said Jacob. You don't know where the food is stored. I know.
-Then, you're with us."
They had to search the whole building but they actually did find something edible.
"A shame we have a dragon who can't breathe fire, joked Ezekiel.
-Actually I can, chuckled Nolwenn.
-But your powers are sealed.
-Yes, they are. But I can assure you that a dragon who eat pepper or a really spiced food, powers sealed or not, he or she will spite fire.
-I need to see that. Smiled Jacob. We should try it, when Jenkins or Baird are not around of course.
-It doesn't disturb you to have a guardian who can shift into a dragon ?
-Nah, as long as you don't try to eat me, or to burn me into a crisp, I can live with that."
They shared a quiet laugh. It was their secret.
"Jenkins and Baird will never know what hits them when you'll show them ! Grinned Stone.
-Actually, I don't really want them to know. Maybe later, much later. But not yet.
-Alright, alright..."
She froze whan she felt an extremly powerful wave of magic passing, triggering her wings out and startling the librarians.
"Nolwenn ! Whispered Ezekiel. Scales !
-Sorry, it was just... What was that ?
-Eve has to do Santa's job for tonight. Explained Cassandra. He is too weak to do it by himself.
-Oh.
-Your scales, Nolwenn !
-I know ! Sorry !"
Jacob had to to run to catch Eve before she fell on the ground :
"Baird ! He called.
-She didn't go anywhere. Did it work ? Wondered Cassandra.
-She went, answered Santa. Everywhere.
-Ya okay, Eve ? Asked Ezekiel, worried about his guardian.
-Call me like that one more time and we'll be picking pieces of you on the ice for a year. Grumbled the Colonel.
-Yeah, she's okay ! Cheered the thief.
-Now, if we could find a way to contact Jenkins... Proposed Nolwenn. And to go back in the Annex ?"
A few hours later, the french woman got grabbed by the three librarians while she was just coming back from her home to fetch the presents for everyone in the Annex. Thanks for her that Ezekiel and Jacob got enough time to catch her bags before they could touch the floor.
"Be careful with it. The bottles can break.
-Bottles ? What's inside ?
-You'll have to wait until we open all the gifts.
-Oh come on !"
He turned out they were trying to make a surprise Birthday Party for Eve Baird as she was born on a Christmas Eve.
"Count me in." Grinned Nolwenn.
She never thought that baking a birthday cake with three librarians and a ridiculous too large apron would have been that fun. The apron was way too big for her and Cassandra had to make a lot of knots to attach it and even with that, she was still losing it.
And this time, no one was here to steal food...
The Surprise had been a success. They even had managed to get Jenkins to play along and to keep the Coloned distracted while they were preparing everything. The cake was delicious, and the gift-exchange had been made without issue.
"Champagne, seriously ? Where did you get that ? Is that french chocolates ?
-In the nearest supermarket in the nearest town from my home. They sell some good bottles when we know what to get. I don't know much into alcohol but I have an uncle who works in a nice restaurant. He knows the good stuff. What is inside that box ? A nightfury figure ? I like it !
-Ezekiel's idea."
Jenkins walked in with a folded blanket on his arm and a familiar sand-colored rabbit following him :
"Miss Larcher. I believe your beast is waiting for you.
-Springtrap !"
She was so happy ! Her bunny was healthy ! How did it happen ? He was so sick when she had left him with Jenkins...
"You saved him, Jenkins ! Thank you !"
Springtrap was happily snuggling with his mom. She was crying but he knew it was in happiness (humans were weird, sometimes...) Yes, he was feeling much better. The Food-Thief had given him some evil-tasting thing and it had made him feel really dizzy but his tummy had stopped hurting ! He could eat now ! And if he caught Food-Thief stealing yummy things from his mom one more time, life-saver or not, he was going to bite his shoes and pants !
Jenkins, for his part, was smiling about the scene and was perfectly content with the three good chocolates boxes he found in his main work room, with a french flag drawed on it and a grinning smiley. Merry Christmas indeed.