"I'm really sorry... About hurting you that is," Mai said quickly.

Lin huffed in response while Noll smirked.

"Lin is more upset that he will now have Madoka fawning over him for the next few weeks."

Lin grumbled from his spot on the bed, his eyes avoiding both of them.

Mai lowered her eyes and clenched her fists. She had not meant to harm Lin, well, she had at the time. A stranger entering the house, regardless of their intent, was still trespassing.

"Lin, what were the stats for last night?"

Lin looked back to this laptop and tapped a few keys.

"Your time, as expected, was awful. PK reindeer would lessen the budget, as the live ones had to be swapped midway."

"Inevitable. They are living creatures capable of only going so fast."

"Delivery was subpar. Expected. You were quite slow."

Noll crossed his arms. Mai thought something like a pout was beginning to form on his face.

"You picked up an extra, wasting a Christmas Miracle, I might add…" Lin's eyes veered over to Mai. "Not only will she be taking room and board, require medical attention, and likely has no intention of leaving—"

Mai felt a sinking feeling in her chest. Lin really did not want her around.

"It seems very unlikely that your proposal to eradicate the Naughty List will go any further. If anything, we will have to increase our moral guidelines, resulting in a higher necessity for coal."

"That's not going to happen," Noll stated.

"Unfortunately, that's the logistics, Noll. This year has been particularly bad for the company."

"Fundraising can cover it."

"Not likely. The church has been less and less inclined to support our venture since the western market has monetised the entire holiday."

"They have an obligation under the contract set down almost—"

"There has been talk of a new contract, Noll," Lin stated. "You know this as well as I do. And if you really want to abolish the Naughty List, you've got to stop bring home strays!"

"I could leave," Mai mumbled.

Both men looked to her as she stared at her shoes.

"I'll just leave. Then I won't cost anything extra."

Mai sniffled, before turning on her heel, ducking her head and running off. She darted down several corridors, not knowing where she was going.

"Mai?"

Mai almost ran headfirst into Madoka.

"Madoka! I'm so sorry!"

"Where are you going?"

"Out. Lin doesn't want me here."

"Oh nonsense."

"He was going on about costs and Noll bringing back strays and wasting—"

"Oh that!" Madoka chuckled. "He said that every year to Eugene, who just blew him off. He has his annual moan and nothing changes."

"But—"

"Mai, you're staying. Now help me with this tea."

Madoka handed Mai one of the cups of tea and they made their way back.

"Though I'll have a bit of fun with them."

Following Madoka's instructions, Mai waited outside of Lin's office and listened.

"What on earth have you two been doing? I just saw Mai in floods of tears!"

"She ran off," Noll stated. "Lin's doing."

"Lin! What did you say to her?!" Madoka's voice demanded. Mai stifled a giggle at the sound of Lin choking.

"Nothing! I was listing the statistics as requested and making solid arguments about—"

"About not bringing home more 'strays'?"

"We are over—"

"No we are not, now stop being such a Scrooge." Madoka tutted. "I have half a mind not to give you your tea!"

"But—"

"Do you plan on apologising?"

"Well—"

"Lin?"

"Fine!"

"Mai, come in."

Mai entered, trying to keep a straight face.

"Well Lin," Madoka prompted. "Go on."

He huffed.

"I am sorry for making it seem as if the statistics regarding this Christmas were specifically aimed at you."

Madoka coughed pointedly.

"I do not want you to leave," Lin added stiffly.

"Much better," Madoka said. She handed over the tea. "Now, to address your issues. I think we do need to renegotiate deals with the churches. We have more children than ever to provide for, irregardless of the Naughty or Nice List issue. This re-negotiation has been coming ever since the Industrial Revolution! And now that China is going through their own…"

"Madoka, that could go badly for us," Lin warned.

"Or we could get the money we need! Have you got any other ideas?"

No one spoke for a moment. To fill the silence, Mai offered chocolate to Madoka and Lin, the former of which accepted, the latter of which politely declined.

"Could you look for new suppliers?" Mai asked. "For materials and stuff?"

"Possible," Madoka said, nodding.

"We could also sell the coal," Noll suggested. "Not particularly environmentally friendly, but it would be an income."

"Also, I remember a while back Eugene and Yasuhara discussing recycling scraps? To stretch resources further?"

"There we go," Madoka said, smiling happily. "Amazing what we can do when we talk about solutions and not problems!"

Lin rolled his eyes, but he smiled too.

"I'll look into these suggestions."

"Good," Noll muttered.

"Now, Noll, I ran into Luella while I was making tea and she is thoroughly disappointed you haven't seen her since you got back."

Noll groaned.

"She'll be even more offended when she realises you have not introduced her to your new friend!"

Noll downed the rest of his tea and stood up.

"Let's get this over with."

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