CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! So this takes place in Las Vegas and the plot of Unexpected Surprises is in effect, only in the winter…so hope you enjoy!

Philippa looked out the window of the Croesus Hotel. She was used to snow during the Christmas season but snow was practically impossible in Nevada. She was anxious to go home but the weather in New York prevented any plane from landing or taking off. So everyone decided to go to Las Vegas until the weather in New York improved. Nimrod insisted that Iblis close his busiest casino hotel for the holidays, Iblis of course having no choice really, obliged. She smiled as the memory came back of Uncle Nimrod turning everything festive and Yule like right away. Iblis just looked at it, turned, and walked out of the casino without a word, Rudyard trailing after. They haven't been back since.

"Hey Philippa! Come here! I made my first pumpkin pie with an oven!" Buck called her over to a poker table full of festive foods. (May I add that this is the REAL Buck)

"It's a little burnt but hey it's still pie." Buck gestured to a charcoaled blob in a pie pan.

"A little burnt?" She asked as put her arm around her friend's shoulder and giggled. "Buck, it's not a pie anymore, its ash." Buck just shrugged and addressed the pie.

"Don't worry my lovely pie, I think you're perfect." He tried to stroke the pie affectionately but it crumbled as soon as he touched it. He pursed his lips and changed the subject.

"So… Nimrod sure knows how to decorate for Christmas…the fake snow is a nice touch." He scooped up a handful of fake snow and blew it in Philippa's face.

"Yes, he should look into interior design, now 'scuse me." John nudged his way in between Philippa and Buck and put a platter of cookies on the table.

"What's this black thing?" John asked pointing to Buck's pie.

"It was supposed to be pumpkin pie." Philippa laughed as John poked it, causing it to collapse into a pile of black dust.

"Well…I don't think it was made right…" John said grimacing. Buck scowled and uttered his focus word and a perfect looking pie appeared in his hands. He placed it on the table and turned to John and bowed.

"A perfect pie, Sifu Pieman." He then crossed his arms and pouted. Philippa shook her head and laughed.

"Come on." She said grabbing his arm. "We can go put on some Christmas music."

"Fine." Buck was still pouting but willingly went along.

"A little help John?" Nimrod walked in the room with a pile of presents in his hands.

"Sure thing." John took a few packages from the top.

"Just put 'em under the tree." Nimrod said placing his own handful of colorfully wrapped packages down on the floor and arranging them.

"So have you seen the weather report?" John asked also placing presents in an orderly fashion.

"Yes I have, I guess we'll be staying for a while." Nimrod stood and admired the scene.

"I'm sure everything will be cleared before Christmas Eve though." He smiled and brushed some fake snow off of his sleeve.

Suddenly the front door opened and Iblis came in whistling, a strange skip in his step.

"Why are you so happy?" John asked, suspicion hanging on every word.

"Why am I so happy?" Iblis gave a slight chuckle. "Well it's Christmas! Everyone's happy, aren't they?" He smiled and stifled another chuckle. John shrugged

"Exactly, everyone's happy! So being an Ifrit and all, I thought you'd be kinda grumpy and all ba- humbug!"

"Oh nonsense my dear boy! I love this time of year more than any other!" This made John even more confused, and seeing so Iblis cheerfully explained.

"I love it so much because everybody's so wrapped up in all the joy and excitement that they never expect bad luck to happen! Ever wonder why so many Christmas trees catch fire? Why kids never get the exact present they asked from Santa? Why so many people get trampled on Black Friday?" Iblis adjusted the black tie he was wearing and smiled even more.

"Mostly Ifrit!" He laughed and at this Nimrod shook his head and made a tsking noise

"Iblis, you're a horrible person, and truthfully, deserve to be imprisoned in a suit of jade armor!" Iblis just shook his head and sighed.

"Well merry Christmas to you, Mr. Grinch! Oh and I got you a present, something to make you a lot easier to be around!" Iblis muttered his focus word and a paper bag with eye holes appeared on Nimrod's head.

"There! You look a million times better!" Nimrod just took the paper bag of his head and threw it in the fireplace.

"Funny." He mumbled "How does Venus sound as a holiday vacation to you Iblis? I can make the arrangements in a flash." At this Rudyard walked in.

"You'll never guess what I found!" He piped as he set a pile of boxes down with Chinese writing on them.

"Please don't be Chinese fireworks!" Nimrod begged. Rudyard automatically looked guilty.

"Uhhh…no….they're um….Potatoes. Chinese potatoes!" He smiled and hid the boxes behind his back.

"I'm just uh….I'm just gonna put these up stairs!" He then picked up the boxes and scurried to the elevator. Nimrod then turned back to Iblis. He was watching Rudyard for a moment then looked at Nimrod with a sly expression.

"I'm just gonna make sure he doesn't drop those potatoes!" He then ran off after Rudyard. Nimrod shook his head and went back to turning a harbinger of bad luck into a festive little retreat. Since John and Philippa's mom was missing he made sure the weather in New York stayed too bad to fly.

"No! I hate the Nut Cracker! Why not play that awesome rock version of The Carol of The Bells?" Nimrod heard Buck's voice across the lobby. He smiled as he walked over to the three young djinn debating over which Christmas CD to play.

"I like Buck's idea. Rock n' Roll Christmas music all the way!" John said playfully punching Buck on the shoulder, nodding his agreement. Philippa sighed with exasperation.

"That is hardly traditional." She crossed her arms.

"I'm with Philippa." Nimrod said "The Nutcracker sounds a little more traditional." Buck stuck out his tongue.

"Ech! Noooooo!" He crossed his arms. "How about Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer? Everyone likes that song." Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Great choice actually." Nimrod began. "Did you know this song was written about-" BOOOM! Every one jumped by a giant explosion noise outside.

"What in the name of Abraham Lincoln was that!" Buck shouted. Everyone turned when the elevator doors dinged open and soot covered Rudyard and Iblis walked out, doing their best to keep from bursting into laughter.

"The potatoes exploded." Rudyard chuckled then burst into uncontrollable laughter Iblis quickly falling into hysterics himself.

"Exploding potatoes…" Buck mumbled "Not a bad idea…" This soon got everyone laughing also.

It was definitely going to be one interesting Christmas for our djinn friends.

Merry Christmas everybody! Sorry I didn't incorporate any other winter holiday into this, it's just I write from experience, and I've never really had the chance to celebrate any other holiday at this time of year other than Christmas. I'll update the REAL story hopefully right after Christmas. In the mean time why don't you pass the time writing those wonderful reviews! I love you all and this is HanBan signing off.