Disclaimer: Noblesse isn't mine.

Tis the Season (Part 3)

"Have you noticed how many Christmas cards the boss has gotten?" Tao tossed a stack of envelopes on the coffee table and sat down next to Rai. "And they're from important people, too. Government officials. The elite."

"Wouldn't he get a lot of cards from his students, too?" Takeo took one from the pile and turned it over in his hands. "Do kids still do that?"

"His admirers have dwindled down a little bit since he has some competition now, but-"

Takeo dropped the envelope. "What are you talking about?"

"Just think about it!" Tao quickly sorted through the cards and broke them into a two piles. "Before we came along, Frankenstein had the students' affections to himself. Now that we're here, we've broken his monopoly. There are a lot more choices so he wouldn't get as many cards from them." He tapped on the smaller of the two piles. "And so he now gets less cards from the children than he does from his governmental contacts."

Rai picked up one of the envelopes with curiosity.

[-] [-] [-]

Tao ran into the office without knocking and excitedly dumped an armload of cards on Frankenstein's desk. "Which one do you like best?"

Frankenstein looked up suspiciously but then continued working as though nothing had happened. "What are you planning?"

"It's a surprise. Just pick one."

"Any of these will do." He grabbed one from the top and held it out.

"Perfect!" Tao took it and left as quickly as he had come.

Frankenstein stopped working and frowned at the heap of cards left behind.

[-] [-] [-]

"Mail's here!" Tao carried the bundle of cards into the living room and began to sort through them.

"Quite a few came today." Frankenstein smiled, watching his master's eyes light when Tao set a card in front of him. And then another. And then another.

Rai delicately opened the first envelope and read the card.

"Here." Tao held up the last card. "This one's for you."

"Just put it with the others."

"I think you might want to read it now."

Frankenstein opened it. It was the same card he had picked earlier. "Thank you, Master."

[-] [-] [-]

"You shouldn't be reading those."

"I can't help it." Tao grinned and stole another card. "Frankenstein sent his master every card that I left behind. He even wrote a note in each one."

"The plan worked." Takeo smiled back. "We got them to give each other cards, and we didn't even get caught."