Coffee Break Chapter 3: Happy(?) Holidays
It's the most. WONDerful tiiiiime...of the year.
Yoshimo glared up at the radio. "Yeah, depends on what ya do with it" he snapped at it. He glared back at his papers, and continued with his writing. "Based on right now, it's the most FRUSTRATING time of the year. Christmas bonuses, Christmas presents, Christmas Break resulting in getting no production done, Christmas cards that need to be sent out..."
"Hey Yoshimo!" Winnie Gnome beamed, staring Yoshimo right in the face.
"Ya!" Yoshimo yelped, nearly falling off of his chair. He regained his composure, and sighed. "How many times must I change my locks?" the director said flatly.
"I got you a present" the gnome held a gift forward. It was neatly wrapped in green paper, decorated with little Christmas trees.
Yoshimo leaned up against it, ear first. "I hear ticking" he pointed out.
"Remember, don't open it till Christmas!" With that, Winnie rushed out of the office.
Yoshimo sighed, and put the present aside. "Knowing the little mouse, it's a bomb..." He wrote down a few more things, before looking up. Standing in front of him was Chibi-Zell. "...More bad news..."
"Hey there, Yoshi" Chibi-Zell beamed.
"Quit calling me that."
"I was just coming to see if you were still planning on coming to my Christmas Party tomorrow."
"Not even if there was a contest stacked in my favor, in which the prize was a mountain of money..." Yoshimo muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Chibi-Zell asked.
"Can't come. I've got so much to do. Balancing the money, perfecting my lights for the contest, working on the script..."
"Are you sure you won't be able to come?"
"Swamped in work."
"Mm, that stinks, because I've brought in the best holidays treats from around the continent."
"I'll be there at six."
Chibi-Zell smirked, and nodded, before leaving. Instantly coming in later was Minoa. Yoshimo groaned. "Is there a sign on the door that says Open Door System in Effect?"
"Yoshimo, I need your help" Minoa begged. "I need the perfect gift for Sain-Honey!"
Yoshimo looked up at Minoa, eyebrow raised. "If it were me, I'd probably get him a one way ticket to Bermuda. Maybe he'll find Wallace."
Minoa crossed her arms, her eyebrows narrowed.
"I dunno...it's not my present to give. I've got nothing in mind to help you, Minoa."
Minoa sighed. "Well, thanks anyway." With that, she took her leave.
Yoshimo poked his head up from under the desk, holding a neatly, red wrapped present. "Although I do have something for you, Min.....Minoa?" He looked around. He sighed, and put the present away. "Ah well, at least I have peace at last..."
"Hey, Yoshimo..." Wil quipped up, as he poked his head in the door way.
"BUGGER OFF"
Later that day, the little director was sitting at a table with Kent and Oswin. All three of them were drinking coffee.
"Yoshimo, could we be graced with Christmas breaks now?" Kent asked.
"It'll be the 25th this Saturday.....but, fine. I suppose I'll send an email to everyone telling them they won't have to come to work on the 24th."
"Excellent" Oswin said with a smile.. "Well, I should get some more shopping done..."
"You do that, Oswin..." Yoshimo said, glaring at his cup. "I need to be heading home myself. I am going to make my house more magnificent than that gnome. I am going to show him up this year, once and for all!" he finished with a loud shout.
Oswin glanced up at Yoshimo. "You know, you really shouldn't cause a scene."
"Too late..." Yoshimo sighed.
In the next green room over, Eliwood, Nils and Ninian were all helping themselves to Christmas treats and hot cocoa. After downing a few more gulps, Nils looked innocently up at Eliwood. "Eliwood, is Santa real?" he asked innocently.
Eliwood was taken aback by the question, before scratching the back of his head. "Um...yes. Yes he is. I was just about to send a letter about what a good boy you were this year."
"Well, Marcus says that he isn't."
"Oh, Marcus is just a bitter old man. I hear that he was a little hell raiser when he was a kid, and he got enough coal to heat his house for a good five months."
"Ahem." Marcus coughed from the doorway.
"Oh! Marcus!" Eliwood said, even more aback. "Um...how long were you standing there?"
"Mmm, just in time to hear about how much of a hell raiser I was when I was a child. I came by to tell you something, but I figure I can wait."
"Ehe..." Eliwood returned his attention to Nils. "Anyway, I'm sure if you stay up real late, you might even meet Santa himself." Eliwood winked at Ninian.
"Like ten-forty five-ish?" Nils asked, returning the wink.
"Um....yeah, I'll let him know"
The next morning, there was a knock on Chibi-Zell's door. The young director/co-director yawned, and looked at his visitor. "...Bartre? What are you here for at this hour?"
"Isn't there supposed to be a party today?" Bartre asked.
"Bartre, it's five in the morning. My party's not until five in the EVENING. You're twelve hours early!"
"Then can I wait inside?"
"No."
"I brought fruit cake."
Chibi-Zell's eyes lit up, and he snatched the fruitcake away.
"So can I come in now?"
--SLAM--
"Oy! Gnome!" Yoshimo called up to the roof of Winnie's house.
Winnie Gnome poked his head over the side. "Oh, hi Yoshimo! You still have that present I gave you?"
"Yeah, but I'm thinking of turning it over to the bomb squad in case they need practice."
"Perfect timing" Winnie continued. "I'm about to turn on the lights to test them out." With that, Winnie plugged in the cord, and flicked a switch.
The snow covered lawn was bathed with light. Yoshimo's jaw dropped. "Are...are those real reindeer?"
"Yep!"
"Well, that's just lovely..."
"So, what'd you drop by for?"
"...I was just going to ask if I could borrow your ladder, but then I just remembered where mine was. If you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave"
At five in the afternoon, Chibi-Zell allowed Legault inside. He was about to close the door, when he spotted Bartre standing nearby. "Bartre, how long have you been standing there? And more importantly, how long have you had your tounge stuck to my railing?"
"Oh, sixth thurthy-tith" Bartre grunted.
--SLAM--
"Well, I think that takes care of everything" Yoshimo smiled. "Now, to gt ready for the party." With that, he got off of his chair, and walked out of his office.
"Oh, hello Yoshimo" Marcus nodded. "Do you know where everyone is?"
"Marcus? What are you doing here? Didn't you get the email I sent you?"
Marcus folded his arms over his chest, and glared at Yoshimo.
"....Right. Right. (stupid computer-illiterate old men...)"
"Yoshimo, you wouldn't happen to have the time, would you?"
Yoshimo looked over at the microwave nearby. "Oh, about 5:25."
"How'd you get that from a microwave?"
"They have digital clocks installed in them."
"Food heaters that tell time?" Marcus gave a chuckle. "What next? Telephones that have cameras installed in them?"
Yoshimo raised an eyebrow.
"...No, no don't say anything. I brought it on myself"
Sain rubbed his hands together, positioned underneath the mistletoe. "This is gonna be great...." he giggled with glee.
Florina walked by happily, and Sain beamed. "Florina! Great to see you!" The green knight pointed up. "You know, we're standing underneath the mistletoe. Shouldn't people under the mistletoe give each other a kiss?"
At that moment, Lyn passed right in between the two. "Oh, hi Florina!" she beamed.
Florina smiled back at her friend, and pointed up. Lyn followed the finger, and smirked. She looked back at Florina, and the two kissed.
Sain, not to be out done, tapped Lyn on the shoulder after the kiss was done. "You know, I'm under the mistletoe too. People underneath the mistletoe should kiss."
Lyn rubbed her chin. "Hmm...you're right. I suppose I should kiss someone who is under this little plant." With that, she kissed Florina again.
"God-damn...." Sain cursed under his breath.
Yoshimo entered the house, greeted by Chibi-Zell. "Sorry I'm late" Yoshimo apologized. "Say, is anyone going to help Bartre?"
"Thy thung is thore!" the warrior cried.
"He'll be fine" Chibi-Zell nodded.
A few minutes later, Sain smiled widely. "Oh, hi Priscilla! Do you know what people do under the mistletoe?"
A lighted match flew over Sain's head, and set the mistletoe and some of his hair on fire. "...I see you're here with Erk."
"Hey Rebecca. You know what people do under the mistletoe?" Sain cooed, standing under the same door way, some new mistletoe set up.
Rebecca pulled out her bow and arrow. She notched the arrow, and fired.
Sain watched, as the mistletoe was embedded into the wall behind him. "Ehe"
"Hey Fiora. You know what people do under the mistletoe?" Sain cooed, another mistletoe set up over his head.
Fiora took out her lance, and plucked the mistletoe off. She then tore the plant into several pieces before putting the pieces in Sain's hands. She then walked off calmly.
Sain threw the pieces to the ground, and stomped them flat.
"Hey Vaida. ...Where'd you get that punch?"
After learning that, Sain, defeated, trudged towards the punch bowl. Yoshimo, at the same table, took a swing of his drink, and licked the inside of his mouth. He shuddered. "Hey, Zell, this is the weirdest tasting eggnog I've ever had."
"That's not eggnog" Chibi-Zell pointed out. "That's my mushroom and tofu milkshake."
"...You actually drink this stuff?"
"No, I just want to see what happens when people drink it."
"Why you--!" Yoshimo started, before his stomach groaned. "...I'll get back at you after I return from the bathroom"
Legault snickered, as he set up the tripwire. He rubbed his hands together mischievously, and stood off to the side,giving an innocent whistle. He peaked around the door way a few times, before finally seeing his target. Here he comes... he thought to himself.
He then walked towards the tripwire, and purposely hit it. "Wh..wh..whoa!" Legault yelped, as he fell over, right on top of Heath.
"Legault! Something the matter?" Heath asked, somewhat innocently.
"Sorry, Heath. Must've tripped." He looked up. "Huh. Would you look at that. Mistletoe." He looked down at Heath. "Well, Minoa won't bug us until we kiss..."
"I said I'd kiss you next year!"
"Next year is in a week. Can you stand her teasing you for that long?"
"....make it quick."
With that, the violet haired man planted a kiss on the wyvern rider's lips. After a few seconds, Legault broke away. "You know, you're a pretty good kisser."
"Ye...yeah....now, could you please get off of me?"
Legault hid his huff well, and got off of Heath. The green haired man walked off. "I'll get him yet" Legault promised to himself. He then walked off after him.
Forgetting about the trip wire. Luicus walked by innocently, and hit the wire. "What the he--HEY!" he yelped, as he fell over.
Right on top of Raven. When the monk surveyed his position, he noticed his position, and turned beet red. "Yah! R...Raven! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..."
"Heh, it's alright, Luicus. It's not the first time you landed roughly into me."
"Look, if this is about those other productions..."
"I'm only teasing, you know"
Yoshimo sighed, as he walked out of the bathroom. He walked towards the doorway where Sain re-pearched, and stopped when he spotted Minoa. He turned a tad red, and hid his present behind his back. "H...hi Minoa. I, uh...it um....I've got we uh..." he stuttered.
Minoa walked by, talking with Chibi-Zell. Yoshimo continued to stutter, looking at his feet. He then held the present forward. "I got you something. ..." He looked up. "Damnit, she's gone again!"
"Because you're not being assertive enough" Sain advised. "Take me, for instance. From this moment on, anyone who passes under this doorway gets smooched by me!"
There was a pause, before Sain felt someone bump his shoulder. Sain spun on a dime, and gave the bumper a huge, wet one on the lips.
"Sain, what the hell are you doing!?!?" Kent shouted.
Sain's eyes widened, before he cowered a bit, still holding Kent's arms. "Um...kissing under the....mistletoe?"
--WHAM--
With a huff, Kent stomped off, away from Sain.
"I...can't feel my shoulder...." Sain cried.
Minoa smiled widely. "Hi, Kozo! I got you a present!"
"Really? So did I" the shaman smiled back, before pulling, from behind the sofa, a human sized, neatly wrapped present.
Minoa blinked, before pulling out her own present. It was shorter than Kozo's, but it was still quite tall.
Both of them took their presents, and unwrapped them greedily. Minoa gasped happily. "Oh, Kozo, this is the best Christmas present ever!"
Cloud whimpered, and cried a bit. "What did I do to deserve this!?" he wailed, kicking furiously against his binds.
"Oh, but she likes you, man. That's why I got you for her" Kozo answered.
"Do you know what she DOES to people like me!?!"
"Yes. Yes I do." Kozo pulled off the final ribbon, and tore off the wrapping paper. He gasped. "Oh, Minoa, this is perfect!"
Guy cried as well. "Why me!?!" he cried. "Why all the time ME"
"How did you do it, Chibi-Zell?" Yoshimo asked.
"What are you talking about?"
"How'd you keep that gnome from coming?"
"Oh, I did send an invitation. He just declined because he had to work on his lightning."
"He's STILL working on them!?! That's it, I need to get going." With that, Yoshimo started to leave, before stopping. He turned around. "After one more trip to the bathroom"
"Oh, Sain-honey!" Minoa cheered, rushing over to Sain.
Sain blinked. "Hmm? Oh, hi Minoa."
"I got you a present." Minoa handed forward a small, neatly wrapped gift. Sain took it, and tore it open.
"It's a digital camera" Minoa explained. "And it already has a lot of pictures of me, so you can load them onto your computer!"
"Hey, I could delete these and take pictures of some hot girls. Hey Lyn! Say cheese!"
Minoa blinked, before shaking her fist, and stomping off.
"It is my pleasure to announce the winner of this year's house lighting contest," said the chairman, "as none other than.....Winnie Gnome, for the seventh year running!"
"Damn...lucky....gnome..." Yoshimo cursed under his breath, as Winnie hopped around in victory.
"Now, Winnie Gnome..." The chairman dug into his pocket, and threw Winnie a set of keys. "We all hope you enjoy your new Chevrolet."
"WHAT!?!" Yoshimo snapped. "The prize was only supposed to be fifty bucks!"
"Yes, well, we figured that, as this was the last year we'd be doing this, we should go out with something big."
"But he's so tiny"
Eliwood grumbled, as he adjusted his Santa suit. He squeezed into Chibi-Zell's chimney, and started to shimmey his way down. "The things I do for that kid" he grumbled. "Why couldn't Ninian be an only child? Would make things so much easier..."
Cecil smiled widely, watching the cheasnuts roasting over the open fire. "Lovely fire, Zell" he complimented.
At that time, Eliwood had made his way to the bottom of the chimney. Right on the fire. "EE-YOW!" He rocketed back up to the top of the chimney.
Cecil blinked, looking near the top of the fire place. He shrugged, and continued watching the flames dance.
"Okay, that didn't work..." Eliwood mumbled to himself. He got off the roof, and walked around to the front door. He stepped in, and let out a jolly "Ho, ho, ho!"
Nils gasped, and squealed in joy. "Yay! It's Santa! He's real!" Nils blinked, before poking Eliwood in the stomach. "Did you lose weight?"
"How about you fly around the world in one night delievering presents, and let's see how mnay pounds YOU keep. But I degress. Here's a little gift from me before I bring in the rest tonight." With that, Santa/Eliwood dug into his sack, and pulled out a present.
The young Nils beamed, and snatched the present. He then blinked. "Why does it say From Eliwood?"
"Oh! Ah...I owe him a favour, and I got that to you from him in advance. Anyways, I must be going."
"Oh, but Santa, you need to meet my sister!"
"Oh, ho, ho, Santa must be on his way. He has a lot to do tonight."
"But I'm sure she'd love to meet you. I think she's changing right now, but she'll--"
"Yip" Santa/Eliwood let out, before in his place as a dust cloud in his shape.
"S...Santa? Hello? Santa?" Nils looked around, and saw "Santa" running up the stairs. Although his hat was on the ground. And Santa's hair was....red. "E...Eliwood?"
Eliwood froze, and looked back at Nils. "H...ho, ho, hooooh boy....."
"You....you lied to me! Marcus was right! Santa is a lie!" With that, Nils started to sob and cry.
"Ho, ho, dry your tears, little one" said a kind, elderly voice.
Nils blinked, and looked up. Smiling down at him was a jolly old man, with a bushy white beard, poofy, white hair, and a red suit, barely containing his rotund build. He had cherry red cheeks, and a sack over his back. "Merry Christmas" the old man said with a smile under his beard.
"S...Santa?" Nils gasped.
"Santa?" Eliwood asked in disbelief.
Santa straigthened himself up. "Ah, you must be the lad who stopped believing in me. If you don't believe in me, than you might not believe in the gifts I have in this sack for you and the young boy."
"No, Santa, I believe, I believe!"
"Ho, ho, ho! You and I will have to have a little talk in private." He knealt down again, and mussled Nils's hair. "Now, you be a good little sprite, and head off to bed."
"Uh-huh" Nils nodded, before rushing off.
"And as for you..." Santa continued, before grabbing Eliwood by the ear, and dragging him off.
"So, you really are Santa?" Eliwood asked, when the two were in private.
"Well of COURSE I'm not Santa..." came a familiar voice from underneath the beard. With that, Santa pulled off his hat and hair, and took off the beard, to reveal purple hair, and a short little purple beard. "I figured you'd find some way or another to blunder," Marcus explained, taking off his suit, as pillows dropped around him. He adjusted the collar around his sweater, "that's why I came in to help you."
"That is quite unlike you, Marcus."
"Well, I thought it over, and I found it was wrong of me to crush the young lad's spirit. That sort of stamping is saved for high school and the like."
"Too true. I still remember when I was in high school and those damn bullies..."
"Mind your tounge, Eliwood" Marcus interruptted. "Seriously, what would your father think if you started to use that language on Christmas Eve?"