The North Pole, to the skeptics, is a barren, frozen wasteland at the top of the world. Yet to those who believe with all their hearts, it is the most magical place on earth. And by that, we mean where the magic of Christmas is celebrated 24/7, a city home to demimuative elves, the resolute reindeer, and even the jolliest man alive; Santa Claus. Right now it was the busiest time of year, Christmas Eve, and all the elves were hard at work. However with the help of modern technology the elves had everything under control.
Our story begins with a female elf who was rushing through the street. Her blonde curly hair tied back to keep it out of her face. She was rushing through the street. She wore a red tunic with a black belt, a red pointy hat, white and green stockings and black leather shoes. Yet what really stuck out was the diamond earrings she had on her pointy ears.
"Watch out! Coming through! Excuse me! Oh man, oh man! I can't be late! Not today of all days!"
"Hey!"
"Watch it!"
"Out of the way!" came the various cries of other elves she nearly crashed into as they were rushing themselves for their own jobs.
"Sorry!" She cried out and hurried to her destination. A large building with a red dome shaped roof. She stopped and looked up at the structure with a wide smile and a heavy breath. "I made it, thank goodness." She took a deep breath and slapped her cheeks to psych herself up. "Okay Holly, you can do this. First day on the job, don't blow it."
After catching her breath, she went inside and walked up to the front desk where an elf man sat with an emotionless expression. He was dressed in a red hat with a white button-up shirt and large rimmed glasses.
"Um, excuse me? I'm Holly, Holly Days?"
"Oh yes, we've been expecting you." The elf replied in a monotone voice. "You'll want to take the elevator up to the office on level three to get your assignment, any questions?"
"Actually-"
"Good, have a Merry Christmas." he cut Holly off before looking back down at the desk, pretending to look busy.
Holly wanted to say something, but simply let it go before making her way to the elevator and rode it to the third floor. "Ok Holly, you can do this. You got this. You've been preparing yourself for years, so you know what to say."
The elevator stopped, making Holly's breath catch in her throat. On the other side of the door was a room with maps covering the wall like wallpaper. Thumbtacks connected by red yarn like something one would see on a conspiracy board. There were a few filing cabinets and a small electric heater. However what really got Holly's attention was the elf woman with short dark hair, a green vest over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, green pants, a green hat and brown shoes. She was sitting at the desk looking over a map while using a sextant. She took a shaky gulp and slowly stepped into the room. "U-Uh hello?"
The elf looked up from her map and right at Holly who stiffened. "Can I help you?"
*Gulp* "I-I'm...Holly, your new assistant."
"Oh yeah, nice to meet you newbie." The elf greeted stepping away from the desk. "I'm-"
"Grace Noel, I know. I'm a huge fan." smiled Holly, only to blush and hold up her hands. "I-I mean I've heard of your work, really respect worthy!"
"Wow, I didn't think anyone thought so highly of me."
"How could they not! A coal miner's daughter from the Candle District who climbed the social ladder to become one of the most important elves in the entire north pole?! You're a local legend back home." Holly let out with a smile, her nervousness fading away.
"Judging by those earrings, you're from the Candle District too, right?" Grace said reaching into her vest pocket to pull out a pair of diamond earrings similar to the ones Grace was wearing.
"Yes Ma'am, that's right." Holly said as Grace put her earrings on.
"I guess it has been a long time since I was back home."
"Yes," Holly nodded. "about four years."
"That long? Damn, time sure does fly. How are the old stomping grounds? Streets still covered in coal dust I assume?" she asked while leaning against the desk.
"Actually, we got those cleaned up and the whole district is tidier too. After everyone heard about you we all started pitching in to make everything more presentable, but we did have a few incidents with some cave-ins."
"What!?" Grace let out.
"Oh don't worry, no one was badly hurt. In Fact we haven't had a death in years." Holly quickly clarified.
"Jeez Rookie, don't scare a chick like that." Grace pushed off her desk and went back around. She opened a drawer and pulled out a clipboard. "Alright, enough with the warm and fuzzies we got work to do."
"Oh right! Yes ma'am!"
"I need you to go to the head offices of each division and get progress reports. The candy factory, The toy factory, even the stables. Then bring them back here to me." Grace walked up to Holly and handed her the clipboard. "Think you can handle that, Kid?"
"You got it ma'am."
"Then go get 'em tiger. I'll see you afterwards." Grace gave a thumbs up before going back to her maps.
Holly turned and used the elevator to head down. "Alright, my first assignment. I need to pass it with flying colors to show I have what it takes." She left the building and headed off to her first destination. "Alright, first stop. The toy factory." Holly read off the clipboard as she entered the building. The inside was full of well maintained heavy machinery that when combined with the elves' own magic let them churn out all kinds of toys faster and more efficiently than anything humans could possibly make. "Wow, It's even more amazing than the stories make it out to be." She said marveling at the sheer efficiency. "No! No, I can't get distracted, I have work to do."
After asking one of the workers for directions Holly found herself in a tall hallway with a red carpet. Framed pictures were hung on the wall giving it a real homey vibe. She soon came to a set of doors with a plate on one that read 'Tinsel Tinker Manager/CEO'. She reached up and knocked on the door.
"Enter." A male voice from the other side replied.
She opened the door and stepped into the office. The entire wall on the opposite side was one big window that looked out onto the assembly line. Gazing out the window was an elven man with neatly kept short brown hair. He was dressed in a red suit with a white shirt underneath. A green tie and matching green shoes.
"Excuse me, I'm here for the progress reports." Holly spoke.
The man turned to look at her before he walked up to his desk. "You're not the usual elf who collects the reports. Where's Peppermint?"
"I'm... not sure who that is, or what happened to her. Although I guess I'm her replacement, Holly Days. Now if I could get that report Mr. Tinker."
"Very well." He said, grabbing a folder. He was about to give it to her when he noticed her earrings and pulled it back. "Wait, are you from the Candle District?"
"Uh, yes?"
"I see," Tinsel replied with a sneer. "While I am surprised, try not to smudge the numbers with your coal dust riddled fingers." He said placing the file back on the desk and sliding it to her before walking back to the window.
If Holly were less professional she would have snapped at him for that remark. Instead she simply took the report and left the office with her dignity. After all, it was nothing she hadn't heard before.
The North pole was divided into five separate districts. At the top was the star district where Santa himself and those who worked directly under him lived. They were the ones in charge of determining which children got on the famed Nice List, or the infamous Naughty List. Any elf who could get work there would be set for life.
Below that was the Ornament District, inhabited by those who were considered the upper crust of society. Elves that lived in this district are elves who have earned jobs in management, own land in lower districts, or come from long family lines.
In the middle was the Candy Cane District. Ranked third out of five it is quite literally middle class. These elves were typically the ones working the assembly line of the toy factory or making sweets in the bakeries.
The fourth was known as the Garland Garland district. All the elves that live here are real down to earth and are responsible for maintaining the health of the local wildlife. And keeping the other districts fed. For them a simple life is all that really matters.
Finally at the bottom rung of the social was, unfortunately, the Candle District. For generations those who live in this district were regarded as dirty, low class, even plebeian. All because it was inhabited by elves who made their living mining for coal. Now it was true that some parts of the Candle District weren't exactly 'family friendly', but some of them at least made an effort.
"Next, ornament district."
She made her way out. Of the building and headed for the candy division. It had to be relocated from the Candy Cane District after a Chernobyl level nougat spill the previous year. She passed by elves who drove trucks carrying a huge sippy of ornaments, or even giant sized ones.
Soon Holly arrived at the new bakery which, by all accounts, was a shadow of its predecessor. It was cramped but the elves that worked there made it work. Holly had to squeeze her way through, careful not to disrupt the elves at work. Miraculously she arrived at the 'office', if it could even be called that from how small it was, without incident.
On the desk was a name plate that read 'Jangle Bells'. He was an elf man with a tired look on his face. He was dressed in chef's attire all though his chef's hat was lopsided and bent at one side.
"Excuse me sir? My name's Holly, I came here for the progress report."
Holly greeted as Jangle took off his hat and brushed back his straight blonde hair.
"What? Oh, yeah. Progress report." Jangle looked around at the mess of paperwork. "I know. It's here some-" he stopped talking the minute he noticed her earrings. "Hey, you better not have tracked in any coal dust." He said and went back to searching for the file.
"No, I made sure of that." Holly replied then took a deep breath to calm down before she said something that would come back to bite her later.
"Ah, here it is. Now would you please leave? I have some final preparations to do before take off."
"Yeah, sure." Holly said before leaving the office and the bakery in a huff.
After leaving the bakery she caught a glimpse of her reflection in one of the oversized ornaments and found her self staring more precisely at her earrings
In human society diamonds are a girl's best friend. But in elven society it's the opposite. Coal miner's sometimes dig up diamonds and turn them into jewelry. They're supposed to symbolize the Candle District's strength. However as time went on it became a way to tell everyone where they come from. It made it easier for others to treat them like dirt, ironic given all the hard work they did which no one else does. If anything they were proof that they weren't scared to get down and dirty.
'Maybe I should just take them off.' she thought reaching up and touching one. As her finger brushed over the stone she remembers the day her father gave them to her. "No, I am a coal miner's daughter and that's nothing to be ashamed of." She spoke before slapping her cheeks. "Come on Holly you can do this. Don't let what anyone says get to you."
And with that Holly continued her task. Unsurprizingly she was treated with the same level of discrimination. From the head video game development division down to the gender fluid elf who groomed the reindeer. Her last stop was back home in the candle district so she knew exactly where to go. The Fighting Reindeer Tavern. She pushed open the swinging door and made her way to the counter where a burly looking elf woman in an apron was cleaning glasses. "Hey Mable." Holly greeted unenthusiastically as she took a seat.
"Hey, Holly. How yuh doin' dawl. I thought you was at that new fancy shmancy job? Don't tell me yuh got fired already?"
"No, I'm still very much employed, I'm just here to wait. In the meantime gimme a cold one, extra dirty. It's been one of those days."
"Come right up, Sweety. Mama Mable will help you forget all your troubles." Mable said walking away from the counter and returned with a carton of eggnog and a bottle of cinnamon. After pouring the creamy beverage into a mug she hit it hard with a few shots of the cinnamon. "There ya go, enjoy."
"Leave the carton." She said before taking her drink and guzzling it down.
"Ah, that's the stuff."
"So tell me what happened to ya."
"Well... for starters, I met Grace Noel." Holly said with a smile.
"No kiddin'. Hey, has she really forgotten us like everyone says she has?"
"No, not at all." Holly replied in defense of her superior. "She's just really committed to her work. She didn't even look up from her maps until I spoke up."
"Sure sounds like a stuck up cunt in my book." Mable spoke. "You know some elves are sayin' she got where she is now boinkin' someone higher up the food chain."
"Oh come on. I get she might seem cold or dismissive, but rising up doesn't mean she needs to bend over for someone. Hard work is a huge thing that does matter in the end." Holly spoke. "I mean look at me. I may just be an assistant, but I'm part of the flight control team. I got where I am of my own merit and I take pride in it."
"Well not all elves think the same as you do."
"So when is Marco getting here? I need a progress report from him." Holly questioned pouring herself some more eggnog.
"That husband of mine and his lame brain crew should be gettin' here any moment now." Mable replied.
"Thank goodness." Holly sighed before they heard the sound of snow mobiles outside.
"Oh speak of the devil." Mable remarked before a rowdy bunch of barrel chested elves dressed in overalls stormed in.
All of them laughing or yelling, taking seats all around.
"You know, I almost missed this." Holly smiled feeling nostalgic.
"Mable!" Called out a large elf man with a scraggly black beard. "A round of drinks in the house. Today was a fine day!" He said before a rolling pin hit him square in the hard hat.
"How many times do I gotta tell ya!? No free drinks in my tavern Marco!" Mable scolded.
"I was just kidding."
"Well knock it off we got someone here to see you from flight control here to see yuh."
"Oh? Who? Is it some uptight snooty puss who could not handle a little work? Or maybe a dainty little pansy who spends more time spreadin' her-"
"ahem." Holly let out getting his attention. "Hi Marco, you miss me I'm here to collect your progress report."
"Oh..." Marco blinked before letting out an awkward chuckle.
Later after her job was finally done Holly headed straight back to Grace's office.
"I'm finished ma'am."
"Good. Any issues?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle. Although I did need three mugs of eggnog with extra Cinnamon so near the end so..."
"Trust me, this job can do that. Just don't get drunk on company time.." Grace stated taking the reports.
"By the way ma'am I have some questions. Like what happened to your last assistant Peppermint."
"Uh...well, we kinda caught her milking the reindeer on sleigh team."
"But aren't they all male?"
"Yeah and that's the problem." She remarked, making Holy turn bright red.
"O-Oh my..."
"That's what you get for hiring from the Garland District." Grace remarked, flipping through the papers. Though I will miss her hot cocoa."
"Okay moving on, why do you need these progress reports anyway?"
"It's so we know we're on track for take off, and if these numbers are correct. We should be on schedule, hell we could even launch early this year."
"That's wonderful news." Holly smiled and clapped her hands.
"You bet your candy striped ass it is. We take off early, we knock off early. I'm gonna go tell the big guy about this, you just take a break you earned it."
"Th-thank you ma'am." Holly smiled in gratitude.
Later that evening the time had finally arrived.
Holly walked alongside Grace down a hall towards mission control doing her best to reign in her own anxiety through deep breathing, very vocal deep breathing
"Good god, Holly, are you trying to calm yourself or are you going into labor?" Grace snarked.
"Sorry sorry, I'm just really really excited, and nervous." Holly spoke. "I feel like I'm gonna be sick from the emotional conflict. I mean don't get me wrong I'm thrilled to have gotten this far, but I've never been to mission control before. What if I mess up and send Santa off course and into a storm. Or worse what if cause the sleigh to crash and-"
*SLAP*
Grace slapped Holly's cheek and shook her by the collar of her tunic. "Get it together woman!"
"OW!" Holly held her cheek.
"Freaking out over what ifs is just gonna make things more awkward than they already are." Grace explained slowly and calmly. "Besides, your job isn't to sit at one of the monitors. Your job it's to look pretty and get me something when I need it. No one expects you to do more than you can handle, okay?"
"Oh...right...I knew that." Holly fibbed while Grace rolled her eyes.
"Come on, we don't want to be late."
They entered the control room and Holly's jaw dropped inside were rows upon rows monitors each manned by an elf who was keeping a vigilant look for anything that could pose a threat to their mission.
"Wow..."
"Close your mouth, you'll catch flies like that." Grace said, closing Holly's jaw.
On the opposite side of the room was a massive monitor that displayed a map of the world with smaller monitors underneath each one serving a different function.
"It's so...big."
"Damn, right it is." She said, grabbing a headset and putting it on. "Talk to me, how are we looking?"
The large monitor changed to show a large red crushed velvet bag being loaded into the sleigh.
"We'll be good to go as soon as the Big Guy takes his seat." Said an elf man on the other side.
"And ten minutes ahead of schedule." Grace pumped her fist. "Okay everyone listen up!"
All eyes turned to her at once.
"Alright, so...this year has been a little rough for a lot of people. That virus is still around, the Taliban took back Afghanistan, and global warming it's wreaking havoc on us up here in the Pole . The other elves have worked tirelessly to give the people a happy holiday. Why? Because that's our Goddamn job. We bring joy and wonder to all those that believe in the spirit of Christmas. Now it's up to us to make sure those presents get to where they need to be. Right now it's our time to shine. So let's show those other elves that we are just as important as they are! Are you with me!?"
All of them burst out into cheers, applauding Grace.
"That's what I like to hear! Let's do this thing!"
Holly was clapping just as loud as the others, feeling tears of joy in her eyes from the speech. "That was beautiful Ma'am."
"Really? You didn't think it was too preachy?" Grace asked.
"Not at all, it was perfect"
"It did what it needed to." Spoke none other than Tinsel who walked up to the two. "Get their spirits up so they can do their job."
"Tinsel, how nice of you to join us at mission control, again." Grace spoke sarcastically.
"Again?" Holly repeated.
"Yeah he always comes around before take off desperately hoping I'll fail."
"Quite the contrary. If you fail then everything we worked for will before nothing. Christmas spirit will plummet and we'll all have to find new places of work, and I'd rather not take my chances with the Easter Bunny. He and his thousands of progeny are a little too bohemian for my taste."
"What's wrong with the Easter Bunny?" muttered Holly to herself.
"Just stay out of the way of Tinsel and don't cause any trouble for my team."
"Perish the thought." He said as Grace turned to the monitor where that showed Santa approaching the sleigh.
"Okay people, it's go time!" Grace called out. "Status report." The launch team began the necessary preparation as Santa climbed into the sleigh.
"Runway is clear."
"Flight course set."
"World wide monitoring systems check."
"Alright," Grace nodded and took a deep breath. "begin countdown."
Santa took the reins and with a snap the reindeer took off running
"Lift off in T-minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!"
And like that they all watched as the sleigh and the fat man took off. Calling out 'Ho Ho Ho!"
"Woohoo! He did it!" Holly jumped for joy.
"Don't get too excited, Kid. Our job isn't over until the big guy lands safely back here."
"But he's off to deliver presents. Isn't that worth a little celebration?" Holly questioned.
"A lot can still happen. We need to stay focused and keep an eye out for trouble even if it takes all night. It's our responsibility to make sure the big guy has a safe flight."
"Oh...sorry."
"you're new, so I'll let it slide. But if you don't wanna end up back in the candle district. You need to show you got what it takes to be a part of this team."
"Yes ma'am." she gulped.
"Atta girl." Grace smiled and looked at the monitor.
Throughout the night Holly watched as Grace instructed her team on what needed to be done when it needed to be done. Like a general leading her army, Grace carried herself with authority and spoke with a commanding voice. She scolded anyone who was slacking off but was mindful of those who needed a break for one reason or another. Holly was in utter awe as she watched Grace. It was clear to see how she got to where she is now. A few times she went starry eyed and had to try and keep herself from being noticed and getting yelled at herself.
After the last present was delivered Santa was the last leg of his journey. Getting back home safely.
"Alright people, remember, until the big guy is back, nobody celebrates yet." Grace stated. "I know it's been a long night, and a lot of you are tired, but stay with us. The minute Santa lands safely our job is done. Tough it out just a little longer."
"It amazes me everytime I see how efficiently you manage your team." Tinsel remarked.
"It's called skill." Grace replied with a frown.
"Of that I must begrudgingly agree." Tinsel said. "You'd fit in quite well in the Ornament District."
"Forget it, I'm fine where I am." Grace replied. "I'd rather spend the rest of my life digging for coal in the place I was born then move into the same district as you asshats."
Holly smiled with pride while Tinsel let out a gasp. "Language."
"Oh grow up you whiny pantywaist." Grace crossed her arms.
"Santa's approaching the runway!" Another elf called out.
"Alright people, brace yourselves!" Grace called out. "Let's land this bird and then we can party like it's Woodstock!"
All eyes stayed on the radar as the fat man got closer, and closer, and closer, until…
*BZZZZZZT*
"HE MADE IT!"
"YEEEEAAAAHHHH!" cried out the elves, whooping and hollering their heads off.
"We did it!"
"Another successful year in the books!"
"Party time ya'll!"
"Go nuts ya goofs." Grace said, letting out a chuckle.
"You were spectacular Grace!" Holly applauded.
"Yes, even I must say you did an... adequate job, Grace." Stated Tinsel. "For a coal miner's daughter."
"Okay that's it. I have had just about enough of your shit about me and my home town. Let's take this back to your office and hash this out. I don't want to spoil my team's mood."
"With pleasure." Tinsel replied and followed Grace out
'Oh no, that doesn't sound good.'
Holly thought as she watched the two leave.
"Holly, you stay here I'll be back later."
"Yes ma'am."She nodded, feeling worried for her superior.
A bit of time passed as the elves celebrated another successful Christmas in one way or another.
The place was going like one huge frat party all over. Dancing, heated make outs, one guy even ran around hollering while twirling his shirt around.
Holly on the other hand was wrapped up in her own worries. She was worried over what was going on with Tinsel and Grace. Would it break out into a fight and cost Grace her job, or worse? She wanted to go see for herself but it didn't feel right to just go barging in without a good reason. So her mind was left to wander. That is until she noticed a glint in the corner of her eye. She turned and saw Grace's earrings on the snack table. That's when she remembered, Grace took them out during a small break.
"Wait...that's it! If I show up with these, I'll have a real reason. I mean, it only makes sense to return something that she left behind." Holly concluded then rushed to grab the earrings and hurried out to the toy factory. "I just hope I'm not too late."
Holly entered the toy factory now dark with the machinery inactive. If not for the moon shining in from the windows she wouldn't be able to navigate her way through. "Spooky." She whined and made her way up to the hall.
"Okay Holly, you got this. Remember Grace's career may depend on it." She said before hearing the sound of grunting and moaning and noticed one of the office doors was opened just a crack. Nervously she approached the door and peeked inside what she saw was far from what she had expected.
Inside the office clothes were scattered Everywhere, and everything that was previously on the desk was knocked to the floor, but what was most shocking was Tinsel sitting in his chair naked wearing Grace's hat with said elf woman riding him reverse cowgirl style.
"Yeah you like that? Huh? You like sweeping my chimney?" Grace moaned out with her hands on Tinsel's shoulders bouncing up and down.
"Oh! Oh Grace! Yes! My bells are jingling!" Tinsel let out with his hand squeeze Grace's glutes.
"Just a little more! Just. A. Little. More!" Grace moved faster and faster the pressure in her stomach building until finally... "AHHH!"
"OH HOLY NIGHT!" Tinsel shouted, achieving his release.
As Grace came down from her orgasmic euphoria she pushed herself off Tinsel and sat on the desk. "Now that was a stocking stuffer."
"Oh good lord...that was amazing..." Tinsel huffed going totally limp in his chair in bliss.
Holly however, was frozen in shock at what she had just witnessed. Her boss, the Candle District elf that could engaging in carnal pleasure with a Ornament District elf!? Holly backed away from the door before running as fast as her tiny legs could go out of the factory. Once she passed through the door she covered her mouth and screamed over and over until she dropped to her knees and broke down crying.
(The next day)
Grace had gotten a call from the Candle District to go to the tavern and pick something up. What it was the caller would not say. What she did know was that she felt both mentally and physically exhausted.
"Fuck, it's way too early for this crap." She said entering the tavern where Mable was mopping the floor. "Excuse me, I got a call saying there's something here for me to pick up?"
"Well ain't this a surprise. The great Grace Noel actually came herself." Mable remarked.
"Yup, that's me." Grace drawled
"And here I thought you were far too important to visit us lowly coal workers."
"Hey I'd like to see you try plotting a round the world course for Santa's sleigh, separating the good kids and the bad kids, avoiding all the places where people don't believe in santa, not to mention navigate him through said course, taking into account storms, air traffic, and the occasional flock of birds and still find time to come home for a break." she frowned. "You think it's easy? Well if you do, then you don't jack squat what kind of pressure I have to deal with."
"Yeesh. Fugget I said anything."
"Yeah, now can we get to the reason I'm here? What's this thing you wanted me to pick up?"
"Well...it's not really a thing." Mable said, leaving Grace confused. Mable then led her to a room where Holly was passed out on the bed with eggnog cartons everywhere.
"Holy shit, what happened to Holly"
"She came in last night lookin' like hell. She just came in, rented the room, and kept on ordering more and more eggnog. After she passed out I just let her sleep for a while before I called you."
"Let me see if I can get her up."
"Be my guest." Mable spoke before leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
Grace sighed and looked around the room until her eyes fell on a pitcher of water which she dumped out on Holly's head making her jump awake
"GAH! COLD!" Holly shrieked.
"Come on you drunk, up and at 'em."
Holly groaned, feeling a splitting headache hit her like a truck. She looked up and saw Grace standing by the bed and frowned "Oh it's you."
"Okay that's different, what happened to my biggest fan?"
"Oh don't act like you don't know, you...you...fraud!"
"what?"
"You heard me Holly spoke up slightly slurring. "You're a fraud, a liar, and a slut."
"Woah!" Grace was taken aback by the sudden insult. "Okay I know you're a little hungover but that's no reason to talk to me like that."
"Ohoho I have plenty of reasons after what I saw."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you and Tinsel playing hide the peppermint stick in his office!"
Grace's eyes widened as she finally put the pieces together before speaking. "Ohhh, shit." She backed up and sat in an empty chair across from the bed. "You saw that?"
"You're, damn right I did!" she let out with a frown. "You're a fraud! I thought you got where you are by hard work, patience, determination, but everyone was right. All you had to do to get there was ride your way up the ladder, legs wide open!" Holly tried to stand but nearly lost her balance and ended up hugging the bed post before trying to pull herself up. "I defended you when they said stuff like that. I truly believed you were a diamond in the rough, and yet I find you in the lap of an Ornament District elf like your pet. Oh and speaking of diamonds," Holly reached into her pocket and pulled out Grace's earrings. "You left these in mission control." She then dropped the jewelry on the floor and stumbled back into the bed.
"My Earrings?"
"Yeah, but you probably don't need them, probably got some shiny new ones from your boyfriend. You just keep those on hand to make everyone think you actually care, but it's all true, isn't it? You're just as condescending as all the others."
Grace sighed and picked her earrings up off the floor. "Look Holly, I get it, what you saw really shook your world view, but I assure you that you have greatly misinterpreted what you saw."
"Tch, yeah right how stupid do you think I am?"
"I'm serious Holly, and if you give me a chance, just one chance, I can prove it to you. That's all I'm asking."
"...how do I know you're not just gonna lie and trick me?"
"Trust me, once you see it for yourself you'll get a clearer picture of what's going on between us."
"Prove it." Holly spoke.
"I can't do it here. Let's get this mess cleaned up, pay the monstrous tab you no doubt racked up, and I'll take you to a place I can."
"Fine." Holly relented, too hungover to argue.
Once everything was cleaned, and Holly's tab was paid, the two elves left the candle district and made their way to the ornament district.
"Ok, here's a question for you, why don't you wear your earrings at all times, you know, like a normal Candle District elf?"
"I'm not sure what your earrings are made of but mine are copper. If I wore them all the time they'd turn my ears green." Grace replied. "And that's a look that will never be in style.
"...Ok yeah, that makes sense." Holly nodded. "But still, it wouldn't hurt to at least have them on you, maybe a necklace."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"What are we even doing here Grace?" Holly questioned looking around at all the fancy houses.
"Just be quiet and follow me, we're almost there." Grace replied with a stern tone.
After a little bit more walking they walked up to one of the houses and Grace knocked on the door. They waited for a few seconds before it opened up to show Tinsel standing there.
"Grace?" Tinsel let out and noticed Holly who's jaw dropped " What can I do for you?"
"Well for starters, you can let us in." Grace remarked.
"What for?" Tinsel questioned and glanced at Holly.
"Don't worry about it, just move your ass and let us in." ordered Grace, making Tinsel roll his eyes as he went inside, letting them follow.
"I see this place is as tacky as ever." remarked Grace, looking around the expensive furniture and artwork with Holly open mouth.
"I wouldn't expect a low born elf like you to understand the finer things in life."
"Clam up." Grace ordered. "You're acting very... Naughty."
At the mention of the N word Tinsel froze up and with a scared look and almost broke out into a cold sweat almost immediately.
Holly noticed, and it made her raise an eyebrow.
"Grace...I-I hardly think it's appropriate for-"
"Relax you big whiner. Holly won't tell anyone." Grace stated. "She already saw us last night, but she got the wrong idea. We're just here to set the record straight. Now then, tell me are you going to be a naughty boy... or a good boy?" She questioned as Tinsel's breathing grew heavy as he looked back and forth between the two elf women.
Holly was sure what she expected to happen. However what did happen was something she would never forget.
Tinsel dropped to his knees and spoke out. "I want to be a good boy!" He then walked on his knees towards Grace wrapped his arms around her legs and nuzzled her stomach.
"Whaaaaa..." Holly let out with wide eyes and slack open mouth.
"As I told you Holly, you greatly misinterpreted what you saw last night." Grace said, running her fingers through Tinsel's hair.
Minutes later the three elves were situated in Tinsel's den with said elf massaging Grace's feet. While she and Holly sat in the chairs in front of the fireplace.
Holly was so stunned that she couldn't find a way to politely question what she was seeing. "Okay, I'll just come right out and say it. WHAT THE FUCK!?"
"It's a lot to take in huh?" Grace comments.
"You think?! I'm more lost then ever!"
Holly replied.
"Maybe I should explain this from the beginning. After earning my job as flight director Tinsel here took every opportunity to give me a hard time. Day in and day out it was nothing but one insult after another. One day I just had enough, and then just straight up bitch slapped his ass to the floor." Explained Grace with a hum. "At first I thought I'd lose my job, but call me shocked when all he did was look at me and ask me to do it again."
"He did?" Holly questioned.
"It's true, I did." Tinsel chimed in as he started popping Grace's toes.
"Turns out elves from his background are so high strung and full of themselves, getting disciplined is completely foreign to them."
Grace added. "So foreign in fact that-" Grace stopped as Tinsel started kissing her foot. "You know what, perhaps it's better with a demonstration." She pulled her foot out of Tinsel's grasp before kicking him back. "Did I say you could do that?!"
"Ah! Sorry sorry! I just thought-"
"Well you thought wrong." Grace let out a sigh and crossed her arms and looked at Holly. "all these years and I'm still training him."
"Grace!" Holly spoke up.
"What? He loves it. Just look at that tent he's pitching. Holly looked over, blushing when she noticed the sizeable bulge under the pants before quickly looking away.
"Oh my..."
"Yeah and it feels great too. The only downside is that he doesn't really know how to use it."
"Ah!" Tinsel gasped. "You promised you wouldn't tell anyone!"
"And you promised that you would learn to behave, and you still push your luck."
"But I-"
"Enough." Grace said, standing up from her seat and grabbing her socks and shoes. "The mood is dead. We'll be going now."
"We are?" Holly questioned as Grace walked away before she got up and followed. "Okay."
"Wait! Grace!" Tinsel called out.
"Ugh, what now?"
"Please...Marry me." he asked, making Holly go wide eyed while Grace groaned.
"Look Tinsel, we've been over this as things are now I can not and will not marry you, ever." Grace replied.
"That's just the pleasure talking."
As she took her leave Tinsel fell to the floor huddled into a ball and broke down sobbing.
Holly backed away and rushed to catch up with Grace outside. "Okay that was just brutal. Should we be leaving him alone like that?"
"He'll be fine. This happens every time I turn down his marriage proposals."
"This has happened before?"
"Yeah that was his 219th marriage proposal so far."
"2-219th?!"
"yeah it's pretty predictable at this point. He'll cry for a little bit, then go to the secret room he doesn't think I know about where he keeps the shrine he dedicated to me complete with a portrait of me dressed like Jessica Rabbit, and huddle into a ball again until he passes out."
"That...isn't that something that sounds like he might need professional help with?" Holly stated. "How did you find out if it was supposed to be secret?"
"I stumbled upon it after turning down one of his marriage proposals. I forgot my keys and when back to get him and caught him in the act. He didn't even notice me while he was crying."
"...Wow."
"Well now that you've had a chance to get to know Tinsel, ready to apologize about the hurtful things you said."
"I...was way off course, but can you really blame me?" Holly defended. "The way it looked was pretty damning."
"No, I can't blame you." Grace shrugged.
"But there are a few things I don't understand. Why do you and him act like you hate each other, and why won't you marry him if you're...you know."
"Well first off he's scared of what his friends and family will think. He's worried they'll leave him or disown him. Also just because I'm fucking the guy doesn't mean I HAVE to marry him. I mean I love the guy but I'm not IN love with him. He can't let go of the prejudices of lower class elves. So right now we're just friends with benefits." she shrugged. "If he can't do that, then the only thing we have is the sex."
"How...how is it by the way? ...the sex."
"Oh it's Fucking fantastic." Grace replied. "The rush of power that comes from being in control, the helpless look he makes when he knows he can't do anything without my approval, not to mention a big dick that hits all the right spots. I tell you, it's like magic."
"T-That's great, really." blushed Holly clearing her throat.
Grace noticed the change in Holly's demeanor and grinned. "But you know, words alone do no justice to the real thing."
"Y-Yup, yup, big time."
"Maybe it's something you need to experience for yourself."
Holly was taken aback hearing that. "What!"
"Look, I may have only known you for a few days, but I mean it when I say that you have potential to make it big in our line of work."
"You really mean that?"
"Yeah girl, but you're not going to get far unless you grow a spine, and the best way to do that is to make at least one of those uppity snobs your bitch. Once you do you might have a job like mine one day."
"Uh, heh heh. Yeah, maybe.
"So are you ready for Grace's crash course in domination?"
"Uh..."
Grace chuckled and put an arm over Holly's shoulders. "Don't worry I'll go easy on you." She said with a wicked grin.
"You say that but your face says something different!"