The day before Nina, Snow Miser, Heat Miser, and Tingler were to leave to go to Southtown, Nina went over to Santa's and Mrs. Claus's house, alone. Santa greeted her at the door. "Nina! Come on in!"
Once inside, the two sat down on the couch in the living room. "So, you're going to be heading out tomorrow," Santa mentioned.
"Yeah," Nina responded. "I have mixed feelings about it. That's one of the reasons I came to see you; I need your advice about some things."
"What's on your mind?"
Nina paused. "I don't know where to start. There's so much I want to say, but there's not a lot of time."
"We have plenty of time. I'm here as long as you need me."
"I'm worried about this trip," Nina said, looking down at the floor. "I'm nervous about how my mother and stepfather will react to the news of Snow Miser's and my engagement."
"I don't see why they'd have a problem with it. You said they liked Snow Miser."
"They do. This is just a really big step for us, and we haven't known each other for very long, so my family may not approve."
"Well, as long as you and Snow Miser are happy, that's the most important thing."
"We are. I just hope my family in Southtown doesn't react badly to it. Most of my family here has been really supportive."
Nina took a deep breath. "There's something I haven't talked to Snow Miser about. I will, eventually; I just don't know how to bring it up. We're both immortal, and marriage is pretty much a forever thing, with some exceptions. What if...what if he gets sick of me someday?" She looked like she was going to cry. "What if he gets bored of me or gets tired of having me around? What if my problems become too much for him, and he leaves?"
Santa's eyes filled with compassion. "Oh, Nina, Snow Miser loves you. Someone who truly cares about you wouldn't get bored of you. That's not what love is. Love is like a fire. At first, it's bright and hot, but eventually, it becomes comfortable and less intense. You have to work at it to keep it going, but it rarely ever just goes out."
"Is that what marriage is like?"
The old man nodded. "It's not perfect, by any means. You two won't always get along, but that doesn't mean you'll love each other any less during those times." He patted her shoulder. "You don't have to worry about Snow Miser leaving you after so long a time. Why, Ma and I have been together for many years, and I still love her just as much now as I did when we were young."
Nina wiped her eyes. "Thank you. That gives me a lot of hope. I'll still talk to Snowy about my fears."
"That's a good idea."
Once Nina regained her composure, she hesitated before saying, "I've debated telling you about something that's going on, something serious. I want to handle this by myself, but I don't know how. I need advice."
"You can tell me. What's wrong?" Santa was concerned at Nina's change of demeanor.
"The Great Ak came to me and told me there's someone called the Shapeshifter who's going around the world and making children depressed. The Shapeshifter is telling kids that everything good in the world, including what you do, is useless. The Great Ak didn't go into much detail, but he wants me to try to find this guy. I don't know if I can. Even if I do, I wouldn't know how to to stop him."
Santa listened, intently, and thought for awhile before he spoke. "There must have been a reason The Great Ak asked you to do this. The Council of Immortals doesn't make requests like this, lightly."
"You know of them?"
He nodded. "When I became old, they granted me the Mantle of Immortality because of how much I had done for all the children around the world. There were some that tried to keep me from delivering presents, mostly the Burgermeister of Sombertown and the Awgwas, but I always had my friends and family on my side, and even people I didn't know about before. The Council were such people. I never knew of them or the Forest of Burzee until the Awgwas attacked me and after I received the Mantle. The Great Ak explained everything to me and told me that I was given a very special gift, and I believe you have, too."
"But I haven't done anything that has made me worthy of any gift like that," Nina told him, despaired. "I haven't made the world better. There's still so much suffering."
"You've helped more people than you realize," Santa stated, softly, which made Nina look at him. "You've delivered all those care packages to people in need. You've stopped two elemental demigods from fighting. You've touched so many lives and have loved freely and completely, and that alone has lessened the suffering in the world. Any act of kindness you do eases the pain. It makes a big difference, Nina."
Nina's eyes watered, and she wiped them. "Still," she told him, sniffling, "I don't think I can stand up to another supernatural like that. I don't think I have any useful powers. I suspect I have one power, but I'm not completely sure."
Santa handed her a tissue. "What is it?"
"Once, when I held a toy that belonged to Winter, I saw images in my mind. I saw...I think it was him, but he looked different. A man with orange hair and a red suit was handing him the toy."
"A train," Santa murmured.
"Yes. Were you the man?"
He nodded. "A long time ago, Winter captured me when I entered his land, and he let me go after I gave him the toy. No one had ever shown him any kindness before; it was the first gift he had ever gotten."
"I saw the memory of it. I don't know how, but I do know it was important."
"You may have gained some sort of power after you became immortal. I'd say find out what it is and use it for the right reasons once you get it figured out. This whole situation can't be coincidental."
"I hope I can do something, at least enough to make sure The Shapeshifter stops hurting people," Nina worriedly told him.
Santa hugged her. "We all have faith in you, and remember, you're never alone. If you ever need any help, just ask."
"Thank you for everything," Nina said, relaxing in the hug, her mind finally more at ease.
"Any time." Then, he pulled away and looked elsewhere in the room. "There's the most beautiful woman in the world."
Mrs. Claus came in from upstairs and stood by them. Smiling, she told her husband, "Oh, you." Addressing Nina, she said, "Nina, I found some patterns for a dress. Would you like to see them? I think they're close to what you had in mind."
"Yeah, I'd love to."
The two women went upstairs and into Mrs. Claus's sewing room, where she had some patterns and fabric for wedding dresses laid out. Nina looked over all of them. "This one is perfect," she told the older woman, picking up one of the patterns.
"I'll get your measurements and start working on it after you pick the fabric you want," Mrs. Claus stated, cheerfully.
As Nina looked at the fabric, she sighed. "I feel bad that you're going to be working on this all by yourself."
"Now, don't you worry about that, dear. I'm happy to do it. Consider this my wedding gift to you."
Nina smiled, warmly. "I don't know how to thank you."
"Seeing you wear the dress on your special day will be thanks enough."
As Mrs. Claus took Nina's measurements, Nina asked, "Are you still happy being married to Santa?"
"Oh, yes," she replied. "When I look at him, I'm filled with the same joy I had all those years ago."
"I hope Snowy's and my marriage will last as long as yours."
"I'm sure it will," she said, sincerely. "Are you looking forward to going to Southtown?"
"Absolutely. I can't wait to see my family again. I'm kinda worried how they'll react to the engagement, though. Plus, I'm not sure how Heat Miser or Tingler will act."
"Everything will come out in the wash," Mrs. Claus stated, finishing the measurements. "I don't know much about that Tingler fellow, but I doubt Heat Miser will start any problems. He cares about you too much to make things difficult for you and your family."
Nina nodded. "You're right. I'm just worried about a lot of stuff."
"Take some deep breaths and take things day by day," the old woman told her. "It won't be that bad. If you worry too much, you won't be able to enjoy the good moments while you have them. You should be celebrating! You're going to be married!"
Chuckling, Nina said, "I'll keep that in mind. I am pretty happy."
Mrs. Claus smiled at her. "That's as it should be."
A little later, Nina went home, feeling much better and more confident about the journey ahead. No matter what would happen in the future, she knew that she could handle it, especially with some help from her loved ones and her friends.