Chapter 2, Palaces out of Paragraphs
As racing thoughts gave way to restless dreams, Shocky's trance was broken not by the Phantom's voice but by a blinding light.
She sat up. The blizzard from last night had vanished without a trace. Now the sun glistened on the fresh snow outside, setting the crystals ablaze like thousands of tiny diamonds. Perfect conditions for a sleigh ride. Her sister, already awake and dressed, was stretching by the window.
Aqua turned to Shocky, studying her bleary, darkened eyes.
"You didn't sleep last night, did you?"
Shocky ignored her scrutinizing look. "It's fine." She hopped out of bed and locked herself in the closet with a change of clothes. As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.
"Miss Aqua, Miss Shocky, we've brought you breakfast, courtesy of Mrs. C and Santa!" Jingle beamed.
"Oh please" Aqua waved the comment away. "You know there's no need for formality with us. I didn't know we were taking breakfast in here"
"For some reason she's insisting getting you guys some hot food, apparently there's another big snow storm headed this way!" Jangle added
Aqua approached the closet. "Hang on" She knocked.
"Yeah yeah I heard them! I'm ready!" Shocky opened the door and stepped out.
"Yeah we're decent. You can come in!"
The door swung open and the two elves carried platters of steaming eggs, toast, jam, and breakfast sausage, each with a mug of hot cocoa. Jingle set his plate on the table.
"Well, here you go girls, we hope you enjoy your food!"
"Oh, you're not joining us?" Shocky's mouth curled into a small frown.
Jangle followed suit. "Wish we could but we still have that last minute Christmas push, you know how Bob is. Oh yes, and you each for some reason have mail? Mrs. C is holding onto it for you until you girls are ready."
Shocky's stomach dropped. Was it…? Could he….?
The two exchanged glances.
"Mail?"
"But who would want to send us mail...on Christmas?"
Aqua shrugged and turned to the Bells. "Uh, thanks guys! We'll retrieve it when we're finished with breakfast and then we'll head out to help you with the production."
She leaned in. "I hear we're up fifteen percent, but fifteen percent ain't much."
"Oh no don't mention the percentage, Bob'll hear you!" Jingle whispered in a hushed tone.
Jangle agreed. "He's been so concerned about our production speeds this year, he's acting like it's the end of the world!"
"Yes...anyway, we'll let you girls be!" Jingle headed for the door.
"Oh! thanks for stopping by!" Aqua waved.
"Merry Christmas!" Shocky called as they shut the door behind them. The aroma of a country breakfast filled the air.
Aqua turned to her own food. "…You'd better eat something"
"But I'm not hungry."
"If you don't eat something, I'm sending you home to the healer."
Reluctantly Shocky took her own plate and brought it closer.
"You might want to steer clear of the sausages though. Grease tends to be really hard on a nervous stomach."
"Who said I was nervous?!"
Aqua began to dissect her breakfast. "It's only that you're not eating, and apparently you're not sleeping now so that leaves two possibilities: you're either gravely ill and need to go to the healer yesterday, or you're nervous."
"Oh yeah?!" Shocky furiously stabbed the food on her plate and shoved it all into her mouth. "Whoof nervouth now?"
With a sigh, Aqua began to eat her meal. An hour passed in silence, the sound of clinking silverware filling the dead air. Aqua took their dishes at the end of it and returned them to the kitchen, meeting her sister in the foyer. The sound of chatter and machinery carried through the walls as Mrs. Claus made her way down the stairs, the thud thud thud of her footsteps cleverly masked by the sounds of the toymakers.
"Good morning dears! Did you sleep well?"
"We slept wonderfully, thank you."
"It was really comfy!"
"And how about you? big day ahead of us, you know"
In Jessica's hand were two brightly colored envelopes. Their hearts fluttered at the sight.
"Oh yes, very big indeed, after all, Christmas Eve isn't far away, Santa's going to be testing out a new sleigh Tinsel made in just a moment…I'm a bit nervous about it but I'm sure she did fine!"
Aqua shook her head with a smile "On Christmas eve day? I can't believe he's still flying, bless his heart"
"Neither can the doctor, he almost had an entire cow when he saw the flight plan for this year!" She sighed. "Oh right, I almost forgot, here you go girls."
In Aqua's hand, she slipped a warm red envelope, passing the much colder blue one to Shocky.
She gave them a knowing smile. "Something tells me I know who these are from… but I am but a humble messenger." She teased in a sing-song voice.
Aqua laughed. "Well, they aren't exactly subtle!"
Shocky reached forward, placing a hand on Jessica's shoulder. "A-and I'm sure everything's going to be okay! "
Aqua nodded. "Mr. Kris has nerves of steel but Tinsel is a smart cookie. Even if there was a crash, it would be just like her to plan ahead."
"I suppose you two are right. I must go see Santa off, wish us luck!" She smiled warmly at them and walked away.
Aqua turned to Shocky. "…Okay, I know you're dying from the suspense. How about we open these before heading over to the control tower?"
Shocky bridled at the assumption. "Me?! I am NOT dying from the suspense!"
"…You know what, you're right." Aqua took her letter and stashed it in her corset. "Let's just head over and see what Kris is up to. Whose got time for a letter?"
She took a step toward the production room when Shocky grabbed her arm. "H-hey not out here!"
She lowered her voice. " What if it's something important?" She then nodded to the wall.
"…And you know how word gets around over here."
Aqua led them back to the room and opened the door. "Fair enough, after you then"
Shocky's limbs went numb, pulse quickening at the prospect of learning the letter's contents. She crinkled her nose at Aqua in an expression of indignation. Aqua shut the door behind them and retrieved her own envelope. "Alright, count of three?"
Shocky took a deep steady breath. "…Okay."
"One…two." Aqua snatched Shocky's envelope from her clammy stinging hands and slashed it open.
"Hey that's not fair!" Shocky cried.
Aqua handed it back and opened her own letter with a scoff. "Who even waits for three anyway?"
Shocky softly gasped when her eyes met with the ink scrawled on the paper.
"Mystery girl with the bright green hair
you made me feel strangely aware
if you would be so kind
come on up to the castle of mine
we can skate and frolic in snow
and then retire and enjoy cocoa
(Also I apologize if the rhyming is terrible, mother didn't raise a poet!)
-Snow Miser"
She quivered with an inexplicable excitement, thoughts buzzing wildly. The note was short, but the words carried unspoken meanings hidden beneath the seemingly innocent rhyme. She reread it several times over- tracing those precious words, committing them to memory. Slender hands traced over the envelope, feeling weight at the bottom. Gingerly, she slipped an opalescent crystal snowflake into a trembling palm and held the pendant up to the sunlight. The fae's lips parted ever so slightly as the room burst into hues of blue and green.
To think she almost missed this.
Aqua's own expression softened, fingers glossing over the message meant for her.
"Aqua,
I think you're really hot, but like, not in a like "I was staring at you" kind of way, it's my version of saying you're really cool.
Would like to get to know you a bit better if you're up for it.
Sorry if this is kind of informal, not exactly great at this..
-Heat Miser"
She chuckled lightly. He was so awkward, his writing distinctly lacking finesse.
It was so very cute.
She almost wished he were there for her to give him her answer in person. Aqua's smile widened when she noticed the blue flame glowing at the bottom of her note and the tiny sun shaped rock in her hand.
She doubly owed him now.
"Well, it's nice to know that X-ray vision is still a myth" She joked to no one in particular.
Shocky almost didn't hear her. "…Huh?"
"How did they even have time to do all this?" It had been late when they left.
Not moments after they read their letters, however, a siren sounded. Aqua opened the door to panicked voices running by. Hermey caught them and stopped.
"Shocky! Aqua! you'll never believe what happened!"
Jingle and Jangle rounded the corner to join him.
"Y-yes, something horrible's happened!"
"Santa's sleigh was shot down by the Miser brothers!"
Aqua's blood ran cold.
He wouldn't, he couldn't.
Shocky took a moment to process the news. "…What?"
"That's impossible" Aqua hoped against hope that she was right.
"But why?"
Aqua hurriedly stuffed the letter and rock back in her bodice and hiked up her skirts, rushing towards the trio. "Is he okay?"
"They're sending out a rescue team, he said something about his back. Thankfully his chute opened up." Hermey answered.
Aqua breathed a sigh of relief. "At least he's okay, we can be glad of that. I knew Tinsel would have his...well metaphorical back."
"…But today is Christmas Eve" Shocky uttered quietly.
Hermey's frown deepened. "I'm not sure what we're going to do without Santa…"
Jingle gritted his teeth. "Darn those Miser Brothers! They'll pay for this!"
"Yeah... Mrs C is maaaaaad."
They made their way to the foyer, where a crowd slowly gathered. As the news spread, elves from everywhere appeared. Even the ever present holiday music stopped playing, leaving the room with a tense uneasy silence. Reindeer handlers, chefs, engineers, and doctors alike stood motionless when Santa entered in on a stretcher. Hats were taken off, as a gesture of respect. The nurse followed the Kringles and the girls followed the nurse, the heat of a thousand eyes on them as the door closed before them.
After what felt like centuries, Jessica reappeared. They were sure she said more, but all the sisters heard was "two to three weeks" and the sound of thunder that crackled from the sky.
As they went to see the man themselves, Aqua looked up at the growing clouds through the large windows. "That must be the storm they were talking about"
"Not very common to have thunder around here though" Shocky replied.
Aqua nibbled gently on the inside of her cheek.
I wonder how much Mother paid them.
In one loud crack of thunder, Mother Nature appeared before the thinning crowd, dragging Heat and Snow Miser by their ears. Shocky paused as she watched the scene unfold, struggling to hear through the pounding of her heart.
"O-ow hey leggo!"
"M-mother OWCH...that hurts!"
Jessica flew to them, skirts trailing behind her. "I WARNED YOU YESTERDAY to behave! Now look what you've done!"
It had to have been a conspiracy. Why else would they do this?
What did that mean for them?
Were those words just a distraction?
What about the man who had raised them nearly as his own? why would they hurt such a kind and selfless man?
Aqua shook the questions from her mind as her sister leaned forward, gently knocking on the heavy wooden door. A husky voice answered them.
"Come in"
The pair entered cautiously. "Mr. Kris!" Aqua sighed making her way to the bed "how are you feeling?"
Are you okay?!" Shocky rushed to the other side, gently placing a hand on his.
Kris patted her hand with a soft smile "I'm fine, there was a little tumble but the chutes opened. I'm just having a little trouble with my back is all" he moved to get up only to be stopped by a strong arm holding him in place. Aqua gave him a stern look as he settled back onto his pillow with a soft chuckle.
"You're just like ma, you know"
He smiled up at them tenderly.
"It's good to see you kids again, I missed you"
"And we you" Aqua patted his chest, taking a seat by his side.
"Yeah we missed you all year!" Shocky also took a seat on the bed. Kris looked between them as Aqua scooted ever so slightly away from her sister, taking mental note of the flash of hurt in the smaller woman's eyes.
Aqua sighed, shoulders sinking. "I'm sorry we had to reunite like this. We tried to come sooner but work kept us tied up until the last minute"
"It seems the solstice is the exact time of year for border wars" Shocky pouted.
"And besides, you know how she is"
Kris smiled sadly at the pair.
"It's a shame you couldn'tve come here a few days earlier, you coulda sampled the best cookies of the season"
"It's quite alright" Aqua shook her head with a tinkling laugh "You wouldn't have wanted my help in the kitchen anyway"
Kris shook his own head with a jolly laugh "You're not kidding! I'm not sure we recovered from last year's experiment. Jangle may want you to believe he has an iron stomach but it took that poor boy months to come back from that salty gingerbread you made" He turned to Shocky "but I sure coulda used your magic touch in the kitchen darling. How's that cupcake recipe of yours goin'?"
Shocky perked up at this, beaming at the older man "It's turning out really well! I managed to get my hand on some of that vanilla bean from Madagascar like you said and with the caramelized marshmallow it gives the batter this warm smoky flavor. It's like a s'more! Maybe we could come back after the solstice and I could make you some and that chocolate peppermint tea you like?"
Kris's eyes crinkled with a sweet warmth. "I'd like that"
No sooner could anyone add to that than a gentle knock came through the door.
"Come in Bob"
Bob approached the trio, wringing his hat nervously.
"I'm so so sorry sir! I knew I never should have let this happen-"
"It's fine Bob" Kris shook his head. "I'm sure it was just an accident. Those two brothers have got to learn to get along!"
Bob huffed.
'Well ladies, I hope you don't mind annoying roomates because those two blundering Miser Brothers will be staying in the castle until after Christmas. They're going to be taking Santa's place this year for hurting his back and putting Christmas in danger"
"Ha! That's a fine way to punish them" Aqua scoffed.
"Very clever Ma" Kris mused, a twinkle in his eye.
Shocky glanced both ways, contemplating the consequence of Bob's news.
He'd be staying with her? The thought sent her head reeling.
"Wh-uh...okay!…Y-yeah okay!" she finally stuttered.
"…Hey Bob, we're really sorry about all this. If anyone deserves a hassle free Christmas, it's you guys"
"Oh it's quite alright girls, you don't need to apologize, after all, it's not your fault, there are only TWO people to blame for this…"
From downstairs, the miserable pair followed Miss Jessica. As they reached the fitting room, they shot each other a nasty glare. Hermey and the Bells joined Bob in the doorway.
Hermey sighed. "You girls are lucky! My advice? Don't get involved with them, they'll bring nothing but trouble!"
Jingle nodded solemnly. "Unfortunately Hermey's right, we've never seen those two behave for long."
Shocky immediately tensed, warmth creeping up her jaw. "Wh- who said we were involved with them?!"
Aqua glanced at Shocky through the corners of her eyes and exchanged a look with the bearded man in the bed who stifled a merry chuckle.
The lady doth protest too much
Bob took a step back. "Now now, nobody is saying you're involved with them, we're just advising you girls to stay out of their business, it'll be-smudge your reputation."
Jingle changed the subject.
"Uh Bob, you must hurry up, those two gotta get fitted up and work on those toys."
"Oh yes right! If you girls wanna see how they're doing, go to the toy assembly line and they should be working there soon. Ta ta!" With that, Bob rushed off to the fitting room and the Bells sighed in unison.
Kris looked to the sisters with a knowing "What do you say, want to keep those two from tearing the house down?"
Shocky eyed the floor. "I guess, I-I mean we were heading over there anyway"
Aqua lowered her head, peering down at her elder with concern. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"
Kris patted her hand reassuringly. "I'll be fine, I'm Santa Claus!"
Aqua turned to the remaining trio. "You're welcome to tag along if you'd like, but we'll cover for you if you want to take a break"
Hermey smiled and the Bells exchanged glances. "Thank you for taking over for us! We owe you one!" And with that, the elves made their way to the break hall and the dentist to his practice, leaving the girls to their own task. Aqua chucked as they made their way to the factory.
But the merriment didn't last long. Strange noises were coming through those doors.