Disclaimer: I don't own victorious, or Santa, or any of their characters. This is just for fun.
Guess where I stopped editing.
:}
Jade was anxious to get away for the new years break. Just over a week when she wouldn't be bombarded with the fake good will and cheer that came with Christmas time at a performing arts school. 'I swear, the next person who approaches me with mistletoe is gonna be riding that twig home.' She swore to herself as she got to her house.
It was a miserable time to be single. 'Beck just HAD to want to try and date Vega. I'll bet their off at some mall, snuggling in the L.A. heat as they share a hot coco and wait for her to sit on Santa's lap. I'll give her a Christmas with…' Dark thoughts swirled in her head, drawing out an evil grim.
"You're home!" Her mother called. The pale girl couldn't remember the last time her mother greeted her that way when she got home. But the greeting wasn't suspicious on it's own.
"Hi mom." She called back, anxious to talk to someone, anyone, who hated this time of year as much as she did. "Schools finally out for the year, and I'm…." Her voice trailed off at the sight of the small, child like figure sitting in their living room. "Crap!"
Jade knew that the presence of an elf, let alone one of those elves, couldn't mean anything good, so she took off like the devil himself was on her tail. Long legs carried her swiftly to the door, where another one of the small folks was waiting for her. She was almost instantly wrapped in ribbon. "You know better then to run, little Kringle." The by the door elf said in it's child like voice.
"And you know that this won't hold me long." Jade growled back. "When I get free, your all gonna wish that…."
"Honey, don't threaten the elves." Her mother warned in that classic mother voice that said she'd been to too many shops and was on autopilot. "We have guests."
Jade looked at their guests, the elves who'd dropped by to hog tie her and who knows what else. "You know, mom, warnings are often deeply appreciated." The goth said, not looking at her mother. It was going to be a hard break.
"Young girl, it's time for you to fulfill your blood obligation." The elf who'd been waiting in the living room said. He'd risen himself to his full height, trying to seem more important.
"Please, language." Jade's mother warned, not sure what else to say.
"This is the gathering." The elf continued. "When all those of the sacred blood who've manifested the magics are brought together, and from them a successor is chosen."
The glare of the dark haired girl could melt snow, and the elves knew it. Still, they'd traveled a long way for this moment. "Your mother may attend you, if she chooses, being the link by which you gained the sacred blood. But we leave as soon as the preparations are done."
Across town, the Vega sisters were having an important discussion. "What do you mean, you said no?" Trina wondered aloud.
"Jade's such a good friend..." Tori tried to start.
"Jade's a monster in human form who's presence at school guarantees you couldn't meet a worse bully." The older girl corrected her.
"She's not that bad." The younger sister tried.
"Please, the pranks she's pulled on you, just in the last month, include..." The talentless girl would be cut off.
"Alright, maybe friends not the term." The singer said quickly, not wanting to be reminded of what they know the girl had done to her. She just hoped that was the extent of the pranks. "But we're kinda friends. Besides, the only reason she's the worst bully at Hollywood Arts is she chased the bad one's off, and I'm not making a good case for her, am I?"
"I know you want to be her friend." The older Latina started. "I know that you two share a social group, and even Beck wants to remain friends with her. But if we're honest, it's because we all want to avoid the mass scissoring deaths that she'd inflict if there wasn't anyone to contain her. She's pure evil. I've never met her family, but you said her father was distant and judgmental, while her mother..."
"Cat says her mother is very likeable." Tori tried. The smile faded too quickly. "But the woman did come from a broken home. Never really knew her dad, who was always away at work. Jade said she's only met that grandfather a few times. You know, going away for the holidays."
"Based on who she married, I'd say Jade's maternal grandfather was a lot like her dad." Trina guessed aloud. "Says a lot about your girl. I mean, personally, I like her, I really do. But she's a monster, from truly evil blood, and I think you shouldn't let your desire to be her friend influence your chance to date the hotty of your grade. I'd do it, in a heartbeat. So..." The expectant look was getting to the younger girl.
"Okay, I'll date him." Tori breathed out, not sure if it was the right decision. "After the holiday break."
"Or you could call him, go out together, and have some yule time fun together. Lots of Santa related activities. Maybe play mister and misses clause for some kids, like the one's Cat is babysitting." The older girl suggested, smiling the whole time.
"How much is Cat paying you?" The singer asked.
"She's not." The martial artist insisted. "But if I help you, then I can maybe meet some of your other hot friends. Hay, I need loving too."
Tori pulled her phone out, ready to make a call, only see a text from Cat. Quickly reading it, she knew she had to call Jade fast. "Jade's about to go away for the break."
"So?" The older girl asked, not sure what that had to do with anything.
"She's going to visit her maternal grandfather. You know, her mothers dad. The guy you just said is just like her dad." The talented girl emphasized. "Cat thinks something happened to her, years ago, while visiting her grandfather. Said she wants someone to rush over there and see if everything's okay."
"Can't she rush over there?" The older girl asked, already knowing the answer.
"She doesn't have access to a car." The singer replied. "She can't so much rush as eventually show up. But we have a car." She broke out her best asking smile.
"And so your gonna go running, just like that." Trina mocked her sister.
"It's our chance to see where her mother lives." Tori tried.
"I'll drive." Trina was already heading toward the door.
Jade was almost out of the ribbon entangling her, but the elves were almost done packing. "I don't wanna go." She protested.
"Why not?" Her mother deadpanned. The older woman was trying, hard, to see the bright side of this situation.
"I'll miss you." The pain in the young actresses voice was physical. "And dad, and Beck and Cat. I'll even miss my other friends. And Robbie."
"Honey, it's not like we have a choice." The older woman tried to explain. "There's benefits from being…" She stopped as the sound of the front doorbell broke her train of thought. "Wonder who that could be."
The woman opened the door to find Tori and her sister standing there, smiling, trying to act natural. "Um, hi, you must be Jade's mother, right?" Tori opened. But she knew she was flailing, so pushed forward. "Anyways, we're here cause Sikowitz gave us an assignment over the break, and I kinda need some input from Jade. Can I speak with her?"
"I'm her ride." Trina added.
"I didn't know about an assignment." The woman said, looking back towards where her daughter was still tied up. Then it hit her that these two couldn't be allowed to see her guests. "She's about to leave, visiting her grandfather." There was a raised eyebrow from Trina, who was just curious about the girl traveling alone. "I mean we're going to visit my father. Leaving in just a few minutes. Our flight won't wait for us. So could you maybe find a way to do it without her?"
"This will only take a few seconds." Tori tried. 'Think girl, find a way in to talk to her, make sure everything's okay.'
"We really need to finish packing." The former misses West said.
"Maybe we could help?" Trina suggested. Only she did more then suggest. The girl pushed her way into the West home, not bothering to apologize. "So tell me where the bedrooms are, and maybe I can help improve her fashion sense too."
The singer rushed in to stop her sister from just barging in. "Trina!" Then back to Jade's mother. "I'm really sorry about this." She turned around again to try and catch up with her ruder sister, and found herself ace to face with Jade..
"Okay, someone has a LOT of explaining to do." Trina started.
"Actually, we could probably get this over the phone." Tori backpedaled. "Trina, maybe we should let them go. This looks like a family moment, so maybe we should..."
The door behind them slammed. Tori jumped, just a smidgen, at the closing sound, while her sister watched with a growing mix of dread and disbelief. "Children?"
"They come with us." One of the child like elves said, glaring.
"But we don't do harm." Jade's mother stressed. "They'll be missed."
"We just let their parents know they're going on a trip." The second elf said. "We cannot erase their memories here. We lack that skill set, and the only one here who has it is considering running from the greatest honor anyone could ever hope to achieve."
"Someone gonna explain?" Tori asked. But the words couldn't cover the raw confusion she was feeling as the elves moved to prepare something.
"Maybe we should consider just..." Misses Tanner (Formally Misses West) suggested.
"No, we bring them too." The elf who seemed to be in charge said. "Katrina Vega, you are to call your parents and make this happen. You and your sister are to observe a once in a lifetime event. Consider yourself blessed."
"And if I don't?" Trina asked, glaring down at the elf.
"We misplace you, and hope we can find you again when it's over." The elf explained. "And then we erase your memory."
"Why's Jade tied up?' Tori asked. "And why are you adding another layer?'"
"Because she's almost free." The second elf said, looking very worried. "Hurry, we can come back for anything we missed."
The first elf pulled out a snow globe with one of those cheesy Santa's village models in the center, shook it furiously, and then blew threw the globe. Snow seemed to flow out of the globe, swirling around the people in the house, as well as the luggage they'd gathered. Seconds passed where Tori and Trina swore their feet weren't on the ground, then the world stopped spinning, and somehow they'd been transported into the snow glob. But the sky was clear, save for the stars that dominated the sky.
"It's night?" The singer asked.
"It's the north pole." Trina corrected her sister. "Now, how the hell do we avoid freezing to death?"
"Language." Misses Tanner said, not looking at anyone. The main building had her full attention.
"We're currently under the protection of the glob." On of the elves explained. "It won't last long. Lets get inside where we can get you some warm cloths and maybe something to drink."
"Wait, whats going on here?" Tori demanded. She meant to stand her ground, but a small army of elves descended upon them, dragging Jade into the main building, as well as the other humans present. Unable to resist the force of the elf tide, the sisters soon found themselves in some kind of guest room. "Why's everything human sized here?' she asked.
"Main halls the masters home." Some random elf said. "Scaled to the height of a large man."
Taking a second look, it was true that everything was scaled to someone of at least six and a half feet tall. "Oh." Tori let out, trying to fathom why the bed was so big.
Jade broke free of the bonds they'd wrapped her in, sending a small gout of fire in all directions. Only the fact that everyone else was behind things saved them from mild burns. But the powers of the goth were on display as she shifted her clothing to something more appropriate for the weather outside.
"Now that's what I call magic." A large figure said. All eyes turned to see Father Christmas himself, Santa, walking towards the rooms they'd been placed in.
Jade's mother stepped forward to greet the huge man. Her normal human proportions seemed small next to the larger then life figure. But she didn't back down, instead looking him in the eye and smiling. "Hello, dad."
Tori was only half aware of the statement, mostly because she never thought of the friendly figure of Santa being such a giant. However, as she was processing everything, including the elves and the huge man before them, the fact that Jade's mother just called Santa 'Dad' took time to filter through. When it did, she showed all the restraint of a normal teenager.
'Jade's mom called Santa dad!' She thought, as the dot's slowly connected. 'But if Santa's her dad, that means…' Then she screeched at Jade "SANTA'S YOUR GRANDFATHER?!"
"Wait, Santa's real?" Trina asked, still catching up.
"No, this is all a mass delusion brought on by the chiz they put in snow globes." Jade deadpanned.
"If they're gonna erase our memories anyways, you might as well come clean." Tori insisted. "Tell the truth, Santa's your grandfather, right?"
"Every so often, Santa has another child in the outside world." Jade said. "I don't know all the details. I just know, I don't wanna be here."
The man in question, Santa, glanced past his child and looked at the Gothic girl who shared his bloodline. "Welcome back, Jade. Lots to do before the big day. Why don't you get changed into something more appropriate, and meet me in the council chamber." He then looked at his daughter, smiling. "It really has been too long. Why don't we work harder to stay in contact."
"Yes, why don't we?" The woman asked. "We have phones now. You could find a way."
Misses Claus walked in, but didn't seem too happy to see the girls. Only Jade's mother was greeted with anything resembling warmth. "Lilly, nice to see you again."
"Martha." Lilly said.
"Your mothers names Lilly?" Tori asked. "Oh, I'm learning all kinds of chiz about you. Today."
"Your right." Jade growled. "You learned that Santa, the Santa, is my grandfather. Yet somehow, to you, finding out my mothers name is Lilly was the big reveal. How…?" She felt speechless, unable to understand the singers mind.
"Okay, the whole Santa thing is kinda cool." Trina cut in. "And I can see how you avoided talking about it. But how did anyone related to all this" her arms waved around her, "turn out as dark as you did?"
"You don't know me." The goth growled again.
"There's a lot about little Jade you don't know." Santa added. "And about my family. Lilly will explain everything, while Jade gets ready for the choosing."
The big man left, elves following in his wake. The little people were so ubiquitous around the place that they almost blended into the background. But they were always there. Martha Claus stood by, ready to fill in the details. "Okay, first thing you should know is I haven't been able to have kids in centuries. One of the drawbacks of being kinda immortal. But, about two centuries after our children had grown, moved one and moved out, it was decided that none of their descendants were close enough to the source to be a viable replacement if something went wrong."
"Viable replacement?" Tori asked, now more confused.
"Don't interrupt." Martha scolded. "Anyways, they'd decided that after three generations, the descendants lacked some of that, um, magic. So the elves got together with some of the other fae, and figured they'd need another solution. Thats when they started keeping their eyes open for possible, aaahhh, opportunities... to get the bloodline back in circulation. Their solution was that, every so often, Santa would wind up at a party, or some other event, and have a fling. It's actually against his nature, but it had to be done. Then, when a child is conceived, the elves have another potential replacement if something goes wrong."
"Has it?" Trina asked.
"Has what?" The north pole matron asked.
"Gone wrong?" Trina clarified.
"Not as bad as it could." Mrs. Claus explained. "We've had to, on occasion, have the heir fill in for Santa over a Christmas. But no one has been required to take on all his aspect. No one has been required to absorb the essence and become the new Santa."
"So….." Trina wasn't sure the question she wanted to ask.
"Soooo….." Tori echoed.
Lilly spoke. "Unlike my dad, or my step mom, we're not immortal. Some of us live a bit longer. I have half brothers who've lived over a hundred and fifty years. But we do grow old and die…."
"It's been hard on Nick." Martha cut in. "He loves children. To lose so many of his own..." The air felt heavy.
"The Last heir, Nathan, my half brother, must have had a good reason to step down." The former misses West said.
"He died." Martha informed her. "It was a known risk of being a part of Doctors without borders. And it was too soon. The boy was barely ninety."
"So whats this all got to do with Jade?" Tori pushed out. She didn't want the heaviness of the moment interfere with finding out what the chiz was going on with her friend.
"Jade's been brought here to be tested and to see if she can be the next heir to Santa." Martha dropped, like it was so obvious.
"Why not her mother?" Trina asked. When everyone, including the elves, stopped and looked her direction, she added "Or is there an age thing limiting things?"
Tori coughed. The air grew tense again and no one seemed willing to say anything. Finally, Martha broke the silence. "She can't, because she lacks the magic. Jade's lousy with it, but it seemed to have skipped poor Lilly's generation."
"Jade has magic?" Tori asked, wondering what threat she'd face now. 'I hope it's cheery Christmas magic, cause I don't want Jade going all Slytherin on me the next time Beck gives me a complement.'
"Bound, of course." Lilly said. "And you saw what she could do with it. I love my daughter, but think of the destruction and misery that one could wreck if she weren't bound."
"You'd think one who inherited so much of Kris's magic would make it to the nice list at least once." Martha added.
"So we wait?" Tori asked, now starting to pace.
"Yes," Misses Claus said, "And we talk. I need help. That Beck boy, he really wasn't able to help change her, was he?"
"Jade loves him.." The singer started.
"But is he good for her?" The old woman asked. "It's not enough to ask someone to change. You have to inspire them to want to be better. Jade, well, she got darker when she went back to dating that boy. It was when she wasn't that we saw the most growth in her. Something you were a part of. I guess what I'm asking is, how can we bring out the better parts of her. We need jolly, giving, compassionate. Not the dark, selfish gank she's become."
"I don't…." Tori tried to come up with something to comfort this iconic woman. "Look, with Jade, it's always been about not giving up. Once I realized that the kids I wanted to be friends with were her friends, I decided not to give up on her. Getting along was better then the constant feud we had going on. Yes, there's been a lot of sniping, and she can be downright cruel sometimes. But I did find a place in her..." The singers voice dropped low, "Heart."
"And do you think there's a chance she feels that way too?" The Christmas matron queried. "I mean, are these feelings friendship, or more? Either way, you've shown to have as much effect on her behavior as Beck. You may be of great service to us in helping guide my step granddaughter to being the kind of Santa we need. It's not like we have a lot of choices right now..."
"Maybe we could try talking about something else?" The tanned skinned girl suggested.
"Would you like something to drink?' The older woman replied, leading the way towards another room.
Trina had stuck around for part of the discussion the other girls were having, but quickly saw where the old woman was going to go. 'Jade needs to be controlled. I get that. I mean, isn't she like, the devils stepchild or something?' The girl noticed how none of the elves were watching her, so took that as her cue to sneak off. 'Might as well find out how much work her friends are gonna need to put in. I mean, lets see what the competition is.'
It took her only a few moments to find the door where Jade had been taken. She looked around before seeking to the small opening and glancing in. Inside there was a large meeting room where she'd been told the elves were gathering all those of Saint nick's descendants who'd inherited the magic. The gathered descendants milled around waiting for something to happen. 'Not good odds.' The often considered talentless girl thought, counting the possibilities on one finger.
Despite being in a room large enough to hold over a hundred applicants, plus the observing elves, while still having room for them to go through the tests one at a time, Jade was the only human there. "Okay, by tradition, we'll put you through a series of tests to see how strong the magics are withing you, and how skilled you are with those magics. Strength of magics is important, but we'll also judge you on your compassion, and in the event of a tie, your ability to make a wooden train." The head testing elf announced, acting like there was a crowd waiting. "Who wants to go first?"
"I'm a girl." Jade pointed out. Trina could guess that the goth wasn't happy that there wasn't much competition.
"Not as much of a problem as you'd think." The head elf said, not bothering to look at her. "Shape-changing is a talent you'll pick up quickly, IF you're chosen."
"What the fuck do you mean IF?" The pale girl growled. The elves flinched at her tone, stepping back to avoid whatever horrible thing she was about to do.
"You've managed to be on my naughty list every year, for years." Santa's voice chimed in. "Yes, you are the ONLY living descendant with the magics and abilities to be my heir. But that attitude will have to go. We need more jolly, some sweetness, and maybe a touch of kindness. I'm sorry, I may not have a choice about who my heir is, but I can make sure you don't destroy the world if you do have to stand in."
"How?' Jade challenged him. Her fear was now shifting into rage, an emotion she was far more comfortable using. "Gonna use some kind of spell to twist my mind and fill me with Christmas Sprint?"
"Close." The huge man said, smiling. "My wife has already seen a solution I think will do nicely. We're going to recruit from your friends, get them involved in keeping you under control. With luck, you can still be turned to the kind of Santa this world needs. And a reminder, Santa isn't just a name, it's a title. To earn the right to be called Santa, you have to have the right stuff.
"I don't want the job." Jade said straight, but her voice was weaker, her resolve fading.
"Jade, Jade, Jade." The fat man said. "I could tell you that there is no other choice, but I don't think I'll have to resort to that." He leaned forward. "I know how much you care about your friends. Especially Cat. I could bring them all in to help out, or I could trust you to make the hard choices in your life and find the happiness you will need to spread joy. Find happiness in spreading joy. You drove to San Diego, in the rain, in a topless car, just for her. Or should I say, her and that Vega girel you talk about so much." Jade's eyes blazed, causing the elves to move, ready to block in case the goth tried to do something to the iconic figure. "What? I talk to your mother. Plus, I keep up with your group on the Slap. I bought littleStephony17 from Robbie, so I have a legitimate account."
"You're sick." The pale girl moaned. "Spying on me, lurking on out message boards and website. You even suggested you'd recruit my friends to help change me. I don't need to be changed."
"But you do." The big man said as he stood up, towering over the goth. "We need a Santa, and your it. Now let the test begin. Jade West, You will show us an example of your mastery of magics."
Jade let herself relax, ignoring how intimidating a six foot six individual could be, even if they were grossly overweight. She let the magics flow, concentrating on doing some damage. But the thoughts of her friends, of Tori flooded her mind, causing happy thoughts like the pain and suffering she was about to inflict fade for the equally happy thoughts of fun times with her friends, of hanging out with Cat, or talking with Sam, her roommate. Of the music Andre was always making, a little weak to the rockers mind, but still beautiful. Thoughts of the Vega sisters, how Trina was supposedly talentless, but had both a shrewd understanding of how people worked, and could fight. 'I'll bet she'd be a great dancer if she just stopped trying so hard and allowed herself to enjoy it.' The goth felt herself think, even as the least wanted image pushed into her mind. The thought of her and Tori, sharing that very uncomfortable moment at Nozu, and the hidden fantasies she'd had about the singer ever since. The thoughts, the fantasies, just pushed through, holding her destructive impulses at bay. Realizing the warm thoughts were just that, she opened her eyes to see the room filled with Christmas flower. Poinsettia's, Christmas Cactus, Winter Roses mixed with branches and flowers of Holly, Ivy, Mistletoe, and even flowers from the pōhutukawa tree covered the floor in swaths of green, red, and white.
"Very good." The lord of the north pole said. "You've shown more power then I'd have expected. It felt like all the magic inherited by your generation was focused on just you, not spread over half a dozen potentials. I mean, given how wazzerd you were, I'm guessing that the protections we'd placed in this room were the only thing keeping me from needing an heir right now." he stopped to laugh a surprisingly amused chuckle. "But the point is, your more then qualified, and we will start the training for you to be my heir. If something happens to me, you'll have the duty to bring gifts to all the good kids in the world."
"Three hundred years ago, we had a pregnant girl stand in." An elf explained. When he realized what he'd said, he added "Didn't have a lot of choice that year."
"Jade, you've been selected." Santa declared. "As soon as you're ready, we can get on with the training. I'm thinking the friends you have here will help us start, and we can bring in others as needed." That was his dismissal, causing one of the elves to show the goth out. Santa himself sat here, fuming, hoping that he didn't blow it by pushing.
Tori, meanwhile, had found herself sitting with misses Clause, drinking tea. "Now, I know we're all supposed to be about the milk and cookies, but I prefer tea. Did you know, we didn't used to have to worry about my husbands cookie intake? But then someone decided that leaving milk and cookies for Santa was a good idea, and he's been addicted to them ever since. I mean, given his weight, you'd think that they'd worry about diabetes. Of course, we have eggnog, the hard stuff, in case jade needs something. I've heard she's into the harder stuff. Anyway, tea is more civilized."
"Um, not to put too fine a point on it, but I'm not gay." Tori pointed out.
"And what brings that up?' The older woman asked, smiling a matronly smile. "We're talking about which of her friends have influence on her, and how to use them. We have a dark, moody girl to mold into the image of Christmas joy. Who can do that? Or do we need Beck?"
"It's just, you seemed to think that maybe, um, you know what? Never mind." Tori tried to focus. "Are you sure we have to do this? Mold her? I man, change her? I'm thinking that she's not that bad. Have you seen her Jade with Tot's videos?"
"I've seen all her video's. Look, dear, I wouldn't be pushing this, but Jade's kinda..." The old woman paused, allowing herself to think. "Just imagine Jade in control of this workshop, with it's resources and magics. What kind of world would you expect after her first Christmas in charge?" The matronly woman allowed a shiver to run down her spine.
Tori wasn't happy about the images of death and destruction that filled her head. That, and the giant pair of scissors the elves would be working on. 'What would she need scissors that big for? What would she want to cut?' The tanned skin paled as realization hit. 'Maybe I don't wanna know.' Taking a deep breath, the younger Vega girl spoke to her hostess. "Okay, I think I understand your concern. But how could you be sure…?"
"Jade doesn't have to be that, that, um, monster." Martha said, not wanting to go too admit that maybe her family had something to do with how jade turned out. "It's up to us to find a way to make her see the good in the world. Appreciate it. I'm counting on you to help me figure out how to… Inspire her to change."
Back in the meeting room where Jade was tested, Trina approached the head man himself. "Can I ask a question?" She asked tentatively.
"What?" He snapped. Then he took a second. "Sorry, but people today been kinda rough."
"I know, and I think your going about it all wrong." Trina said. "Look, I trust you to know naughty from nice, and that kind of chiz. And I was wondering, now that I know your real, am I too old to be on the list, cause I know I've been good this year. I want..."
"Lets not get distracted." The headman cut her off. "You think you have a plan to change Jade, bring out the sweet, sunny girl we all knows in there, I'd like to hear it."
"I never said we'd change her." The Latina said, smiling. "My sister, Tori, was all set to start dating Jade's ex, but listing to your wife talking to her made me think that I was aiming her at the wrong hottie. No, Tori and Beck may look good on paper, but it's Tori and jade that saves Christmas."
"I'm listening." The holiday icon urged her on.
"I think that Tori may have feelings for Jade. If there's some way to get her to return those feelings..." The statement hung in the air like an invitation.
"You expect me to know what your talking about?" Santa questioned.
"You're right, I shouldn't have." The girl admitted. "In the modern world, two girls can be together, be mommies..."
"I'm not prejudice against he gays." The big man cut her off. "I'm asking how getting Jade to fall for your sister will help?"
"Have you seen how much Tori's changed her as is?" Trina asked. "You let Jade be Jade, but add a layer of the qualities you need, right there. Tori's everything you want in a Santa, minus the bloodlines."
"She lacks the magics too." The old man added.
"Which Jade has in abundance." Trina continued. "Think about it. Together, they make the perfect Santa. Jade only has to wear the colors one day per year, while Tori has enough good will for the both of them. So, we slip something in their drinks, and have them falls in love. Then we let nature take it's course. I'll be there making sure their personalities don't get in the way of this burgeoning love story."
"And then you ask your sister to get you what you want for Christmas." The big guy finished.
"Then I get what I want, cause i'll be a part of the workshop anyways." The often annoying girl corrected. "But this way, you have your heir, and yo wont have to break her."
"Okay, except for two things." Santa started. "First, we don't force people to fall in love. We can use the magic to guide two people who would fall for each other together, but we never force emotions."
"You're very progressive for a guy who's over a thousand years old." The tanned girl quipped.
"Second," he started, ignoring her statement, "They're already in love. Just in heavy denial."
"Then make them see that they're perfect for each other." Trina almost yelled. "Give them the gift of love, so they can get me a new car."
"How about I give them the gift of insight, and you do your part to fulfill the deal." Saint Nick said. "I can open their eyes, but you have to be there to help them make the fright decisions. Guide, but don't push. Let nature take it's course."
Kris Kringle reached into his coat and pulled out a snow globe, shaking it. "Let see if this plan would work?" He gazed deep into the globe. "Lets see. Awaking their love for one another leads to..."
"What?" Trina tried to look over his shoulder, but only saw the swirling snow. "I don't see anything."
"Thats because I'm not looking for one image, but a complete potential history." He snapped. "Okay, except for the potential problems their kids will have, it looks like your plan will work. So, lets go get them. Just be aware, you'll be taking on a job no human's done in centuries."
"What job?" Trina asked.
"Majordomo of the workshop." He replied. "You will find your drawn as deeply as they are into this world. But you get the hot spouse, the good life, everything."
/
"Then I believe we have a plan." The older sister agreed. "So, how we gonna do this? Jealousy? Maybe just talk to them, help them see that they want each other?"
"I'm going to make them a special hot spiced cyder, and once under it's influence, they will see their feelings for one another." The big man said. "However, I suggest we both drink it too, so as to avoid them getting suspicious."
"And who would I fall in love with?" Trina asked, not very worried.
"The cyder opens the mind to hidden truths, truths I only know exist because I've mastered the power of the snow globs." The Saint said. "The only danger is it will show us things about ourselves that we don't necessary want to see. And, We will have to be careful in how we talk to Jade, in case there are other secrets she's been keeping from herself."
They found Tori and Lilly sitting with Martha, going over the list of who to tell, who they could trust, and what to do if Cat ever discovered jade's little family secret. "I say, let her know." Lilly suggested, no longer amused y the discussion. "She can learn to keep a secret, and the girls never going to be more then an over sized child anyways."
"Might I offer some refreshments to celebrate the choosing of a new heir?' Santa suggested. Jade, wasn't there, but could be summoned before they had the cyder.
"Where's Jade?" Tori asked.
"Don't worry, we have an elf looking for her." Trina replied, placing the mugs of steaming liquid on the table.
Jade walked in just as they were sitting down to drink. "Why can't I find a single cup of coffee in this place?" She demanded.
"When your the Santa, you can add coffee to the list of refreshments kept here." Santa informed her. "Until then, try a mug of my special hot, spiced cyder."
"Lets see if it's even close to Coffee." The goth griped, grabbing his mug and drinking deeply. "Not bad." She said, slipping into the open seat. "Is there more?"
Each of them drank their cup, enjoying the flavor while looking around. Each one was unaware that the magics of the spices were opening their minds. Trina was the first to be hit by the understanding that came with the drink.
Trina saw herself as a desperate fame whore, looking for anything to make her worthy of the love her parents were so poor at delivering. All her life, she felt she had to compete for attention. Competing with Tori, the oh so perfect second child. Competing with the other girls, many were as pretty as she believed she was, who seemed to have no problem attracting guys. Competing with her own self images, two since she saw herself as both failing to be perfect, the only goal she'd accept, and as this loathsome troll who no one wanted to be seen with. The realization was sobering, since it showed her how many guys would love to go out with her, and that even the cute ones would date her if she didn't stink of desperation. "Oh!" escaped her lips.
"Jade, I was wondering, why such an adversarial relationship with Tori here?" Santa was asking as the spices his Lilly. The former misses West saw it, the absentee father she had, who's job was bigger then anyone else. How he loved children, but couldn't allow himself to be too close to his own since they'd die long before he did. She saw how her need for love drove her to try to win a stern, distant man's attention, then how that man eventually left her. Mostly, she saw how she was only partially at fault. 'I-I can choose to be happy.' she realized. 'Hanks a good man, and he does love me. He's just getting tired of me always assuming he'll leave me for a better model. Then again, hanks not that much of a looker. I think thats why I chose him. Lucky me, cause he's a keeper.'
Tori wasn't listening to the conversation, too drawn into the swirling secrets she'd kept from everyone. Her fears of not living up to everyone's expectations. How she wanted to be everyone's friend, cause, in her own way, she was as desperate to be loved as Trina was. But the one thing that swirled to the top was the real reason she couldn't allow herself to be with Beck. The same reason she couldn't allow Jade to beat her for Moose's attention. Tori wanted jade. It wasn't just a physical attraction, but something deeper, like they had met in another life, and her mind was trying to see if they could be married in this one. 'Jade, you're mine. I know what I want from you now, and if it's possible, I'm gonna be the next misses Claus.' The Latina felt her decision, knowing it would help her with all the other issues she had.
Jade's drink drew her into a chaos she never wanted anyone to know she lived in. her father was distant, so much so that it made the Vega family look like Ozzie and Harriet by comparison. She was in danger of losing Herself in the life, the uncertainty, she'd hidden away. In the chaos, the questioning if anyone really cared about her, the need to hold onto any bit of happiness least she be lost to the darkness again, jade found a single light. Guided by her maternal grandfathers voice, she looked again at her relation to the younger Vega girl. 'I care about her.' The goth realized. 'But I was such a monster. I've always been a monster. No one could possible care about me. It's why I make people like me. If I don't, then I'd be all alone. Yes, I'm physically hot, but Trina's not bad looking, and no one wants to be near her. Why am I so scared of getting hurt? Why can't I just admit that I'd be happy with Tori?'
As she thought about her life, the swirling darkness closed in on her, cutting off her ability to think, to act. The dark heated girl held onto the idea that Tori had fought to be her friend, through thick and thin, and that maybe she wouldn't be alone. 'Maybe I can at least have a friend when everything goes away.' But the darkness took that too, and Jade collapsed on the floor.
"Just how damaged is my granddaughter?" Santa asked Lilly.
"I-I'm not sure..." The middle aged woman replied, worried about her child. Elves rushed to help her, checking to make sure she wasn't too far gone.
"She was just overwhelmed by her secrets." One of the elves said. "She should be fine. I'm guessing ten minutes, and she'll be as good as new."
Jade opened her eyes to see Tori sitting by the bed, worried about her. "Jade, I was, I mean..." The Latina blushed.
"Thanks for being my friend." Jade said, mumbling just a bit.
"Or maybe more." Trina added. "What? I see the way you two look at each other. The only reason I've never told you to get a room is I was worried about what kind of monster you were." The older Latina closed the distance. "I get it, your mother was kinda messed up by being Santa's child, and you got the worst of it. But now, I can clearly see you two are ment for each other. I'm not going to let my sister get hurt, but to miss out on a chance to be a part of this place? I couldn't deny Tori that. So, if you have any love in your hear for tori, let her know."
"Um, Tori, I do kinda have feelings for..." Her words were cut off with a strong kiss. Tori held jade in her arms, almost crying from the joy of knowing the girl she'd come to care so much about cared about her too. The fact that jade was all right didn't hurt.
"Oh god, Jade, I love you so much." Tori managed to get out through the tears.
"Now that we have that settled, I think we need to go over the rules." Trina started. "Jade, you do the apprentice gig her at the north pole, cause it'll soften you to the point where you can be what Tori needs. And Tori, you be gentile with Jade, cause as much of a man as she is, she's a girl. But after this Christmas, we'll all have a place here. And since were gonna be working together, helping out with the holiday, we could all get along. And jade, FYI, Santa doesn't watch kids to see who's naughty or nice, he watches them cause he loves kids. It's the only way he can enjoy their youthful enthusiasm."
Jade cast a spell on their Pear phones that let them check in with their families. "Misses Vega, I'm sorry, but it happened so fast." Jaded tried to explain. "Tori insisted on helping with my family problems, and wound up here. I'll have her home for Christmas."
Tori glared at her. Jade placed her hand over the receiver and said "You'll be back to ride in the sleigh with me. We have magic. Plus, their showing Trina how to use the snow globes."
Tori kissed the pale girls shoulder, smiling. But the smile faded as a thought hit her. "Do we trust Trina with the snow globes?"
"Thats right, misses Vega." Jade assured the woman on the other end. "Yes, Tori and I are dating. I had no idea Trina posted that on the slap…. No, I was going to tell you, except it's not the kind of thing one tells their girlfriends mother. I was going to give her the phone to tell you. Wait..." she passed the phone to her girlfriend and proceeded to watch as the singer explained how the two girls got together, something that didn't seem to surprise the older woman. 'Something new, full of possibilities and promise. Just what the season always promised.' She thought to herself.
Happy holidays.
:}
So, that was a thing. Review, and let me know what you thought.