-Twenty-Five Days-

A Psychonauts Christmas Fanfic by Digitaldreamer

Day Two: Operation: Christmas Cheer™

---

Aw, thanks so much for the feedback, you guys! I just hope I'll be able to meet all your expectations, not to mention my deadlines. I hope I'll be able to keep up with CP as well...uweeeh, the month of December is going to be so busy!

Right, so ah...not much else to say. Um, on with the chapter I suppose.

---

It all started due to a stroke of simple bad luck. Our favorite group of psychics just happened to be in the exact wrong place at the exact wrong time. This, of course, isn't too uncommon for some people, but in this case the results were less-than-pleasant, even by normal standards.

The disastrous tale of which you are about to be told began in a seemingly innocent place, the break room of Psychonauts HQ. Sasha was brewing some coffee in order to keep himself from passing out over his desk, while Milla was seated at the table eating a salad. Raz and Lili happened to be there as well that day, Raz on his lunch break and Lili having the day off from school.

Our four psychics were all having a rather decent conversation when, quite suddenly, Truman Zonatto came bursting in. "Sasha! Milla! Raz! Lili!" He cried out, listing each agent (or in Lili's case, his daughter) by name.

"What!?" All four exclaimed at once, getting to their feet...or in Sasha's case, quite nearly dropping his half-full cup of steaming-hot coffee.

"Perfect! All four of you will be excellent for this!" Truman declared.

"Why, what is it, darling?" Milla asked.

"Is it some super secret mission where we get to save the world again!?" Raz asked, sounding excited.

"Sir, is it some sort of great emergency?" Sasha asked.

"Wait, why are you asking me!?" Lili sputtered. "I'm your daughter, not one of your agents!"

Truman grinned. "You're all perfect for this year's holiday committee!"

Silence for a few seconds.

"What!?" All four psychics sputtered.

"Again, why are you asking me!?" Lili exclaimed. "What part of 'I am not a Psychonaut yet' aren't you getting, dad!?"

Truman shrugged. "Well, uh, you know, I guess this place isn't very Christmassy. So...well, you know, I had to find some people to and you guys happened to be around. Hell knows I don't have time for it. So yeah, you're all on this year's holiday committee! It is hereby your duty to decorate this place...y'know, make it look Christmassy and what not." He declared lazily.

Silence once more.

"...Uh...all four of us...for the entire agency?" Raz said slowly.

"Isn't that a bit...extreme?" Milla asked.

"I'm foreign. I don't understand enough of the holiday to participate." Sasha declared, in spite of the fact that he had been a citizen of the states since the eighties.

"I don't work here!" Lili exclaimed.

"Yes, yes, that's nice." Truman drawled offhandedly. "Right, anyway...well, here, I have an Agent who's volunteered herself to be your coordinator." With that he stepped aside to reveal a tall young woman with blindingly bright, pink hair that was pulled back into pig-tails, golden bells jingling from them as she walked into the room. She was clad in short black mini-skirt, tight red top with white fuzz, knee-high boots and a fuzzy-santa hat that screamed "holiday cheer".

"Hiii! I'm Tessie, and I'll be your Christmas Cheer™ Coordinator this year!" She chirped brightly, flashing a dazzling, slightly creepy grin.

The four psychics all stared blankly at the cheerful woman for a moment, then turned to Truman.

"Wait, Truman, I really don't think--"

"Sweetie, maybe someone else would--"

"Gah, Mr.Zanotto sir--"

"Dad!"

"No, you can't get out of it. Just have fun, okay?" Truman chirped, giving a jolly wave before turning and walking away. "Also, I'm docking your pay if you don't do it." He called behind him.

Silence.

"But...but..." Raz whimpered.

"You don't pay me at all!" Lili shrieked. "I don't work here, why can't anyone remember that!?"

Tessie just beamed. "Alright folks, come on! We have a lot to get done and the holiday season only comes but once a year! So let's get to work, we have a lot of Christmas Cheer™ to spread!"

"Why are you doing that?" Raz asked.

"Doing what, little boy?" Tessie asked sweetly.

"The...™ ...thing...you're like, saying it out loud." The goggle-headed boy said, brow furrowing. You really don't need to say it outloud...and is that even legal!? I mean...are you allowed to put a trade-mark on cheer?"

Silence for a few seconds.

"...Right, so anyway!" Tessie chirped, clapping her hands. "Let's work on assignments, shall we!?"

"But--" Raz began, but Tessie interrupted him.

"Okay, so we have a bunch of stuff to do together, but for now I'm going to stick you all with specific jobs." She said. "Milla, you're in charge of indoor decorations. That means holly on the stairwells, mistletoe, fake snow, the tree, the whole scha-bang!"

Milla let out a sigh and gave a small smile. "I...suppose I can do that."

"Razputin, you're in charge of Christmas cards, cookies, and--"

"Christmas cards?" Raz repeated. "Wait, what?"

"Sasha, you're in charge of the lights!"

Sasha's brow furrowed. "The...the lights?"

"Yes."

"But...but...I..." Sasha sputtered, trying to come up with a good reason to avoid such a harrowing job.

"What do I do?" Lili demanded, putting her hands on her hips.

"You?" Tessie asked, blinking. Then she beamed, squatting down and ruffling Lili's hair. "Aw, so sweet! Did you come with Daddy to work today?"

"If you don't get your hands off of me this second I'll set you on fire." Lili snarled.

Tessie removed her hand on the blink of an eye, chuckling. "Oh come now, Lilianna, that's not displaying Christmas Cheer™ !"

Lili scowled up at her.

"Right...well, you're adorable, so I figure we'll just have you spreading cheer around the building and helping wherever help is needed." Tessie spoke through her grin. "Now then...I know it's a lot, but we'll all spread it around, I promise! I'm sure once we're done everything will be chock full of Christmas Cheer™ ! Right everyone!?"

Silence.

Tessie's eyes narrowed. "...Right. Okay then, let's get moving! To your jobs, everyone!" The psychics all gave mumbles ranging from annoyed to confused to vaguely excited and trudged out the door.

Operation: Christmas Cheer™ had begun.

---

To Be Continued...