[A/N] And on the third day of Christmas... Well, hello again. Back again for another festive short, I'm glad you're all enjoying the fun so far. One shall endeavour to keep you entertained.
Broken Bow: The 12 Years of Christmas
Chapter 3: 2002
Apollo was sure he had made the right choice. He did, after all, need someone to keep watch on the boy when he wasn't around. Sure; any normal demigod of that age could be probably left to his or her own devices, but then Armani wasn't exactly what he would describe as a normal demigod. Then again, neither was Lanaya what you would call entirely normal for a nymph either.
It was starting to become essential to keep an eye on the child. He was developing a knack for vanishing as soon as someone's back was turned, even if all the doors were locked.
Lanaya was a patient sort, so long as said patience aren't tried too hard. She was an Oak who hailed all the way from Oxford. Classed as an 'Ancient Oak' (though she herself would dispute the title) she was pushing towards her ninth century of existence, and because of her great age and the extensiveness of her own roots, she was one of the few who could use the root system to manifest herself this far away from her physical form.
It was because of her experience that Apollo prized her presence so. She was one of the few spirits who could pass for human unless scrutinised too far. Apollo assumed it was due to her age that her form had grown to almost fully human height. She usually appeared donned in an approximation of a pants suit, and had an odd habit of wearing a pair of wooden framed oval glasses that had no lenses. Also unlike most nymphs, her form was of a mature woman somewhere in her late twenties or early thirties as opposed to the teenage appearance of the younger ones.
The naturally wavy hair that nearly all wood nymphs had was straightened neatly and tied back. Her ability to walk amongst humans in small numbers combined with her power to travel distances via the root system made her ideal to keep an eye on Armani when the sun god wasn't around.
Apollo also thought it unfair that, whilst she showed a maternal, if not somewhat strict, side with his charge, she never seemed to have time to warm up to the sun god himself. The god probably should have also worried about the amount of verbal ticks Armani seemed to pick up from the nymph when she gets upset.
His eyes flicked to the sundial on the wall, which mystically always seemed to work whenever he was in its presence.
"Almost time…"
9:15pm
Armani was sat on his teacher's lap on the sofa, a book sprawled out in front of him. The nymph had agreed to watch him over the night whilst he was away, which he hoped would mean he could avoid a repeat of what happened last year...and the year before that.
"So," Asked Apollo from the doorway, "What are you reading? Seems a bit late for studying."
Lanaya shrugged, "He asked me to help him read it. It's the Art of War."
Apollo blinked, "T-the what?"
"Whas this bit say?" asked the demigod, pointing at a line of Chinese script. It was unlike the rest of his books, which had been specially printed in both English and Ancient Greek as an aid to get around the demigod inbred dyslexia.
"What's," corrected the nymph, "enunciate your t's, Armani." She leaned over the page, "It's about how a warrior should be in battle in order to overcome all odds. It reads 'Move swift as the wind, stay silent as the forest, attack as fiercely as fire and let your defence be as undefeatable as a mountain."
Despite himself, Apollo couldn't' help but start singing a song under his breath from Disney's Mulan.
Lanaya stabbed a finger sideways at him, "Silence."
"Umm, you sure you want to read something like that?" asked Apollo a bit nervously, "How about something more festive?"
Armani shook his head, "It's educational."
Apollo sighed, "If you're not being festive, why do you have that Santa hat on again this year? I thought you hated it."
Armani continued staring at the book, "Sun Tzu says, 'To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy."
The sun god let out a breath, "Why couldn't you have just brought him a Where's Waldo book?"
She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the god, "Is there something I can do for you, my lord?"
"Oh, you're so cold."
Lanaya went back to her book, "I think you've got enough heat for all of us, thank you."
"Thank you." echoed Armani.
Apollo smirked, leaning into her cheek, "Come on, Lannykins, not even so much as a kiss under the mistletoe before I go?"
She shot him a glare out the corner of her eye, "Dream on. Now sod off, sunshine, you're distracting us."
"Sod off sunshine!" echoed Armani almost gaily.
Lanaya flicked him once on the ear, "Oy, Language, young man!"
Armani cupped his ear, muttering, "English, Greek-"
She flicked his other ear, "No sarcasm either, understood?"
He pouted and replied, "Splendidly," enunciating to a taunting degree.
She cocked her head, "Spiffing, now do you want to keep reading or do something else?"
"Movie," he said happily, pointing at the screen across the room.
"Ah, yes, I see one is starting. What's on?"
He smirked, "Home Alone. It's… educational."
Apollo took a hesitant step back as the Christmas classic began to play. Shaking his head, the sun god turned and left, trusting in the nymph to keep the boy out of trouble.
The movie finished, and the closing titles had played.
"So," sighed the nymph, "Are you off to bed or are you going to just sit there all night?"
"No, I'll stand now."
"Thank you." she said curtly, lifting the child up and setting him on his feet. "Go on, then. Off to bed with you."
Armani was strangely silent for a moment, "No. No, not yet."
She rested her hands on her hips, "And why not?"
He continued staring at the wall in thought, "Because he'll be coming again."
She frowned, "Who will?"
He scowled and, after a moment, replied "Santa." in almost a snarl.
She blinked in surprise and, with a patient smile sighed, "Armani...Santa-"
"At least the thing that comes every year and looks like Santa." Interrupted the demigod.
That gave the teacher pause, "Explain."
And so he did. He told her of the powerful man who appeared every Christmas, who invaded his home wherever that may be, and challenges him.
"So let me see if I have this straight... An old man appears to you every Christmas and picks a fight with you? An old man with extreme strength, superhuman speed, mystical powers and he claims to be… Santa Claus?"
Armani nodded, "Yup."
Lanaya seemed at a loss for words. She knew Armani wasn't one for fantasising, nor did he ever seem to lie, most likely because when he was forced to he was terrible at it. Being a creature who lived by logic, she surmised he at least believed what he were saying was true. So that meant one of two things: 1. He was mistaken as to what was actually going on (i.e. he simply dreamed up both occurrences or the like) or 2: He was correct.
She of course believed the former far more than the latter. Sighing, she spoke, "Alright then, so when does this 'Santa' normally show up?"
"Before midnight, I think..."
She rolled her eyes, "Of course he does. And what is it you intend to do once 'Santa' gets here?"
"I'll catch him and make him submit. He ran away the first time and beat me last year. I'm stronger now. This year will be different."
She sighed again, removing her glasses to massage her temples, "Did you ever consider just letting him leave. Maybe if you ignored him he'd just come and go; no problem."
He shook his head, "No..." he said, almost petulantly.
Again, she rolled her eyes, "And why is that?"
He turned to face her, "Because, Miss Lanaya, he tasks me, he tasks me and I shall have him!"
She cocked an eyebrow, "Did you just quote- Never mind. Fine, we'll stay up until 'Santa' gets here."
He nodded, "Good. Now I must prepare."
She waved her hand in exasperation and he set off on his task.
11:20pm
Lanaya's eyes followed Armani as he moved about the small building, just making sure he wasn't doing anything to actually injure himself.
"Do you genuinely think all this is necessary?" She asked as he paused by the fireplace and set something down.
"You'll see..." was all he replied before jumping up and grabbing her hand in his own, "Come on..." he said, tugging.
She frowned as she let herself be pulled to her feet and along to the bedroom, "What in Hades are you doing, Armani?"
"You should hide. He'll be here any time now." he said urgently and ushered her into his room.
"Now, really, this really is-" she was cut off as he abruptly closed his door on her.
"Shh, just stay in there and be quiet."
Lanaya scowled at the wooden door and, shaking her head walked over and sat on the edge of the bed with her arms folded, "This is ridiculous..."
Any further thoughts were cut short as a loud shriek pierced through the air of the small building a moment later.
She was on her feet in a flash and heading back into the main living area.
"Oh, you little..." Yelped 'Santa' as he frantically fought to undo the bear trap he had stepped in at the bottom of the chimney. If it had been made of celestial bronze or the like, it may have caused some damage, but it didn't mean that it still didn't smart.
He'd destroyed the smoke grenades before they could go off, and he was prepared for the two spring loaded crossbows the boy had somehow managed to set up across the room.
He kicked off the trap and it burst into flames, melting into a puddle of molten metal at the base of the chimney.
He jumped to his feet, eyes sweeping the room, "Where are you, you little brat? Santa's not going to go easy on you this year around!"
'Santa' knew he was in the building; he could sense that, but where?
This wasn't like last time, this wasn't a frontal assault. He was lying in wait somewhere.
He edged forward, using caution. If the boy wanted to play hard ball this year then that was fine with him.
There were no paint cans or bowling balls in the property, so he didn't have to worry about those sorts of childish traps, all he had to worry about were the countless deadly weapons he kept stored.
In retrospect he should probably consider making the place a tad more child friendly.
He paused in the middle of the room, "I'm waiting... Well?" He asked, pausing to dutifully slip a present under the tree.
He frowned as the pine needles rustled, a second later Armani Dove leapt from his hiding place among the branches and into 'Santa's' chest.
He pushed straight over his head, dragging the net in his hands with him and entwining it behind 'Santa's back, "Oh, you little-" cursed 'Santa' as he was dragged backwards and down onto the floor, shaking about in his confinement.
Armani pushed himself up, "Hah! Got you this time!"
"You little Gremlin, just wait until I-"
"You're not getting out of those ropes. I was careful, so I used my uncle's special ones, they're made using-"
"Celestial Bronze" cut in 'Santa' before cursing again under his breath, "Not bad..."
"So you admit I won."
'Santa' cocked an eyebrow up, "You're getting far too overconfident, Armani. Sun Tzu would not be happy."
Armani's eyes widened at his words and a second later 'Santa' pulled a bronze dagger from his sleeve and, with a swish of movement, sliced himself free.
He was on his feet in an instant. Flinging a hand forward, he willed the severed ropes up and they lashed about the boy, tangling around his limbs and binding him tight.
'Santa' raised his palm slowly, the bundle rising into the air as if of its own accord.
He smirked, "He also said, little Armani, that a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels at winning with ease."
Armani shook about in a futile attempt to break free. Slowly 'Santa' began to advance on the demigod.
There was a slight tremor and 'Santa' didn't have time to react as a long root tore through the foundations of the structure, up through the floor and lashed itself around his neck.
'Santa' staggered in shock as another two tore up and took hold of his arms, choking him and pulling him into the air, the entwined demigod falling to the floor.
Lanaya stepped into view at the edge of the room; she folded her arms and regarded the prone man with dark, narrow eyes, "You must either be immensely powerful or extremely stupid. Or perhaps a bit of both, for you to have dared violate this place."
"ACKHH, Lanakkkyha!"
She cocked her eyebrow as she reached down and untangled the demigod and stood up. "Did you say something?"
"Damn it! Ackhh! It's ME!" he choked, his eyes flashing a blinding white.
Armani didn't see Lanaya's eyes widen in surprise as she caught on.
'Santa's' eyes widened as a wry smile spread across her face, "Sorry, have we met before?" she enquired politely, the roots tightening as new ones slithered around to encompass him.
"Achh! You suckhh!" Choked out 'Santa'
'Santa' gritted his teeth, and with a growl, his body flashed brightly and the roots around him burst into flames. He dropped to the floor as Lanaya let out a hiss of sympathetic pain, her hand immediately going to Armani and pulling him behind her as Santa stood up, scowling, eyes glowing white.
He briefly spared a glance at the damage that had already been done and then fixed his gaze on Armani, who's confidence had somewhat deflated, "You got lucky, this time. I yield this time to the two of you. Next time, next time you will not fare so well. Santa swears this on the River Styx!" he shouted in an unnaturally bellowing voice, thunder roaring outside. Armani staggered back a step in fear.
As Santa's body began to glow brilliantly all over, the Nymph quickly cupped a hand over the child's eyes and glanced away herself as 'Santa' reverted to his true form and vanished.
Lanaya flicked her glasses open and put them back on her nose, pondering the room, "You know I do believe we made him angry..."
Armani was quiet for a long, long moment, and then, after readjusting his hat, said in a small meek voice, "I could've won by myself."
She glanced at him and smiled, lifting his hat to ruffle his hair, "Of course you could. Go on, bed, and I mean it this time." she said pointing at the room.
He nodded and turned about, heading away, "Thanks, miss..." he said quickly before closing his door.
She looked on after him for a second before letting out a tired sigh, she gave a start as she turned about to find Apollo sitting on the couch, arms folded and in full-on pout mode.
"Oh, you're back. We had some trouble while you were out." She said in a very bad attempt to sound innocent.
He humphed and looked away, "He had help." he looked back, frowning "I'm not counting that one."
She smiled, "Of course not..."
A silence fell between them as she found her eyes drawing back to that closed door.
A moment passed.
"He deserves more..." she said in a small voice after a while.
"Hey, I've never claimed to be good parenting material."
"That's not what I meant." she murmured.
Apollo was quiet for a moment further, his scowl gone, "...I know."
"How long?"
He glanced up at the door, "He still has a few years yet...ten... if he's lucky."
"It's not fair." she said in a thick whisper.
"No, no it's not. But I'm going to keep going, I'm not going to give up, and I'll keep being who I am, and what he needs me to be, right up until the very end..."
She flicked away a green tear before the god could see it, "I'll leave him to you then." and with that, she headed for the door.
"Thank you for your time." said Apollo cordially as her hand touched the doorknob.
She didn't turn about to let him see her face, merely inclined her head slightly in response, and then was gone, leaving the sun god with his thoughts for the future...
To be continued...
[A/N] Okay, ended on a bit of a sombre note, but I can't keep it all kittens and bunnies, metaphorically speaking, but I'll hope to keep up the pace as the christmas period continues, until then.
See you all in Chapter 4: 2003