It's Christmas. This time for real. It's the 25 and the party should be held today. That is if they were able to get back on schedule. I have no idea if that's the case though because Rythian broke my telescope. Well I don't know for sure it was Rythian, but it feels better to have someone to blame rather then no explanation at all.

Why do I care if they finished on time or not anyway? I wasn't invited. It won't effect me in the slightest. I decide to clean up my castle to take my mind of it, finally cleaning up the mug i'd left on the table the day prior. Washing the dish out gives me time to think again.

What if they hadn't been able to meet their quota? What if they are delayed a day, or even two? The party has always been held on the 25. it wouldn't be much of a Christmas party if it wasn't. What would happen if they were delayed till after Christmas? Xephos wouldn't cancel it would he? Everyone looks forward to this party. Even though I want invited this year I don't want them to miss out to...

I grab my lab-coat deciding to check on the others, only to remember that i'll be sent away if I get anywhere near the factory. I pause at the door, debating if I should try anyway. If I could get even a glimpse of the party, it would reassure my that it was still happening...But i'm not sure I could deal with being sent away again...

My thoughts are interrupted by frantic knocking on the other side of the door. My eyes widen slightly in surprise as I look up at the door. I quickly recover and walk over to the computer in the windowsill. I type in the necessary command and walk back in front of the door as it opens.

I tilt my head to the side when I see Nilesy on the other side with his eyes closed still making a knocking motion on the now empty space. I clear my thought and he looks up stopping the motion as he does so. He looks nervous and he's breathing hard as though he had run the entire way here. He tries to say something but its to fast and muffled for me to understand.

"Calm down Nilesy. I can't understand you." I say calmly, lifting my hands ans raising an eyebrow. He takes a deep breath and tries to speak again. It's not muck better but I catch the meaning this time.

"Machine exploded! Fire! Portable pool couldn't put it out! Help!"

I quickly run back inside to grab Nilesy a flying ring before returning to the now hyperventilating boy. I hand him the ring and tell him to breath before pushing him of the cliff that is my castle door. He screams for about a minute before he remembers the ring in his hand. He flies up to where i'm waiting just outside my door and smiles awkwardly at me raised eyebrow.

After about five minutes of flying the Jaffa factory starts to come in to view. Nilsey has manged to calm down somewhat on the journey...well he's not going to hyperventilate at least. I sigh and pick up the pace for his sack, fling the rest in about two minutes.

I'm not stopped by Sips and Sjin this time. The chaotic pair are nowhere to be seen...actually I can't see anyone at all. They much all be tying to put out the fire. I glance around as we get closer to the factory. The decorations look good and the tree is finished...it looks like the outside preparations are done so all that's left to worry about is the inside...and with a fire...

I land just out side the factory door sigh as Nilesy trips and face plants into the ground. He quickly stands up again and we walk into the factory. I squint my eyes trying to make something out in the darkness as Nilesy scurries to turn on the lights.

It doesn't make scene. Why would the lights be off if everyone was panicking over a fire? And wouldn't the fire itself give off some light? I don't get muck more time before Nilesy flips the lights on.

"Surprise!"

My eyes widen as it light washes over everything. It was beautifully decorated and and everyone was here and the the smaller tree inside the factory was surrounded by presents. Everyone comes up to me and pat me on the back, and we all laugh when Strippen's pat makes me stumble a bit.

We drink and talk for hours and though I was blushing like mad when Xephox said he may have told Rythian that the only thing I wanted for Christmas was the mages forgiveness, I was smiling the whole time the party was going on. I loved the party and the smile never left my face, but I think the thing that made me smile the most was what Rythian said when we were leaving.

"Merry Christmas, Lalna."