Disclaimer: Obert Skye owns Leven Thumps. I just love the world he created.
Author's Note: Hope this explains a bit about the timing and setting of the story! I had so much fun with this chapter… especially the ending. Enjoy!
Summer Homes and Christmas Shopping? Part 1
Leven sat in the comfort of one of the few warm inns left in Cusp. The remnants of the great city were small, but they were resilient. Since the Dearth had appeared, wreaking havoc on Foo, Leven hadn't had a moments rest. Though he was practically invincible, he still needed his rest, which had been quite scarce recently.
Apparently the snowfall spelled good news for them. As Geth had explained, the Dearth would be unable to do anything while snow covered the ground. The entire landscape was frozen, making him powerless.
Normally this would be a good chance to press their advantages, but as the lithen had pointed out, they were stuck because of the snow too. Undoubtedly, the search for the Dearth would be made harder with Foo covered in ice.
"Plus, the appearance of snow marks an important date on Foo's calendar…" Geth explained. "Think of it as Fate's way of reminding Foo that Christmas is approaching."
"What's Christmas?" Leven asked.
"You're joking right?!" Winter exclaimed. "It's only the best time of year! There's presents and goodies and… I remember one year the Tuttle's cut down this huge Christmas tree, and then we sang carols and decorated the tree with ornaments!"
"Leven, you really didn't know what Christmas was?" Geth asked softly, while Winter continued to rant.
"No, I've never heard of it."
Leven racked his mind, trying to see if anything rang a bell. Winter looked stumped.
"He's right… when we were with Terry and Addy, they never celebrated Christmas." Clover added sadly his leaf-like ears fluttering. Clover had reappeared on Leven's shoulder and was clinging to his cloak.
"Well if Leven's never heard of Christmas, then I know just who to take him to." Geth smiled, his idea was perfect. There was only one person suited for this job…
"And if Winter wants to go Christmas shopping it wouldn't hurt… we only have two days until Christmas."
"Only two days…" Winter understood the gravity of the situation. If Leven had never celebrated Christmas then, they would have to make this the best Christmas ever.
"In that case… I'm going shopping!" Winter said, grabbing her cloak and a pair of gloves.
"And I'll come with you," Clover said reappearing on Leven's head. "There's so many people I need to send stuff to…"
Winter and Clover left, heading out into the cold, chatting animatedly to each other about possible Christmas gifts. A few minutes later Leven followed Geth out the door. Leven had no idea where they were going. Good thing Geth knew exactly where they were headed…
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Leven and Geth were going to visit an expert on Christmas. You see, they were going to visit, the head honcho, Santa Claus at his vacation home that lies on the outskirts of Cork, near the Veil Sea.
Though it's not common knowledge, Santa has a summer home in Foo. It's a quaint log cabin nestled near the beaches of the Veil Sea.
Mr. Claus, as he's sometimes referred to, is one of the few who has unlimited access to the permanent gateway on Sycophant Run. He's been using that gateway for years to get from his workshop at the North Pole to his vacation home in Foo.
For some of you non-believers out there, who are still asking the question: "How does Santa visit all of the homes that he does in one night?" …. here's an answer.
Ever since Mr. Claus began his nightly venture to the houses of all the good boys and girls in reality, he's had help from time. He has a contract with old-man time, which grants him all the time he needs one night every year. That night of course being Christmas Eve…
The purpose of this explanation is not only to explain why Santa has roots in Foo, but to clarify his existence to those non-believers.
Santa is real… and he owns a vacation home in Foo. End of story…
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Author's Note: I'm kind of rushing these chapters, but I'm having so much fun writing them! Stay tuned for part three of my Christmas Story.