Chapter 9: Coffee and Cocoa
The door creaked open slowly.
Elle poked her head out. Glanced left; glanced right. Glanced up as well, for good measure.
"Coast is clear," she whispered, gently opening the door and stepping out into the hall, a very giggly Jacqueline following behind her. "No sign of big brother Frost anywhere."
Stifling yet another bout of giggles, Jacqueline reached behind her and closed the door. "He's too busy lounging," she said, drawing out the word. "I doubt he'll be up and at 'em any time soon. Especially since our. Uh. Um?"
"Training?"
"Sure! Training! Let's go with that. Especially since our training has been cancelled due to unprecedented snowstorms. Inclement weather. And so on."
Now it was Elle's turn to stifle giggles as they made their way down the hall. "So I get you all to myself this morning?"
"In theory, yes!" Jacqueline said, chipper.
"Heck yeah," Elle said, the two girls turning the corner and nearly colliding into a pyjama-clad Jack.
"In practise...eh," Jacqueline said with a shrug.
Jack looked surprised for a moment, then confused. Then stern. Or at least, he tried to look stern. Hard to do when caught in your bathrobe and stripey pyjama pants by your sister and her best friend who immediately start giggling about it.
"And where do you think you're going, hmm?" he asked above the giggles.
"Nice robe," Jacqueline said with a smirk.
"It's designer!" Jack snapped. "And don't go changing the subject on me. Where do you think you're going? Both of you?"
"Elle has just admitted that she loves me more than Bernard, so we're running away to elope."
Elle started laughing all over again.
"Funny! Really, Jacqueline, do better. I know first hand how bad these two have it for each other and so do you."
Elle flushed, the giggles disappearing as suddenly as they had come on. "Lay off, Jack! I'm taking her out for some breakfast and fresh air."
"She should be resting!"
"She also needs to eat! Better to fight a headache on a full stomach. For all you know, that's the reason for the headache!"
"She's also right here and can speak for herself," Jacqueline reminded them, hands on her hips.
"Right."
"Sorry."
She inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "Jack. I appreciate your concern. Really, I do. It's nice to have you watching out for me!" she assured with a smile. "But holy snowballs, could you take it down a notch or two or five? I have been resting for an entire day and I really am feeling much better now. For real this time. The headache is just about gone and I'm getting tired of staring at the fireplace! I'm hungry."
"And you and I both know she's very disagreeable on an empty stomach," Elle said.
"Just the worst," Jacqueline agreed.
"I can't argue with that," Jack said, frowning.
"C'mon, Jack. I wouldn't drag her out if I wasn't one-hundred percent sure she was fine."
"And I wouldn't go anywhere if I wasn't feeling up to snow," Jacqueline added.
"Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure?" Jack asked his sister.
"Yes! I'm positive, Jack. Don't worry! I'll be fine."
Jack's shoulders sagged. "Alright, fine. Just. Stay safe, okay? And be careful and all that jazz."
"Of course!" Elle said.
"When aren't I?" Jacqueline added.
"That better be rhetorical," Jack said.
"Totes," Jacqueline replied. "We best be off then," she said, grabbing Elle's hand and skirting around Jack. "I have a Legendary tab to run up," she finished with a devious grin. "Bye!"
"Be reasonable about what you spend!" Jack shouted, as he watched his sister careen down the hall with a wave, dragging poor Elle behind her.
"I do what I want!" she shouted back, before the pair properly disappeared.
Jack sighed. She's fine; it's fine, he tried to tell himself.
Best get dressed, though, he thought. Stop the lounging for the day and such. You know.
Just in case.
Far away in a stanky old dead forest, The Man paced back and forth angrily, deep in thought.
This was going to be tougher than he thought.
For starters, the dosage was much too low. He could see how it had been helpful with teachers of old and their students, given the simple instructions of old: a little bit each day would go a long way, he had been taught. And shown! The effect after three or so weeks of constant doses had been...he could still recall that moment, the power at his disposal, power that could be his without the potion, one day.
But this simply wouldn't do for the plan he was presently trying to put together.
He'd have to up the dosage; lady knew how much higher. She was a fighter through and through, and The Man had learnt that the hard way. He had not had nearly enough influence to do what needed doing. Blocking connections was easy enough; but finding the thoughts he needed was proving to be harder than it looked. She was fighting him tooth and nail and if The Man wasn't so consumed by hatred and vengeance for him, he would've given his compliments to her teacher.
He huffed. She needed to be under his control for longer. The more chaos, the better!
He had been so close with the boy, so very close but after centuries of more or less undisturbed shenanigans, a delight to watch from afar, a brief blip and then BAM! Undone as easily as it had been done.
He punched the wall, flames flying behind his fist.
Another scorch mark to add to the rest.
Curses were so much more manageable than potions.
With a deep breath, he readjusted his cloak. Summoning his staff, he waved his hand. The gem suspended between the crescent glowed, and suddenly, a very disoriented elf appeared, toothbrush in hand.
The Man glowered the the elf.
"S-Sir!" Kasper said, soapsuds still on his face.
"How much of the potion did you use?" The Man snapped, unimpressed.
"Uh, a. A quarter, sir. Just. Just like you said."
"The vial, please," he said, sticking out his hand.
With a shaky hand, Kasper pulled the vial out of his pants pocket, dropping it in the Man's outstretched hand. Still three quarters full. No wonder he was having a bugger of a time trying again.
"This vial is still full," The Man said, clenching the tube tightly in his hand.
"Y-yes?"
"WHY," he snapped, loudly, stepping forward rather heavily.
"You said only a quarter," Kasper said, leaning back.
"I know what I said! It's been three days, elf. It should be empty."
"Oh! Oh. Well, you see, sir, it's just. Well. Uh..."
"Come on now, out with it! I haven't got all day," he snapped.
"Nobody has seen her since yesterday, sir."
The Man straightened. He frowned. Well that explained a lot. "That changes today."
"Huh?"
"Today, you are going to see her," The Man began, hands clasped around his staff behind his back as he paced the space. "I don't care what you have to do. You will see her. And when you do," he said, stopping his pacing to turn and look down at the elf from his full height, "you will give her the rest of this vial," he hissed, holding it out to the elf.
Kasper paled, looking up at The Man. "The rest of it?"
"All of it. Need I remind you of what you've lost?" The Man asked, eyebrow quirked.
Kasper gasped. "Polly!"
"If you ever want to see her again, you'll do what I say. The rest of the vial. Today."
"I will, I will! Just, don't hurt her! Don't hurt Polly," the elf begged. He shrunk in on himself, cradling the vial close to his chest. "Please."
The Man scoffed. He waved, his staff glowing behind him. The elf disappeared.
Alone once again, The Man's frown deepened. Three quarters. Thrice the recommended amount. That should do the trick, he thought, strolling out of the room and down the hall.
Soon. It would be so very soon. He'd have every single person who played a part in his defeat, his loss, right where he wanted them. He stopped beside a glass case. In it sat a crown. He turned towards it, staring at his reflection in the glass. The crown sat just above the image of his head.
He grinned. It would look so good once it was right where it belonged, when he wore it in front of those who had done this to him. They'd be on their knees, begging him for mercy.
And he wouldn't give them any.
He'd make them pay; he'd make them all pay.
He already had thought of several creative ways to do so—the whole thing with the girl was one of them. And he was having such fun playing this long game. The look on his face when he saw what The Man had done to his little girl alone would be worth it. So, so worth it.
With a dark chuckle, The Man finished his little constitution, finding himself back in the study. He sat in his armchair, settling in to wait.
Everything was falling into place.
The Courtyard looked good as new this morning. The ice rink was being well used, elves smiling and laughing as they skated laps around one another. The last of the new windows was being replaced, the glass gently placed in and sealed. It was a crisp winter morning, one that they hadn't seen since January. The square sparkled with a fresh layer of snow. Jacqueline inhaled the sharp, cool air, happy to be out of her room and glad to see that the damage had been repaired. So well, in fact, that you couldn't even tell there had been damage at all!
The pair made their way to the righted bistro tables, aimlessly chattering while taking their seats.
"You guys worked fast," Jacqueline said, rearranging her skirt. Really missing my leggings right now, she thought to herself once she had settled.
"I told you we had it handled," said Elle.
"I know. I just. Needed to do something to fix what I had done."
"Force of habit?"
"Hmm?"
"I mean, usually, when something like that happens, it's something Jack's done. And as long as I've known you, at least, you usually fix it. I guess it makes sense that you'd want to fix it when you do it, too?"
Jacqueline frowned. "I don't know how to feel about that," she said.
"Miss Elle! Miss Frost! Hi!"
"Good morning Kasper!" Elle said, the elf's appearance interrupting her reply to Jacqueline. "How're things going over here for you?"
"Much better now, thank you," he replied.
He looked a little relieved, Elle noted. Like he was glad to see them. She glanced at Jacqueline, eyebrow raised. The sprite nodded ever so slightly, shrugging.
"Ready to order?"
"The usual for me," Elle said.
"Sure! And a cocoa maybe for you today, Miss Frost?"
"I'll go with the cocoacinno today, I think."
"Sure thing!" Kasper said, clicking his pen closed. "I'll be right back out with those!"
Elle and Jacqueline watched the elf scurry off, sharing a look amongst themselves. Jacqueline folded her hands, resting her chin on them.
"He seems…eager today," Elle said. "More so than usual."
"You mean he isn't always like that?" Jacqueline asked, eyebrow quirked.
"You've met him before?"
"Mhmm. Yesterday when Jack and I came out here for breakfast. I assumed he was like, a keener, you know? An eager beaver? Especially since he was like that the other day, too."
"Gingerbread latte for you, Miss Elle, and a tall cocoacinno for you, Jacqueline!" Kasper announced, arriving seconds later.
"Thank you, Kasper. You're really on the ball today, aren't you?"
"Well, with how nice you've been to me, Miss Elle, and how helpful, it's the least I can do. Just shout when you've decided on food!" and with that, he rushed right back into the Grille.
"Ah, what's up with that?" Jacqueline asked.
Elle looked a bit thrown off. "There was something about the way you said that that sounded just like your brother."
"I mean. We are related. And I've spent the past like, twenty-four hours with him exclusively. Idiosyncrasies and such."
Elle laughed. "By that you meant Kasper."
"Yeah, more so his attitude. Vibe. Aura. Whatever floats your fancy."
"Well, Kasper's a…special case."
"What, is he like a second Curtis?"
Elle nearly choked on her latte. "Haha, no. One Curtis is more than enough. Kasper's…clumsy. Very nervous. A lot clumsy, really, and way smaller than the other elves in his age group. He's a hard worker, very clever, and really nice, but he just doesn't do well around others, and it's gotten worse lately. He gets nervous and then the clumsy kicks in. And once he gets nervous, and starts getting clumsy, instead of being understanding, most of the elves in the Workshop get on his case pretty badly, which just makes him feel worse, you know? Then they all complain that he's getting in the way, or underfoot. It's only really started since his sister went missing."
Now it was Jacqueline's turn to choke on her drink. "I'm sorry, an elf has gone missing?"
Elle nodded. "Kasper's sister. One day, they were walking to work together. The next day, Kasper arrived late, really shaken up and talking about how his sister had been taken by flame monsters."
"Flame monsters."
"Yup."
"In the North Pole?!"
"That's what everyone else said, too. It didn't make it easy for him to be placed in the Workshop, after that. Bernard suggested we put him in one of the village shops—it's less tense outside of the Workshop. I talked to Abby, pulled a few strings and got him placed here at the Grille. It's a smaller environment, not really related to the Workshop in the grand scheme of things, and Lena is very sweet. Here he won't be yelled at and he won't hear the rumours."
"Rumours? Wait, let me guess. The elves think he had something to do with it, don't they?"
"Sort of, yeah. We don't take disappearing elves lightly around here because it never happens. So, Bernard investigated, and so did the Elfficers. The house was untouched. It smelt a little too much like fireplace but other than that, it was fine. They searched the whole entire Pole and didn't find Polly anywhere. I couldn't pick up on her thoughts at all. It's like she just disappeared, into thin air."
"Which I'm sure started the rumour mill."
"We've heard every rumour you could possibly think of. Every time a new one appears we make sure to nip it in the bud. I think they all got a little too into it when CSI: Elfsburg aired earlier this year. Now they've got it in their heads that everything is some kind of big, huge, mystery, despite the big disclaimer at the beginning of each episode saying the exact opposite."
Jacqueline laughed. "Was it at least good?"
"It wasn't bad. The story line was engaging. Acting over the top but I mean, so are the drama kids. Speaking of, what's your plan?"
"Plan? For what? Actually, more importantly, you're calling me a drama kid? Look who's talking!"
"Now I don't know how to feel about that," Elle teased.
"Consider us even, then."
Elle chuckled. "I meant your plan for Jack's freezer burn."
Jacqueline smiled and squished her face. "I have no idea what I'm doing," she said.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously!" she let go of her face, sighing. "I was hoping maybe while we practised something would happen. I can't figure it out. You see, most of us magibeans have a core. It's what makes us, well, us. It's our very essence, gifted to us by the Source of all magic. Our cores are like little sources in all of us. That's why we can do a heck of a lot of crazy magic things. You know, create from thin air, teleport, power an entire season…that sort of thing."
"Interesting," Elle said, sipping from her cup and paying close attention.
"It's like in Atlantis: The Lost Empire. You know how they had those necklaces that kept them alive and stuff? That's basically what our cores are."
"So you can't just have your powers stop working. They're a part of you, and if I remember correctly, nobody knows where the Source is, so it's not like they could steal it."
"Right. And besides, the Goddess of the Springs protects it. It'd be pretty hard to steal from a Goddess, I'd bet. So that brings me to two conclusions: either the Source broke, or Jack's core is all weird."
"And the second one is probably more likely, since everyone else I know with magic has their full powers," Elle said, looking over her drink at Jacqueline.
"Exactly. And on top of that, as far as I know there's never been an incident like this! Of someone just losing their powers. I mean, sprites are known to freeze and thaw here and there—though it's different depending on the season—but thawing and then losing your powers? It doesn't make any sense."
"Why not ask your Mom?"
"Winter?"
"Well, maybe there has been an incident before. Maybe she would know. Or your Dad."
"That's a good point," Jacqueline realized, sipping her own drink. "I'll answer their letter after breakfast and ask about it. Maybe they'll be able to offer some insight."
"If they're as old as I think they are, I'll bet they can. Have you decided on a cronch?"
"A cronch?"
"Yeah, like a crunch? Food? For breakfast?"
Jacqueline laughed. "A cronch. I like that! I could go for an omelette today, I think."
"Then let's order," Elle said, waving over Kasper. "And then you're gonna tell me all about this Clifton Manor Incident that I am oh-so-curious about."
Jacqueline looked thoughtful for a moment. Elle had a point. Blaise and Winter had been around for thousands of years. They had like five on her near two! Maybe they had seen something like this. Or maybe they knew someone who had. Whatever the case, asking them directly may not be a bad idea.
Maybe she'd also ask them about what had happened to her. Maybe they'd have a clue about that, too.
Making a mental note to reply to them after breakfast, Jacqueline took a long sip of her cocoacinno and launched into her tale. "It was wild," Jacqueline said, smiling fondly as she pulled forth the memory in her head. "The year was 1732. I had recently returned to London from a stint in the Azores, after a pretty profitable and, not to mention, fun career in piracy…"
Steaming hot mug of cocoa to his right, plate of cookies to his left, and an unopened pile of letters in front of him, Santa rubbed his hands together gleefully.
Letter time. He loved letter time.
So many letters arrived on the daily, and only a third of them made it up to the North Pole proper. The majority of the letters had to be intercepted in Alaska, or Nunavut, and brought the rest of the way up to the North Pole by courier elf.
Some places actually had the direct to Santa address; Canada the closest among them. Scott had given this info to Lucy in a little Santa tip-off, and that was the address she had used. With a few little tweaks (courtesy of Carol) so that they landed right on his desk! Use it wisely, they had both told her.
And boy did Lucy use it! She sent letters to him year round. Not that he minded, of course. He had himself a little pen pal, her teachers were very impressed with her penmanship, and above all, her letters were always a welcome read.
Lucy would have all kinds of fun stories from home: silly things Charlie had done, what she had done at school, that sort of thing. Sometimes, her letters would come with some friends, bundled together with a letter for Carol from her parents, or a note from the Millers. The letters from Sylvia made Carol's day! Lucy was one heck of a sweet kid to reach out to the Newmans on Mrs. Claus's behalf. It helped her feel connected to the outside world, still; Scott as well.
And the questions! Lucy was full of questions! Always asking about Buddy, Bernard, Elle, even Jack! She'd often ask questions about operations, processes, and way too frequently she'd ask all sorts of magic related questions. Some of them genuinely stumped Scott for a moment or two. But you know what they say about Santa: he delivers! He would find the answers for her, even if it took a day or two. Then his next letter from her would have a scathing comment about how he was late with his reply, in a sweetly sassy way that only Lucy could achieve.
In return, after answering her hundred questions per letter, Scott would tell her all about what was happening up North. Operations (or lack there of) in the Workshop, day to day life at the Pole, silly stories of their own and a reindeer report every so often. She had been especially interested in how Jack was doing, and how they were all doing having him around. Carol had remarked that she sounded like a doctor checking in on her patient; Scott had laughed at that.
He'd kept Lucy in the loop all year. She knew about how warm it was getting, and how squirrelly Jack had been about it all. So, when they finally got everything out of him two days ago, Santa had responded to Lucy's latest letter as soon as he could, giving her "all the deets" as per her request. Her reply had just arrived fresh on his desk this morning.
Taking a quick, expectant look at the door, Santa sliced open the letter and began to read.
Dear Uncle Scott,
I'm glad you figured out what was wrong with Jack, at least. I told you he wasn't evil anymore! I hope he's okay and that the person they called to come help him is able to help him. I'd be really sad if he couldn't bring winter anymore! I mean, who'd give me snow days?! That's not in your wheelhouse at all, is it? If there's anything I can do to help let me know! You know how helpful I can be! I have a tally, and I help Mom and Dad more around the house than Charlie does! See? I'm SUPER helpful! :)
I'm glad the North Pole is gonna be safe, though. I was really worried for you and Carol and all the other elves when you told me what was happening! It sounds scary! I hope everything goes well, and that when it does, we can all go up again this year! I can't wait. Mom says it's too early for me to start decorating. It's too bad we can't be decorated for Christmas all the time like at the North Pole!
I really hope we can go again this year, Uncle Scott! I'm being extra good too, just to make sure! Keep me posted!
Love,
Lucy
PS give Comet kisses for me!
Scott smiled, chuckling to himself. Extra nice, as if she could be any nicer! Giving the letter a cursory reread (trying to figure out if she meant kisses like lip kisses, or like Hershey's chocolate kisses), he frowned.
"Bring them all up again? Oh boy," he thought out loud. Putting down the letter, Santa took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
He had figured that it would become a sort of tradition. Not that he minded; it would make him and Carol very happy, but there was just so much going on this Christmas. Jack's power shortage, The Deliquesce, and now Jacqueline's little meltdowns.
Sure, it was a one-time thing, and Bernard and Elle both trusted Jacqueline and said it was out of character for her…but still, Santa was concerned. Granted, now that there were no secrets between the family, and his head elves were back, and Jack wasn't an issue (well, in the usual way), things should be a lot easier.
Maybe when everything calmed down a bit he would bring them all up North. Carol's parents were asking to too, after all. Even from far away they spoiled their grandson, and had grown quite the soft spot for Lucy. He'd have to give it more thought, maybe talk it over with Carol—
A thunk interrupted his train of thought. With a little start, Santa glanced over at the door. "You're late," he said with a small smile.
"Fashionably so, though," Jack replied, heading over to the window. "Stained glass? Really? You can barely see the square!"
"But the colours are nice! I pulled up the usual chair for ya, Jack. Why the window seat?"
"I—hmm." Jack frowned, turning away from the window and surveying Santa. "I'm beginning to think I have a bit of a problemo."
"Just one?"
"Haha," Jack said, sarcastic, throwing himself down in the seat across from Santa. "Let me rephrase. I'm beginning to think that maybe I'm not doing the right thing."
"You're gonna need to be WAY more specific," Santa said, blinking.
"Jacqueline."
"Yeah?"
"I think maybe I might be being a bit too...overbearing?"
Santa chuckled. "Alright, Frost. Talk to me."
"Well it's just. You know. What with that little storm of hers yesterday, I've been keeping a very close watch on her."
"Well, you're looking out for your sister! I don't see anything wrong with that."
"But maybe I'm being a bit too, ah, extreme."
Santa gestured for the sprite to continue.
"It's just...I want to make sure she's okay, of course. But she's told me she can take care of herself. And I don't doubt that, of course, I just..." he squinted down at the floor, searching for words.
"Well, what happened that had you boarding this train of thought?"
"I kept a close ear out for her all night, which felt. You know. Fine. I was trying to give her space but also trying to make sure she knew I was there if she needed me."
"Well that's good."
"You think?"
"Yeah. She's what, a teenager? They need their space. Trust me."
"For sprites at her age, they're more in the realm of ah, young adult."
"They still need their space," Santa pointed out. "You're not off base, Jack."
"Okay, well, let me finish."
Santa motioned for the sprite to continue, folding his hands and listening intently.
"Right. So. Did that. Until she told me to lay off, and that she was fine and could I maybe tone it down a notch. So I did! I left her be and went for a stroll, only to run into her heading out with Elle. Not even five minutes, Santa! Unbelievable. Anyway, I let them go out, but here's the thing, Santa," Jack said, shifting his weight in the chair and recrossing his legs. "I immediately hightailed it back to my room and got changed, and went out on the floor to try and keep an eye on them."
"Ou," Santa said with a grimace. "I see what you're saying now."
Jack threw his hands up in the air. "EXACTLY!" he sighed, hands falling back down. "I get it, you know. She's been on her own for...a while. But after yesterday? I just. I just got her back, Santa. I don't want to loose her again."
"You won't," Santa said.
"How do you know that? And don't give me any of that 'I'm Santa! I see ya when you're sleeping! I know when you're awake! Ho ho ho!' sleet."
"...Okay, that was almost too spot on."
"I am a talented Legend," Jack said with a smirk. "Anyway, enough about you. I am having a crisis! So self-centred, honestly, Scott."
Santa chuckled. "You are something else, Jack."
They sat in silence for a moment, Jack rubbing his chin in thought while Santa got back to his letters. The fire cracked and popped, the room cozy.
"It's just...do you think I'm being a bit too overbearing?" Jack finally asked.
Santa put down his letter thoughtfully, spectacles crooked on his nose. "I think that maybe, if you feel like you are, then you are."
"Frostbite."
"Hey, it's okay!" Santa said, leaning forward. "It's understandable. We all make mistakes with our kids. It's been years since you saw her, and you actually missed her."
"I don't know that I like your tone much, Claus," Jack said, crossing his arms.
"I didn't actually think it was possible for you to miss anyone but yourself, so this is all very new to me. Still getting used to it and all. Bear with me, alright? Look, Jack," Santa said, shifting in his seat. "You missed her! And now she's here! And I get it. You don't want to loose your kid. No parent does. And before you say anything yeah, I know you're not her dad. But from what I've gathered, you were like a third parent to her! And the way you've talked about her, and what you've told me," Santa gave the sprite a warm, earnest smile, "seems like you were more of a guardian for her than you care to admit."
Jack looked at Santa blankly, for a moment. Almost unamused. Then he shrugged. "Well, yeah. She-I. Hmm. Yeah." Jack sighed, deflating a bit.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me. Besides, I'm not sure anyone would believe me!"
"Sometimes a reputation is all a man has," Jack said, nodding his head sagely.
"Now, I'm not Father Time."
Jack looked perplexed. "Who said that? You look nothing like baldy. Beard's much too short."
"Why does everyone always say that—ah, whatever. Anyway, seems to me, Jack, that you're trying to make up for fourteen hundred years in a day! That's not going to happen! Even for the great and powerful Jack Frost," Santa said, over-the-top. "This sort of thing takes time, Jack. Don't rush it. And hey, she hasn't left for home yet, right? She's still here, with you."
"That she is," Jack said, with a soft smile.
"And I think that tells you all you need to know. You're doing alright. Just, take it easy, alright?"
"Really?" Jack asked, perking up. "You think I'm doing alright?"
"Really," Santa replied, earnestly.
"Huh," Jack said, relaxing as he settled back into his chair with a smile. He gazed towards the stain glass windows, relieved. "Well, good."
"Sticking around?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes, of course. Letter time and all." He shifted back towards Santa. "And between you and me, my pacing may have been bothering Bernard. I've been," he said, throwing his hand up to his forehead and looking devastated, "BAN-ISH-ED!"
Santa laughed, a good hearty ho-ho-ho. "Alright, Frost, take it down a notch."
"And then Bernard said SEE YA IN COURT, CLIFTON, and I poofed us out of there, the prick frozen solid to the floor! And then, a bunch of books fell on Mathew. It was hilarious."
Elle laughed. "Oh my god, I can't even BEGIN to imagine to look on his face!"
"Right? And Clifton was so cheesed, oh man."
"What happened after that?"
Jacqueline shrugged, finishing off her drink. "We poofed over to my place, I had a breakdown and passed out on the couch. When I woke up in the morning, Bernard had the case ready to go and some very reassuring words and good points. And a new set of clothes thanks to the housekeeper."
"Bernard? In new clothes?"
"Well he looks like he walked right out of the Middle Ages! That simply wouldn't do in Early Modern Britain."
"I have a decent idea of the fashion of the time and there's no way Bernard switched out his hat for a tricorne, or a WIG."
"Yeah, he was all 'Jacqueline I have to draw the line somewhere!', so I let him keep the beret on. He won the case in that thing," Jacqueline said, stretching her back over the top of the chair.
"Ha. He could probably work a tricorne, actually, now that I'm thinking about it."
"Oh, definitely," Jacqueline said, springing back up. "Especially if it's a flatter one."
"How are we on time?"
"Jack's been silent as the grave. Eerily so, come to think of it," Jacqueline said, rubbing her chin. "I did not expect that, to be honest. So I've got plenty of time, for the moment."
Elle picked up her phone, glancing at the notifications. "Eleven o'clock? Already?"
"Time flies when you're having fun!" Jacqueline said, chipper.
"I should head back in."
"What happened to the free morning?"
"I have personal projects all over the place and a handful of things to do. That's why my morning is free, you goof."
"I'm a personal project!"
"Please don't say you're also a thing to do," Elle said, laughingly.
Jacqueline smirked. "I won't. This time, at least." She winked, then paused for a moment, surveying Elle. "You're doing okay though, yeah? Having a good time?"
"Yeah! Yeah. I am," Elle said, looking content. "Well, mostly. You know how it is."
"Too well," Jacqueline said, drumming her fingers on the table. "You could take the day off with me," she began.
"Jacqueline…"
"I'm just saying! We could have a movie day, and just marathon something. See what Netflix has to offer." She tilted her chair back again, balancing precariously on two of the thin, metal legs.
Elle frowned. "Nah, it'll take too long to get the DVD of our choice," she said, thoughtfully.
"We could go to a Blockbuster then, and grab a rental there."
"Why not just use North-Flix? Or go to Elfbuster?"
"Oh! I didn't know that the Ghostbusters branched out! Good for them, opening up to elves now, too. You guys have some of the strangest neighbourhoods I've ever seen."
Elle laughed. "Jacqueline, oh my gosh!" she kicked the chair gently, Jacqueline losing the equilibrium and toppling to the ground, chair and all.
She laughed, rolling off of the chair and into the snow. "Okay, I deserved that. I know it's a movie rental service like Blockbuster but with Elf, and not like Ghostbusters but with Elf."
"You nut," Elle laughed.
"Takes one to know one! So, what do you say, kid? Playing hooky with me today?"
"I'd love to, but I can't do the whole day. What I can do though, is get moving on my work load to free up the evening for a movie marathon, hint hint."
"You know I can't take the Lord of the Rings elves seriously, Elle. They're just too tall!"
"Please? I think you'll really like it."
"I'll think about it...if you help me up. Bup-bup, nope! Put that kinetic energy away, bud. I just need a hand. Not a whole telekinesis lift," Jacqueline said, sticking out her hand.
Elle rolled her eyes. "Alright, fine, fun police," she said, reaching for her friend's hand.
"Excuse you!" Jacqueline said, grasping Elle's hand and pulling her down to the ground.
Elle fell face down in the snow, her squeal muffled by the fluffy stuff. Her head popped up fairly fast, hair bouncing as she spat snow out of her mouth, Jacqueline cackling beside her.
"I'm sorry, what was that? Don't talk with your mouth full, Elle!"
"You are. The WORST!"
"You love me! I'm your bestest friend in the whole wide world," Jacqueline said, cutesy, throwing her hands up the way kids do when they explain that they love their parents this much. (Or when fishermen explain how big the fish they caught was, if you prefer).
Elle pushed herself off of the snow, brushing the chunks off of her green jacket. "But you're still, the worst. You can help yourself up now," she said sternly, turning away to hide her smile.
"Ugh, FINE," Jacqueline said, throwing her head back dramatically. The wind picked up. It gathered around Jacqueline, the sprite hopping up delicately, her dress fluttering in a very princess-y fashion, very much on purpose.
Elle crossed her arms. "Show-off," she said with a smirk, as behind them, Jacqueline's toppled over chair seemingly righted itself.
"Oh, and I'm the show off? Really?"
"Takes one to know one, I guess," Elle said.
The two friends stared at each other. They blinked, lips twitching, and finally burst into uproarious laughter, grabbing onto each other.
The giggles dissolved, laughs turning into content sighs. "At least let me escort you back to the shop," Jacqueline said, linking arms with Elle.
"Well, since we're both headed that way, sure." Readjusting her arm, she moved to walk forward, only to be pulled back. Elle looked behind her, over at Jacqueline. She stood frozen in place, brow furrowed in thought.
"Jacqueline?" Elle said, tugging the sprite's arm.
"Hmm?"
"You there, pal?"
"Oh! Sorry," Jacqueline said, snapping out of her stupor and looking around, wary. "I...sorry. Something felt...odd," she said, clutching Elle's arm tighter. "Prickly? I don't know...it was weird. You didn't feel anything weird?"
"No," Elle said, shaking her head. She glanced around, concerned, trying to see if anything was out of place. "Yeah, I'm not picking up on anything. But I'll keep an ear out," she said with a reassuring smile.
Jacqueline still looked distracted.
"Good to go, Jacquie?"
"Hmm? What? Oh! Yeah, absolutely! Thanks for the lovely morning, by the way. It's fun up here! What a shame."
"What? Why?"
"I want so badly to be angry at this place," Jacqueline said suddenly; fiercely. "It's the reason my brother stayed away for so long."
Both women stopped short. Jacqueline looked shocked, inhaling sharply and covering her mouth. "I'm sorry! I don't know where that came from! I didn't mean that at all!"
Don't lie to yourself...you know you meant it; you've been thinking it. I can see it.
"What the ELF?" Elle said, jumping back. "That was not you."
"You heard that too?"
"Yes!"
Both girls stood ready now, sliding up to one another back to back, looking around the square. The elves that passed them by glanced over briefly, wary.
And now you're here to help him...after all that...shame he can't just help himself. Why bother? Why bother helping him?
"That's...that's true. Why should I bother?" Jacqueline said, angrily.
Against her back, Elle felt the sprite tense. "Jacqueline?" she asked, uncertain.
"GAH! No, I will not let this happen again! Elle?"
"I'm here! I hear it, too."
The sprite tensed even more. "You're here. And so am I. And so is Jack. And I will help him! You hear that?" she yelled up at the sky, arms out behind her.
"Tell 'em, Jacquie!"
"Who is that? Where are they?"
"I don't know," Elle said, looking around. "I can't pinpoint a source."
At this point, watching the two girls circle about, back to back, Jacqueline shouting randomly up at the sky, the elves were wisely giving them a wide berth. The pair shuffled to the left, and then to the right, back to back the entire time.
Watching.
Listening.
It was silent, for the most part.
Then suddenly...an unpleasent chuckle.
There was a small shout of surprise; Jacqueline crumpled, her comforting weight no longer against Elle's back.
Spinning around, Elle watched, eyes widening, as Jacqueline bent forward, eyes shut tight. She held her head; light blue sparkles were cracking, jumping across her knuckles.
"Jacqueline? Jacqueline!"
Elle reached out, trying to find her friend's cool presence in her head.
But there was nothing; it was silent.
The dark laughter rang out again. Elle whipped around, back and forth, searching for someone, anyone; the elves looked unfazed. None of them were jumping back, marvelling at the odd disembodied voice.
"Elle?"
"I'm right here!"
"I can't...it hurts," Jacqueline said, glancing around. She gritted her teeth. "I won't...I won't let you win," she said. "Get OUT of my HEAD!"
Why bother fighting? You know you want to give in...this place took so much from you. You can strike back!
"I don't want to!"
"Jacqueline? Come on, let's, let's go inside," Elle said gently, squatting beside her friend. Her eyes were still shut tight, jaw set. Magic was still cracking, now at her fingertips. "Here, let me help you."
She's helped you enough, don't you think?
"Hey!" Elle said. "That's just rude! Come on, snow buddy. Just, hang on to my arm. I'm here for you. I'll escort you in!" Elle teased, hopeful.
"...Jack," she said, her voice tense.
"I'll find him for you," Elle said, helping her up. Carefully, Jacqueline stood. Elle guided her towards the Workshop doors. They were so close! "Just a little longer, Jacquie, and we'll be inside, and we'll find Jack, and he'll help you. We both will, I promise, just...don't listen to the voice."
Like Jack will help you, the voice said again. They were a few steps from the door. All he's done is hurt you.
Jacqueline stopped walking, her breath heavy, face angry. "You're right."
"No," Elle said, face blanching.
"Yes!" Jacqueline said, turning and glaring at Elle. "All he's ever done is hurt me! And now, I'm expected to just, help him when he's hurting?"
The magic was spreading up her arms now, bouncing and jumping and cracking. Elle stepped back. "You want to, Jacqueline! You don't have to help him, but you want to! Because that's just the kind of person you are!"
"Always fixing his mistakes, feeling obligated to because of his stupid shadow and what everyone thinks of me just because I'm next in line-NO! No, we talked about this! I don't want to—"
Jacqueline took one step backwards. The snow around her began to freeze.
Yes you do. Do it, girl. Give in. Show them what you're really made of.
Jacqueline stopped struggling; she stopped fighting, completely. She stood back up, her clothes and hair eerily still as the magic arced all around her. She opened her eyes.
"Oh no," Elle said.
The magic had reached her eyes. Her blue irises were more vivid; her hair began to float, the static in the magic making it poof up. Balling her hands into fists, Jacqueline yelled, throwing her fists back. The magic flew down her arms and out her palms, a smattering of frost spiralling out from around the sprite.
It crept forward, fast, splattering the walls on either side of the lower Workshop doors. It twirled upwards, freezing the banister solid, the stairs growing slippery as the icy cloud settled, Elves losing their footing and sliding down.
Elle backed up, keeping her eyes on Jacqueline. Reaching out behind her, she felt out the space until her hands landed on the door handle. The frost settled around her, silence descending.
"Jacqueline?" she tried.
Too late, the voice whispered. The laughter started up again. In front of her, Jacqueline grimaced, bending ever so slightly at the waist.
"Get...out..." she bit out, breath heavy. "...get out of my...of...my...HEAD!"
A gust of wind billowed out from around her. It rustled the clothes of the elves who had yet to clear the space. Elle's jacket fluttered back, her arm blocking her face as the wind settled.
"I see you," Jacqueline said, angrily.
Elle lowered her arm, watching as Jacqueline slowly looked up from the ground. Meeting her eyes. Glaring.
Looking right through her.
Then come and get me, the voice said, chuckling.
And Jacqueline charged forward full speed, hands a-glow.
A/N: And here we see my deep dive of letters to Santa pay off! I always get confused with which chapter it's in. These three (8-10) kinda run together. I'm pretty sure they all take place within 24 hours? I dunno, my brain's fried (quarantine be like that) but god DAMN the Jacquie attacks are SO MUCH BETTER NOW! (Edited April/May 2020, I will never stop editing this thing I'm convinced).
FUN FACT: Santa has Canadian citizenship AND clearance to land in Pearson Airport in Mississauga/Toronto (That's my favourite fun fact tbh)! Do read and review, tell me what you think of these rewritten/edited chapters! I love hearing from readers! About literally anything.
Also, if you haven't watched Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire, please do. It's an EXCELLENT movie-my fave Disney animated classic-and their crystal necklaces is a very good explanation for how I headcanon magic to work. I find it so amazing how many of my favourite works have influenced CS!