The winter holidays were a time when everyone of all ages and backgrounds got together to share and spent time with their loved ones. Singing carols, targeting stores that offered irresistible prices, exchanging gifts, or simply bonding over home-made dinners; there was never a shortage of tradition. Santa's special little workers were of no exception. In fact, every elf rejoiced when winter came knocking at their door, for it was a fun, festive time that they all put their heart and souls into.
Elves of all ages looked forward to the winter banquet that occurred once every year, hosted by Mr and Mrs Claus. Stories would be shared long into the night, around the decorated tables that were weighed down with a mouthwatering feast, where all the elves ate to their heart's content, and many would dance to cheerful holiday music and present their gifts to their loves ones, and of course, the hosts of the magnificent event.
“Boy, that sure was a blast!” Nippers exclaimed joyously, his spirits high from all the excitement. The party after the banquet was still ongoing, but he had slipped away from a co-worker of his who had been talking his ears off, with the excuse that he was going to get himself a drink. It wasn't really a lie, since he had gotten a frosty mug of eggnog for himself before he ventured out into the spacious hallways that would eventually lead him to the dorms where every elf had a room that they could escape to at the end of the day, or if they just needed some time alone.
While there wasn't a single face absent from the banquet, there were a few that Nippers hadn't been able to spot during the after-party. He couldn't say that he blamed them for slipping away, as he did, especially since their presence wasn't required at the party, like it was during the banquet. There were just some elves who happened to rub others the wrong way, whether intentionally or otherwise. There were also some who preferred solitude, or were socially awkward, or who needed to retire to their rooms after stuffing themselves like pigs. Nippers longed for his bed as well, since he hadn't skimped on hearty servings of roasted meats of nearly every variety.
His mouth opened wide in a yawn as the short-statured man strolled into the room that he shared with another; a female elf named Turkey. With a quiet click, a switch on the wall was found; florescent lights illuminating the small space. It didn't take long for Nippers to discover the room was empty of its jolly little occupant; not that he minded her absence. With his belly full from the feast, some alone time was all he looked forward to. The half-drained mug of eggnog was placed on a desk that was near his bed, only after a hand brushed some of the scattered papers aside, each one containing artwork of ideas he had for new toys. A few sheets fluttered onto the floor, along with an assortment of multi-colored notebooks filled front to back with sketches, but they were ignored by Nippers, who focused his attention on Turkey's side of the room.
Unlike his side, the space was immaculate. His roommate was nowhere near as disorganized as he was, and preferred things to be spotless. Not only was Turkey a clean freak, but she was also a workaholic. The elves workload always increased around the Christmas holidays, all of them working hard to meet the quotas that were required of them, some even working double shifts long into the night with scarcely any sleep. Turkey was one of those few who pushed herself to her limits, without a single complaint, because she loved her work, and looking forward to the smiles on Gaian's faces as they received their presents from Santa. Nippers shook his head, assuming that his roommate was off in the workshop at the moment, tirelessly toiling away to create toys.
There was something interesting that caught his eye when his head turned to the side; something he had surprisingly missed when he came into the room. There, on Turkey's desk was a beautifully wrapped package covered in sleek, black wrapping paper and tied neatly with a crimson colored ribbon that formed delicate, elegant spirals in the air around the decorative bow. An eyebrow arched and Nippers curiosity piqued almost immediately. Being the workahlolic Turkey was, he cold only assume that the gift was intended for someone at the party after the feast that had been held, but she had slipped away to work after eating, and missed the chance to present the wrapped item to whoever it was intended for.
Curiosity got the better of Nippers, and he moved into Turkey's territory, picking up the parcel with care and turning it around. Upon inspecting the gift, he found no tag or card that identified the receiver of it, so there was no way for him to deliver it in Turkey's stead. A troubled frown settled on the auburn-haired elf's lips and the thought of his potential good deed was promptly dismissed. It was impossible for him to deliver the gift without knowing who it was intended for, and if left up to Turkey, she would certainly forget, and place work as her first priority. There wasn't much time left before Christmas, and being an elf, albeit a disorganized one, Nippers prided himself on getting gifts ready for delivery on time. Just what was he to do?
The answer was obvious. While he shouldn't have gotten involved in Turkey's personal matters, his mind was made up. Determination gleamed in his crimson optics and his head held high. He would get the gift to Turkey and encourage her to give it to her special someone, before it was too late! Her work was important, but surely, she wouldn't put that before someone's potential happiness that she had already wrapped up so nicely.
The parcel was tucked under his arm, and without another thought, Nippers bolted out of the small room they shared. In his haste, he nearly rammed headfirst into another elf who was on his way to his room. Nippers had to dance backward over his own feet to avoid colliding with his coworker, who let out a startled yelp and danced to the side. An opening on the right! Without thinking, Nippers shot forward like a bullet, diving headfirst through the space on the side, forgetting to apologize. Like a predatory cat, he landed in a crouch, his feet barely having time to touch the floor before he sprinted down the carpeted hallway and disappeared behind a corner.
“Working late again, I see.” Nippers announced, casting a smile to the raven-haired elf who didn't so much as lift her head to glance at him. Just as he thought, she was completely focused, her eyes trained on the items ahead of her, her hands busying themselves with polishing the gleaming golden base of a snowglobe that she had just finished. Sighing, the brunette approached his friend, stepping to the side and leaning against the desk of her cubicle and pressing down on a button to stop the conveyor belt that ran in front of the cramped space. “Got something for you, 'Turk.”
The present that had been abandoned on the desk in their room was taken out from under Nipper's arm and placed in front of Turkey; the girl blinking once, her pink lips opening to scold him for taking it upon himself to cross into her side of the room to touch what was hers, but then she smiled, looking up to Nippers and adjusting her glasses. “Thank you.” She had nearly forgotten, what with being so involved in her work.
The warm compliment from his friend turned his cheeks a light shade of pink, and Nippers averted his gaze from the girl, forcing a pout to his lips. “I...it was nothing. You know how I feel about late gifts...That's all.” he huffed, folding his arms across his chest. Though he held no romantic feelings for the girl, it was difficult for him to accept any sort of praise from her, especially when it wasn't too often that such kind words from her were directed his way. They oft got into many heated disputes, being so completely different from one another. But then again, friction was bound to occur between many of the elves who shared a single dorm....wasn't it?
“So...who's it for?” He couldn't help but wonder aloud, quick to catch the soft gasp that spilled from his friend's lips at the question, and how she, too, averted her gaze for a moment, to hide a blush that rose to her cheeks. “Hm?” Nippers tilted his head, leaning backward and to the side to catch a glimpse of Turkey's face. “Well?” he urged, determined to get an answer for his troubles.
It took quite a bit of prodding before the embarrassed woman finally turned to her interrogator with her answer. “It's for a special someone, sugarplum.” Turkey teasingly explained with a wink, as she tenderly held the wrapped parcel close to her chest. This gift that was one that she had poured every bit of her heart, her feelings into making, even though she was terrified of delivering the present to that special someone. What if her feelings weren't returned? Or worse yet, what if her present couldn't reach that someone?
“You're not going to tell me who it is.” Nippers knew better. He didn't have to ask, but instead, spoke it as a statement. He knew that Turkey would be tight-lipped, no matter how persistently he tried to push for an answer.
“That's right.”
“You sure can be a headache, sometimes.”
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