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Sigh... this line was insufferable. What the hell was going on there? Something for those soft kids. Had to be. There were waaaaay too many exicted midgets in line.

And thus, the only reason he was there. Yi Jen Ro, father of the Sinaeis Garrick. The midget in question was in his arms, and they were at the front of the line, with one massive, fat assed "elf" lady blocking off the view of the fatman on the throne.

The adult seemed restless, shifting from left to right, trying to see what was ahead of the Fat Elf, now that they were ahead in line. The little Sinaeis in his arms was wide eyed, immitating the father, trying to get a look around that elf in the puke green and candystripes.

Finally, a flash, a click, the sound of booting some kid in the rear.

The Fat Elf stood aside... and finally Yi Jen Ro saw what they were waiting for.

"FATMAN!" he screamed out, taking two large steps quickly towards the Santa, one hand came up, and buried itself in the Santa's padded belly. Hard enough to get past the pillow and knock the air out of the mall Santa.

Even little Garrick got involved, leaning out towards the Fat Man and biting down on one of his hands that strayed too close.

"Your tyranny ends now!"

"OOOMPH!" The Mall Santa took another shot, this one to the chest. He fell off his throne, very slowly, curling up to protect his bruised torso. Only to get a shot to his ribs from a kick.

And once again, Garrick was in on it, little baby fists hammering away at the Red Suitted One's back.

It was about this time, the screaming, crying, and Child Horde that was behind the adult got his attention. That and the fat female elf calling in for "Security".

He gave the Santa one last kick to the ribs, picked up Garrick and the chase was on! With baby in his arms he booked it out of there. And gods, you'd think he ran competitively. No flailing about with his arms, no excessive strides, just nice and easy... and going really fast towards Mignon's general direction as his route of escape.

"Sorry!" Yi Jen Ro kept yelling as he bumped into people on his way. Thank the gods that Mignon stepped aside because he didnt' seem to be slowing down the least for any of them, trampling right over the old souls if necessary.

But, about 40 feet behind where Mignon was, he finally trampled over someone with a small box, and actually stopped. The box was open. New sneakers. He picked one up, left it seemed, and chucked it back the way he came.

...

Santa was just getting up, with the help of his elf. He was on his hands and knees when someone cried, "WATCH YOURSELF!"

A size 16 sneaker pegged his head, and Santa was down again.

Deed done, complete with a victory fist pump, he was off running again for the exit.

Mall Rentacop was following, though lagging behind and nearly out of breath.

You could never find a torch when you wanted one. The DARK ONE was back there! The FATMAN! And not a single firebrand in sight!

He grumbled in frustration, but discresion was the better part of Valor.

"Good job Garrick," he congratulated as he continued to run. The doors were right in sight. There was the parking lot, snow and ice. And not a single Rentacop in sight. They really needed to spend more time in the gym. Or better coordination.

Garrick seemed, very happy. Smiles, laughing, wiggling about, very restless, forcing Yi Jen Ro to slow down just a bit to get a better grip on him before they hit the door out.

He opened the door, to a blast of winter's touch. You'd think he'd be cold. Short sleeved white tee shirt, cotton pants, brown in color. No shoes. He didn't seem bothered in the least though. Not even a single shiver.

Hmm? Someone was following him. He stopped in the open door, watching that crazy girl running towards him... in heels? And he thought only Onii could manage that.

"The Fat Man, the Bringer of Famine and Darkness, Father of all Lies and Uncle of all Deciet," Yi Jen Ro answered slowly, watching Mignon very curiously, "Have you not heard of him and his servants?"

Garrick wiggled in Yi Jen Ro's arms, getting a better look at this little Mignon. He frowned at her, his mirth lost for the moment, crossing his chubby little arms over his chest as he leered.

""Uh... thank you," he muttered at the tail end of that weird compliment. Least, it sounded like a compliment to him. A little backhanded mayhaps. Those damned City People, lacking in education and manners. Maybe.

"Seems the kid doesn't like you..." he spoke up to break that logic circle he was falling into. Garrick was sitting up in the man's arm, still leering over at Mignon. Even doing a very exaggerated frown at her, almost comical, especially so with the effort he seemed to be putting into it with his chubby little cheeks.