Ameh continued to storm from a chair across the room. "She's either killed Cosima, or maybe she's found a magic source for making a double of her. Like what Tonya did with the double of NT she had magicked up, and there again, Miranda was in up to her lousy freaking neck!"
"Miranda's not a mage or a fairy, though, and I'm not sure vampires can make doubles. If they could, they wouldn't have to hunt and feed off real people now would they?" said Pippi.
"Miranda's not bright enough for that anyway." NT snarled.
"But she's always managed to latch on to people who were, or at least, capable of doing immense damage." said Pippi.
"this just isn't making sense!" Ameh pounded the arm rest.
"It does, if Cosima plans to fake Miranda out." Pippi said slyly. "I've seen Danae do it before, not to quite this extent, but, she has let an enemy think they had the upper hand, only to show them otherwise when the timing was right. If Cosima is that magically strong, that could explain her plea for forgiveness and about the cruelty we are enduring. At least - " she sighed, finally letting some emotion show, "That's what I'm hoping..."
"I hope you're right and she didn't just sicken and die because of me." Elsa said miserably.
Pippi went over and picked Elsa up, walking over to a chair and sitting down with her. "Whatever happened tonight has nothing to do with you, Elsa. If it is really her, the collapse could've been due to over-work, trying to get rid of bad magic, or whatever's out there, did the same to her - but until we know what's actually happened, you must never blame yourself and give that Miranda any sort of satisfaction...!" The sudden severe edge in Pippi's tone caused Elsa to shudder, and try hard to regain her composure. But Pippi held, rocked and comforted Elsa, who faired much better once her feelings of being somehow responsible for a death, finally abated.
Outside, Miranda continued celebrating until she was suddenly startled by something charging toward her and growling.
It was a lone wolf. Its hair stood on end, large, sharp teeth bared, and it headbutted her, knocking her to the ground.
Miranda had always been terrified of most animals, and apparently hadn't overcome this fear even when she had become a vampire.
The wolf pinned her under it, threatening to go for her throat.
In a desperate effort, Miranda shoved it aside, scrambled to her feet, and took to her heels, faster than she had ever run in her life. The wolf gave chase, snarling at her the whole time, until Miranda got into some thick trees where it couldn't follow. By then, Miranda had been chased clear off Santa's property.
Panting with fright, she waited among the trees until the wolf finally wandered out of sight.
Then, she resigned herself to going back to her special secret lair, away from here, where she could snack on another of her followers who had outlived his usefulness to her.
The wolf wandered around the perimeter of Santa's complex and meandered through it, sniffing around as if hunting for something.
The result was a man hiding in a makeshift shelter he'd put together from clothes and branches.
The wolf broke into it and chased him clear off the property.
It continued skulking around until it scared away two more of the enemy that had been hiding out. It had caught one man and was shot at by another. The shot missed, but forced it to give up its prey, though didn't prevent it from continuing to pursue first one and then the other. The men had to dodge falling icicles, climb over and through trees, watch out for slippery places, and when possible, run like heck until they made it to a better shelter, somewhere off Santa's property.
The wolf, outmaneuvered by the desperately frightened humans and shot at by one of them, gave up, and wandered away.
About a minute later, a fluffy black and white kitten came out from its hiding place among some low branches.
It scampered skittishly around, getting closer and closer to Santa's house.
Finally, it sat just outside the door and meowed loudly and incessantly to be let in.
Jessica heard it and put the pot of potatoes on the cupboard. Dinner was almost ready, but she knew no one was in a hurry to eat.
She walked out to the entrance, saying something about it probably being one of the elves' pets.
She opened the door and looked down. "What are you doing out there all alone, hm?"
The kitten bounded in with one of these purrow sounds cats sometimes make.
"Want something to eat?" Jessica grinned at it, and made her way back to the kitchen.
The kitten did not follow her, but ducked into the closet.
A moment later, Jessica heard footsteps coming down the hall and into the kitchen and turned to see who it was. She was expecting perhaps Pippi, Gretel, or one of the fairies.
She couldn't have been more astonished.
It was one of the fairies, just not one she was expecting to see alive.
"Cosima!?"
"I'm so sorry about this, but I had to make Miranda think I died." Cosima breathed in a rush, looking right at Jessica, but with the most sheepish expression on her face. "It'll probably get me on the Naughty List, and I wouldn't blame you guys for that.""
"Santa!" Jessica called. "Get in here!"
Cosima trembled, looking down. She didn't see the reassuring smile Jessica sent her.
Santa was coming back anyway, from making one of his rounds. Now he came into the kitchen, and stared in surprise for a moment.
Cosima looked timidly up at him, then lowered her gaze. "I'm really sorry about this and don't expect to stay on the Nice list after this - "
Santa approached Cosima, and put a hand on her trembling shoulder. "Shhh, I'm sure there's a good explanation, and it is a relief to see that you are okay. But what happened to you?"
Cosima swallowed and took a deep breath. "It's a long story."
"Come in, we're just getting dinner ready, and then you can tell us all what happened. Don't worry, Cosima," Santa assured, "I know you weren't trying to play a mean trick on us." He patted her shoulder and headed for the front room, motioning Cosima and Jessica to follow.
Cosima sighed with relief and followed them in.
Exclamations and squeals of excited relief and surprise from various friends greeted her.
Elsa waited until there was an opportunity, then she walked up to Cosima. "It's so good to have you back. I thought you'd sickened from complications from that drug and - you saved me back there." Elsa's chin quivered.
Cosima leaned forward from her chair and picked Elsa up to embrace her. "No, no, you're not responsible for anything Miranda did. I'm sorry this was so hard on you."
But a day with very little to eat, hours of fighting off a bad drug, undoing hexes and everything else had taken its toll on Cosima. Now seeing how much her friends cared, and Elsa's need for reassurance, Cosima couldn't keep dry-eyed. Finally, she said, "I wouldn't even be here right now if it wasn't for you. You ran for help, and it came in time."
There were a few more minutes of reuniting, some crying, and recovering, and then Jessica and Santa set the dinner table, and all present gathered around to eat, and listen to Cosima's story.
As soon as I was good for anything today, I went looking around this complex for hexes to undo. And I was sure were were more in the outbuildings. So much more than I'd been able to get around to yet, thanks to that blasted vamp and her wonder-drug." Cosima said sarcastically.
There were some grins and chuckles at this, and Cosima continued.
"I was almost finished de-hexing what could be found in this main building when I got an idea. If Miranda wants us injured and killed, I might as well feed her delusion that she has at least succeeded with me. If she thinks I'm dead, she'll get cocky and careless. I need to stay hidden from her until we can take her down. She's got at least three drones working for her, I chased the lot of them off this property just before getting back here, so they won't have spied and seen our reunion."
"Great." said NT.
"How did you do that if they think you're dead?" Gretel asked.
"turned myself into a wolf and ran 'em off. Nearly made a meal of Miranda, too. I almost could have at that point, if there'd been any time." Cosima scowled menacingly. "But I don't know if she's set anything under a timed hex that would go off as soon as she gets it in the neck. And I couldn't bear dragging this out for any of you, longer than necessary."
"So you were the little kitten I let in then," Jessica said with a smile.
Cosima nodded.
"Cute little thing too."
Cosima chuckled and grinned.
"And what about the body we all thought was you?" asked Santa.
"Ah, it was a broken toy I found lying on a table among some tools. Since I was going about here invisible anyway, it was no problem turning it into my likeness, having it walk outside, collapse in a drift where Miranda was sure to discover it,.""
"That had to be incredibly weird, though." said Gretel.
"Not as bad as being helpless with that fanged brat about to - " Cosima shuddered.
NT scowled.
Iris winsed. "Can hardly wait to clobber that factory reject."
"Now, Iris," said Santa with a grin, "that's not very nice,"
Iris grinned back. "She doesn't deserve nice."
"I agree." he said.
"G-day, mates!" an unfamiliar voice startled some of the guests sitting at the table. Apparently the speaker had come up very quietly or everyone was too deep within their own thoughts or conversation to hear any footsteps.
Santa looked around. "Oh, come on in!"
"Thank you."
A tall woman of medium build, with black hair and brown eyes stood in the entrance to the room. She was wearing a very pretty pink and white dress that made her look as if she should be part of a royal court.
"We're just having something to eat, please join us." Santa invited.
"Thanks." she replied, smiling, and making her way silently and gracefully to an empty seat next to Gretel.
"So, they let you come after all." Santa smiled.
"It wasn't easy convincing them, and then I was starting to wonder if it would happen at all." she replied, looking at Santa.
"Oh, I should introduce you." he said. "Everyone, this is - well, you'd know her best as the Sugar Plum Fairy," he explained.
The Sugar Plum Fairy chuckled and smiled. "Just call me Diane."
Oh cool!" Iris said, and introduced herself.
Everyone else followed suit.
"Did they get anyone to take your place at Nutcracker's court?" Santa asked.
"Carma Davis." the Sugar Plum Fairy replied.
"Ah," Santa smiled. "Good. That fairy will keep things jumping over there." Now, there are my new friends, and they've helped us out a lot since coming here." Santa explained to Diane the Sugar Plum Fairy what the situation was currently.
"Since this Miranda's such a drongo at anything but scheming up this evil,"
Diane's sentence was cut off by laughter, especially from NT and Gretel.
The Sugar Plum Fairy grinned and continued, "I'll go looking for whatever sources of power she's been using, objects, entities, you name it."
"we appreciate this, Diane." Santa said.
The meal continued with a mix of hope and anxiety, and despite appearing so formal, the Sugar Plum Fairy proved very approachable and chatty. She discussed plans, chit-chatted and laughed with the others and eventually someone asked her how she found out about Santa's situation and why the Nutcracker sent her instead of coming himself.
"Hmm, bit of a long story," the Sugar Plum Fairy began, "and I wouldn't be surprised if Nutcracker shows up yet. It's pretty much just a matter of when it's possible."
"We're listening," Ameh said curiously.
"Well, back in November, Santa contacted the prince, who told the whole court about these bizarre incidents. Nutcracker actually sent a platoon of toys to the North Pole to try and fight this menace, but they never returned. He probably only let them go because at least with toys there was a chance they could all get fixed. With someone like me, it's a whole different thing, and Nutcracker is very protective of anyone he cares about. I repeatedly said I'd like to go, and it took me threatening to leave his court altogether, never to come back, before he finally agreed. Even then, he had conditions. I could come here, only if and when someone in this complex played or listened to - well - my music theme, basically."
"The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy?" Elsa asked.
"Right." Diane replied. "In the mean time, I had to try finding someone else to take my place at the court. Luckily Carma is a good friend, has nothing planned for the holidays, and she's got a mega sweet tooth - so she'll be much better suited than me. But she's as outspoken as I am about the flaws in the system over there. And she's got a pretty wicked temper when it gets lost." She grinned. "Yeah, I think they need her there to shake things up a bit. So this magic music linkage is why I couldn't text or call you beforehand. I didn't know when it would happen, but am glad it finally did. Nutcracker has been making preparations to come himself, but there are some royals over there who, let's just say, aren't making it easy to just leave. With Carma there now, any trouble will be nipped smartly in the bud."
"How can a kingdom made of candy and full of dolls and toys be flawed?" Iris asked. "I'll bet it's wonderful over there, with hard candy steps, kool-aid pools, marshmallow couches with cookie backs - "
The Sugar Plum Fairy laughed. "You wouldn't happen to be related to Carma, would you?"
Iris grinned and shook her head.
"It's not as great as you might think. Not when you have to spend so much time there. And - it is a kingdom, not a democracy. Not a well-run one, either. Nutcracker and Clara Marie are nice people, but Princess Pirlipat isn't and neither is her father, the real clout behind the Candy Kingdom as well as his own. Candy's an outgrowth of that one. But I'm rambling - my bad."
"So, you're probably sick of sweets?" Ameh asked.
"Just a bit."
Some people got the distinct feeling the Sugar Plum Fairy was understating the case.
"Well, I'd rather have too many sweets than blood, even one time." NT stated. Her juxtaposition of sweets against blood accomplished two things. First, it brought about a collective recoiling reaction from others, then brought the subject of Miranda back to the table.
"Ugh. Good point." Diane said in a quiet, low, mysterious tone. "by the way, do any of you know what sort of vampire she is?"
"A bratty, sadistic one." Ameh said.
"Yes, but I mean, do you know if she's like Dracula, or the sort from Vampire Masquerade, or a Twi-pire?"
"I don't think she's a Twilight type vampire." said Jessica. "We haven't seen her come out during daylight hours. She always came by the workshops to visit the elves after dark."
"If she got vamped by Jacquan, her speciality is probably the ability to heal herself from injury, and bend the will of her prey to do everything she wants." said Cosima. Noticing concerned looks being exchanged by NT and Ameh, she said, "But Jacquan was a young mage before he'd become a vampire. Miranda wasn't. Any magic she might do herself probably comes from books, incantations, charms etc. and learning from Jacquan."
"Probably all really self-serving stuff too." said Bethan.
"No doubt." Cosima sneered.
"well, the main thing is that if she isn't a Twi-pire, it means we're safe from her during the day. But what to do about her - " The Sugar Plum fairy said thoughtfully.
"I wouldn't have any problem ending her if I knew which method to use." Cosima said bluntly, "but first I'd like to be sure all her hexes are nixed. She's shallow and airheaded when it comes to a lot of things, but she's got her father's head for thinking up evil. She's a bottomless pit of gimme gimme, and vengeance when she doesn't get. She's obviously been working on this for a long time." I wouldn't put it past her to take some poor innocent person and bind their life to her so that if she was ended, they would be as well. And hex things around here to go off and hurt or kill us too."
"She's done it." NT said.
"What?" Cosima stared at NT.
All eyes were on NT now.
"I went back home, and checked out Rebekah's and found Miranda had hexes set to kill her."
"Her own mother?" Pippi gaped. NT hadn't filled them in on this yet.
"Yes." said NT grimly. "I took care of it though."
even for a vampire, she is incredibly evil." Diane said darkly. "We have yet to find out if she is the only vampire or if she's working with another's power."
So, plans were discussed and settled upon for the next day, and everyone retired for the night.
Diane was given a room next to Pippi's and NT's.
After helping with the dishes, Diane went and changed from court clothes and into a warm pair of pants, a sweatshirt. She intended to be up for quite some time.
And she would be. It was going to be an eventful night.
--