From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 14:25:58 EST
Roland laughed as he stood in the clearing next to the sleigh, listening to Nova recount the story of Rix's fall from the window. Rix was sitting on the sleigh, patiently waiting for Nova to walk behind one of the rockets in hopes he could set Nova on fire.
As the story drew to a close, Nova slapped his hands against his thighs. "Well, it's about that time," he said.
"It's still daylight," Roland said.
"Yup, but all we have to do is wait," Nova said.
"We might want to try figuring out how to make this thing fly," Rix said, gesturing to the sleigh beneath him.
"Nah, I already got that covered," Nova said.
Rix and Roland looked at each other.
"Guess we might as well get started. It'll probably take a while," Nova declared, looking up at the sky.
Two hours later, the trio found their way to the top of a cliff that was just barely taller than the trees of the forest it overlooked. Rix stared down at the trees, speechless. Roland made the sign of the protective horn over his heart, along with any other protective signs he could think of.
"This is beautiful," Nova said, looking out over the snow-covered trees.
"This is stupid," declared Rix.
Nova climbed aboard the sleigh. "Let's go for a test run," he said.
Roland and Rix stayed where they were.
"C'mon!"
No one moved.
"Fine. Burn up when I launch the rockets. See if I care," Nova declared, reaching for the ignition.
Roland climbed aboard, muttering about not liking to be set on fire. Rix remained.
"Are you coming or what?" Nova said to him.
"I'm trying to decide if burning to death is less painful than falling out of a sleigh."
"It's not," Roland said. Rix muttered and climbed aboard.
"All right! Everyone ready? Hold on!"
"Hold on to wha-* aiiiieeeeeee!" Rix screamed as the rockets flared to life and the sleigh shot out over the trees. For a moment, it appeared the sleigh would nosedive, but, with a lot of coaxing, Nova managed to level her off.
"Huh," Roland said, opening his eyes, almost surprised to be in one piece.
"See? Told you we could do it," Nova said, settling back in the driver's seat as the sleigh slithered out over the trees.
"Um," Roland said, "Think we lost some cargo."
Nova looked over his shoulder. "Oops."
The sleigh was parked back atop the cliff and Roland and Nova set off into the forest to find Rix. It wasn't very hard to do, as the curses were loud and the gaping hole in the forest canopy was a big clue as to what direction to head in. Nova and Roland came upon Rix sitting on a fallen tree, stringing together curses never before heard in that part of the forest.
Nova looked up at one of the trees that had been stripped of most of its branches on one side. "Well, at least we have proof you fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down," Nova said, only because it appeared Rix wasn't too seriously hurt.
"You scream like a girl," Roland said, beginning to chuckle.
Rix cursed at them both before saying, "Let's see what you sound like when you fall out of a speeding rocket-sleigh. Oh, and don't worry about me. I'm fine. A small woodland creature broke my fall," he said as he got up. "I'm going home."
"You can't quit now," Nova said. "All of the sacrifices are over. It's nothing but smooth sailing now. I'll even give you my share of the presents," Nova said, then added, "And we'll install a seatbelt for you!"
Rix stared for a long moment. "Fine. I hate you both, by the way."
"That's the Christmas spirit!" Nova said, leading the way back to the sleigh.
The bottomless sack of goodies was loaded onto the sleigh, though the trio didn't bother to check the list twice. It was only an hour until dusk ... and all there was left to do was wait.
"I'm bored," Nova said, tossing his "In Style: DoS" magazine into the back of the sleigh.
Roland and Rix looked up from their game of chess. "Me, too," they both said in unison as they threw the pieces and the board back into the bottomless sack.
The rocket sleigh shot out over the forest, diving and wheeling toward the city of RhyDin and into the Christmas Eve sunset.
Nova's Holiday One-shot
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From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:00:22 EST
"All right! I'd say it's time to start distributing Christmas Cheer!" Nova said. The stars and moon were shining brightly, and the snow covered rooftops awaited.
"Yay," Roland and Rix said, without enthusiasm.
The sleigh dove nimbly down toward the first roof on the outskirts of town.
(Author's Note: The following is an homage to one of the greatest writers of all time. Dr. Seuss, wherever you may be now, I hope you get a chuckle out of this. While it could never be close to your skill, I sure had fun trying)
"Who's first on the list," Verceterix did ask.
The magical scroll did shimmer and change
producing the name of the child whose house was in range
"Cindy-Loo," Nova replied, as he looked up from his task.
Rix shrugged and reached into the bag
and did pull out a present with tag
Nova looked at the gift then nodded and said "That's Cindy-Loo"
Roland seemed puzzled and did dare to ask: "Who?"
Nova did grin
And Rix did too
"Exactly," they said
And Verceterix did disappear from view.
Down the chimney he fell
And a splat he did make
Why, he smashed a damn Grinch
like a big, green pancake.
Rix dusted himself off
and looked down at the Grinch
who was now two sizes too small for even a finch
Throwing the present down beneath the tree
He jumped up the chimney in order to flee
And, just as the grinch had begun to stir
Rix ran to the sleigh like a red and green blur
Nova climbed behind the wheel
and rubber was peeled
From Nova: "See, one down already. This will be a cinch."
"Not exactly," said Rix, "I think I pissed off a grinch."
A big green creature rose up from the chute
Huffing and puffing and seeming quite brute
A bazooka he pulled, from his twisted backpack
And aimed at the sleigh like a person who lacked
Christmas spirit and all things quite dandy
Unfortunately for our heroes, with a bazooka, this Grinch was quite handy.
But, ascending the sky, the three men were in luck
The Grinch's bazooka misfired, and exploded right there in his hand
"Aw man, what the -=boom=-"
And his charred green body did fall down to the land.
"Merry Christmas," he croaked, as he laid in the snow
"I am only two," said Cindy-Loo, who stood staring at him like an innocent doe
And right then, the Grinch of RhyDin's heart, it did melt
Much like his cousin from Whoville, he felt
That Cindy-Loo Who, even relocated, was really quite cute
And, on that night, saved the whole land of RhyDin from a dangerous brute
(And not to mention, saved the task of our heroes
Who just couldn't have succeeded without a little help. Poor guys.)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:00:22 EST
"All right! I'd say it's time to start distributing Christmas Cheer!" Nova said. The stars and moon were shining brightly, and the snow covered rooftops awaited.
"Yay," Roland and Rix said, without enthusiasm.
The sleigh dove nimbly down toward the first roof on the outskirts of town.
(Author's Note: The following is an homage to one of the greatest writers of all time. Dr. Seuss, wherever you may be now, I hope you get a chuckle out of this. While it could never be close to your skill, I sure had fun trying)
"Who's first on the list," Verceterix did ask.
The magical scroll did shimmer and change
producing the name of the child whose house was in range
"Cindy-Loo," Nova replied, as he looked up from his task.
Rix shrugged and reached into the bag
and did pull out a present with tag
Nova looked at the gift then nodded and said "That's Cindy-Loo"
Roland seemed puzzled and did dare to ask: "Who?"
Nova did grin
And Rix did too
"Exactly," they said
And Verceterix did disappear from view.
Down the chimney he fell
And a splat he did make
Why, he smashed a damn Grinch
like a big, green pancake.
Rix dusted himself off
and looked down at the Grinch
who was now two sizes too small for even a finch
Throwing the present down beneath the tree
He jumped up the chimney in order to flee
And, just as the grinch had begun to stir
Rix ran to the sleigh like a red and green blur
Nova climbed behind the wheel
and rubber was peeled
From Nova: "See, one down already. This will be a cinch."
"Not exactly," said Rix, "I think I pissed off a grinch."
A big green creature rose up from the chute
Huffing and puffing and seeming quite brute
A bazooka he pulled, from his twisted backpack
And aimed at the sleigh like a person who lacked
Christmas spirit and all things quite dandy
Unfortunately for our heroes, with a bazooka, this Grinch was quite handy.
But, ascending the sky, the three men were in luck
The Grinch's bazooka misfired, and exploded right there in his hand
"Aw man, what the -=boom=-"
And his charred green body did fall down to the land.
"Merry Christmas," he croaked, as he laid in the snow
"I am only two," said Cindy-Loo, who stood staring at him like an innocent doe
And right then, the Grinch of RhyDin's heart, it did melt
Much like his cousin from Whoville, he felt
That Cindy-Loo Who, even relocated, was really quite cute
And, on that night, saved the whole land of RhyDin from a dangerous brute
(And not to mention, saved the task of our heroes
Who just couldn't have succeeded without a little help. Poor guys.)
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From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:02:00 EST
Nova looked over his shoulder, "What the heck was that?"
Roland replied: "I don't know. It sure wasn't a bat,"
Nova's hand snaked out to catch Roland on the back of the head. "Stop that."
Roland mumbled and sat back in his seat.
"All right. Now we've got that row of houses right there," Rix said, looking at the list and pointing down to more settlements on the outskirts of town. "Bunch of names coming up on this one."
Nova steered the sleigh down toward the houses as Roland and Rix elected their speedy friend to go down the chimneys on this run.
The first two houses passed without incident, and Nova emerged from both chimneys with cookies in hand. "I think I discovered a perk. They left cookies out with cute little pictures for Santa and all."
He took a while at the last house, causing Rix and Roland to exchange worried looks. Several moments later, Nova climbed shakily out of the chimney.
"What happened?" Roland said, looking at Nova's tattered clothes as Nova half-fell, half-climbed into the sleigh.
"Wolf. Big wolf. Ate my hat. Les go," Nova slurred, blinking his eyes slowly.
"'Bout time someone other than me took some damage," Rix said under his breath.
Roland climbed into the driver's seat and the sleigh sped off erratically.
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:02:00 EST
Nova looked over his shoulder, "What the heck was that?"
Roland replied: "I don't know. It sure wasn't a bat,"
Nova's hand snaked out to catch Roland on the back of the head. "Stop that."
Roland mumbled and sat back in his seat.
"All right. Now we've got that row of houses right there," Rix said, looking at the list and pointing down to more settlements on the outskirts of town. "Bunch of names coming up on this one."
Nova steered the sleigh down toward the houses as Roland and Rix elected their speedy friend to go down the chimneys on this run.
The first two houses passed without incident, and Nova emerged from both chimneys with cookies in hand. "I think I discovered a perk. They left cookies out with cute little pictures for Santa and all."
He took a while at the last house, causing Rix and Roland to exchange worried looks. Several moments later, Nova climbed shakily out of the chimney.
"What happened?" Roland said, looking at Nova's tattered clothes as Nova half-fell, half-climbed into the sleigh.
"Wolf. Big wolf. Ate my hat. Les go," Nova slurred, blinking his eyes slowly.
"'Bout time someone other than me took some damage," Rix said under his breath.
Roland climbed into the driver's seat and the sleigh sped off erratically.
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From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:03:34 EST
The runners clipped the topped of the next roof, causing a few shingles to dislodge, but otherwise the sleigh landed safely with Roland behind the wheel. Nova and Rix climbed out.
"We'll take this one. You take the next one," Nova said, Roland nodded and the sleigh sped off to the next house not too far away.
"Well, you take this one," Nova said, correcting himself and shoving the not-so-delicately wrapped gifts at Rix.
Rix eyed the chimney and the smoke lazily spiraling out from it. "Um, doesn't the smoke mean there's a fire down there?" Rix asked.
"The fire must be out by now. They can't keep it burning all night," was the reply.
"Well, maybe we should come back. That smoke is awful thick for a dead fire."
"Don't be silly. We can't keep doubling back all night. I'll take this one if you want, but you have to help Roland over there," Nova said, pointing across the fifty foot gap to the roof of the next home. Roland waved at them before disappearing down the chimney.
"There's no way I'm jumping across that, I already fell twice today," Rix stated miserably.
"Then get down there," Nova said as he slapped Rix on the back. Cautiously, Rix lifted himself over the chimney opening, sputtering as the black smoke filled his nostrils.
"You owe me big for this."
"Yeah, yeah. Hurry up!" and, with a small push of encouragement from Nova, Rix was sent sliding down the chimney.
"Oh sweet heavenly father! It burns!" spouted from the chimney.
Nova leaned over the opening, cupping his hands to the sides of his mouth. "C'mon, Rixy! We don't have all night here!"
Moments later, Rix's head popped up through the opening in the chimney. Nova helped him clamber out. "I hope those kids don't mind slightly charred presents," Rix said, checking the seat of his pants to find them only slightly singed.
"Did you get the cookies?" Nova asked, looking for all the world like he was about to die from starvation.
"No, the cookies didn't cross my mind while I was on fire. Sorry," Rix muttered, "Can we go now?"
"Sure. Once Roland's done over there," just as Nova finished speaking, the sleigh came crashing through the chimney Rix had just evacuated.
"I guess you're done over there," Rix said to Roland.
"You know, they had a dog?" Roland said, climbing into the backseat so that Nova could take the wheel.
"Figures. You get a dog. I get a wolf," Nova muttered.
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:03:34 EST
The runners clipped the topped of the next roof, causing a few shingles to dislodge, but otherwise the sleigh landed safely with Roland behind the wheel. Nova and Rix climbed out.
"We'll take this one. You take the next one," Nova said, Roland nodded and the sleigh sped off to the next house not too far away.
"Well, you take this one," Nova said, correcting himself and shoving the not-so-delicately wrapped gifts at Rix.
Rix eyed the chimney and the smoke lazily spiraling out from it. "Um, doesn't the smoke mean there's a fire down there?" Rix asked.
"The fire must be out by now. They can't keep it burning all night," was the reply.
"Well, maybe we should come back. That smoke is awful thick for a dead fire."
"Don't be silly. We can't keep doubling back all night. I'll take this one if you want, but you have to help Roland over there," Nova said, pointing across the fifty foot gap to the roof of the next home. Roland waved at them before disappearing down the chimney.
"There's no way I'm jumping across that, I already fell twice today," Rix stated miserably.
"Then get down there," Nova said as he slapped Rix on the back. Cautiously, Rix lifted himself over the chimney opening, sputtering as the black smoke filled his nostrils.
"You owe me big for this."
"Yeah, yeah. Hurry up!" and, with a small push of encouragement from Nova, Rix was sent sliding down the chimney.
"Oh sweet heavenly father! It burns!" spouted from the chimney.
Nova leaned over the opening, cupping his hands to the sides of his mouth. "C'mon, Rixy! We don't have all night here!"
Moments later, Rix's head popped up through the opening in the chimney. Nova helped him clamber out. "I hope those kids don't mind slightly charred presents," Rix said, checking the seat of his pants to find them only slightly singed.
"Did you get the cookies?" Nova asked, looking for all the world like he was about to die from starvation.
"No, the cookies didn't cross my mind while I was on fire. Sorry," Rix muttered, "Can we go now?"
"Sure. Once Roland's done over there," just as Nova finished speaking, the sleigh came crashing through the chimney Rix had just evacuated.
"I guess you're done over there," Rix said to Roland.
"You know, they had a dog?" Roland said, climbing into the backseat so that Nova could take the wheel.
"Figures. You get a dog. I get a wolf," Nova muttered.
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From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:05:03 EST
Things went along nicely for a while. Rix and Roland traded places reading from the list and pulling the presents from the bottomless sack of goodies while Nova delivered them into the houses of RhyDin's inhabitants.
Rix snickered as he read from the list, scrolling it back and forth slightly to see the names nearby. "Ian isn't on this list," he said.
Nova laughed, pausing at a chimney. "Are you sure?"
"Yup. You've got MacKelley there. MacKill. MacLeod. No MacKenzie," the three of them snickered.
"I figured he'd at least get a load of coal," Roland said.
"Are you kidding? He'd probably put the coal between his cheeks and make diamonds out of it. Santa wouldn't do that," Nova said, shaking his head.
"Why would Ian want to eat coal? It doesn't taste very good," Roland said, more to himself than others.
Nova and Rix stared. Rix opened his mouth but Nova's hand clamped down over it. "I don't want to know," Nova said before disappearing down the chimney.
"Your turn on this one, Roland," Nova said, taking the list from him as Roland climbed out of the sleigh.
"All right, no problem. I want some cookies anyway," Roland said as Rix handed him the presents to be delivered.
The chimney was wide and Roland shot right down through it.
"Oof! -=cough=-" his voice echoed up.
"Huh? Ram-ses Man?" came another voice.
"Aiiie!" the shrill cry followed.
"Sorry, sorry! I didn't see anything, I swear!" could be heard down below. Moments later Roland poked his head through the chimney opening, throwing the presents back toward Nova. "I think they already got a present this year. At least he did," he grumbled as Rix pulled him out of the chimney.
"Eww," the three of them shuddered in unison and hurried back onto the sleigh.
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:05:03 EST
Things went along nicely for a while. Rix and Roland traded places reading from the list and pulling the presents from the bottomless sack of goodies while Nova delivered them into the houses of RhyDin's inhabitants.
Rix snickered as he read from the list, scrolling it back and forth slightly to see the names nearby. "Ian isn't on this list," he said.
Nova laughed, pausing at a chimney. "Are you sure?"
"Yup. You've got MacKelley there. MacKill. MacLeod. No MacKenzie," the three of them snickered.
"I figured he'd at least get a load of coal," Roland said.
"Are you kidding? He'd probably put the coal between his cheeks and make diamonds out of it. Santa wouldn't do that," Nova said, shaking his head.
"Why would Ian want to eat coal? It doesn't taste very good," Roland said, more to himself than others.
Nova and Rix stared. Rix opened his mouth but Nova's hand clamped down over it. "I don't want to know," Nova said before disappearing down the chimney.
"Your turn on this one, Roland," Nova said, taking the list from him as Roland climbed out of the sleigh.
"All right, no problem. I want some cookies anyway," Roland said as Rix handed him the presents to be delivered.
The chimney was wide and Roland shot right down through it.
"Oof! -=cough=-" his voice echoed up.
"Huh? Ram-ses Man?" came another voice.
"Aiiie!" the shrill cry followed.
"Sorry, sorry! I didn't see anything, I swear!" could be heard down below. Moments later Roland poked his head through the chimney opening, throwing the presents back toward Nova. "I think they already got a present this year. At least he did," he grumbled as Rix pulled him out of the chimney.
"Eww," the three of them shuddered in unison and hurried back onto the sleigh.
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From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:06:34 EST
"Next!" Nova called as he hopped out of the sleigh.
"Huffah, James," Rix declared as Roland struggled to get the gift out of the bag.
"This is heavy," Roland grunted, finally extracting a gray sack from the gift bag.
Nova took it from him, "To Jimmy. Love Santa," he said, reading the card. "Yup. This must be it," Nova said, pausing only as he looked at the heavy bag. "This is just a bag of cement," he declared.
"Maybe Jimmy's in construction," Rix shrugged.
Nova shrugged as well.
"Wait," Roland said. "There's something else in here for Huffah," Roland stated as he struggled once more. After a few moments, a mounted horse head was removed.
"My God. That's hideous," Nova said, holding the bag of cement under one arm.
"To Jimmy. Love Santa," Roland said as he read from the card.
Nova shrugged as he took the horse head in his free hand, "To each their own," and he disappeared down the chimney.
Time passed, and the three Santas grew accustomed to their deliveries. Surprisingly, problems were few and far between and the night grew darker. Snow began to fall once again, insuring RhyDin would awaken to a freshly White Christmas (at least in this story). The cold didn't seem to bother anyone as there was plenty of warm milk and cookies to be had along the way.
As was now the routine, the sleigh stopped atop a house and Nova climbed out for his turn. Roland read from the list and Rix removed the unwrapped gifts.
"Uh ... this looks like a gun," Rix said, handing it to Nova, who only blinked in response.
Nova shrugged. "Maybe this guy's a cop," he said as he climbed into the chimney and disappeared.
Rix called down the chimney, "Hey, Nova! There's more for him in here!"
"Toss it down!" came Nova's voice.
Rix looked at Roland, "Give me a hand here," he said as he dragged the bag to the chimney.
"Head's up, Nova!" Rix called as Roland helped lift the bag to the chute, guns and ammo pouring out of the bag and down the chimney.
"Hey! Ow! Oof! God d-Ow! Freakin' Ow! Son of -=thud=-"
A few moments of silence passed.
"Anything else?" Nova called up icily. Rix and Roland shook the bag, a single bullet dropped down the chimney.
"Thank you!" Nova's voice lifted before lowering into incomprehensible muttering.
Just then, a shot rang out and Nova came flying up the chimney, a shotgun in his hands. "What is it with people shooting at me!?" he cried as he pumped the shotgun and fired down the chimney. "Merry Christmas, ya ingrate!" he yelled as Rix and Roland leapt back onto the sleigh.
A neatly wrapped present came flying out of the chimney, narrowly missing Nova's head. "Ha! You missed! And we're keeping this!" Nova said.
Roland, who had caught the gift, stated plainly: "This is ticking," before handing the gift to Rix. Rix threw it at Nova. "We're not keeping this."
Nova dropped the gift and dove onto the sleigh, Roland ignited the rockets and the sleigh screamed off into the night long before the neatly wrapped bomb exploded.
"Must have been a patron of the Inn," Rix said, grinning at Nova.
It was Nova's turn for obscene hand gestures.
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:06:34 EST
"Next!" Nova called as he hopped out of the sleigh.
"Huffah, James," Rix declared as Roland struggled to get the gift out of the bag.
"This is heavy," Roland grunted, finally extracting a gray sack from the gift bag.
Nova took it from him, "To Jimmy. Love Santa," he said, reading the card. "Yup. This must be it," Nova said, pausing only as he looked at the heavy bag. "This is just a bag of cement," he declared.
"Maybe Jimmy's in construction," Rix shrugged.
Nova shrugged as well.
"Wait," Roland said. "There's something else in here for Huffah," Roland stated as he struggled once more. After a few moments, a mounted horse head was removed.
"My God. That's hideous," Nova said, holding the bag of cement under one arm.
"To Jimmy. Love Santa," Roland said as he read from the card.
Nova shrugged as he took the horse head in his free hand, "To each their own," and he disappeared down the chimney.
Time passed, and the three Santas grew accustomed to their deliveries. Surprisingly, problems were few and far between and the night grew darker. Snow began to fall once again, insuring RhyDin would awaken to a freshly White Christmas (at least in this story). The cold didn't seem to bother anyone as there was plenty of warm milk and cookies to be had along the way.
As was now the routine, the sleigh stopped atop a house and Nova climbed out for his turn. Roland read from the list and Rix removed the unwrapped gifts.
"Uh ... this looks like a gun," Rix said, handing it to Nova, who only blinked in response.
Nova shrugged. "Maybe this guy's a cop," he said as he climbed into the chimney and disappeared.
Rix called down the chimney, "Hey, Nova! There's more for him in here!"
"Toss it down!" came Nova's voice.
Rix looked at Roland, "Give me a hand here," he said as he dragged the bag to the chimney.
"Head's up, Nova!" Rix called as Roland helped lift the bag to the chute, guns and ammo pouring out of the bag and down the chimney.
"Hey! Ow! Oof! God d-Ow! Freakin' Ow! Son of -=thud=-"
A few moments of silence passed.
"Anything else?" Nova called up icily. Rix and Roland shook the bag, a single bullet dropped down the chimney.
"Thank you!" Nova's voice lifted before lowering into incomprehensible muttering.
Just then, a shot rang out and Nova came flying up the chimney, a shotgun in his hands. "What is it with people shooting at me!?" he cried as he pumped the shotgun and fired down the chimney. "Merry Christmas, ya ingrate!" he yelled as Rix and Roland leapt back onto the sleigh.
A neatly wrapped present came flying out of the chimney, narrowly missing Nova's head. "Ha! You missed! And we're keeping this!" Nova said.
Roland, who had caught the gift, stated plainly: "This is ticking," before handing the gift to Rix. Rix threw it at Nova. "We're not keeping this."
Nova dropped the gift and dove onto the sleigh, Roland ignited the rockets and the sleigh screamed off into the night long before the neatly wrapped bomb exploded.
"Must have been a patron of the Inn," Rix said, grinning at Nova.
It was Nova's turn for obscene hand gestures.
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From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:08:01 EST
"Next up: Maximius," Nova said before wrinkling his nose.
"The Roman?" Rix said as he got off the sleigh.
"I guess so," Nova said as Roland removed a teddy bear from the bag.
"Awwwwww," the three of them said in unison. The bear was handed over to Rix, who adjusted the little green and red bow that was tied around it.
"Something else," Roland said, pulling the tip of what appeared to be a sharp stick out of the bag.
"What is it with Santa and weapons?" Nova said.
"Are you kidding? We can't give this to him," Rix said, "He'll stab his own eye out."
"Hey, I'm not going to doubt Santa's wisdom now," Nova said, taking the javelin from Roland and pushing it at Rix.
"Even after his presents were used to shoot at you?" Roland put in.
"There's got to be a good reason for that," Nova shrugged.
"Like Santa's really a psychotic vampire that eats children instead of cookies when he delivers presents of death to unsuspecting RhyDin families," Roland suggested.
Nova and Rix stared at him.
"Well, I still say he'll stab his eye out," Rix said as he moved toward the chimney.
"Be careful you don't stab your eye out," Nova told Rix as he climbed back onto the sleigh.
Rix chuckled. "I know what I'm doing," he said as he dropped down the chimney.
Nova turned to Roland, "Three. Two," he began.
Rix's head popped back up from the chimney. "All set," he said, "The Roman's got a nice place."
Roland and Nova exchanged looks, clearly impressed that Rix managed to avoid impalement.
"Well, saddle up," Nova said, looking to the list as Roland began digging through the bag.
While they weren't looking, Rix half climbed out of the chimney, attempting to dislodge the javelin's point from the meat of his hind quarter. "Ow. Ow. Knew I should have dropped it with the point down," he whispered to himself as the javelin clattered back down the chimney.
Nova turned. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Rix said as he climbed aboard the sleigh, favoring his left rear panel as he sat.
The sleigh touched down on a familiar house. One we've seen many times before.
"Hey, this is my house," Rix said, looking down at the snow-covered shingles as if he could recognize them independently.
"Yup," Nova said, climbing off the sleigh.
Roland began removing presents from the bag, "To Ally," he said, handing a present to Nova.
"To Ally," Roland continued, handing over another present. "Ally. Ally. Ally. Ally," Roland said, handing over a package each time.
"God, this stuff is heavy," Nova said as he swayed toward the chimney.
"Ally. Ally. Aaaaaand. To Ally," Roland said, pulling a last little gift out of the bag and putting it on top of Nova's pile.
"What about me?" Rix said, opening the bag and looking into it.
"I guess you don't get anything," Roland said, snickering.
Nova laughed as he dropped down the chimney.
Roland was grinning at Rix. "Been a bad boy this year, haven't you?"
Rix gestured obscenely once again. "I'm not leaving until I get a present from Santa," he declared, climbing onto the sleigh and folding his arms in a huff.
Nova climbed out of the chimney and dusted himself off. "Ally's got a lot of presents down there," he said as he climbed onto the sleigh. "Nobody love you or somethin'?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Apparently not," Rix snorted as Roland continued to snicker.
The sleigh sped off to its next destination.
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:08:01 EST
"Next up: Maximius," Nova said before wrinkling his nose.
"The Roman?" Rix said as he got off the sleigh.
"I guess so," Nova said as Roland removed a teddy bear from the bag.
"Awwwwww," the three of them said in unison. The bear was handed over to Rix, who adjusted the little green and red bow that was tied around it.
"Something else," Roland said, pulling the tip of what appeared to be a sharp stick out of the bag.
"What is it with Santa and weapons?" Nova said.
"Are you kidding? We can't give this to him," Rix said, "He'll stab his own eye out."
"Hey, I'm not going to doubt Santa's wisdom now," Nova said, taking the javelin from Roland and pushing it at Rix.
"Even after his presents were used to shoot at you?" Roland put in.
"There's got to be a good reason for that," Nova shrugged.
"Like Santa's really a psychotic vampire that eats children instead of cookies when he delivers presents of death to unsuspecting RhyDin families," Roland suggested.
Nova and Rix stared at him.
"Well, I still say he'll stab his eye out," Rix said as he moved toward the chimney.
"Be careful you don't stab your eye out," Nova told Rix as he climbed back onto the sleigh.
Rix chuckled. "I know what I'm doing," he said as he dropped down the chimney.
Nova turned to Roland, "Three. Two," he began.
Rix's head popped back up from the chimney. "All set," he said, "The Roman's got a nice place."
Roland and Nova exchanged looks, clearly impressed that Rix managed to avoid impalement.
"Well, saddle up," Nova said, looking to the list as Roland began digging through the bag.
While they weren't looking, Rix half climbed out of the chimney, attempting to dislodge the javelin's point from the meat of his hind quarter. "Ow. Ow. Knew I should have dropped it with the point down," he whispered to himself as the javelin clattered back down the chimney.
Nova turned. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Rix said as he climbed aboard the sleigh, favoring his left rear panel as he sat.
The sleigh touched down on a familiar house. One we've seen many times before.
"Hey, this is my house," Rix said, looking down at the snow-covered shingles as if he could recognize them independently.
"Yup," Nova said, climbing off the sleigh.
Roland began removing presents from the bag, "To Ally," he said, handing a present to Nova.
"To Ally," Roland continued, handing over another present. "Ally. Ally. Ally. Ally," Roland said, handing over a package each time.
"God, this stuff is heavy," Nova said as he swayed toward the chimney.
"Ally. Ally. Aaaaaand. To Ally," Roland said, pulling a last little gift out of the bag and putting it on top of Nova's pile.
"What about me?" Rix said, opening the bag and looking into it.
"I guess you don't get anything," Roland said, snickering.
Nova laughed as he dropped down the chimney.
Roland was grinning at Rix. "Been a bad boy this year, haven't you?"
Rix gestured obscenely once again. "I'm not leaving until I get a present from Santa," he declared, climbing onto the sleigh and folding his arms in a huff.
Nova climbed out of the chimney and dusted himself off. "Ally's got a lot of presents down there," he said as he climbed onto the sleigh. "Nobody love you or somethin'?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Apparently not," Rix snorted as Roland continued to snicker.
The sleigh sped off to its next destination.
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From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:09:52 EST
"The Red Dragon Inn??" Nova said, standing on the roof of the building. "How are we going to get presents inside?"
"Yeah, I don't think they have a single tree for everyone that lives here," Rix said, pulling present after present out of the bag.
"Well, if we don't hurry up, we'll never get done," Roland said. "I don't think dawn is too far away, and we've still got a bunch of houses left after this," he added as he looked toward the pinkening horizon.
Nova picked up a large stack of gifts. "I'm not looking forward to waking up an irate godling," he said.
"Like I am," Rix put in as he lifted another stack.
"I'll come with you guys, there's a lot more in here," Roland said, hefting the bag to his shoulder and pocketing the list.
The three 'Santas' made their way down into the Inn.
The trio stood in the hallway of the first floor, listening to the raucous laughter below.
"Shouldn't these people be in bed," Rix muttered.
"There are always people in here," Nova said. "Let's just hope no one that's getting a present is actually awake.
"Why don't we just leave them in front of the doors?" Rix whispered as they came to the first door.
"People will just steal them. That's not Santa's way," Nova replied.
Across the hall, Roland was casually opening doors and leaving presents just inside each room. Nova and Rix looked at him. Nova tried the doorknob to his door, finding it locked.
"Roland!" Nova hissed, "How are you doing that?"
Roland paused, showing the hairpin he was using to jimmy the locks open. "Santa comes prepared," he said, winking.
"Great. Santa's breaking and entering now. Steals a sleighs Breaking and entering. Think we killed a grinch. We're going away for a long time, Nova," Rix said.
"Eh, they probably treat you better in the jails around here than they do on the streets anyway," Nova said seconds before an explosion shook the Inn. It came from just beyond the door Nova was standing before.
"What was that?!" Rix said aloud.
Nova shrugged as the door swung open to reveal a busty blonde woman with alabaster skin and long red hair. Her eyes were hidden behind sunglasses.
"Merry Christmas!" Nova said, grinning very brightly. Rix grinned brightly as well, nodding vehemently.
The woman walked off down the hall without so much as a second look.
"Hmph. Must have been a vampire," Nova muttered as he walked into the vacated room. "Woof. This guy got charred," he declared, coming upon an unrecognizable body.
"I guess we know what got blown up," Rix said.
"I'm sure he wasn't looking to go in that direction," Nova said, snickering as he dropped the present next to the body.
"What are you doing? The guy's dead. We should keep the present," Rix said.
"Coming back to life gift," Nova declared as he walked out of the room.
Rix looked at the body, then the gift. After a few moments of consideration, he picked up the present and tore open the lid.
"Bactine," Rix mumbled. "Figures."
Looking left, then right, Rix pocketed the Bactine, knowing he'd need it by the time the adventure was over.
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:09:52 EST
"The Red Dragon Inn??" Nova said, standing on the roof of the building. "How are we going to get presents inside?"
"Yeah, I don't think they have a single tree for everyone that lives here," Rix said, pulling present after present out of the bag.
"Well, if we don't hurry up, we'll never get done," Roland said. "I don't think dawn is too far away, and we've still got a bunch of houses left after this," he added as he looked toward the pinkening horizon.
Nova picked up a large stack of gifts. "I'm not looking forward to waking up an irate godling," he said.
"Like I am," Rix put in as he lifted another stack.
"I'll come with you guys, there's a lot more in here," Roland said, hefting the bag to his shoulder and pocketing the list.
The three 'Santas' made their way down into the Inn.
The trio stood in the hallway of the first floor, listening to the raucous laughter below.
"Shouldn't these people be in bed," Rix muttered.
"There are always people in here," Nova said. "Let's just hope no one that's getting a present is actually awake.
"Why don't we just leave them in front of the doors?" Rix whispered as they came to the first door.
"People will just steal them. That's not Santa's way," Nova replied.
Across the hall, Roland was casually opening doors and leaving presents just inside each room. Nova and Rix looked at him. Nova tried the doorknob to his door, finding it locked.
"Roland!" Nova hissed, "How are you doing that?"
Roland paused, showing the hairpin he was using to jimmy the locks open. "Santa comes prepared," he said, winking.
"Great. Santa's breaking and entering now. Steals a sleighs Breaking and entering. Think we killed a grinch. We're going away for a long time, Nova," Rix said.
"Eh, they probably treat you better in the jails around here than they do on the streets anyway," Nova said seconds before an explosion shook the Inn. It came from just beyond the door Nova was standing before.
"What was that?!" Rix said aloud.
Nova shrugged as the door swung open to reveal a busty blonde woman with alabaster skin and long red hair. Her eyes were hidden behind sunglasses.
"Merry Christmas!" Nova said, grinning very brightly. Rix grinned brightly as well, nodding vehemently.
The woman walked off down the hall without so much as a second look.
"Hmph. Must have been a vampire," Nova muttered as he walked into the vacated room. "Woof. This guy got charred," he declared, coming upon an unrecognizable body.
"I guess we know what got blown up," Rix said.
"I'm sure he wasn't looking to go in that direction," Nova said, snickering as he dropped the present next to the body.
"What are you doing? The guy's dead. We should keep the present," Rix said.
"Coming back to life gift," Nova declared as he walked out of the room.
Rix looked at the body, then the gift. After a few moments of consideration, he picked up the present and tore open the lid.
"Bactine," Rix mumbled. "Figures."
Looking left, then right, Rix pocketed the Bactine, knowing he'd need it by the time the adventure was over.
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From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:11:42 EST
Rix walked out to find Nova and Roland waiting for him.
"Are we done already?" he asked, blinking.
"Yeah," Nova said. "Most of the presents went to some guy on the forth floor. Some priest, I think. Didn't think the entire RDI had been good this year. What's next?"
"The Arena," Roland declared.
"This should be fun," Nova said, rolling his head slightly.
And they made their way to the basement.
Nova stood before the pile of poorly wrapped packages. "Is that all for the Arena?" he asked.
"Yup," Rix said. "Are we just going to leave them out?"
"I don't see any other choice," Nova said.
"We should just take them all," Roland put in.
"Hey, there's nothing left in the bag," Rix said, turning it upside.
"Hmmm ... the list just crumbled," Roland said, looking at the dust in his hand.
"Does the mean we're done?" Nova asked, looking into the bag himself.
"I guess so," Roland said.
"You gentlemen are done," came a voice. The trio turned to come face to face with Santa Claus and countless little elves.
"Santa!" Nova exclaimed once again.
"I've been watching you three. I've never laughed harder in all of my life. I decided that if the three of you can do this and survive, I can finish it off so that you boys can go home and enjoy your holiday," Santa said, holding his great big bowl full of jelly as he laughed.
"Do we get our presents now," Rix said, dubious.
"Of course! Elves!" Santa called, and the elves rushed forward with three wrapped boxes. Two of them were ornately wrapped, one was apparently wrapped by an armless blind man. The two nicely wrapped gifts were given to Nova and Roland, the poorly wrapped one was given to Rix.
Rix stared at his gift.
"Affirmative action," Santa explained the poor wrapping, "we had to hire blind elves. They've been getting much better lately," he said apologetically.
Rix ignored the explanation as he tore open the box.
"Heee-ey. Great. A new cap," Nova said without enthusiasm, looking at the red woolen cap, his finger poking through a hole in it. "And it's even got a hole in it, just like the one I lost to the wolf."
"That is the one you lost to the wolf. He passed it rather quickly," Santa said. The hat hit the floor immediately.
"Gee. Thanks, Santa," Nova said.
"Wow," from Roland. "A pair of underwear," he said as he held the underwear up by the waistband. "Thanks, Santa," Roland said, strolling way. "Probably been worn, too."
"COAL?!" Rix screamed. "I fall out of a sleigh. I get stabbed in the butt. I get spun around until I puke. I fall out a window. And I get COAL?!!?!? You ungrateful, fat, son of-" and Rix was restrained by Nova and Roland.
"Now, now, Verceterix. This is not the spirit of Christmas. I think you all learned a valuable lesson in friendship and understanding today. That is my gift to you," Santa said as his elves scurried up the stairs. "Thank you boys so very much for helping me this season." He said as he strolled out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good night!"
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:11:42 EST
Rix walked out to find Nova and Roland waiting for him.
"Are we done already?" he asked, blinking.
"Yeah," Nova said. "Most of the presents went to some guy on the forth floor. Some priest, I think. Didn't think the entire RDI had been good this year. What's next?"
"The Arena," Roland declared.
"This should be fun," Nova said, rolling his head slightly.
And they made their way to the basement.
Nova stood before the pile of poorly wrapped packages. "Is that all for the Arena?" he asked.
"Yup," Rix said. "Are we just going to leave them out?"
"I don't see any other choice," Nova said.
"We should just take them all," Roland put in.
"Hey, there's nothing left in the bag," Rix said, turning it upside.
"Hmmm ... the list just crumbled," Roland said, looking at the dust in his hand.
"Does the mean we're done?" Nova asked, looking into the bag himself.
"I guess so," Roland said.
"You gentlemen are done," came a voice. The trio turned to come face to face with Santa Claus and countless little elves.
"Santa!" Nova exclaimed once again.
"I've been watching you three. I've never laughed harder in all of my life. I decided that if the three of you can do this and survive, I can finish it off so that you boys can go home and enjoy your holiday," Santa said, holding his great big bowl full of jelly as he laughed.
"Do we get our presents now," Rix said, dubious.
"Of course! Elves!" Santa called, and the elves rushed forward with three wrapped boxes. Two of them were ornately wrapped, one was apparently wrapped by an armless blind man. The two nicely wrapped gifts were given to Nova and Roland, the poorly wrapped one was given to Rix.
Rix stared at his gift.
"Affirmative action," Santa explained the poor wrapping, "we had to hire blind elves. They've been getting much better lately," he said apologetically.
Rix ignored the explanation as he tore open the box.
"Heee-ey. Great. A new cap," Nova said without enthusiasm, looking at the red woolen cap, his finger poking through a hole in it. "And it's even got a hole in it, just like the one I lost to the wolf."
"That is the one you lost to the wolf. He passed it rather quickly," Santa said. The hat hit the floor immediately.
"Gee. Thanks, Santa," Nova said.
"Wow," from Roland. "A pair of underwear," he said as he held the underwear up by the waistband. "Thanks, Santa," Roland said, strolling way. "Probably been worn, too."
"COAL?!" Rix screamed. "I fall out of a sleigh. I get stabbed in the butt. I get spun around until I puke. I fall out a window. And I get COAL?!!?!? You ungrateful, fat, son of-" and Rix was restrained by Nova and Roland.
"Now, now, Verceterix. This is not the spirit of Christmas. I think you all learned a valuable lesson in friendship and understanding today. That is my gift to you," Santa said as his elves scurried up the stairs. "Thank you boys so very much for helping me this season." He said as he strolled out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good night!"
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From: novagreys@aol.com (Nova GreyS)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:16:34 EST
Rix muttered obscenities while Nova and Roland shrugged and offered each other the presents they had gotten.
"Underwear! Just what I always wanted! Thanks, Roland!" Nova exclaimed.
"A hat that's passed through a giant wolf! What a great gift, Nova!" Roland shouted.
Rix turned back to them, asking meekly. "Anyone want some coal? Nova? Roland?" he said as he held out the piece of coal to them.
"No thanks. I got what I wanted," Nova said, holding up the underwear by the waistband.
"Me too," Roland said, overly cheerful.
"Why are you two so happy?" Rix said.
Roland and Nova exchanged looks and began to snicker.
Out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, the trio raced up the stairs to see what was the matter. What to their wondering eyes should appear, but a crashed rocket-powered sleigh and a monsterous reindeer.
"Did you think you could escape me, Santa Claus?!" the reindeer screamed. He was wearing black with a white collar. "I knew I'd find you here in RhyDin!" gun fire erupted from the reindeer's pistols.
"What the-?" Rix said, still holding his piece of coal. "That thing shot down our sleigh ..." and then, as realization struck him, "while Santa was stealing it." He grinned brightly, almost forgetting the coal.
"That's Adolph, the Rogue Reindeer," Nova said. "He lives up on the forth floor of the Inn."
"Santa was good to him this year," Roland put in, grinning.
And the trio watched as the battle between Santa Claus and his elves and Adolph the Rogue Reindeer raged on into the early morning.
"Merry Christmas, guys," Nova said, looking to his friends.
Roland and Rix grinned. "Merry Christmas," they all said in turn as the three of them exchanged handshakes.
"Let's go open some real presents," Nova said as he began to walk away, stopping short as one of the rocket-powered cylinders came crashing down into the snow before him.
"Souvenir," Nova declared as he picked the cylinder out of the snow and shouldered it.
And the trio walked off into the sunrise, knowing RhyDin, for the most part, was a much happier place thanks to their efforts.
"You know," Rix said as they walked, "I'll bet we made a lot of people happy tonight. I guess I don't really need gifts to make me feel good. Maybe Santa was right."
"In that case, I'll keep the Ninja Beanie Power Burbles I got you," Nova said.
"You almost got me killed. You better give them to me," Rix said.
Roland and Nova snickered.
"Did anyone get MacKenzie anything? Feel kind of bad that Santa didn't give him anything," Roland asked out of the blue.
"Nope," Rix said, "I didn't. Maybe he was Santa."
"I got him something," Nova said, holding up the underwear he had traded Roland for. "Going to wear them first, though," he added.
"Now that's the spirit of Christmas," Roland declared. And the three of them had a good laugh as they made their way home.
(Author's Note: I just wanted to thank everyone that took the time to post, IM, or e-mail telling me that they've enjoyed this holiday story. I hope each and every one of you got at least a small chuckle out of this effort, because I had a lot of fun writing it.
A special thanks to the players of Rix and Roland for allowing me to use their characters in this story. I greatly appreciate your trust in my handling your characters.
Merry Christmas, everyone! Have a safe and happy holiday!)
Date: 24 Dec 1999 20:16:34 EST
Rix muttered obscenities while Nova and Roland shrugged and offered each other the presents they had gotten.
"Underwear! Just what I always wanted! Thanks, Roland!" Nova exclaimed.
"A hat that's passed through a giant wolf! What a great gift, Nova!" Roland shouted.
Rix turned back to them, asking meekly. "Anyone want some coal? Nova? Roland?" he said as he held out the piece of coal to them.
"No thanks. I got what I wanted," Nova said, holding up the underwear by the waistband.
"Me too," Roland said, overly cheerful.
"Why are you two so happy?" Rix said.
Roland and Nova exchanged looks and began to snicker.
Out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, the trio raced up the stairs to see what was the matter. What to their wondering eyes should appear, but a crashed rocket-powered sleigh and a monsterous reindeer.
"Did you think you could escape me, Santa Claus?!" the reindeer screamed. He was wearing black with a white collar. "I knew I'd find you here in RhyDin!" gun fire erupted from the reindeer's pistols.
"What the-?" Rix said, still holding his piece of coal. "That thing shot down our sleigh ..." and then, as realization struck him, "while Santa was stealing it." He grinned brightly, almost forgetting the coal.
"That's Adolph, the Rogue Reindeer," Nova said. "He lives up on the forth floor of the Inn."
"Santa was good to him this year," Roland put in, grinning.
And the trio watched as the battle between Santa Claus and his elves and Adolph the Rogue Reindeer raged on into the early morning.
"Merry Christmas, guys," Nova said, looking to his friends.
Roland and Rix grinned. "Merry Christmas," they all said in turn as the three of them exchanged handshakes.
"Let's go open some real presents," Nova said as he began to walk away, stopping short as one of the rocket-powered cylinders came crashing down into the snow before him.
"Souvenir," Nova declared as he picked the cylinder out of the snow and shouldered it.
And the trio walked off into the sunrise, knowing RhyDin, for the most part, was a much happier place thanks to their efforts.
"You know," Rix said as they walked, "I'll bet we made a lot of people happy tonight. I guess I don't really need gifts to make me feel good. Maybe Santa was right."
"In that case, I'll keep the Ninja Beanie Power Burbles I got you," Nova said.
"You almost got me killed. You better give them to me," Rix said.
Roland and Nova snickered.
"Did anyone get MacKenzie anything? Feel kind of bad that Santa didn't give him anything," Roland asked out of the blue.
"Nope," Rix said, "I didn't. Maybe he was Santa."
"I got him something," Nova said, holding up the underwear he had traded Roland for. "Going to wear them first, though," he added.
"Now that's the spirit of Christmas," Roland declared. And the three of them had a good laugh as they made their way home.
(Author's Note: I just wanted to thank everyone that took the time to post, IM, or e-mail telling me that they've enjoyed this holiday story. I hope each and every one of you got at least a small chuckle out of this effort, because I had a lot of fun writing it.
A special thanks to the players of Rix and Roland for allowing me to use their characters in this story. I greatly appreciate your trust in my handling your characters.
Merry Christmas, everyone! Have a safe and happy holiday!)