Out of Season

Mischief is Key

"Mama, can you tell me a story?"
"Baby, what are you doing up so late? Shouldn't you be sleeping so Santa can come and give you presents?"
"I can't sleep, I'm tired but I just can't."
"Okay, I'll tell you the story my parents would tell me when we sat up and waited for Santa to leave presents."
"You've seen Santa!?"
"We'll, yes but it's been a long time since."
"What did he look like? Did he have an elf? Does he look like everyone says he does?"
"How about I tell you the story."

The young child nodded happily and her mother began, a smile present on her older face. The older children sleeping the night away, waiting to open the presents they've come to believe are left by their parents.

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Rese and Russle, the reigndeer twins were goofing around with their father, Myst. Their mother watched them, making sure not to annoy their friend, Nicole Claus. Due to her weak immune system she stayed near the fire place, her antlers frail to the touch. As she crocheted a hat for Nichole to give to Simon, his husband, there was a crash outside the kitchen door. She stood up and made her way to their back door, setting the hat on the living room table. She opened the door to find a small evergreen nymph sitting tangled in christmas lights, shading her pale skin in colorful lights. The twins' mother rushed over to her and started untagling her, bringing her inside to clean up scratches and bruises she may have. There weren't many, but it was still dangerous to not clean them due to infections. The mother's nimble fingers carfully worked to fix up the small girl.

"Hey sweety, my name is Julie, could I get your name?"
"Isabelle."

The older woman nodded and called her husband in. He entered the house, stomping the snow off his boots, and came to see what the trouble was. The older woman explained the situation and they talked about options, they don't have enough room to care for another child so the best option was to talk to Nicole.

"Must, I think it's best if we talk to Claus about this, he should know what to do."
"Alright, I'll take her tommorow, it's getting late right now. I'll start dinner if you'll call in the kids."

She nodded and called in the two playing reindeer kids. She giggled as the scrambled into the house, Russle trying not to get run over by his younger sister.

"WAIT UP RESE!"

She let out a loud giggle and tried to go even faster, crashing into the door frame. Her antlers took alot of the hit and it caused her dad to walk out of the kitchen. He sighed and started on dinner again. As the twins horse played their mother calmed them down and they finally noticed the young nymph on their couch.

"Rese and Russle Rudolph, sit on the couch before you go crashing through more things!"
"Yes ma'am."
"Okay mama."

The two 12 year olds sat on the couch across from the small girl. Her chin was burried in her scarf, avoiding the looks of the kids. After half an hour of cooking their father walked in and announced it was time to eat. The four reindeer and evergreen nymph entered the kitchen. They sat at their table and Myst placed the young nymph on a chair between the two adults. Rese tried continuously to talk to the younger child while Russle only gave a tiny wave, not presenting as much energy as his sister. The young Nymph gave a wave back and continued eating her potatoe and broccoli soup. After dinner the parents put their kids to rest and settled the small girl on one of their couches.

"Sorry sweetie, we would of let you sleep with one of the twins but Rese gets real fidgety at night and Russle is an older boy."
"It's okay Ma'am. Thank you for letting me stay."

The older woman nodded and felt slightly saddened at the thought of having to give her up. She would of loved to have a little girl again but she didn't have the energy to care for another child. Julie stood from the couch and walked up stairs to her and Myst's room. The two adults rested, preparing to see Nicole and Simon tommorow.

Early the next morning the two older Rudolphs were up and getting ready to meet with Nicole and his husband. Nicole is the next leader of The Pole and the son of Claus himself, his husband is the funniest and most random elf in the workshop. At any point he'll randomly sidetrack from a conversation and get to the point of wondering if humming birds actually hum or if life is a story that's retold with different characters.

"Alright, Russle, you're in charge. Keep your sister out of trouble and make sure that the house doesn't catch fire."

Russle nodded and Rese looked like she wanted to escape from something, but no one could tell what. The three left the house and made their way to meet up with the other couple. After five minutes of walking they arrived at a little shop run by elves and reindeer. Many myths were sprinkled about, even some from that seasons dropped by the shops when they were 'Out of Season'. This tearm is usually used for when spirits aren't working within their season. For example it's autumn now; so the summer, winter and spring season spirits are 'Out of Season'. Speakingg of spirits the three reached their meet up place to find Nicole messing with Simon and flicking at his pens every so often as he designed new toys. They sat down and Nicole started talking.

"Hey Ms Julie, Myst, how are things going with the twins?"
"They're doing fine Nic. Though they can be a handful. Just a few weeks ago they turned 12."
"I'm still so sorry we couldn't make it. My father had given me some news about the upcoming winter solstice. Enough about that, what's the pleasure of meeting you two here?"
"Nic, we need you to be serious about what we're about to tell you. This could cause some trouble if we're not careful around here."
"I can be serious Myst. What do you need to tell us?"
"Nic, honey, last night is was crocheting and heard a crash. I went outside and found this darling tangled in our lights. Her name is Isabelle, and she's a evergreen nymph."
"Holy peppermint sticks, that's not good. Simon, this isn't good."
"I'm aware Nicole, if you three don't mind I would like to talk with Isabelle."

The three nodded and Simon hopped from the chair thats backing was at chin level. He offered his hand to the young girl and she grabbed it, feeling safe enough with other people around to trust him. He lead her to a bench outside and gave her his pauncho to keep warm while they talked.

"I'm Simon Claus, but you can call me Si. Could I ask for your name?"
"Isabelle."
"Do you have a last name?"
"No sir."
"Do you mind if I ask some more personal questions?" The young girl shook her head, allowing him to continue.
"Do you have a parent or adult that cares for you?"
"No sir."
"Do you have a home to go back to?"
"What's a home?"
"Oh, sweetheart. One more question and then we can go back inside. Why are you here?" His face held sympathy for the smaller child.
"I was hungry and I saw the nice lady's house, it looked warm inside and I wanted to go in. I didn't want to be mean and go in so I sat in the snow. I tried to get up but I got caught in the lights after slipping." He nodded.
"How old are you sweetie?"
"11, why?"
"I just wanted to know so I could understand. Looks like I have more studying to do. Lets get you inside now."

She agreed and he lead her inside once again. Nicole and the two Reindeer had been talking as the other two were outside. Simon returned Isabelle and sat in his seat again, this time paying more attention then to his work.

"So Nicole, what should we do?"
"We will care for Isabelle until we either find her parents, or she is fullly grown. We can't have anything happening to her."
"You won't find my parents. It was only my mom but she left me awhile ago."

The three adults stopped talking to one another at the 11 year old's comment sat in an awkward silence.

"Well, how about we go and set up you room. I have a meeting with my dad in an hour and Simon needs to give his new designs to the board before getting to making the actual models."

Isabelle nodded and stood from her chair, struggling from the hieght difference. Simon and Nicole did the same, preparing to leave.they said their goodbyes and left. The five parted ways and went to their homes, new home in Isabelle's case.