A DISASTER MADE IN RED AND WHITE

Chapter 4: First Meetings

*Beep*

A ringtone was heard from Boss Santa's wristwatch. He lifted his hand and saw the delivered message. After it was read, his brows furrowed, making it seem like the news were probably not good. Before I could utter my complaints about the role, he opened his mouth.

΄΄I am sorry, but it seems that our meeting has to end here. Something else came up. I will send the additional information about the mission through Melissa΄΄. He pointed right at a door between his old wooden bookcases, which were filled with documents and ancient encyclopedias. ΄΄This door leads to the exit. Be careful walking up the stairs. They are quite complicated΄΄.

Right after he gave us his advice, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind only shiny yellow particles in the form of stars. I would never stop being amazed by Boss Santa's extraordinary magic, even though I have been witnessing it almost every day...and I was a magical creature myself. Now it was only the four of us in the silent office, still sitting awkwardly on the chairs.

΄΄Hello!΄΄

The sudden greeting ceased the silence. I turned my eyes to my left side and saw the elf with messy hair extending his hand at me. A look at his hand showed me his tiny wounds on his fingers and the bandages trying to hide them. He had a warm smile on his face, so big and bright that I couldn't help it but grin too. His jade eyes were slightly covered by his dark brown curls, which were at the length of his shoulders, and his skin was pale white, but had a small purple bruise on his forehead. He had probably gotten a nasty hit, while sliding down to Santa's office...

On the other hand, he wore the customary elf clothes, which were provided to all the elves working for Santa. A long dark green cap with a small golden bell in the edge, simple green shirt-pants combo and black pointy shoes. But the main differences to my clothes were his apron, which had some oil stains and multi-colored paint marks, and some stitches on part of his sleeves. There was a high chance of him working in the factory specializing in manufacturing and painting toys, since they were the only ones who daily had bandages and paint on them, due to the many incidents happening in there.

΄΄Hi! I'm No 1036, but you can call me Ari΄΄ I introduced myself, while shaking his hand.

΄΄I am No 578! My other name is Philippe. My friends call me Phil though, so feel free to call me that too! ΄΄ he greeted me enthusiastically. ΄΄Which station are you from? ΄΄

΄΄I work in Station D92΄΄ I answered him cautiously, considering my station's reputation.

΄΄OOOOH! Station D! So, you are in charge of house deliveries!? No wonder Boss Santa made you the Protector!! ΄΄ his eyes sparkled at the mention of my station and looked at me with a newfound awe. That face full of expectation and excitement to know more...I knew it well. After all, everyone who found out about my station had it, until it was crumpled to dust when they learnt the truth.

΄΄Y-yeah, you see...΄΄

΄΄Are you guys going to come or keep chatting there the whole night?΄΄

My words were cut off by a slightly deep voice. We turned our heads towards the door which was supposed to be the exit and saw the remaining two elves standing next to it, waiting for us.

One of them was a chubby girl with the same height as me. She also had white skin, but not as pale as Philippe's, a round face and rosy cheeks. Her body was covered from head to toe by a thick coat in the color of fallen leaves, hiding her hair under the cotton hood. Her feet were dressed with big black snow boots, perfect for the harsh weather in the North Pole. The way she was looking at the floor the whole time timidly and was fidgeting betrayed her shy nature.

The third elf, that was holding the door knob and was probably the one who shouted, was a man who seemed to be at his mid-thirties. His short straight hair was deep ocean blue, a wide contrast to his crystal silver eyes, and his body had the color of sand. He wore old hazard clothes, the same design as all the elven uniforms, but the green color seemed to have faded long ago. After further observation, he appeared to be a head taller than me. Honestly, he could be considered handsome...if it wasn't for his huge double scar, which was starting from his right cheek and finishing to his left eyebrow.

΄΄So? I have things to do, you know΄΄ the third elf impatiently talked to us again, furrowing his brows in frustration.

΄΄Ah, coming, coming!΄΄ Philippe quickly stood up and went to their direction with me following from behind him. He greeted the man the same way as he did to me.

΄΄Hello! I am No 578, but you can call me Phil! What's your name? ΄΄

The man stared at him for a moment, before he ignored him and opened the door with some force.

*Bang!*

The bookshelves shook from the impact and one of the books fell on the floor, but he didn't bother.

΄΄Follow me closely, if you don't want to get lost΄΄ He instructed, while walking ahead.

What a rude elf! We are going to be coworkers, so couldn't he be a little nicer!? I was ready to give him a piece of my mind, until I heard a pleading voice besides me, which sounded more like a whisper.

΄΄U-uhm, please-please don't mind Ryan...he isn't always like this΄΄ the girl spoke urgently, while holding at Philippe's sleeve and looking at him. With this action, I could finally see her eyes, which had a beautiful amber colour, reminding me of a sun illuminating its warmth from above during spring.

΄΄It's okay...I don't really mind΄΄ Philippe gave her a kind smile and reassured her, while scratching his head.

΄΄Well, you should! ΄΄ I complained. ΄΄He was really rude, regardless of not being his usual self. He must apologize to you!΄΄ I proclaimed and saw the girl bowing her head embarrassed.

΄΄No, Ari, I am truly fine!΄΄Philippe spoke, trying to ease the situation. Although it didn't have much effect, because the atmosphere felt heavy between us.

΄΄*Cough*A-anyways, how should we call you? ΄΄ Philippe changed the subject.

΄΄Oh, uhm, I am No 260...΄΄she answered weakly ΄΄...but I prefer the name Cassy΄΄

΄΄That's a very pretty name΄΄ Philippe praised her. ΄΄So, since we introduced each other, we should probably catch up with Ryan. I personally don't want to get lost΄΄ he reminded us.

΄΄Yeah...΄΄

΄΄S-sure΄΄

With this, we entered through the door, which automatically shat behind us.