'Til Death We'll Be Freezing

Chapter 3 - "We Need a Little Christmas"

❄️Song to listen to while reading❄️:
"My Old Santa Claus" -Sia
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A/N: Because this is such a huge part in the story (and movie), this chapter is kinda long! Grab some popcorn and settle in because this is where stuff starts to get good.

Santa's workshop was magnificent.

Work stations lined the center of the room in rows. Almost every single one Maylin looked at had someone working on it. Toys of all kinds were being constructed at each station. Toy trains, planes, even some toys that required more complex mechanics were being swiftly but skillfully built by elves. Conveyor belts ran up from those workstations to who knows where. The lights on the ceiling looked like fiery orbs that hung from glorious fixtures.

She was ushered to a different part of the workshop by Gary, though part of Maylin wished she had more time to look around. There were so many questions she had, though, she wasn't sure whom she would ask.

Maylin was taken to what looked to be a stable except it was very open. In the center of the room was a circle that looked like it could potentially lift up into the massive opening above it. In the opening, the ceiling looked to be made of ice.

There were other elves in the stables cleaning them and restocking hay and food, while others seemed to be waiting in anticipation. Oddly enough, there were no animals for them to take care of.

Maylin's moth was agape. Why hadn't she accepted the Legendary Figure's invitations? If she had known the north pole was this magnificent, she wouldn't have refused.

What if the rest of the Figure's headquarters are this cool? Maybe I'll have to start accepting their invitations. Maybe even-

"Pretty cool, huh?" A voice said with a chuckle.

Maylin's feet felt stuck in their place. That voice was all too familiar, yet it was a voice she shouldn't be hearing. Not in a million years.

"Bernard?" She mumbled, barely able to will herself to turn around.

Her mouth was dry; her muscles tense. He was supposed to be dead, just like the rest of her family and everyone she loved. She had no one left, yet he was here?

Bernard didn't seem to notice her shock, however, and just kept talking. "Sorry for sending for you on such short notice, I've heard you're hard to get a hold of?" He chuckled as he walked backwards, talking to her as if they were old pals, eventually turning around and looking up into the ceiling as if he too was waiting for something to happen.

"Whe-" Maylin stuttered. "Where have you-" she stopped herself trying to focus on the now. "What do you want from me?"

"We're welcoming a new Santa tonight." Bernard explained, "From what's been reported back, he's stubborn. Real hard headed. Thought he could use some reinforcement, y'know?" He stated nonchalantly. Too nonchalantly.

"So you drag me all the way from Antarctica on one of the busiest nights of the year to help with something I have no control over?" Maylin was finally coming to her senses and she was mad. Angry that Bernard was here somehow. Frustrated that she had potentially nothing to do with this new Santa and after tonight she would go home and act like nothing happened. Except, something did happen. Everything happened. Bernard was alive.

"Exactly." Bernard checked a watch in his hand and sighed, frustrated. Finally, he turned his attention back to her, "Gary told me what you said, and you do have something to do with this. Your and Santa's jobs are connected. If he can't do his, you can't do yours. I'm assuming it's in your best interest to get him to take the job willingly."