by Sable Sylvan
“The other tag,” said Krampus. “On the hat.”
Underneath the teeny hat on the ring box, there was indeed another tag…reading, ‘To Noel, From Connor.’
“I don’t…but…she’s not…” started Connor.
“Boy, if I’ve learned anything during my time at The North Pole, it’s this. There are two things that are never wrong – Fate, and Christmas magic,” said Krampus. “That right there? That’s proof that Fate and Christmas magic, well, they might just be the same damn thing.”
“Hey, Noel, you coming?” asked Gilliam, knocking on Noel’s door.
“No – I’m, uh, not feeling well,” said Noel.
“You sure? You were fine when we were making those paper snowflakes. The seven of us are going to that party – we can definitely squeeze you in. Worst comes to worst, I stuff Cassius into the trunk and put Bastian in the spare tire holster,” joked Finn, who was with Gilliam, outside Noel’s bedroom door. The eight siblings had hung out at Noel’s rental all day, and now, it was time for the party Avery had mentioned.
“I’m all good,” said Noel, coming up to the door and pulling it open. Noel was in her pajamas – snow bunny slippers and all.
“Shit, you do look sick,” said Gilliam. “Follow my finger.”
“It’s just a cold,” said Noel.
“Your face is all red, and there’s a pile of tissues back there,” observed Finn, before putting the back of his hand to Noel’s forehead. “You don’t have a temperature. Either this is one weird cold, or you’re going through some other shit.”
“If I were – and this isn’t me saying I am – then I wouldn’t want to talk about it right now,” said Noel. “That is to say if what you were saying was true – which, may I remind you, it is not – I would not want to talk this out.”
“If – and of course, I wouldn’t want to imply this is the case if it’s not – that was the case – again, not saying that it is – I would hope you would understand why we were concerned – not that we are,” said Finn.
Gilliam rolled his eyes. “You two have always been insufferable. Chica, it’s obvious something’s wrong. You wanna talk about it with us, or are we going to have to interrogate you like secret agents on a cable access crime show?”
“Meet me halfway – let me be miserable on Christmas Eve, and I’ll tell you guys all about what’s got me down in the dumps,” said Noel, before holding up a finger. “But! If I get bothered about this one more time tonight, then I’m going to flip my lid and call Granny Brown and tell her you are bothering me over nothing! And she’ll make you clean out her gross winter gutters!”
“Ugh, and she lives by that seagull preserve too,” said William, shaking out his hands. “Alright – we’ll give you space because it’s what you want, but, listen – I know you like to keep this shit bottled up. I know that sometimes, seven older brothers, seven older shifters, can be a lot, but, you gotta remember – we love you, we’re here for you, and if you need us, we’re just a text message away. Even though we’re getting our fated mates, that doesn’t mean we won’t still love you. You will always be our sister.”
Outside of the house, a horn honked.
“Frikkin’ Cassius,” muttered Finn. “Knew I should’ve stuffed him in the trunk. Alright, Noel – we gotta bounce, but, you remember, you want us to pick you up and take you to this party, or come back early, you let us know. You know?”
“I know,” said Noel, bringing Finn and Gilliam in for a hug. “I just…I just need some space tonight, but tomorrow, we’ll have a ballin’ Christmas before we head back down home.”
“Comet, you grab this house,” ordered Santana, tossing Connor a sack. Santana continued to hand out hefty bags of parcels to the other reindeer before he leaped to another house to start the deliveries for that neighborhood.
Connor took the sack and walked to the chimney. Santana had gone over how to deliver presents during the training session, using a house near the tarmac set up especially for training purposes. The feeling of going down the chimney gave Connor the willies, but he had to do it – for Christmas.
Connor leaped down the chimney. He popped out the other side of the fireplace in a second, appearing in the living room of the large house.
Instead of hearing the sound of caroling, Connor heard deep voices bellowing, “Chug, chug, chug!”
Connor looked around. The Christmas party at the house was by no means a dry party. There were a series of men chugging eggnog from a beer funnel. Crushed cans of cranberry cider littered the room. Whoever these guys were, they knew how to throw a party.
“Hey, it’s that guy!” said a voice.
Connor turned. There was a familiar looking man, wearing an ugly Christmas sweater and a Santa hat.
“Hey, bro,” said Connor. “Just here to drop off the goods.”
“Guys! This is that bear I was telling you about!” said the man.
“I’m sorry, do I know you from somewhere?” asked Connor.
“You don’t recognize my boyfriend?” asked the man who had been chugging, wiping his mouth clean. “He’s the one who gave you that clean set of clothes at the park the other day!”
“Oh, that was you two,” said Connor.
“Yeah, because we left them behind to go caroling,” said another man, kissing the man who had been chugging on the cheek.
“Wait…I thought those two were…” started Connor, motioning behind the man who had been chugging eggnog and the man in the ugly sweater.
“We, uh…have a unique situation,” said the man holding the beer funnel, as the man in the ugly sweater came over to him. The man with the tube gave the man in the ugly sweater a kiss on the forehead.
“I’ll just say this – the only thing we love more than Christmas might just be each other,” said one of the men who was sitting on a ratty couch.
“Oh,” said Connor. “I see.”
“Harem, ménage, polyamory – whatever you wanna call it, we’re doing it, and apparently, not hard enough,” said another man in an armchair, sipping what looked like candy cane flavored malt liquor.
“What do you mean?” asked Connor.
“Well, apparently, we’re getting presents this year, which means we didn’t get on The Naughty List,” said the man in the sweater.
“You know about The Naughty List?” asked Connor.
“You don’t live in The Wreath without picking up on a few things – at least, not if you live in the Chi Mu Alpha Sigma house,” said the man with the funnel.
“The what?” asked Connor.
“Chi Mu Alpha Sigma,” repeated the man with the funnel, pointing to a large set of letters over the mantle, which read ‘XMAS’ in Greek letters.
“You’re really all together?” asked Connor.
“That’s right,” said the man with the funnel. “Well, it’s complicated. Some of us are more open than others, but, this is what our family looks like, and it’s what works for us.”
“Comet!” bellowed a deep voice. “Comet?”
“Been a pleasure, and, uh, thanks for the clothes!” said Connor. “These presents must be for you all – have a Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas, Comet!” sang the members of the frat as Connor went back up the chimney.
“Hey,” said the man with the Christmas sweater. “You think Santana would mind if we opened one gift early?”
“Not at all,” said the man on the couch. “Go for it.”
The man in the Christmas sweater opened his substantial package. Inside, there were many pastel polos, all in his exact size.
“Christmas magic is real,” he whispered, tearing off his Christmas sweater so he could try on the new shirts.
“Damn right it is,” said the man who had been chugging eggnog, coming up behind his boyfriend to give him a smooch.
Noel looked at the note. She was just a phone call away from being at The North Pole, from seeing Connor – but did she really want to see him?
Noel and
Connor hadn’t talked about what would happen after Christmas. He probably didn’t know she would be leaving in the morning. She had no idea whether, tomorrow morning, he’d be working for Krampus, or back in Nuthusk, with his harem of seven women – and she still didn’t know if she wanted to join that harem.
Connor had been her first – her first kiss, and, the first man she’d fallen in love with. If being with Connor meant being with a shifter, a shifter with a harem of seven women, a harem he was fated to have, then, maybe, just maybe, true love could conquer all – even Noel’s apprehensions. After all, she was inexperienced. Who knew? Maybe this harem thing wasn’t so bad after all.
Noel had gone back and forth all day on the topic, not sure if she was really okay with being in a harem or not. The only thing she knew was that she wanted to be with Connor – and the only way she could get to him was by calling the number on the paper. Maybe, by talking to Connor, Noel could figure some things out – or perhaps, she’d just make them more complicated than they already were. There was only one way to find out, and it meant Noel would finally have to send the text she’d written and rewritten and erased over and over on her cell phone.
Connor hit the tarmac. As soon as he saw Prancer and Vixen shift, he turned, his human form tangling in the harness.
He sloughed off the harness and went through the crowd, looking for the elf he’d spotted from the sky. She was with some other elves, singing loudly, holding a cup of eggnog.
“Connor!” said Avery. “Everyone, this is Connor, and he was Comet this year!”
“Great job!” said one of Avery’s friend.
“Isn’t he just the cutest?” said Another.
“Avery, listen to me – where is Noel?” asked Connor.
“Not here,” said Avery.
“Not here?” asked Connor. “Do you know where she is?”
“If I had to guess, probably back home, at my rental unit,” said Avery. “Do you know where that is?”
“No,” said Connor.
“Here,” said Avery, pulling out her cell phone and showing Connor a map of The Wreath, with a pin marking her rental house. “You can’t miss it. This year, I put a giant glowing devil on it to piss off Krampus. What do you need with Noel anyway?”
“I need to handle this harem business,” said Connor, and, without another word, Connor started running.
“Wait!” said Avery, but it was too late. Connor had already shifted back into Comet.
Don’t you think you should hear what she has to say? Comet asked Connor.
There’s only one person whose opinion I care about – and that’s Noel, said Connor. I know a tiger can’t change its stripes, but I hope Noel believes that even a bad boy bear can change his ways.
Chapter Ten
Christmas Eve, 2011
Noel finally called the number. Nobody answers. Noel balled the note up and tossed it away.
The note was caught in mid-air by none other than Krampus. The Christmas demon was wearing a rather ugly Christmas sweater, patterned with demons wearing Santa hats. On his head was a Santa hat with a pair of plastic red devil horns sticking out from the white fur band around the base of the cap.
“Krampus?” asked Noel. “How did you get into my house?”
“You called me for a ride,” said Krampus. “Now, are we going or what?”
“I need to get changed,” said Noel. “I’m in pajamas.”
“Why didn’t you call me after you got changed?” asked Krampus. “I’ll wait in the living room.”
Noel quickly got changed into the only party clothes she had – a nice blouse and a cute skirt, with some tights and flats – and walked out to the living room.
“Is this okay?” asked Noel.
“As long as you aren’t planning to go on the tarmac,” said Krampus. “That’s where everyone is right now. The party’s nearly over.”
“Shit – what if I want to do that?” asked Noel.
“Then you’re fine,” said Krampus.
“Wait, what?” asked Noel. Krampus motioned over Noel. Noel looked down. She was wearing a pair of warm jeans, snow boots with wooly socks, a button-up long sleeve shirt, a warm sweater, and a vest with a fur-lined hood. Her other clothes were folded in a pile on the couch.
“Did you frikkin’ undress me?” hissed Noel.
“The magic did everything – in a literal instant,” said Krampus. “I saw nothing, nor did I want to. Now, are we going?”
“Well – “ started Noel, about to ask Krampus about Connor.
“Great,” said Krampus, interrupting Noel and taking his chain off. He tossed it in the air. A portal opened – right on the tarmac, where a crowd was gathered around the sleigh.
Noel stepped through the portal, followed by Krampus, who closed the portal shut behind him before putting his necklace back around his neck.
Noel peered around the cold tarmac. There was not a reindeer to be seen. People were singing songs, holding cups of hot cider and wassail and cocoa, but there were no reindeer.
“The Ride ended,” said Krampus. “The reindeer have all gone back to their homes, in the snow globes, until next year.”
“All?” asked Noel.
“Well, not quite all – I haven’t taken Comet back yet,” said Krampus. “You know – the reindeer Connor has?”
“Where is he?” asked Noel.
“So that’s why you wanted to come up here,” commented Krampus. “Come on. I’m sure Avery knows.”
“You can spot her here?” asked Noel.
“Of course I can,” said Krampus. Krampus led Noel through the crowd to Avery, who was singing loudly and off-key, drinking hot cocoa.
“Noel! You made it!” exclaimed Avery. “Krampus – thank you so much for bringing her.”
“You’re not driving home tonight, are you?” asked Krampus.
“Pfft – no. I rode with one of Noel’s brothers,” said Avery. “He’ll give me a ride back.”
“Uh…I think I should handle taking you and Noel home tonight,” said Krampus.
“Pssh – Krampus, you’re being too protective,” said Avery. “Be careful – someone might think you like me.”
Krampus’s face turned bright red.
“Are you drunk?” asked Noel.
“Not…exactly,” said Avery.
“How many cups?” asked Krampus.
“Six,” admitted Avery.
“Avery! That’s a lot for you!” hissed Krampus.
“Wait, so she’s not drunk, so what’s going on?” asked Noel.
“She had too much eggnog,” said Krampus, looking inside Avery’s cup and spotting the white foam and speckles of nutmeg.
“Oh, the rum,” commented Noel.
“Nope – plain old eggnog, on its own, gets a Christmas elf drunk,” explained Krampus.
“Avery…do you know where Connor went?” asked Noel.
“Home,” said Avery.
“He what?” asked Noel.
“He said he wanted to fly back,” said Avery. “You just missed him. He was here ten minutes ago! He said something about handling ‘harem’ business or something? I don’t know.”
“Ten minutes? I can still catch him,” said Noel.
“Yeah – I don’t think so,” said Krampus. “Look.” Krampus pointed toward the sky. Noel couldn’t see what Krampus was pointing at until it passed in front of the moon, which was nearly half-dark, half-light. Noel watched as the silhouette of a solitary reindeer flew away.
“Guess it wasn’t fated to be,” said Noel. “Alright, Krampus. Let me help you get Avery back to The Wreath – it’s the least I can do.”
“You don’t want to see your brothers?” asked Krampus.
“I’ll see them at home soon enough, but…I just want to go home right now,” said Noel, wiping her eyes.
“I understand,” said Krampus. “Avery! Come on! It’s time to go back home.”
“Fine, fine, one more cup,” said Avery.
“Here,” sai
d Krampus, filling Avery’s cup magically. By the time that Avery noticed that the container was filled with milk instead of eggnog, Krampus had already teleported Noel and Avery back to The Wreath.
Connor spotted the giant devil bobbing next to a giant snowman. The two inflatable decorations were well lit and sat on top of Avery’s rental house like a pair of wedding toppers. Connor landed outside of Noel’s place. He shifted and reached into his pocket. He pulled out the small box and knocked on the door.
Noel didn’t answer the door. One of the seven men in her harem did.
“Hey,” said Connor. “Is Noel available?”
“Nope,” said the man.
“Can I leave a message?” asked Connor.
“Nope,” said the man.
“Come on – we both want to make her happy,” said Connor.
“Look – the seven of us are protective of Noel,” said the man. “We know what makes her happy better than you do, because, unlike you, we listen to her and take her needs seriously. We have a bond you know nothing of. She told us she wants nothing to do with you, Connor, so I suggest you kindly fuck off. Merry Christmas.”
The man slammed the door on Connor. Connor knocked at the door again.
“I told you – Noel doesn’t want what you’re selling,” said the man. “You broke her heart, dude – try not to ruin her Christmas Eve too.”
The man slammed the door on Connor one last time. Connor held his fist up to knock on the door one more time but stopped himself.
Apparently, Noel didn’t want him – she’d told the members of her harem she didn’t want to see him. The man was right – the members of Noel’s harem knew her better than Connor. They had a special bond, a bond he didn’t have with her.
Connor stuffed the box back in his jacket pocket. He shifted and took off for Camp Kringle.
Krampus walked Noel home from Avery’s house. The pair walked through the quiet streets of The Wreath, from Avery’s place near the forest to Avery’s rental unit in town, which she’d leaned out to Noel for the holiday season, as was tradition for Avery and her temp workers. The snow fell lightly over the town, which was softly lit by the warm white, red, green, blue, and yellow Christmas lights hung by the townsfolk with care. Where the light ended, the forest and the lake began, the town of The Wreath sandwiched between the forest and the lake that shared its name.