{"id":1844,"date":"2017-12-03T12:15:14","date_gmt":"2017-12-03T17:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1844"},"modified":"2017-12-03T12:15:14","modified_gmt":"2017-12-03T17:15:14","slug":"advent-december-3-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1844","title":{"rendered":"(advent) December 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sunday, December 3<\/p>\n

When they came into the tea room that afternoon, Lily, Kaylee and Jack found Gideon and Schrodinger waiting for them. But no Zoey or Aurora.<\/p>\n

\u201cZoey will be here in a bit,\u201d Molly told them. \u201cShe\u2019s running a little late, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh good,\u201d Lily said. \u201cI was worried that she was sick. She wasn\u2019t feeling well the other day, she said.\u201d<\/p>\n

She has a cold,<\/em> Schrodinger confirmed. So we all have to be careful that we don\u2019t catch it. <\/em>\u00a0He looked at them. We can\u2019t afford to be sick now!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAgreed,\u201d Gideon said. \u201cWhat are we doing today, Lily?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lily pulled out the notebook and opened it to the page. \u201cWe hadn\u2019t decided yet,\u201d she said. \u201cWe still have some decorating to do for Aunt Margie, but we also wanted to see if we could talk to some of the folks on our list. It\u2019s nice out, so we might want to do that instead, and finish up the decorating for Aunt Margie tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat might not be a bad idea,\u201d Molly said. \u201cEspecially since I happen to know that a certain friend of yours is in town today and might be willing to take you in his sleigh, so you don\u2019t have to walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOld Man Winter?\u201d Kaylee asked. Her face fell when Molly shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho else has a sleigh you love?\u201d Molly said, grinning.<\/p>\n

Pavel!<\/em> Schrodinger and Jack said together, and the hound added, Has Pavel come back, Molly?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe called last night!\u201d she said. \u201cThe ship came in yesterday, and he said he\u2019s coming to the shop today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pavel Chekhov was the flamboyant captain of The Heart\u2019s Desire<\/em>, one of the most famous sailing ships in the Realms. While others called him a pirate, Schrodinger knew the truth: he worked for the Snow Queen. He was also an old friend of Drew\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cPavel? Is Pavel coming?\u201d Zoey had come in while they were dancing around excitedly. \u201cYay! Pavel has the best presents!\u201d<\/p>\n

No, Santa has the best presents,<\/em> Schrodinger said. But Pavel is pretty good too!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do you really think he\u2019ll have stuff for us?<\/em> Aurora said, bouncing up and down. The little Husky seemed to have springs in her legs.<\/p>\n

He always does!<\/em> Jack said, wagging his tail.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you can go out into the tea room and lie in wait for him,\u201d Molly said, laughing. \u201cAnd don\u2019t forget that next Saturday is the bake sale! I\u2019ll need you then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Sunday is when Santa comes!\u201d Lily said, nodding. \u201cThey\u2019re already in my list. Today we just have to schedule everything else.\u201d She squinted at her list. \u201cWell, except for the Snow Queen\u2019s Ball\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we get to go,\u201d her sister interrupted her.<\/p>\n

Lily waved that objection away with one hand. \u201cWe\u2019ll get to go,\u201d she said. \u201cI know we will. And of course, we can\u2019t do anything Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have helping me with putting together gingerbread houses on there?\u201d Molly asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes! Do you know when you want to do that?\u201d Lily said.<\/p>\n

Molly paused, thinking, and then looked at her calendar on the wall. \u201cI think we\u2019ll have to deliver them on the Wednesday before Christmas,\u201d she said finally. \u201cAnd you guys are out of school that week, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Gideon said. \u201cThat\u2019s winter break.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo why don\u2019t you pencil me in for that Monday and Tuesday? And if you need to move me one of those days, or I don\u2019t need help, then we can cancel,\u201d Molly said.<\/p>\n

Lily wrote in her notebook, then looked up and grinned. \u201cAnd when do you need help with cookies?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever you can spare!\u201d Molly laughed. \u201cIt seems like I have more cookies to do every year!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because you\u2019re far too nice, and give them to everyone,\u201d another voice said, as Captain Pavel Chekhov swept through the front door. He was immediately swamped by all four children and three animals, and went down in a heap of squeals, barks, and tail waggings. Molly and DC both laughed until tears ran down their faces and they were clutching their sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp! Police! Mayhem! Someone!\u201d Pavel cried, and Molly heard the laughter in his voice. \u201cI\u2019m being kissed and loved to death!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to death! Then you won\u2019t bring us more presents!\u201d Gideon said indignantly, and that made Molly and DC laugh even harder. Pavel might have been in real trouble, but luckily Aunt Margie came down the stairs to investigate the commotion, and rescued him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is going on?\u201d she asked incredulously. \u201cLet him up immediately, you wild children! Where are your manners?\u201d And then, even more darkly (although Molly could see the twinkle in her eyes), she said, \u201cWhat would Santa think of you carrying on like this?\u201d<\/p>\n

That got them moving quickly off him. Pavel sat up and patted himself down, as if making sure he was still in one piece. Then he looked at the seven staring at him apprehensively as Aunt Margie went back upstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he assured them. \u201cSanta understands that I haven\u2019t seen you in nearly three months, and it was excitement. Would you like to see what I\u2019ve brought with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

The chorus nearly knocked him back over again just from the sound. Molly, finally getting herself under control, waded in and offered him a hand up, but he refused. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he said, standing and brushing off his big black coat. \u201cAnd nothing was damaged.\u201d<\/p>\n

From a hidden inner pocket, Pavel pulled out a soft bag. He opened it and gave Lily, Kaylee, Gideon, and Zoey small pouches of velvet. For Schrodinger, Jack, and Aurora, there were larger packages that he placed in front of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, how pretty!\u201d Kaylee said, holding up a pendant on a long silver chain. The focal point was a shell, gilded with silver and sparkling in the light. Lily and Zoey had similar ones, and they all put them on.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent!\u201d Gideon said, proudly displaying the pocket watch he had discovered in his pouch. \u201cA watch of my very own!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat never needs to be wound, and automatically will adjust to whatever Realm you are in,\u201d Pavel told him. \u201cAnd your necklaces are special too,\u201d he said, turning to the girls. \u201cIf you hold them in your hand, the pointed end will always point to the nearest Sea Road.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWow!\u201d Zoey said, holding hers on her hand. True to his word, the shell spun and pointed towards the harbor. \u201cWhat a cool present! Where did you find them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt a bazaar in a small seaport that the Snow Queen sent me to,\u201d Pavel said.<\/p>\n

Excellent!<\/em> Schrodinger said, echoing Gideon. Molly looked to see what they had gotten. Schrodinger was already leafing through the book that Pavel had given him, and she caught a glimpse of feline shapes. A history of the CrossCats at the last Council! This is amazing!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Librarian had mentioned to me you were looking for it,\u201d Pavel said, stroking his luxurious mustache. \u201cIt\u2019s a rare find.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indeed! This is priceless!<\/em> Schrodinger looked up with awe in his green eyes. Thank you, my friend! I shall treasure this!<\/em><\/p>\n

Jack had discovered a coat in his package, and Pavel explained, \u201cIt\u2019s self-heating. You just have to think about where you want the heat to go. Molly had said you were having issues with arthritis, and I thought you would enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh yes,<\/em> Jack agreed. I\u2019m not as young as I used to be.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNone of us are,\u201d Pavel said, chuckling a little.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t understand,<\/em> Aurora said, cocking her head at the gift she had unwrapped. What is it?<\/em><\/p>\n

There was always one gift of Pavel\u2019s that was obscure, Molly remembered. This time, the young Husky had received it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were the hardest to shop for,\u201d Pavel admitted, kneeling down next to the shapeless bundle. \u201cI wanted to get something that you and Zoey could use together. Then a shopkeeper showed met this.\u201d He tugged on one corner that seemed to hang out, and the entire package began to shake. Aurora backed up a little bit and then barked in joy.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a CAVE!<\/em><\/p>\n

It was. As they watched, the structure grew and solidified into a tent-like structure, not very tall or wide. \u201cIt\u2019s a special tent that will withstand the cold and wet,\u201d Pavel told her. \u201cAnd it may not look very big here, but once you get inside, there\u2019s enough room for both of you to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aurora poked her head inside the door. And it\u2019s WARM!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>\u201cIt is,\u201d Pavel said. \u201cYou two should have fun with this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aurora backed out, waging her tail. We will!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Molly?\u201d Lily asked. \u201cDon\u2019t you have something for her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think I would forget Molly?\u201d Pavel said, looking slightly offended. \u201cPerish the thought!\u201d He pulled another package out of the hidden inner pocket, and handed it to her. \u201cYava sends his regards.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYava! You saw Yava? How is he?\u201d Molly quickly unwrapped the package, which contained blocks of finely-pressed tea.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs outrageous as ever,\u201d Pavel said, chuckling. \u201cHe sends his love, and wants to know when you will visit him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Has he finally settled down, then?<\/em> Schrodinger asked. Yava had been one of the first people he\u2019d met in Carter\u2019s Cove, back when he\u2019d first come to town, and the traveler had given him a ride to CrossWinds Books.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs much as Yava ever will, yes,\u201d Pavel said. \u201cHe owns a tea shop in the port I told you I was at.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps after the season, we could go and visit him,\u201d Molly mused. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to see.\u201d Then she shook herself. \u201cDo you have anything else for me, before you steal away these rascals?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre they volunteering to be powder monkeys, then?\u201d Pavel asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but we are going to help around the town this month,\u201d Kaylee said. \u201cAnd we need to check in with some people. Do you have your sleigh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways,\u201d Pavel said. He pulled a large white envelope from another pocket and handed it to Molly. \u201cWhere are we going?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lily consulted her notebook. \u201cWe need to talk to Father Christopher,\u201d she said. \u201cThen off to the vet\u2019s, to the nursing home, and the Gate Station, to see where we can help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, and we were going to ask Katarina too!\u201d Kaylee added.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you are running me all over, then?\u201d Pavel winked at Molly. \u201cAnd then back here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, please,<\/em> Schrodinger said. Do you mind?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>The pirate captain shrugged. \u201cI had no plans today. I am at your disposal.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Don’t make plans for Thursday,” Molly said, looking up from the card that her envelope had contained. “Jade wants us all to come for tea.”<\/p>\n

“Oooh!” Lily said, writing that down in her notebook. “We have to make her something special, guys! She always does something so nice for us!”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Then why don’t you put me down for Wednesday after school, and we can decorate the rest of the cookies for the bake sale, and make a special treat to bring with us?” Molly suggested. “I’ll need help anyways.”<\/p>\n

Lily wrote that down too. “I’m going to make you and our folks a copy of this,” she explained to Molly. “So you’ll always know where we’re supposed to be.”<\/p>\n

Molly was impressed. “That’s a very good idea,” she said, and then glanced out of the front window. “It’s going to get dark early, remember. If you guys have a lot of stops to make, and it sounds like you do, I’d get moving.”<\/p>\n

<><><\/p>\n

It was cold and clear outside, with the sun shining brightly in a brittle blue sky that reminded Schrodinger of the candy Molly made sometimes to simulate water. He was seated on the driver’s seat next to Pavel, while the others were snuggled under blankets in the back. Pavel had a smaller sleigh than Doc Robbins or Old Man Winter, but Schrodinger was wearing his warm woolen coat, and didn’t mind.<\/p>\n

Besides, it gave him a chance to speak to Pavel privately.<\/p>\n

You’ve been gone a lot,<\/em> he said, not looking at the pirate. Are things okay?<\/em><\/p>\n

Pavel, although not everyone realized it, wasn’t actually a pirate. He was a privateer, serving the Snow Queen, and he had a letter of marque to prove it, should anyone stop him. Schrodinger knew that he was often gone on special missions for her.<\/p>\n

Now, the pirate captain sighed. It’s complicated,<\/em> he said mentally, and Schrodinger realized how tired Pavel looked. You know the Snow Queen is hosting a conference this December?<\/em><\/p>\n

Molly said so, but didn’t say why, <\/em>Schrodinger said.<\/p>\n

Molly probably doesn’t know why. Jade doesn’t like to spread trouble if she can help it.<\/em> Pavel twitched the reins a bit, and the black mare picked up her speed. The Parliament of the Realms is getting ready to re-affirm the Roads treaty, and there are some members who are contemplating removing Earth from voting membership, among other things.<\/em><\/p>\n

What?<\/em> Schrodinger looked at him, aghast. Why?<\/em><\/p>\n

The usual reasons,<\/em> Pavel said. Wars, old hatreds, rivalries. Because Jade holds the chair at this point, there are some who say she is being partisan. And that Earth was let in too soon the last time.<\/em> He paused, then added, There are even rumors that they want to call a new chair election.<\/em><\/p>\n

A revolt?<\/em> That was even more shocking. Against the Snow Queen?<\/em><\/p>\n

Between you and I, my friend, I wouldn’t be surprised if she wanted to step down, but she’s concerned about who might take over,<\/em> Pavel said. She’s been the chair for the last two hundred years. It might be time to let someone else do it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Schrodinger considered that. Who are the front runners?<\/em><\/p>\n

Depends on who you ask.<\/em> Pavel stopped the sleigh in front of The Vienna Lady’s Cafe. But she’s gathering the major players together for the last two weeks before the Ball at her castle, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were around the Cove a bit.<\/em><\/p>\n

Schrodinger looked at him sharply. Do you think she would use Molly to influence them?<\/em><\/p>\n

I think she is smart enough to use every weapon she has,<\/em> Pavel said. And Molly is a very potent weapon.<\/em> “Here we are,” he said out loud cheerily. “I shall wait here for you.”<\/p>\n

“Would you like something?” Kaylee asked, as they hopped down.<\/p>\n

“I wouldn’t say no,” Pavel said, grinning. “Surprise me.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Sunday, December 3 When they came into the tea room that afternoon, Lily, Kaylee and Jack found Gideon and Schrodinger waiting for them. But no Zoey or Aurora. \u201cZoey will be here in a bit,\u201d Molly told them. \u201cShe\u2019s running a little late, that\u2019s all.\u201d \u201cOh good,\u201d Lily said. \u201cI was worried that she …<\/p>\n

>>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[61],"class_list":["post-1844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advent","tag-advent"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1844"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1844"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1844\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1845,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1844\/revisions\/1845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}