{"id":1883,"date":"2018-01-14T13:11:08","date_gmt":"2018-01-14T18:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1883"},"modified":"2018-01-14T13:11:08","modified_gmt":"2018-01-14T18:11:08","slug":"advent-december-11-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1883","title":{"rendered":"(advent) December 11"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Sunday, December 11<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSchrodinger, what are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

DC looked over at the CrossCat, who was sitting on the floor in front of the big front window he and the others had decorated. Beyond the cheerful scene, snow was falling in a steady, deliberate pattern. It had started the night before, and showed no signs of stopping in the near future.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m wondering how we\u2019re going to get to the nursing home,<\/em> Schrodinger said finally, turning towards her. That\u2019s really not going to stop soon, and I don\u2019t think anyone is going to want to drive. Molly said something about asking Pavel to take us in the sleigh, but he\u2019s so busy.<\/em> He turned back to the window. But I don\u2019t want to disappoint anyone either. Being responsible is hard sometimes.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing responsible is hard all the time,\u201d DC agreed. \u201cBut I wouldn\u2019t worry too much about how you\u2019re going to get to the nursing home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why not?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you have a lot of luck,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s Christmas. Weren\u2019t you the one telling me that anything is possible at Christmas?\u201d<\/p>\n

He perked up. That\u2019s true! I\u2019ll go and remind the others.<\/em><\/p>\n

They needed the reminder. Lily, Zoey, Kaylee, and Gideon were all seated at a table, looking glumly into mugs of hot chocolate, while Aurora and Jack shared one of the pet beds by the wood stove. They had packed up a bunch of stuff from the magic craft table when they\u2019d gotten in earlier, courtesy of Nathan Barrett\u2019s 4×4, at Molly\u2019s urging.<\/p>\n

DC reminded me that this is Christmas,<\/em> Schrodinger said now, hopping up on to a chair next to Gideon. And anything is possible at Christmas. Remember, Zoey?<\/em><\/p>\n

Zoey nodded. \u201cThat is true! We got our house back!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you helped Molly defeat the Eidolon in Old Man Winter!\u201d Lily added, brightening. \u201cThat\u2019s true! What\u2019s a little bit of snow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnically, it\u2019s about twelve inches, which isn\u2019t a little bit,\u201d Gideon said. \u201cBut that\u2019s okay. We can deal with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaylee threw a napkin at him. \u201cYou\u2019re so literal!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a jingling of bells as the front door opened, distracting them. They all turned to see who had braved the storm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a lovely day out!\u201d Old Man Winter boomed, his face wreathed in a large grin and snowflakes in his beard. With him were two distinctly unhappy-looking people wrapped in heavy cloaks. \u201cAre you guys ready to go to the nursing home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith you? YES!\u201d Kaylee crowed, launching herself at him. \u201cDid you bring the sledge? And the reindeer? Can I drive again?\u201d<\/p>\n

Old Man Winter laughed. \u201cYes, with me. Yes, I brought the sledge and the reindeer, but no, I think I\u2019ll drive today. It\u2019s a little too snowy out for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She pouted. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you haven\u2019t enough arm strength, darling,\u201d he said, sweeping her up in his arms. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. When you turn 16, I\u2019ll give you your own sledge and reindeer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schrodinger wondered how Nathan and Corrinne would react to that, but didn\u2019t say anything. He was more interested to see who Old Man Winter had brought with him.<\/p>\n

The cloaks hid a lot of their features, but he was relatively sure they were newcomers. One was taller than the other, but neither were overly tall or short. Nor did he see any additional appendages. He jumped down off his chair and approached them. Welcome to CrossWinds Books,<\/em> he said politely. Would you like some tea to warm up before we head back out?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA CrossCat?\u201d A deep female voice came from the depths of the taller being\u2019s hood, and a gloved hand pushed the hood back to reveal a wrinkled face with amazingly brilliant green eyes. \u201cUpon my soul, it really is a CrossCat. Perhaps this place is civilized after all.\u201d She bowed to him. \u201cJoyous Greetings, Traveler. May your Roads be smooth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joyous Greetings,<\/em> Schrodinger replied, bowing himself. May your Travels be easy.<\/em><\/p>\n

She beamed at him, obviously pleased at the ritual greeting. \u201cI am Matriarch Daisia, and I would love a cup of tea.\u201d<\/p>\n

I am Schrodinger Barrett, and please, come sit down.<\/em> He looked at the other figure. Would you like tea too?<\/em><\/p>\n

The gloved hand that pushed back the furred cloak looked as big as Old Man Winter\u2019s, for all the being was shorter by nearly two and a half feet. \u201cTea?\u201d the bearded man rumbled thoughtfully. \u201cI do not think I have heard of this before.\u201d His words were strangely accented, although they were clear enough. \u201cWhat is tea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you will like it, Crossas,\u201d Old Man Winter said, leading them over to the table next to the others. \u201cEspecially Molly\u2019s Christmas Tea. It will appeal to your sweet tooth.\u201d<\/p>\n

As if by magic, Molly appeared at the doorway to the kitchen, a plate of cookies in her hands. \u201cAnd I\u2019m assuming you\u2019ll want some as well, Old Man?\u201d she said, setting the cookies on the table. \u201cI made the lemon-thyme shortbread you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

He reached eagerly for one. \u201cYou need to try these too, Crossax,\u201d he said, handing the man one. The wedges looked ridiculously tiny in their big hands. \u201cAnd the sugar cookies. And then you need to set up a delivery order with Molly,\u201d and he nodded at her, \u201cwho is the best baker in all the Realms.\u201d<\/p>\n

Molly blushed. \u201cHardly.\u201d She offered a hand to Daisia, who shook it promptly, and then Crossax, who peered at it before taking it carefully. \u201cWelcome to Carter\u2019s Cove, Matriarch, Chieftain. I\u2019m Molly McIntyre, and I run the tea shop. Please, do warm up before you go out again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA kitchen witch! How lovely!\u201d Daisia smiled at Molly, and Schrodinger decided he liked her. Then again, anyone who liked Molly was good in his book. \u201cWhat kind of herbal teas do you have, my dear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a rather large amount,\u201d Molly said. \u201cWould you like to come and look?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Matriarch followed her into the kitchen while Crossax looked warily at the chairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can sit,\u201d Old Man Winter assured him, taking a chair himself. \u201cThey\u2019re very sturdy. I\u2019ve never broken one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The big man sat down and shrugged out of his cloak. Underneath, he wore a business suit that reminded Schrodinger of the grey suit Old Man Winter often wore in the Cove, although he did not look as uncomfortable as the winter spirit had been the first time he\u2019d worn it. The suit was tailored around the very large muscles, and to his delight, Schrodinger noticed that his tie had crossed battle axes and Scottie dogs on it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love your tie!\u201d Lily said at the same time, leaning forward. \u201cThat\u2019s awesome!\u201d<\/p>\n

Crossax beamed at her. \u201cThank you! This was a gift from my granddaughter. She had it made especially for this trip.\u201d He pulled the tie out so the others could see it better. \u201cI have three Scottie dogs at home, named Horus, Ramses, and Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen?\u201d Kaylee said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, my granddaughter named him.\u201d Crossax\u2019s laugh rumbled out from his belly. \u201cI was going to name him Osiris, to round out the gods, but she insisted. I don\u2019t know why she likes the name Ben either.\u201d He looked around at them. \u201cAnd who are all of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, my apologies, Crossax.\u201d Old Man Winter shook his head and introduced them all.<\/p>\n

The chieftain nodded. \u201cI hear you are going to help teach us to work together,\u201d he said. \u201cI wish you good luck, but I do not think you will succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why not? <\/em>\u00a0Jack said, picking up his head. You and the Matriarch seem to be very nice.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are,\u201d Daisia agreed, coming back out. \u201cAnd we get along with each other.\u201d She gave Crossax a smile. \u201cBut even we have issues with some of our\u2026\u201d She paused, apparently looking for the right word. \u201cCompanions,\u201d she finished, sitting back down.<\/p>\n

\u201cTruth,\u201d Crossax said, picking up a frosted sugar cookie. \u201cWhile I have no issues with Matriarch Daisia, the same cannot be said for Lady Avala, who seems to believe that the only way to keep her seat is to block every measure I suggest.\u201d He scowled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn her defense, you do the same thing to her,\u201d Daisia said, as Molly came back out with tea mugs. \u201cAnd I do it to Nahand, and fully admit that sometimes it\u2019s just to spoil his day.\u201d She shook her head. \u201cWe are old dogs, you and I. Can we learn new tricks?\u201d<\/p>\n

As another old dog, absolutely,<\/em> Jack said dryly. Age is no excuse.<\/em><\/p>\n

Daisia looked at his greying muzzle. \u201cBut it\u2019s harder to learn,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat just means it\u2019s worth it,\u201d Kaylee told her. She was still sitting on Old Man Winter\u2019s lap. \u201cThat\u2019s what Mommy always says.\u201d Then, as Schrodinger looked over at her, she added, \u201cWe\u2019re going to help you! That\u2019s what today is about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lily was frowning a bit, and Zoey, who was very attuned to her best friend\u2019s moods, nudged her. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Lily?\u201d The words came out in a sudden silence, louder than Schrodinger thought Zoey had meant to say it.<\/p>\n

Lily flushed a bit as everyone looked at her. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d she mumbled.<\/p>\n

Lily?<\/em> Schrodinger reached out with a soft paw. You can tell us. Or just me, if you want.<\/em><\/p>\n

She struggled and then blurted out, \u201cBut why didn\u2019t the Snow Queen send you out with the people you couldn\u2019t work with today? I mean, what good does it do to come out with someone you agree with, if you are trying to learn to work with people that you don\u2019t agree with?\u201d<\/p>\n

Schrodinger had wondered the same thing. Now , they all turned to their visitors.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, we volunteered,\u201d Daisia said. \u201cNeither of us had ever been to the Cove.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, we were intrigued by your Advent calendar,\u201d Crossax added. \u201cWe do not celebrate like this in either of our Realms, but I for one think my granddaughter would enjoy it. \u201c He looked at Old Man Winter and said, \u201cAnd truthfully? I wanted to meet the people who unfroze Old Man Winter’s heart. That was truly an amazing thing, long overdue in the Realms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it keeps me thinking that perhaps you know something we don’t,\u201d Daisia finished.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean like how to be nice to people?\u201d Zoey said.<\/p>\n

Not just people,<\/em> Schrodinger guessed. People we may not like very much. Or may not like us. Right?<\/em><\/p>\n

Daisia nodded. \u201cExactly so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe snow is letting up a little,\u201d DC said from the front counter. \u201cLooks like you might want to leave now.\u201d<\/p>\n

They all scrambled into their winter clothing and hurried outside to Old Man Winter’s great sledge. Molly followed them and handed up a basket.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor your snack later,\u201d she said, grinning. \u201cDecorating is hungry work!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sunday, December 11   \u201cSchrodinger, what are you doing?\u201d DC looked over at the CrossCat, who was sitting on the floor in front of the big front window he and the others had decorated. Beyond the cheerful scene, snow was falling in a steady, deliberate pattern. It had started the night before, and showed no …<\/p>\n

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