Santa's Little Helpers Author's Ramblings: (Deck the Halls Plays) Merry Christmas everybody! This is part of Andrea Readwolf's "'Tis the Season", and it's also her story idea. I have been...commissioned...to write it. Not stealing. Got it? This will switch POVs more than I change socks, so prepared, alright? I think you'll figure it out. Disclaimer: Not stealing-- borrowing with intent to butcher and later return... Oooh, sorry, that's DiC's disclaimer, not mine! SM belongs to a whole list of people, and if my name is somewhere on it, THANK YOU GOD! *Reeny* It all started innocently enough. I know, I know, that seems very funny--me talking about innocence, and not doing anything wrong, but I mean it this time. Really, I do... Okay, um...Maybe I'm not all that innocent. You see, each and every year, Harbor Elementary kids sign up to do nice things for poor people during the holiday season. And this year, me, Reeny--the new kid, the strange kid--got stuck with the one job that no one wanted. Playing Santa and his elves in a stupid Christmas pageant at the orphanage. And that was how it all started... *Darien* I was walking down the street, minding my own business, trying to think up the easiest way to avoid Serena and still make it to work on time. And that was when a young voice yelled out to me. "Darien! Darien!" I whirled around, not sure whether I would see a little pink- headed girl with an intent to claim me, or if I would have my blonde ex-girlfriend run up and beg me for her eternal forgiveness--Serena and Reeny sound so much alike sometimes, it's really, really frightening. But--and I sighed in relief at this--it was the former (Reeny), smiling up at me with those naively innocent red eyes that I so adore. "How are you, Darien?" she asked in a sugary-sweet tone. That meant only one thing. She wanted something. Crouching down, I smiled pleasantly at the child. "Hi, Teeny- Reeny. It's so nice to see you." "Yeah, well...." Scuffing her little white shoes together, she stared at me. "Darien, will you help me with something?" Ah, the kiss of death. "Uhh...what do I need to help you with?" If it involved Serena, the other Sailor Scouts, certain talking cats, or anything curry, I wasn't going to help. Period. As cranky as it sounds, it's true. "All you have to do," she assured me sweetly, "is to dress up like Santa and then do a play with me." She sniffled softly. "Please?" Me? In a play? I should have said no. But those big, cinnamon eyes...and that cute little button nose...not to mention her absolutely adorable pink meatball hair... "Uh...sure..." I stammered, cursing cute children in general. *Serena* "Come on, Serena! Lighten up!" I stuck out my tongue and proceeded to use Sailor Moon's death kick on Sailor Mars. "Ha ha!" I laughed triumphantly. "Three games in a row, Sammy! Beat THAT!" Pouting, my younger brother turned off the video game and crossed his arms. "I don't want to play with you anymore!" Sticking my nose into the air, I stood up and put my hands upon my hips--very smugly. I had been trying for weeks to beat him at that game. "You're just jealous!" The reaction I got from Sammy was like rubbing salt in a large and open wound. "You're such a dweeb!" he shot back, standing and giving me the evil eye. "You wouldn't know true courage and power if it knocked you in your fat butt!" Growling, I lowered my eyes dangerously. "Yeah?" "Yeah!" Sammy shot back. "Oh yeah?" "YEAH!" Just then, I became aware of someone tugging on my denim skirt. And, when I looked from my now angry brother and downward, an overwhelming urge to gag. "What do you want, spore?" I asked Reeny in what I supposed to be an annoyed tone. She sniffled. "Can I talk to you about a...a school project?" Like what? Toasting human brains? "Uh..." Chewing on my lower lip, I considered it. Sure, she was an incredibly evil little spawn, but she was cute...and near tears... "What project, Reeny?" She grinned. I guess that I had given myself away that easily. I was trapped as soon as that cute little smile crossed her face and made its way to me. Trapped. Completely cornered. "It's a play," she explained sweetly. "For school. At the orphanage. We need two elves, a Mrs. Claus, a Christmas angel, a sweet little girl, and an Ice Princess." Some play. But I sighed and nodded slowly; after all, I was trapped. And, besides, don't you think that the Princess of the Moon would make a stunning Christmas angel? *Amy* "X equals the opposite of B, plus or minus the square root..." Trailing off, I chewed on the pencil eraser thoughtfully. No, that couldn't be right. As the sun shone down on me, I shivered a bit. Since I'm so attuned to ice and water, I forget too often where I am and what I am doing. In this instance, for example, I was doing my college-level algebra homework on the balcony... In below freezing temperatures. Grabbing my books, I chided myself for such foolish behaviors. I may be a friend to all water, but that doesn't mean that I'm immune to hypothermia. As I walked back into the apartment, I heard a knock at the door. This was an extremely unusual occurrence because the other Sailor Scouts rarely visit my at home. This does get lonely, but it is the truth. Opening the door a crack, I saw the familiar pink-haired child who--for some reason that I've yet to understand--has taken a shining to me. I let her in, smiling involuntarily. As much as some of us like to deny it, the child is instant sunshine. "Hi, Amy!" announced Reeny, hugging my legs. "I'm happy to see you!" A bit perplexed at the sudden embrace, I pulled away and went to find the cookies Lita had made for me. "Hello, Reeny," I greeted her, glad to have someone in the otherwise empty apartment. "What brings you all the way over here?" Her face turned very serious. "Fate." Fate? "An interesting answer from such a little girl," I informed her, furrowing my brow and handing her a cookie. "Do you need help?" Well, it turned out she did. Something about a play for orphans, and she really needed a graceful and beautiful ice princess. I had quite an urge to turn her down and refuse all inclusion. I'm no actress, and I will not parade around, pretending to be one. However, I am the Princess of Mercury, and an Ice Princess by default. "Sure, Reeny," I sighed sweetly. "I'll do it." *Raye* "Sleigh bells--like--ring... Are ya listen'? In the--like-- lane... Snow's glistenin'... A totally beautiful sight, we're all happy ta-night... Walkin' in a winter--like--wonderland..." As Chad sung his screwed-up version of "Winter Wonderland", I covered my ears and sighed miserably. Queen Beryl would have died at the sound of his beach-bum voice, but I...I, much stronger a person than that evil Queen... I screamed. "STOP SINGING THAT STUPID SONG!!!" There was momentary silence, and I let out a long, shuddering breath because of it. The quiet was so...so astounding... I wanted to cry out in sick, sick joy. And then, Chad called across the temple courtyard to me, his face twisted in an impish grin as he tightened some of the electric guitar strings. "You don't like that song, Raye?" he asked me, a bit of evil echoing in his voice. "I'll sing a different one." "No?" I attempted, my head still poking out of the living room door. A chord was played, and Chad--the jerk--cleared his throat. "Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is-like—so delightful... And we ain't got no place ta go... Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..." Sliding the door shut angrily, I groaned. Why me? WHY ME? Here I am--talented, beautiful, and hand maiden to a blonde princess—and I'm stuck spending Christmas with Chad! Kill me now! As I laid down on the couch and listened to the hard-rock version of "Let it Snow", the phone rang. I didn't want to--or feel like--answer it. Sighing in defeat, I listened to the machine. "Hi, this is the Hino residence and Cherry Hill Temple. We're not answering the phone right now, so leave a message." There was an obnoxious beep as the incoming call connected with the tape recorder, and then... I heard a voice that I really didn't expect. After all, Serena's the one who usually leaves the annoying messages... Stuff like "Hi, this is Serenity, and I think Endymion is sexy. Have a nice day!"... But this--this was unusual. "Hey, Raye? This is Reeny. Uh... I was wondering if you'd like to play Mrs. Claus in this play we're putting on at school. Please?" I heard her sniffle, which was a patented way to convince me to cave in and join a cause. I sighed and picked up the phone. "Reeny, this is Raye," I spoke into the receiver, drawing an elated yelp from the little girl. "Of course, I'll help." She thanked me about sixty times and hung up. As I put down the phone, I heard more silence, and I smiled. Then, it started again. "Like--Deck them halls with lots a holly. Fa la la la la...la la, la la!" "CHAD!" *Lita* I didn't see it coming--yes, I am complaining, because I am extremely upset--but I didn't FREAKING see it coming! Mina's mom and dad were out of town for Christmas, so I had offered to come and stay over at her place for a couple of days. You know, twenty-four hour girl talk with all the fringe--and fridge-- benefits. So, anyway, we were setting up the tree when the doorbell rang and Artemis, bless his furry soul, decided to check the door for us while I wrestled with the lights from hell and while Mina sorted the sea of old ornaments. He came back with a frightened look on his white face. "It's Reeny," the cat announced to us. Nearly tripping over a never-ending string of bright orange lights, I raised an eyebrow. "Huh?" "You heard me," Artemis shot back, skidding to a halt before a large gold ball-shaped decoration. "And she wants to talk to you two." "You answered the door?" inquired Mina, raising her eyebrows. He made a face. "No, Mina," he told her, shaking his head. "I pretended to be your father and told her to hang on. So GO!" Both jumping at the sudden exclamation, Mina and I made our way to the front door, not knowing what to expect. *Mina* We had no clue what to expect, as Lita said. Leading the little kid into my (messy) living room, I started to day-dream about what it could possibly be. A secret Scout spy mission? The return of Sailor V to network television? Time to get Darien and Serena back together? Or maybe, just maybe, little Reeny was a Sailor Soldier in training and THAT'S why... Okay, I have got to cut down on the brownies. Remind me to hide Lita's recipe. As we sat down on the couch, careful not to smash any Christmas lights, ornaments, or plates, Reeny sniffled a little. She was conning us into something. I knew it right then and there. She was up to know good! Yeah, well, I'm Sailor V! So there! "I have this really important play to do for the orphanage," she told us sweetly, in a voice that was impossibly innocent. "And I need two actresses like you to play Christmas elves..." "Actresses...like...US?" I stuttered, taken aback by the compliment. Lita crossed her arms. "I will NOT play an elf!" The girl nodded, pigtails bobbing. "Oh, Mina, you're such a great actress!" she grinned. "You make Sailor V look like a flake!" I blushed a bit. "Really?" "I will not be an elf!" repeated Lita, who was being ignored. "Yep! You're great!" cooed Reeny. I was in. Hands down. *Lita* Okay, I'm five-foot-FREAKING-six! I'm not an elf! How dare she? Who does she think she is, the little brat? I have half a mind to... "I'd love to help you, sweetie," smiled Mina lovingly, patting the little head. "I can't wait to play an elf." Damn. Mina had been conned into being an elf. That meant only one thing--I was next. I'm the...determined...Scout. And I was NOT letting Reeny get away with this. "Lita?" she asked. "No." "Please?" "Nope." "It's for poor kids, Lita." "I'll bake them cookies." "What will I do without a second elf?" "You play the elf." She was starting to get to me. I could feel it. "I'm playing the cute little girl." "Well, Mina can play the part of two elves." "But the elves go on strike in the play." "SO?" I knew that, if I didn't get my way soon, I was as good as gone. "So, I need another elf." "But, Reeny..." She sighed sadly, as though my decision would make or break her entire life. "Fine," I told her, pounding my fist on the coffee table. "I'll do it!" She cheered, and I knew that this was going to be the worst choice I had ever...EVER...made. (One week later) *Reeny* "I am the angel of Christmas, and I have come to take this little girl home to her family," Serena announced loudly, struggling with the cloth wings. Raye growled as her apron fell off again. "But, Angel," she said in a sweet tone. "This little girl is actually an elf." "An elf?" asked Mina and Lita in unison, going through the costume box and taking anything green out for their outfits. "An elf," Darien assured us all, not looking up from his script. I could tell that Serena's presence bothered him, and I felt bad. Really, I did. But it was the DAY before the PLAY, people! I couldn't change anything now! No one liked doing the play. Well, it started because I had hand-written the whole script, which Amy had deemed inappropriate... I didn't see what was so wrong with Mrs. Claus killing one of the elves in a blind rage. But Amy said that it had to be good for little kids. So much for ME being a little kid. And then--though this was all my fault, I admit--we couldn't find any cute outfits in Lita's size. Every pair of elf pants were three sizes too short! She looked like a total idiot, and I blame it (mostly) on myself. The problem, though, was solved when Darien went through his closet and found pants from when he was Peter Pan in the ninth grade. Then, Mina got a cold and lost her voice for three days. Enough said. So much for Santa's little helpers, eh? "Yes, she is an elf. The daughter of the ice princess." Raye smiled and crossed her hands. I waited for Amy to come out onto our make-shift stage, but she didn't. Raye's smile turned into a frown. "I said, THE DAUGHTER OF THE ICE PRINCESS!" No one appeared. Oh, dear. *Amy* I don't like this, and I don't want to be an actress. Humoring Reeny was great, don't get me wrong, but I just can't act. It's so...so...SO scary. Me, Sailor Mercury, scared to death. Yeah. "The daughter of the Ice Princess." I recognized my cue and sighed, sinking lower into the cushioned chair that I had taken up as a seat. It was nerve-wracking, really. I was not playing an ice princess. End of story. *Raye* "WHERE IS SHE?" I fumed, anger boiling within my veins. "WHERE IN HEAVEN'S NAME IS SHE? I'LL RIP HER THROAT OUT!" Feeling on of Mina's hands on my shoulder, I took a very deep breath and cracked my knuckles. "Sorry," I said in a slightly regretful tone. "I didn't want to over-react." "But you did," pointed out Serena softly. "You really, really, really, REALLY--" "Enough," I told her, rolling my eyes. "Can I go find Amy?" Reeny stepped forward, a slight smile on her face. "You know what?" she inquired softly, with a thoughtful touch to her voice. "This is sort of my fault... It's my play and all..." "No shit," I muttered unconsciously. "Yeah, well, I'll make it better if you don't mind," she offered helpfully, running off before any of us could stop her. Smart girl. I must say. She's a smart kid. *Darien* As I slumped into an empty chair, I sighed. There, just a few feet away, was my little meatball head... Giggling, laughing, and having a blast just being the Christmas angel she really was. What a person that Serena was. So sweet and loving... Nothing like I am right now. What is a dream? A dream is just a night time vision, right? Then why do I let a dream stand in the way of happiness. If only I could hold my Serena, and tell her I loved her. That's a dream too, isn't it? Reeny, the little imp, ran off to find Amy. Lita, clad in my Peter Pan pants and a too-small green tank top, is standing around with Mina, talking loudly about some boy. Serena and Raye are discussing manga... And then, there's me. Thrown into a chair, wearing a too-big Santa costume, staring blankly at a golden haired Princess when I should be studying my script and becoming a better Santa Claus. I can't have my angel. Merry Christmas indeed! *Reeny* I really wonder what's wrong with Amy. She's sitting in the dressing room all alone, a sad smile across her face. Her eyes are closed, so she doesn't see me. I sort of wish she'd look at me, because I think she's crying. My angle's bad, so I really can't tell right now. I think she's crying. Over my silly play? Come on! That couldn't be it. "Amy?" Tossing her head of blue hair to one side, she brings a hand to her face and I see it--a big blue tear falling into the palm of her hand. She was crying. Over me. "Are you okay?" I asked, climbing into her lap. "I can see you're sad." She blinked and smiled a bit. "I'm just not a very good actor, Reeny," she admitted to me. I grinned. "You're bad?" I inquired. "Serena just reads off the script, and Mina prances around the stage like a brazen idiot." Sighing, I patted one of her hands. "But there's something about you that makes you a great ice princess." She laughed at this. "I've always liked water, Reeny." "Good!" I announced, jumping down and trying to pull her out of the seat. "Let's go, okay?" *Amy* Pure sunshine. Reeny can be a brat, and she has this very...sly...side to her, but the child is instant sunshine. She makes me want to cry, and then, she makes me want to smile. This whole "ice princess" thing... who cares? It's for children; it's for Christmas. It's for my little dose of sunshine. You know, I've saved her life time and again, always wondering what was so special about that child. She's so sweet and brave, to go against the evil sisters and to attempt to find her mother and the Silver Crystal in a world she's so unfamiliar with. "Okay," I agreed with a nod. She took my hand, and I swore I felt it. Sunshine. (the next day) *Lita* "ARGH!" Pulling on the little green skirt (to go over the skin- tight and too revealing pants), I groaned. It didn't fit anymore! "Mina!" I yelled to my friend. "What did you make these skirts out of?" "Cotton, 'the fabric of our wives'...no...how does that go?" She clasped her skirt and began pulling her expertly curled hair into tiny ringlets. "Unwashed cotton?" I inquired, looking at her suspiciously. She nodded. "Yeah, why?" she asked. "I didn't have time to wash the fabric, and then, I ran out of time to wash my skirt...Did you wash yours?" Yes, Mina. THAT'S why the damn thing doesn't fit any more! Cursing my blonde friend, I cut one of the seams and made the skirt fit around my evil, evil hips. Stupid skirt. Stupid play. Stupid, stupid Reeny. *Serena* "Where are my wings?" I asked, looking through the costume box again. "I could have sworn I left them at the orphanage..." Zipping up one of the two side-zippers to her blue gown, Amy looked doubtfully at me. "Didn't you take them home last night?" she inquired, tugging on the other zipper. Oh, yeah, THOSE wings. Blushing, I gulped. "I don't suppose that you have a pair of white angel wings on you?" Amy shook her head. Some help SHE was. "Oh, okay," I sighed, pulling out my white angel dress and slipping it on over my frilly pink slip. "Just checking..." I was screwed. *Darien* "Ho ho ho..." Looking around, I sighed. Reeny had finally left, leaving me to myself. "Ho ho, flipping ho..." No Serena this Christmas. I was with her for HOW long in my past life? Then, I get back to this life, die AGAIN, and end up without her. All because of a dream. Are dreams really worth it? Just then, there was a knock on the dressing room door, and Serena paraded in, fully clothed in her costume, except for the wings. "Uh, hi," she grimaced, gulping. "Have you seen my wings?" I thought she looked great, wings or not. The angel dress was this silky, white, tight thing, and it looked so very incredible, I almost drooled. "Sorry...no..." I stammered, cracking my knuckles nervously. "Didn't you take them home?" She nodded, closing the door slowly behind her. Some Christmas. *Mina* I cleared throat and practiced the song over again. "Ho ho, freaking ho, what a crock of ick... We used to work for Santa, but we've had enough... We quit! Cause we do all the freaking work while he stars in the show... Shove your Christmas, go away, and ho ho freaking ho!" Taking one last look at the script, I tossed it into the garbage can and smiled. There's a certain part of me that just comes alive at the mere thought of acting. It's amazing, really, to watch me when it's time to act. I get all jittery and excited, and there's this rush--like a super sugar high--that over comes me. And I live. I really, really, live. And this was show time. *Raye* As I struggled with the apron, I sighed. You know what? As much as I want to be a voice actress, a singer, and a dancer, I don't want to play Mrs. Claus in this play. Poor Serena had lost her wings. Lita's skirt fit wrong, which wasn't a big deal--it was to her, though. Darien was a mess because of his Princess' presence. Mina was wired for sound. Amy had overcome a case of stage fright, and Reeny was nowhere to be found. I know, the spirit of Christmas is real. I've felt it; I really have. I've lived the spirit of Christmas. I've saved lives, defeated evil, and protected my Princess from all the silly things that we've had to fight. And now, it comes back to haunt me by making me play old Mrs. Santa Claus in a children's play. I hadn't signed up for this, but I was conned into it by a strange little girl. A girl who fell out of the sky and beamed the brains out of my best friend. A girl who has caused Darien to ditch his one and only girlfriend, Serena. But I really can't say I'd quit. Sometimes, no matter how much you hate something, you have to do it. Even if it is for a strange little girl. *Reeny* Everything was perfect. Well, okay, so I'm a good liar. Serena lost her wings, Darien was cranky, Lita's skirt had a slit in one of the seams because it was too tight otherwise, Mina was so excited that we had to lock her in a closet (literally), Amy—over her stage fright--was too busy practicing her part to notice all of us, Raye had developed a pessimistic outlook on the whole play thing...and then, there was me. Being the writer is never easy. I took this project because I had to. If I had known how much this would have affected each and every one of my friends, do you think I'd have gotten them to do this? No way! So, here I was... clad in a tiny, sky-blue dress, my waist length hair falling down to my shoulders before being caught in a big, loose braid, holding a fake candy cane in one hand and a script in the other. "Santa's little helpers," I read aloud off the script. "Whether we mean well and fail, hope and pray for tomorrow, find our own ways out, wait for this moment all our lives, overcome ourselves, or realize the real reasoning behind things, that's us. The little helpers." Walking out of her dressing room, Serena looked thoughtfully down at me with her big blue eyes. Reminded me of my mom. "You wrote that, Reeny?" I nodded a little, smiling. "It's the beginning of the play. I put it on this copy so I wouldn't forget the most important part." The rest of the actors--better known as my best friends--came up to me, ready to do one of the little things that made Christmas so very special and wonderful. "Is there anything else?" asked Amy, referring to my words. I smiled knowingly. "Christmas is about making someone else's life brighter, and this has made my life brighter. In a million ways... plus one." I looked at each of my friends... Sweet Serena. Always caring though cold Darien. The genius, Amy. Our tough Lita. The bubbly, free-spirited Mina. "Thank you all," I told them. "And merry Christmas." *End.* Mina's "Ho ho, freaking ho" song is from a little movie my mother has, but I toned down the words to it. Merry Christmas!