I started my investigation in the wrapping room, though ‘room’ didn’t do it justice. They had an entire warehouse dedicated to the wrapping and arranging of gifts, neatly divided into sections for size and shape of the gifts in question. Behind all of the apparent organization lived a constant thrum of low level chaos that came with mixing order and creativity. I had toured the facility a few times in previous visits, stepping in to help with some logistical hiccups, but never before had I seen it like this.
The elves had most of the mess cleaned up, but I could still spot the tell-tale signs of where someone or something had gone through and rearranged everything. The finished stacks were not as high as they should have been this close to the big day, though given the rate at which the elves on the lines were working, they would be caught up before too long. Every so often one of the smaller elves would take a package from one line and run it over to the one it should have been in to begin with.
“It looks like you all have things well in hand here,” I commented. Maguire, my designated guide, nodded in agreement.
“Didn’t have much of a choice. Thankfully, with the buffer we add to the schedule every year, we should be able to finish on time with only a few days of overtime,” he said. His shaggy blonde hair kept threatening to get in his eyes, which were a sparkling silvery blue common among elves. Something in the way he watched the world around him felt vaguely fae, but otherwise he appeared human. He dressed simply too, in jeans and a red sweater with sturdy black boots.
Contrary to popular belief, not all who work in the North Pole dress like they’re going to an ugly Christmas sweater contest. That said, they did tend to be more festive.
“That’s good to hear. Any chance the crew will be going on break soon? I’ll have an easier time investigating if the place is empty, and I don’t want to throw anyone off by being underfoot.”
As if on cue, the bell rang for break time. It took all of five minutes for the elves to finish their current tasks and file out of the building. I caught a few friendly faces looking my way and I made direct eye contact with a few of them, making a gesture like I was ladling out something. They nodded, understanding flashing in their eyes as they pointed towards the elfs’ kitchens, where they were preparing the mulled cider. They would meet me there, and I would get some answers to go with my cider.
You don’t get to work in the wrapping room without having or honing certain talents as well as having acute perception, so they would be able to help fill in any pieces I might miss in my own investigation. Plus, since I was going to be sticking around, I would need someone to hang out with outside of the Claus home and the elves had some of the best gossip.
“You have thirty minutes,” Maguire said once the final elf left.
“Perfect. Walk me through where the chaos was focused, and I will see if we can get this done in fifteen.”
Maguire led me through the walkways around the main stations, where I could still see a few things that weren’t quite back in place. Presents that were in the wrong piles would likely find their way back to where they belonged before the day ended. I examined them closely for any signs of magical residue, but nothing stood out, and I couldn’t move them without risking sending the whole pile toppling to the ground.
“This doesn’t look too bad so far, but I get a feeling it was much worse when the elves first found it,” I observed. “How long has it been since whatever happened here?”
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“We noticed the crafters' tools had been rearranged on the first day, and this happened on the second. The third was when the reindeer were let loose, which was when they decided to call you in.”
“And I arrived at the start of the fourth, so chances are another incident is going to happen today unless it's already happened.”
“Precisely. Everyone knows you are here and that I’m your guide, so any news will come directly to me.”
“Good. Is there anything left from what happened here aside from the misplaced presents or has everything been handled already? Because I am not picking up much, so it may be better to go on to the stables.”
“Trust me, there is a reason I started us here. I know how you work, and I know there is one mess that the elves haven’t even bothered touching yet,” Maguire said. Intrigued, I followed him to one of the little sheds that I knew from experience housed the decorative bits and bobs that some of the wrappers liked to throw on the presents for the kids who needed a little extra cheer.
“Am I going to be covered in glitter the second you open the door?” I asked cautiously.
“No, we keep a pretty tight control on glitter since the explosion incident six years ago. This situation is a little more unique, but thankfully we have it contained. It’s easier to show than explain.”
“Alright. Let’s see it.”
Maguire opened the door and what I saw certainly defied any expectations I may have had. Bundles of ribbon and garland and string, twisted together into a vaguely humanoid shape that seemed very intent on creating a mess. I watched it as it smashed open a container full of feather boas, of all things, only to absorb this new material into itself.
“Oh. It’s gotten bigger since the last time I checked.” Maguire looked at me hopefully. “I don’t suppose you have anything that could help better contain this situation.”
“I will have to get a closer look. Do me a favor, shut the door if it tries to run and be ready to open for a shave and a haircut. This might get messy,” I said, checking to make sure my tools were easy to reach within my bag. They were exactly where I left them, tucked in the exterior pockets of the messenger bag in neat rows. The tools of my trades were almost always on my person, which made things interesting whenever I had to fly commercial.
“If you aren’t out in five minutes, I'll bring in some healers and security.”
”Much appreciated, Maguire.”
I stepped into the improbably large space, pulling two implements from my bag as I slowly circled the entity that had not yet noticed me. I studied it, watching the way it moved and how it interacted with the objects around it. The floor was littered with scraps of paper and ribbon that I managed to step around with ease until I brushed against a ribbon with a bell at one end. The sound broke the silence and the creature’s attention snapped towards me.
“Time to get to business, then.” I brandished what looked like a stylized crochet hook in one hand and some crafting scissors in the other, the blades spread wide as I wore them like some people wear brass knuckles.
The next few minutes passed in a blur of colors and cuts and crinkles. The whole affair would have been much more frightening had I been fighting more than a being of paper and ribbon and twine, but with my scissors I was able to even the odds enough for the hook to do its thing.
Not only did the hook make a lovely Tunisian crochet blanket, but the enchantment could be used to weave anything. All I had to do was keep a hold of it while whatever this thing was tried to cocoon me in itself.
Easier said than done.
“That was certainly something,” Maguire commented as I finished off the blanket with a flourish, effectively trapping the still slightly animated materials in a form that would have a harder time trying to kill me. He still stood in the open doorway, one hand firmly on the handle.
“Not the weirdest thing I’ve had to fight, but it's certainly up there,” I admitted. “You can come in now, by the way. This will keep it contained until I find the source of the animation.”
“I think I’ll just stay out here.”
“Come on, Maguire. Where’s your sense of adventure? Plus, I need someone who is more familiar with the contents of this shed to help me spot anything out of place.”
“Okay, fine. Only if you promise to tell me where you got that hook.”
“Deal. This one is pretty specialized, but the person who made it makes other things. Now get in here and help me find the core before this thing makes a break for it. We have some evidence to collect.”