A Snowball Christmas: Chapter 6
- Henry Livingston
- Nov 19, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
BEST KEPT SECRETS
Four months have slipped by, and since joining the Toy Maker Division, Nixie had been nothing short of a shining star. He has been named Elf of the Month for the past two months and is in line for a third in the month of November.
His Supervisor and Mrs. Clause have nothing but praise to say about him and often wonder why he wasn’t transferred sooner. He has increased productivity by forty-five percent and has taken the lead on more than sixty projects for high-tech toys and online digital gaming. In addition to leading projects, he created an app that could identify and ensure each Elf was correctly suited for toys they were making. It was during the final days of his first month in the Toy Making Division that he sparked a surge, boosting production by thirty-eight percent. Santa was very pleased when he heard this and had lunch with Nixie several times to hear more about how his talent could help in other departments and divisions at the North Pole.
Nixie sitting in the breakroom, is looking over technical schematics for a new remote-controlled drone he designed that could ride on the ground and fly after retracting its wheels into its lifts. Several Elves are on break as well, and although he is eating and working, he still finds time to greet everyone that enters the room.
Sitting a few tables across from Nixie are Minnie and Mara Tinseldust, twin Snow Elf sisters that make it a mission to know everything there is to know about everyone else, “he is always smiling,” Minnie whispers to Mara.
“He is also very handsome,” she whispers back.
“Watch out Mara, I hear he is taken.”
“I know, but I haven’t seen her since she transferred to the Personnel Department.”
“I see them at sELFies all the time sitting together and I hear that he supports her move,” Minnie exhales softly staring with dreamy eyes at Nixie, “he’s one of the good ones.”
“Does he buy her things?”
“All the time.”
“Lucky little Elf. Okay, I am a officially jealous. My boyfriend won’t buy me anything that doesn’t benefit him in some kind of way. He has never even gone to sELFies with me either. He says it is too expensive.”
“My boyfriend is like that too. Although I do get gifts every now and again. NO worries though, because their lack of time spent with us is their loss.”
“Yeah. Their loss.”
“Which is why we get to go to sELFies without them.”
“Christmas-town, population us. I am still a little jealous though.”
Nixie looks up and makes eye contact with the two gossipers and smiles, then goes back to reading his tablet and continuing his meal.
Minnie sighs and continues whispering, “I wouldn’t worry too much about it, sis. I have never seen an Elf like him before.”
“Me either,” Mara says agreeing with her sister’s statement, “word around town is that he is a Drift Elf that has been in the Maintenance Division for over two-hundred years.”
“I have heard that too. Although…, there is another rumor floating around.”
“Do tell,” Mara says sitting on the edge of her seat with excitement.
“I heard…”
- - F L A S H - -
One Month Earlier
“Good Morrow, Peak Mother Tannenbaum,” Icelynn reaches out to her boss, before the start of their day. They are the only two in the office and Icelynn appears to be looking for the words to say something important.
“What is it, Icelynn?”
“Would you say that I have served as your First Assistance without fail?”
“I would put it a little differently, however the gesture is similar in tone and structure,”
Peak Mother says struggling to open her office door with her hands full.
“Let me get that, Peak Mother,” Icelynn adds quickly moving to the door to open it. Then stands in the doorway of Peak Mother’s office after she enters.
“If you have something that I need to address, now is the time. Assessments never stop.”
“Of course, Peak Mother,” Icelynn breathes in deeply and exhales slowly.
“Today would be preferable, Miss Northbrook.”
“Yes, Peak Mother. I would like - - “
“What,” Peak Mother interrupts agitated, “let me guess, a pay raise? Time off?”
“To transfer,” Icelynn voices louder than she were wanting to.
Peak Mother is silent for a moment, “to where?”
“The North Pole Personnel Department, if you please.”
“Is this because of that mysterious Elf you have been seeing? Is he the one filling your head with these foolish things like requesting to be transferred,” Peak Mother questions with a hint of distain before continuing, “I knew I wouldn’t like you dating. He took your focus off your true purpose.”
“Actually, Peak Mother, I came upon this decision of my own volition.”
“Really? This Elf…, this… saboteur, does he have a name?”
“Yes, Peak Mother.”
“Well, spit it out. What is it?”
“I would prefer to keep my personal life private. If you don’t mind.”
“I can respect that,” she says laying a picture on her desk facedown, “however, I feel that if I would have met this mystery Elf, I would not have liked him anyway.”
“I have no doubt about that,” Icelynn thinks to herself.
“Before I say anything, can Lumi do your job as well as you have done it?”
“No, Peak Mother, but she is close enough.”
“I guess that will have to suffice,” Peak Mother murmured softly, her fingers drumming gently on the desk. After a brief pause, she turned her gaze toward Icelynn, “done.”
“Thank you for understanding, Peak Mother.”
“Get out,” Peak Mother adds without pause.
“Pardon?”
“LEAVE. You no longer work here,” Peak Mother says callously, as if to a stranger she has never met before. Her words are cold and empty; however, her message is clear, “I hope you will one day realize just what you have done by leaving me for an Elf you hardly know.”
Icelynn bows.
Peak Mother ignores her formalities, “I will see to it that your transfer happens today, and I will have your personal items sent to NPPD as well. Now get out of my sight,” she says sitting in her chair and facing away from her former employee.
Icelynn bows again and leaves without another word.
When she is alone, Peak Mother lifts the picture on her desk to its former position. It is a photograph from an event of herself and several other elves. She smiles looking at the photo, but more so at the one who is standing next to her, Maintenance Division Manager, Snowland Hollypants.
A sudden knock at her open door breaks her from her flashback, “Peak Mother,” Lumi subliminally questions about the door being open and not closed, “shall I close this?”
“Yes, but not just yet. Come here please.”
Lumi enters and stands quietly.
Peak Mother leans back in her chair with her arms crossed while looking Lumi up and down. She is silent for nearly five minutes, and Lumi begins to feel as if she has done something terribly wrong and is waiting to be punished. Peak Mother breaks the eerie silence between them, “congratulations, you are now First Assistant. Find a suitable Second Assistant, before I change my mind.”
“Yes, Peak Mother,” Lumi opens with glee.
“Draft a formal transfer for me to sign for Miss Northbrook, as soon as possible. Then make sure that her things are transferred to NPPD by end of day.”
“I will see to it that they are done, Peak Mother.”
“Good,” she says dismissingly, “now, you may close the door behind you.”
Lumi closes the door and thinks to herself, “So, you got out before I could reveal the truth. No matter how bright Nixie shines, once Peak Mother knows about what you did, your world will come crashing down around you like shards of ice from a rooftop.”
Saturday, May 10th, 1800
Nixie is preparing to leave his home on a two month Walk-About to see what humans are like. This rite of passage is what all Drift Elves do before their hundredth birthday and Nixie is excited to go as he speaks with his parents, “what should I expect?”
His mother chimes in first, “trust goes a long way, but not all humans are as trusting as Elves. This is something you will have to learn.”
“Yes, mother.”
“Make sure to keep your guise up as well. Humans cannot learn where you are from or what you are,” his father adds.
“But father, you said I should be proud of being an Elf.”
“Yes, I did. However, this is only around our community and the world of magic we live in. Humans may not react in a positive way to you being different than they are,” his father finishes limping from the dining room table to his favorite chair.
Nixie’s excitement turns to sadness, “sorry that you weren’t able to finish your Walk-About, father.”
“It’s okay son. If I had stayed to complete it, I would have never met you mother and you would not be here for us to love,” his father smiles.
Nixie smiles back, “mother,” he says turning to his other parent, “will I get to see my grandparents upon my return?”
“We’ll see, child,” his mother answers.
“I really hope they do come; I would like to meet them.”
Matching her sons energy, Aspen Wintera, now Aspen Snowball, offers a glimmer of hope and caution, “I’m sure they would like to meet you as well. Remember to keep your knowledge to a minimum so that they don’t feel less intellectual around you, and make sure you dress like you are cold. Humans cannot know that temperatures don’t affect you.”
“Yes, mother. Have you seen Nova? I wanted him to see me off too.”
“He is no doubt hunting in the snow. I’m sure he will miss you when you are away,” she hands him a piece of parchment with a phrase written on it, “this will get you through to their world, and back to ours when your expedition ends.”
He takes the note.
“Now repeat after me child, si-si appi narri pamk-kee.”
After several tries, Nixie finally repeats it correctly.
“You must learn it exactly as I have said it. Also, memorize those words in case you lose the parchment as well.”
“I will, mother.”
“Good. Now, go before the daylight prevents you from starting your Walk-About tonight. Remember those words only works when you are in front of the tree and only if it is dark.”
Nixie nods, “okay,” he says building up the courage to begin his journey, “mother, father, I will see you soon.”
They hug and Nixie receives a kiss from each of his parents. He picks up his backpack and walks out into the midnight air. Snow is falling heavily as he makes his way toward the big tree.
A Short while after Nixie leaves, Aspen stokes the fire and sits in another comfy chair next to her husband, “I can tell after all these years that you are still not happy with not telling him. Believe me my dear Ogma, it is best we keep him humble, so that he learns to do things on his own merit.”
“Yes, my love, but keeping it from him pains my heart.”
“It pains mine as well, sweet husband. However, it must be done this way. Mother insists.”
“I understand. It is for the best.”
Aspen takes his hand into her own, “when the time is right it will be revealed.”
“What about his gifts? What if they start to reveal themselves? What then?”
“I say we cross that snowbank when we have to.”
“He will not be able to explain them when they do show. Are you prepared for that?”
“Mother has already said she is prepared for the moment when the signs of him being different come forth. We must trust that my love.”
“Yes, of course,” he kisses Aspen softly and whispers, “I need to return to my realm to prepare.”
She nods and, in a flash, her husband disappears in a soft white light. Moments go by and a white fox appears in the room, “there you are Nova, follow your brother and keep him safe. Stay hidden and only get involved if you must.”
The fox lowers its head and lifts it up again. It’s eyes glow bright blue as it turns away and disappears.
Aspen nestles into her cozy chair to read her newest book. She opens it and begins reading it as she sips on a cup of hot cocoa.
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