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Carol patrols around the town as it prepares for the festival, in part to make sure everything is going on track, and another to stomp out any trouble makers. This year has gone smoothly so far, it’s been one of the most productive they’ve ever had, still she never lets her guard down.
From the corner of her eye she sees the Dreemurr’s youngest, Kris, beside the model gingerbread house. The toddler is unattended and staring at the house ravenously. Why aren’t those two keeping an eye out on their damn child?
She walks over to them. “Kris, point me to your parents. You’re not allowed here.”
They ignore her, enraptured by the house.
“I know what you are thinking and no you cannot lick it. It’s inedible.”
They continue ignoring her.
“Kris, I’m your neighbor. You need to listen to Mrs. Holiday when she tells you to do something.”
Kris sticks their tongue out and moves towards the house.
“Oh for goodness sake.” She cries as she grabs them. Immediately they bite her. “Oh no you little scrondrel. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” She says gripping them tighter. “Now to find your parents.”
She travels and looks around but it’s nearly impossible with them wiggling and fighting her so much. “Calm down you, I’m only doing this because I don’t trust you not to run off.”
They bite her again.
She lifts them up and turns them to face her. They blow a raspberry at her and Carol can’t help it, she giggles.
“You’re a mean little elf, aren’t you. A mean little elf. Mean little elf.” As she says this, she shakes them up and down like a snowglobe. They’re fussing turns to giggles and they both giggle together.
She places them on their hip and taps their nose. “Boop.”
They tap her nose too.
“Silly Krismas.” She says doing it again.
They go back and forth with the booping until she feels large, furry paws on her shoulder. “Boop.” She hears Asgore and she jumps, nearly dropping Kris.
“Asgore! Where have you been! Do you know the trouble they could have gotten into? Or the trouble that could’ve found them?”
“I’m real sorry Carol. I promise Tori and I were keeping an eye on them. We only looked away for half a second and well, half a second is all this little buddy needs.”
“You’re lucky I was the one to find them.” She says, handing them back to Asgore, giving them one last boop as she does.
She sits on the ground using her katana as an arm rest. Her hair is undone, there’s dirt on her face and clothes, the blazer they’d just assume was naturally razor straight has wrinkled. They didn’t realize she could look like this. They probably look just as shit but it’s unnerving seeing her like this. For some unexplainable reason it’s also comforting.
She reaches into her pocket and grabs a pack of cigarettes. She lights one, staring out in the distance.
“Want one?” She asks, grabbing one and handing it to them, still not looking in their direction.
They’re baffled but part of them thinks at this point why not-
“What the hell am I thinking?” She says, pocketing the pack again.
They breathe in the secondhand smoke supposing it’s all she has to offer them, and it feels nice in a way. A warmth they can both share.