Mischief Makers: The Return

Three shadows flew through the night sky and landed with a soft thump on the window sill.

“This will be the true test,” said Nim with a sniffle.

“I almost don’t want to take him in with us,” said Lil, sneezing. “Glitter is just recovering from her…ordeal.”

“She has to face him sometime,” said Nim patting Barrel on the head and then coughing into his elbow.

“Should we warn her first?” asked Lil with watery eyes.

“Yes, I think that would be a good–Barrel!”  

Barrel, seeing Glitter cleaning up art supplies on the kitchen table, bounded through the window and tackled her, licking her face and barking happily.

“Oh dear,” said Lil as she watched markers, pencils and crayons fly in every direction.

Nim and Lil quickly zoomed into the house to remove Barrel from Glitter’s back. Glitter’s eyes were blank and her body stiff.

Once Barrel was happily eating crushed candy canes with powdered sugar and chocolate syrup, Nim and Lil turned to Glitter.

“She hasn’t moved,” said Lil.

“She has that funny look on her face,” said Nim.

The elves waited for the inevitable freak-out until…Glitter smiled.

Then she chuckled.

Then she laughed with a full-on belly laugh Santa would be hard put to top.

“Um…Glitter,” said Lil. “I’m sorry we didn’t warn you that Barrel was coming back tonight.”

“Yes, it was a last minute ‘surprise’ from Santa,” said Nim.

Glitter wiped the tears of mirth from her eyes. “Oh, that’s ok,” she said.

“It-it is?” asked Lil.

“Oh yes,” said Glitter. “I have a few tricks of my own planned to deal with that pup.”

Glitter trotted over to Barrel and gave him an affectionate pat on the head and then started picking up the art supplies and putting them away again.

“What do you think she’ll do?” asked Nim.

“I’m afraid to ask,” said Lil.

They flew to the table and helped Glitter pick up the last of the supplies. 

“ACHOO!”

“Bless you Ni–Kercheep!”

“Bless you Li–“.

“Stop right there,” said Glitter, putting her hoof up. “You two stay back.”

“But we need to get the ingredients for the Christmas Candy Bark out,” said Nim.

“And get everyone sick?” said Glitter. “I don’t think so.”

“But–,” said Lil.

“I will take care of it. You two go rest,” said Glitter. “And blow your nose.”

Nim and Lil blinked in surprise as Glitter started setting up the kitchen while Barrel ran in circles around her.

As she finished, Glitter sang a song to the tune of It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Barrel soon will see
That I’m a new reindeer now
No longer will I be cowed
By hi-jinks from a puppy such as he

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Barrel just you wait
Now I have a few tricks of my own
When I get you all alone…
I will retaliate!

Nim and Lil looked at each other in alarm. Just what was Glitter planning?