Riddle 013: Spreading That Christmas Cheer [Action]

[questionauthority]

[Christmas Time is coming! Today, you'll probably find Edward in one of three locations.

A. At the Christmas Village, dressed in his little "Helper Elf" costume and freezing furiously. He does not look at all happy to be there.

B. Wandering through the town, dressed in a warm, green pea-coat, a jade scarf wrapped around his neck, just admiring the winter scenery.

C. Back at home, meticulously setting something up on the dining room table. Once he's finished, he'll call upstairs.]

Slugger? Susan? I'd like it if you could come to the dining room, please. ...Susan, you're free to call upon your Grandfather, too, if you like.

Comments

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[That's fine. He quickly accepts them, slipping them on.]

...many thanks.

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

Sure.

[Arslan looks at the village quietly]

What is this all about? Do you know?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

I haven't a clue. My boss only asked that I show up here at the crack of dawn wearing... this.

[He gestures to the demeaning outfit.]

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

[Arslan glances at the outfit again, then sighs faintly]

You would think he'd give you something better for the weather.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Indeed. But I suppose warm uniforms are simply too much to ask for in Mayfield.

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

I suppose so. The place seems very strange.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward knows better than to vocalize his suspicions while he's on the job, so he'll keep quiet about it for now.]

'Tis the season.

[He offers, sardonically.]

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

[Arslan sadly has no idea what the phrase means, but the tone is obvious enough. He sort of watches Edward with a curious look, but won't pry any further on what it's about exactly.]

May I ask your name?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Edward Nigma. Investigator, police officer, and, evidently, Santa's Little Helper.

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

I'm Arslan.

[He pauses here, and perhaps looks a bit uncomfortable about what he's going to say next; you can also blame Discworld's Death for confusing him.]

Is Santa supposed to equate to this person Bill called the Hogfather?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[I'm gonna assume that Susan has explained the barebones facts about Hogswatch to Edward at some point when they were at home. Or that he heard Death and Susan talking about it during one of their visits.]

...sort of. He's an old man who dresses in red, flies to every house in the world on Christmas, and delivers them presents.

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

That's sort of what Bill said... Interesting that two different places have almost the same thing.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[He glances left and right, making sure that nobody's around to overhear them, before conspiratorially whispering:]

Knowing this place, Mayfield might have some different... ideas of how to celebrate.

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

[Arslan frowns faintly, but nods a little. He also lowers his voice.]

I already know death doesn't work the same... Can you tell me sometime other things? I don't think you want to talk here, yes?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[He nods.]

[arslansenki.livejournal.com]

[Arslan nods again, and smiles almost pleasantly.]

Then, I'll leave you to your work for now. Since it seems you know Bill, you can return the mittens later.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Again, much appreciated.