Chronos heard a commotion outside and hurried to the door, opening it to find a tiny reindeer stamping on his welcome mat.
"Are you lost, little one?" The miniature cutie only stood five hands high.
"I ain't lost, Pops," the deer growled in a voice better suited to a carnie with a cigar chomped between his teeth.
While Chronos stared at the small hellion, he heard the roar of Death's Harley in the air behind him.
"Get back in formation, Prancer."
The small deer grumbled and sprang into the air just as Death and seven other reindeer came in for a landing in the middle of Time's carefully tended garden.
"I got us a gig!" Death hopped off his bike and danced over, his Santa hat flopping down to cover one eye socket and looking like a jaunty pirate.
"Doing what?" The second the question left his mouth Chronos decided he really didn't want to know.
Death presented a pointy green cap with a flourish.
"Macy's hired me as their Santa and you're going to be my helper. How cool is that, my friend?"
Chronos backed away to a chorus of snickers from the little deer, waving his hands in front of him to fend off Death.
"No, no…you're not turning me into an elf. I won't do it."
"I have candy-striped stockings for you too," Death continued as if Chronos hadn't spoken. "When I arrived to collect their old Santa yesterday, the manager asked if I wanted the job. It seems the city has a shortage of jolly Saint Nicks."
Chronos shook his head in a desperate attempt to clear it, but the scene before him remained unchanged.
"Where did you come up with the rude reindeer?"
"Lucien loaned them to me," Death enthused. "Aren't they great?"
"Your reindeer are demons?"
"Well, sure. I couldn't take Santa's real ones, you know. How would he get around? Come on, it'll be fun."
Chronos stuffed the elf cap on his head and stalked over to the bike, already regretting his decision.
***
The mini reindeer caused quite a stir as they strutted into the large department store ahead of Santa and his peculiar-looking elf. The manager flagged Santa down and pulled him aside.
"You can't bring these animals in here."
Prancer left a present in the aisle as response.
"Don't worry," Death said. "The children will love them."
The manager's face turned a deep shade of purple. "Get them out of here!"
A crowd had already formed around them by this time, children squealing with delight as they cavorted with the deer. The demons, for their part, took a perverted pleasure in knocking over display units and creating havoc while leading the kids astray.
Chronos noted one woman gasping for breath as she caught sight of Death over by the perfume counter.
"One of your imminent clients?" Chronos asked as he watched her portrayal of a fish out of water.
Death followed his gaze. "No. She is only suffering the aftereffects of inhaling Poison."
As Death sat down in Santa's chair and listened to the children telling him their fondest wishes, Chronos couldn't help but be proud to call him friend. Even when they were fired a half hour later for giving away the merchandise, Chronos could call it a good day.
"What about the demon reindeer?" he asked as they exited the building without the tiny menaces.
Death shrugged a clavicle. "They'll revert back to Lucien at midnight. In the meantime, let them have a little excitement."
"I have to admit, it was fun watching them tree that manager," Chronos chuckled. "I didn't think he'd climb that display so fast in dress shoes."
©2010 Laura Eno
