From the dumpster behind a local bakery, Vregory popped up with an excited smile. Clutched in his hand was a beautifully intact holiday cookie, his eyes sparkling with excitement. However, before he could even bring it to his mouth, he felt it suddenly torn from his hand.
He blinked, looking up to see Mich, Vichard's loyal robot companion, beeping tauntingly as he flew out of reach with his cookie. As Vreg watched in confusion, Vichard’s voice began to play out of the drone’s speakers.
“Ah, feeling let down? Disappointed? Do you finally grasp how it feels?!”
Hearing the familiar voice, Vreg instantly smiled, “Oh did you wanna share? Is good. Fresh.”
“GEH!” Vichard huffed, “It’s NOT fresh, I just watched you pull it out of a dumpster you dimwit! And NO I don’t want to share, I don’t want to eat it at all! I just want you to feel what it’s like! To have all your hopes and dreams crushed! Shattered! DESTROYED! All over a stolen treat!”
“Humm…” Vreg tilted his head, not seeming to understand. This only served to irritate his brother more.
“DO YOU REALLY NOT REMEMBER?!”
Within the walls of the King family’s grand manor, a small boy was plotting. Cautiously, he peeked his head out of the kitchen door, his messy mop of white hair bouncing as his bright blue eyes darted back and forth. Relieved to see that all was clear, he let out a victorious giggle before dashing out into the hallway.
Clutched tightly in his hands was a tray of chocolate chip cookies, freshly baked by one of the finest chefs in all of the Electric Realm. Accompanying it was a tall glass of cold milk, swaying and threatening to topple over at any moment.
Luckily, the young Vichard King safely reached his destination as he carefully placed the tray on top of a small end table. He had carefully surveyed this house for weeks, and decided this was the perfect spot. Optimal location, low foot traffic, and, most importantly, he was actually able to reach it.
He took a moment to admire his work proudly, before his eyes widened in horror, “Oh no! I forgot the note!” He nearly stumbled over his own feet as he turned to run off, scrambling into another room.
Just as he disappeared, his older brother stepped into the hallway, dressed cozily in the holiday sweater his nanny had picked out for him. Raising his nose to the air, he sniffed, and was immediately drawn towards the sweet scent. A lazy smile spread across his face as he gazed upon the tempting cookies, reaching out to take one, “A holiday treat…”
But then one became two.
And two became three.
And soon all but one of the cookies had been eaten. As Vregory brought the last cookie towards his mouth, a shrill shriek broke his daze. Vichard stood before him, cheeks inflated and red as his eyes welled up, his tiny fists clenched and shaking. Vregory smiled happily to see his brother, holding out the cookie towards him instead, “I found goodies, you want one?”
“MEAN!” Vichard balked, the tears immediately flowing from his eyes as he began bawling, “Those weren’t for you, you ruined it! How could you?!”
Vregory blinked in confusion, troubled to see him crying, “Did I do bad?”
“You are bad! Jerk!” Vichard sobbed, before tossing his note to the floor and stomping on it, “You ruined Solstice! Now my wish will never come true!”
“Wish?” Confused, Vregory tilted his head, “What did you wish for can I help?”
Huffing and fully tantruming now, Vichard only managed to blurt, “I wish you’d stop being a stupid butthead! HMPH!” Before turning to run away, continuing to sob as he tried to find a place to sulk.
Feeling bad, Vregory was about to chase after him, but stopped as his foot kicked the crumpled note his brother had abandoned. Kneeling down, he picked it up, squinting as he tried to read the crudely written note:
“Dear Panfa Panthel Panthalassa,
Greetings! How are you? I am well.
My parents are always too busy to spend Solstice with me, and it’s lonely.
So! I think I deserve more gifts this year!
You have powers so you can do that right?
I left you milk and cookies for payment.
Thanks
Vichard King
P.S. Don’t tell Vregory I said I was lonely or he’ll feel sad. I don’t want him sad.”
“Humm…” Vregory sounded with a frown, as he pondered over the note. Perhaps there was a way to make his Solstice wish come true...
art by ghost
Tumbleweed
