The Father Snow Experience

Synopsis: A Mobian Wintermas.   Inspiration for this particular ‘one-off’ fluff comes from ‘The Santa Experience’ episode of Rugrats where Chuckie is rather nervous to meet Santa.    

Chapter 1—Wintermas is Almost Here 

Ring the bells

Sound the trumpets 

Deck the halls 

Joyous and triumphant 

The familiar Wintermas carol typically associated with décor and heralding Father Snow was sung right after their Feast of Abundance every year.   All the hedgehoglets were eager to see Father Snow, but one little hedgehog wasn’t so certain.   

‘I hear he’s a winter spirit !   He causes cold, chill, snow, sleet, hail and all the things I’m really not too fond of.   I prefer warmer weather.’, the youngest of the hedgehogs griped.   He didn’t like being the ‘odd hedgehog out’, but he didn’t necessarily trust a pixie dwelling being, knowing that the faye weren’t to be taken at face value.    None of the hedgehogs had any encounters, but reading the cautionary tales and steering clear of the Enchanted Forests had proven to be safeguarding many non-magical Mobians for eons.    

‘Oh, come off it !   You can’t be scared of Father Snow !  He’s jolly and he gives you presents !’, Manic stated brightly as they all waited in line in the chilly morning air.   

Agur shivered and hid his head underneath his layers of clothing, including his extra fuzzy rainbow scarf.  

‘That’s not what I heard, Uncle Manic.’, the youngest hedgehoglet answered, clearly troubled that he would be next to see the jovial Faye spirit.   

A faye dressed in the most elegant garb stepped up, looking absolutely stunning to behold.  

‘Okay, who’s next to see Father Snow ?’, he asked, his tone very congenial, hospitable and cheerful.   

Chapter 2—Stepping Outside of Fear 

Agur did not want to go but the faye were so incredibly lovely he couldn’t help but admire each of them.    All of them were dressed in their own color, based on what their talent was.   All of them were unique and ethereal and a glimmer of gold seemed to follow them wherever they flitted hither, thither, and yon.    Agur had to stifle his sense of wonder, but somehow, he just couldn’t hold it back.    These beings were far too amazing and he found himself grinning in spite of himself.   

The chill wasn’t bothering Agur so much any longer and he could see the gargantuan Faye Father Snow sitting in front of him.   The Faye was dressed in a sumptuous turquoise robe embroidered with silver and gold moons and stars.   His fur was the most pristine white any of them had ever witnessed, and there wasn’t a speck of dirt or soot to be seen.     His gleaming eyes twinkled and he laughed a contagious, merry belly laugh.    

‘Come on, Agur.   Don’t be afraid.   I don’t know what you’ve heard in those palace halls, but I know you to be brave when it counts.   Sure you might be a bit tenetive when it comes to the unknown, but I do believe you are a boy full of integrity.   Your service to Mobius is a boon to all of us, and you are loved immensely.’, the artic fox said, wisely.     Agur almost couldn’t speak in how much this mischievous creature knew.    Taking a sharp inhale and exhaling quickly, he approached the giant Faye and was sat upon his lap.   

‘You really are much larger than I anticipated.’, Agur said, chuckling nervously.    Snow tousled the youngster’s purple magenta hair and chortled.   

‘I get that quite a bit.   With my magic, I can change shape as it suits for a myriad of situations.   Comes in quite handy when I’m passing gifts out to good little Mobians like you.’, Snow said, gently patting the boy’s shoulder.    Manic beamed a humongous smile and mouthed across the vale, 

‘Told you so.’      

Chapter 3—Gifts for One and All 

Snow didn’t only give gifts to the royal hedgehogs, but everyone that attended received something to put under their tree for Wintermas.    This was simply an appertif of what was to come later a few more sleeps down the road on Wintermas Eve.    According to the old legend of lore, Father Snow would ride with his mechanical reindeer in his glittering silver sled to deliver tons of gifts to everyone.      It was a true feat how he was able to do this one night every year but Snow was immortal.    He had started the trend back when Mobius was fairly young and so everyone waited with anticipation at their Wintermas tree to see whether Snow teleported in, took the typical chimney route or surprised everyone in some other magical and mystical fashion.     He was the envoy to the Faye and he meant to keep the realms of magic and mundane from never mixing.    He had a loophole when he gifted the hedgehogs their crystal brooches years ago to their parents.    The talismans would only activate with the royals or anyone in their bloodline, but no one else.      Magic beyond that could only be used by the Faye in case of emergency.      

As was customary, a traditional feast was held in Snow’s honor.   Each home had treats for the Faye.   Being a creature of magic, he simply loved sweets.   His favorite was Mobian ‘dream’ fudge.   The fudge itself was akin to a creamsickle mixed with hints of cherry and a bit of non-alcoholic champagne.      

Some of the youngest hedgehogs were getting restless.   Many of the children could barely sit still until the triplets sang a lovely Wintermas song; 

‘Snow is falling down 

Covering the ground below 

Silken, quiet, there’s no sound

Tranquil all we here below 

May the merriment we find 

Embolden each in heart and mind 

And to those that we hold fast

Wish you all ‘Happy Wintermas’ ! 

It was a medieval carol that was only sung at this very special time of the year.   Sonia’s melodic tone carried over her brother’s as she sang her descant.    It was thrilling, mesmerizing, and totally resplendent.      

‘Resplendent voice as always, my sweet Sonia.’, Shadow said, looping his arm around her’s affectionately.    Sonia felt her cheeks grow hot and she lowered her face coquettishly.   She adored being around her love, but public displays like that sometimes embarrassed her.   

Pretty soon, the ‘Magic Fox’ as he was often dubbed, came to eat his dream fudge and pass out presents to the parents and adults.   There were other presents, wrapped and festively decorated, already under the tree that Sonic himself had prepared for everyone.   

There was frenzied unwrapping of presents, laughter, food, dancing, and storytelling before Snow departed for another year to the Enchanted Forest.    All the children thanked the Fox for his generosity and he patted them all on their heads before waving a hand before him and teleporting into his sleigh.    

Velocity 

Felicity 

Alacrity 

Aplomb 

Charity 

Clarity

Abcoulomb !  

With that, all 8 of Snow’s mechanical reindeer revved into being and shot across the sky much like a meteorite.    A hearty ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’ could be heard upon the winds as snow cascaded from the heavens.    With a fresh moon in the horizon, the newly fallen snow had an angelic glow about it, but it was no time to play.   It was late and time to sleep for the evening.  

Epilogue 

It would be a fortnight before the children and teens would return to their typical schooling.   They would still be taught in the mannerisms of the court and well-disciplined in meditation and self-defense.    Every so often, the hedgehoglets would play with their toys they received from the Faye during Wintermas.    It had been a jolly holiday, indeed, one they wouldn’t soon forget.   They were all thankful for what they had received and savored their much-needed rest from their royal duties.