seasonsmusings - Tumblr blog

[seasonsmusings]

Typing away on her laptop, Noelle answered without ever taking her eyes off the screen. "I mean, if you feel you need to. But you've already done the requisite 'checking it twice', so I'm sure it's....wait." Finally understanding the meaning of that question, she turned to face him. "Are you....Dad, that threat stopped working on me when I was twelve..."

ㅤㅤㅤ⋆˚  ✧. ┊┊ open (ft. st.nicholas. the.christmas.chronicles.)

ㅤㅤ❝𝓓o I need to get out the Naughty or Nice list?❞

[seasonsmusings]

Open Starter - Anna Claus-Shepherd || Open to All

"As of 12:30pm today, the kids are done with school. Which means I can be there to help by 12:45pm at the latest... Ohio time."

[seasonsmusings]

"I don't need a babysitter..." Her tone was, perhaps, a bit harsher than she originally intended as she got to her feet -- brushing the snow from her clothes. It was bad enough that her siblings all still saw her as a child...she didn't need it from Bernard as well.

Though, honestly, if Kris thought about it long enough...Bernard probably still saw ALL of them as children. But as she was the only one currently getting scolded...she stood by her attitude.

"And you weren't nearly this grumpy before Noelle came home. Who even asked her to come take over everything? Cause I know I didn't...."

“Shouldn’t I be more concerned with my actual job, you mean? I would love to be more concerned with my actual job, and not have to run after wayward Clauses who think rules don’t apply to them. You know they’re making preparations for the Christmas banquet.” 

Bernard was really only half-scolding. He knew better than just about anyone what a tempting trap the North Pole kitchens could be. Three-story gingerbread houses with gingerbread families included, sugar cookie snowflakes with from-scratch icing, hand-pulled candy canes, not to mention to near-overflowing vats of Judy’s famous hot cocoa and eggnog. He’d been shooed out of the place more than his fair share, and each time was more and more doubtful to be the last time.

But even so, he was Head Elf, and he couldn’t go around showing preferential treatment to anyone, including the boss’s children.

“It was one thing babysitting you when you were seven, I shouldn’t still have to do the same thing at seventeen.”

[seasonsmusings]

"Barney..." Contemplating the idea for all of half-a-second, Noelle nodded. That would work. Activating the walkie talkie in her hand, the blonde called down to the candy department. Check the dye vats thoroughly, run a small test batch, and then take the purple and green and repackage them.

With a smile, she turned back to the elf beside her. "Any ideas on how to rein in the glitter happy elves in wrapping? Cause I'm pretty sure if Bernard sees the state it's in now, he's going to have all the cows... All of them."

If they could get that under control then all she'd have left to do this morning was check on her mom and little sister. At least until another crisis rolled in...

“Of course it’s going to be fine.” It always was. Christmas magic or something like that, no matter how many season-jeopardizing disasters they had leading up to the big night, somehow everything always managed to fall into place just when things were starting to look truly hopeless. The Big Guy’s injury was certainly a step backward, but the lot of them had been through worse and still managed to pull things off without a hitch.

“Just re-package the candy canes as being Barney-themed and you’ll have 10,000 very happy toddlers on Christmas morning.” Were kids still into the big purple dinosaur these days? He knew those talking dogs were all the rage, couldn’t go two steps through the workshop without tripping over some blue or beige toy or other, but the classics never went out of style, right?

[seasonsmusings]

Today is our holiday luncheon at work. Which means today is the day I embrace my inner Noelle -- scurrying about and coordinating everything. I'm actually about to go decorate the room cause I have to pick up the food at 10.

[seasonsmusings]

"But Berna-ard..." The kitchens were always a good place to be -- filled with all sorts of tempting treats. But this close to Christmas? They were nothing short of heaven.

"Surely they don't need all that gingerbread. And whose going to notice if a few small cookies go missing? Don't the reindeer and I deserve them?" Cause yes, she was sharing with the reindeer. Especially Comet. He'd always been a favorite of hers.

"Also...shouldn't you be more concerned with wrapping? I heard Noelle say they were starting to get a little glitter happy up there. Something about making things special for the 'mermaid and unicorn girlies'."

@seasonsmusings asked: no! put me down! (Kristin to Bernard)

there was a meme

"Gladly." Bernard heaved the youngest Claus child over his shoulder, depositing her rather unceremoniously in the nearest snowbank. This had been a lot easier when she was five, he noted privately, dusting his hands off and placing them on his hips.

Not many elves at the North Pole would dare to treat any member of the big guy's family the way Bernard did, but that was just yet another perk of having worked for Santa for as long and as well as he did.

"You've been asked to stay out of the kitchens, and now I'm telling you to stay out of the kitchens. I'm giving the Bakers permission to chase you out with whatever utensils they have at their disposal the next time."

[seasonsmusings]

"Honestly? It's a bit...all of the above..." Stopping her own pacing, Noelle regarded the elf beside her. Like Bernard, Wayne was a valued member of the team. Practically part of the family. Which was probably why she was okay to him being privy to this little freak-out to begin with.

"Of all the times for Dad to break his leg...I mean, yes. It does allow him to concentrate on 'the list'; go over it a third time if needed but still...there's so much to be done. And we had not only a glitter jam in wrapping earlier but a dye mix up in sweets and so now have about 10,000 purple and green candy canes... But it's going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine. Right???"

@seasonsmusings asked: “Stay calm, stay calm.” (Noelle to Wayne)

there was a meme

"Addressing the workshop at large, ma'am, or just me?" Wayne liked to consider himself one of the more laid-back elves at the Pole - maybe his blood pressure didn't necessarily agree with him, but he had a relatively easier time of it keeping calm than the rest of the elves tended to.

As contagious as Bernard's anxious pacing could be, the Prep and Landing team didn't really have to start sweating until around a week before the twenty-fourth. Oh, sure, pitch in where and when they can and all that, but sometimes it was fun to just sit back and watch the rest of the workshop running around like a colony of brightly-colored ants.

"Or is this more of a 'meant to be an internal monologue but I said it out loud' situation?"

[seasonsmusings]

Headcanon: Cassie & Oliver Shepherd-Claus

A set of twins belonging to Anna and her husband, Mark. Anna has lived away from the Pole since before her marriage and so Cassie and Oliver have been raised in America. (Ohio to be exact). But they do visit the family throughout the year -- especially at the holiday season.

As Cassie used to be mused by a friend of mine, her FC is Crystal Reed. I am still working on a mental casting for Oliver.

[seasonsmusings]

Open Starter - Kristin Claus || Open to Anyone

"Okay...but the reindeer have been working really really hard. They deserve a little treat."

[seasonsmusings]

requested by @boymeetsgmw; Bernard in The Santa Clause (1994)

[seasonsmusings]

'𝐬𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐲' 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬.

prompts designed around the concept of a character having a difficult day and another character arriving to help/support/care for them! i made these prompts on @soulprompts. DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST NOR REPOST IT OR CLAIM AS YOUR OWN.

DIALOGUE PROMPTS.

" you look like you could use a hug. "

" please tell me you didn't cancel your plans for me... "

" don't be silly, you're much more important than some tinder date! "

" where's your jacket? i'd like to show you something, and it'll involve a bit of walking. "

" you know i'm always here for you, don't you? no matter what. "

" hey, now... i'm only ever a phone call away. "

" come on. let's get you to bed. "

" i'm listening. "

" hey, do you have any spare pajamas? i'm going to sleep on your couch tonight; that way you just need to shout if you need me. "

" what are your nightmares about? they may not be so bad if you talk about them. "

" another nightmare? "

" hey now, no more apologizing. i'm glad you called me; i meant it when i said any time, any place. "

" you know you're never a nuisance nor a burden. not to me. "

" i'm helping you, and that's final. i'm not taking no for an answer. now. where's your kitchen? i'm making us some comfort food. "

" maybe you think it's your job to look after everyone else. but it's not supposed to be like that. it works both ways. and now it's my turn to look after you. okay? "

" hey, now. you've been helping me ever since we met. it's about time i started repaying the favor. "

“ i’m so proud of you. i know it’s hard to get past these rough days, but... i still want you to know that i’m proud of you. “

“ you know, i reckon our bond is definitely strong enough to endure whatever it is that you need to get off your chest. “

“ it’s alright, now... i got you. “

“ you don’t need to worry about scaring me off. i’m not going anywhere. you can try as hard as you want, but there’s nothing you can say that’s going to make me like you any less. “

“ you know, i make the best hot chocolate in the world. seriously, i’ve asked absolutely everyone on the planet. everyone except you... what do you say? wanna make it a global fact? “

“ let’s go smash some stuff until you’re ready to talk, okay? “

ACTION PROMPTS.

[ TEA ]: sender prepares a mug of hot tea for the receiver.

[ BLANKET ]: having found the receiver either sleeping or just lying on the couch, sender gently takes a blanket and drapes it over them.

[ BATH ]: sender runs a hot bath for the receiver after a particularly challenging day.

[ DINNER ]: having learned that the receiver has had a difficult time lately, sender arrives at their door with their favorite dinner and drinks.

[ COOK ]: in an effort to boost the receiver's spirits, sender arrives with all the ingredients needed to make the receiver's favorite comfort food, with the well-intended intentions of cooking it for them.

[ FORT ]: sender builds a blanket fort for the receiver following a long and difficult day.

[ HUM ]: sender hums gently under their breath to soothe and comfort a distressed receiver.

[ WIPE ]: after the receiver has stopped crying, sender tenderly leans forward, cups their face in their hands, and wipes their tears away.

[ JOURNEY ]: noticing the receiver has had a particularly rough day, sender invites them to accompany them on a walk or drive to get out of the house.

[ HAIR ]: as the receiver leans against them/lies in bed, sender begins to run their hand through their hair to soothe them until they relax or fall asleep.

[ CARRY ]: sender lifts a (nearly) sleeping receiver and carries them into their bed, tucking them in in the process.

[ GUIDE ]: sender physically guides an exhausted receiver into their bedroom, following weeks of very little sleep and very high amounts of stress.

[ BESIDE ]: receiver wakens from their first genuinely restful sleep in weeks, to find the sender asleep next to them, having been holding the receiver throughout the night to help them fall asleep.

[ BEDSIDE ]: receiver wakens from their first genuinely restful sleep in weeks, to find the sender asleep in an armchair by their bedside, having stayed there for the night in case receiver had a nightmare or needed them in any other way.

[ KISS ]: as a gesture of comfort and affection, sender leans forward to kiss the receiver on the forehead.

[ HAND ]: noticing the receiver is close to tears, or otherwise struggling with an unseen but considerable burden, sender gently takes their hand and holds it in an attempt to comfort and encourage them.

[ RUB ]: sender gently rubs receiver's back in a soothing motion.

[ TV ]: sitting next to the receiver on the sofa, sender joins them in watching their favorite show/movie on the television.

[ HOLD ]: as soon as the receiver opens the door and realizes the sender is there, sender wordlessly opens their arms out, and gives the receiver a warm, sorely needed hug.

[seasonsmusings]

Woke up to snow outside my house, which, of course, makes all these muses happy.

[seasonsmusings]

[seasonsmusings]

Open Starter - Anna Claus-Shepherd || Open to All

Phone pressed to her ear, Anna moved through the living room -- straightening throw pillows and picking up odds and ends. "Is he okay? How did it happen? Is anyone there? Maybe I should come up..."

It wasn't the most ideal time to pull the kids out of school -- they still had a test of two before their quarter ended -- but for her dad...and to check on the rest of the family, she'd do it.

Her mom shouldn't have to wrangle everything all by herself. And true Noelle was there, but...

[seasonsmusings]

Instagram credit: danielapardor

[seasonsmusings]

Open Starter - Hannah Cowell | Open to All

“On a scale of one to ten, how wrong would it be to convince my brother’s girlfriend that the Holiday Armadillo is a vital part of celebrating Hanukkah?”

[seasonsmusings]

PAUL RUDD photographed for Men’s Journal (2018)