CHRISTMAS EVE EVE QANTICLE 2022
PART TWO
Hmmmmm. Do you recall when I saw you last, I told you about the reality of elves, and that they had been fighting a particular Enemy - now ours - for a long time?
Yes, I remember something like that.
Have you ever heard strange noises here in the Qanteen?
*texokie wasn’t sure she liked where this was going and uneasily replied to Seymour*
Yeeeeees. Boy do I! I hear noises here ALL the time. Especially coming from the Qloset. A several days ago when I first arrived, it sounded like a mastodon was in there!
Well, I can assure you, it was NOT a mastodon. There is actually a very old, wise, enormously gifted elf who has chosen to live in your Qloset.
OH GET OUT OF TOWN!!!
No really.
WHY?????
Well, he likes the FReeQs and the Qanteen!
Well, how cool is that?? I’ve never seen him before.
OH I imagine he would be very difficult to see unless he wanted you to.
That makes sense. But what does this have to do with me?
Ahhhhhh here’s the rub; I need you to ask him for a favor.
WHAT???? HE HATES ME!!!!! Every time I go into the Qloset, something shifts, and I get bruises. This does not happen to other people! OH, perhaps once in a while others have things shift, but I seem to be a target. Why me?
I actually have it on good authority that he likes you and would listen to you!
That is very hard to believe, Seymour. Why does he like me? I get bruises!
Well, I think he finds you entertaining.
*texokie mutters under her breath*
Entertaining.
I also understand that he regards you as a representative of the Qanteen FReeQs.
NO!!! I’m not! Ransomnote and……
*The General, very much in General mode holds up his hands for silence, which he gets*
Please, texokie. He loves all of you. He is VERY fond of the FReeQs and the Qanteen. I don’t know why he has chosen to cause you such personal distress but I’m sure he had his reasons. I just do have it on good authority that he thinks highly of you. Will you at least try to talk with him?
What is the favor I need to ask for?
That’s difficult. I can’t tell you unless he seems amenable to granting a favor.
Well then, why don’t YOU ask him? Last time you were here, you came into the Qloset and nothing fell on you. Wouldn’t he listen to you?
He might, but I have no relationship with him. You do.
*texokie mutters*
Such as it is. “Relationship”. Hmmmmph.
Just try, please, texie, and see what happens. A lot is riding on this.
If you put it that way, ok. I’ll try. (sigh) Does he have a name?
Yes. He calls himself “Hemmingway.”
END PART TWO
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CHRISTMAS EVE EVE QANTICLE 2022
PART THREE
Hemmingway??? Is that an ELF name?
I honestly don’t know, texie, but that is how we know him.
Hmmmmm. OK.
*texokie knocks lightly on the Qloset door, opens it, and comes in, knocks again lightly on the wall. A shovel falls over. She flinches….but no bruises*
Hemmingway? Are you here? It’s texokie. Will you talk with me?
*texokie holds her breath. It is so quiet.*
Please, Hemmingway? I need to talk with you.
*Quiet……then a faint rustle in the back of the Qloset could be detected. It gets a little louder. Then texokie sees a wondrous sight. It is a very small beautiful being - perfectly shaped mature face, with finely chiseled features. Pointy ears, which she was surprised to realize she had expected. Beautiful shoulder length silver hair. For all the distress and bruises he’d put her through, she was really surprised to see warmth, and a little twinkle in his eyes. His two and a half foot tall body was formed in perfect proportions, and dressed in a beautiful white jacket with gold trim. His trousers were black and he had on black boots. She was actually more at ease with him than she thought possible.*
Hello texokie. I’m Hemmingway, and I’m glad to finally meet you face to face. Why are you here?
Before we get to that, please, may I ask you why you have made things fall on me in the Qloset all this time?
Ahhhh that. Hmmmm. Well, you were really funny hopping around like you did! But that really isn’t why I did it. I was testing you.
Testing me.
Yes! There is something about you. Of course, the rest of the FreeQs who come here have qualities I admire and I like to be around them, but I found yours fun.
Fun.
Yes.
Why are you allowing me to talk with you now?
Oh, because you passed the test.
Test.
Yes. I knew you considered strongly and wanted so much to board up the Qloset. You could have…..but you didn’t. I like that. I’m glad you didn’t do that. You were willing to continue to be bruised even though you didn’t know why it was happening.
You read minds????
*Hemmingway blushed and modestly replied, *
Sometimes.
So you know what I’m going to ask.
No. Only that you need a favor.
Well, that’s correct. That’s all I know too. So I guess you DO read minds! I do need to ask for a favor for a Marine Brigadier General .
What is it? What is the problem?
Oh dear. Hemmingway, I don’t know. I’m just to ask for your help. The Marine I know as Brigadier General Seymour said if you were amenable, he would explain.
Hmmmmmm. It appears the Elf Grapevine has been working overtime. Nevertheless, I’m inclined to grant it if I can.
OH That’s great! General Seymour will be so glad!
Ahhhh, the General. I guess it is time for you to introduce me to him. Will you?
Oh! Of course!
END PART THREE
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