My friend and I decided to make a story and here it is! Bear in mind that if the book is good enough we will publish it. Think of yourselves as beta readers :) My friend: https://scratch.mit.edu/users/Amature_Writer_-_ Also, please no rude comments. Advertising is allowed. ADVERTISE ME! Please be nice to everyone! Chapter 3: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/865858775/ Chapter 4: You're on it! Chapter 5: Be patient :) "Took you long enough." He grumbled. "Well sorry, but you yourself pointed out that I was injured and could 'barely even walk' " she muttered mimicking him under her breath crossly, before covering her mouth with her hands realizing she'd spoken aloud and out of turn. The boy looked slightly taken aback at her snide little comment. He quickly averted her gaze and shoved his hands in his pockets when he caught her looking at him apologetically. She was about to apologise when the boy swiftly knocked on the big wooden door. A heavy voice spoke up, "Who is it? …Aeverie I swear, if you came to bother me about the design of this place, you will be on lookout duty for the rest of your life!” "Open up old man, I'm not another one of your incompetent workers." The boy's voice was steely, and Ember felt the temperature drop once more. The shuffling of papers could be heard from behind the door before it opened to reveal a man who looked quite different from your stereotypical Santa. He was not potbellied at all, instead, he was a bit muscular (from all his time in chimneys, Ember guessed), he had long white hair, accompanied by a long white beard, and twinkling blue eyes. He somehow didn’t look at all like Ember had always envisioned whenever she heard of the old fellow. He also looked really tired, like he never got enough sleep and was ready to retire. As soon as he saw he had guests though, he perked up and was all smiles. "Ah! Jackson! What a pleasant surprise" The man spoke cheerfully walking towards them ready for a warm embrace, The boy side-stepped the man, giving him a face full of disgust, "Any encounter with you, surprise or not, is never pleasant." "Ah, still not a hugger." The man smiled grimly, looking down at his hands as if now unsure where to put them. He finally let them drop to his sides as his eyes landed on Ember and perked up once again.
"Why hello! Are you the fine lady who was carried out of the storm a couple nights ago?… " Carried? "I trust my elves have been treating you well?" "Huh?" Ember spoke, Not hearing a word Santa said. "Has your stay been pleasant?" He asked expectedly. "Um, it’s been ok." Ember said, not really sure what to say considering how she didn’t remember any of it. "Oh and how's your knee?" He inquired keenly. Ember blinked, "How'd you know about that-?" The old man's eyes twinkled, "If the huge bow the elves gift wrapped your legs isn't and indication then I'd say it'd been the fact that Jack was up at the stroke of midnight dismantling all my cupboards looking for bandages-" Just then he received a swift kick from- Jack? Was that his name? Who's ear tips were now a slight crimson, and scowl even deeper than before. "Ow- okay, okay I get it touchy subject" The older man whined as he rubbed the sore spot, seemingly oblivious to the stony glare he was receiving. Ember frowned, "That wasn't very nice." She pointed. The boy’s eyes hardened only flashing a brief moment of disbelief and some other emotion Ember couldn't quite place before returning back to their regular piercing glare and blending back into his poker face. "Well I'm not known for being nice." He spat the last word with an edge, intending for it to be a jab. His voice was eerily controlled, cold and steely, Almost void of emotion. Ember recoiled at this, his tone and expressions were eerily blank yet she could sense it filled with more hurt than filled with the intention to hurt, or was Ember just imagining it? Jack seemed to realise this much and immediately averted his gaze stepping back. Santa only gave her a small smile before placing a hand on her shoulder, "It's not one of his most admirable traits but once you get to know him he's not so bad." Hah! Finally got to chapter 4! No cliffhangers this time! What do you think will happen? What happened to Jack? What will happen to Ember? Stay tuned to find out! Until next time!
