“Will Kurt Celyn please report to Security Room 4B. Kurt Celyn report to Security Room 4B.” The loud system blared through the fashion warehouse.

“What did you do this time Celyn? Smuggle glitter into the deer’s feed again?” Someone shouted across the room and other’s laughed softly, working thread through needles, through clothes. Kurt ignored the small jab while packing up his station and made his way out to the cold to Security Room 4B.

“It just gets colder and colder with each passing year.” Kurt muttered to himself and pulled a hat down over his freezing ears and wrapped his scarf tighter around him.

The path from the Fashion District to the Security District was not that bad. It cut through the baked goods and the Market, so Kurt got to walk past the Jones Bakery. A quick glance showed him his friend, Mercedes, was pulling trays of freshly baked bread out of the ovens. Turning around with tray in hand, she say Kurt walk by and waved. Kurt gave a grin and waved back and motioned he had to go. She gave another smile and continued on with her bread.

Shortly after Kurt arrived in the security district. Slightly different and it had a single building, he entered it and made his way to the room 4B.

“Kurt Celyn here. What is it that you needed?” Kurt asked roughly to the elves that sat in front of a numerous amount of computers. A deep chuckle emitted from behind Kurt and he spun fast enough to give himself whiplash, and the same voice called to Kurt, “Oh my boy. You have not changed one bit since we last met.”

“S-sir Nicholas. I didn’t see you there. I’m sorry.” Kurt apologized with earnest.

“Now, now. No need to be so formal with all this ‘Sir’ business. Nick will do, or you may call me Santa like the other elves.” Nicholas told Kurt.

“I apologize, Nicholas.” Kurt replied.

“Now that we are both here, I have a job for you, my boy.” Nicholas stated, “Bernard, if you will.” He said to an elf waiting by the door. Bernard nodded and left for a couple seconds, and returned with a small briefcase.

“Now, I don’t normally do this, but there seems to be a problem with one of the trackers down in the states and is not allowing me to track the intentions of the humans for The List. This is where you come in. I need to you to go where the tracker is broken and manually report who is naughty and who is nice.” Nicholas informed while bringing the briefcase between them and opened it. Inside was a simple looking watch and an iPad. Kurt took each item, first securing the watch to his wrist and held the iPad gently in his hands. He sent a questioning look at Nicholas.

“Ah yes. I thought that it would be easier on you if The List was electronically done, at least till you get back. The password for it is ELF7” Nicholas answered his silent question.

“And the watch?” Kurt asked aloud this time.

“Is special. The Tech elves have developed it recently for needs such as this one. It can cast an illusion over the wearer so long as it is in contact with his or her skin. All you have to do it push the button on the side and picture what illusion you want to cast. Like an outfit for example. It works off of the magic that is in each elf, so it will only work for you where you will be going.” The answer came from Bernard this time. Kurt nodded his understanding.

“Back to what I have to do. Where is it I am going exactly?” Kurt asked.

“Of course!” Nicholas laughed slightly, “You will be staying with a fellow named Burt Hummel. He is one of many that houses those who have to go travel around. So no need to hide anything from him. And you will be tracking a school. One McKinley William High School, where you will be posing as a senior student.” There was a pause as Nicholas leaned forward slightly, “I need you to do this before Christmas Eve, okay?”

Kurt nodded, “Yes sir, I mean, Nicholas”

“Good! Because you will be taking Vixen with you and I will need her come Christmas.” He said with a jolly laugh, “Make me proud, Kurt Celyn.”

“Wait! Nicholas!” Kurt shouted after the man as he started to walk away.

“Yes my boy?”

“Why…why me? Out of all the elves, and the ones who are trained for this, why me? I‘m just a clothes designer, a fashion elf.” Kurt asked hesitantly. At his question, Nicholas eyes soften and he replied in a light voice,

“Kurt, there is something special about you. Whether you know this or not, believe or not, it’s true. Good luck, and take care.” Nicholas said and left the security room. Kurt stood there staring after the man until Bernard knocked him out of his stupor.

“Alrighty then. You and Vixen will be leaving in an hour. Go home and back a few things that you will need. Remember that you can illusion most clothes up, but they are just that, an illusion. Dress warm for your flight to Lima, Ohio.” Bernard said and went back to his screen to track others in the world.

Kurt took this as his dismissal and made the trek to his small house.

“Kurt! Kurt! Excuse me, sorry. KURT! I’M TALKING TO YOU BOY!” A voice shouted from behind him. Turning around, a smile appeared on his face as his best friend came running up to him.

“Hey Mercedes, sorry about that. My mind was else where.” Kurt apologized and kept walking.

“Don’t worry. Now, want to tell me why you were called out to the security district?” Mercedes asked, poking his side. Kurt jumped away from the offensive digit and replied,

“Apparently there is a technical difficulty with a tracker at a high school somewhere down in America, and Nicholas asked me to go there and tracking the students manually. I’ll be gone three weeks max.”

“Wait, you got to talk to Santa?” It seemed the only thing she got out o all that was that small fact.

“Yes, I talked to Nicholas.” Kurt grumbled, “I mean, that takes precedence over the fact that I’ll be gone for a few weeks. No big deal, really.”

“Oh Kurt. You know I’ll miss you boo! But think about it. Santa choose you to do this. It‘s not every day he picks someone out of the trackers to do this. You are just a fashion elf.” Mercedes paused, “What am I going to do when you’re gone? Who will help me with my outfits?” she cried out.

“What will you do? I have to feed myself, how am I to last without your fabulous cooking ‘Cedes?” Kurt pouted. By now they where at his house and Kurt opened the door and let them both in and headed upstairs to his bedroom, more specifically, his closet.

“I guess we will both have to learn to survive.” Mercedes replied laughing at their antics, “Now, let’s get you packed. Three weeks max you said? Boy, you are going to need a dozen suitcases.”

“Actually, I only need to pack up my skin care and moisturizers and a few basics for clothes. The tech elves have set something up for me for clothes where I am going.” Kurt informed, packing said things.

“Just take care of yourself for me okay Kurt? And if you meet any nice boys, you need to tell me as soon as you can.” Mercedes threatened.

“Like any guy would want to be with me. First I seem so overly gay, if they find out I’m a real elf, I’ll be the laughing stock of the whole state.” Kurt mumbled in response. Mercedes wrapped her arms around him before pulling back.

“Still boy, stay safe. I have to get heading back to the bakery now. See you later Kurt!” Mercedes said with a sad smile and wave. Kurt waved back and sighed.

“Guess I should get going as well.” Closing the suitcase, he dragged it downstairs and put on his thickest coat and fluffiest hat, scarf and gloves set and headed outside once again.

Walking into the stables, Kurt walked by the reindeer until he got to Vixen. There was a couple others there harnessing her up and one took his bag to attach it. Kurt gave a wary glance to the deer. No matter who you were, seeing a reindeer this close fills you with awe and wonder, but Kurt being Kurt who cares for his clothes like he does, was hesitant to get close to an animal.

“She won’t bite you know.” A young girl who was brushing Vixens fur stated. Kurt glared at her, “I know that.” and reached out to pet Vixens snout. He smiled when she nuzzled into his hand.

“Ready to go then Kurt?” Bernard said from behind him. Glancing at him, Kurt nodded.

“Yeah. Two weeks to fill out The List at the school I’ll be attending. Got it, let’s just get going so I can get to warmer weather.” Kurt said and swung a leg over the saddle on Vixen.

“Okay girl, lets go.” Kurt whispered, patting her neck. They started off in a slow trot to get out of the stables, and then once outside, Kurt grabbed onto the reigns tightly as Vixen started to full out run.

“And fly girl.” Kurt said and Vixen took a giant leap, and then another one and another one, taking flight into the sky.