//------------------------------//
// Christmas Day 
// Story: Derpy's White Christmas 
// by Cetuximab 
//------------------------------//

She tries to stay in bed and ignore it. If it really is Santa, there might be a chance that he thinks she’s asleep. But her curiosity gets the better of her, as she gets up and sneaks up the door to take a peak. She doesn't see anyone in the room. But a small envelope lies under the plastic tree. Derpy runs up to it and opens it eagerly. Inside is thick paper with golden imprints on it. 'Turn Around'. Confused what this could possibly mean, she turn around. And there he stand right in front of her. Santa Claus. He’s dressed like you would always see the actors on TV do. But he looks a bit skinnier and his beard is more a shade of grey than white. He looks at her through his glasses.

"Merry Christmas Derpy," he says with a deep humming voice "I have a very special gift for you this year,"

"You do?" she is still baffled by this "But I was a bad girl this year!"

"I don't see you on my list though," Santa replies.

"I-I took drugs today" she admits, ashamed of herself. 

"Now, now. Maybe I write that on next year's list. But for now I want to show you something," he says with his calming voice. "Ride with me in my sleigh tonight and I'll show you something you'll never forget,"

He offers her his hand and as she takes it, they are both engulfed my some sort of sparkling dust before they find themselves on top of Derpy's house. Derpy is frightened for a second. The magical dust not only brought them up here, but also replaced her pajama with proper winter clothes. They are sitting inside a sleigh, pulled by reindeer. He signals them to start flying with a whips of the reins. With a little jolt, the sleigh slowly gains altitude. Not believing her eyes, Derpy looks around and down. When she looks back, she sees a short twinkling tail. While they make their way over the city, she can't help but start wondering.

"Santa?" she asks him "How do you deliver all the presents? Isn't it too much to do in one night?"

"Do you remember the stories about me coming down the chimney?" he returns the question.

Derpy does just nod her head.

"Did you see the trail we leave? It is magical dust that lands on the houses and sneaks into the homes to place the presents under the trees," he explains "It is quite uneventful really,"

"But why take me with you?"

"You've been on the nice list for so many years now, and not once could I fulfill your deepest wish," he says with a little bit of sorrow in his voice "I cannot influence the weather, but I can take you to another a place where it snows,"

Derpy's eyes widen with anticipation. With the drugs still in system, she can't really calm herself down again. The entire flight, she pesters him with all sorts of questions. Santa doesn't seem to mind though. He actually enjoys the company on his otherwise lonely tour. Chitchatting, the ride quickly takes them into a colder area. They don't notice, until a little flake lands on Derpy's nose. Startled by the sudden cold, she jumps in her seat. She looks around and finds herself surrounded by a fields of snow as far as she can see. The snowflakes slowly fall, creating a white curtain around them. Derpy sits there in awe, watching the world around her disappear into nothing but white. Santa signals the reindeer to slowly land on the ground. 

The sleigh dashes a few meter through it, churning up large amounts of snow behind it, before finally coming to a halt. As soon as it does, Derpy jumps out of it and into the snow. Her feet sink in a few feet before she gets her balance back. The crunching of the snow is like music to her ears. Taking a handful of the white sea to her feet, she makes a snowball and throws it. Behind her Santa chuckles and smiles about her child-like behavior. Overwhelmed by all this beauty, she lets herself fall backwards. Landing with a small 'puff', she lets out a squeal of joy. With her arms and legs, she makes a snow angel. She tries to do as much as she can in the probably only little time that she has. And she is right. After a few more minutes of joyful play in the snow. Santa clears his throat.

"I am sorry little Derpy, but we have to leave now," he says with sorrow again. "I have to deliver the remaining presents. Even with my magic dust, it is still a tough task to fulfil,"

She looks down sadly, but understanding. It would be too selfish of her to hold back presents of the other kids. Nodding, she bows down and takes a last handful of snow with her before hopping back in the sleigh. As it ascends again, Derpy looks down to the pile in her hand, slowly getting smaller from the airflow. Soon, there is only little left, reminding her only too painful about the drug package she had bought earlier and her lost savings on it. A tear starts to roll down her cheek, until she finally realizes something. 

The man really did sell her snow. Not in the way that she expected, but without the cocaine he would've never been awake that late and actually opened the envelope. Now that she thinks about it, another question comes up her mind. 'How did Santa know she would be awake?' Looking at him from the side, she tries to make a sense out of all this. But his mimic does not reveal anything. In fact, the flight back is a much quieter. It is until they land on the roof of Derpy's home. Santa turns to her with an apologetic expression on his face.

"There is only one last thing I have to give you Derpy," he says, producing another envelope "I had to make sure you were still awake when I come. Here is what you gave the man,"

Derpy sits there speechless. The whole thing now makes sense in her mind. Only Santa Claus could be able to plan such a thing. But there is still one last question for her.

"Why did you have to give me cocaine? Couldn't you just give me a letter saying to stay up late?" she is not really angry about it, but more astonished about his methods.

He throws back his head and starts to laugh hearty.

"No, No. That wasn't cocaine Derpy. That was caffeine powder. I could never subject you to such a horrible drug!" he tells her. 

Relieved, Derpy climbs out of the sleigh and Santa blows a small handful of powder into her direction. The same sparkling dust engulfs her, taking her back into her apartment. This time it had taken the winter clothes back and replaced them with her pajama. A sudden sleepiness overcomes her and she makes her way back into her bed. Tucking herself into the warm blankets, she falls asleep in a jiffy. The night goes on silently, as she dreams of Derpy's white Christmas.


THE END