h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*happy sigh*

Ooooh... aren't they pretty?

*looks at Ripley, who seems to be just as consternated by the sprites as they were by the sight of him*

*climbs back into the wagon*

It is starting to snow again!

A will warm us up, have we time before we return?

*removes the feed bags and sets out some hay for Bonnie and Clyde*

Refreshment is a good idea, Miz Caerwynn. The horses' eyes has been changing from brown to orange all this time, and I'm sure there be more somber sorts of magic than a bottle of spell-spoilt liniment and some woodsprites.

Rest and get our energy levels up, I says. Yer robot maid already went home by herself, and she probably can use the mechanical access on the far side of the crater from CLI, but we needs must take the road. We'll go direct along the beach cliffs to get back.

*meanwhile, the sun has set, a waxing moon rides inside a halo, and that north wind has driven high icy cloud overhead*

Affy4-Fairies....why trust them more than people? They're merely smaller, faster, and more magical. In my time, a much more sensible age, we knew that they could (and sometimes did) cause many a hero to come to his end! I'm willing to trust these fairies, but I keep my sword drawn. Iron and Steel aren't as friendly to fairies as they are to us.

Affy5-You need to calm down, Affy4, you know that? Anyway, what's left for the rest of us to do here? Change Toasty back to normal and head home?

*brews a fresh pot of and produces some mince pies from a tupperware box in one of her pockets*

*folds the throw like a shawl and wraps it round her shoulders*

It is getting very chilly now.

*shivers*

Or maybe leave Toasty the way he is, if we can rustle up a Virtual Freezer Bubble.

/* Quietly harnesses Zeppo back up to the dog sled while Zeppo remains in hunting posture, and climbs on the sled. */

This ought to be fun - whatever Zeppo smells in that hole will come out soon, then the race is on.

/* Holds on tightly */_______

There's a fresh thermos of coffee and brandy.

And if that doesn't work you can always keep warm by jogging by the wagon.

Aren't the squidlights pretty now that it's got dark?

They do look very nice.

Definitely.

Oh, and that reminds me: Lil, as usual I'm going to be contributing Christmas Fireflies to the tree when we get home. I can't remember if I used them last year, but a while back I brought them out and the flew around, shining Christmassy lights, and eating any needles that might fall off of the tree. Fortunately, I've never seen these things eat a needle that was still on the tree, so we can still keep our deal with the Forest.

*Checks his watch*

Hmmm,....only 24.5 hours in RL time to get back to the Atelier....we need to get to work on the problem of Toasty the Snowman, and fast!

Oh, and if it helps I've got my Snowzar with me. That could potentially keep him frozen, even in a warm place like the Atelier.

How about if we tow him in the trailer we were going to use for the tree?

Of course! I know how to change him back! It's simple really, all we need to do is...

/* A rabbit pops out of the hole that Zeppo has been staring out and makes a dash for the woods, followed by Zeppo, followed by d'Elaphant on the dog sled */

WHOOO HOOOOO! ALL WE NEED TO DO IS...

/* d'Elaphant's voice fades into the distance, with occasional words carried on the wind */

...EMONS AND H...
...TO THE MI...
...ELIER...

Do what with lemons?

Affy4-He obviously said "all we need to do is capture the demon's hellfire and take it to the middle of nowhere because that will make him suitable for a hotel's waiter."

Affy5-No, it was more like "all we need to do is water the lemons and help them to the mill not far from here because there's a magic rottweiller there."

*diplomatically* Best if we catch up with d'Elaphant and find out what he meant. Amos, are the horses ready?

*jumps up to the driver's bench and picks up the reins, then releases the brake*

Everyone git on board.

*feeling hands on the reins, Bonnie and Clyde become restive, pawing the ground and generally acting more like thoroughbreds than draft horses*

*All characters from this researcher are on board*

*makes sure all characters are on board who might actually be away for Christmas*

*Checks RL watch*

Oh boy, it's been Christmas in the real world for over 14.5 hours now. And that's just the Central Time Zone, so the fresh cookies are probably not as tasty by now further east.

If we don't hurry, the forrest's Hum-Bugs may attack....

*snuggles down into the hay*

I have to admit to looking forward to getting back to the warmth and seeing the decorated tree.