I do not own Cube or anybody in the Princess Maker games. They belong to the good folks of Gainax, Ninelives and Takami Akai. I also do not own Santa. He belongs to the hearts of children everywhere be they young or old. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ho Ho Holiday Hotline -- By KitKat It all started one December day when I was babysitting my niece Mia who was being her usual active four-year-old self. Meaning? She was getting into everything and rather enjoying it. I was babysitting for my sister while she did some last minute errands before their big trip. I do enjoy my time with my niece, but I also enjoy the time I can give her back to her mother. About that time I tripped over the game pad wire connected to my Playstation landing me face first on the carpet. That's how it was for most of my niece's stay. If she was not playing video games, she was coloring. If she was not coloring, she was dragging stuffed animals from the couch to the floor and from my bedroom to the living room. I asked her to put some of her things up first before dragging anything else out, but like a four year old she opted not to do that. I asked her once again, and she just smiled at me. My heart melted. Some day I would like to have a child of my very own. Then she stuck her tongue out at me. "That's it!" I informed her. "I'm gonna call Santa, and don't think I won't cause I got his number off the Internet!" It worked for Gramdma, so maybe she'll start to mind her Aunt. I wasn't lying either, cause I actually did find a Ho Ho Holiday Hotline phone by doing a Google search. I grabbed the cordless phone as Mia looked at me wondering what her crazy Aunt was going to do next. As I began to dial the number there came a knock at my door. My sister finished all her errands, and it was time to pick up Mia and go home. "How was she?" my sister asked looking at the mess strung out in my apartment. "Looks like she had a very good time with her Aunt." She smiled as Mia ran to her. "Just the usual Kiddo." as we both eyed my place covered in markers, coloring books, stuffed animals, Sailor Moon dolls, and all sort of other stuff. That's my sweet little niece the red headed F-2 class tornado. Mia and her mommy kissed and hugged me good-bye, and I was left alone to deal with my niece's mess. I sat on the couch first and made my game plan on cleaning then I saw the cordless phone. "Oh yeah..." My thoughts started to ramble inside my head. I was in need of a nap. "It was probably just a recording of Santa wishing everyone a happy holiday and a bright New Year and all that jazz." I pondered. "Maybe if they are silly it would be like 'If you're nice, press 1 now! If you're naughty, press 2 now!" I was bored now, so I picked up the cordless phone and dialed the Ho Ho Holiday Hotline. It rang a couple of times, and then to my surprise it was not a recording that picked up. In fact, I've heard this voice before, and the call went like this... Ho Ho Holiday Hotline! Konichiwa this is Cube T. Butler speaking how may I help you? Me: Cube?!?!? Cube: Mistress?!?!? Me: I was wondering where you've been these past few weeks. Cube: Well I notice you've been very busy with your family, and I needed to earn some extra money. The next thing I knew, I'm at the North Pole! Me: ... Cube: What is it Mistress? You are on the Good List this year. ^_^ Me: You're a demon Cube, how ... how... I mean HOW?!? Cube: Long time ago Mistress, a little girl mistaken me for an elf. Me: Sounds like a story for another fan fic, but tell me Cube how did you land a gig like that? Cube: Well you have said that I am cute, cuddly, hard worker, and so forth. I was almost over qualified for the job. Me: Heh... It's a shame I can't see you in your Santa's workshop uniform. I sighed slightly as my computer started to glow and the next thing I knew there was Cube waving at me from inside. Me: YIPES! Cube: Nifty, ne? Yes it was very nifty seeing Cube all decked out in red and green with jingle bells on his shirt collar, as buttons down his shirt, and even in the tip end of his green and red striped stocking cap. Anyone who has yet to play Princess Maker 2 would say that Cube was a right fine jolly little elf. Then I notice the activity in the background at Santa's workshop. It looked like, no it could not be, but I had to ask Cube, "That's not who I think it is over there is it?" Cube looked over his left shoulder and then looked back beaming, "Yes Mistress that's Olive, Lisa, Maria, and the whole gang helping out." I tried to contain my excitement and just stared at my computer screen. Cube blinked a couple of times, and went back to his script, "And what would you like Santa to bring you for Christmas?" This time it was me who blinked a few times, and gave my list. Why not? It's not every year you get to talk to the North Pole with your faithful butler taking the message to the big guy himself. "Well Cube, "I began, "I would like peace on Earth, good will towards men, the Princess Maker games to make it to North America, Princess Maker 4 to finally get released, and a modded PS2. Cube nodded and wrote down, "Mistress wants the impossible." "Very funny Cube." I came back knowing full well he was right, but hey it's Christmas; it's suppose to be a time for miracles. I was still in awe watching all the activity in the workshop behind Cube. That was until he bolted from his chair in a blur of purple, green, and red. As I was wondering what was going on over at the North Pole, the girls of Princess Maker (Goodness me that sounds like a spread for Playboy, but I won't go into that.) moved closer to Cube's work space. Before I knew it Maria, Olive, Lisa, and Melody were staring back at me. "Perhaps this is some kind of game Cube is trying out for Santa?" Olive asked first. I laughed nervously watching the young girls all decked out in their work dresses of red that was trimmed with white fur. They looked at me curiously chattering away among one another. "It could be an interactive game since we can hear her laugh." pondered Maria looking intently at the screen while Lisa snorted, "She needs more house cleaning skills." "Hey now! You never had to deal with a four year old!" I snapped back startling them. I did find it a bit creepy that now the girls I raised in many a game were now looking and talking back at me. "What's going on?" squeaked a tiny voice, "I told him once I told him a million times to hang up to phone when he leaves his work station." Out from nowhere popped Lisa's guardian fae Uzu who was dressed in holiday attire like everyone else; however, I wasn't able to say hello to her cause at that moment Uzu hung up Cube's phone and my computer went back to normal. It is another reason why I never liked Uzu. Luckily I didn't have to grumble for very long cause I heard someone knocking at my door. To my pleasant surprise it was Cube who grabbed my left hand and dragged me outside. This is going to sound corny, but what did my wondering eyes did appear? Why a cute little red sleigh pulled by one white reindeer. "Reindeer are not white!" I exclaimed, and then it hit me like a ton of rocks, "No way!" "Yes, I'm afraid so Miss." Raphael replied, "Cube said you would get.. What were the words... Yes... You would get a kick out of it." He was correct; however the poor dear (pardon the pun) did look a bit embarrassed with being harnessed to the sleigh purely for my and possibly Cube's enjoyment. Before I knew it I was in the sleigh with Cube at the reins, and that was when I had an idea. "Cube, how about we buzz my parents' place?" I asked to which he replied back with a firm no. "My cousin Ricky's place?" I asked, and Cube said the same thing, which led me to sigh, "I can't even show off to my family." "I have strict orders to pick you up and take you to the North Pole, and that was it." Then I had another idea. "Come on Cube!" I pleaded, "Let's fly to Japan and buzz Gainax!" Cube gave me those eyes that one only sees when watching anime, "Why do you want to go there Mistress?" "So we can throw rocks at Anno's house!" I smiled; however Cube was adamant about not going, so off we were headed to the North Pole. The ride was smooth, no air pockets, no airplanes, geese, or demon girl riding a broomstick. It was just a straight shot northward, and before I could think of any deep thoughts about Cube or the meaning of Christmas we were already landing at Santa's workshop. I was too much in awe at my surroundings to notice the brutal cold, and without any delay we were inside. To be honest the workshop was rather modest not like how TV shows would depict it. It was not lined in candy canes and decorations everywhere. There was one thing you could not mistake, and that was there was toys everywhere! Toys starting to be made, toys that were finished, and toys ready to leave on Christmas Eve. I was beginning to feel like a child again seeing all the glorious dolls, trains, drums, picture books, just to name a few. Cube introduced me to everyone. Just to let everybody know not all of the elves were little people. There were a few regular sized elves and a couple of tall ones too. Nice to know Santa is an equal opportunity employer. I didn't think Uzu was all that impressed with seeing me, but I think Uzu was angrier at Cube for leaving his work area. "Now Uzu don't be too harsh on Cube." came a voice from the back of the workshop. I spun around to see who was talking, and there he was in all his Yuletide glory! The big cheese, Father Christmas, Pere Noel, the man with all the toys, Santa Clause! My heart started to thump loudly as he walked up to me extending his right hand. "So nice to meet you Theresa!" he greeted me warmly. All I could, however, managed to squeak out, "Hi Santa." Santa chuckled, "I see you are the same young lady as you were so many years ago. Thank you for still believing in me." I didn't know what to say but "No Santa, thank you. Believing in you keeps one young in heart and soul." Told you this was going to get corny. Santa then nodded to Cube who ran back carrying a brightly decorated box. "This is for you Theresa." he smiled with that trademark twinkle in his eye. Cube handed me the box to which I anxiously opened and squealed with delighted as I peered inside. There were plushies! Now just any plushies mind you, but Puchi Puri Yuushi plushies! There was Yuushi, Cube, Grenda, Coocooru, and Ga Ga. "Oh thank you Santa, Cube, and everyone!" I hugged my new Cube plushie vowing to give all of them a good home. I closed my eyes letting this wonderful feeling wash over me only to open my eyes and realize that I am back home at my apartment sitting on my sofa holding nothing. "Drats." I cursed to myself, "It was all a dream. A very sweet and happy dream, but a dream just the same." I sighed thinking I had better start cleaning when I noticed that it had already been done. "What the hay?" I thought while scratching my head. Then I noticed an envelope lying on my computer desk. After picking up the envelope and opening it, I read the note that was inside, "Dear Mistress, I heard about the comment that was made about your housekeeping skills; therefore, I had the girls come over to help you out. Your Faithful Butler, Cube P.S. Don't forget to check under the Christmas tree." And so I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a bright New Year. May all your dreams come true as well.