TWINKLING TINSEL

“So because of the nature of how we are doing things, this year, we are going to blend in as much as possible.”

Clover followed after his brother, Paprika, as he went on about his incredible plan to be as normal as possible. The primary goal was to specifically not stand out among the crowds, though Clover found it hard to actually figure out who Paprika was supposed to be talking about since it would be impossible for them to lay low when it came to Woolhope, the little town that was just on the other side of a supposedly haunted wood.

Clover rarely picked Paprika’s brain so directly, but something wasn’t adding up. “Paprika, I am sure everything you say makes sense to you. I reckon you’ve got a lot going on, but can you explain this a little more clearly? The Crabbots won’t be able to follow your directive if I’m not entirely sure what you mean.”

Paprika came to a full stop and Clover clenched, preparing for angry brooding. But it did not come. Paprika motioned to the halls of Elna Manor with ostentatious sweeping motions. Clover followed the gestures as best as he could, but Paprika’s wings had a tendency to obscure everything around them. Clover blinked a few times.

“Uh, I see the halls?” he chanced quietly. “They look clean to me. I made sure the Crabbots were not slacking.”

“No!” Paprika cried. “Look at how unfestive it is.”

“Since when do we celebrate any holidays?” Clover asked. “We didn’t even really do that before either.”

“This is different,” Paprika hissed. “I heard word that if we failed to blend in with the rest of the realm during this time of the year, then we would likely have a repeat of our summer. Remember that? I’d rather not get bogged down in the details, you understand.”

Clover did, and he shuddered involuntarily. “Ah, makes sense.”

“I do not care what it looks like or how it gets done. Ensure that it is appropriate for the season and then burn it down if you wish.”

Clover nodded. “Of course. I can get that done as soon as possible. Do you want Opal to handle the stylistic choices?”

Paprika paused, stroking his chin. “He does seem the sort to enjoy such matters. Fine, have him do it, but do not give the Crabbots to him. He can’t be unsupervised or everything is going to be glittering and pink.”

“No pink,” Clover replied. “Understood.”

“No! Pink is fine, just, not too much,” Paprika said. “He’ll want to stand out and might forget that he’ll blend in too much. I still want to see my houseguests.”

“Right.” Clover pulled out a writing pad from his breast pocket, noting down all the details so far. He found that even when Paprika claimed to not care about the quality of such matters, he, in reality, cared a little too much for his own good sometimes.

Better than sending Habanero out into the cold, he supposed. Cold and wet was never a good combination, and Clover had just had all the area rugs in the manor deep cleaned. Paprika listed off a number of specific details ranging from how sparkly tinsel was allowed to be to how many candles were allowed to be displayed in one place, to the colors of wreaths and ornaments. There was no mention of a tree and Clover didn’t bother asking.

No trees in the house. It would be too messy if anything got into it. Fire hazards and pine needles everywhere. Literally no other reason.

“I’ll get started on the project immediately,” Clover said once Paprika had finished his monologue. “Are we doing gifts this year?”

“I don’t care,” Paprika replied, lounging in his study, eyes focused on the elaborate window. It was storming outside, and just cold enough for it to threaten snow. “Opal already made me something.”

“Tentative.”

“Just make sure it works.”

“Will do.”

Clover left without another word, and Paprika didn’t call for him for a while. Wintertime was always a bit of a sticky time for them. Clover was reasonably certain that there was no real reason for it. At least not one that they could remember. He pushed the thought out of his mind as he turned to releasing Opal onto Elna Manor, the lad just short of exploding with joy as he was allowed to layer the manor with sparkling tinsel that wasn’t too loud, lights and candles that were just numerous enough, colorful paper decorations, glass ornaments, hand blown by artisans from around the realm, and so many wreaths. Too many wreaths if Clover had any say in it.

As Opal and the army of Crabbots besieged the home, Clover took extra care to remove a layer of tinsel when it needed to be and reorganize some of the ornaments when Opal had moved onto the next room. It wasn’t much of an adjustment, but it was his contribution so that Paprika wouldn’t be overwhelmed by all the color.

And when it was all said and done, and Opal was dusting his hands after many hours of hard work, Elna Manor was something to behold. An immaculate labyrinth of festive decoration in every corner of every room barring Paprika’s chambers and his study. Though not for lack of trying.

Opal beamed at his handiwork, congratulating himself on another job well done before skipping off to do whatever it was he did when not called upon to beautify a space. Opal had begun to understand how Paprika operated, at least a little bit, and didn’t need to see the reaction every single time. He would feel it.

All the residents of Elna Manor would feel it once Paprika descended from his brooding. Clover waited with bated breath when the time finally came. Paprika swept down the stairs, eying the decor with the critical eye of a fox appraising a meal. There was the occasional eyebrow quirk, a slight hum in acknowledgment, and a very small smile.

“Acceptable for our purposes,” Paprika said to Clover. “You and Opal did well.”

“I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear that.”

“Yes. Habanero not that much, though.”