Peter closes his door behind him, smiling with satisfaction. He has saved Christmas, cleaned his mess, and now he has an evening to himself. He does not plan to waist it, or at least not in a way he considers wasteful.

He plans to do absolutely nothing. Nothing at all, and no plans. He just wants to lay in bed, and maybe finish up a few toys if he gets bored. He has a few ideas to… spiff them up a bit, so to speak.

Deciding that the time of boredom is now, Peter approaches a chest he placed by his door. If one were to swing the door open all the way, the chest is just far enough from the door to not be hit.

The lid pops open, revealing technical bits and bobs of all kinds. peter and Adam both specialize in the advanced technology sector, meaning they know a computer from top to bottom like the back of their hands.

The advanced technology sector is the sector that produces all kinds of electronic presents. Phones, computers, speakers, even a television every once and awhile. Everything from that coffee maker you got last year, to that laptop sitting on your desk.

At the top of the chest sits what Peter chooses to work on for now. A seemingly simple, metal lever that he has plans for. This project is more for him, not some kid who wants it for Christmas. They can't want it for Christmas if they don't know what it is. And they can't know what it is, considering it is an original creation of Peter, meant to test his capabilities.

Peter moves the pieces he requires to his desk space, grinning excitedly. Today he plans to finish this project. He is particularly excited to test it out.

“C’mon…” He mutters, fiddling with a problematic gear. “Just move!”

Eventually it does, spinning and humming at a satisfying pitch. Maybe a half hour later, Peter has his creation set and ready for the final aspect. His final touch, his original “spiffing up”.

He curls in on himself, a touch of anxiety causing him to eye the door wearily. With his back hiding the object, he seems to fiddle with it a moment.

There is a spark of light.

He reveals it, his traces of anxiety fading. As long as no one pays attention, they won't notice the soft purple glow. They won't notice the soft pink gleam, shimmering up and down the metal of the switch.

An enchantment.

“Ha ha, I did it!” Peter exclaims, patting himself on the back.

“Did what?” A muffled voice questions, from the other side of the door.

Peter jumps, and the switch goes clattering to the floor. A single gear falls out, by which Peter as started calling the problematic gear.

“Oh come on!” Peter whines, picking it up. He watches helplessly as the purple and pink shimmer fades away. “I just had it!”

“Sorry man!” The voice replies. “I didn't think you'd drop anything!”

“It's fine, Dale.” Peter sighs. “I'll put it back together later. You can come in.”

Another boy, by the name of Dale, twists the knob and pushes the door open. As expected, it misses the chest by inches, and taps the wall softly.

Dale White is a bit taller than Peter. He has black hair, and sharp, chiseled features. His nose his pointy and thick, hugging the edges of his curved, dark blue eyes. His brown skin is mostly covered with a Blue enchanted elf uniform, only bringing out the features of his Chinese heritage.

“Want help with that later?” Dale asks, referencing the broken… Erm… “That being… a lever?”

“Nah, I'm good. And yup. Just practicing.” Peter says, voice rising a bit in the vowel sounds.

Dale notices, but doesn't think much of it. It may be Peter's cue to lying, but there's no point in lying about a dumb lever. Dale nods, but doesn't leave the room. He's… forgetting something?

“Did you uh… need anything?” Peter asks, smirking. “Or did you just want to see my beautiful face?”

Dale scowls, but is fighting a grin himself. “I'm straight, you piece of fermented mistletoe.” Dale scolds teasingly.

“Oh, of course. ‘Straight'. Yes, straight my elf ass.” Peter jokes.

Dale smacks him, and lunges for his hat. Peter laughs, holding it in place.

“Ya know, I was gonna ask if you needed directions to the party, but now…” Dale smirks. He watches in satisfaction as Peter's elf ears perk with curiosity.

“Party? What party?” Peter questions.

Dale fake gasps, and covers his mouth. “Oh no!” He wails. “I've said too much! I've spoiled a perfectly great, totally-not-in-Santa's-lounge-in-45-minutes Party!”

Peter laughs, bending down. “45 minutes, you say?” He chuckles, punching Dale playfully in the shoulder.

“What? No. I said nothing. It's not like they’re planning to surprise you with a suit in 30 minutes or something!”

“Okay, seriously. Stop spoiling my surprises!” Peter frowns, kicking Dale’s shin playfully. Dale smirks, tips his elf hat, and lays a hand on the doorknob.

“Tootaloo!” He hums, running out and shutting the door behind him.

Peter slows down his laughter, eventually stopping to catch his breath. “That boy…” He mumbles with a smile.

He lays on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His eyes catch the metal on his desk, and his grin turns into a frown. “Mother of Frosty…” he mumbles, glaring at Mr. Problematic Gear. “Thanks a lot, Dale.”

Peter gets up, but doesn't even make it to his desk before there's a knock on his door. At least it doesn't startle him this time. That's Adam’s thing.

“Yello?” He calls, setting the problematic gear back onto the wooden surface.

The door swings open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. “SURPRISE!” Several loud voices cheer.

This, however, does startle Peter.

“GAH!” He exclaims, falling backwards and onto his desk.

His newly broken lever slides off the tilted surface, and makes contact with the ground once again. Another gear slides off, which was originally connected to the problematic gear with a chain. The chain falls out as well.

“Woah! Sorry buddy!” An elf girl, Stacy, apologizes. She has long blond hair that curls up at the ends, and a headband usually in place. She has a long nose, and plump cheeks. Her lips are full, and her eyes are a bright blue. She has acne all over her forehead, and really big ears, but she doesn't seem to mind.

Rubbing his elbow, Peter nods. “It's cool, it's cool. Really should have seen it coming though.” He chuckles.

“How?” A second elf boy, Jeremy, asks. He has dark skin, and shirt, curly, dark brown hair. He has tiny ears and a big forehead, but has big brown eyes. He is missing a finger on his left hand, but makes up for it with an extra finger“Oh don't tell me, was it--”

“Yup.” Peter interrupts, smirking. “You're twenty minutes early.”

“You've got to be kidding me! DALE!” The third elf, a girl, screams. The elf girl, Veronica, shoves the suit meant for peter to Jeremy, and turns down the hallway.Just in time to see a blue suit pass through the front door to their house, and out into the quarter.

“DALE!” Veronica screams, running after him and out the front door.

“Well, there goes my assistant.” Stacy frowns, setting a purse down on Peter’s bed.

“Assistant for what?” Peter questions.

Jeremy smirks, and lays the suit down. He walks out in time to miss Stacy’s devilish smile. “Good luck.”

“Why, to get you ready, Of course!” Stacy smirks. “Well, and she transferred to textile production, so she's literally my assistant.”

“Oh. Um… you see…” Peter stutters, frantically searching for an excuse. “I… um… well, I managed to get myself ready already!”

“Looking like that?” Stacy scolds.

Peter frowns. “Gee, thanks.”

“No problem, now sit!”

Reserved to his fate, Peter sits and watches Stacy open her box of different colored… ties? Oh god.

~~~

A hand bangs on his door repeatedly, causing Adam's eyes to widen. “Hello?” A voice says softly.

Alarmed, Adam scrambles for the sword. He shoves it underneath his pillow, making sure to cover extra metal with his sheets. “One moment!”

Adam hurries for his bedside table, flinging his sunglasses onto his face. The purple and golden light in the room fades, and he sighs with relief.

“Okay, come in!” Adam calls.

The door flies open, smacking loudly into Adam's poorly placed chest. “SURPRISE!” Several voices cry at an alarming volume.

“HOLY CHESTNUT!” Adam wails, flinching and knocking his knee on his chair leg. “Ow…”

“Mother of Frosty! Whoops!” A boy smirks nervously, holding out a hand and pulling Adam to his feet.

“How kind of you, Jackson.” Adam purrs in a fake British accent, adding a slurp to the end. “However could I repay you?” He says. Jackson turns away, and Adam can't see his face.

“Dork. For starters, put this on.” Another, female elf, Anna, huffs, tossing him something black and red, as well as green.

Adam holds it at arm's length. “A suit?” He ponders, examining it.

“Yup!” A third, male elf, Jerry, smirks. “For your surprise!”

“Surprise?” Adam questions, skeptical and suspicious. “What… what kind of surprise?”

Jerry grins, shooting Jackson a very loaded glance. Jackson pulls out another bag, and passes it to Anna. “We'll be outside.” They say in unison, walking out into the hallway.

“Hey, you didn't answer my--” Adam sighs as the door shuts.

“Now, down to business!” Anna smiles, reaching into the bag. “Yellow, purple, or green?”

“Um… What in the name of Christmas is going on?” Adam questions.

“I'm getting you ready, silly! There's a party tonight! For you and Peter!” Anna smiles, laughing.

“A party!?” Adam smiles. “Well then, continue! Can't turn down a Party.”

Anna giggles and hits him, but it escalates to a squeal as the door is slammed open once again.

“Apparently Mobs feel the same!” A frantic male elf, Cisco, exclaims worriedly. “The east side is under attack, right by Santa's house, where the party is!”

Adam flies to his feet, startling poor Anna once again. “What!?” He exclaims, panicking. “Sugar free cookies!” He curses.

“Skeletons and zombies mostly, but three skeletons have been spotted on spider back!” Cisco informs.

“Don't send anyone in, got it?” Adam says. Cisco nods quickly, running back out into the quarter.

Adam grabs Anna's shoulders, and shoves her bag into her arms. He quickly pushes her towards the door.

“Get to the west side! Make sure no one goes near the east side!” Adam commands, giving Anna a serious look.

“W-What are You going to do?” She stutters.

“Nothing, I'll be there in a half hour!”

Anna reluctantly nods, before running towards the door. “No one goes near the east side!” Adam repeats. She nods again.

Adam closes his door and grabs his golden helmet and boots. He glares at the sword from beneath his pillow, but doesn't touch it. Instead he grabs a simple pocket knife, knowing he won't need much.

He then climbs out his window and into the snow. No one sees him, and no one is going towards the east side.

“Good” Adam thinks, sliding the knife into his pocket. As long as no one's around, he won't need it.

He's a Hero, but sometimes being a Brine as well may gain him privileges.

=========================
So... I just realized that italics don't transfer from Google docs. That's super annoying. I had to go through and manually change certain words to italics.

Anyway, are my Martians enjoying this Christmas special? (Even if it isn't Christmas when you're reading)

Snickers out!