Far North where no daylight ventures during Winter months is a small village. Blinking lights cover every home and shop. A thick layer of powdered snow wraps around everything as more snow sways in the gentle wind. Many a variety of creatures live in this small beacon of civilization surrounded by barren tundra. The town’s purpose is to bring Yule to the world. Gifts are made and prepared to be delivered to everyone.
It’s not just elves and reindeer who aid in this plan. All creatures play a role bringing the holidays to life. Birds of many varieties and origins comprise the majority of helpful creatures. Many of them perform most of the deliveries. There are a few with less demanding roles who spend a relaxing evening with friends and colleagues.
Two such birds meet at the one shop in the small village that serves adult beverages. The soft hum of the jukebox plays carols. A trio of French Hens discuss their vacation plans. On barstools now facing each other sit Jacob and Thomas.
Thomas is a Northern Cardinal. He eats from a bowl of seeds and sips his rum eggnog. He sprinkles nutmeg on his drink between sips. Jacob is a Blue Jay and a little taller than Thomas. He sips on a bottle of Naughty Nick’s Ginger Beer. The two birds sit with a seat between them.
The bartender is an elf with a beard longer than his body. He stares at a television without interest waiting for anyone else to enter the shop on this slow night. The three Hens cackle at their table. Thomas turns towards them looking annoyed.
“Don’t pay them no mind, Tommy. Leave ‘em be, Eh.” Jacob says.
“Ain’t nobody else here. Why they gotta be so damn loud?”
“They’re having a good time. You catch the game yesterday?”
“Yeah.”
“Which team you root for?”
“Boston! Who else?”
“But they played the Cardinals?”
I didn’t grow up in St. Louis and the Cardinals suck. Who gave them permission to use me as their mascot anyway?”
“My hometown team are the Blue Jays, and I don’t mind being their mascot, Eh.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
James Pack 
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