Repose

[The gift takes the shape of cards. The envelopes are white with golden lining inside, and there's one card in each, embossed, rectangular, and printed in gold. That the cards are magical is without question, and when each envelope is opened and warm, bright gold light shines from under the flap. Even handling the cards is warming and soothing, and that's an effect that lasts long beyond Christmas. Each card has the same words printed on the front:]

Good for one happy day of your choosing. Hold the card, and wish, and the next 24 hours will be happy and perfect. From: Aedan Byrne

[Envelopes go out to three Reposians: Marta Flores, Jesse Thomas, and Pippin Pinkerton. An additional card goes to Aedan Byrne, but this one is signed from "S.S.," and it functions the same way as the others.]

[Caleb asked for enough money to leave town. He gets it in cold, hard cash. Santa doesn't believe in leaving a trace and he has no trust in any institution outside of the self. There's no bank account. Instead, delivered to Caleb is several thousand dollars' worth of Swiss francs, along with tens of thousands of dollars in cash. There's a burner phone, too. It all comes in a fireproof box that can be opened with the keys that are handed over when the box is signed for.

Tucked between two one-thousand dollar bills is a slip of white paper, bare of everything except a sloppy script wishing Caleb 'Good luck disappearing.']

[Purpose is not something that can be fathomed from thin air. It cannot sustain itself on mere fairy dust. But, it is what Jack asked for. The wish is made.

Grant Jack the purpose he had once more, the desire and means to write, whatever this means. Grant it without ruthlessness, he does not wish to kill anyone, but do grant it with interest such as that he had when he began to write.

Santa does not know how this will manifest to the aimless man who lives above the newspaper. Perhaps as a seeded feeling of direction. Perhaps a mere inclination to put pen to paper, metaphorically speaking. Magic cannot be funnelled or controlled. So, it is possible it comes as a nagging, gnawing desire, a need to engage with that which is not his business. Santa relinquishes responsibility for how purpose comes to Jack Penhaligon. He grants the wish and he is done.

The card that arrives in the mail is simple. It bears no signature whatsoever.]

[On Christmas morning, Frank's dogs do seem a little more energetic than usual, though of course only time will tell if the wish has actually affected the span of their lives. They are also wearing new collars in red and green, emblazoned with a message in gold - 'MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM SANTA CLAUSE.']

[On Christmas morning, Iris will wake up with an inability to bear children that will last for one calendar year. Hooray! This sort of thing cannot actually be seen with the naked eye, so Santa has given her another gift. Her nails have been painted in alternating baby blue and princess pink - one even has a tiny stork painted on it with Xs for eyes, and another is painted with a miniature calendar showing Dec. 25, 2019. Ordinary nail polish remover will take it all off.]

[The money is delivered via courier. $100,000 dollars in 10 neatly wrapped stacks of 100s containing $10,000 each. There's no accompanying card or anything. Just the money and one shiny matchbox car, in case she wonders who it's from.]

[No box or gift bag, but the first time, second time, third time Dietre sleeps and finds himself sleeping nightmare free, waking peaceful and refreshed, he'll realize that his impossible wish was granted]

[The magic of holiday wishes continues through the 26th, at which point wishes can no longer be granted. However, the seal of secrecy on the Santas is magically lifted on the evening of the 23rd and, should Santas wish it, they can now reveal themselves to their gift recipients (but only once they have granted their assignee's wish).]

[Beginning December 24th, the Repose post office is making daily holiday deliveries, per town tradition. Any presents dropped off there are dolled up in holiday regalia - silk bows, colorful wrapping paper, festive gift tags, packing tape spangled with dreidels, twinkling lights and tinsel, candy canes. Gifts are left at the doors of residences and workplaces by postal workers wearing non-government approved santa hats, and they hand out pieces of candy and holiday well-wishes with their packages.

For those who wish to send presents in the spirit of the holiday, but may not know the name of the person they wish to send a gift to, the post office has erected a massive giving tree in their lobby. The star on top is tipped slightly askew, crushed a little against the ceiling due to the height of the tree. The tree is very real, cut from the woods nearby. It fills the post office with the scent of pine, and has been decked out in tiny white lights and massive, colorful glass bulbs. Gifts for anyone may be left underneath, and will make it successfully to their intended recipient, even if no tag is attached.]

[The book arrives in a plain white box with nothing else. Santa does not think anything needs to be said. The book is written clearly and eloquently, allowing for in-depth descriptions of any memory in Adrian's life, even those he does not remember. He could read it chronologically, but should he look for a specific moment it will magically appear on the page he happens to flip to. The book only works in Adrian's presence, and does not expose any other person's memories. Don't go crazy, please.]

[This santa got the feeling that Wren wasn't going to be okay with a traditional house for warmth, so he goes with something Wren an carry with him: The tent is insulated, and could probably handle a Repose winter just fine on its own, but wishes and magic turn it into something spectacular. Whenever Wren pitches it, it's perfectly warm inside. It doesn't just keep out the cold. It's like having a heater at the perfect temperature, always. It comes with all the required stuff for carrying around, and this santa tosses in a wish to make it light as a feather, so that Wren can always carry around a warm place to sleep.]