On the morning of December 6th, something vibrated in the air, like an ancient breath slipping between the snowflakes. The reindeer, usually calm at this hour, seemed nervous. Their muzzles quivered, their hooves scraped the fresh snow. Even the workshop held its breath. On a table, the tablet discovered the day before glowed with an orange light, warmed by a magic that didn't quite belong to the North Pole.
Pipette approached and placed the tip of her finger on the still-warm screen.
Immediately, an opening appeared, a luminous window that slowly grew larger, like a portal awakening. The elves then saw images forming, at first blurry, then becoming clearer and clearer, as if another world were allowing itself to be seen for just one day.
They saw children in Belgium leaving their shoes by the fireplace.
They saw a small grey donkey carrying baskets filled with treats, still-warm speculoos cookies, and tangerines shining like little winter moons. And amidst these human traditions, a figure appeared: an old man with a long white beard, similar to Santa Claus but yet different, wrapped in a deep red coat and wearing a large mitre.
Groubelin almost jumped.
"He looks just like him!" he exclaimed.
Pipette gently shook her head.
"It's not him... but he is noble, kind. And he too brings gifts."
Rudolf stepped forward, his eyes shining with a rare emotion.
"It's Saint Nicholas," he murmured. "He opens the path of light in several European countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, northern France... He brings the gentleness that guides winter before the great night arrives."
A wave of heat then passed through the portal.
Pipette felt an invisible warmth slide over her hands.
It was as if humans were sending a silent message through their traditions: magic still exists .
Amidst the spices, cakes, and tangerines, a red glow suddenly caught Pipette's attention.
A strand of wool sparkled in the vortex, tiny but vibrant.
A red fiber, exactly the shade of Santa's lost hat.
His heart sank.
Saint Nicholas may not have only brought sweets…
The Quello Christmas Calendar continues tomorrow. A new thread — red and precious — now leads the elves to the next stage of their quest.