AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I began to search through the contents of my sleigh, hoping to find something that might bridge the vast distance between us. After a few moments, my fingers brushed against something that felt just right - an Interstellar Communication Tablet. This wasn’t just any tablet; it was intricately engraved with the unique celestial frequencies of Yule.
Holding it out to her, I said, “With the help of this device, we can continue to exchange letters, regardless of the vast distances that might lie between us.”
As I presented the tablet to Noelle, her face transformed, lighting up with a radiant joy. I watched as she took the shimmering silver device from me, her fingers gently exploring the unfamiliar and alien symbols that adorned its surface, her curiosity evident.
“To communicate,” I began, demonstrating for her, “all you need to do is use this stylus. Write down your thoughts, your feelings, anything you wish to convey. Once you’re ready to send it, simply tap on this particular rune.” I pointed to a specific symbol. “Once you do, your message will be transmitted and will appear on the identical tablet I have back on Yule.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Noelle wrapped her arms around me, her eyes moist with tears of gratitude. “Xanther,” she whispered, “this means we can always be in touch, no matter where you are.”
Embracing her, I felt a lump in my throat, my own emotions threatening to spill over. “Noelle,” I murmured, “there’s nothing in this universe that could prevent me from finding a way back to you.”
But, as all moments do, this one too had to come to an end. It was time for our final farewell. My sleigh began its ascent, lifting off into the vast expanse of the night. Below, I could see Noelle, her figure illuminated by the stars, holding the communication tablet close to her heart, her gaze fixed on me as I disappeared into the horizon.
***
As I journeyed through the cosmos, the image of her face remained vivid in my mind, even as the stars zipped past in a mesmerizing blur.
The completion of another holiday delivery should have filled me with a sense of joy and accomplishment. However, this time, a sense of melancholy overshadowed any feelings of triumph. The vast halls of the workshop, which once echoed with merriment and purpose, now felt eerily cold and devoid of life, especially without the lively and spirited presence of Noelle.
Upon my return, my fellow Yulians, always eager to hear tales of my adventures, greeted me with warmth and enthusiasm. Yet, I found myself sharing only the most basic details of my journey, deliberately omitting any mention of my special encounters with Noelle. I felt they wouldn’t truly grasp the depth and significance of the bond that had formed between us.
My footsteps echoed hollowly down the cavernous halls and workshops carved deep beneath the planet’s glacial surface. Usually, I delighted in the sights of toys being lovingly crafted for next year’s deliveries. Today the empty walls left me cold.
“Friend, you’ve returned!” called out Jingle, rushing to greet me. “Come, regale us with tales of your travels on Earth!”
Other Yulians gathered excitedly, but I waved them off with a weary smile. “Another time, my friends. The trip was long, and I’m afraid I’m poor company just now.”
Later, in the solitude of my frost-covered chambers, I retrieved the Interstellar Communication Tablet – the device of which Noelle held its counterpart. My fingers delicately traced the complex celestial runes engraved along its metallic edges. These symbols seemed to echo the unspoken promises and vows that my heart yearned to convey to her.
I found myself gazing out of my window, lost in the vast sea of twinkling stars. I pondered whether, at that very moment, Noelle might be looking up at that same boundless sky, her thoughts drifting towards me. The immense distances that separated us suddenly felt surmountable.
Despite the physical distances that our respective duties imposed upon us, I felt a deep conviction that our souls had intertwined, beating in harmony. All I needed was patience, unwavering faith, and the passage of time. I held onto the belief that, in some way or another, our paths would converge once more.
As the night deepened, the stars continued their age-old vigil. Eventually, I succumbed to the gentle pull of sleep, with the cherished image of Noelle accompanying me into the realm of dreams.
In the period that followed my return from Earth, a profound sense of sadness enveloped me, casting a shadow over my usual cheerful disposition. This change did not go unnoticed by those around me, especially my close friends who were accustomed to my typically upbeat demeanor.
One crisp morning, as the sleigh was being prepared for another journey, Donner, with a concerned furrow in his brow, approached me. “Xanther,” he began, carefully choosing his words, “you don’t seem quite yourself lately. Could it be that the recent journey has taken a toll on you?”
Attempting to deflect his concern, I responded, “I’m all right, truly. Just a bit... preoccupied,” I said, fumbling with some sleigh straps that were perfectly fine to begin with. My thoughts, however, were far from our current location. They were drifting across the vastness of space, wondering about Noelle’s activities on Earth at that precise moment.
My distraction became even more evident within the expansive toy workshops. Where I once saw blocks of ice as blank canvases, ready to be transformed into delightful toys, they now appeared to me as just cold, unyielding slabs, reflecting the void I felt within.
One evening, after a particularly unproductive session in the workshop, my dear friends Jingle and Cupid decided it was time to confront me about my unusual behavior.
“Xanther,” Cupid began, her voice filled with concern as we sipped our hot cocoa, “this despondency isn’t characteristic of you. We can’t help but feel that something, or perhaps someone, from your Earthly travels has left an indelible mark on your heart.”
Caught off guard, I nearly let my cocoa drop. The knowing glances exchanged between Jingle and Cupid told me they had pieced together more than I had let on.
Jingle, always the voice of wisdom and compassion, leaned in and said, “If there’s someone special, don’t let age-old traditions stand in your way. Listen to what your heart is truly saying.”
However, as word of my apparent attachment began to circulate, not everyone was as understanding. Prancer, ever the stickler for tradition, approached me with a stern warning. “Engaging in relationships with beings from other worlds can only lead to complications,” he cautioned. “You must remember your primary responsibilities lie here.”
I nodded politely, acknowledging his perspective. Yet, deep within, a fire of defiance burned. Noelle had introduced me to a world of emotions and understanding that transcended the confines of my own culture. Was it truly so misguided to harbor hopes of seeing her again?
Tossing sleeplessly in my frozen chambers, I wrestled with questions that had plagued me since departing Earth. Could a relationship between a human and a Yulian truly work? Or was it hopeless folly?
In rare unguarded moments, I let myself imagine a future with Noelle at my side - showing her the wonders of Yule, introducing her as my mate. But harsh reality always intruded.
