He'd checked his list twice. Well, thrice in this case. Danielle Masters had appeared out of thin air. She was a sweet girl, unruly and chaotic, but sweet. Her father on the other hand... Well he was kind to her, at least.
They were spending Christmas in Amity Park. Vlad had, with his daughter insisting he write a letter, asked for the Packers. He could manage tickets and perhaps a share of the team. Danielle wanted a slew of things, but he'd settled on a few ghost themed Barbie dolls, some sweets from the North Pole, and some way to proove he existed.
Normally he wouldn't give the last gift out so blatantly, but well, this was Amity Park. Most people outside Amity would assume it was photoshopped or some expensive trick her father pulled. Inside Amity was a different story all together, for the most part.
"I don't think that'll convince Maddie," he chuckled.
His sleigh landed in front of the mansion. It was refreshing being able to this blatant, despite the side-eyes he was getting. The reindeer stared at him. They stomped slightly, arguing with him.
"Oh it'll be fine," he reassured.
A certain girl ran out in unicorn pajamas, barefoot, nearly floating as she bounded towards him.
"Where are your sh-" he chuckuled as her boots turned visible, her own giggle joining his.
"What's it like living at the North Pole? Is it cold? Do the penguins ever go inside to keep warm? What about polar bears? Do they ever try to eat any elves? Do they get paid? The elves not the polar bears- wait do the reindeer sleep outside or in your house?"
"It's cold, but the buildings are heated. Penguins live in Antarctica, not the North Pole. The polar bears don't try to eat the elves, because they know not to. The reindeer have a home to themselves for the stormy or especially cold nights."
He, obviously, wouldn't mention a four-armed ghostly grizzly bear certainly tried to eat him before. Two bright red eyes that weren't a bear's glared into his. Well someone didn't belive he was real.
"Shouldn't you be asleep?" he lightly scolded, ignoring her father's death stare.
"The ghosts don't have to sleep for you to come," she whispered, as if someone would overhear, "doesn't half count?"
"You still need your-" he threw his sack over his shoulder, fully prepared for her to drag him through the front door, "rest."
The red glow quickly faded to avoid upsetting his darling little girl. Though, it was still quite clear the man wasn't fond of his presence. Even without the Plasmius duplicate with a hand on his shoulder.
"Daddy Santa's real, uncle Jack was right!"
...Well that takes care of the metaphorical coal in his stocking.
Vlad nodded, smiling just enough to hide his utter disgust from his precious daughter. The fruit loop's gaze flicked up towards him, masked disdain poured from them. The invisible duplicate gripped his shoulder roughly, wearing a very strained invisible smile. The reindeer and sleigh weren't convincing, he supposed.
"Shouldn't you be in bed, Danielle?"
"I asked him for proof he existed, duh. I need a picture or something. Uh, to show Danny," she added almost sheepishly.
He pulled out a digital camera.
"Wait, wait, what about Maddie?"
Maddie the cat lifted her head up, only to stare lazily at them. She made a soft protest without struggling as she was pulled from her dreams of mice and toys. Swish, swish, went her tail as the girl held her around the stomach.
"Danielle-" Vlad reminded her gently.
Maddie purred as Danielle held her properly. She sniffed his red suit and looked up at him in utter shock. The three of them laughed.
Maddie squirmed loose after the photo, rubbing up against his pants and sniffing his shoes tirelessly. Occasionally, she mrrrrowed at him. As if to say he wasn't allowed to leave. Oh what a tragedy for the boys and girls who hadn't gotten their gifts.
"You still need to be in bed for him to deliver your presents, isn't that right?"
"That's right Danielle," he agreed, merry as ever.
"C'mon Maddie, he can't deliver gifts if you're sucking up to him!" Danielle bounded upstairs with Maddie the cat over her shoulder staring at him.
Vlad followed her upstairs, giving him a warning glance once she was out of sight, and soon enough, a door closed.
"Now pray tell, who exactly are you? If you think I'm stupid enough-"
"Anyone could dress in a red suit and drive a reindeer sleigh, but how many people wouldn't run off screaming with," he softly gestured towards Plasmius, continuing in a whisper, "besides, if I were a ghost you'd know it by now."
He gently reached over and moved Pladmius' hand from his shoulder. Calmly, he reached into his sack and pulled out wrapped gifts. Placing them under the tree he gave the now visible duplicate a stern look.
"I don't think you understand-"
He stood up, looked Plasmius in the eyes, and dropped some coal-themed candy in his stocking. He'd make it real coal, but the man would never let him hear the end of 'ruining his luxury stocking.'
Plasmius glared. He heard a door open then close and then, after a microcosm of eternity, he opened and shut his own bedroom door. Red eyes watched intently for his daughter, who'd definately try to sneak out of bed.
He walked towards the door, surprised the man didn't try to stop him. Snow crunched under two sets of shoes. The reindeer stomped and protested at the half ghost's presence. He climbed into his sleigh and waved at Vlad Plasmius.
Carefully, he pulled out a medallion from under his suit and winked. Impatient hoofbeats filled the air as the reindeer took off of their own accord. A cape fluttered just beside him as his past self's eyes widened in realization. Some things never change.
