Almost a year. That was how much time Simon had been deployed in Suede up to now. The mission was longer than anyone could've expected, but it wasn't to displease Simon.

The culture, the landscapes, everything was better than what he was used to in the UK, and he was really tempted to ask to be transferred here full time.

Christmas was approaching, and the season was fortifying his decision, feeling so much better here, where the air was purer, the life more peaceful.

His neighbors, a kind old couple, had told him when he arrived about this little elf-like creature called a Tomte, a tiny humanoid-looking thing protecting the houses at night, in exchange of a bowl of porridge. And Simon had made it his mission to catch sight of this strange little thing.

Every night, he left a bowl of freshly made porridge on his door step or on his kitchen counter, waiting for the Tomte to show itself, before ultimately falling asleep on his couch.

At one point, he had managed to see you briefly, and night after night he managed to see you more and more, until he was able to befriend you with lots of porridge.

On the saturday night preceding Christmas Eve, Simon was sitting on his doorstep. He had read in books how you visited houses during this night to bring protection and gifts to people, but he didn't care about all these, he just wanted to see you again.

A bowl of warm porridge in hand, he stared at the entry of the woods for a long time, until you appeared, as tall as an apple, dressed like a peasant. He smiled, putting the bowl down on the step in front of him, voice quiet and warm. "There you are sweet thing. I was starting to think you were sulking me tonight."