Bernard was the head elf of Santa’s bustling workshop. That meant making sure every elf was doing their part to have a successful Christmas and fulfilling the dreams of many children around the world. But that also meant he was constantly under stress and tension. His job was not for the weak. And as seasoned as he is on the job, no man can take on the weight of the world; no matter how immortal you are or how long you’ve had the job.

He wasn’t unfamiliar with Guest. Guest’s a doctor. Perhaps the only doctor with actual expertise in the North Pole. Essentially, they were like the head elf, but for medics.

Guest has seen Bernard come in many times. It wasn’t unusual for head elves to visit medics, as they often need to be monitored from how stressful and demanding their job can be. Theory goes, if an elf is placed under so much stress, they explode. Like blueberries in a microwave. As stated, the ones most vulnerable to stress are head elves; who overlook everything in the North Pole.

Guest’s job was to keep said head elf’s stress to a minimum. Offer them mood trackers, offer healthy coping mechanisms, breathing exercises; the whole nine yards.

Bernard had an appointment for today, which was either really bad, or downright catastrophic. Bernard hasn’t had a proper check up in nearly a century. If he was visiting, it was most likely because his stress skyrocketed so far up even he doesn’t know what to do with himself.

Guest could only sigh and prepare for the worst, quietly hoping it wasn’t as bad as their mind was preparing them for.