[Video]

[most_unwanted]

Looks like someone knew exactly what I wanted... or should I say, needed.

[The image focuses on a poster on the wall of Mulder's office area in his apartment. There are a bunch of other things pinned to the wall as well- mostly his own notes, and other things of interest he's collected over time here. But the poster is clearly the focus of the picture. Finally, Mulder moves in.]

Did anyone else catch sight of that sleigh in the sky on Christmas Eve? I know I saw something up there, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't a spaceship. This time.

You see... on my world, Santa Claus is a mythical character believed in by children... but I'm starting to wonder now if there might be something to that supposed legend of good old Saint Nick. It would explain the freaky little elves who were running around demanding things, too.

[Believing in children's fantasies is a bit of a stretch even for him usually, but after his sighting and the gift he wonders. Sure, it's just as much possible it's some trick of the Malnosso... but would that matter right now with what this means to him? He glances back to the poster. Back home, it had been burned up in that fire, along with a great deal of his work. Having it back gives him a feeling of hope and renewal.]

Maybe that's what Santa- or someone- wants to tell me. To keep believing, to never give up. It's a very different message than I'd have gotten from a fruitcake.

Comments

[most_unwanted]

That would explain a thing or two... Plus they'd need something to do during their off-season.

[i_speak_softly]

There you go. A parsimonious theory.

[most_unwanted]

It really is. Really, there are a lot of jobs that I could see elves being suited for... anything requiring a bit of stealth, really...

[i_speak_softly]

Do you like conspiracies, Mr. Mulder?

[most_unwanted]

[Is the sky blue...]

You could say I have a certain affinity for them, yeah.

[i_speak_softly]

Do you have a favorite?

[most_unwanted]

Most of my favored theories revolve around the presence of extraterrestrial life, and the secret group that guards the truth about this.

[i_speak_softly]

What do they call themselves? The secret group?

[most_unwanted]

They have no official name, that's in their nature. The conspiracy, the consortium, the shadow government... Although at times they or people working loosely with them will be part of what looks like a legitimate governmental-related operation.

[i_speak_softly]

But they aren't really?

[This sounds vaguely familiar.]

[most_unwanted]

They never are... and I need to expose more of these activities of theirs. The problem is, they're too good at covering up the truth.

[i_speak_softly]

I think they were in my world... Legitimate, I mean. But also good at cover-ups.

[most_unwanted]

So you also experienced similar organizations to what we're up against now?

[Is there any world untouched by evil conspiracies!?]

[i_speak_softly]

Vaguely similar. Their goal was to keep the aliens out.

[most_unwanted]

What did they get out of helping them?

[i_speak_softly]

Helping who?

[most_unwanted]

So... they weren't in league with the aliens in any sense? They only worked against them to keep them away?

[Too used to the underhanded deals between the conspiracy and aliens on his world, here.]

[i_speak_softly]

Not that I know of. The guy in charge seemed pretty sincere about hating aliens.

[most_unwanted]

Did he and the people he worked with make any progress against the aliens?

[i_speak_softly]

[Bitterly:] Made some progress against us.

[most_unwanted]

[Oh, that doesn't sound good, at all.]

Just what some of those kinds of people do best. I'm sorry to hear about that, I know what it's like to run up against those types.

[i_speak_softly]

But from a different angle, I presume.

[most_unwanted]

Hm, I would think so too, at least, in some respects.