CHAPTER 1 - A Cup Of Cocoa

 Snow blasted into his face as he made his way up the mountain. The only sound he heard was that of the howling wind. Even Santa Claus at one time decided it would be better to cancel Christmas altogether rather than brave such brutal conditions in his sleigh. 

It was Rudolph, however, who kept Christmas alive that fateful year, so for him this trek was like an elf making a pet rock. The push of the wind posed little resistance The snow coated his body and offered almost no freeze. The light from his nose mixed with the falling snowflakes and illuminated his path. 

The door entered Rudolph’s field of vision and became larger as he continued towards it. The red-nosed reindeer opened the door and was greeted with a vast lobby that looked like it came straight from a ski lodge. The warm feeling this place gave was a stark contrast to the bitter cold just outside its door.  

In one area, Rudolph noticed a group of elves and reindeer sitting on couches or lounging on the carpeted floor facing massive stone fireplace. Towards the right, he saw various game tables; Checkers, Chess, Backgammon, and even a Christmasopoly table where a witch, an elf, and a reindeer played. The elf pointed at the reindeer with a smile as the latter finished his turn and put his hoof over his face. 

Off to the left, Rudolph saw a café with various creatures eating their meals and sipping cocoa. He fixated on the cocoa bar and squinted at it until he was interrupted by a bubbly voice. 

“How can I help you?” the voice asked. 

Rudolph turned around and saw a polar bear with zebra stripes who sat behind a wooden counter. 

“Yeah. I…” the reindeer began. 

He was interrupted by a gasp from the bear. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the bear said as his eyes widened. “What brings you to Misfit Mountain?” 

“I’m looking for an old friend,” replied Rudolph. “I was told she might be here. Her name is Cocoa.” 

“She's working at the hot cocoa bar over there,” he said as he pointed to the café area. 

Rudolph made his way over to the café area. As he finally approached the cocoa bar, he saw two reindeer, one sat on a stool in front of the counter and another stood behind it, putting marshmallows into a steaming mug.  

“There you go, Tinker,” said the barista. “Three marshmallows. Just the way you like it.” 

“Thanks,” said Tinker as he walked off and sipped his hot chocolatey beverage. 

Rudolph took a deep breath as he slowly approached the counter before he had a seat. 

“Hey, Cocoa,” he said. “It's… been a while.” 

“Well, look who’s here,” said the dark chocolate doe. “Let me guess, did they start calling you ‘Stoplight’ again?” 

“Um, no. Things are still great back at the North Pole”, replied Rudolph. 

“That’s… good to hear,” Cocoa muttered. “Would you like some cocoa?”, she asked. 

“Surprise me,” Rudolph ordered. 

As she made Rudolph's drink, she asked him, “So what are you doing here then?” 

“Well, actually,” responded Rudolph. “I came looking for you. Your family told Santa you went missing, so he sent me to look for you.” 

Cocoa froze and nearly dropped the mug which caused some cocoa to spill. 

“Sorry,” she said, placing the mug in front of him. 

Rudolph’s red nose took in a chaotic array of sweet scents from the concoction before him. He took a sip and caught hints of peanut butter, caramel and blue raspberry, a combination that seemed like it had no right to exist, yet somehow it worked. 

“So,” said Rudolph. “You think you’re ready to come home with me?” 

“Not happening,” she responded as she added extra milk and chocolate to the pot. 

“But everyone’s worried about you.” 

“I could tell by all their laughter,” Cocoa said as she stirred the mixture in the pot. 

“Your family’s worried about you,” said Rudolph. “I was worried about you.” 

“At least now you know I’m safe.” 

“Look. You belong back in Christmas Town.” 

Cocoa turned around and met Rudolph’s gaze. “I belong here,” she retorted. “I got a job doing what I love and a community that loves me for who I am, not the champion flyer they want me to be.” 

“But you’re just running away from your problems,” Rudolph remarked. “I’ve been through everything you have, and I tried doing what you’re doing, but it didn’t help. A wise friend once told me that living creatures can’t hide like this. It doesn’t help. Take it from my experience...” 

Cocoa leaned over the counter and put herself eye to eye with Rudolph. “YOUR experience?! You’re the one who single-hoofedly saved Christmas and suddenly EVERYONE loved you!” Her voice rose. “I tried offering everyone cocoa to celebrate, but they STILL made fun of me for it! What’s worse is that I never saw you after that! You were always too busy to spend ANY time with me!” 

Cocoa’s eyes glistened. “So, you see why I had to come here?” 

Rudolph said, “Cocoa, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”  

“You know,” Cocoa said. “None of those people actually care about you.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Think about it. They immediately go from laughing and calling you names to shouting out with glee the moment your nose becomes useful to them. They don’t like you for who you are. They’re just using you.” 

“You’re wrong,” Rudolph exclaimed. “That night showed everyone the importance of celebrating differences.” 

Cocoa slammed her hoof on the counter. “Then why didn’t they celebrate mine? Why does this place even exist?” 

“Well...” Rudolph began. He was interrupted by the arrival of another customer. It was a red-orange coated reindeer with steaming tears in her eyes. As the reindeer sat down, Rudolph felt a sudden warmth envelop him, as though he was sitting next to a campfire. 

“Hey Ember,” said Cocoa. “You okay?” 

“No.”, Ember replied. “I sneezed a little fire during practice, and everyone panicked, 

“Yikes,” said Cocoa as she handed the other doe a mug of cocoa. “Is everyone okay?” 

Ember took a sip of her cocoa. “Nobody was hurt, but still. I just don’t know if I’ll ever make the sleigh team like this.” 

“It just takes a little practice,” Cocoa assured her. “Who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll end up like this guy.” she said, pointing at Rudolph. 

Ember glanced at Rudolph "I guess you’re right. Thanks,” she said as she left the counter. 

Rudolph smiled. “You helped me like that a lot when we were fawns,” Rudolph said. “Maybe it is best that you stay here. Just promise me you’ll write.” 

“Of course,” replied Cocoa. “And I think I’ll stop by on Christmas morning to give you a cup of this cocoa. You’ll need it after the big sleigh ride.” 

“I’d like that,” Rudolph said before he walked towards the exit.