The Jolly Dead Brigade

Folks think elves are born into the world with a wooden mallet and knowing how to make toys. We don't. We have to go through the Elf Brigade for all that stuff.
Crusty is one of the Brigade's oldest teachers. He stands about twice as tall as a normal elf, bent with age. Ancient, really. When he stops to listen, he sticks one of them hearing trumpets in his ear, but even then it's like he hears only every other word and then makes up the rest. He's the best!
Eventually, I got kicked out of the Brigade...failed at too many badges after not getting my Present Wrapping badge. Seriously, me and tape are not friends.
I acted like getting kicked out of the Brigade didn't bother me, but Candi knew...I just wanted to belong to something. Anything.
"Who needs the Elf Brigade?" she asked. "We'll be our own brigade. Just us." The Jolly Dead Brigade.
I made her a necklace..a jack o' lantern bat made festive with a Santa hat. And she made me a candy-striped ring that only fits on the middle finger of my left hand.
Folks don't understand our friendship, but Candi...she's everything good about The Pole. Everything good to me, anyway.

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