When Merlin saw who was calling, he immediately regretted his decision not to disappear. He excused himself making it clear that the call would take a while. It was never easy dealing with Tobias. It wasn’t exactly that he was difficult, just that he didn’t understand the finer points of living among humans. Merlin wondered how he’d made it so long without getting into deep trouble. Against his better judgment, he answered the call.
“Hello Tobias.” Merlin said.
“Merlin! Just the wizard I was hoping for. I’m in a bit of a bind.” Tobias started to ramble.
“There’s always a bind.” Merlin reminded him.
Tobias laughed writing off Merlin’s clear disdain. He never seemed to grasp that Merlin didn’t want to deal with him. Of course, it could have just been that he enjoyed making Merlin’s life difficult.
“What’s wrong?” Merlin asked. He hoped that Tobias would get straight to the point for once.
“Well, you see, I’ve been spending some time in the 23rd century.” Tobias started. Merlin didn’t like where this was going.
“I’m always fascinated by the technology in that time.” Merlin replied.
Tobias agreed, “Yes, well, that is interesting, but like all time periods there are still issues. And it was almost Christmas. I just wanted to spread some joy to the children…”
“What did you do?”
“It’s probably better if I show you. I’m going to need another set of hands to help me manage the situation anyway.”
Merlin sighed. This was why Tobias was so tedious to work with. Nothing was ever simple with him. It was always an onsite assignment, and it was usually potentially deadly. Merlin wasn’t a fan, but Tobias’ seemed to be attached to Merlin even though there were plenty of other agents who could support him.
“Fine.” Merlin said.
“Excellent!” Tobias was thrilled, as usual. “I’m in New York in the year 2339. Meet me there tomorrow morning.”
Before Merlin could respond Tobias had closed the connection. It didn’t matter. He knew precisely what time and which landmark to meet at. It was always the same. Eight o’ clock, and in New York City the site would be the Statue of Liberty. It was Tobias’ favorite place to mess with the humans. Mostly because in a place like that they were never quite sure what they were supposed to see, so it was less likely that he’d expose his magic.
The next morning Merlin prepared his time travel spell for the large jump he was set to make. Technically, he could choose to live in any time in history, but while he was working, he resided mostly in what was an area that was sort of a middle ground. It was easy to time travel from there. A quick incantation and a wave of the hand later he landed in New York City, inside her right nostril. This was Tobias’ idea, of course.
Tobias was waiting for him, leaning against the outer wall of the nostril. He seemed delighted when he caught sight of Merlin.
“Merlin! Young friend, I’m so glad you’re here!” Tobias said.
“Show me what’s gotten you into a bind this time.” Merlin replied.
Tobias waved a hand at him, “Always so straight to the point. Well, it is quite a big problem. Come on.”
Tobias waved his hand, and they were suddenly in a sleek, white building filled with the futuristic fashions and gadgets of the day. At least, it used to be white. Now it was covered in ashes. The bright holiday decorations hanging all around them were also charred. Then, Merlin saw it, the large, majestic beast. Its scaly wings wrapped around it as it calmly made its way towards them.
“What did you do?!” Merlin demanded.
“I know it looks bad—” Tobias started but Merlin interrupted.
“Bad? It doesn’t just look bad!”
“Let me explain.” Tobias seemed a bit desperate, probably because he was hoping they could make the issue go away without anyone ever finding out. “Look, you know I moonlight as a mall Santa during the holidays. I pick a different year and location every year.”
“I don’t like where this is going.”
“Well, I like to give the kids the exact thing they want for Christmas, and on account of me being magic, I can, so I did…twice.”
Merlin was fuming. He’d known Tobias was a bit of a nut job, but he’d never thought of him as clueless. “Tobias! Thirty-five-ton, fire-breathing lizards are not appropriate gifts for children!”
“It’s what they wanted for Christmas.” He said it as if it justified his stupidity.
“Dragons?! Really Tobias? If they ask for a dragon, get them a normal household pet. Like a dog. Everyone likes dogs.” Merlin said.
“But they asked for dragons.”
Merlin stared between Tobias and the giant beast before them. It seemed harmless enough. They always did at first, until you made them mad.
Merlin paused for a moment before a realization hit him. “Wait…did you say you did this twice?”
Tobias nodded sheepishly.
“Where’s the other dragon?” Merlin asked.
“I kind of lost him in the chaos.” Tobias admitted.
Merlin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You lost him?!”
If they managed to find the other beast, they would have to proceed with extreme caution to avoid spooking it. Dragons were terribly sensitive creatures. They were attack first, ask questions later sort of creatures.
“If we don’t get eaten, I’m going to kill you.” Merlin said.
Tobias grinned, “Get in line. No one’s caught up to me yet.”