Merry Christmas and a Happy End Year (Bomb plot, go!)

It was the tourists that noticed it first. The locals were too used to Santas that smelled like scotch standing next to grown men in elmo suits, and dragon mutants walking past with scarves. The tourists looked at all these things like children, staring through their smart phone screens as they sent rolls of photos off to their internet feeds.

When the countdown started, groups from China and Korea and Oklahoma tugged at each others sleeves, pointing. The locals kept walking, until one girl stopped a businessman. "What's it for?"

The businessman took one look, and shrugged.

In Times Square, every single display was cleared of their regular flashing ads, and set to the same countdown.

23:59:35
23:59:34
23:59:33

"It's a countdown to Christmas," someone realized, which resulted in heartfelt d'aaws.

In the Wolf News studio, every computer screen switched to the countdown. Including the map of tonight's weather, currently airing live on the morning news.

"There's a cold front moving in from the north. Santa's sleigh is expected to make good... time..." The weatherman trailed off, his arm now pointing at a black background, with a stark white countdown.

23:59:32
23:59:31
23:59:30

A little clip art santa walked onto the screen below the weatherman's arm.

"Your mother says good boys and girls do not try to find their presents in the closet. They wait very patient for Christmas morning."

Its voice was digitally synthesized, its mouth moving in the worst of pixel-pasting jerks that left a black rectangle open in its face while it formed the words.

"I say why wait? Countdown is ticking. Find all your presents and you win. I am leak my Naughty and Nice list to all city's heroes. Police and X-Men and maybe you. Anyone can be hero, so is posted on internet too."

The santa ho ho ho'ed, and plodded back off the screen.

"What." The weatherman said.

There was a short pause. Then the santa stuck its head back into the frame. "Sorry for make unclear. Is bomb threat. Merry Christmas and a Happy End Year!"

Behind the countdown, Ragnarok's logo appeared in gray silhouette.

---

In a mansion just down the road from Xavier's, Panu Jaager minimized the news, and brought back up the Best Sugar Cookie Recipe Ever. This one had the best title, so probably it was the most delicious. He climbed up onto the kitchen counters, and started excavating ingredients from his bachelor dad's cabinets.

Tonight would be Best Christmas Eve Ever. He hoped his new father liked his present.

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Looking for ideas on how to join the plot, or need to grab a posting partner? Check out the original planning thread.

Feel free to have bombs placed anywhere you like. Also feel free to have 'em go off early, if you tinker with them~