Melisande wandered aimlessly, kicking her feet. Things were just not working out like normal this year and she felt very depressed. All around her preparations were going on for the year's big event and she just couldn't get into the mood.
The choir director had even kicked her off the choir. He said that all her "Gloria Alleluia's" were flat and were causing a discord in her section. He had suggested that she get her voice checked out before she came back. She had always led the choir in the number of solos she'd been given, but not this year. She knew there was nothing wrong with her voice. She just couldn't put her heart into singing the same old thing over and over again.
Melisande didn't know what she could do now. She knew she wasn't in the mood for taking part in the pageant and definitely couldn't take part in the spreading of peace and joy, not in the mood she was in. Melisande didn't know what was wrong but she felt somehow unfulfilled and it was affecting all her work. She'd gone to all the counseling suggested but nothing had revealed the root of her problem. Since no one went unassigned, she would now have to talk to the big boss to get a new assignment.
"Michael, I just got kicked off the choir. What do you want me to do now?" said Melisande.
"Well I've looked over your record for this year and you seem to have problems completing any projects. Physically you're in good shape but you seem to be a mental mess," said Michael
"I know. I'm so restless and I can't keep my mind on anything, I feel like I've missed something and I feel so unfulfilled," Melisande answered. "I don't know what to do."
"Well I have an idea. We have a Christmas wish from a mortal. He's a very good soul and does good works every day but since his wife died he keeps wishing in the back of his mind to do this. It's a little out of our normal line but I'm inclined to grant it," said Michael
"What is it? Some kind of messenger from God bit," asked Melisande.
"No, he's very explicit. He wishes to have a special Christmas Eve present," said Michael.
Melisande thought for a moment. She had never been a present before - a messenger, a vision, a benefactor, a protector - but never a present. At least it would be something different. "Well I guess I could try. I've nothing to do now since I can't sing in the choir. What do I have to do?"
"He wishes to have a completely compliant female who will do everything he wishes with no argument. You will not be able to use any of your powers. You will need to act like a simple mortal. Do you think you can obey him? Some of what he wants may not be what you expect."
Melisande felt a thrill of anticipation. To put herself in the power of a mortal, to let him decide her actions gave her a feeling of weakness.
"Yes I want to try."
"Okay but remember no wings, no halos, no angel bits. Just what mortal women would be and do. He will be the master of your actions," said Michael
*****************
Melisande found herself walking toward a house on a snowy street. It was brightly lit with Christmas lights hung on the eves, a large garland framed the door, and an evergreen wreath hung on the door. She knew this was the house of the man she was to see. As she approached the door she began to shiver. She was wearing only a white fur trimmed coat with her hands in a fur-lined muff and the dress she wore felt light and silky against her skin.
She knocked on the door and waited as the chill wind whistled around her and snowflakes fell against her cheeks. She shivered in her coat She had never felt the breath of winter against her skin before and the cold air swirled around her bare legs.
The door open and silhouetted against the light was the figure of a man. He was tall and seemed to loom over her. She had never before felt so helpless, so fragile.
"May I come in?" she stammered. "It's so very cold out here."
He nodded and opened the door wide to let her enter. As she walked into the entryway warmth engulfed her. Behind her she heard the door shut and the click of the lock. She was here where she must stay until morning and the unknown loomed before her.
She turned and saw him looking at her questioningly. She let her muff drop to the floor and slid the coat off her shoulders. It settled as a pool of white fur at her feet. Thin straps supported the white silk gown she wore. It clung to the curves of her body. It looped down across her chest barely covering her breasts. The long gown caressed her hips and a long slit up the side to her thighs showed that this was all she was wearing. She took one step forward and knelt at his feet.