"Apology accepted," Stacia says, a gracious victor accepting an honorable surrender. If he finds himself a compulsion candy, it won't be because of her. And she might even refrain from saying that she told him so.

"My experiences with holiday-themed trickery are that it's generally best to just roll with it," she says. "Tricksters gonna trickster, and letting them get under your skin just encourages them." She tugs gently on her Tim balloon. "This one doesn't bug me too much; I'm secure enough in my choices and who I am to let myself be vulnerable. Of course, it does help that I can turn into a giant monster if someone tries to take advantage of my good nature."