It all started on December 3rd. Addler the Butler Otter promoted the Brothers Squirrel as his Majorly Mostly Assistant Decoration Wranglers. Mostly because they had paws that could reach and grab and twist and twine, and poor Addler himself had always been somewhat paw-challenged due to his round tummy that he was extremely proud of.
After the decorations came Addler’s favourite part: baking! Not that he could bake anything himself (see: paw-challenged), but the Hamster Baking Brigade was extremely professional and a joy to watch and sniff. One of the bunlings had taken the art of Learning Letters very seriously and could now read almost every other word from the Big Book of Noms. He told Addler every other word was ‘nom’, and who was Addler to question his learned ways.
While the critters on the table plateau were focused on baking, a disaster struck on the lower level: suddenly everything except the rugs was lava! The Bunling learning the Art of Scribbling immediately made an alarm flag. The Bunlings had wisely divided the Arts so that one of them learned to Read, the other to Write.
The Brothers Squirrel figured out an escape plan immediately, but only the penguins showed interest or daring to follow them across the ladder. The Squirrel in charge of Taking (the other was in charge of Keeping) even performed a small squirrel jig to show everyone it wasn’t dangerous. He knew it was the work of the Magician and surely he would not fry the critters in lava: not good barbeque!
The brave escapades were forgotten the moment the scent of ready gingerbread cookies descended to the rug-level. Lava and adventurous challenges already forgotten, it was time to party! The Nom Fest was so thorough that the Brothers Squirrel forgot to ponder where had Addler gone.
Addler had orchestrated the Grand Nom Feast on the main table. On many tables. After several Critter Committees were held on the decor and colour matching, defeat was admitted and the Bunling scribbled a plea for help in the flag: magician aid was required. After some patient translation work from the Ladybun, the Magician got to work to change the critter infested mess into a proper feast.
What a feast it was! Addler could barely see to the other end of the table! The Ladybun had helped him with a bow tie (see: paw-challenged) and all he had to do now was oversee everything from his spot at the end of the table. Well, to see, and watch and sniff and approve. Extremely responsible job!
Addler could feel his otter tummy growing from the scents alone: so round and pretty! He guarded the sacher cake of chocolatey goodness with care: if he was lucky, the Magician would eat only one piece and he could have all the rest! …to share with his friends, he reminded himself. To share with his friends, yesyes.
The Rat Band had settled next to the cheese tray that had been promised to them, already playing festive songs such as Every Whisker Glitters and All the Red Ribbons and the critter favourite Nom Day Every Day.
The Bunling that Knows Bun Glyphs had found tiny bunlings from a glowing jar of snow. He pressed his nose against the glass and wiggled it in hopes of communication, but the tiny figures did not move. Surely there should be another plea for the Magician to make them come alive.
In the meanwhile, under the tree, everything was peaceful. The band played a song or two to keep in shape, the weffs practiced puppy parkour on the presents, the guest bunnies were helping with the decor and the cocoa train kept driving around the tree in slow, delicious circles.
Everything was ready. Just one more night to wait.
I meant to simply take pictures of the hijinks and shenanigans happening home as usual and add them to Flickr for shared amusement, but this December the story just kept growing and growing and called for more words. So here: a home-ful of critters to wish everyone a delightful, happy and relaxed holiday!
Laziest Credits Ever:
Critters by Ohmai, MishMish, Half-Deer, Snips & Snails, Aisling, Intrigue Co. (fd), Offbeat, Ispachi, Lark, Balaclava, keke
Noms by Poche, Lost Junction, Schadenfreude, Tres Blah, Erratic, Vespertine, Aphrodite
Grand Nom Feast Table & Chairs by The Looking Glass (free under the tree)
Tree by ~Libertine~
A lot of noms and critters from the Arcade, the tree from the Midwinter Fair.
Astalianda 