Twas a padded night before Christmas

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A Babyfur Christmas 07'

When it came at last for me to sleep Christmas night. And I pondered as I stirred about dreams of merry sights. The covers were tight and not a creature slept. For the excitement of the toys and gifts to be left. Though I tried and I groaned and the bed shook around. Though caretakers about paid no heed of my sound. Instead I was sleepless and intent on the tree. And prayed as I laid what Santa Fox left me.

The covers whispered like the haunt of a ghost. But my mind stayed fixed on what I wanted the most. I slid from the bed and made not a peep. From one step to the next with a sneaky leap. The stairs seemed so far, yet I so dared. Off I went down them, my mind unprepared. What indeed would I find as I took each soft pause. Perhaps a soft laugh from that fox Santa Clause? So I travel ever closer, but the view I do fear. No presents have come-under the tree, yet-this year. Such a joke I do think that a mistake must be made. Perhaps my bed, I think, was where I should have stayed.

But no problem is there now, I see. I think I'm exactly where I need to be! Down comes the chimney a soft rackish accord. And I hear something scratch and I wait much allured. It rumbles down the brick like a boulder down a brook. Seemingly forever, but a minutes' all he took! I cannot help it, as a little giggle finds my lips. As a brightly dressed figure gave a wiggle of his hips. And out he came from this narrow space. Exiting with a sneeze from our homey fireplace.

His tail twirled about all gaily with a spin. And his eyes shined like two fine pieces of tin. He neither laughed nor spoke in the pursuit of his deed. Counter to what the carols and stories decreed. The fox was quite jolly and his fur shined with glaze. He sniffed and searched until he found quite ablaze-

Quite content with the cookies and the milk we put out. And then it was here which he discovered me, no doubt. I was peeping and sneaking-it flustered him jovially to no end. He looked me in the eyes; beckoned with his arms as to send. And I took one long look over the red of his fur. Before I left and he became just a blur. So fast was he in the time of this job. Certainly he was plump, but far from a slob. I return to my bed and find dreams with ease. But naught can I erase the sound of his sneeze. How petite it was focused, as if from a mouse. And as I laughed myself, I heard him leave the house.

Come one come all is the cry in the morn. Every excited babe; sweet as a unicorn. The paws I hear do loudly trample down the stairs. They hold hands-giggle-come in one's and pairs. Off they go until they see the tree. From afar they waddle-that is-save for me. I feel some guilt, and also some fear. Did he leave me a gift before he did disappear? I cannot know for sure as I finally wiggle down each stair. In hope of course that Santa Fox would still care.

I come to the tree as I once did before. Examining the sight of how cubbies explore. Mesmerized, and fantasized, and outright infantilized. Watching this world with a mind that's been chastised.

On occasions such as this. When lights linger like a mist. With many colors all around. Silver bells so full of sound. As light as snowflakes they peal alight. Amongst the rainbow colored night. They daze the eyes with mystery. There upon the Christmas tree. I linger in this land. With a wonder to demand. Crystals hang from the glass. Outside the window; forming fast. With each snowflake melted by the heat. The water reforms-drips-becoming a slick sheet.

I strain my ears and gasp. Listen well to a dry rasp. A coughing noise-I've sworn. When each parcel is unwrapped and torn. Exposing the fun treat beneath. Hidden inside like holly berries upon a wreath. Oft the paper is thrown in the air. Without regard or any care. Empty boxes flung all about. With happiness and a joyful shout. Then such noise I've never heard. As from those this glee has stirred. Sitting upon the carpet, warm and snug at play. In pajamas or sleepers, quite comfy are they.

From outside, the weather has stilled. But with the fire going, none shall be chilled. Even with the swirling speckled breeze. Which goes about with freedom and ease. There are no worries as they focus instead. Playing with toys-bearing no dread. And even as the wind whispers and twists in the yard. Ignoring the cold, fortunately, is not all that hard. I watch on and laugh as two of them play. Under the tree and its technicolor ray.

Aloof sat Mr. Leon, reading stories from his chair. Reciting aloud before a cuddling pair. And though no others paid him attention, he went on quite content. His love in his voice as he continued this bright merriment. The gray of his fur shivered with a wave. He went on regardless, as if from a cave.

"Now down he went the chimney,' he spoke with a jolly growl, 'And a sweet little badger spied him, eyes surprised like an owl."

The cubs giggled lightly; enjoying the story so much. Behaving like angels and coy with a cherry blush. Mr. Leon smiled lightly, batted his tail with an arc. Took their attention with humor, and laughed with a bark.

Little Growly sat on her haunches and played with her plush. A giant brown furball turned her heart all to mush. She loved the Ursaring-detested dolls. Give her the choice, she'd burn them all. Good she had her new friend as she feared the night. But felt much braver with the poke bear in sight.

Luca's red fur glimmered with a blink. Her eyebrows creased briefly whenever she'd think. Held in her arms, a plush out of strange. A toy for a naughty show Santa Fox gladly arranged. Her caretaker had not caught her as she stayed up to view. But now her daddy seeing it, knew not what to do. Finally with a snort, looking away. Letting it slip, and allowing her play.

The next cub was intense; mischief in her emerald eyes. She loved having company, and loathed all goodbyes. Snuggling with her new walrus, a pretty collar about her throat. She wiggled and giggled as TigerWiccan brushed her coat. Occasionally, Aconite looked on Mr. Leon with a light little pur. Tickled with every stroke, and happy movements astir.

"And out came the presents from his red satin sack. Some were so large, Santa Fox almost put out his back. But when he is done and he leaves with a puff, the littles awaken with excitement for stuff."

Mello was different; his fur quite pristine. He loved pretty things and kept his coat clean. He found with a shock Santa knew him too well. Out from his box was a dress pretty as a bell. The uni gave a little snigger when he dreamed and he played. Not one for command; he always obeyed.

As if born from smoke came an adorable shape. Dressed in a hat and a cute little cape. He waves his new wand and out comes the end-a tender bouquet; at least he'd pretend. From his sleeve comes a line of tied sheets. Perform for them all while they clapped from their seats. He heard it in his ears everytime he'd disappear. They wanted JR; they'd gladly attend his show next year.

Alfador listened to Leon's hearty tale. Cuddling warmly to outside hail. He'd gladly hug his Mimiga plush. Which Santa Fox left him-all hurried in a rush. He was far from sleep in the wolf's deep repose. Smiling cheerily in a fresh diaper and new clothes. Suddenly he turned to the window and blushed with a shock. He thought he heard Santa tap the glass with a knock. But it was just ice, and it rained in a harsh fog. He drank from his sippy filled with virgin egg nog.

Then there was Hazel, a pretty little pup. Allou her mommy, passed on a cup. Hot chocolate was great, Hazel thought with a smile. Impatient was she; Allou had her wait awhile. Then they opened gifts together and beamed with bright joy. Hazel's new stuffed camel, she wished for a toy. Mommy laughed as she took hers from the box. Someone had sewn her a crudely made plush fox.

Maskedsox was strange; he'd gladly be silly. Happily wearing dresses quite frilly. But pretend he would, his caretaker dressed him this way. It had been assumed since the very first day. Well, when he looked in the box, he gave such a squeak. Shut the lid tightly, save an occasional peek.

Orca looked on, an occasional smile. He waddled on proudly, wearing his diaper with style. For Christmas he got all he could ask. Grinning shyly, adorable face like a mask. In overalls, a carebear plush under his arm. He fidgeted suddenly face lit in alarm. Mommy patted his butt and giggled, carrying him away. It all happened too fast, he had nothing to say. Off they went to clean up his mess. And though it must have been embarassing, I do confess. He went on cheerily and waved all goodbye. At least for now; not a tear in his eye.

Step smiled sweetly and tickled poor Mello. The attack was menacing; turning the pony to jello. He giggled and fought but could not give in. Step carried on with a giggle, determined to win. Finally he stopped when Leon cast him a gaze. It froze them in place like a bright shiny blaze. After he gave a cute raspberry, he redressed his plush. Smiling adorably, his cheeks softly blushed.

Muira was a little down, with no mom or dad. His plushes and Evel Knievel figure were all that he had. He stared at the tree with a sniffle for a sec. He'd not let them see he was much so a wreck. But he turned back toward Leon, and caught by surprise. They all expectantly looked at him, love in their eyes. It was then that he knew he wasn't so alone. Perhaps this crowded fun place could still be a home.

Chaz sat on a rug with his charge, baby Frost. They looked on the others; manes lightly tossed. They'd wrestled every so often-just for a break. Then went on in play; merely for funs' sake. Frost cuddled his daddy, pounced him right down. Chaz wiggled and barked, there from the ground. Finally, daddy grabbed Frost in a little embrace. Rolled them both over, and licked his cub's face.

Pawnce sat by his daddy, all nice and cute. Wearing his gloves, and all ready to boot. Looking at Frost wrestle, he wanted to play. Leon had a foot on his tail, keeping him at bay.

"And that is the end." Leon remarked with a smirk-lightly pouncing his cub, and getting to work.

Pawnce looked all surprised from daddys' light bite. It left him so off guard, he was unable to fight.

"Come here, you little bundle of joy." He let off suddenly, all part of his ploy. As pawnce listened to all daddy said-he laughed and he wiggled from Leon's tickle attack instead.

Allou and Luca came out of the kitchen. With a rack of some stuff of all they'd been fixin'. Immediately littles stopped all of their games. They ran on in stampede; heck, you could call out their names!

"Oh, Growly, oh Step, oh JR." Allou did say. As all the cubs reached for a cookie-right from her tray!

"And Mello, Aconite, Alfador." All her names, she had used. That little diapered rush left her clearly amused.

They went back and nibbled on the cookies they chose. Getting crumbs and warm icing all over their clothes.

I stayed where I was, looking at the shine of the tree. Paper and trash was all over; I could hardly see. If Santa gave me something, I would need to look. Leon took a deep tired sigh, dropping his book. Weaving around diapered cubs munching on their treat. I tossed stuff out of my way, shoulders hung in defeat. I found nothing and so I felt down. I try not to cry, hiding my frown.

But it was too late, the tears wouldn't stop. By the time they came, I'd need a mop. They began to swell and drop from my eyes. Indeed, on Christmas, this was a nasty surprise. I wished for so little and got not a thing under the tree. It was true, I supposed; Santa surely forgot me. Maybe I was bad and Santa Fox left me behind. I guess that was why I had no present to find.

"What's wrong there, my little pony?" The voice came out low, all cracked and stony.

When I heard Leon do it, I couldn't help but smile. I'd not heard him do that one in such a long while. Laughing a little and turning around. Toward the source of that funny sound.

"I can't find my pwesent." I replied in a way very cute.

"Want me to help?" He asked, quite kind and astute.

I nodded and dried my eyes, looking once more under the tree. Going over it in detail, but still nothing for me. Under the trash, under any empty box. Leon was determined; tenacious as a fox. He continued even when I cried and stopped...

Then suddenly into my lap he dropped.

Some wrapped thing with a tag bearing my name. Immediately I blushed, my cheeks red with shame.

"There we go." Leon said with a smile and snort. Leaving me with a present of a curious sort.

I pulled back a ribbon and let it slide off and drop. Started undoing the colored paper right on the top. I peered inside and giggled with glee. Grabbing out a plush, hugging it to me. Pony for a pony it naturally seemed. Friendly stuffed horsie I'd always dreamed.

He was black as night; eyes of blue light. Star-struck was I as his fur spoke. Caressing whispers from sleep I awoke. Through a dizzying trance I did walk. Desire and love given voice to talk.

I was immediately lost in embrace of this plush. Soft downy fur made my heart beat in a rush. Everything I needed, everything I ask. Given to me sweetly in Santa's pursuit of a task.

When at last I looked all around. While the air was filled with sound. Excitement and play. Gaily all day. It was a Christmas none could forget. Time greatly cherished not a soul would regret.

Is this the end, I wonder, as I finish this splendid dream?

I dearly hope not; it was an adventure, or so I had made it seem.