Saturday, 20 April 2024
Life, the universe, pies, hot-pink bunnies, world domination, and everything
Celebrating the arrival of winter in the Northern Hemisphere or summer for the Southern Hemisphere.
Gifts for the gift exchange may be dropped off anonymously at the Holiday Party Gift Tree.
The festivities last until the New Year. For more information, please see the Holiday Party Planning Thread.
Date: December 6, 2008
Categories: Muse Academy, The Musiverse
*peeks in* Ahh, this looks wonderful!! I hope someone else shows up soon….
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Hello! I’m still thinking about my gift… Can we start? I’ll DJ!
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Let the gift giving begin! But not in this thread. Head over to the Holiday Party Gift Tree thread and leave a gift there. Remember to sign in with an alias to your usual alias! (Doesn’t have to be anything complicated. Calling yourself “gift” would work.)
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Wow, we party a lot. 
Not that I’m complaining…
I think I’ll wear a top hat,a white dress shirt with a Tripp vest, and black skinnies. But I’m debating whether I should wear combat boots or my converse…
Yeah, I stole Mikey Way’s wardrobe.
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I’m wearing a red sparkly hankercheif dress, ruby slippers similar to Dorothy’s from The Wizard of Oz, and a black button up coat which I put on one of the chairs surrounding the dance floor. Even though it’s snowy, the air is still warm, so I don’t mind not wearing my winter jacket.
I’ll start us off with a song. I walk up to the mike stand and start singing “Winter Wonderland” while RoseQuartz DJ’s the music and people file in. The lights are low, and the snow overhead is falling lightly down in a graceful swirl.
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I enter the ballroom, happy that the party has finally begun. I am wearing a long, sky-blue dress with silver snowflakes on it, and silver slippers. I head to the Gift Tree to drop off my present.
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I enter the ballroom wearing my corduroy pants and brown turtleneck sweater. I wipe my boots on the rug while admiring the decor- it really does look like a northern forest! I pass Rainbowstar as I go to drop of my present under the tree.
“It looks lovely, doesn’t it? You’d never guess it was the same room we used for Halloween!” I said.
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I enter the ballroom. I am dressed in a white tuxedo, white pants, and white business shoes. I place my gift under the Gift Tree and head over to a table, where I set up a sign that reads: “Job interviews for the Stupidest Business in the World held here. Only available when interviewer is around.”
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I see more people entering the ball room. “Come on!” I invite them warmly. “Sing with me!” We break into the chorus.
“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening…
A beautful sight, we’re happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland!”
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[Before I enter… does one have to participate in other roleplays to attend the holiday party?]
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((10-No.))
“Gone away, is the bluebird. Here to stay, is a new bird.
He sings a love song, as we go along, walking in a winter wonderland!” I joined in with Aggie.
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(10) Tesseract, Muse Academy events are always open to all MuseBloggers, as is the Academy itself.
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I enter the ballroom, my white shawl covering my arms. The snow on my blue flats melts away from the nice warm air. I carried my clarinet case, it handle decorated with snowflakes to celebrate the season. I unpin the shawl from around my shoulders and drape it on a chair, and my dress had one long, sky blue sleeve and a shorter sleeve on the other side. The bottom was in a comfortable that allowed for dancing easily. Around my waist the was a was a translucent glittery scarf, and in my hair was a vanda orchid sprig. Speaking of my hair, it was in an intricate bun with braids placed here and there. I had even died a loose bit blue.
I noticed the songfest, and quickly put together my insturment. We had had to memorize “Winter Wonderland” fro band, so I could do it without the sheet music. I joined the singers, playing the notes.
gg g F, ee e D, f# f E…
((The last part was the notes in my head, for our clarinet part. I know that seems kind of confuzzling, so two lowercase letters together means two eighth notes; a lowercase letter is a quater note; and an uppercase letter is a half note. Got that?))
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“In the medow we can build a snowman, and pretend that he’s parson brown.
He’ll say “Are you married?”
We’ll say “No, man, but you can do the job while you’re in town.”
“but you can do the job while you’re in town.”
~~~
I’m wearing a tux.
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“Later on, we’ll conspire, as we dre-e-eam by the fire;
To face unafraid, the pans that we’ve made, walking in a winter wonderland, ooh..
Walking…in a winter…wonderlaaand!”
We finish the last notes from the song with an excited long note, and then cheer as it end. I start up a rousing chorus of “Jingle Bells, to which Zinc chimed in with her clarinet. I rustled my red skirts as I tapped on a tambourine. Christmas parties always made me glowy and happy inside.
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I walked quickly into the ballroom, shivering a bit from the cold outside. My long, airy skirt fluttered around my legs. It was a deep blue, almost purple, and stretched easily when I walked. My black flats flopped and flapped on the floor. I pulled off my white, fuzzy coat, hanging it on a coat hanger. Underneath was a shirt with short sleeves-perhaps not the best idea-colored an off-white or gray, a bit hard to decide. Decorating my shirt was a spiderweb pattern of dark red roses and black leaves and vines. My hair was entirely in long, tight braids, alll swept up into a tight bun. A charm bracelet adorned my wrist, a snowflake and a snowman dangling from it. From my left shoulder hung a large black bag.
I smiled in a slightly evil fashion and opened the large black bag. From it, I produced a huge hat shaped like a menorah. It had felt candle flames at the top, and the rest was blue velvet but for a furry white bit where my head was jammed in.
“Other people wear Santa hats,” I said cheerfully. “Equal representation, right?”
((I really do own this hat, and wear it the week before Winter Break every year. I love love love it.))
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((Can we sing “Snoopy vs The Red Baron” at some point? I love that one.))
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My combat boots made no sound except for the clinking of a strap against the grommets as I walked through the double doors of the ballroom. I could see a gigantic Christmas tree at the front, flanked by two menorah’s (almost equal to the tree in size) and symbols of pretty much every religion you could think of that celelbrated a winter holiday made up the decorations. Was that a spaghetti monster shaped punch bowl?
I spotted a girl with a menorah hat. How creative. My top hat seemed unoriginal compared to the headware I was now seeing.
The large windows behind the tree and menorahs showed a flurry of snow. It actually wasn’t snowing outside, so I suspected these “windows” to be some sort of television, no doubt thought up by the administration of dear old MA.
The snow reminded me of snow cones. The cones reminded me of how thirsty I was. I hope the punch dosn’t taste like spaghetti.
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I arrive in a black dress, much like the one I wore for the halloween ball, except much more fancy. I drag my cello in its bright blue case covered with stickers behind me, as I am to be part of the orchestra and am going to play a solo. I always love to play holiday-ish music. It gets me thinking of snow.
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I wander into the ballroom, dressed in an orange dress that hangs to the floor. I grab a cup of eggnog and wince at the taste. Abandoning my drink, I find a place to sit and listen to the music.
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Wait, we’re not in costume for this, right? But we are for the gift exchange or something? I don’t really get it.
/gradster(1)/ – Secretary of Bureaucracy of the ASAP
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When Jingle Bells is over, we start to sing Snoopy vs. The Red Bsron, as suggested by Kagy. I notice more people enter, including a girl with a menorah hat. How festive. It makes me smile. The holiday spirit is becoming contagious. ‘This is why the holidays are my favorite time of year’, I think to myself as I belt out Snoopy’s song.
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I am carrying a violin in a shiny black case. I take it out and join in the music, playing by ear. ((I actually do play the violin.))
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I sip a cup of peppermint hot chocolate and revel in the sound of musicians joyously putting forth their music.
No worries, Beavo, the punch is spaghetti-taste free! You might detect a hint of lime, though.
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((21: If you want to give a gift (we don’t know who’s getting which gift yet) simply go to the Holiday Party Gift Tree topic and post with your name as “Gift.”))
I hum along nervously to Snoopy vs. the Red Baron, not knowing the words. I sidle over to the drinks table, taking some eggnog and sipping it. My menorah hat tilts backwards, and I hastily push it back onto my head to stop it from falling into the punch bowl.
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I twirl around, my sleeveless blue satin dress with a gauzy white-and-silver covering swishing the floor. The gauze has silver snowflakes on it, and I’m wearing a rhinestone snowflake necklace and earrings. My shoes are a bit… unconventional for winter, being silver stiletto sandals, but they’re beautiful. I don’t mind cold feet.
I walk over to the DJ stand with my flute case, and sing along. When Snoopy vs. the Red Baron finishes, I pull out my flute and start to sing “Sleigh Ride.” I wonder if there’s going to be a live band this time- we already have a clarinet and a flute! Perhaps Kyra brought her cello. I would give a gift, but I honestly can’t think of anything. Oh! Now I know! I walk over to the Gift Tree and place my gift underneath.
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Pulling out my trumpet and straight mute, I join RoseQuartz in the now-rousing rendition of Sleigh Ride (because here is now the only place I can even dream of playing the trumpet properly, what with my split lip and no practice for a couple months now). We are actually playing this in band!
As we move into the swung section, my plain jeans and Apple shirt change into the snazzy zoot suit I’ve always wanted.
/gradster(1)/ – Secretary of Bureaucracy of the ASAP
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I look around. No one notices me. I sigh, throw the sign in the trash, and lean against the wall. Then I remember my guitar and ocarina. I pull the ocarina out of my pocket, put it to my mouth, and practice with some scales.
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Another season, another ball. I enter the ballroom in an ice blue dress, patterned faintly with the lacy shapes of snowflakes. Diamonds twinkle at my throat. My long hair is piled on my head and secured with a barely perceptible hairnet, only noticeable when the tiny stones woven in catch the light.
This is the first ball I have not been involved in planning, and I look around curiously. Most of the students, especially the girls, are in formal clothes, but the dress code is clearly less strict. The music is lively and more jazzy than previous balls. The fact that there even is a ball had been something of a surprise. I love being surprised.
I approach Beavo. “Hullo, Beavo!” I say cheerily. “Care to dance?”
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((I have not looked at any other outfits, sorry if I stole somebody’s.))
I skip into the ballroom wearing a lovely light blue satin dress and a rhinestone-studded headband that sparkled. I also wore dangling snowflake earrings that were sparkly as well. I wore white flats.
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I pull up a chair and play along with everyone. Even though cellos usually aren’t in jazzy renditions, I do the best I can.
((BTW I was The One Who Would Rather Go Unnoticed in the halloween ball.))
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Glad that more people had arrived, I took a seat and watched everyone sing. I am wearing brown courderoy pants, my polka-dotted sneakers, and a dark purple t-shirt. Nothing very fancy.
I noticed a beautiful grand piano sitting in the corner. Delighted, I started to play Sleigh Ride along with anyone else.
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I take a break from the music to check out the snack table. I take a handful of dried pineapple and coconut to munch and greet Kokonilly.
“The ballroom looks lovely, doesn’t it?” I asked her.
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Tired of playing, I put my violin back in its case and store it safely in a corner.
I wander over to the food table. Between the jar of candy canes and the plate of choklit chip cookies is a bowl of strangely shaped things wrapped in paper. Attached to the bowl is a diagram instructing me to pull the ends hard. I pick up one wrapped in red-and green striped paper, and experimentally grab the ends and yank.
CRACK!
A loud noise, like a gunshot, makes me and several nearby people jump. I hear something softly hit the floor and spot something small there, wrapped in bubble wrap. I unwrap it. It’s a tiny glass figure of a crow with its beak open. Multicolored lights dance inside. Those must be Christmas crackers! I realize, remembering the brainstorming for them on the planning thread. I tuck the Crraw figurine into a pocket of my dress, then whip out a pencil and write CRACKERS on the diagram, so others won’t have to figure out what they are.
((Excuse my abundant HTML tricks.))
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Surprised by the loud CRACK! I jump. My bow skitters out of my hand and wedges into the chair legs. My chair scoots back as I jump, and with another, slightly less loud, CRACK, my bow breaks. FINALLY! I’ve been wanting to break it for a long time. Now I am able to use the much better bow stored in my case.
Excusing myself from the impromtu orchestra, with many assurances of my return, I pick up the pieces of my broken bow, throw them away in a convienent garbage can, and stroll to my case to retrieve my other bow. Along the way, I investigate the source of the CRACK.
A bowl filled with Christmas Crackers stands on the food table. I pick one up and pull the ends to get a goodie. CRACK! Some people jump, but not as many as the first time.
My prize is a small jewelry box wrapped in a Muse Acadamy sticker. Excited, I stick the sticker on my cello case and save the jewelry to open later.
I had noticed something wrong with the CRACKER sign and retrieve a pencil from my cello case to fix it. I add a small CHRISTMAS above the word CRACKER to indicate that you should not eat the colorful cyllinders.
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“Thanks for fixing the sign,” I tell Cello-Playing Mathematician. “I’m really sorry about your bow. You could use mine if you want. Except it’s a violin bow, so it might be different.”
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Kai approached me. “The ballroom looks lovely, doesn’t it?â€
I grinned and nodded. “Yeah,” I said, “MA has really outdone itself.”
There was a loud CRACK! I jumped about 6 inches. So did a bunch of other people.
“Wanna pull some crackers?” I asked Kai. “I hate sudden, loud noises – ” I grinned ” – but it could be fun.”
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I crack open the door and look apprehensively into the room. Seeing the small band playing Christmas carols, I smile hesitantly and open the door a bit further. I carry my battered saxophone case in one hand and, as I step inside, shift it to my other hand. My white dress rustles as I wander over to the musicians and assemble my instrument.
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Oh dear, a broken cello bow!
Ah, it wasn’t in prime shape. But I still love bows, with their special purpose, and little knobs. Unless they are fiberglass. Ugh.
Anyways, can we play a trio, with two cellos and a violin?
Has ICBF seen any of this grand spread? Hákarl, hrútspungar, and slátur- Icelandic favorites!
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Seeing that the music position is filled, I exit the stage in a flurry of applause and go to grab some peppermint hot chocolate from the cocoa fountain, which was carved out of thick ice. I took a snowflake-encrusted mug from the counter and scooped it into the sprayin vat of chocolate, and squirt a small garnish of whipped cream on top. Then, I go over to talk with Kokonilly and Kai Yves.
“Hi!” I say, waving happily.
“Hello!” says Kai. “Take a cracker. We can all pull at the same time.”
“Cover your ears!” Kokonilly says. I take the peppermint striped cracker from Kai and set my mug down on the refreshment table.
“Ready? One…two…THREE!”
There is a loud CRACK-CRACK-CRACK! as all three crackers erupt at once in a flurry of red and white confetti. Kai reveals a small kokopelli statue enmbossed with small flutes. Kokonilly holds up a large, feathery pirate hat and I begin sucking on a candy cane twice the size of my hand that still has a piece of confetti fluttering slightly on the end.
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((Or whatever you want to come out of the crackers. Sorry, I shouldn’t have powerplayed. 
))
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I am wearing a silk silver dress. It goes down to my ankles, and my shoes are the offical Naruto-style fan-created shoes. My hair is down, with little baos.
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As I practice, I look over at the food table. My mouth begins to water. I realize how hungry I am, put away my ocarina, and wander over.
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After the CRACK-ing of the Christmas Crackers had begun, I finised the song I was playing and went over to the coca fountain and get a mug of hot choklit. I warmed my hands on the mug, which had the Muse Acadamy seal on it. I loked around the room, noticing a menorah on the windowsill of the largest window. Feeling that I should honour my Jewish ancestors, I decided to light it.
“Does anyone want to come light the menorah?” I called out into the crowd.
I knew that there were some other Musers that celebrated Hanukkah. A group of people followed me over to the window. “Does anyone know Hebrew? I don’t know any.” I asked.
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“Oooh, this is so pretty!” I said, picking up the Kokopelli statuette and putting it in my pocket.
I heard Syllabub calling from the windowsill.
“I’ll come help, I guess. Although I’m not Jewish and I don’t know Hebrew. I know the story and everything, though- I like reading about different cultures.” I said, hurrying over.
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Hearing Syllabub, I put my saxophone carefully in its case and walk over. “I’ll come light it! I know the prayers.” I pick up a box of matches and turn it over in my hand. “Would anyone else like to light the candles? I’ll light the shamash, if that’s okay.” I nudge open the box and pull out a match, then run it sharply down the side. It bursts into flame with a crackle, and I touch it to the center candle, then hold out the candle. “Here, someone else light the candles. Syllabub, do you want to? I can say the prayers.”
“Baruch ata Adonai eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel chanukah.
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha’olam, she’asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim haheim bazman hazeh.
And then, for the first night:
Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha’olam, shehecheyanu v’kiyimanu v’higi’anu laz’man hazeh. “
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((*sticks head in thread to see what’s going on*
It’s not Chanukkah yet, you know… But since MA time is different from real time, I guess it could be.
*removes head from thread*))
((I might join this, or I might not.))
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I celebrate Christmas and don’t know a word of Hebrew, so I reurn to the stage with my hot chocolate and pull from a shiny black case my electric guitar: a baby-blue John Mayer-model Stratocaster with silver/white accents. It is my prized possesion, and I plug in the amp. I begin to play and sing Jingle Bell Rock, and the band joins in enthusiastically.
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((Blegh, I think my teachers love giving me homework.))
I continued playing until it was only Gradster, I, and a few other people still on the stage. I took the reed out of my mouth with a gasp (you do not know how much it takes to play a woodwind- we have to blow through wood) and said to Gradster, “I think I’m going to take a break. I need to get my breath back!” He nodded.
((It’s time for your next lesson in Clarinet 101!))
I sat down on the floor and untwisted the ligature, and put the reed back in its case. Then I twisted off the mouthpiece and ran the swab through it. Then I took off the bell and put it back in the case along with the mouthpiece, and took the rest apart (the barrel, the upper part, and the lower part), swabbed them, and put them in their appropriate places. Then I put the case near my shawl and went over to the refreshments table. (Being agnostic, I had little intrest for the lighting of the Menorah) “High low,” I said to AvalonGirl as I gulped down some wassel. She looked at me, and the she said, “Why is your face all red?”
I cracked up.
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I peek into the party to see what’s going on. I see a band playing christmas tunes and decide to join. I wallk in in my light blue frock coat and dark blue pants, with a creme shirt under neath and a tricorn hat with a silver feather in it. I carry my oboe over to the orcestra and ask, “Can I join?”
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((49- O.o You have nooo idea. 
))
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“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock!” I joined in with the band.
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@50 – “Of course you can!” I exclaim in between bursts of song. “Hop right in!”
We clear a space for Zorgon and set up a stand and chair. Jingle Bell Rock finished, I pack up my trumpet and, with my newly acquired Barry-Carl-style baritone voice, start in on a choral version of the Carol of the Bells.
Slowly, the theme begins to catch on.
/gradster(1)/ – Secretary of Bureaucracy of the ASAP
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I dance a little in place, wishing I had brought my clarinet to play with the band. Oh well. I sigh and get a cup of hot chocolate, hoping Ill like it better then the eggnog.
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I sing soprano to Carol of the Bells, one of my absolute favorite songs.
“Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas,
On, on they send ,
on without end,
their joyful tone to every home…”
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“Thanks, Gradster,” I reply. I then proceed to launch into Carol of the Bells.
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((46-Yay! SOmeone knows Hebrew!))
Tesseract asked me if I wanted to light the candles. “Sure,” I said. I took the shamash from her and carefully lit each candle while Tesseract said the prayer. A few other people looked on, watching the flickering flames. I finished lighting the candles and put the shamash back in it’s place on the menorah. Tesseract finished. “That was great,” I told her. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” she replied with a smile.
I looked at the menorah for a while, sipping my hot choklit. When I finished it, I skipped back over to the piano and started playing Carol of the Bells along with everyone else. What a great party! I thought, smiling.
((One question: Can we dance? Or is this not a dancing party? *feels oblivious* ))
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((54: Yay! Another clarinetist! *hug*
57: I guess I’ll ask somebody to dance…))
I walked over to I-Man, and said, “Hi, wanna dance?”
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I stride into the ballroom, wearing black pants and a black and white pinstriped tee shirt, along with a brass studded belt. I set down my cloak and retracted lightsaber, ordering my pocket droid to scope the area for wung buttons.
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Laughing, I plunked the pirate hat on my head. I could barely see, but I joined in with the singing.
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Better get your wung buttons while you can. No matter how many we order, we always run out.
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Wung buttons! *gets some*
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[[What’s a wung button?]]
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I woke up. I knew two hours of sleep weren’t a good idea.
I looked up. Alice was staring at me, wondering why I wasn’t answering her request, probably to dance.
“Uh, sure?” I stood. “Sorry, cramming for tests plus imitation crab rangoon aren’t great for my mind. But I promise I won’t fall asleep while we dance. Plus, I hate Jingle Bell Rock too much to be lulled by it.”
I grabbed two wung button as we passed the rack that had suddenly appeared on the side of the room, handing one to Alice.
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((SFDP. Sorry, Alice. I hadn’t checked on here in a while, obviously. I wasn’t snubbing you, I promise. :)))
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The Carol ends, and I see people coming to dance. I decide to try and set the mood somewhat. I pick up my guitar again and begin to sing.
“I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There’s just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you…”
Someone tosses up a wung button. I stow it away gratefully, nodding to the master wung.
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((65- OK. Balls have moved progressively slower ever since May anyway; I don’t check all that frequently myself.))
Beavo accepted my offer and handed me a wung button. I took it gladly, and stepped onto the floor.
“So, how do you like the party?” I asked, as we started to dance.
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I finished with the song and decided to check out the refreshments table I walked over after stowing my oboe away and got myself some eggnog. I then requested the general public, “Anyone like to dance?”
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“I would, Zorgon.” said, stepping up. “Is this your first party at MA? Man, Halloween was crazy, I even think I saw a ghost…”
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KaiYves stepped up and said she’d like to dance. We started to dance and I replied to her question, “Yes, this is my first party at MA, I came just a little late for the Holloween party. So how long have you been a MB.
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“I’ve been here since Christmas of last year. My anniversary’s coming up, actually.”
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Next, the band picks up the tempo with an old holiday favorite:
Oh… You’d better get out.
You’d better make room.
You’d better not doubt
You’re facing your doom.
Kokopelli’s coming to town!
He’s baking them up,
Letting them cool,
Heading your way to
Make you a fool.
Kokopelli’s coming to town.
He’s everything you wanted.
He’s everything you’re not.
He’ll size you up and shut you down,
So watch out … for what you’ve got.
You’d better not stay.
You’d better like pie.
Don’t get in his way.
I’m telling you why:
Kokopelli’s coming to town!
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((Okay, so I guess I can dance.))
I finish playing Carol of the Bells, and run over to the food and grab a handful of Wung Buttons. When I start to munch on them, I hear the band start to play “Kokopelli’s Coming to Town.” ((Nice one, Robert!)) Laughing, I joined in with a wouthful of Wung Buttons. The song ended, and I sat down at a nearby chair, still laughing.
Once I had recovered, I called out, “Does anyone want to dance?”
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63- Wungs!
You’d better like pie!
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[[Ah. Thank you.]]
Having finished lighting the menorah, I walk over and grab a few wung buttons, stashing them in my bag. They clank against the Rubik’s cube and sharpies in the bottom, which I seem to have put in. How strange.
I shrug and skip back over to where my saxophone is resting, then pick it up again and join in the band.
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((Where is everyone? The Ball is awfully slow…))
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((Sorry!!! I’ve been horribly busy. I have SO MUCH HOMEWORK!!!))
The band finishes “Kokopelli’s Comin’ to Town,” and I start a new one:
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose…
The band joins in softly. At the repeat of the middle section, I take out my flute and play along. Aggie finishes it off for me, and since no one seems to know what song to do next, I put “Frosty the Snowman” over the speakers and motion for the band to come down and do some dancing. I run over to the Christmas Crackers table and grab one. CRACK! A bubble-wrapped Kokopelli-as-Santa figurine pops out. “Boy, does he look weird with a red suit and beard!” I giggle. “Unintended rhyme there.”
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We go down onto the dance floor and start to dance, but first, I walk over to the vast snack table to get some yummies. I look out the window onto the frozen terrace. Snow is falling lightly outside onto the frozen cobblestones, and icicles hang in
glistening strands from the Muse-engraved coffee tables. The fountains have all stopped running, and are coated by a puffy blanket of white flakes. It is a beautiful picture.
We dance for a while to Frosty the Snowman, and then I remember which song I wanted to hear. I rush up to the wung who is DJ-ing, and whisper to him. He nods, and puts on my favorite Bing Crosby song. I grasp the mike, pulling it from its’ stand, and I sing softly and beautifully to the waltz as the music starts…
“Frosted window panes, candles gleaming inside,
Painted candy canes on the tree
Santa’s on his way, he’s filled his sleigh with things
Things for you and for me
It’s that time of year when the world falls in love
Ev’ry song you hear seems to say, “Merry Christmas,
“May your New Year dreams come true”
And this song of mine, in three-quarter time
Wishes you and yours the same thing, too…”
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((Whoops, sorry, that’s Frank Sinatra.
HTML gnome? Spell Check Gnome? Someone? Please?))
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“Gosh, it’s dark as midnight out there, and just look at that snow! Way more than we’ve had back home in years!” I said, looking out the window. “I almost feel like I’m on a polar expedition.” I turned back to the ballroom and looked at my friends “Well, if I WAS on a polar expedition, I wouldn’t want to be with any other team.” I added, walking towards the big tree.
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((78- Hey, we’ve got a live band here!))
Reassuring everyone with concerns for my bow, I flourish the new one from my case and play again.
I look around the ballroom. A menorah is being lit. Some people have begun to dance.
Gone away… is the bluebird
Here to stay… is a new bird
He sings a love song… as we go along…
Walkin’ in a winter wonderland
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A waiter wung skittles* by with a plate of wung buttons. “Excuse me?” I ask. “Do these contain actual wungs? I wouldn’t want to eat any of your friends.” “Not at all,” says the wung. “They are named for their resemblance to wungs.” He sets the plate on the table and skittles* away. I try one. They taste good.
*How wungs move. Similar to skittering and scuttling.
((When we open presents from the Gift Tree, are we doing it on this thread?))
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I grab a few wung buttons and eat them. They’re pretty good.
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((Pretty good? The Hare & Hedgepig makes the best wung buttons in the world!))
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81- I was under the impression that they all went down to dance, correct me if I’m wrong, but you should definetly come back up to play! I’m gettin’ lonely up here!
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@Syllabub – “I’d love to dance,” I propose as I jump back into the action. “May I have the honor?”
/gradster(1)/ – Secretary of Bureaucracy of the ASAP
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I looked at the presents under the gift tree, in various colors, trying to decide which one I might want.
“Well, I guess any of the living presents would be okay… unless it’s an octopus or a snake. But then, nobody at MB is psycho enough to give something like that, so I guess I don’t have to worry…”
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((I am playing! Yayness!))
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I decide to take the plunge and be the first one to choose a gift. I look at them all, and finally decide on the tape-covered red box with rainbow bows, from One of the Gifters and also a Giftee! (comment 8 on the Gift Tree thread) . I like rainbows, and judging by the sound it makes when shaken, there are several other boxes inside. That would be fun to unwrap, the suspense building with every box. I don’t open it yet, though.
((GAPAs, it might be a good idea to cross out posted gifts when they are chosen, so two people don’t pick the same present.))
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(89) I added a note to the comment on the Gift Tree thread. Let’s see how that works, unless someone has a better idea.
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((I feel special, but what exactly is a wung?))
I grab a wung button, nibbling on it. The taste is new, but quickly grows on me. I smile, grabbing a handful.
“Anyone want to dance?”
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((91: I don’t know, what do you think it is?))
((I-Man, where are you? Well, I’m going to pick my gift.))
I grinned and followed Rainbowstar’s lead, picking up a smallish gift wrapped in red paper from under the tree. It has a fancy green bow, and it made a rattling sound when I shook it, although the tag is marked: Happy Holidays! Do not shake: FRAGILE.
“Whoops,” I said, blushing slightly.
The box is rectangular, about two feet high and a foot square. Nestled in the fancy bow is a candy cane. I took the candy cane out and dipped it in the hot chocolate fountain, and suck on it. Yum. I won’t open it yet, though. I set it on the chair and asked I-Man to dance.
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I walk slowly into the room, looking around uncertainly. I’m wearing a forest green dress that has long flowing sleeves, and my hair is up in a loose ponytail. I make my way to a chair near a small table in the corner and sit down, listening to the music. Finally, Winter Wonderland ended, I got up and went to the DJ box. I requested the song, ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ and the small wung showed me a number of CDs, all by different artist. “Uh, Dean Martin?” I said. It nodded and slipped in a cd. “Thanks.”
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I pick the blue velvet box with the gold bow. Something that looks like a piece of cardboard is leaning up against it, and I try to decide whether or not it’s a component of the first gift. I end up just picking up the box. (from Comment 21, |gift|, on the Gift Tree Thread)
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I see people starting to drift towards the tree and put my saxophone down again, then on further consideration put it away in its case. My playing is becoming rather sporadic. I leave it and join in those at the tree. Surveying the gifts carefully, I choose one that is wrapped in a deep red satin spangled with griffins. (Comment 36.) I read the tag curiously. What am I going to do now? Well, I don’t yet know what the tag is referring to, but for now I think I’ll go dance. I place the gift on a table next to my bag and move to the dance floor. “Does anyone want to dance?”
[[Duke blue tag. Nice. I didn’t think anyone outside of good old humid NC referred to shades of blue as “Duke” or “Carolina.” But then… is the giver a North Carolinian? Hm.]]
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I walked over to the tree and examined a gift. It was gold and had a large blue bow. It had a note attached. I picked it up and examined it.
It said:
Merry Christmas Musers!
To give a gift is better than
to recieve. This one’s to all of
you. This is designed to only open
when everyone is gather’d ’round.
So I don’t want anything back, just please
enjoy!
-Goldy
Grinning, I picked up the box. It jingled merrily.
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I saw a “ball” ornament in front of me on the tree painted to look like the Earth, all green and blue and white. It was very beautiful. On another branch, there was a similarly sized ornament painted with cream coloured clouds covering it entirely.
“Hmm, so if that’s Earth, and this is Venus… I wonder if Urania made these…” I started looking over the rest of the tree to see if there was a complete set.
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I walked over to the refreshments after dancing and looked at the presents under the tree. Hmm, what to pick?
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I walk over to the tree, bending down to see what people have given. There are certainly some… interesting gifts placed here, most notably one with HPB bows all over it, but I ignore the huge and the bright and gently lift a large gift wrapped in plain white paper (first gift of Post 14 in the Tree thread). There are air holes in the top, and soft sounds coming from inside. The tag reads, DO NOT SHAKE! THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOX ARE ALIVE!
I hug the box. A live gift… festive and nice. Perfect.
I set the box on a chair and peer through a hole. I can see nothing. It’s too dark inside.
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(96) Kokonilly, are you choosing that gift or just looking at it?
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I walk over to the tree and give the kittens a hug, but then walk away.
I then SHOVE Cat’s Eye away, walking to a gift with a tag that says:
In this box is a gift for you,
It’s unusual but cute, and lots of fun, too!
If you take this, be prepared,
The present inside requires your care.
DO NOT SHAKE, it could damage the present,
Then its temper when it comes out won’t be pleasant.
So treat this with care when you take it from here,
It’s a special surprise for the end of the year.
“I think I might want this one. Most of the other animal gifts have been taken, and I can’t take three kittens…” I say to myself. (post 5 on the Gift Thread)
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I look over at the other people. Some are attempting to be sneaky, and do weird stuff, and my gaze flickers to a dark blue present with silver stars.
Is it…
moving?! It sounds like an animal is inside, but I already have ONE present. (GAPAs, are we allowed to have more then one present?)
I tear my gaze away, and start asking anyone for help, seeing as my new present is three feet in diameter.
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((100 – I chose it.))
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((BTW, Zinc chose the comment 11 present.))
I choose a present wrapped in a pure white paper. It is about 1 cubic foot in size. It makes no sound when you shake it. I wonder what it is… (comment 18, I think)
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I look for a gift, and then my eye catches the kittens. I squeal with delight, and immediately know that this is the gift I want. Since my parents are allergic to fur and pet saliva, kittens of my own in the computer sound simple wonderful. I pick up the basket, and carry it over to a fluffy green armchair, where I plop down and begin petting my presents. (post 30). I dub the kittens Midnight, Sunshine and Starlight in turn, and coo them, feeding each a cat treat shaped like a wung button.
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I completely give up on my gift, realizing that no one’s coming to help. I look inside and say “I’m sorry, but I can’t take you.”
I then walk over to the other present that caught my eye, (post 35) I hear faint scratching, and look inside-I can’t make out what’s inside, but I’m quite intrigued. I want it!
(So, GAPAs, I’m switching my chosen gift to post 35 on the holiday gift thread!)
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I’m reposting this from the Gift Tree thread, which is for gifts only.
Invisible Gifter
I watch Agrrrfishi take the kittens, and dub them Midnight, Sunshine and Starlight. I smile. And stick my fingers into the Naruto bag, and withdraw them a moment later, squealing in pain. “It BITES!” I yell loudly. “BAD FER-”
I clap my hand over my mouth, not wanting to give the ferocious animal within the giftbox away.
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((So, how does this work? Do the gifters tell the giftees what’s in the package? Hmm.))
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((Are we allowed to take two gifts? No one’s answered that.))
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(( (108) I’m assuming that when it’s time to open gifts, the givers will post the contents on the Gift Tree thread.
(109) I’m not sure whether anyone has said one way or another. ))
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[[110 – So should we be posting the contents of our gifts once they are chosen?]]
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((109 – I don’t think you should be able to. The number of people who gave gifts should equal the number of people who get gifts. We don’t want any giftless people. 
))
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(( (111) On the planning thread, someone suggested starting the opening of gifts on the 29th. ))
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[[112 – But a lot of people gave at least two gifts.]]
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I kept examining the tree. There was a red ornament painted to look like Mars and a yellow “Saturn” one, complete with rings.
“I wonder if there are eight or nine in the set?”
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I lift a blue box covered in gold stars.
My, those are beautiful ornaments! I like the comet with the flashy tail.
{114- Better an excess of gifts than a dearth.}
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/gradster(1)/ says, “I’d love to dance. May I have the honor?”
“Of course,” I reply. He leads me out onto the dance floor and “Winter Wonderland” plays.
((I don’t know if this has already been played but I’ve been out of internet for several days and didn’t feel like reading all the posts.))
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I just call out “Would anyone like to dance? Aside from being a manga freak, I don’t bite…”
I wander over to the buffet table, grabbing a custard bun.
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I walked back to the buffet table and picked up a cranberry scone. Yum, I love cranberry.
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“Yah! Sorry, Kai!” I screamed, walking into her and falling to the floor.
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“It’s okay.” I bent over to help AvalonGirl up. “Other than that, are you enjoying the party?”
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Just great. I’m late, just like I’m late for every school occasion. Luckily, everybody is haveing a great time and I’m not getting any stares, but still… Than again, It’s not like the party’s done. I guess its ok.
A menorah deccorated with festive lapis luzli flame motifs flickers in one corner, casting half solid shadows over the cold window. Other windows are piled high with presents wrapped with damp paper in every conceivable pattern. ‘Winter wonderland’ is playing. How ’bout a Christmas special song like ‘The First Toy Makers To The King’?
I walk over to the refreshment table to see what’s going on. One of the girls over there is wearing some interesting shoes- Have I seen those before?
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Wait- first I pick up a small white package covered in doodles. It seems harmless enough. My outfit:
An orangy maxiskirt with reddish lines squiggling all over it
A snug olive shirt
An orangy wool jacket
flip flops with wool tabi the same color as the skirt and jacket
A star bindi
My hair is in a bun and I am wearing bronze hoop earings.
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“Yes, Kai, I am. Stupid gifts, though…why cant they play some cool stuff, like the song “We Wish You A Swingin’ Holiday”?” I groaned, walking away.
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Are we going to have the snowflake contest still?
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“They did play Snoopy vs The Red Baron before, that’s a pretty good one.” I called after AvalonGirl. “The other one I really like is ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas Time At All?’.”
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“Sorry, I don’t know either,” I called back.
I then heard Aggie groaning, and said to her “What contest? Maybe.”
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(()Is poster 41 on the Gift thread Raynpho? I think so…)
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“Yes, that contest sounds interesting.” I told Aggie.
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I stride into the room, carrying my violin. I see the band playing, so I go over and take my violin out. Maybe in a bit. I see a large tree, so going over, I pick a gift. It is large and bright orange. It is shaped like a rhombus. There is a small sign on the box:Be very careful with the gift inside. It is nothing dangerous, unless you upset it. It may die, causing a fire. Don’t shake the box, that could result in flames.(comment 38)
After picking this gift, I go back to the band and start to play, but I eventually get bored. I walk away and almost into someone. “Sorry”, I mumble.
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I pop in for a bit, knowing I probably won’t be here long, as I’ll be gone for most of break. But I’ll be back for New Year’s Eve, probably, and my birthday the following day.
I don’t really like Christmas music (we start playing it in band before November- it’s enough to turn anyone off it), but I’ll stay and migle for a bit I guess.
I’m not really sure wat’s going on wit te girfts, it looks like I’m a bit to late to join in on tat front but I don’t really mind. I pick up an intreeguing looking cookie and glance around.
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Don’t worry, Jadestone, There are still presents under the tree and time left.
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I went back to examining the ornaments on the tree and found the remaining planet ornaments- no Pluto, though. Just in time for the 40th anniversary of Apollo 8.
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“Oh, hi, Jadestone. You look a little confused. If you want to pick a gift, go to the Gift Tree (thread) and find one you like that hasn’t been picked, then describe it here. How are the cookies?” I say, trying to find something to talk about.
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((Hey, gradster? Where are yoooouuuuu?????))
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Strolling in, late as always, I grasp at my scarf, which seems to be growing a mind of its own. It’s slowly winding tighter around my neck! Yanking it off, I stuff it in my brown wool peacoat’s pockets, along with my finger(tip)less gloves. I leave the white cable-knitted hat on, and toss my jacket on a chair. I stroll over to the snack table and grab a brownie. Of course, I slob crumbs on my nice white vest. Using the sleeve of my navy shirt, I manage to get most of it off, but then I get it on my jeans. Dangnabit. Grabbing a napkin and wiping the chocolate off of my boots as well, I eat the rest of the brownie and throw the chocolatey napkin away.
But enough of my struggles. I walk sociably up to a nearby muser who seems to be pondering which gift to choose.
“Ooh, I like this one!” I say.
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I peer up at the top of the tree, and see that the star on top is in fact a miniature diagrammed Sun, with the core, chromosphere and other parts labeled in green. I laugh. Urania certainly seems to have decorated this tree.
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Intresting- I wonder if there are any other Muse-specific decorations lying around…
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I notice the Sun at the top of the tree as well. I laugh along with Cat’s Eye.
“Yes, she certainly did.”
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((Are we still doing the Snowflake Contest?))
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((140: No one seems to be participating… it’s the admin’s call, I guess.))
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[[What’s the Snowflake Contest?]]
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I look up, pondering the fact that everyone seems to be drifting out of the room. Oh well.
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((What?! People are leaving??))
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Uh oh. I guess I should unwrap my present. It’s comment seven.
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((We’ve still got a week until the party’s over. Do we really want to open gifts now?))
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((146 – Well, it’s Christmas Eve.))
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((146- Not sure, weren’t we going to do it the 29th?))
I notice everyone leaving. “Hey, come back!” I yell. I race up to the DJ’s spot and put on AvalonGirl’s request, “We Wish You A Swingin’ Holiday.”
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((It was supposed to end on New Year’s…..I think.))
((Seeing as gradster isn’t here, I will continue on.))
Gradster and I finish our dance. “That was great!” I said. “Yes, I agree,” he replied. He bowed, and we both set off in different directions. Him to the food table, I to the DJ box.
“We Wish You a Swingin’ Holiday” had finished, and I requested the song “River” by Joni Mitchell. ((Yes, it is a Christmas song.))
Before the song began, I wanted to find another dance partner. The only problem was, there seemed to be an absence of male musers…..
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“Thank you RoseQuartz!” I cry, and then walk over to Syllabub. “May I have this dance?” I tease.
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AvalonGirl walks over to me. “May I have this dance?” she teasingly asks.
“Why, of course!” I answer back. *sarcasm* We looked at each other and started cracking up, bent over and clutching out stomaches.
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((WHY IS NO ONE COMING TO THE BALL ANYMORE????))
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((153 – I dunno. Maybe it’s gotten a bit boring. You know, when one person stops posting at a ball, it has a domino effect.))
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That means the GAPAs’ party can start soon!
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“Dance-already!” I managed to squeak out. And then I commented “Irish dance or the official ‘Annie dance’? Either one I can do. Just no ballet, PLEASE.'”
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Can we listen to ‘Viva la Vida?’
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How ’bout some Beatles?
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157-Seeing as you’re the only male present at the ball at this moment, will you dance with me???? P*ease??? *begs on knees*
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How about opening some presents? That would spark interest.
Or are we waiting until tomorrow? I’m confused.
158- As another male at the party, I would be honored to dance with you.
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Ah, SFTDP, but I’d like to choose gift #41, 40 *gift, if it is still available.
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Wow. Where IS everyone?
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I don’t know. Maybe the GAPAS have started their own party.
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((158 – Deal. Wait a sec… I’m the only guy??
Good thing this isn’t a real ball, I’d be nervous as heck if I were the only guy.))
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“Hey Vendy,” I walked up to him. “Will you dance with me?” I looked around. “There don’t seem to be any other people here, and…” I blushed. “This is really awkward.”
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Returning from the bathroom, I headed to the tree to see what gift I might want to choose when the time came.
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((…Well….it is the 30th…now what?))
I hurry back and join the band, carefully stowing my present under my chair.
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I look around. “Are we allowed to open presents now?” I call up to the ceiling. “I’d like to tell people what mine were…”
I quickly write on a banner, and hang it up so it says “BOYS HATE BEING OUTNUMBERED BY GIRLS”
I snicker at the fact, sitting down. You know, what if this turned into a rock-and-roll concert…that would be nice…
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“Hey Kokonilly! Of course, I’d love to dance.” I too look around. “Awkward? Why, there’s just enough people here to make this a nice cozy party, not too big. I always say, awkward is as awkward does.”
I think an opening of gifts would be suitable now, hopefully once some of us declare “I’m opening gift #…” the gifters will arrive and we can all unwraptogether. If that’s how this works.
“That’s a funny banner- I don’t mind it in the least.
Unless they talk of nothing but socks.”
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((Well, we’ve got one more day and I won’t be here on the 31st except in the morning and a little bit into the afternoon. If we’re opening presents now, I’d like to open mine. First Gift of #14?))
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((ONE OF THE GIFTERS AND ALSO A GIFTEE, YOU ARE NEEDED HERE.))
I open my present, from One Of The Gifters And Also A Giftee (post 8 on the Gift Tree thread). Inside the red box is an orange box. I open that to find a yellow box, which contains a green box, inside of which is a blue box. I open the blue box to find a purple box, which I open to find…
((One Of The Gifters And Also A Giftee, what’s in the box? You can also reveal who you are if you want.))
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((HAPPY HOLIDAYS, A GIFT, YOU ARE NEEDED HERE!))
I open my present, from Happy Holidays, a Gift. It is about as tall and wide as a folding chair. It is wrapped in multiple copies of the Sunday funnies page, with a ribbon made of ordinary newspaper. The paper is dark blue, and in gold flowing script simply reads “Enjoy.â€
The box rattles occasionally, and small clawing sounds can be heard from inside. Three air holes are poked in the top.
“Any help here?” I cajole. “Did a GAPA send this, or is whoever sent it too shy to tell me what it is?”
“Oh, yes!” I reply to Vendaval. “Well, unless they talk of doing…you know…weird things, I’d like some boys here.”
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I walk over to AvalonGirl, smiling, and show her her present. It is a golden retriever dog, but one made entirely of paper-but still alive! The paper it is made of is strong but flexible, and has vaguely Japanese designs of cranes and flowers in white and green on a dark red background. Around the dog’s neck is a dark green collar, also made of paper, which reads:
MY NAME IS ANJING! (indonesian for “dog”, you can change it if you want)
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“That would be nice,to have some more boys to dance with,” I said in reply to AvalonGirl, “but it seems not a lot of people are coming back. Oh, well.” I pet my three kittens, who are all sitting on my lap and mewing contentedly. Best Christmas presents EVER.
*wishes someone would dance with her*
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((ONE OF THE GIFTERS AND ALSO A GIFTEE, YOU ARE NEEDED HERE!))
I still don’t open the purple box, waiting for its giver to come.
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I chose a gift wrapped in blue paper with a snowflake design that made a single musical note when I shook it.
“I wonder what’s inside.” I said, pulling out my handy-dandy pair of scissors to open it. (You never know when you’ll need scissors.)
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I see KaiYves coming at me with a pair of scissors. When I am opened, she sees a beautiful crystal locket about the size of the bottom of a glass on a silver chain. The locket has a small knob on the back, and when twisted, it begins to play ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies’ from The Nutcracker. There is room inside the large locket for two pictueres, or any small keepsake. Even though the locket is crystal, it is reinforced with a small plate of pietanium in the center, and will not break easily.
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“Oh, thank you!” I cried, lifting up the little dog. I quickly renamed him Kami Inu (paper dog) and whisper to it “You know, you’re pretty cute…”
I then looked over at Agrrrfishi. Should I tell her what I…I do like cats, but… I thought to myself.
((GAPAs, not to seem…you know…PUSHY, but if someone really wants their gift to be chosen by someone else, can they say what post it is and ask someone to take it? I have two really cool gifts that I want someone to take.
How about, if we have gifts that nobody chose, we can open them and see if anyone wants them?))
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(177) ((I think we can allow nudging of the sort you describe.))
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178-((Thanks, Mr. Coontz! *salutes*))
“I’ll be back, Kami…” I whispered, walking over to poor Agrrrfishi. “Wanna dance?” I asked.
“B-but…the cats…” she protested. “Don’t worry,” I replied. Picking up each kitten, I blew gently on their noses. Before long, they were asleep. Agrrrfishi looked at me, and I finally thought to answer her. “I have only real adult girl cats, but I figured it would probably work. I got it from the Inkheart trilogy, where it’s used on faeries.”
I pull her off the chair. “You wanted to dance, right?” I laugh.
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I grin. “
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((Whoops hold on.))
I grin. “Yeah, sure,” I reply to AvalonGirl, who has asked to dance. She helps the kittens go back to sleep with a technique from the Inkheart books, which are someof my favorites. We go on to the dance floor, where there are already several people gathered. Then, the band begins to play some old music that many people haven’t heard, but I know what it is.
“Cool!” I say excitedly. “Jitterbug music!” I call everyone over. “Come on, guys!” I say excitedly. “I’ll teach you how to dance it!”
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((Wait… I forget what gift I chose. Do we say what gifts we gave?))
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160: Inside the box is a collection of books: ‘The Luna of Isis’, ‘Seven Moons’, ‘1001 ways to make it snow’ ‘The book’ and a rough manusctipt with a seal on the front involving a cane, the anarchy sign, the jolly roger, and a beehive. And I would like to open my present, number seven.
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(( (182) Yes, you can use the gift tree thread to say what the gift is.
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While I wait for One Of The Gifters And Also A Giftee to show up, I decide to reveal what my present was. I pick up the large silver box from under the tree (I was Person Dropping Off The Silver Box), and ask, “Last call; anyone want this?”
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Oh, the locket is beautiful!
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((Sorry bout that, RS. Been busy lately.))
I walked up to Rainbowstar. “I see you have my gift,” I said, grinning. “Go on, open the red box!” She tears open the packaging, and opens the box to find two objects- a small Kokopelli statue and a turquoise ring with the MA seal etched open its surface.
((The person who posted #11, can you come here please?))
I tear of the red wrapping paper of my present to get to a small box.
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“Thank you!” I say. “I love them! By the way, do you know of any presentless people who might like this?” I ask, tapping the large silver box. The thing inside is literally bouncing off the box’s walls in the excitement of possibly being given. It might unwrap itself if someone doesn’t take it soon.
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GOLD BOX GIVER, PLEASE STEP UP NOW.
I examine my gift. It’s gold. I start to unwrap it…
((I was Anonymous.))
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Kokonilly, what’s in the box you put under the tree?
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|gift| from post 21, please show up
I stare at my gift, a blue velvet box with a gold bow.
Then I deceide to reveal myself. “HEY GUYS, ANYONE WANT THESE?” I yell. “I was Gifts from post 14.” I motion towards the gift wrapped in pale-blue paper with snowflakes and the giant thing in the cardboard box. “Come on, you know you want them! That one has Kokopelli designs on the wrapping!” I’m getting desperate.
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oo, Kokopelli designs? I’m taking that one!
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I move toward the tree to open gift 41 (40*gift ).
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I decide that someone might want my gift if I reveal what it is. I open the silver box and scoop out a squirming baby wung. She has unusual fur – primarily white, but it shimmers different colors in the light. Her eyes are ebony-black. “Her name is Opal,” I say. “Anyone want to adopt her? You can change her name if you like. She’s a rare breed – an Iridescent Wung.”
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190 – A small flat piece of metal. It has Kokopelli engraved on it and ‘KOKOPELLI’ carved underneath..
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Aww I’m late to the party once more I see…well I don’t want to take a gift from a more deserving guest (aka someone who actually gave one also…) so I’ll just watch for now
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((GIFTS, YOU ARE NEEDED HERE! FIRST GIFT OF POST 14!!))
((And I think we’ll have to extend this party just a bit to allow for gift reception.))
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((196- It’s okay, you can have the gift from Post 2. That’s mine.))
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I grin. “OK, Cat’s Eye, Tessera Rose. Here are your gifts!”
Cat’s Eye opens hers and gasps in delight. Inside are seven tiny kittens. There’s a white one, a gray, an orange, a calico, a tortoiseshell, a black one, and a black-and-white.
“They’re all from the same litter,” I say. “The calico, tortie, white and black are girls; the gray, orange, and black-and-white are boys. Please take good care of them.”
I climb up a ladder I found somewhere and yank the box off of Tessera Rose’s present with a flourish. “Ta da!”
It’s a giant statue of Kokopelli doubling as a pie-throwing machine.
“You climb the stairs on Koko’s left leg up to a small, hidden control panel, and both of his arms are spring-loaded to throw pies farther and more accurately than any other machine could,” I tell her.
((LAST CALL FOR MY SECOND GIFT! I’M NOT TELLING WHAT IT IS!
But, it’s a box about the size of an open laptop computer, if a laptop had four identical sides. It’s wrapped in blue paper with a snowflake design, and faint tinkling sounds come from inside.))
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|gift| from post 21!!!! I need you here!
SFTDP
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((I was Invisible Gifter, who gave the gift Agrrrfishi took.))
“Awww,” I cry, “she’s so CUTE! I’ll take her!” I lift the Wung (Opal) into a small box, blowing on her nose (do wungs HAVE noses?) so she falls asleep.
I then lift up my two gifts.
The simple silver gift is about the size of a storage bin with airholes. I stick a sedative needle into the box before lifting out the sleepy animal: A baby HPB. It looks just like a normal white bunny, but it has hot pink fur. “A Muser’s dream,” I joke. “Anyone want a pet HPB?” I plunk the little bunny back in the box, moving on to my other present.
“The soccer-ball shaped present is a pie maker,” I call out. “It makes any type of pies! Anyone want a pie maker?”
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“I’ll take the baby HPB!” I say. “It’ll be an experiment, to see if I can train it to be nice!”
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195: Aah, many thanks!
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.198 you’re too kind! well, in that case…
I pick up the spangled blue present, shaking it a bit, though that proves ineffectual as no sound clunks back at me. I peel away the paper slowly so it doesn’t tear (it’s very pretty) and inside I find…
(( hey this is pretty fun! haha ))
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200 – Sorry! I just got back.
Inside RoseQuartz’s gift, wrapped in velvet to match that decorating the box, is a long silver wand. It has intricate carvings spiraling up the sides, and a smoothed ridge of bark for a handle at the base. It probably doesn’t work, but there’s always a chance. Maybe for the right person… 
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SFTDP, but could A Gift from The De Pruepl Le Zuke (comment 36) reveal their gift?
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Anyone want to tell me what my gift is???
a present wrapped in a pure white paper. It is about 1 cubic foot in size. It makes no sound when you shake it.
whoever gave this gift, please tell me what it is.
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((Is post 38 on the gift thread a phoenix? It makes sense to me…))
“Hey! Guys!” I cry, motioning the other girls to come over to me. I whisper to each of them in turn “How about we guess what the gifts that weren’t opened are, and that if we’re right, that gifter opens that present?”
I wait breathlessly for their reactions and answers. I mean, there’s like 40 presents that haven’t been taken, and that just seems weird to me…after all, should we open every gift or not?
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((I’d open the ones with air holes, at least.))
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((I like it. I would reveal which gift I gave now, but I gave 2, one which isn’t opened. But our people have looooots of imagination… how ’bout if they give us hints?))
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“I’d like a gift!” I exclaim. Although my kittens are beautiful gifts, if there are more to open, then I gladly will.
P.S. I was the one who gave “Three Gifts”, so if anyone wnats my other two presents besides the one in snowflake paper, which Kagy has, please do. They are simply delightful gifts.
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I take out the wand, waving it around experimentally. I think about how lovely this room would look with magical snow falling from the ceiling, but I lose my concentration and start thinking about dragons instead. Suddenly, there is screaming, and a small Hydra with nine heads appears. Along with the snow.
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Wow! I hope it doesn’t bloow us all to smithereens! (Nice Hydra…)
*This is so cool.*
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204- …the complete Star Wars series on DVD. (And if you don’t like Star Wars, there’s a certificate to let you exchange it for free at the store.)
I cautiously back to the far side of the ballroom, away from the Hydra.
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“Ok,” I whisper, “here’s a list of air-holed gifts. That no one took.”
POST 5: Square box, nearly three feet in diameter. It is wrapped in silver paper. In this box is a gift for you,
It’s unusual but cute, and lots of fun, too!
If you take this, be prepared,
The present inside requires your care.
DO NOT SHAKE, it could damage the present,
Then its temper when it comes out won’t be pleasant.
So treat this with care when you take it from here,
It’s a special surprise for the end of the year.
POST 42: Sparkly dark turquoise box with little air holes in it. Coming from the box, everyone hears cute little bird chirps.
“Wow,” I whistle, “only two? That’s surprising! People have mostly chosen alive presents.”
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((Whoa, we’re opening gifts!! I’m not exactly sure how it all works, so could someone tell me?))
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II gulp and back away from the hydra. That was definitely not an intended side effect of my gift. “Uh, RoseQuartz? Could you get rid of that thing? Or tame it or something? Like now?”
[[216 – Basically, if someone took your present you write what’s in it on either this thread or the gift tree thread.]]
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207 – I gave that, except it was one cubic inch. It contains a small flat piece of shiny silver round metal with Kokopelli engraved on it.
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215 – The first one was Opal, and you picked her.
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218- Oh, sorry Kokonilly. I guess I copied and pasted the description wrong…?
Thanks a lot! Did you make it yourself?
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SFTDP, but Zinc chose my present and she hasn’t been on for a while…
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220 – What? Wait, who was the present dropped off by? I was Anonymous.
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.214 how wonderful! I’ve been meaning to watch Star Wars in it’s entirety…now should I watch it chronologically or uh, numerically? hmm
thanks kaiyves!!
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223 – Chronologically! 4, then 5, then 6, then 1, then 2, then 3!
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223- I personally watched it numerically, but you can watch it either way.
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222- Hmm I didn’t copy and paste it wrong. The one I picked was given by Shhh…it’s a secret! Well. I guess I have to wait for them.
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I’m starting to panic. The Hydra really doesn’t look happy… I wave the wand again and think about how much I want it to go away. When I open my eyes again, it’s turned invisible. “Cake,” I mutter.
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I’m here, I’m here. I was at a sleepover.
I jiggled my present, and said the following sentences.
“I wonder what it is?”
“I hope it’s a weapon, since that hydra is getting out of control.”
“Oh, blast! It turned invisible!”
“GAAHHH!!!”
((I’m still thinking about what the “gaahhh” is for. Any suggestions? I don’t mind being in peril.))
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228- Oh, goody!
It’s not a weapon, sorry. It’s an intricate glass model of a tree! Yippee!
Ok, that’s over with. Thanks!
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226 – Oh, well, never mind then. The descriptions were somewhat similar. *slinks off to the snacks table*
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I look over at Zinc, who just yelled in surprise.
“Zinc! Never provoke a hydra! They don’t like glass or lollipops!” I yell at her, and then scream “LOLLIPOPS!” directly at the hydra.
It starts to advance towards me. “Um, RoseQuartz, please make it go away…I want to enjoy a normal Muse Academy holiday party.”
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I’d like to give the HPB to RoseQuartz. GAPAs, please just use the correct code.
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Sweet albino wung, this hasn’t been shut down yet? My word.
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Okay, why is this thread still open….?
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