Kitri had elves swarming around her with compliments, and many wanted to give her some refreshments. She found herself getting handed around, from elf to elf, and it seemed no matter where she tried to jump to, she always ended up in another waiting pair of hands. She did her best to keep her head together and reciprocate all the attention the elves were giving her, while keeping a look out for Santa and her friends.
The other furbies stuck close to one another and Santa, not wanting to get lost among this crowd.
"Just then, Santa drew in a sharp breath. "Jessica's on her way home. Where's Carma?"
"I think she's just over - " Sundown said, and then he saw her. "Oh, there she is!" He jumped off Santa's shoulder and landed on an elf's head, from there, he jumped on Carma's shoulder. "Sorry about that, sir," he apologized to the elf he had startled.
"Hiya Sundown," Carma said.
"It's time for me to go tell Jessica we'll be out for a while."
"You got it.
With that, Carma walked with Sundown out the door, then disappeared.
Next thing, they were in Jessica's front yard. Carma hid among the neighbors' trees while Sundown waited for the car to pull up.
When it did in a matter of twenty seconds or so, Jessica got out, and went to the front door.
Sundown caught up to her, startling the heck out of her.
"Jessica"
"Ack! Sundown? How in the heck did you get out here?"
We climbed out up your chimney. Look, we got this idea that we all would like to wait out here for Santa tonight. Maybe we'll even see him. I hope that's okay with you."
"If that's what you like, sure, just be careful."
"Don't worry about us, we'll be just fine. We just won't be coming in until tomorrow morning. And Holly, please join in!"
"I'd love to!" Holly chirped.
Jessica laughed. "Silly furbies. Okay, go ahead, I'm crashing as soon as I get inside and comfortable. I'm worn out."
"Merry Christmas, Jessica."
"Merry Christmas you all." Jessica gave Sundown a hand-hug and released him, gave Holly a hug and sent her off with Sundown. Then she let herself in.
"Whew. Sundown said, returning to Carma. "I'm ready now."
"So am I. But who are you?" asked Holly.
"I'm Carma, the fairy Santa enlisted into helping get you furbies there and back."
"Neat!" Holly giggled.
"Okay doke. Let's take off again." and holding Sundown in one hand, and Holly in her arms, Carma teleported back to Santa's.
"Wow!" Holly exclaimed. "Mind-blowing! It really happened!"
Carma laughed.
They made it into the theater, and when they got close enough to Santa,
"Santa!" Holly sprang out of Carma's grasp and jumped on Santa's shoulder, accidentally buffeting Toby, who was hiding in back of Santa's collar, on that side.
"Urgh" watch it, Holly!" Toby growled.
"Oops! Sorry, Toby!" said Holly.
"Argh, what a wallop." Toby muttered irritably.
Holly whimpered.
Santa was surprised. "Ho, ho, ho, Holly! Nice to have you here!"
"That's debatable." Toby grumbled.
"Don't worry, Holly, he's not really angry at you," said Santa, "right, Toby?"
"Right…Maybe."
"Oh, you, do I have to give you the Jessica treatment?"
"Sorry, Santa," Toby said, "You're a really cool guy, but I don't think even you could do anything remotely Jessica."
"Oh? Let's see." With that, Santa picked up Toby and whirled him around, upside down, right-side up, up and down."
Toby squealed and laughed helplessly. "Help! Help!"
"Hey! Me too! Me too, please please please!" Dmitri came hopping over to Santa.
"Holly, why don't you help yourself to the refreshments while I give these live wires a demonstration of the various forces they might get in space.
"Huh?" Holly stared blankly.
Santa grinned. "Just help yourself to the snacks." He set Holly on a nearby table and picked up Dmitri, to whirl him around the way he was doing to Toby.
Now two furbies were screaming with helpless laughter.
Carma laughed. "Hey Santa, can I try that with Dmitri?"
Sure, Carma, here you go." Santa handed Dmitri off to Carma, who shook and whirled him around. Dmitri's hysterical laughter caused Carma to giggle. "What a blast. I'll have to get in touch with Jessica and ask to borrow you some time."
"Or you could just have get-togethers with us included." Dmitri said.
When Dmitri and Toby were done being made to laugh themselves breathless, Carma put Dmitri back among the refreshments, where he continued to relish the various snacks.
"Would you like some refreshments now, Toby?" Santa asked, noticing how the furby preferred to return to his hiding place in Santa's fur collar than check out the food.
Toby climbed out and peered cautiously around, then winced. The place was a madhouse, thronging with activity and loud chatter. "I might give it a chance if Jessica was here, - but - no thanks."
"Hey, Santa, who's that cute little fella with you?" an elf came up to investigate.
Toby shuddered and quickly darted back under cover again.
"His name is Toby, and he's a bit overwhelmed by all this bustle."
"Can I see him?"
"Well, Cassie, why don't you give him a little something to eat?" Santa encouraged. "Here, give him this." He bent to hand the elf a snack he knew the furby would probably find very tough to resist if it was right in front of him. Then he gently took Toby out from hiding, but held him securely in both hands to keep him from fight or flight. "This is Cassie, a very gentle little girl, I guarantee she won't hurt you."
At first, Toby was tentative, but soon, he took what the little elf offered him eagerly, then to Santa's surprise, gently, carefully climbed into Cassie's arms.
"Ho, ho, ho, you're the first person he has voluntarily come to tonight. He must sense something about you."
Toby nodded.
"Like, you still miss your Harvey." Santa said.
Cassie looked sadly back at Santa for a moment.
Toby felt quite sorry for Cassie, so he licked her hand.
Aww!" Cassie cooed in pleased surprise. "I wish I could have him."
"Well, he's got a home, but there are other furbies and other rabbits that will need a home in the future, and it is Christmas, Cassie, so you never know." Santa said mysteriously. "So why don't you and Toby keep each other company for a while, I'm trying to catch up with Kitri, she's around here somewhere, getting mobbed."
Ugh." Toby winced. "Better her than me."
"Oh, she was amazing!" said Cassie.
"She's one of my best friends." said Toby proudly.
"Okay, enjoy yourselves." said Santa, smiling at them both, and went on his way.
Cassie was glad to have Toby with her, not only as a comforting new friend, but now she was less likely to get admonished about taking too many snacks by her parents because she could simply explain she was getting them for her new friend.
Toby stayed with Cassie and scarfed down anything she offered him until Cassie's parents determined it was time to leave. Cassie reluctantly put toby on a table among the refreshments after a tender goodbye, then walked away with her parents.
Toby looked around, considering a while before making a run for a hiding place somewhere backstage. There, he stayed until the place had cleared out considerably, and he could get back with Santa and the others.
In the meantime, when Eponine spotted Santa, she turned to make a bolt from the room, and couldn't, because other elves were blocking the way.
It was too late anyway, Santa saw her, and made his way over.
"Ah, there you are, Eponine, so good of you to show up." he said, approaching her. "Now that I sent my reindeer out looking for you. I'm glad you didn't make good another escape. And if you were wondering how the show went, I'm pleased to report that it was a smashing success, one of the more memorable, I assure you."
Eponine looked away, pouting.
"Well don't you want to meet our new star perform - "
"Not particularly." Eponine muttered and tried to walk away.
"Oh, come on now," said Santa, and he took hold of the reluctant elf by the shoulder.
When they finally caught up to Kitri among the other elves, Santa asked to borrow her for a while. They handed her over, and Santa grinned at her. "You're going to have to come down to earth for a moment, I'd like you to meet Eponine."
Kitri looked baffled. "When did she show up?"
"I can't be sure, I only saw her a few minutes ago." Santa looked from Kitri down to the sullen elf. "Eponine, meet our new - "
"Your new star, I know." Eponine said resentfully. "Well, where is she?"
"Here in my hand." Santa bounced Kitri gently up and down in his hand to indicate to Eponine which hand to look at, and then he held his hand wide open so eponine could see Kitri clearly.
Eponine snorted scornfully. "That's it? You had a stupid toy on stage? Wow, they must've been really desperate!"
Kitri didn't lose her temper. Instead, she looked at Eponine dismissively and said "You know, I was expecting that from you, but I don't care. I'm actually really grateful to you. Your no-show gave me my big break."
Eponine fumed. Refusing to comment to Kitri directly, she snarked bitterly at Santa. "Sure nice to know you think I can't even out sing a toy."
"That's enough, Eponine." Santa said firmly, "Do you really want to cause a scene now?"
Eponine ignored his warning, and continued. "So, what did she do besides "Glo-o-o-ria", wow everyone with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?"
"Show her, Kitri," said Santa.
"That's her name? Eponine sneered. "Kitri?" she mocked. "A toy with an airhead name. How would that play in public? 'The one and only - '" eponine did her best impression of an awards announcer, then slipped into the most ridiculous little voice she could manage, "Kitri!"
At this, Kitri bristled. "I always thought elves were nice. When did you get to be such a nasty - "
Santa held Kitri back. "Eponine," He said firmly, "If you thought you could avoid the naughty list at this late stage, you're mistaken.
Eponine turned pale for a moment.
"Go ahead, Kitri," said Santa.
Kitri began again "From Coney Island to the Sunset Strip, somebody's gonna make a happy trip tonight, when the moon is bright."
"Oooooooh!" Eponine threw up her hands, and huffed. "I hate that stupid song and I never wanna hear it again - AS LONG AS I LIVE!" With an ugly glower, she turned and stormed out, not even caring who she shoved in the process.
"She oughta get a stink bomb in her stocking for that." Dmitri growled.
Buck giggled fiendishly, then hastily grabbed another mouthful of mint brownie from the plate he was sitting next to.
"Now, Dmitri," Santa said, "wishes like that could get you on the naughty list too."
Dmitri gulped. "Okay, I'll shut up now."
Kitri laughed.
"Back in a bit, guys!" Buck said through his snack, and took off before anyone could ask questions.
"Uh-oh, Eponine's got him mad." said Dmitri, noting the direction in which Buck was heading. In a moment, the light blue furby disappeared out of the room after Eponine, his furiously wagging tail the last Dmitri saw of him.
Kitri joined the other furbies among the refreshments on the various tables. It wasn't long before some eager elves noticed her and started giving her the royal treatment again.
"I better make sure Eponine and Buck don't tear each other apart out there." Santa said, then moved toward the exit.
If Eponine thought she could just get away and be left alone to sulk, she soon found out she had another thing coming.
She squeaked out an undignified gasp of surprise when something landed squarely on her head, crumpling her special dress hat. "Get off, you stupid - " She batted at Buck with a hand, dislodging him.
He was not the only thing to topple, however, down went the pretty hat along with him, giving him a softer landing on the floor.
Hah, not exactly a first-rate parachute." he quipped, righting himself and then hopping up and down on the hat.
"Give that back, you beast, you're ruining it!" Eponine demanded.
Buck suddenly looked malevolent. "Oh, I could really ruin this." he bared his teeth at her. "It's so tempting after the shabby way you treated my friend tonight."
You do any more to any of my things and I'll take you apart! Remember, elves can break what they make, little toy!" Eponine threatened, stooping to snatch the crumpled hat off the floor.
You'd have to catch me first!" Buck challenged, hopping just out of reach.
Coward!" Eponine shouted, glaring at him. "Nah," he replied coolly, making a prodigious leap onto her shoulder, "Just quicker than you."
The miserable elf stood for a moment, torn between examining her hat and shooing the furby away.
They had moved quite a way down the hall from the door, however, that door had opened wider for a moment, and footsteps were heard.
Both elf and furby turned to look, and saw Santa approaching.
"Oh, one more thing." Buck said hastily to Eponine. Then he burped loudly in her ear before hopping off her shoulder again.
"Eww! You're rude!" She said in an air of exaggerated disgust.
All right, you two, that's enough. Eponine, if you want to go home and get some rest, that's probably for the best. You seem over-tired to me."
"If that toy has ruined my hat, I should be allowed to take him with me and break him to pieces."
"He is not yours, Eponine, and I need him for a job tonight."
She waved the hat at Santa, "This isn't his either, and he threatened to destroy it!"
"No, I didn't." Buck muttered, rolling his eyes. "I only said I could after what she did to Kitri."
You said you would - "
I said 'could'."
Santa frowned at them both. "Careful, you are both skating on dangerously thin ice."
"Well, she was just asking for it, going on and on about it like it was some sort of crown jewel."
"He deliberately took it with him when I tried to knock him off my head. he had the nerve to land on my head, Santa!" Eponine appealed.
"he would come by that nerve quite honestly since you had a part in making him."
Buck looked horrified, probably for the first time in his life. "What?" He gasped.
"Oh, she didn't want to work on you, so I gave her the job she might find most agreeable - your fur coat."
"Oh, no. I'll never look at myself the same way again." Buck muttered, looking humbly at Santa.
"Don't let that knowledge change your outlook, after all, your loving Jessica gave you your first name, because of that fur coat that you take a healthy pride in. There's a difference between that and vanity."
Eponine winced. She got the distinct feeling that last remark was meant for her. But she wanted to change the subject, and, like Buck, she had a curious nature when she wasn't being difficult. "So what name did he get besides the one from Hasbro?"
"Ocean Buck," the furby replied, "You got a problem with that, too?"
Eponine suddenly smiled. "No. Your owner, or, human, or, - your - "
"Jessica." Buck helped her out. "Her name is Jessica.
So Jessica named you Ocean because of my work on your fur coat and because of its color?"
Apparently." said Ocean Buck with a slight smile.
That is correct." said Santa. "So how about you two call it a truce?"
Yeah. sorry I upset you, Ocean Buck," Eponine said,
"Sorry for burping in your ear." he responded.
Good. Come with me, Ocean Buck," Santa reached out a hand for the furby to leap into.
What about Kitri? She really owes her, you know."
Eponine grimaced. "I should get going." She turned and headed off.
"Hey!" The furby began objecting.
"Never mind, apologizing to you was already much more than I could ever hope for." Santa said, stroking buck over his head and back to keep him calm.
"But - " Buck began to protest.
"Eponine tried to teach a lesson tonight," Santa explained, "in the end, she's the one who has been schooled. That's a very tough thing to face, being beaten at your own game. Being made to go back in and apologize to Kitri now would be counterproductive. Eponine wouldn't really mean it, and she would only feel like she was being punished and humiliated."
"After the things she said to Kitri, she should be." Buck said bluntly.
"She is," Santa replied, "and that's why she lashed out. Inwardly I'll bet she's more angry at herself than at Kitri." But how could you understand this if you haven't experienced it yourself? Don't worry about it any longer. Maybe when Eponine gets over this, she might be big enough to write Kitri an apology, which I'll make sure reaches her through Jessica's internet.. But Kitri handled it all much better than a lot of toys might, and she is really enjoying herself. And I need you all in good condition for the sleigh ride tonight."
"You mean I'm not on the naughty list?" Buck looked hopefully up at Santa.
"You came close, but you listened to me and pulled yourself out of that danger. So come on, and get some more refreshments."
It was an ecstatic Ocean Buck furby who returned to the party with Santa, tail wagging with glee as he dive-bombed into a plate of refreshments to devour them.
"What happened out there?" Misty called out as she scurried and leapt nimbly around an obstacle course of elves, tables, and plates to hear the latest news. "I saw you and then Santa leave and come back. What was that about?"
"Oh, look, a beautiful snow furby!" exclaimed an elf, reaching out to pick up Misty.
"I'll tell you about it later." said Buck, interrupting his ravenous activity long enough to smirk at Misty getting mauled by an elf.
Eventually, the place began emptying out and getting quieter.
Santa grinned. "It won't be long now before lift-off. Why don't you all stick around here a while longer. I'm just going to see if all my reindeer made it back yet, and if they have, we can get started. I don't like to leave until everyone is accounted for here at home."
In the meantime, When Eponine got to her own residence, she found a note under the tree from Santa that read:
"It is nice to be important,
But it is more important to be nice."
--