*Author's Note: The next three chapters will all be taking place on the day and night of December 24th.
Chapter 22.
The week passed quickly, as time eventually does. The Muppets busied themselves with Christmasy chores, decorating the castle both inside and out. Wreaths were hung on the doors and garlands graced the undersides of external ledges. Mistletoe was hung from the ceiling, as various couples used it as an excuse to steal a quick kiss from their significant others. Candles glowed in the candelabras as if by magic, while more strings of lights wound around the tree in the corner of the main living room. Candy canes twirled on some of the tree's branches, and in the glasses of sweetened apple juice Polly and Clueless handed out to their patrons.
The time was spent well while the days fell like snowflakes from the calendar, resembling the cold winter as the year grew shorter and shorter. Eduardo's birthday was celebrated on the 20th, with all the spectacle you'd come to expect from a Muppety event. His friends rarely saw him on the 22nd though, as he was silently absent tending to private matters. The morning of the 24th rose a renewed jua d'vivre within the spirits of the Muppet congregation... After all, it was only one more sleep till Christmas. Thankfully, there were shops catering to both the holidays and gothique culture of the region nearby, helpful for those last-minute shoppers. There were also a few eateries frequented by some of the Muppet crew, whenever they wanted to get out of the castle opting to eat there instead or stock up on provisions for the feast back at the Count's domain. The excitement was contagious as people and Muppets bustled about, baking cookies or wrapping their little white box presents for the master mathematician or bursting into song and having some good old fun. Which, incidentally, left two penguins confused, unsure of what cue card to pull out from their stacks.
The night drew close while everyone inside huddled close for one last feast before the big day. Cookie Monster had been appeased, since he was under Kyle's constant vigil, a little untrustful of his furry monster buddy's promise not to eat all the cookies baked during the day nor the ones left out for tonight's special visitor.
"But Kyle... Me growing monster... Me need cookies" complained this blue pastry devourer.
"Told u before Cookie... U can have some later at dinner" Kyle replied, checking not one crumb was missing.
The Christmas toys came back to the master display ages ago, marvelling at all the revellers gathered here. Deciding to chance it, a few made several runs to the kitchen for some supplies of their own. They were a bit awestruck at how they never froze forever, in spite of all the people milling about in the hallways. Then again, that's part of the magic associated with the colorful chaos that accompanies the Muppets whenever they put on a true show.
Everybody back in their rooms, sleepy heads settled down for a peaceful night's rest... Turns out there was indeed enough room to accomodate everybody gathered here so far.
"Hey Bert..." a voice queried in the night in one of the rooms.
"Please Ernie, you promised to let me sleep this time" his constant victim replied.
"Yeah, I know... Just thought you were great as Mama in the play."
"Thanks Ernie... Now please, go to sleep."
In another of the rooms...
"Hey Lisa..." piped up a small green frog.
"What is it Robin?" answered the youngest of the Three Candles' sisters.
"Can you read me a story?"
"Sure, which one?"
"How about this one with Uncle Kermit... I think it's about some bad guy stalking him and Miss Piggy."
"Um Robin... You're probably a bit too young for that one."
"Oh... Then what about this one... It kinda explains how the Muppet family..."
"Shhh, Robin... Told you not to spill it, haven't finished it, stuck in 1996 at the moment."
"Sorry. Then what about this one with the crazy pirate/magical family that kinda sounds like us?"
"The Moppets? Don't think the rest might like it."
"Oh OK..." the little frog felt defeated, unable to find a suitable bedtime story.
"Hey, what's that book there Robin? The one over by your little fingers?"
"Huh? Oh, I think it's... Well, it's got Scooter and a blueish girl on top of the theater, fighting what looks like a yellow fishy Koozbanian" he said, surprised and happy that he found one Lisa approved before having to go to sleep.
"Bring it here and I'll read you that one" she said, rewarding his efforts.
Meanwhile, over in another room, Kyle was also reading to the monsters from One Little Star.
Grover liked that one, and it turned out his fellow furry friends did too.
All was starting to quiet down in the master castle... Except for one last room... And a couple of spooks loitering in the shadows of the main study downstairs as they awaited the tolling of midnight.
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