Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ship,
Not a person was stirring, not even Beatrix.
The Red Rose glided through the skies with care,
In hopes no enemies would be hiding up there.
The Earthlings and Heroes were all snug in their beds,
While visions of past battles buzzed in their heads
And Kyle in his pajamas, and I in my gown,
Departed in the halls to seek sleep of our own,
When outside the haul there rose such a clatter,
I rushed to the deck to see what was the matter.
Straight to my hand, was my book in a flash,
Pressed the pen to the paper, preparing to clash-
The moon shone bright in the clouds filled with snow,
As it illuminated the whole of world of kingdom hearts below.
When to my surprise what instead did appear?
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer!
I knew the old driver, so clever and quick-
Such a welcoming sight to see jolly St. Nick!
More majestic then Chocobos his courser they came,
And he laughed and waved to me as he called them by name.
“Now, Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On cupid! On Donder and Blitzen!-
To the top of the ship, to the top of the wall!
Now Dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
How no one else could hear them confused me for sure,
Where was the crew, or Cloud, or Squall for that matter?!
No time left to wonder as the sleigh landed thus,
Before me- not a foot away- with barely a thud!
They were lighter than air, and quieter then a whisper,
I stood there in shock as the jolly man snickered.
“ You seem surprised to see me tonight girl-
What makes you think I can’t traverse across worlds?”
Sheepishly I began to put my weapon away,
When St. Nick raised his hand to me to say,
“Not yet- I will need your talents to night,
To make Christmas happen for your friends who fight.”
So with a twinkling in his eye he dismounted his sleigh,
And gestured for me to lead him the way.
Through the ship we tip toed, passed the heroes who dozed,
Till we reached the main deck so empty and cold.
He was everything I remembered as a child back home.
Stories of the immortal man of the North pole.
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
“Now open your book and listen to me,
Take this potion and – oh there you are Jenny.”
Whirling around to see with a jump,
The Magical Musician staring back at me stumped.
“ I think everyone on board is going to wake,”
“- not if you put your lips to the flute and play for pete sake!”
So Without another word, Jenny began to play,
A melodious lullaby that begged dreams to stay.
Down to my right, I heard something fall-
“Oh my-“ Joe must’ve standing in the hall.
I leaned around the corner just to check and see,
Sure enough he was sleeping, having spilt all his tea.
“ I’m going to regret this…” I inwardly groaned,
“I’m sure he’ll understand.” Jenny tried to condone.
Absently I wonder who else was caught in an odd way,
To wake soaked, sour and sore the next day.
All through the ship the occupants were sealed,
In a state of deep dreaming while the mages reeled.
“ Come now girls, time is of the essence-
Back to the sleigh and get out those presents!”
As Jenny made her way back to the deck,
St. Nick leaned over my pages to check-
“ Take this potion my dear and drink it fast,
Then get ready and put your powers to task.”
He waved his hand broadly around the room,
“ This deck is too dull, filled with such gloom,
Give it come cheer, give it come color!
Brighten the place with lavish and luster!”
So with a deep sigh I drank the potion down,
Pressed my pen to the parchment and looked around.
I let my mind wander, I let my heart soar,
and furnish such wonders some I never thought before.
Ribbons of gold and bows of crimson hue,
Silvery white flake flakes that danced around the room.
Frost covered windows with candle lights bright,
I let the magic take, remake me that night.
Amidst the commotion I heard Jenny play
As Santa returned from his parked sleigh.
A bundle of packages he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
Despite my normal limits, my magic seemed boundless,
The entire ship was transformed with decorations countless.
A scent of cinnamon and spice filled hall after hall,
and Jenny’s music gave order to it all.
Santa spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled dozens of stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, the magic within us rose.
A tumultuous chorus of colors and song,
Consumed the whole ship and it sailed along.
I barely remember what happened next,
As I sank to my knees my. heart pounding in my chest.
To my side I saw Jenny all tired and slack,
her flute limp on the floor as Santa pulled up his sack.
With the gentlest of aid he sat us together,
By a bright color tree in a carpeted chair,
He wrapped a blanket tight around our shoulders so soft,
and said “ you did well, now I must be off.”
He returned to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."
….
The next morning.
All groggy and grey, Joe sourly rose,
Rubbing his face where he landed on his nose.
Then bolting in fright as he took in the sight,
of the ships interior which was changed last night.
“To arms we’ve been had-” Kichi would yell,
As he woke with a shock, out of his bed he fell.
As the heroes arose and rushed out of their rooms,
Expecting to face some unspeakable doom.
Instead they were greeted by wonders to see,
And discovered the mages asleep by the tree.
“Wakey wakey little ladies, you have explaining to do.”
Jenny cracked a smile and said, “ Merry Christmas Riku.”
“ how did this happe-” “ Is it really so surprising?”
Sora laughed and began to pass around stockings.
And so that is the story of how Christmas occurred,
In the midst of dark times across the whole worlds.
In between the fights and endless unknowns,
The earthlings spent one heartfelt Christmas at home.
And as Axel handed my present to me,
Joe growl and raged-
“WHY am I Covered in TEA?!”
