Gingersnap

Gingersnap Christmas 2022

After Yuki’s Christmas tree had been beautifully decorated, and Gingersnap was climbing from branch to branch to admire each ornament. She liked to search for new ornaments or ones she hadn’t noticed the year before. 

Yuki, Ed, and Al were laying on their backs, heads under the tree and looking up. Not only were they watching Ginger, they were getting a “squirrel’s-eye” view as Yuki called it.

“Whoa, what’s this ornament, Yuki?” Ginger cautiously admired a frightening ornament of a cloven-hooved creature with large horns. “Pointy Santa Claus! Santa Claws! Wait, no…”

Yuki sat up. “Oh, that’s new this year, it’s Krampus! From European folklore, he’s like an anti-Claus who punishes misbehaving children during Christmas.” The snow leopard started to go into more gruesome detail, until Ed gave her a look.

“He’s scary…” Ginger took a step backward and fell off the branch into Yuki’s paw. 

“Don’t worry little buddy, he’s just an ornament!” Yuki smiled and gently head bumped with the ocelot.

-

But later that night, Ginger couldn’t sleep. 

“...Ed? Are you awake?” Ginger whispered.

“Mm…? Yes, yeah I am…” Ed opened his bleary eyes and gazed at Ginger, her wide eyes lit up by a Christmas nightlight. “Are you scared because of Krampus?” 

Ginger nodded slowly. “He’s a big scary goat with sharp horns and teeth and…”

In the other bed, Al sat up and gave Ginger a comforting smile. “Ginger, imagine if Krampus was actually as small as Yuki’s ornament. And if he looked chibi.”

Ginger tilted her head and one ear flicked curiously. 

“You wouldn’t be scared of him then, right?”

Gingersnap stood confidently and quickly nodded her head. “And then we could go on adventures together! But…what if I’ve been naughty this year?” 

“The only thing you’ll get for being naughty is some tummy time.” Ed interjected. “And you’ve been very good this year.”

“Santa will bring you the coolest presents ever!” Al added cheerfully. 

“I hope he brings something nice to Mr. Krampus, too!” 

Ed and Al both chuckled. 

“Alright little elf, are you ready to get some shut eye?” Ed smiled when the ocelot gave a big yawn. He opened his mouth and let Ginger climb inside. He sat up a bit and gathered some saliva before he swallowed her softly. But when she slid into his stomach, Ed could feel her moving around, sitting down and patting the tummy floor beneath her. He faintly heard her talking to herself inside. 

“Is she still awake?” Al asked after a while.

“She’s having a pretend Christmas party with Krampus.” 

Al snickered and closed his eyes.