Alexander the Caracal's Christmas

The Presents Beneath the Tree

Alexander could do naught but stare. He had seen wrapped gifts before at the triple wedding and here he was wondering about the presents the stranger had brought. The stranger with his beard worthy of some god of old be it Zeus or Odin was a friend this Alexander knew but how did he know? True being an animal he could sense this sort of thing, but this stranger, this man... He had looked human and at the same time seemed something else altogether, not inhuman like Herr von Fell was, nor half so eldritch as the Angel of Death had been when it had come for Nana Smith.

Watching as Hippolyta and Olga both opened gifts for them and pulled out fine dolls, Alexander still wondered about the stranger with his flying deer. It was so strange and yet so wonder—

Feeling a ribbon being tied about his neck, Alexander turned to see Daphne kneeling behind him. Meowing, he forgot his thoughts and proceeded to rub against her. He ceased his rubbing as he noticed Alan and Gemma standing in entry to the ballroom, a strange plant called mistletoe hanging from it. Alan was giving Gemma something small, something in a case, while Gemma was giving him a book. What book was it? Alexander knew not. Books were many, fascinating things. Marks on leaves that fascinated humans with the stories they told for the written word was one of the greatest manners of magic.

Yes, just as Alexander had an understanding of God, he too had an understanding of magic and the written word, literature, truly was one of the greatest. When a story was read aloud and Alexander was present, he would listen for the magic transported him to places he could scarcely imagine... Him and others. Human, bird, beast, all fell under the spell of the wonder of literature.

Watching intently, Alexander saw Gemma's face lit up as she opened the case and pulled out a golden necklace shaped like a heart on a chain... At least, it was a human's idea of a heart. Alexander did not believe a heart truly looked like that.

Alexander watched as Gemma through her hands around Alan and his ruddy face grew redder. Then the two looked up at the mistletoe and then they smiled at one another. Wherefore, the Northern Caracal knew not. Humans were strange, they were like gods but at the same time weren't, more than apes and yet less than angels. Why should a hanging plant have caused such a smile, caused the countenances of both to redden, Alan's even more than it already was... Truly humans were strange, as was life, as were females... Was there anything that was not strange?

Gemma put her necklace around her neck and from Alexander stood, he could hear her ask Alan: "How do I look?"

Immediately, Alan answered: "With or without that necklace, your beauty still rivals that of Helena of Lacedaemon."

And then the two kissed. If Alexander could, he would have smiled, but smiling was not something that felines did. Still, he was happy for them, all the same.

Walking over to his master, sitting upon a chair with his mistress in another, Alexander meowed and tapped his head against Captain Smith's knee. Chuckling, Captain Smith said: "I see Daphne has put a ribbon around your neck, Alexander." Petting him on the head, he then asked the caracal: "How are you enjoying your first Christmas so far?" Alexander meowed again, not exactly in any manner that would suggest disappointment. "Wonderful, I am sure you will continue to enjoy it... Igraine, do you remember who the violinist is?"

Igraine merely shrugged in response.