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“In light of Smarti’s latest…kerfuffle, Mrs. Claus and I have a confession to make.”
Smarti shifted uncomfortably.
Flaky, Nim, Lil, and Pepper were still chuckling about how easily Harold had gotten the best of Smarti. After making a mess of the Christmas decorations, Harold finally freed Smarti just as the family awoke. Smarti, of course, was blamed for the mess.
“Santa and I thought it would be a good idea to install helpers at each of the beta test houses. A safeguard of sorts,” said Mrs. Claus.
“We delivered them under the guise of a new model from a Build-a-Bear workshop, “continued Santa. “We needed them to be unique, easily identifiable.”
“Easily identifiable? Why?” asked a bewildered Nim.
Mrs. Claus smiled. “About a week before the start of the season, Santa sent Glitter, a young, highly-trusted reindeer, to sprinkle the season’s magic over each giraffalope. She gave them each a name, and a job: scope out the home and help you navigate the season.”
“Oh, so that’s how they knew so much about us!” said Nim.
“Well, Mildred has done a great job helping!” said Lil.
Pepper nodded in agreement.
“Gretyl got me to do a zipline,” said Flaky.
“Harold was terrible,” grumbled Smarti.
Santa smiled at Smarti. “You won’t have to worry about Harold after this season, Smarti.”
“Oh?” Smarti’s eyes lit.
“The giraffalopes only have enough magic for one season. On Christmas Eve, the magic will disappear and they will become regular, non-magical stuffies.”
“Oh.” Smarti’s eyes dimmed.
“But that is so sad!” said Lil. “Can’t they keep their magic like us?”
“I’m afraid that is out of the question,” said Mrs. Claus.
“Why?” asked Pepper.
“The magic Glitter gave them has a time limit. It cannot be extended. Next season, we will roll out the full program, and you will all be in charge of training. There will be no need for a scout giraffalope, because each home will have a scout elf.”
“But–,” started Lil.
“Now, now,” Santa said gently. “These giraffalopes were only necessary for this Beta run, to keep it a secret until we worked the kinks out.”
“Will they be sad?” asked Flaky.
“No, dear,” said Mrs. Claus. “They will be delighted to stay in their home with the children who made them.”
Sniff, sniff.
“Smarti?” asked Nim incredulously. “Are you…crying??!”
“Of-of course not–SNIFF–I just g-got something in m-my eye-eeeeeeee!”
a pinch of homestead 