'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the MUSH Not a player was stirring, not even this lush. Wherhide booties were hung by the chimney with care In the hopes that Saint McCaffrey soon would be there. The players were nestled all snug in their bunks (Except for a few who were partying drunks). With Tolan in his nightshirt, and Dyane in her lace Had just settled down for a neat face to face. When out in the Hall there arose such a racket That we leapt from our beds, pulling on our wherhide jackets. Away to the steps we all shot like a gun Shouting, "What the heck happened?!?" at the top of our lungs. The wizards conferred on the matter as such And answered our questions by saying, "Not much." When what in the courtyard our eyes should discern But Saint Anne McCaffrey, the author of Pern! Her sleigh grew much larger as closer she came Then she landed it near us and addressed us by name: "It's Seebar, F'jon, Selene, and T'lyn! It's Elzid and Eleos and others within! To the top of the Hold, to the top of the Hall! Now go *between*, go *between*, go *between* all!" As we looked on in wonder, she brought out a sack. She dumped out the contents and took a step back. "I've brought presents," she said with a wink and a grin. "Something for everyone is contained here within." She sat on the floor and dug into the pile And handed out gifts with her most charming smile: "For bronze rider S'rtan, there's no need to explain. A Weyr of your own for your effort and pain. For Varoni," Saint Anne did say with an awww. "Some goodies to feed your fire lizard Limbaugh. For Sable a jacket, for Marco a knife. Lord Kale gets a viewer, Fanord gets a wife. For Packell some boots, a ring for J'cot. For Dysira a fan, as Igen's too hot." Then she jumped in her sleigh, 'twas the color of green. She lifted it off and took it *between*. But we heard her exclaim with aplomb and palaver, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good a good Gather!"
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