It's time for a Leviathan Christmas! Here's part one of four parts:

A Leviathan Christmas: Part One

The Twelve Barking Days of Christmas

"Done," Alek said, setting down his pencil. He looked to Dylan, seated next to him.

The middy placed his down as well. "You want to go first?"

Alek shrugged. "I guess." Clearing his throat, he began.

"On the twelfth day of Christmas, a Clanker gave to me:

"Twelve bits of metal

"Eleven clanking engines

"Ten turrets firing

"Nine fighters flying

"Eight warships sailing

"Seven zeppelins zepping

"Six storms a-walking

"Fiiiive big ro-booots!

"Four fencing sabres

"Three Herkules

"Two emperors

"And a count not in the least vulgar!"

Alek set down his paper. Dylan just gave him a blatantly shocked look. Alek blinked nervously. "How was it?"

Dylan gaped. "That was barking terrible!"

Disgruntled, Alek retorted, "Let's see you do better!"

The Darwinist snorted. "You're on.

"On the twelfth day of Christmas, a Darwinist gave to me:

"Twelve beasts of burden

"Eleven elephantines trumpeting

"Ten fléchette bats spiking

"Nine message lizards messaging

"Eight giant whales flying

"Seven bees a-buzzing

"Six middies falling

"Fiiiive nonfabricated thylaciiiines!

"Four barking spiders

"Three krakens

"Two behemoths

"And a loris being perspicacious!"

Silence.

"That was...better?"

"Aye, told you so. Wait, hold on. What?"

"It wasn't that good."

"Well, what am I, a barking poet?"

"Obviously not, it didn't rhyme."

"Yours didn't either."

"Let's just agree neither of us is ever going to make a living writing poetry."

"Dead right."

Alright, there's the first part! Expect an update for each day in the following couple of days! ;D (P.S. I am aware that you don't have to rhyme to be a poet. It just made for a bit more fun dialogue. ;P)

Holly Marie Fowl: Haha, too late now, I've already thought up a story idea. ;P I may or may not write it, but I now officially have it figured out as to what exactly happened…poor Mr. Rigby…Yes, I realize that, writing the previous chapter, Alek is quite sexist. But as you mentioned, the time period is like that, and I tried to express his views as accurately as possible considering the time period, and his reactions to Lilit in Behemoth. And very true, I suspect Westerfeld will certainly have 'Dylan' teach Alek a lesson or two about that. ;D

Rue-the-Marauder: So very silly.

HallelujahtheCreator: Thanks for the compliments, and brilliant idea! Wonderful! I looked up the time, and it was during the winter of 1914, which is perfect, considering the time of the books (only a few months before.) Thank you so much, that's a great idea! Expect it as the finale/part four of a Leviathan Christmas. ;)

Ailat:

1. Haha, really? I'm surprised. I bet more people have gotten it than you've given credit for. Unevas, don't worry about not having reviewed earlier. The fact that you reviewed at all is all that matters. ;D

2. Deryn was very controlled, yes. But she had to take into consideration that, as a boy, it was strange for her to be so defensive over women's rights. And yeah, Alek was being smackworthy, but you can't blame him. It's how he was raised to think, as were most people in that age. Nowadays, though, I admit the argument against women's rights irks me too, but I won't get into that here. Thanks for the review!

Part two will be up pretty soon for you all read to read, so be on the lookout! ;)