Episode 21: Christmas Carol Mash-Up
This episode was kind of a last second change from the bell discovery scene in The Polar Express. (Random fact: The ghost hermit and the room with the toys gave me nightmares for months after I first watched that movie...)
This episode was also going to be a little boring because it was just going to be singing in the WPAC. But now I've changed it up due to an awesome video that I've seen; y'all are going to get a nice surprise...
Sorry this is late; I was feeling so sick last night plus a headache that I wouldn't have been able to do a single thing with the story. And then my online school block ends next week and if I stop working to even turn off an alarm then things just implode on me and I'm so stressed and ticked that...UGH.
And then there's the small, minute fact that Tuesday's my birthday...
Note: If you send in a host, please PM them.
Right, enough ramble; I don't own Warriors. Enjoy!
In the depths of WPAC, all alone in a dark, dreary room, lit only by a laptop covered in a spreadsheet, one cat will venture to balance the checkbooks if it's the last thing he does!...
Right, enough of that.
In reality, the office it one of the outermost rooms in the entire complex; it isn't dark or dreary, rather, lit by wall lamps and painted white. The laptop is actually one of those nifty desktop touchscreens. But the last two things, about the spreadsheet and the checkbooks, that's right...
Anyway, Shadeleap, in all his dark black glory, is sitting at his desk, minding his own business, blearily tapping numbers and sequences into the spreadsheet while also looking at the expense reports and hoping, just hoping, that the calico gold she-cat outside the door will walk straight by and leave him alone...
Nope, ain't gonna happen.
Goldie storms straight into the tomcat's office and plunges her claws into his desk, leaning over it to look him straight in the eyes.
"Well, haven't you been playing Ebenezer Scrooge?"
Unfortunately for poor Goldie, it's kinda tough to take her seriously in a 'Sandyclaws' hat.
Shadeleap wisely keeps his mouth shut about this, however, and stands up so he's eye-to-eye with the she-cat.
"Listen, Goldie, sweetie..."
"Don't you dare 'Goldie sweetie' me, hotshot! Shrewswoop looks like she's about to implode on herself like last time, Poppylight is *that* close to going all Jimi Hendrix on her poor guitar, and I just passed a fuming Duskfern who really truly honestly needs a new set of paints, brushes, blah blah blah, all that art stuff, and then you're in here leaning over your desk probably counting a stack of gold coins and acting like a horrid mix of Ebenezer Scrooge and Frank Burns!"
Shadeleap cocks his head and asks, "Who's Frank Burns?"
Goldenheart throws her paws up in the air and shouts, "M*A*S*H! Burns is the biggest killjoy jerk in the 4077th!"
"Still don't know what you're talking about, Gold."
Goldenheart plops down in the chair across from the desk and snaps, "No one does anymore. Just me, my sister, and my parents. Barely even my sister anyway."
Goldie looks back up as Shadeleap sits down and turns his desktop so he can get back to work.
"You know what, let me see that spreadsheet of yours. You have some extra stored away, and I know for a fact that it's for any of us to use because, hmmm, you send my father updates and we share the laptop. Now let me see it."
Goldie leans across the desk and Shadeleap ducks away, quickly minimizing the spreadsheet. "Now, Goldenheart, we don't need to do this the hard way..."
"Just let me see it!"
"Goldie, stop it!"
Suddenly Goldie falls over the desk and on top of Shadeleap. She pops back up and tries to hurriedly tap the spreadsheet so she can see, but of course, Shadeleap pulls her back down and a squabble begins. After a few minutes of that, Blackdream strolls by with one of Roseheart's rolls in paw (she sure does love those, doesn't she?), and just so happens to see poor Shadeleap in a headlock with his tail almost literally tied up in a knot and Goldie attacking his ear with the other paw. And of course, Blackdream has to stuff her roll into her mouth and butt in.
"Hey! What's going on in here?"
Goldenheart looks up and hisses, "This doesn't concern you, walk away."
Blackdream misses a beat wondering if perhaps this should concern her, but then swallows, nods, and walks off calmly while the two continue to battle it out.
Meanwhile, outside, poor Duskfern is staring at her dilapidated prop room, which has paint peeling and could use a nicer color. And then there's all the other props that she stores away for later use. Blackdream, who is walking by on her way to get Mossrock to break up the fight, stops and peeks inside.
"Yo, Dusk! What's going on?"
Duskfern turns around and crosses her paws. "I need paint. And brushes. And rollers. And paper. And all that other stuff, and Shadeleap is playing Scrooge in our own personal production of 'A Christmas Carol' and of course he can't find enough money in that cell that he marked 'extra' on his spreadsheet and I could just strangle him..."
"Ah, wouldn't worry about that. Goldie's working on it right now."
Before Duskfern can react, Flametalon appears in the door and calls, "Right, ladies, we've gotta get in the van if we're going to be there in time to gather everyone together."
As the trio leave the prop room and start their way down the hallway, a shape detaches itself from the shadows and walks over to Dusk's workstation, which contains the empty bottles of paint, frayed brushes, and torn rollers. Colored pencils are reduced to stubs, good A3 sheets are bent and virtually useless, and the like. It's easy to see why Duskfern is so mad.
Anyway, back to that shadow; the shape examines each instrument, checking brand names and anything else that the blue she-cat could possibly need. Then he pulls out his now-familiar writing pad, writes something down, and disappears once again into the shadows.
Later on, much earlier than usual, the Clans have been directed to a non-traditional performance place; the Pavilions. While mothers and apprenticed she-cats mill in and out of the stores, trying to finish off Christmas lists, and the boys check out the pastry shops, the Crew and any others that they've gotten to join in are spacing themselves out according to vocal range while Poppylight, who has one of the strongest voices on the entire crew, takes her place on the ground.
With a cue from Sagefoot, who frankly can't sing and will be in charge of filming, Poppylight opens her mouth and begins to sing; "Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light! From now on, your troubles will be out of sight..."
A few cats recognize the voice and rush to the balconies to see. Other cats who have absolutely no idea what's going on also stop, some pulling out cell phones, just in case this gets interesting.
"Through the years we all will be together, if the Fates allow. Hang a shining star upon the highest bow! And have yourself a merry little Christmas now..."
Above them, Mountaintail breaks out his rarely used singing voice and sings out in a way that would make Andy Williams proud; "There'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow. There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long long ago!
Knowing now that this has gotten interesting, some cats have started recording and are slightly swaying to the music.
"It's the most wonderful time of the year. There'll be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near! It's the most wonderful time, it's the most wonderful time, it's the most wonderful time...of the year!"
Mountaintail stands back and gestures forth his brother, who takes out his drumsticks and begins tapping out a familiar rhythm. On either side of him, Ivyfan and Blackdream, joined by Cedarflight and Eaglethroat, begin to sing; "Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say 'Throw cares away'. Christmas is here bringing good cheer to young and old, meek and the bold!
"Merry merry merry merry Christmas! Merry merry merry merry Christmas! On, on they send, on without end, their joyful tone to every home...!"
On the second level, Shrewswoop and Rosesong stand, and begin a particularly long solo, "On the twelth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...Twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids-a-milking, seven swans-a-swimming, six geese-a-laying, five golden rings! Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree!"
On the third level, Shellblaze also breaks out his singing voice and begins to sing, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas! Just like the ones I used to know. Where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright! And may all your Christmases be white."
Now that this flash mob has really gotten into the swing of things, the shoppers and Clans have gotten quiet so they can hear everything. On the ground floor, Duskfern takes a deep breath, as this is a rapid-fire solo, and sings, "Just hear those sleigh bells jinglein', ring ting-tinglein' too. Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!"
Shadeleap, who has teamed up with one of his best friends, Streamshade, rubs his paws together as the she-cat begins the duet; "Sleigh bells ring, are ya listenin'? In the lane, snow is glistenin'." Here, Shadeleap joins in, "A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight, walkin' in a winter wonderland."
As the slower, gentler, prettier songs begin, Mossdawn, who has teamed up with Flametalon, the local bass, begins, "O come, o come Emmanuel. And ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear."
Flametalon joins in on the next part: "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel. Shall come to thee, O Israel."
The two brothers wives, Daisytail and Misttalon, continue with the next carol, "It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old! From angels bending near to earth to touch their harps of gold."
The two sisters-in-law back up to let the kits in, who begin to sing the first carol they've learned yet; "Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise! Join the triumph of the skies! With the angelic host proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem! Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king!"
This performance, the kits being quite young and them being so adorable, is met by applause before it dies down to the next carol, sung by Unihorse and her daddy, Mossrock, "Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright! Round yon virgin, mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace..."
The next carol, which is probably one of the hardest to sing on a dime, is sung by Goldie and her mama, Roseheart, who is the highest soprano on the crew soprano. With that, the last carol on the list begins...
"O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior's birth...Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night...when Christ was born. O night, O holy night!..."
That rather high note (courtesy of Roseheart), is met with applause before the final few words. "O night, O night divine."
The applause begins as Goldie steps forward and announces, "Thank you all for listening! Next week will be a well known scene from the most beloved Christmas classic movie of all time. And if you would all join us in this last song to close us out?"
The only song that will not be acapella, Sagefoot presses the play button on his radio and the last song begins. On all levels, of all ages, cats and Clans and crew begin to sing the last, well-beloved song.
"Have a holly jolly Christmas; It's the best time of the year! I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer. Have a holly jolly Christmas; and when you walk down the street, say hello to ones you know and everyone you meet.
"Oh, ho! The mistletoe, hung where you can see. Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me! Have a holly jolly Christmas, and in case you didn't hear, oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas this year!
"Oh by golly, have a holly, jolly Christmas this year!"
As the last notes ring out, one final burst of applause coincides with it as the episode comes to a close.
At home base, Goldie, beginning to recognize a pattern and therefore being the only one up, is sitting up watching the video of the flash mob, which has since gone slightly viral. Just as it ends, there's a knock on the door. Goldie presses the pause button on her playlist, walks over to the door, and tosses it open to reveal tonight's delivery.
This time, the wrapping is paint splatters, red and green, silver and gold, the works. And also this time, there's a note on it, written in block letters so handwriting is unrecognizable; "Don't be hard on Shadeleap." with a smaller scrawl underneath that reads "Don't shake this package."
Goldie turns this note over and over, still finding no signature or anything of the sort. The package is unmarked, as usual. It's not large, but it's not small either. Goldenheart takes a deep breath and raps hard on the top of the package. Inside, something rattles, just slightly.
"Well;" Goldie sighs, picking up the present and putting it in the pantry, with the other two unmarked ones. She shuts it and walks back to her laptop, still wondering who could be sending these presents.
Outside, that same shape whistles out the final notes of 'Holly Jolly Christmas' before calmly walking away.
Performers: The Heart of Gold Crew
Performance Type: Caroling Flash Mob
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Poppylight)
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Mountaintail)
Carol of the Bells (Cedarflight, Eaglethroat, Blackdream, Ivyfang)
12 Days of Christmas (Shrewswoop and Rosesong)
White Christmas (Shellblaze)
Sleigh Ride (Duskfern)
Winter Wonderland (Shadeleap and Streamshade)
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Flametalon and Mossdawn)
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Daisytail and Misttalon - Mountaintail and Cliffspirit's mates, respectively)
Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Kindkit, Lightkit, Littlekit, and Sweetkit)
Silent Night (Mossrock and Unihorse)
O Holy Night (Roseheart and Goldie)
Holly Jolly Christmas (Everyone)
Hosts: Goldenheart
Heart of Gold Crew
Goldenheart, Host: Calico she-cat with golden streaks and gold eyes
Blackdream, Costume Mistress: Black she-cat with colorful brown swirls around her amber eyes, Goldie's best friend
Unihorse, Hair and Make-Up Artist: Yellow tabby she-cat with pink streaks and green eyes, Goldie's little sister, Shrewswoop's best friend
Flametalon, Head of Security: Red tabby tom and brown eyes, Shrewswoop's elder brother, Goldie's best tom friend
Poppylight, Multi-Instrumentalist and Orchestra Conductor: Auburn-furred she-cat and brown eyes
Shellblaze, Director: Light gold tabby tom and blue eyes
Sagefoot, Head Camera Cat: White-furred tom and hazel eyes
Duskfern, Set Designer: Bluish black she-cat and blue eyes
Thrushtail, Disc Jockey, Special Effects: Brown tom and brown eyes
Shrewswoop, Head Techie and Choreographer: Elegant light brown calico she-cat and hazel eyes, Flametalon's little sister, Unihorse's best friend
Shadeleap, Manager: Purely black tom and green eyes
Roseheart, Chef: Pinkish-cream she-cat with black paws and blue eyes, Goldenheart and Unihorse's mother
Mossrock, Producer: Black tom with gray streaks and brown eyes, Goldenheart, Unihorse, Mountaintail, and Cliffspirit's father
Mountaintail, Guitarist: Yellow tabby tom with brown eyes, Goldenheart, Unihorse, and Cliffspirit's (half) brother
Cliffspirit, Drummer: Black tom with brown eyes, Goldenheart, Unihorse, and Mountaintail's (half) brother
Security Team: Eaglethroat (cream-colored tom), Ivyfang (white she-cat), Rosesong (yellowish-cream she-cat)
Camera and Techie Crew: Cedarflight (golden tabby tom), Mossdawn (gray she-cat), Foxstorm (yellow tabby tom)
One: Look up TheGuildGirl on YouTube and find playlists; There should be a full playlist of most every song or scene that I have used so far. And yes, that YouTube account is mine.
Two: Expect at least one new chapter every Monday with episodes 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 during the week. Because of this, there will be episodes before this one, so please keep an eye out!
Three: For this particular episode, due to it being about five million carols, I will NOT be adding to the playlist, because that would toss the numbers up pretty far. Not wanting to do that quite yet. I have kind of an idea of what to do for this one, but I'm too shy to do it yet...
Four: Thanks for reading and review!