Velvet Christmas
Nursery Chaos

The book's title remained in the back of the velveteen rabbit's mind, the idea that she might one day become really appealing to her for some reason. There was a definite feeling of elation at such thoughts, some sort of knowledge that becoming real for a toy was somehow important. And every toy in the very chaotic nursery wanted to be that toy that became real for Rachel.

Teddy Ruxpin—he could speak to Rachel, and quite a few toys argued that made him real already, with others pointing out that every time he told Rachel a story, the two would go on an adventure together. Still, the thought of going on adventures and seeing new places seemed intriguing. "That there are places outside of the nursery, outside of the house," the velveteen rabbit thought, being so new to the world as she was. "I would never have thought that."

"I've been to other houses," Sweet Dreams said. "Apparently, taking a Pillow People to these things is a thing. There's movies and popcorn and pizza," she continued. "And some little girls spill soda on their Pillow People, so they become stained."

"Really?" Velveteen asked. "Some children don't take care of their toys?"

"Blimey. Do you really think you're taken care of?" came a voice from up on the shelf. Even though the velveteen rabbit rarely saw any of them, she knew the voice belonged to one of the Barbies high up on the shelf. All of the dolls had the same name and the same face. The only thing that distinguished them, or at least for the ones on the shelves, was their different outfits. The ones Rachel played with - their outfits changed so often nobody could tell them apart anymore.

And in comparison, their hair was not as nice and sleek as that of the Barbies on the shelf that rabbit had seen the times Rachel had taken the time to play with her and she could see the shelves, nor did they like the implication that because they were played with that, they were somehow not real. If the stuffed rabbit could cover her ears, she would, as it always seemed they were constantly kept in mint condition, and the Barbies played with were always arguing in those shrill little voices of there's.

"Now, now," the brightly colored rocking horse said. "You're talking about what's known as monetary worth—how much we're worth in money, not actually becoming real. Becoming real isn't something money can buy love."

Rabbit didn't understand the concept of money beyond Rachel talking at her pretend grocery store set about something costing billions and billions of dollars while one of her friends who came over to play opined about not having enough, or at least opine was apparently the right word for an old china doll that belonged to Rachel's mother that Rachel wasn't allowed to play with that sat up with the Barbies. She's apparently become real, though, for Rachel's mother, not Rachel.

The Barbies didn't listen and kept arguing in voices that Rachel couldn't hear. "That's probably for the best," the stuffed rabbit thought. "Because I don't think Rachel would like to hear her toys arguing."

The arguing toys finally stopped the thought of what Rachel might think, finally quelling them from their ruckus. The quiet among the everyday chaos was—

The stuffed rabbit wasn't sure beyond knowing she was tired of the Barbies arguing amongst themselves. However, that was probably better than the Barbies snubbing the other toys for not being so forward, particularly in the fashion department. The stuffed rabbit, for example, was too old-fashioned for their tastes, noting that even the bright-colored rocking horse was more modern than she was.

"Is that really what makes a toy real?" she'd asked the first time.

"Oh no," said the bright modern rocking horse. "Although it can help a toy to be a toy of the times. It can also backfire if that time is only short-lived."

"It really is a complicated thing," the stuffed rabbit said.

"At least you're big enough not to get lost," Monchiichi said as the grandfather pulled her out and placed her next to the rabbit on the chair next to the book with that ever-exciting title. "I get lost, and I think it's always intentional on Rachel's part. And her friends do it as well."

"But you're a very nice toy," the rabbit said.

"Some toys are appreciated more than others," Teddy Ruxpin said. "And sometimes a child's peers can affect how a toy is appreciated. Becoming real, I think, has become even more complicated."

"Teddy Ruxpin," the plush rabbit asked. "Do you know the story of the Velveteen Rabbit? Of how toys can become real?"

"Well, no. That isn't one of the stories on one of my tapes," he said. "Although I am curious about what is in that particular story. I believe her grandfather gave you and the book to her. Apparently, it has some kind of significance, but she's not yet cracked the book open. She's fond of stories but not really of books."

"That is sad," the rabbit said. "Because I'm sure her grandfather gave her the book for a reason."

"And you as well, little rabbit," the brightly colored rocking horse said.

"I'm not special," the plush rabbit with her plush bow on top of her head said. "I am just an ordinary toy, not the first of my kind." To which she thought of the book, where she knew another rabbit like herself came to life. "And I don't think it's that I'm like that other rabbit that will result in me becoming real."

"No. That's not it," the rocking horse said. There was silence. "And there is sometimes an appeal to being that special one-of-a-kind toy, but these days that one-of-a-kind toy doesn't get played with. Look at the Barbies on the shelf. Being played with isn't the key factor, as the China Doll has said. It's really hard to explain beyond it involving the love of a child simply being that great."

"A love of a child," Velveteen rabbit thought to herself. "What's that?"

"Love is a complicated thing, dear rabbit," the rocking horse said. "But when it happens, you'll know it."

"Definitely," Teddy Ruxpin said.