Lirssa sat down at the middle of the packages so generously given to her by friends. It was a blush inducing thrill that cycloned around her stomach. With forethought, a rare moment indeed of that, she had a pen and nice letter paper her Maman had given her to write thank you notes. Sometimes words that melted away in the air were just not enough.

Moving Siva out of her lap once more and a pat to the feline?s head, ?Yes, I will write a note in thanks for the mouse you left me, Siva, but you really should have consulted Maman beforehand. Still, it has a lovely burial now just beside the fish pond. Your two favorite things in one spot.?

Lirssa looked over the presents, and with a twist of her mouth and a sly look to Siva, who had taken to licking her hind quarters with one back leg stuck straight up in the air, Lirssa nodded to the gifts from Aunt Tara. ?Better start with the tricksy ones first.?

Picking up the note her aunt had sent to the party, and it was already a little worn from the folding and unfolding, Lirssa read over it again. There was so much there, and it was a rather juicy story that Lirssa could not help but read it all, and then came to the matter at hand: the gifts.

Dearest Aunt Tara,

What an overwhelming surprise! Not just for me, but I could tell Maman and Papa were equally in awe of the gifts. Papa was darn near speechless with your generosity, and Maman kept saying your name over and over like she just couldn?t believe how kind of you to give me so much. I think they worry you?ll spoil me.

I?ve never had such a dress before, and I made sure to hang it up straight away to keep it nice in my closet. It is a little big, but I hope to fit in it at the right time. I?m not sure I?m ready to be married at this age, and from what I read, it might be best if I didn?t so I don?t have to stab someone, too. Seems like it would ruin the dress.

How did you know I?ve never had a dollie? These are certainly like no dollie I?ve ever known, and was very thoughtful of you to put so much time into finding killer unique dollies.

The pole Maman says can go in the Studio where we have the punching bag and the climbing ropes. Best to keep all the work out equipment together, I guess.

I was told the brown stuff was moss, so not a wig like I was thinking, but it goes well in a garden container up on the roof.

Thanks for the place to sleep when I visit you, too! I was told it should stay at your house for when I come to visit.

I?ve never had an aunt before, but you sure got to be one of the most giving.

So much hugs and kisses,
Lirssa

Dear Mister Treema, sir,

A knife! Thank you, sir! I?m killer excited to have a new knife. I can juggle ya know? Though, Papa and Maman think it is probably used for something else, so they?re going teach me to use it for other than juggling. Still, if you ever want to see, I?ll be happy to show you!

Thank you again,
Lirssa

Dear Miss Lilli,

I love the lock and key ? and what a spiffy box! I love it. Papa says that I need to be extra special careful with it, and it is a very important gift. I will do my best, I promise.

Raza loves his teddy bear and the blankets are just perfect for this time of year. You're ever so clever, Miss Lilli.

Mighty hugs and many thanks,

Lirssa and Raza

P.S. Siva loves the basket, too.

Dear Miss Kazzy,

Siren Slippers is really good! I'm going to have to share it with my cousin when I see her next. We have a music exchange we do. The shirt fits perfect, and it goes killer great with my favorite pair of jeans. I never tried jeans before I lived here, and now I got my own band shirt and my own pair of jeans. My parents said I look like a teenager, and then they gave each other a look, so I'm not sure what that means, but I like my shirt!

Thank you ever so!

Lirssa

Dear Mister Antonio, Mrs Doc, and Mister Alper,

I have new motley! I think I made my parents' ears bleed when I opened the packages. I'd call it a squeal of glee, but I think they thought it sounded more like a stuck pig. I don't care. I'm ever so thankful for the motley and the necklace. What a pretty gem! I think opals might be my favorite. They have ever so many colors in the them. Of course, I like lotsa shiny things, but don't tell anyone, because that sounds really spoiled, doesn't it? Or like a magpie. I don't want to be a bird either. The charm bracelet has such cute charms on it, too! Maman said the metal is very nice, and I'm to take good care of it. I have a neat box to put them in to for safe keeping!

Thank you all for the wonderful gifts!

Hugs of thanks,
Lirssa

Dear Spidery Chocolate-loving Being ((Drithnak)),

I hope you have someone to read this to you or you can read really well. I couldn't write small and be neat, so this may be big, but thank you for the hairband. It's like killer strong! I don't know how you did it, but Maman loves it because it actually will stay in my hair.

Thank you again,
Lirssa

Dear Mister Alain,

Thank you so much for the skates and the lessons! The skates are ever so pretty and soft inside! I love the color blue. I'm gonna have lots of skating this winter. I hope you and Miss Sophia will get some skating, too, because your killer good at it.

Hugs and hugs,

Lirssa

Dear Miss Kate,

Thank you for the killer outfits and the party. You made my first birthday party the best a kid could have. I hope I get to wear the dress again, maybe for Yule or something. I never had so many clothes before, and as my parents can tell you, it takes me forever to dress properly with everything they've given me. It was great to know exactly what I was to wear to look nice.

Hugs and kisses,
Lirssa