And a Hippo New Year
by Adri ("Erin Gigglecreek") (2012)
Genres: Fantasy

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, the only creature stirring was a hippo the size of a mouse. This is based in the world of the House Hippo, a PSA by the Concerned Children's Advertisers.

action: %
response: 'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, the
only creature stirring was a hippo the size of a mouse.

This year you're going to stay awake long enough to see Santa Claws. You have set up a temporary nest in the living room closet, and it
just needs a few final touches. You intend to venture out to have a snack and look at the tree one more time, and then you will go hide in the closet and wait.

an interactive holiday tale by Adri ("Erin Gigglecreek")

quick introduction on how to play.

There is a tree here, decorated with ornaments and surrounded by piles of presents. There is also a table off to one side. The closet is to the southeast.
action: You examine table
response: There is a table off to one side, draped in a bright blue tablecloth.
action: You examine the tree
response: It's a rather lovely Christmas tree, covered with rainbow lights, a silver garland and colorful, shiny ornaments. There is a collection of presents underneath the tree.
action: You look at the presents
response: There are piles of presents surrounding the tree. There is one rather tall pile of presents in a neat stack.
action: You look at the pile
response: A pile of presents stacked neatly under the tree, with the largest package on the bottom and the smallest at the top.
action: You look at the largest package
response: This present is wrapped in shiny blue paper, tied with a big red bow.
action: You read it
response: This present is wrapped in shiny green paper, tied with a big yellow bow.
action: You look at the largest package
response: This present is wrapped in shiny green paper, tied with a big blue
bow.
action: About yourself
response: You are a very fine specimen of Hippopotamus domestica.
action: You look at the lights
response: The tree is covered with tiny rainbow lights. The string of lights trails down from the lower branches to the power outlet. The wire is emitting quite a bit of heat.

You are feeling very thirsty.
action: You unplug the lights
response: If you do that, the pretty lights will go out!
action: You examine the ornaments
response: The tree is adorned with colorful, mismatched ornaments, many of which have been made by the small humans of the house.
action: You go southeast
response: This is the closet where you will be spending the night. It is full of things that you don't need to think about right now.

You can see your nest and a mitten here.
action: You examine the mitten
response: It's a small mitten. It is sopping wet, and the mate is nowhere to be seen.
action: Chew mitten
response: You give the mitten a lick. Bleh! That doesn't appear to be food.
action: You look at the nest
response: It is a warm, comfortable mass of dryer lint and bits of string. It's not as nice as your nest in the bedroom closet, but it will do for tonight. It's still looking a little sparse, though. Perhaps you could find just one or two more items before you settle in for the night.
action: You put the mitten in the nest
response: It's all wet! Maybe you can find a way to dry it first.
action: You take the mitten
response: You pick up the wet mitten. Ick. Soggy mittens don't make good bedding material.
action: Go northwest
response: There is a tree here, decorated with ornaments and surrounded by piles of presents. There is also a table, about the same height as the stack of presents under the tree. The closet is to the southeast.
action: You put the mitten on the wire
response: You lay the mitten across the string of lights where it nearly touches the floor.

You are feeling very thirsty.
action: You suck mitten
response: Surely you can find a more sanitary source of water.
action: You open the package
response: You pick out the prettiest present in the pile and tug on the ribbon with your teeth. The ribbon slips ever so slightly, and you feel a sudden burst of shame.
action: You take the ribbon
response: You pick out the prettiest present in the pile and tug on the ribbon with your teeth. The ribbon slips ever so slightly, and you feel a sudden burst of shame.

The mitten starts to smoke. You'd better go get it before you burn
down the house.
action: You take the mitten
response: You quickly retrieve the mitten. It is now dry, and warm to the touch.
action: You pull the ribbon
response: You try with all your might, but it barely moves.
action: Go southeast
response: This is the closet where you will be spending the night. It is full of things that you don't need to think about right now.

You can see your nest here.
action: You put the mitten in the nest
response: You put the mitten on the nest.
action: You examine the prettiest present
response: This present is wrapped in shiny red paper, tied with a big yellow
bow.
action: You take the bow
response: You pick out the prettiest present in the pile and tug on the ribbon with your teeth. The ribbon slips ever so slightly, and you feel a sudden burst of shame.

You are feeling very thirsty.
action: You look at the bow
response: It's a length of shiny green ribbon, tied into a fancy bow.
action: Open present
response: You pick out the prettiest present in the pile and tug on the ribbon with your teeth. The ribbon slips ever so slightly, and you feel a sudden burst of shame.
action: You examine the tree
response: It's a rather lovely Christmas tree, covered with rainbow lights, a silver garland and colorful, shiny ornaments. There is a collection of presents underneath the tree.
action: You examine the garland
response: The tree has been wrapped in a long strand of puffy blue garland. It looks very soft.

The tree has been wrapped in a long strand of puffy blue garland. It looks very soft.
action: You take the garland
response: You tug on a dangling bit of garland with your teeth. A piece breaks off, about as long as you are.
action: Go southeast
response: This is the closet where you will be spending the night. It is full of things that you don't need to think about right now.

You can see your nest (on which is a mitten) here.
action: You look at the garland
response: It's a short length of blue garland, very soft to the touch.
action: You touch it
response: The garland is extremely soft to the touch.
action: You smell it
response: You smell nothing unexpected.

You are feeling very thirsty.
action: You put it in the nest
response: You put the piece of garland on the nest.
action: You climb the tree
response: You briefly eye the tree, wondering how long it would take to climb
it. Maybe you'll try it tomorrow.
action: You climb it
response: You attempt to scale the tablecloth, gripping tightly with your teeth and feet, but it's not an easy task. After just a few inches, you let go and drop back down to the floor. Ouch!
action: You climb presents
response: You climb to the top of the presents. You seem to be about level with the table, on which stands a glass of milk and a plate of cookies. The pile starts to wobble, and you quickly make your way back down to the...

There is a tree here, decorated with ornaments and surrounded by piles of presents. There is also a table, about the same height as the stack of presents under the tree. The closet is to the southeast.
action: Climb pile
response: You scramble up the pile of presents onto the table top.

You are standing on top of the table.

You can see a plate of cookies and a glass of milk here.
action: You eat the cookies
response: Don't be greedy! You should save the rest of the cookies for Santa.

Visions of raisins dance in your head.
action: You eat the cookie
response: You nibble hungrily at the cookie.

You are feeling very thirsty.
action: You drink milk
response: Little known fact: house hippos are lactose intolerant.
action: Look around
response: You are standing on top of the table.

You can see a plate of cookies and a glass of milk here.
action: You examine the tree
response: It's a rather lovely Christmas tree, covered with rainbow lights, a silver garland and colorful, shiny ornaments. There is a collection of presents underneath the tree.
action: Lick glass
response: You give the glass of milk a lick. Mmm.
action: You examine the tablecloth
response: The tablecloth is a lovely shade of blue, and it reaches down nearly
to the floor.
action: Lick cookie
response: You give the partially-eaten cookie a lick. Mmm.
action: Lick tablecloth
response: You give the tablecloth a lick. Bleh! That doesn't appear to be food.
action: Go down
response: As you start back down the stack of presents, the cat of the house
pads into the room, the bell on its collar jingling softly. It immediately takes notice of you. You freeze in fear.

The cat hisses at you.
action: You jump on the cat
response: I only understood the first part of that.
You might try: >JUMP

To stop these messages entirely, type NOVICE OFF.
action: You examine the cat
response: It's an orange tabby cat. It is wearing a thin nylon collar with a small gold bell that jingles when it walks.

You are feeling very thirsty.

The cat hisses at you.
action: Roar
response: You let out a loud roar. HIPPO!

The cat cringes at the sound.

The cat hisses at you.
action: Dance
response: You don a pink tutu and the tiniest pair of ballet slippers and pirouette around the room.

The cat hisses at you.
action: You examine the puddle
response: One of the small humans must have brought in an icicle and left it under the table. It has melted into a puddle of cold water.
action: Drink water
response: You lap at the cold water and feel instantly refreshed.

You are feeling very tired. Maybe you could just take a quick nap.
action: You leave
response: There is a tree here, decorated with ornaments and surrounded by piles of presents. There is also a table, next to which is a neat stack of presents, forming a staircase to the top. The closet is to the southeast.

You yawn loudly. It is getting late.
action: You go southeast
response: This is the closet where you will be spending the night. It is full of things that you don't need to think about right now.

You can see your nest (on which are a piece of garland and a mitten) here.

You yawn loudly. It is getting late.
action: You enter the nest
response: You get onto the nest.

On the nest you can see a piece of garland and a mitten.

You yawn loudly. It is getting late.
action: Yawn
response: You yawn loudly.

You are feeling very tired. Maybe you could just take a quick nap.
action: Nap
response: You close your eyes, just for a moment... When you awaken, it is daytime and there is a tiny wrapped present next to your nest. Oh
well. Maybe next year!
action: Xyzzy
response: I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.
Only a hippopotamus will do.

You yawn loudly. It is getting late.
action: Sing
response: You bellow out "mini cheddars!" a few times.

You are feeling very tired. Maybe you could just take a quick nap.

You close your eyes, just for a moment... When you awaken, it is daytime and there is a tiny wrapped present next to your nest. Oh
well. Maybe next year!