The elevator doors slid open onto the lobby with a traditional ding, and Static the ferret followed Vikja the dragon out onto the marble floor. The slinky one yawned, and gazed longingly in the direction of the dining room.

"Come on Vikja, we were up until three prodding these," he protested, waved the wolpertinger plush he was carrying. "They're just toys, we even agreed the tags don't have any secret code on them, just their names. This is Jellybean, you have Snack, it's bound to be some sort of game. And before we go talking about jellybeans and snacks again, let's actually eat and have some coffee. I'm going to grab a shower and a change of clothes after that."

"You /could/ have gone back to your own room, you know," rumbled the dragon, pausing by the reception desk to yawn as well. "You didn't have to stay over."

Grinning mildly, Static swayed his weaselly hips and beat his feathered wings. "Hey, I enjoyed it..." Something distracted him and his eyes grew wide. "Ahh, look!"
Darting past Vikja, he seized the otter plush toy sitting on the reception desk. "Yeah, it is! It's Eidolon!"

"No fucking way!" After that, Vikja growled several words in some other language, before staring down at the otter toy held in those ferrety paws. Static turned it until they could see the tag, and the name embroidered neatly on it was indeed 'Eidolon.'
"Did they get him too?" he wondered. "Or is it part of the same game? Florin, Dalis, Garn and Ross aren't due to turn up until dinner tonight. I knew they couldn't just throw a normal party, it had to have a gimmick."

Static propped Eidolon back up on the reception desk, and headed towards the dining room for breakfast. On either side of the doors sat a pair of large plush reindeer, one blue and one teal, each dotted with tinsel and providing a nice introduction to the festive room beyond. That room was actually a large conservatory attached to the side of the building, and a long wall of glass looked out over the snow covered grounds. At the far end from the lobby was the door to the kitchen and a pair of french doors in the middle could be opened to gain access to the veranda just outside.

There was a fireplace festooned with bunting, a big Christmas tree in one corner, a piano on a raised dais, and plush animals everywhere. The bunting above the mantelpiece was held up by a pair of squirrel toys. A plethora of mice, rats, possums, monkeys and lemurs dangled by their long tails from the tree. Each soft toy had all four paws wrapped about a sparkling glass and crystal bauble. A giant penguin plush was perched on the piano stool, its wings draped across the keys. Several of the tables set for breakfast had plush animals for decoration, either sat on the side plates or perched between the cutlery.

"What on earth..." muttered Vikja, letting his eyes roam around the room, "This is just... wow, there's a lot of plush."

"I'll say..." Static mumbled, walking around the tables to try and get a closer look. He didn't get much further before a young Peruvian hairless dog strolled over. He was dressed as a waiter, and he had a flame red mohawk and a warm smile.

"Good morning, my name's Morty! Could I take your room number?" He checked his list as the pair gave their room numbers, before leading them over to a table by the window. "I'll be right back with some toast and coffee. Please help yourself to the buffet," he added, gesturing at the long line of heated trays. Then he headed for the kitchen, his tail wagging happily.

"This is a bit weird," Vikja muttered as he watched a fuzzy green creature make its way through the door and sit at a table. Barely three foot tall with a long tail, he had a thick crest of green hair that stood tall and proud between a pair of large, pointed ears. He also had a pair of little white horns above bright green eyes, and a short, stubby muzzle in a pastel green colour that trailed down his neck and chest. The rest of his body was a rich emerald green dotted with hyena-like black spots. His frame was something of a mixture between feline and canine, with large powerful legs and a pair of shorter arms. From a distance he looked more like someones exotic pet, but from the way he carried himself and spoke to others he was clearly sentient. Even so, he simply didn’t care for clothing; he had a couple of bead bracelets around his wrists and that was about it.
He’d introduced himself last night as Green, and had described himself as a 'norn', which certainly wasn't a species that the dragon had come across before. Still, he seemed fun and bouncy which was always a plus. Vikja watched as the norn prodded the blue rabbit on his side plate, clearly unsure as to what he should do with it. He perked up and pushed it aside, instead waving at a white moogle who had just walked into the room.

"That's Erakir and Green I think," Static said peering over at them, "Perhaps we can ask them if they've seen anything weird going on. After breakfast, though. Right now I want bacon."

"Sounds good.Yeah, I'll see what they've got on offer," replied Vikja, putting the Snack plush down next to Jellybean on the table, and heading on with the ferret over to the buffet table. He waved in greeting to the raccoon he’d met last night, Randall. Honestly, it was good to see some actual people and not more suspicious plush toys!

-0-

"I'm telling you, it’s pretty strange out there! Half the guests haven't come down to breakfast, and those who have seem to be dashing off somewhere, and holding their seats with plush toys of themselves."

"Look, Skyler," said Vulpine, softly. "As I told you, these clients have a whole host of games and events planned, and this seems to be one of them. Please relax, I promise you nothing strange is happening here. It must just be part of the festivities."

"Hmm, maybe," muttered the tall, cream-furred rabbit waving a wooden spoon under the red fox's nose. He was dressed in white trousers, and a white tunic that buttoned up down the left side of his chest. He also had large bare bunny feet, and a tall white chef's hat that outdid his ears in the fight for height. "As well as that, I’ve been on my own as Dusk and Jim haven't showed up, either; nice of them not to let me know. Despite that I'd still made breakfast as normal for the number of guests. It’s not good to waste food, but that seems to be what we’re doing, and I'd sooner avoid that...."

"More coffee please, boss," Morty said as he pushed through the door from the dining room, "And some toast, got about three new tables filling up and we are running low on hash browns."

"See," Vulpine said with a smile, "People are eating, and they are probably leaving the toys behind when they leave. Though it is a bit odd about Dusk and Jim, they should be here. I can't find Eidolon or Flinty, either, and I've not seen Boon since we moved that giant dragon sofa into the lounge last night. I haven’t seen Star or Amber from housekeeping all day either. "

"It's weird. I think it’s a bit much, don’t you?" Skyler considered, talking as he loaded Morty up with toast and a pot of coffee. "It’s one thing if these clients have games planned. but it seems to be getting in the way of the staff. If this is without checking with you then you need to tell them to stop. We can't open for lunch or dinner with so few people on the ground."

Sighing, Vulpine shook his head, "You are right, I guess. OK, I'll check with them as soon as they arrive. I'll be back later, but if you have any other issues then give me a call or page me."

Skyler waved Vulpine away and turned back to the large griddle where he was frying bacon, and so the fox followed Morty back out into the dining room. Looking about, the manager took note of all of the plush animals decorating the room and shook his head in disbelief.

"They're not even here yet. How are they doing it?" he murmured softly, as he passed by the tables. Nearby, the purple and black ferret was talking to the green norn and the moogle. They were both shaking their heads to whatever he'd asked, and with a shrug the ferret got up and headed back to his table by the window. Vulpine was about to go over and see if everything was ok, until a white rat with brown head fur walked over to him and caught his attention.

"Mr Vulpine, sorry to bother you about this, but I've got no power coming out of the wall sockets in my bedroom. I tried the maintenance number, but no one is answering."

"Oh, very sorry, sir. I'll get on that right away, Mr Rufus; thank you for letting me know."

The fox hurried out of the dining room, and moved across the lobby toward the staff wing. The melodic chime of someone tapping the reception desk bell caught his attention, and he saw a grey and white wolf wearing a black collar about his neck, bundled up warmly with scarf and coat against the cold outside, and waiting patiently for someone to come check him in.

"Skyler's not wrong about the lack of staff. Where is everyone?" muttered Vulpine to himself as he hurried over to the desk, coming up behind it and offering them a warm smile. "Good morning sir, I do apologise for keeping you waiting. We here at the Grand Floret pride ourselves on giving each and every customer the best service we can."

The wolf smiled and unwound his scarf, revealing the large golden tag hanging from his collar, "Oh it is ok, I've only been here ten minutes."

Silently cursing his reception staff and bellboys for vanishing, the fox logged himself onto the computer. "If I can just take your name. I'll check you in straight away."

"Name's Forest von Wuffenheimer, I'm here for the big Christmas party that is meant to be going on? I got held up by all the snow, so didn't make it here last night."

"Ah yes, I can see your room here. It was prepared yesterday and is all ready for you now, sir. I'll make you up a room key, if you can sign this form we'll..." He paused, trailing off as he stared at a small plush lion innocently tucked inside the reception stationery drawer. Vulpine lifted it out, turning to one side and slowly setting the lion down before getting a pen. Someone was getting entirely too carried away with this decoration idea...

"Aw, so cute! What's with all the plush toys?" Forest asked as he signed his name.

"Part of the big Christmas event. This one appears to be a replica of Matt, my reception manager. They are nicely done, it's a shame he isn't here so I can show you.” With that, Vulpine offered the wolf his key-card. “And you're all checked in now. Welcome to the Grand Floret, sir. your room is 545 and breakfast is still being served for another hour."

Forest thanked the manager, before turning toward the elevators. Their doors opened, revealing people who the wolf knew! So he barked happily at the two figures, and headed over in that direction.
"Oh, Jay! Dot! That's lucky, it's so good to see you," he hurried off to greet the pair - an otter in a white shirt with black sleeves, and a very tall cream furred lop-eared bunny girl. Vulpine left them to their hellos, left a card on the front desk with his telephone number, and made his way back toward the staff door. He really had to find out what was going on here...

-0-

Skyler the rabbit sent Morty off with another plate of toast and a pot of fresh coffee, as he went back to hurrying around the large island in the centre of the kitchen. The coffee machine needed reloading, the filter needed changing, and there was no-one else to do it! Unscrewing the cap, he pulled open the cupboard containing the fresh coffee, and jumped in surprise as a toy animal fell out. The bunny knelt down to pick it up, running his paws over the soft blues and whites of its fur.

"Dusk…?" He turned the red panda around until he could find the tag and stared at it. "This is a bit weird. I wonder if the toys on the dining tables have names on their tags too."

"Ooooh, that'd be really helpful information wouldn't it?" a chirpy voice crowed from above his head. "Yeah, bunny, I bet that'd be just the sort of thing to help you crack this case!"

Looking up Skyler found himself staring into the bright green button eyes of a pine marten. He had a pair of faux glasses balanced on his nose. Despite being made from velvet, stuffing and stitches, he seemed able to move quite freely.

"What on earth are you? Are you the one who did this?" Skyler held up Dusk, gesturing. "And how- how can you be moving? You're a stuffed toy!"

"I'm Nall, and I move because I want to. As for how it works, that is a good question! I think I might need more samples to work that out. Maybe you can help me?"

"Now see here- mmrrffff!" Skyler was cut off suddenly, as the pine marten had slid a large piping bag across the counter and shoving the end directly into his muzzle. The bunny chef reached up to grab hold of it, and he meant to pull it out - except that the living plush marten didn’t give him the chance to finish.

"BANZAI!" he cried, jumping onto the bag.
The impact wasn't much really, as Nall was pretty light and the piping bag was heavy and quite full. However, it was enough to send a strong jet of whipped cream straight into the chef's mouth. His eyes went wide and vacant immediately as his body relaxed, arms falling to his sides as muscles loosened. This wouldn't last for long so Nall quickly spread himself out on his stomach, wrapping all four paws around the piping bag and squeezing as much as he could!

Skyler squeaked as more cream poured into his muzzle, muffling him further and beginning to fill him up. Two lines of stitching popped into existence along his cheeks and nose, converted the cream fur on either side of them into a bright, lemon-yellow, velveteen plush! Another big squeeze sent more cream into Skyler's throat, and added some new plushie seams that ran up both ears and back down the other side!

"Heehee, I love this job," Nall dooked happily as he wiggled his paws and took control. The stitches in Skyler's clothing unravelled, falling to either side and leaving the bunny chef quite nude! The pine marten then returned to squeezing the bag earnestly, only stopping when he was out of cream. He paused and let go, which gave the magical piping bag plenty of time and opportunity to inflate with a fresh batch of whipped cream! Then Nall was back to it, with each new squeeze creating further stitches and seams over Skyler's body. Plush yellow fur followed it closely, covering over much of that creamy white in bright and shiny colour. Arms and legs couldn't withstand the encroaching plush, as the stitching encircled his tail and made it all yellow and fluffy! Lighter beige fur remained on his muzzle, chest and stomach, until a cotton thread wound itself along the line where yellow and white came together. Bright white velvety plush rippled across his chest, covering over his stomach and down around hips and between legs with the smooth, soft plushie fuzz.

By the time Skyler's whole body was wrapped up in stitching and plush fluff, he was much rounder and toonier then he had been before. He had huge hoppity feet that held up a bulging teardrop belly, and his bunny ears were yellow with silk pink linings; perky and upright, thanks to the bendable metal frame inside them. He still had his tall chef's hat on, too. As Nall whispered encouragement to ask him to stand up, Skyler found he had shrunk down and now his head was much closer to the countertop. Small, but still big enough to keep running the kitchen if he so wished. He had bright black button eyes and under his plush fur he was soft and ever so full of foam, which shifted and squashed lightly as he bounced happily on his feet. Surprise gave way to excitement, he was feeling quite happy about his new toony plush rabbit self!

"See, isn't this so much better, Skyler? It’s not cream inside you now, it’s all changed into memory foam, and that’s so much better for cuddling isn't it? Certainly an improvement over all those boring organs and stuff."

The bunny didn't disagree, smiling happily as his ears twitched. A sound then caught his attention, and he moved forward and grabbed Nall in a hug, ducked down behind the counter as the door from the dining room opened.

"Skyler? I need a pot of tea and some bacon for the group at table 11," called Morty as he walked in, letting the door swing shut behind him and putting his tray down on the side. “The dragon at table three says we are running low on sausages, too. Skyler? Oh no, you haven't gone as well, have you…?”

The bunny stifled a giggle with one paw and looked at Nall, who had a sudden idea and leaned to Skyper to share the plan. The toony bunny nodded in understanding, before he bounced out quickly from behind the counter, with feet aimed at the dog's chest. Morty was unprepared and toppled backwards, and before he could cry out the plush chef had slipped a funnel's tip in between the waiter's lips. Nall hopped on Morty's chest, and the two plushies sat on top as the marten began to empty a pot of lukewarm coffee into the squirming dogs maw.

“Hee hee, good dog, enjoy your coffee! Every breakfast needs a nice coffee squirrel...”

-0-