In honor of the season, (and the petition) a slight re-working of a classic:
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all thru the land
Foment was brewing in the small Recall Band.
“The Prez is a no-show!” one fumed with a cry.
“My daughter’s not famous!” one sobbed with a sigh.
In the corner, Sam Cheris sat with his dark fencing crown,
dreaming of mandates and minions and Roche and renown.
Tall coaches huddled fireside, all withered and wan
Their weapon accounts were now quite overdrawn.
“She promised us answers, and none did we get!”
“She should be expelled, out in the cold and the wet!”
Each had a bright vision of what fencing should be,
Each thought this new recall was truly the key.
When outside the cellar there arose such a clatter
Sam stopped stroking his crown to see to the matter.
Thru the doorway came sliding an ethereal piste,
gleaming with moonbeams and honor and bright golden mist .
From the strip strode a figure, all whipcord and spare.
He affixed each petitioner with a stern, searching glare.
They drew back in shock, in terror and fright
for now did they know who stood before them that night.
“My name, it is Nadi,” he saluted each with his blade,
“I’ve come to correct the mistake that you’ve made.”
“The spirit of fencing can’t be found on a paper.
Try a foil or a saber, an epee or rapier!”
“Fencing needs passion, not venom nor bile.
Here, bide with my good friends and chat for a while!”
From the piste strode eight figures, all tall and aglow
Each bearing a name all true fencers should know:
Pale Elric, still wearing his soul-drinking blade
And D‘Artagnan, what marvelous exploits he’d made.
Grey Mouser, whose sword tip was faster than thought
The Count of Monte Cristo, the revenge he had wrought.
The Pimpernel, all dressed in Scarlet, of course
And Zorro, still whistling for his recalcitrant horse.
Arutha leapt down, all rapier’d and stern
While Skywalker fixed all with a gaze that did burn.
For the evening, all mixed on that magical strip
With a laugh, a new parry, a counter, a quip.
The recall was forgotten, at least for a while
when Elric of Melnibone actually cracked a sad smile.
Zorro and Sam Cheris discussed the joys of disguise
While Luke and the coaches developed training quite wise.
Grey Mouser and Arutha just mostly sat drinking
While the Count helped the mother adjust all her thinking.
At last, when the mirth had begun to die down,
Nadi fixed each petitioner with a stern Euro frown.
“To care about fencing is no mortal sin.
To fix it, one must choose to work from within.”
“Fencers are not bereft of reason nor acuity.
Make your case, in the open, and results you will see.”
He laid a gloved finger ’long side of his nose
and down on the strip what a thunder arose.
The fencers all leapt from the piste in a hurry
afraid to face what came in such noise and such fury.
From the gloom emerged four legs, a mane and a head
With a nose that was blindingly, piercingly red.
“Nancy’s pony!” a conspirator shrieked from the floor
and Nadi did laugh, while the Eight laughed some more.
They leapt on its back, sitting four to a side,
and galloped down the strip for their last Christmas ride.
Nadi chortled and chuckled as he pulled on his knickers
While humming “Noel” to the pony’s glad whickers
“On Mouser, good Zorro, young Luke and the Count!
You’ve earned your night’s ride on this incredible mount.
Gallop Elric, Arutha, On Scarlet and Musketeer!
Teach everyone here the joy of good cheer!”
The pony and the piste receded into the dark,
the mist burning crimson by her muzzle‘s bright spark.
Aldi picked up his gear and he strode to the door,
pausing only because he had one thought more.
“Remember this evening, and remember this night.
Look deep in your hearts, and you’ll do what is right.”
He donned his visor mask and strode right through the door,
even though it was closed and was locked from before.
The Band sat bemused, all thoughtful and bleary
until they heard a last shout from Nadi quite clearly.
“No one profits from fostering turmoil and strife.
Merry Fencing to all, and get on with your life!”
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Thread: 'Twas the Night Before Recall
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Originally Posted by Mo 
Rep points! 