Friday Mythical Creature of the Day - The Grim Reaper

After the murder had been finished, Linus came for Auntie Clerq's soul.

Outside, Sergeant Stanton's "Semper Pie-Eating Contest" reached its conclusion, with none the wiser as to the fate of the host.

Animal of the Day - Ant Queen

Auntie Clerq stood on the balcony overlooking the grounds of her party. Things had not gone as Auntie Clerq had originally intended it, but that is not to say that things had not gone well. Certainly not all of the guests were refined, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

And in the end, isn't that really what the Julytime Bash was all about?

So pleased was she with unfolding events, that she did not hear the arrival of a guest into her chamber...

Animal of the Day - Australian Pelican

At its apex, the Julytime Bash was many things to many creatures. A party, a reunion, a marathon, a revelation, a dance-off, and yes, a Bash.

For Manfred, it was an affirmation of all things Summerly; an endless ocean of warmth and light that would fuel his imagination through the months of darkness and scarcity which was to follow.

Soon enough the colds would come, and Manfred would be back to sleeping on top of the lighthouse.

Animal of the Day - European Rabbit

DJ Rabbitron turned up the beats, and the party started hopping.

Animal of the Day - Llama

Simeon was startled out of his apple-bobbing contest by the arrival of dozens of new guests to the Julytime Bash. An invasion? A police raid? No, a merging of parties!

Mr. Myrtle shrugged, and allowed a host of birds and mythical creatures to the grounds. Even filthy Leprechauns, it seemed, would be permitted to Bash this Julytime.

Cries of joy rose from guests old and new. Revelry began in earnest.

Friday Mythical Creature of the Day - Roc

As the largest bird at the party- perhaps the largest bird anywhere- Laurie was given the task of flying down to Mallory's house to deliver the message. The gates would be opened and ALL would be invited to her party. Truly, this would be the largest Julytime Bash of all time.

Not all were pleased by this, but the cheer coming up the hill from Malloy's house left Auntie Clerq believing that she had made the right decision. A rare thing, indeed. Even during the Julytime Bash.

Laurie was quick about it, not wanting anyone to eat her elephant-shaped cake before she returned. Such fears were unlikely to be realized, as the pastry was made to proper scale.

Animal of the Day - Strawberry Poison-Dart Frog

Hector was not his birth name, but rather a nickname for his tendency to harrass. Spurred on by Dave, he walked down the sugar cube pathway to Auntie Clerq's candy-apple throne. There, he asked her to consider the true meaning of the Julytime Bash.

Was it for glory? For gossip? For the mere pleasure of exclusion?

Or was there something grander at play? Was there perhaps a more noble meaning to the midsummer revelries she brought about? A sense of higher community that they brought to the world? Could it be that she and Mrs. LePlume were endangering the true spirit of the Julytime Bash?

And, more to the point, if this party continued to suck, would people end up going down the hill to Mallory's?

Auntie Clerq sat in quiet contemplation. Then, she called for Mr. Bucket.

Animal of the Day - Koala Bear

By noon, the situation had gotten out of hand. Many of the guests had stopped partying and were openly discussing the needless snobbery of the guest list, the sadness of those excluded, and the poor quality of the boxed wine being served.

Dave knew what had to be done. And he knew just who to ask to do it, while he slept.

Animal of the Day - Manatee

Hubert was of the mind that the Julytime Bash had become too exclusive and was hurting too many feelings. Perhaps Morris was right. Perhaps he should have just stayed home.

Animal of the Day - Hedgehog

Things went awry for Elaine at the Julytime Bash's Volleyball court. More then anything, she wanted to be comforted by her friends, the Yolanda Sister capybaras. But they were down at Mallory's party instead. She was quite sad.

Friday Mythical Creature of the Day - Griffin

Eustace told Mallory that he was leaving early because of a doctor's appointment, then flew up the hill to the Julytime Bash.

But she saw, and was saddened.

Animal of the Day - Keel-Billed Toucan

Down the hill at Mallory's party, Heathcliff could hear cheering from the Julytime Bash's Limbo Contest. This party was depressing, comprised mainly of surly birds and embittered mythical creatures. He regretted RSVPing for Mallory so quickly, even if they were step-cousins. Nothing was sadder than uneaten party cake.

Would anyone notice if he discreetly flew away? Could anyone really blame him?

Animal of the Day - Bearded Vulture

Meanwhile, Bartleby circled hungrily over Mallory's "Julyfun Smash". Like the most delectable dishes he had ever eaten, the party was pretty much dead.

Animal of the Day - Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin

Soon, even Cobalt was getting funky.

Animal of the Day - Sea Otter

By the time Leland floated in to the Julytime Bash, the joint was jumping. Cats were being catty, Bats were being batty, and rats were being ratty. Snakes hadn't arrived yet.

He spotted his former roommate Wilmur the Ghost Crab. Animals were were comforting him for some recent trauma, though he still seemed reluctant to offer any of his sand soup. He planned to find his friend Olaf the Cape Seal, who was supposedly in attendance and owed Leland $40.

But first, food.

Friday Mythical Creature of the Day - Centaur

Hopelessly drunk, Chiron was ejected from the Julytime Bash by Mr. Myrtle and Cobalt after he began firing arrows at Wilmur the ghost crab.

Chiron stumbled down the path away from the grounds, yelling that this Julytime Bash party was subpar and that he would go instead to Mallory's party. They probably knew how to have a good time.

Animal of the Day - Mountain Gorilla

This was Mr. Myrtle's fifth consecutive year as the Julytime Bash's head of security. He did not suffer fools lightly.

Animal of the Day - Golden Orb Weaves

Celeste arrived at the Julytime Bash with her spider posse. They swarmed the dance floor and began performing an eight-legged version of "The Freddy".

Animal of the Day - German Ewe

After a lifetime of repression, Rudeger defied all expectations by becoming the first one at the Julytime Bash to step out onto the dance floor.

Animal of the Day - Black Chinned Hummingbird

Regina arrived at the Julytime Bash with a succulent nectar-and-insect porridge. There was some guilt about ignoring Mallory's calls, but Regina's hunger for social climbing had always outweighed her conscience.

Friday Mythical Creature of the Day - Leprechaun

Sheamus arrived eagerly at Auntie Clerq's compound, but a large sign above the gates read, "No Filthy Leprechauns".

Animal of the Day - Meerkat

Markus was the first one to arrive at the Julytime Bash. Fashionably on time, as always. Which was not very fashionable at all.

The Julytime Bash!

Begins!