Christmas Party 2019

[Lucy Mitford]

The invitations are out for Lucy's annual holiday party. Friends have been texted, word is circulating!

Her townhome is located on a pretty New Haven street dusted with snow. It's a stone building with an elegant facade, rising three stories shoulder to shoulder with the buildings on either side. The front door, warded with a discreet but powerful sigil of protection, is open to any coming to join the festivities and do no harm.

The house is decorated in twinkling white lights with a real Christmas tree and live garlands filling the house with the scent of pine, juniper, and cedar. The tree is decorated in pretty (but impersonal) ornaments in a gold and cream theme with the occasional pop of red. From the first floor entry, guests are guided into a formal but comfortably furnished living room which opens to a large kitchen and dining area towards the rear. Although there is clearly a back garden beyond the kitchen through french doors, it continues to be a work-in-progress with a glass greenhouse neatly set back in one corner surrounded with wild and dirt patches.

The first floor also has a dining room where a buffet of good eats and treats is on offer. Lighter snacks and treats, as well as a bar with both alcoholic drinks and not, were on offer in the kitchen where there is additional seating and space to socialize. A sprig of mistletoe dangles from the encasement between the kitchen and living room and a fire is kept up in the living room fireplace.

Finger foods include vegan and vegetarian options. The bar is well stocked with pretty much anything anyone one would want from hard liquor to wine. There is also a champagne-holiday-punch for those who want a sweeter, festive option.

The desserts are limited mostly to bite-sized sweets like chocolates, dried fruits, and candied nuts, but Lucy herself has made an attempt at cookies. While they are a little rough around the edges, they taste pretty good!

Guests are also welcome up to the second floor, away from the music and noise downstairs. The main sitting area is perhaps cozier and quieter than downstairs, a fire roaring, the coffee table playing host to bowls of spiced nuts and individually wrapped truffles, the mantel festooned with live garland and twinkling lights here as well.

In general, the townhouse is elegantly decorated and, it being Lucy's home, is filled with art of different styles and periods connected only by Lucy's personal taste. Paintings and objets d'art seen last year have been switched out for this year. With the home noisy and crowded, Kitty, Lucy's tabby cat, stays mostly in the master suite on the third floor upstairs, but occasionally ventures down for some attention.

The record player has music going, Christmas-themed but nothing too treacly, and Lucy makes sure to flip it over and put on the next thing to keep up the festive mood. Gifts are piled beneath the tree. Guests should take a moment to peek beneath it to see if there is one with their name!

((This is a board event! If you think your character knows Lucy and would be invited, then they were!

I shamelessly borrowed much of the description from last year, since Lucy is nothing if not consistent. Please feel free to post at your leisure. You're welcome to write something longer to go here, or just a brief note about your character's attendance. If anyone is interested in writing with me, especially a gift exchange, I would be delighted! It's fair to assume Lucy has gifts for everyone.

Also, as I said last year, I do not have a precise home tour of Lucy's townhouse, but if you're curious and trying to get a visual, I can happily sharensome inspiration images. It's not exact, just inspirational.))

[JohnCole]

How he managed to roll right up on and into Lucy’s party might have been with no small amount of magical assistance, but the Sylph honestly never needed an excuse to horn his way into a party (or to technically walk for that matter). The more he drank, the more elaborate the story of why he was even in the wheelchair in the first place became.

------

“I’ve taken up bucking bronco contests in my free time. My winnings went to the bills for the healers.”

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“Was playing drunk human bowling. Andrea has ridiculously good aim.”

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“I was helping an old lady crossing the street. Got hit by a horse drawn buggy. Never saw that thing coming. Both the lady and horse are fine by the way.”

-------

“I lost a breakdance battle with Jin Chae.”

-------

“Shark attack.”
“You broke your pelvis in a shark attack.”
“..Yes. The kids were playing baby shark and I got caught in the middle. Who knew baby shark involved a real shark, am I right?”

-------

“Circus accident. Don’t try to walk the high wire while intoxicated my friend.”

And on and on.

In a semi-private moment, he cornered Lucy and her beau, following up the introduction to August with a subtle “magic trick” that was in good humor between the budding witch and the former (but always drunk) archmage. Asking what was behind her ear, John reached over and produced the small and unwrapped gift intended for Lucy. The decorative lighter was handed over as he gave August a wink before asking her, “Do you still smoke? Because I know that I do.”

It wouldn’t be long afterwards that he would excuse himself outside to do just that, no matter the weather.

Though he did bring with him a pair of bottles of scotch to share with those at the party, it was highly likely that it was John who drank the majority of what he had brought. This probably came as no surprise to anyone who happened to know the man.

[Delahada]

Autumn was not quite done with Salvador. The end of the season was very near, leaving him feeling wild and jittery, the color of his eyes depleted to a pale yellow in hue. Every little noise made him flinch and the scents of all the food made him feel nauseated. Upon arriving at Lucy’s party in his usual company, and after an initial greeting involving thanking her for inviting him as usual, he was quick to excuse himself to the back garden, despite the frosty bite of winter’s approach. He was wearing only jeans and a nice sweater under his leather coat, but the cold did not seem to bother him at all.

Much like every year, he left the socializing up to his more people-friendly companion. While Cane mingled and chatted, Sal spent his time investigating the work in progress around the greenhouse. Anyone checking up on him would notice that he was not alone. A large canine of some indeterminate, sleek, wolfish breed that seemed to be coated in a moss could be seen padding along companionably at his heels and sitting down whenever he stopped. The creature had not arrived with him and nor did it clearly leave with him, but when he did depart later in the evening it was no longer there.



Whenever it was that Lucy might again decide to visit her unfinished garden, she would find a new addition. Placed on a stone pedestal that may or may not have been there before was a red, crystalline flower that is cold to the touch. Not precisely made out of ice, for even when the weather warms it will not melt. Not at all rooted to the spot, the flower may be moved without incident. Though it has a magical feel to it, the flower serves no purpose beyond decoration.



Later in the evening, once the majority of the cluster of bodies had left and the amount of food had diminished, Salvador made his way back inside to the warmth, without an animal. The hound, whatever it was, had been left behind outside, and anyone looking for it would notice a significant lack of its presence. The Spaniard made a slow circuit around the townhouse, inspecting the paintings much as he had done the year before. He took his time studying each one quietly without comment of any sort, only an intense curiosity backing his interest.

Salvador left without bothering to check under the tree. He did, at least, wish Lucy a Merry Christmas and thank her again for welcoming him into her home.

[Josette Wheeler]

Josie arrived ahead of her brother who promised he would stop by the party later once he had completed his gift for Lucy.

Clad in a little black dress that had been begging to be taken out of her closet for some holiday fun, the petite ballerina was so excited to spend a bit of time with her friend over the holidays!

After greetings were exchanged with Lucy and August, she placed her gifts for them under the tree. A bottle of champagne for the couple to enjoy by the fire on a cold night, or to help ring in the New Year! Also included in the bag were some lovely bath salts should Lucy need to unwind after the stress of the holidays.

If she had Lucy’s permission, she also hung an ornament she picked out especially for the lovely hostess. A pair of glittering wings that shimmered as they caught the lights on the tree. Something about them just told Josette they were meant for Lucy when she saw them.

The ballerina circulated and was happy to talk with people she knew and those that were new faces to her. She was completely fascinated by the highly humorous changes to John’s story and might have lingered occasionally to see how it would change next!

Josette was happy to indulge in the vegetarian options that were so delicious and was utterly enthralled by the garden, though she gave Sal his privacy when he was there, in case he did not wish for any company. No matter how much she may have wanted to meet the wolfish canine!

[JewellRavenlock]

Jewell was injured, but nothing was stopping her from attending Lucy's party. She always attended. Her tulle skirt and sweater hid all her injuries save for the angry cut across her face, but she had clearly decided to own that one for now.

She did not come empty-handed. The knight who escorted her to the door handed off a box full of apothecary jars full of different herbs, tinctures, and other substances (one was clearly labelled mermaid scale powder) along with a book. "It's from Faerie. Hopefully you won't get into too much trouble with it."


The faerie spent the evening mingling downstairs between breaks upstairs where it was a bit quieter and she could rest without as many eyes on her.

[Canaan]

After greeting the hostess and her beau, Cane spent a good portion of his time near the food spread and chatting up every familiar face that came close. As the evening went on, he wandered out of the kitchen in pursuit of Salvador, and might have even been seen in the company of Jewell upstairs, if only briefly.

Before he and Salvador took their leave, he made sure to leave a small present beneath the tree addressed to Lucy with a note attached that reads: So you might carry the sea with you always. Inside is an antique silver necklace and a small amber bottle.

[Isaac Wheeler]

Isaac arrived not too long after his sister, Josette. If he wasn’t on stage then the knife thrower seemed eternally possessed of a leisurely and dilatory pace. Deadlines were largely just suggestions where he was from and hardly anything was so important it couldn’t be done tomorrow…not when a front porch, sweet tea and soul food beckoned, yet Lucy was one of the few Isaac would consider as more than just some passing acquaintance. Her invitation wasn’t something he’d ignore.

And so, Isaac wandered into Lucy’s town home once he’d finished a little wooden carving and jarred the homemade moonshine which comprised his gifts.

He’d resisted Josie’s urgings to wear a tie with all the stubbornness of an old mule, but finally relented. Not that it lasted very long. The hangman’s noose of a knot was grabbed at, tugged and pulled until loosened and removed not five minutes into the festivities. And while his sister might butterfly about with all the grace and ease of a Parisienne socialite, Isaac would linger on the fringes. A nod here and there for those he knew, while the lack of sleep made it easy for Isaac to keep an almost sullen reservation about him. Holiday cheer came hard to the wayward scion…about as hard as freezing temperatures and prolonged interaction with strangers.

He would, however, share a few friendly words with Cane when the opportunity presented itself. Perhaps teasing the Cajun about his beard with a good-natured wink of slate. He’d also wander about…the movement helped pass the time and Isaac, given everything that had been happening, dreaded stillness these days. Drink in hand, he’d drift and stare off at a few different pieces of art before circulating about to the greenhouse and garden. The relative solitude was enjoyable, though limited, as he’d circle back inside to deliver his gifts and keep an eye on his sister.

The wooden carving he’d spent the past few days working on was that of a small songbird. More than just a carving it was an intricate puzzle box that, with the right manipulation, could be opened to reveal the firestone Isaac had placed inside. This, of course, was left unsaid for Lucy to figure out on her own. The reward came not only from the gift but the self-satisfaction of solving the puzzle. The bird was placed near the tree while the shinewas to be given directly to Lucy and August.

Despite the lingering lassitude, the Showman would produce a genuine smile for the pair as he offered up the homemade holiday moonshine. Dubbed “Sugar Plum Fairy” by his sister, the shine had a spiced plum kick for the holiday and had earned its name courtesy of her favorite ballet. Despite its airy sweet name, like almost all moonshine, it wasn’t for the faint of heart or the over eager and Isaac wasn’t in the business of making weak shine. He’d learned from some of the best where a man’s moonshine was his reputation. Weak shine…weak man.

“It’s more a sippin kind of shine, Luce.” Isaac warned with a wink. “You go too heavy too fast an you’ll end up on your ear. But it’ll warm ya up right quick. Thought you and August might stretch it out an polish it off come New Year’s.” The dogwood drawl of that antebellum accent coming with an easy going, leisurely smile. “You two have a very Merry Christmas.” Added for the pair with another genuine smile before he’d find a comfortable bit of empty space to wait out his sister’s social energy.

[Benjamin Piers]

Sleighbells jingled as Star came cantering up to the house, his harness decked with silver bells, pulling a small cart. Running alongside the big black Vanner was pretty Dawnbreaker, Lucy's horse. The pair of them set up a clamor as Benjamin reeled Star in and swung down from the cart. He hushed both, reminded them to stay put and went to the front door.

"Lucy! Got someone you should meet out here," Benjamin called into the house, grinning in amusement. He flickered grins and winks to faces he recognized, and those he didn't, because he was a friendly soul. Jeans, a cream cable sweater, and boots, with his breezy smile, tan skin, and shoulder length dark hair, he looked like he was off the cover of some Hallmark Home for the Holidays special.

But he wasn't there to rescue any city girls from their humdrum glamorous city life to bring them to the country, where animals pooped, piddled, and fornicated in public.

Speaking of fornication. When Lucy stepped out, Benjamin returned to the cart and lifted a precious little (and suspiciously Vanner-fluffy) filly from the back of the cart. The filly squealed, getting her little hooves sorted out as she was set onto the ground, a big pink ribbon around her neck.

Proud Mama and Papa stood over the little darling.

"...See... I was away on a long shoot, and I had my usual lady looking after the horses and all, but she got sick and sent her sister in, and her sister thought that ... that there weren't enough babies. SO. ...Merry Yule! ...She doesn't have a name yet other than 'Mommy's not fat after all'." Benjamin explained with a wry grin.



However, he had gotten Lucy a real present that didn't hinge on their pets getting frisky. He brought her a photo album, framed in tooled leather, and filled with snapshots of friends and family. With that was a gift certificate for a three day get-away at the Seaside Spa.

[Sard]

The Greenswarden was late to the party. No suit, certainly no tie, though he was wearing a brown scarf - other than that, his outfit was entirely normal, barring the fact that he hadn't gotten any dirt on his jeans yet. Or blood, or other assorted substances. Black jeans and boots, a heavy flannel shirt in tan, a black wool coat. He's looking thinner than usual, but it's a lean season. He doesn't head upstairs, at least not at first.

Back to the garden, closing the door softly behind himself. A lingering scrutiny sweeps the space, noting unplanted beds and checking on the greenhouse, to see if it had been furnished yet. A smile, brief and subtle, curves his lips, absently noting the crystal flower left there. He doesn't touch it, of course. Instead, the Koralian circles the yard, stepping carefully around the beds, to kneel in the dirt. Now he'll have dirt on his jeans. Predictable.

In corners away from the planned beds, along the base of the walls, little seeds are pushed down into the soil. Dirt on his fingers, as well! Gentle hands smooth the soil back over them, but they're not left to sleep until spring's heat wakes them. There's no need. Fingertips lingering on the surface, tiny shoots sprout upward, tangling around them as tenderly as any parent could hold a child's hand. These children, though, won't have any slow maturation. Or need it.

Stalks thicken, dark, rough-edged leaves spread outward in fragile infancy, thickening and toughening within minutes. Each plant is only a foot, at most a foot and a half, tall, a little clump of life. Buds swell and thicken, ripening into full maturity with a delicate, sudden blush of maturity, as they open into heavy-petaled cups. White and pink, deepest burgundy and creamy ivory, even palest green and indigo. Some single-petaled, some layered. Winter blossoms, naturally inclined to brighten the world with their subtle, elegant beauty when most other plants have settled into dormant slumber for the cold months. Plants from a world called Earth. Again and again he lifts them from the soil, something easily removed and transplanted if it doesn't fit Lucy's ultimate plan for the garden, though during the summer they'd merely be a bit more greenery to enrich the whole. For now,a bit of color to hint at the promised beauty of the finished garden.

Helleborus, called the Lenten Rose for it's winter-blooming nature.




He doesn't linger, once he's done, other than to collect a couple blossoms from each of the plants. They have more than enough to spare. Then it's to slip inside, easing around the edges of those assembled, and into the kitchen. A bowl of water is all he needs, but Lucy's cupboards are likely to get searched until he finds the right one. It had probably been intended for salad or punch. Instead, it's filled with water, the flowers carefully arranged to float atop the liquid. Don't eat them.



The bowl is simply left on an end table, away from the food. There's a smile for Lucy, another for Josette, a nod to Isaac and anyone else he might know, if they're spotted before he slips back out into the night. Hopefully, he didn't track any mud or dirt in from the garden.

[Gren Blockman]

Gren showed up at Lucy’s home, wearing a red and green Christmas sweater, and with Izira on his arm. Her brown hair was pulled back in a bun, and she had on a similar sweater, although she was wearing her customary pencil skirt and high heels. Mingling with the guests, Gren sat a gift for Lucy down by the Christmas tree. It was a box full of Paraffin Free Candles (Made of Natural Soy, and naturally non-toxic and biodegradable, emitting zero chemicals into the air!).

Izira also brought a Christmas cake. It was a Spice Cake frosted with vanilla frosting and a Christmas tree drawn on top.

Gren had one final surprise for the night, grinning, he pulled out a lute for some good old fashioned carols. He cleared his throat and plucked a few strings.

“Ahem. Good King Wenceslas looked doooown, on the Feast of Steeepheeen . . . “

“Feast? I knew there was food in here!” Alfred the Disgruntled Unicorn pushed a window open with his snout and stuck his head into the room.

“Not again! I told you not to interrupt Miss Lucy’s Christmas Parties! Here, have an apple and behave!”

“Muummmfff Mummwwwaffaaa” Alfred said while munching on the apple, as Gren shut and locked the window.

[Tippletoe]

Tippletoe had been invited by the benevolent Mizz Lovely Lucy Mitford to come to the party, and so the cheerful gnome offered to play festive music! A variety of tunes, mostly centred around Lucy's preferred Christmas theme, were played in the background with an original Koto Harp Guitar. The gnome gladly took a break when Gren offered to play a few tunes. She helped herself to the dried fruits, candied nuts, and champagne. Before Tippletoe left, she placed a small music box alongside the other gifts.

Koto Harp Guitar


Music Box

[Lucy Mitford]

Lucy was as ever dressed and ready for everyone's arrival, looking fairly relaxed considering the work that typically went into hosting a party. But she was all ease and smiles, spending a significant amount of the first hour greeting guests near the front door.



There were too many people to greet and catch up with for Lucy to spend the night at August's side, but she regularly tried to catch his eye across the room and drifted back in his direction to introduce him to those who hadn't met him.

For many of the guests, Lucy had prepared gifts, wrapped and tagged under the tree. But some guests were a little more unexpected. John Cole was just such a person. She hadn't at all expected him, but she was delighted to see him. She assisted as best she could with helping him inside, and quickly shifted some furniture to make sure his wheels had clearance.

If his attendance had caught her by surprise, the gift he gave her caught her even more so. For reasons that were not readily apparent, the gift brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them away rapidly, smiled warmly and leaned to press her lips to his cheek in a soft kiss before her fingers closed around the lighter. "It's perfect, thank you." After a moment of looking at the lighter, she reached to slip it into August's pocket (she had none, sadly) and then demanded John wait for her. "Hang on, I have something for you."

She hadn't actually bought him anything as personal, unfortunately. But she was prepared with some nice but generic men and women's gifts, just in case. So John had an elegantly wrapped package that contained a matching set of cashmere knit cap, scarf, and gloves. The gloves had smart-tech in the fingertips that allowed them to be used with touch screens.

[Lucy Mitford]

Lucy was thrilled to see Josette and Jewell at the party. As Jewell was obviously still showing signs of her recent fight, Lucy refrained from offering a hug, offering her hand for a gentle squeeze before separating her from her knight and herding her into a quiet corner near the tree with her and the lovely Josette to swap some gossip.

Lucy conspiratorially confessed to Josette she was glad she came without Dante, "Are you dating or just being kind? Because if I were you, I don't know how long my kindness would last!" She monopolized as much of Josette's time as she could without being rude to her other guests.

To Jewell, Lucy asked (for what must have been the twentieth time since their friendship began) what the situation was with her knight, Ishmerai, eyeing the handsome man as he lingered near the doorway. She tried to enlist Josette in urging Jewell to consider dating the loyal knight, "What could be more romantic or perfect!?"

She happily accepted the gifts from each of them too, smiling as Josette dangled the lovely ornament from the tree, and looking over the box of apothecary jars that had been tucked out of the way of the tree and the fireplace in the front room.

And of course, she had gifts for each of them as well. Prettily wrapped for each of them.

For Josette:



Of the ornament, Lucy said only that she'd seen them being made in one of the Marketplace stalls and fell in love. "Isn't charming?"

For Jewell:



As for Jewell, Lucy explained that the earrings reminded her of the IFL team logos she kept seeing. And she hoped the ornament was self-evident. "I don't even know if you usually have a tree, but it just made me think of you!"

Before the end of the night, Lucy opened the bottle of champagne Josette had brought and made sure to share a glass with her.

[Lucy Mitford]

Lucy was delighted to see Isaac arrive not long after his sister. She waited for him to have a free moment before monopolizing his time, making sure to introduce him to August---had they met? Lucy couldn't recall, but she was happy to make the introduction if they hadn't. To August, she described Isaac as an "old friend" and also explained that he was a performer who specialized in knife-throwing. Though even as she said that, she looked to Isaac for confirmation. Knife-throwing?

She gratefully accepted the moonshine with a laugh and a promise to drink it cautiously. She unscrewed the lid for August to get a whiff of the strong liquor, avoiding it herself with a knowing smile and then a little laugh. "Thank you, Isaac. It's perfect." But as she left the jar in August's hands, she gently touched Isaac's elbow. "Hold on, I have something for you."

The package was neatly wrapped and labeled with his name. She wouldn't force him to open it in front of her, but if he did, she'd watch intently to see if he liked it, repeating the words she'd written in the little card almost exactly, "I'm sure you have plenty of knives but I thought, you know, maybe you didn't have one quite so convenient."

[Lucy Mitford]

Lucy gasped when she spotted the sweet foal with Dawnbreaker out front. She was beautiful, of course, but that did not dampen her surprise. "Oh, sweetheart!" Then she laughed, "I guess we're going to have to come up with a name for you, aren't we?" She spent several moments out in the cold, cooing her approval to each horse, letting the young one get her scent, and loving on Dawnbreaker. And Star got a little grudging attention too, the big goof.

Back inside, when they opened gifts, Lucy smiled happily at the beautiful photographs of her their friends that were more of a family to her than any blood family she'd ever had. She insisted that the gift certificate was just too much, but she accepted it anyhow, of course, with a warm smile and a soft kiss to Benjamin's cheek.

Benjamin's gift was in three parts:


Enamel pins from the film, Brave. A framed art print from the same. And a belt buckle with a feather design that Lucy had chosen specially for him.

When all the gifts were opened, Lucy squeezed Benjamin tight, and quietly whispered to him, I miss him. She held on for a moment longer, eyes shut, then released him with a soft, brave smile of her own.