Dawn breaks through the windows of the crystal ballroom as a woman in a storm-gray mask and gray silks mounts the stairs and turns to face the crowd. Silence falls as she spreads her hands ( Read more... )

( The days between the first and second halves of the Gala... )

Across the open lawn between the front of the castle proper and the white stone wall, the snow has been cleared away in large rings. At the center of each is a bonfire, roaring away without any apparent source of fuel. Hot drinks and small treats are available, as always, balanced on the trays of servants who wander the crowd. The walls themselves ( Read more... )

Meredith is stalking from one cabin to the next, sticking her head in through windows or doors or whatever's open, glancing around just long enough to be sure that the person she's looking for is not there, and then hurrying on to the next cabin to check there.

Whether or not anyone's in those cabins at the time... she doesn't really care. She's ( Read more... )

Honeysuckle hadn't fallen from any great distence since she'd learned to fly, but she had thought - maybe vaguely remembered - that there was supposed to be a great bump at the end when you hit the ground and maybe skinned your knee or banged your head and then you started crying if it was bad enough ( Read more... )

There is a giant, fluffy black dog padding purposefully through the village, head low, shoulders hunched slightly. He's not as dangerous as he looks - just pissy. Harry has had a very long day, not at all helped by one particular overly sympathetic angel, and being furry and four-legged? Not improving his mood one bit ( Read more... )

Just outside the library, leaning against the solitary oak tree, is Mat Wallace. His long legs are folded up, almost but not quite hugged to his chest. There's been a lot of exploring and a few odd occurrences, but he's missed all of it, holing himself up in a dusty, drafty, none-too-warm cabin by himself. He was starting to sneeze quite a lot, ( Read more... )

In the wee hours of morning, those who look will find the house has restored itself ( Read more... )

( GROUP ONE - WEST )