It's Michaelmas!

[crimson_sugar]

In one of the larger suites of the Mansion, there is a table.  It's humbly set with an embroidered table cloth, and candleholders of bronze.  There are paper garlands on the ceiling, and there is a Christmas tree in a corner.   Sugar and Sophie don't have music playing - but they are both singing carols as they set the table.

Sugar opened her

Comments

[ohmaiden]

Iphigenia's been wandering about the Mansion again, because she's a curious girl and likes to explore. She stumbles upon the party and is surprised and pleased at the same time--who knew there was so much to celebrate?

"Is this another party?" she asks timidly, as if the answer weren't obvious already.

[rob_fellows]

Robin stands and comes to greet her, interrupting the conversation - Nik and the good doctor were getting boring anyway.

"My beautiful Princess. Please, come." He offers her his hand. "It is a small gathering, but you are welcome."

[ohmaiden]

Her face flushes at the "beautiful" remark, but she takes his hand lightly and follows. "What's the occasion?"

[rob_fellows]

"They call this holiday Christmas, or Michaelmas. It came in existence after the time of Pan. Come. Do you know anyone here?"

[ohmaiden]

"Oh, that! I had someone explain it to me the other day. I--" She looks around, and sees...huh, only two people she doesn't know. "Yes, there are some here I know." But to be honest, she'd rather just talk to you for now, Robin.

[rob_fellows]

And indeed, Nik waves - but doesn't come closer, mostly because they know the Puck likes his privacy with the young and easily debauched. Phedre sends a smile.

Guinevere is still looking out, removed from the group, and Pascal (he's very easily distracted) is busy observing Phedre. Anita is talking to Alyosha, and the children are engrossed in their playing, while Sugar is still in the kitchen.

"Good. You'll fit right in, then." He leads her in, a little more. "Would you like something to drink?"

[ohmaiden]

She nods, grateful. "Yes, please."

[rob_fellows]

"This way, then. What would you like?" Robin volunteered his bar-tending services to Sugar, which means everything you could think of is available.

Because he's the Puck.

[ohmaiden]

Her eyes widen at the wide array of drinks, most of which she doesn't know anything about. "Just a glass of wine, please."

[rob_fellows]

He serves her that, then, and makes himself a margarita. He's too resistant to alcohol not to enjoy the cocktails with relish.

"Here you go. It's Chateau-Lafitte. I'm sure you will enjoy it."

[ohmaiden]

...She has no clue what that means; wine was just wine back home. But, she takes it gingerly and sips it, thankful. "Yes, I like this; thank you."

She's sort of considering getting drunk to handle the socializing.

[rob_fellows]

Getting drunk would hardly impress Niko, but Robin would be amused.

"You're welcome." He sips his drink, with pleasure. "So, how have you been doing since you arrived?"

[ohmaiden]

She doesn't want to impress Niko--or maybe she does. Who knows. Either way, she takes a gulp of wine before she answers.

"It's been nice. People are fairly welcoming here. And I'm going to learn how to heal--a woman named Galadriel is teaching me." She doesn't tell him about her scare with Caranthir.

[rob_fellows]

"That is good. I haven't met any of those elves - Niko says they're crawling out of the walls, but I think it's those Blood people that are." He chuckles. "He mentioned that you were going to learn with Galadriel. She's notorious for being a good person. You'll be fine."

[ohmaiden]

"Niko mentioned the other day that you and he were friends, but he didn't say much more." She pauses, curious. "And yes, I do hope to learn a lot from Galadriel." She smiles, clearly excited.

[rob_fellows]

"Niko never says much. He's the strong and quiet type that likes to pretend he's always fine and hide to brood." Robin gives her a reassuring smile. "We're good friends, is all. Don't worry about his silence."

He takes a sip, and adds, "So how's she, the Elven Lady of the Golden Wood?"