Comments | estdeus_innobis: Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.

sapphira_ststep in estdeus_innobis

Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.

Dec 20, 2011 17:19

[Afternoon of Monday, June 7 (day 372)]
[Down on the Pontarlier]

...well I was certainly not expecting this, I must say ( Read more... )

wanda, miao, foxton, rose, sapphira, npc

Comments 21

npc_excolo December 21 2011, 00:09:27 UTC

Y comen down bi þe river wyth myn whit hors and myn grei hors to pulle mi sledde, and singe as y cum:

"Nowell, nowell, nowell,
this is the salutacion
of the aungell Gabriell,"

And y laughen ryght hertely wyth þe joie of the daye.

mister_foxton December 21 2011, 01:08:47 UTC

What remarkable weather. Hardly usual for the time of year, but these are the last days, after all. A little snow is hardly the worst that might happen. And it is really rather delightful.

None the less, it makes me feel a little melancholy as well, thinking of the last strange happening in Excolo. I have felt compelled to avoid Westin since, which is hardly gentlemanly, but - well. I can hardly carry on our...association on the same terms, can I, now that I am my normal self again? Dear Mrs Betton; I know she meant only the best when she wished for that for me, that unremarkable body. She was so grieved after, I hardly knew what to do with her. I hugged her as I have not since I was a very small boy: I would not have her feel badly on my account for all the world, the dear woman.

...What an extraordinary gentleman. I stop to watch the sled, the two horses' breath puffing white in the air. A remarkably old song, too, if I am not mistaken. "Good day to you, sir!" I call.

npc_excolo December 21 2011, 01:14:21 UTC

Ther comen a manne wyth spectacles of darke glasse and a manere of curtesye.

"God day to ye, sir," y saye. "A god daye indede." Y climbe from mi sledde and embrace hym.

mister_foxton December 21 2011, 01:22:29 UTC

"God day to ye, sir. A god daye indede." A curious dialect, and then - dear heavens, he's hugging me. I think the man is drunk. But really, he is such a very amiable fellow that I cannot object, especially given the time of year. I suppose it is the custom, wherever he is from.

"Well, yes," I say, and smooth my clothes down a little. It was quite an enthusiastic embrace, and he is not a small man. "Allow me to welcome you to Excolo, sir. Manqueller, Foxton Manqueller." I start to hold out my hand to him and then reflect that it's really quite unnecessary now. "I'm afraid you've caught us during a spot of weather, but you do find us all quite well, I think," I say, looking around. Everyone does look remarkably merry.

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mistresswanda December 21 2011, 01:01:09 UTC

I had thought I had learned not to be surprised by anything in Excolo ( ... )

lei_miao_shan December 21 2011, 15:37:50 UTC

Oh, what a lovely day it is ( ... )

mistresswanda December 23 2011, 01:55:31 UTC

As we stroll, I find my singing entices others to join in, and soon, I find I am leading a small group of happy skaters and spectators in a round of carols. We are not nearly on key to say the least, but who cares? Our voices are joyous, and our moods are lifted.

After a time, I find I do need something to drink, and there is a local family selling hot mulled cider. I buy a cup and leave the singing in the capable hands of Amanda Wilson. With Rose tucked under one arm, I wander up the bank and...

well. We do live in the same town, and even though we may not be friends, there is not reason not to be civil. I walk up the bank to Miao, and offer her my cup.

"It's warm and tastes wonderful. Would you like the rest? It may help stave off the... summer's chill." I suggest, lips quirking up at the idea of trying to keep warm in summer.

npc_excolo December 24 2011, 03:02:33 UTC

Y go done the river wyth Grane and Gringolet wher y se two ladys and a babe in armes.

'Gode daye, ladys,' y saye. 'May you be filled with joie.'

mistresswanda December 24 2011, 04:09:38 UTC

The tinkling of bells distracts us, and I turn my head towards the sound...

then back to Miao in something that is probably a mix of confusion and astonishment. "Dear Heavens," I murmur to her. "when did we fall into A Christmas Carol?"

But still, the gentleman is a merry sight, and I cannot help but smile as he approaches us.

'Gode daye, ladys, May you be filled with joie.'

All I can think, as I quickly scramble to switch my mind and hearing to something more along the lines of The Canterbury Tale, is that The Ghost of Christmas Present is indeed standing alongside us.

"God'den to you, kind Master, and may this day find you merry as well." I say back warmly, not recognizing him as a town resident, but happy for his being here none the less.

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