Of course there's mistletoe. It's tradition.

The Ace probably doesn't really need to personally oversee the decking of the halls...but why the hell not? That's what Avery thinks, at least. Or it's her excuse for working in the great hall, where a throng of Diamond Twos and Threes are hanging boughs of holly and evergreen, festooned with crimson ( Read more... )

Evan isn't supposed to be coming back to the Deck until Christmas time. He's in fact supposed to be studying this weekend. He will be studying this weekend. Definitely 100% going to spend time studying here despite not having his study group to force him to when it starts to get boring ( Read more... )

To say she had never left the Deck before would be an utter lie. To say that she had never been away for longer periods of time may be a little closer to the truth, but it's still not enough to explain the feeling this particular return home brings ( Read more... )

It may only be December 1st, but Eden's already in the holiday spirit. Christmas shopping is already halfway done, so she's not laden with bags this time; instead, she's just out for a stroll, hands in her pockets and a song on her lips. What? She likes winter. And a little snow never killed anyone. Right ( Read more... )

Six years ago today she arrived at Spade Castle only to be taunted by then Six Alek Kastrati. She is not understanding Deck rules and so challenges him then and there--not for stain on her honor. What cared she for opinion of worm like him? No, she challenges because she sees immediately that if she is wanting to establish self in Suit she must ( Read more... )

Caleb's never been much of one for birthdays. Whatever the family did was usually all he tolerated, preferring not to be the center of attention. This year is no different; in fact, there's maybe even less of a hurrah, as the only thing remotely close to celebration has been a quiet dinner with the family at Heart Castle Now, he's holding up a ( Read more... )

The Diamond kitchens were always a hub of activity, but never more than this time of year. While few Diamonds were originally Americans, the King was, now - so the ovens were full of pies and traditional side dishes and a roasting turkey. Avery was in the kitchen, too, having managed to slip past kitchen staff who were a little disturbed at the ( Read more... )

Melinda is hardly a new face around Diamond Castle. For twenty years, she's been living with her mother in the Castle itself as her father serves at the Outposts. For fifteen years, she's been going to school in the Deck, though in the past two years after graduating, she has switched to online college courses. And she's been a capable member of ( Read more... )

November fourteenth is officially one of the best days of Silas’ life - bittersweet, but beautiful nonetheless. Because November fourteenth, two thousand twelve is when his three beautiful grandchildren were born: Charon, Arachne, and Andromeda. They’re a month and a half premature, but that was scheduled and deliberate. And all three babies and ( Read more... )

Those living near the royal suites may have heard- or been woken by- voices. Voices that began controlled, low and terse. Voices that escalated bit by bit into being raised, into shouting, into something that very well could have woken the dead. The slamming of a door. Those awake to see Hector, Ten of Diamonds, leaving on his mission to take care ( Read more... )