#baronyofthesilverwolf

The baron and Chataliane might not have anticipated this... there's a Christmas tree put up. Lights blinking. There's tinsel strong in the halls. Holly and Ivy

Stockings hung by the balefire with care

candy canes dangling from a string..

possible some have been tasted tested already

At least one ornament of designer make has a bite out of it, too. Strange how the gingerbread men are almost respected but the name brand crystal couture? THAT got tasted.

Nothing quite makes it by a good Steward, but any surprise at having her household so treated is turned into heartfelt joining as the smells of ginger and cranberry, mocha and peppermint and shortbread fill the halls.

Briar awakens Gwen with a shout, ah... she’s become quite an alarm clock. “WE DONE BEEN YULE’D!”

"What?" Gwen yawns

“A demon with great and curly horns of bone, and eyes of flame, came whistling through the Winter Wood, and jingled as he came. ‘Twas Krampus, met our merry halls, and until one confesses, we shall know it, one and all.” Bluebell carols softly as she passes Gwen’s bed and tosses open the window to let the winter morning light stream in, cool and bright!

"Uh given our track record for summoning, maybe we shouldn't mention that name?" She rises in her PJs

“Wasn’t me, my love!” Julius calls down the hallway, scratching at his horns and still unruly hair, as he wanders, berobed, towards a shower and hot coffee.

Bluebell presses a finger to her lips and wide eyed to Gwen, shrugs!

Gwen comes out "Wow. This is really duded up" She tries to keep from smiling

“No shittin’ log yet!” Briar calls from one of the hearths. “Briar, please...” Oh, Linnea is here, back from morning patrol. “I should never have gotten you that book of weird Yule tales. At least call it the proper name?”

“NOPE!” The redcap calls back in glee, “I forgot it!”

"You sure you didn't do this, Marigold?" She asks

“Oh, lord, Gwenny-dear, your hair.” Reaches up and tucking back a strand fondly. “I can tell you slept well.” But from her, it’s not at all mean... she means it! A restful sleep. “I’d take the credit, but I thought Bluebell, until she outright admitted to me... then I knew it couldn’t be. You don’t suppose...” her eyes trail upwards towards the stairs that lead the the floor with the Baron and family chambers. “Oh, I suppose not.” A flap of her apron. “I’ve yet to quiz Danica and Delorean, not that it’s the Thane’s style... she’s more of a thoughtful gift card giver.”

A smile "It is nice though, isn't it?"

Briar chortles. “Was it an intruder? I can get Glass an’ hunt them down!”

"Ah.. no need for that" Gwen says "Glass is still young. She might get the wrong person"

“Never, with her schnoz.” Briar insists, as the gathered folk drift into their roles, oohing and aching at the decorations.

Gwen shrugs ..at this point, Ivan comes out of her room. Wagging.

“Ooooh, who shoulda been in the kennels!” A teasing tone.

"He was" She pets him "earlier"

Ivan has known bed, and he's never going back. Well, okay, he'll go back if they make him but he'll look pitiful

Marigold smiles at Gwen. “Well, whoever our mysterious Yule bringer may be...” she says, loud enough for the room to hear. “They are sweet hearted souls and deserve every comfort a warm-hearted Yule has to offer. I should have done so sooner, mmm, where are my thoughts these days.” Beaming the whole time.

Hide a blush under that messy hair. Make it quick

“Go tidy up Gwenny-Penny. I’ve got a mind to make eggs bennies.” The boggan grins.

Bluebell points at Marigold and scolds, “Fy, fy and steal my thunder!”

Oh, she can’t help it, a hug for Gwen. And the a hug for Bluebell. And BriE... runs!

*Briar!

"Yes, Ma'am" And Gwen goes to straighten ..then gets hugged, and hugs back , then lets go

Ivan sighs as Gwen directions him outisde "That's enough indoor time. Go be a dog"

How hurtful! BIG eyes.

Aiden steps down the stairs, fastening the buttons of his silk dress shirt, black and silver of course, on one slender wrist. And he stops, and just.... gazes.

Gwen however has learned that dogs this big need a firm hand "now."

And out Ivan goes

Just in time!

For the Baron does not notice the beast within, as he looks over the transformed hold.

Gwen was almost towards her room when she sees the Baron. And she.. stops. Wondering if he hates it, loves it?

For a moment, he looks... surprised, and a gleam in his eyes... an almost childlike wonder that glisten as his glance trails towards the hearth and under the tree, knowing that if he had been good, just maybe...”

A brief upturn of the ends of her lips.

And she goes into shower, change, and yes, tame her hair

She's moved only a few steps - she took her attention away for JUST a moment, she swears, when without any warning there is a sharp clatter and sound of breaking wood! Oh, a painting has fallen! The garland that was strung above it with such care now dangles loose, and the artwork itself - the corner of the frame has split and the canvas torn. Will the watercolor of a dark-haired maiden with her hand trailing into a pond filled with lilies ever be the same? Surely it was secured - well adhered to the wall with the care given any fine work? But now it's on the floor, and Bluebell, closest, has moved over to reach for the splintered corner.

She covers her mouth "Oh no"

The Baron startles out of his moment of awe - before the steward, before the fleet-footed lover (still in his shower!) even, he is there, and he reaches... not for the painting, but lightly grasps the pooka's hand. "Careful, Bluebell - don't cut yourself." Only a cursory glance at the artwork that fell, and he examines that the lass is not cut.

Clattering upstairs - something falling upon the floor, and a muffled shriek! Winter Storm Calanthe is pouring down the stairs, her hair damp, a towel around her neck, even disheveled and unkempt, she has an awesome about her, and she looks in a TEMPER. "Who?!" She demands, without even being able to enunciate, what...

"Can.. can we fix it?" Gwen asks

Bluebell's eyes are frightened, Calanthe is fuming! Briar is hooting, Gwen is asking sensible questions and Marigold is trying to maintain order, but finally Aiden stands and says with a flicker of glamour lacing his words, "HOLD."

And everyone feels compelled to just... hold... their dang horses, for a moment. Even Calanthe, her eyes flashing, snaps her mouth shut. And a moment of silence.

Gwen barely breathes

With calm clarity, as though directing in the heat of battle. "Bluebell, go find Julius, please." Letting the pooka gracefully retreat. "Gwen, don't worry. It is not worth... this fuss." His eyes on her kind, before moving on. "Marigold, please, if you can put it in storage for now."

A sputter- and Aiden interrupts. "Calanthe. You are clearly overwrought and not yet awake. Go." A flick of his hand as though dismissing an unruly mare to it's stall. She hesitates - but only a second, and storms back up the stairs.

And he exhales... and the pressure seems to dwindle, leaving just his normal handsome looks and medium awe for now.

Even Briar is quiet... crunch. Oh, she found a candy cane.