#earthrunes

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Zara shows Coradel and Siv a Victorian Christmas game - snatching fruit from a blue brandy flame. Books have been tucked in stockings!

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Jack unwraps a candy, only to find a brussels sprout instead of a chocolate truffle!

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Jack the bartender blinks "Was I bad?"

Delores finds the contents of the fridge wrapped in brightly colored paper. With bows.

The elf on the shelf appears stuffed in the mouth of a toy baby yoda in a santa suit!

The basselope has been outfitted in a harness of jingle bells! (He already has antlers)

Leononora breaks into giggles

There is mistletoe everywhere. Random hallways. The salle. The bar. The stable. Over the toilet. One of them has a little sign reading "WARNING: MistleFOE. Must beat passerby in single combat before proceeding. Two cardboard wrapping paper tubes are resting nearby, with lightsaber handles sharpied on,

The baron is spotted wearing.... yes, a Santa hat.

Oswald hols up the lightsaber "Best Yule EVAR!"

August puts presents from a sack under the tree.

Every - EVERY Wilder lady of the hold has been gifted a lovely pair of silk underwear, slipped into their stockings. As has August and Bachdion both - festive thongs! No name, it must have been Santa.

Perhaps later, a party to compare? One can only dream....

..... it is unlikely August will be modeling these, no.

Vasthi beams "Something to put on Shalimar"

ahahah

Oh, it is very likely that August will be required to model his...even if only in private.

Coradel is a proper winter fairy queen this day (though with silver where this has gold.

And in the darker hours, snapdragon is played with abandon!

Blue flames licking upwards from plates, lighting the faces of the daring.

August gently requests that Coradel at least pull her hair back for this game. Please.

Zara has quick hands, and delights in the spooky blue flames... though she feeds the almonds to Earl.

Vince snags a flaming brandied plum, and tosses it from hand to hand to cool, before the tasty morsel is presented to... Taylor! "A sugared plum for you, my sweet honeybee." Finally, he recognizes her vocation. It only took.... well, let's just say it took quite a while.

August gets his Yule wish; Coradel smiles and pulls her hair back into a loose and flattering knot. Out of the way, but still lovely.

Earl smiles and enjoys the almonds

Coradel plucks up an almond of her own, letting the blue flames linger on it as she holds it aloft between her fingertips.

August nurses a glass of (soft) cider and watches the festivities.

A deft hand adds a small splash of spiced rum when he's looking the other way.

Shalimar trots out wearing a Scrooge outfit! Going BAH!

A soft rattle of almost-laughter.

Vashti announces "Children.. gather up ye Christmis spirit masks.. go pester Scrooge until he sees the light..." She is handing out little masks for the kids while Ludmilla over sees

Vince offers a wrapped gift to Shalimar, with a bow and a smile.

Isis puts one on and then yells "Get the SCROOGE!"

...But, waits until AFTER the children have their way with him.

"Why Vince, I don't know what to say but... Yikes!" And shalimar runs

A laugh and he watches in amusement.

A herd of childlings give chase. Wearing Past, Present, Future... and Marley masks

Coradel also laughs at the merry chase, and salutes the ghosts with another flaming treat before popping it in her mouth, flame and all!

Zara tries to startle the other players by hitting the flames with little hits of salt to make it spark yellow!

Gasps!

Delighted laughter! And Coradel challenges August to attempt the game.

He will come forward to play, carefully removing his Santa hat.

"Just.... grab the snacks?"

"From the flames of doom! Muahahaa."

"Yes, but don't dally. Be decisive about which one you're taking. You don't want your fingers to linger in there," Coradel adds with a purr and a grin, fingers brushing against his thigh as he stands near her chair.

"Mm." he agrees "Be a shame to get singed."

Amused, Coradel catches Zara's eye across the table.