Christmas Party! Millitimed Vaguely to "Sometime Around Christmas"

[kitchen_maid]

Anne and Amy have been very very busy over the last week or so, transforming their usually simple white room into the perfect place for a Christmas party.

There are garlands of holly and balsam strung around the room, leading away from the wreath between the windows (and there's a grumpy looking crow, perched in the middle of the wreath, trying to figure out how to get the red ribbon from around his neck). A Christmas tree, candles ablaze, stands in one corner, with presents tucked under its branches.

Welcome, dear friend, to Anne and Amy's Christmas party.

Comments

Greet Anne

[avonlea-girl.livejournal.com]

Anne is under the wreath, busying herself with tying the red-and-gold bow at the bottom so that it falls just so, her own simple, filmy pale green dress bringing out the ruddiness of her hair, the brightness of her eyes.

"Oh, do behave, Peter Aurelious," she tells the crow, who eyes her with one bright black eye.

"Qwa."

Do come say hello before she begins to scold him.

[kitchen_maid]

Amy, who is also wearing green this evening, is lighting the last few candles on the Christmas tree, and trying to explain to the squirrels that yes, the tree is very pretty, but no, it's not the best place to play right now. They don't quite appear to believe her, but let us hope that the squirrels and the tree shall all survive the night.

Come say hello. Amy will be thrilled to see you.

Refreshments and Chatter

[kitchen_maid]

There's a table, along one wall, with a dizzying array of Christmas cookies, gingerbread, candied nuts, a truly delicious looking chocolate cake, clove apples, and a dish of brightly colored ribbon candy.

There is punch and there is mulled cider. And because this is Anne and Amy's party, there is tea.

Help yourself. And if you happen to arrive at the table at the same time as another guest, well, conversation is always lovely.

The Christmas Tree

[avonlea-girl.livejournal.com]

There's a Christmas tree in one corner, candles ablaze, but only half decorated.

There's also a small table nearby, which holds a small box of ornaments, as well as paper and ribbon and paste and glitter (of course), for those who prefer to make their own ornaments.

Help decorate the tree, or take the opportunity to exchange a present or two.

Window Seat

[kitchen_maid]

Because there is, in every party, a semi-private corner for quiet conversation, you'll find one here.

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

"What a delightful room," says the nice young man, who has come in and walked over to her with a beaming smile.

He appears to be hiding something behind his back.

"Merry Christmas, kitchen maid."

[kitchen_maid]

People hiding things behind their backs at Christmas is hardly unheard of.

"Merry Christmas, man-of-all-work," says Amy, cheerfully. "And welcome. You're almost early."

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

"Almost early?"

He grins quirkily at her.

"How can I be almost early? And can I help with anything?"

[kitchen_maid]

"Well," she says. "A minute ago, you'd have been early. As it is, I'd say you're right on time. Oh, bother, take this would you?"

She hands him the taper she's holding, and goes to fish Mr. Pemberthy out of the tree again."

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

He takes the taper with one hand, and watches her rustles about in the tree.

"Having squirrel problems?"

[kitchen_maid]

"Just a few. They're usually allowed to play in trees, after all, and here this one is right near and hand and full of interesting things, and so I can't seem to get them to understand that they should not be playing near candles."

She hauls Mr. Pemberthy out and settles him on her shoulder.

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

"I see."

He winks at Mr. Pemberthy.

"Anyway, I brought you something to help decorate with, if you like."

[kitchen_maid]

"Please don't encourage him," she says, noticing the wink.

"Oh?" She looks around at what it must be confessed is an almost excessively decorated room. "And what is that?"

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

He grins cheerfully and produces it from behind his back.

"Why, mistletoe, of course."

[kitchen_maid]

Amy giggles. "Perfect. I suspect Anne will be thrilled."

She looks around.

"Over there, maybe?" she suggests.

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

He looks around, and takes a length of ribbon and a chair, and, stepping up onto the chair, begins to tie up the mistletoe so that it hangs cheerfully waiting for unsuspecting guests to meet underneath it.

When he has finished, he steps down, and eyes it critically.

"What do you think?"

[kitchen_maid]

"I think it's lovely. Thank you for thinking of it."

Amy, alas, is no where near close enough to be considered to be under the mistletoe.

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

He looks up at it again, and back at her, and wonders where his plan had gone awry.

"Are you sure you can see it properly from there?" he asks, hopefully.

[kitchen_maid]

"Yes, I think so," she says, unconcernedly and terribly obliviously, turning back to the tree to finish lighting the candles.

Come on, Perry. You don't want it to be that easy, do you?

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

He sighs, and takes the few steps over to her to take her hand, and lead her under the mistletoe.

"We have to see if it's working properly," he says, and kisses her lightly.

[kitchen_maid]

Amy's response is to giggle, and turn about six shades of scarlet in rapid succession.

"I guess it is," she says, a trifle uncertainly.

From his perch on her shoulder, Mr. Pemberthy chatters excitedly and emphatically.

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

"Excellent," he replies, holding her hand for, really, just a moment longer than is absolutely neccesary.

"I'm terribly glad to hear it."

[kitchen_maid]

Amy pulls her hand back and then can't quite seem to figure out what to do with it, because it goes first to her mouth, and then to rather unnecessarily push her hair behind her ear, before brushing at her skirt and then settling at her side.

In short, she's flustered.

Amy is almost pretty when she's flustered.

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

Quite pretty, really, if you are looking at her with eyes to see it.

It's possible Perry is, for his smile only grows brighter.

"Well," he says. "Merry Christmas."

Mistletoe

[man-of-all-work.livejournal.com]

It simply isn't a Christmas party without mistletoe, and so Perry has thoughtfully brought along a bunch, hung it, and tested it out (http://www.livejournal.com/users/kitchen_maid/6190.html?thread=185390#t185390).

It seems to work just fine. Care to try your luck, if you meet another guest under its innocent greenery?