Topic: Yule Party

Johnny Smith

Date: 2007-12-24 04:45 EST
The morning of Christmas Eve dawned with a light snowfall to hide the sun and a breeze to turn the falling snow into whirling patterns against the grey sky. By the time Johnny rose, it was a few hours into the morning ? later than his normal waking time. But it had also been the first night all week that he had actually slept in the same bed with Sianna, after shorting himself of sleep to finish or acquire all the gifts for his family. A muffled grumble into the pillow preceded any actual motion, but eventually he pried himself out of bed and into some clothing.

The sight of the snow brought a smile, and brought to mind the small beaded silver snowflake that Gabby had been gifted. It had not been his work ? he rarely used beads ? and he doubted it was Juli?s, which left Tali by default. Small things like that were why he had worked to bring his mother and sisters here, to RhyDin. Family needed to be with family, especially for the holidays.

And with that thought, Johnny suddenly winced and turned back to shave. Holidays ? the Yule party was this evening, and he didn?t think Sianna would want him to look his usual scruffy self. He even combed back his hair and fastened it neatly with the silver clasp he kept for that purpose. A change of his shirt followed before he finally following the scent of baking downstairs and to the kitchen.

SiannaFraiser

Date: 2007-12-25 00:11 EST
She had greeted the morning long before dawn would have broken had the sky not been draped in silvered gray. The temptation of her cozy haven in the crook of Johnny's arm had pleaded strongly for her to drift back off to sleep, but the to-do lists crowding her brain were not easily quieted. A gentle brush of her lips to his was the only respite granted before her stocking-clad feet hit the wooden floor at a swift pace.

The first task had been the presents. While Sianna was as practical a Scot as had ever drawn breath, she had a whimsical streak that ran deep. Those portions of her nature had been what prompted her to gather the most appropriate of gifts for all on her list, and then spend hours doing them up with as much intent and skill as she had. While each package was individualized, they all clung to a basic theme... wrapped in vintage sheet music with yards of ribbon in shades of cream, bisque, ecru, pewter, mocha and taupe. Velvet leaves, millinery flowers, glittered stars and antique buttons were among the special trims that distinguished which gifts were for whom. There was even a cluster of packages for those who were to attend the party or may even drop-in.

Next had come the assembly of various trays of goodies. Pickled veggies, cheeses, fruits, sliced meats, crackers, smoked salmon and trout, dips of all sorts, not to mention the candies both store-bought and homemade. Many things had been prepped over the course of the approaching week so that very little remained besides putting them all together in a mouth-watering display. Long tables had been set up throughout the ground floor and covered with burlap, tapestries and fresh pine, with various boxes and levels hidden beneath the surface to provide visual interest and height.

The sound of Johnny's footsteps above her brought a smile to her face. The next round of tarts had been slipped into the oven and those cooling were now ready to be drizzled with a simple syrup glaze she had warming in the double boiler. Fresh fruit salad, a scone, and some bacon were soon on a plate awaiting his arrival. Bobbing up and down on her toes a moment, bubbly with the festive current of the day, she gathered up a large spoon and the icing, a song slipping along as she worked.

O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

Dear Savior haste;
Come, come to earth,
Dispel the night and show your face,
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.

O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

O Christ, whom nations sigh for,
Whom priest and prophet long foretold,
Come break the captive fetters;
Redeem the long-lost fold.

Dear Savior haste;
Come, come to earth,
Dispel the night and show your face,
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.

O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

You come in peace and meekness,
And lowly will your cradle be;
All clothed in human weakness
Shall we your Godhead see.

Dear Savior haste;
Come, come to earth,
Dispel the night and show your face,
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.

O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

Johnny Smith

Date: 2007-12-25 00:56 EST
Johnny grinned as the sweet sound of Sianna's voice carried through the house, and that grin only widened as he stood in the kitchen doorway and watched her bouncing up and down on her toes. Eventually, however, the call of food overwhelmed him, and he only paused long enough to kiss the back of her neck before he headed for the plate and snagged a slice of bacon.

Pressed into service after he ate, Johnny spent the next few hours standing on chairs to hang the last few sprigs of greenery and moving boxes and furniture from one room to another under Sianna's direction. He had already added his gifts to the pile of beautifully wrapped presents Sianna had arranged. Hers were gorgeous, with charming trinkets attached to each one. His - well, wrapping had never been one of his skills, for all the deftness of his hands with most other things.

By the time the first knock on the door sounded, Johnny was slightly winded and well-ready for a break. "Don' worry abou' it, Si! I'll ge' th' door!" He called it across the house as he strode in the direction of the front door.

Storm Divine

Date: 2007-12-27 03:08 EST
*I want to hold the present!* Avery signed with mild impatience just as Storm moved to knock on the door. Though the walk from the nearest portal was not far, they were both covered in snow and their noses and cheeks reflected a healthy shade of pink. Storm chuckled slightly, handing him the blue covered box, and in exchanged she tried to brush off as much snow off of his cloak and pants that she could.

"You remember what I told you?" Storm said quietly for him in the time that they waited, now trying to get the snow off of her hair and cloak.

*Play nice?* He signed with one hand and a grin, hoping to have guessed correctly.

She chuckled, "Aye, are you not my smart lad?" She winked to his silent laughter just before the door opened. Johnny was greeting with warm smiles from both Storm and Avery, and she was already moving to take off her gloves. "Good evening to you, Johnny."

Once they were ushered inside, Storm put the gloves into the pocket of her cloak. "Johnny, I would like you to meet my son, Avery," she motioned to the boy with the big box. He was small and skinny, but his blue eyes were bright with cheer. While Storm was taking off her cloak, Avery unceremoniously held the box up to Johnny with clear expectations that Johnny would take it.