A Very Merry Christmas (The Banquet Hall) [Open]

[Snow White]

Over the course of a week the entire castle had been decorated for Christmas. Pine trees dressed in ornaments stood between armoured knights, ribbons of red, white and gold had been hung off of balcony railings and garland was wrapped around the balustrades of staircases. Other festive decorations were hung on walls, on doors, and by the time it was all finished the castle truly looked like a Christmas Wonderland. The past four days the cooks had been working extremely hard to prepare for tonight’s Christmas banquet that Prince Florian and Princess Snow White were hosting. Everyone from far and wide was invited and it was to be a grand affair full with food, laughter, singing and dancing- a very merry event indeed! Snow White was especially excited that all seven dwarves would be in attendance.

The princess was currently in the banquet hall scanning the area for what felt like the hundredth time to make sure that everything was perfect. And everything was perfect; Florian had a magnificent staff and Snow White herself had prepared special Christmas packages to give to them later for all their hard work. From the ballroom she could hear the musicians practicing their songs and she sat down beside a warm fire listening to their faint tunes drifting down the hall.

[florian]

Florian was especially excited this night. It wasn't that there hadn't been other Christmas feasts before; quite, it was his first with his one true love. The Prince was dressed in his finest array, clad in colors of gold, burgundy, and hunter green. His gallant form descended the staircase, gazing upon the outcome of months of loving and careful preparation. How splendid everything was! The smells of freshly cut pine trees and delicious food filled Florian's nose, causing him to stop momentarily and take in a deep breath. He then let it out with a dreamy sigh. "What a fine celebration we'll have." the boy thought to himself.

Behind his back was a small box, wrapped in exquisite paper and tied with a bow. The gift was for Snow White, a gift he'd had made especially for the occasion. As Florian came to the bottom of the staircase, two servants - one on either side - bowed to their soon to be ruler. He looked at both of the men and smiled warmly at them. "Please - go enjoy yourselves." the Prince said kindly. The men smiled and thanked him before hurrying off. When they disappeared, Florian began to look around for Snow White. His blue eyes met with her beautiful form, watching her look around. While the Princess wasn't looking, he crept quietly over to a tree and placed the present such that it was concealed by the others. He wanted it to be a surprise.

The boy waited until Snow White had sat herself near the large hearth that he made his presence known to her, approaching her and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Good evening, my darling. I hope everything is to your liking?" Florian joined his wife at the hearth, sitting beside her and smiling as he waited for her answer.

[woodlore]

(OOC: Christmas ain't over until we say it is!)

An invitation was sent to the Ranger of Brownstone National Park, whom Florian had befriended not long ago. Of course, Ranger Woodlore was humbled and excited to accept the invitation. However, the bears of the park were all currently in the process of the annual hibernation, and would (politely) reject the invitation, opting to hibernate. That is, save for a single bear: Humphrey, the oddball of the sleuth. It just so happened that he missed the hibernation, and was wide awake for the time being. But fortunately for him, this meant that the bear eligible to attend the banquet alongside Ranger Woodlore.

***

"That present was a good idea, Humphrey!" the stout Audubon said merrily to his companion. "I'm sure the Prince and his Princess will love it!" He flashed a smile up to the much taller bear, as they both walked.

Humphrey, carrying a simple yet effectively wrapped present, grinned proudly, and nodded rapidly. "Yeah, yeah, yeah!" he grunted.

Woodlore was still in his uniform, although underneath the uniform he wore clothing that was less business and more casual.Conversely, Humphrey was definitely attired for the feast from the start... for a bear, at least. He wore a very fetching, festive scarf which was wrapped around his neck, and said scarf had two jingle bells attached.

"My!" the ranger exclaimed as the castle came into view. The castle always struck the two as majestic, but in deep winter it was just as gorgeous, if not more. Woodlore pointed and smiled widely. "There's the castle! Remember that, Humphrey?"

Humphrey nodded in confirmation. "Uh-huh!"

"Well, we shouldn't keep Prince Florian waiting for much longer!" He reached into a pocket from within his jacket and pulled out the official invitation, but he just as quickly concealed it in the pocket yet again. "We should be there shortly."

Indeed, it would not be terribly long before the two arrived at the entrance of the castle...