And a Partridge in a Pear Tree (SS/OPEN TO ALL)

[The NPC]

It is Christmas Eve for our friends at Phantom Manor. Excitement stirs in some people's bellies, and others are filled with dread. Thanks to the Secret Santa event created by Casper King Will the friendly ghost, certain members are apprehensive about giving their gift. Will they like it? Won't they? And what the heck am I going to get...? A lump of coal?

These are the thoughts running through some minds, while others have the Christmas spirit. The fireplace, lit kindly by the caring ghosts, crackles and sparks in preparation for their arrival, and the magnificent Christmas tree, decorated by some of the residents, protects the charges of presents that are resting under its boughs.

All around is warmth and delight. The furniture is ready to be sat in, the stockings are hung, the piano is tuned for Christmas songs, eggnog sits and collects dust... I-I mean is ready to be drunk...? ...Seriously, where are these people? Don't they know it's Christmas Eve? For the love of all that is Holly and Mistletoe... IS IT Christmas Eve?!

Wait wait... Here they come... Whew, thought I'd made a complete fool of myself...

And now, dear children, for some holiday cheer!

**A note to all: If you're unable to post as quickly as this thread calls for, your presents will be saved for last to open, so don't worry! Just make sure you post at least once establishing your character's presence in the room! Remember all the presents are already under the tree, and you need to post what the present is in this thread, using the NPC account!

The order the presents are opened in is determined by who gave the present to the first opener. The first opener should be GUSTAVE DE CHAGNY because he is the youngest. The NEXT POSTER should be the one who reveals that they gave the present to him, and then so on and so forth. That way we have a set order and we'll easily be able to reveal who gave what to who!

Now, get to posting! And by all means, have fun, and Merry Christmas!

[Christine Daaé]

It was Christmas Eve and Christine was busy preparing. She had planned to attend a midnight mass in the village and had asked Raoul to come along with her. This was, after all, their first Christmas together, not only as a married couple, but even in general. There was something though that she had to do beforehand.

Earlier on in the month, there had been a notice on the bulletin board outside of the manor, saying that there was to be a 'Secret Santa' event going on. Christine had thought that it sounded like great fun, and had signed up, but now she wasn't so certain what to think of it. She'd noticed that her husband hadn't signed on the list at all. She didn't know if he merely hadn't noticed it in time to sign up, or if he didn't want to, but she could not help but to find herself a bit... disappointed. She hadn't yet bothered to ask him – she hadn't found the right moment – though she had invited him to sit with her at the event if he wanted. She certainly hoped that he would. After all, they really should be spending this day together...

She finished coiffing her hair and observed herself in the mirror for a moment before heading downstairs to where this gifting event was to take place. She had previously brought her present down, so as the recipient could not catch her in the act. She certainly did hope that they would like it. She had found an anonymous tip of what they would like (she supposed it was from 'the ghosts'), though she didn't recall ever having met them before.

When she arrived, she sat down on a sofa. There was nobody else in the room at the time, which she thought strange. She was a tad early, but she dreaded no one else would show... And she really did need to be with Raoul this evening... Perhaps, if no one came, she would just go, or maybe she would leave a bit early if Raoul did not show up to the event. After all, she did not want him to feel left out at all...

[King William Leverich II]

Will was glowing with Christmas cheer. He adored Christmas, always had. Everyone was cheerful and everything was pretty and it was just a fantastic season! He missed the old man who lived here, because he used to decorate the tree with the most beautiful ornaments from his family. But the characters had decorated substantially and Will liked the French charm they had brought. He wandered into the living room where everyone would gather for the Secret Santa that - okay, so many he was a really mean person but he wanted this to be amusing. He was bored, alright?

He was quite solid this season, probably from being so happy, and might have skipped down the hall into the room if it wouldn't have been a bit unsightly. No-one was there yet, except Christine Daee, who sat on the couch with her hair all prettied up and Will beamed at her. He hadn't seen her since before her wedding, which he hadn't attended, but had watched from afar. He had admired her dress and her beauty, and Raoul had looked so handsome... he loved their love...

'The last few months I have been living with this couple. Yeah, you know, the kind who buy everything in doubles. They fit together, like a puzzle. And I love their love and I am thankful that someone actually receives the prize that was promised by all those fairy tales that drugged us.'

Will hummed, pleased, when he went over to her.

"Christine!" He exclaimed, and he thought she looked precious. "How's married life going, dear?"

[Christine Daaé]

Christine didn't have to wait long before someone else arrived to the little Secret Santa gifting event. After only a few minutes, William, a man she had met earlier on during her stay at the manor, entered the room. She smiled at him when she heard his humming. She recalled him being a very pleasant, kind man from her first encounter with him, and had actually sent out an invitation to him to come to her and Raoul's wedding. She had not seen him there in attendance though.

“It's going quite well, William, thank you,” she replied when he asked how married life was going. “I wish that you could have been there to see the wedding, though I understand you must have had other things to attend to. Have you met Monsieur de Chagny yet? I invited him to come sit with me, although I'm not sure if he will come. Perhaps the two of you could meet then if you have not previously?” And then a thought occurred to her. “I did not see your name there on the list of people participating,” she commented. “Are you here with someone as well?”

[King William Leverich II]

Christine smiled back up at him, and replied, “It's going quite well, William, thank you... I wish that you could have been there to see the wedding, though I understand you must have had other things to attend to," she said.

"Oh... I was just feeling a bit peaky," he said, which wasn't really true, he had just been afraid to be around all those people. What if they had looked at him? Ganged up on him? It was cowardly of him to have refused the invitation but he just couldn't go.

"Have you met Monsieur de Chagny yet? I invited him to come sit with me, although I'm not sure if he will come. Perhaps the two of you could meet then if you have not previously?”

Yes, that'd be wonderful," Will afreed with a smile, going to the end of the couch and leaning against the arm rest.

“I did not see your name there on the list of people participating," she said, "Are you here with someone as well?”

Not really," Will admitted, "I just love Christmas. Wanted to see what you all get, after all! I mean, the holiday is just beautiful, Christine," he said with a certain glee to his voice.

[Christine Daaé]

“Well, that's perfectly fine. I do hope that he will come so that you might be able to meet him.” That wasn't the only reason why she hoped that he would come, but it certainly was a good one. Christine quite liked William, actually, and thought that he and Raoul would get along quite well.

It felt good to not be the only one in the room. She wasn't as worried now that she was the only one who was going to show at all. And even if none of the other gift givers had come, at least she wouldn't be alone in the time that she waited.

William explained that he loved Christmas and thought that the holiday was quite beautiful. “Yes, it is, isn't it?” she agreed. “Oh, I wish I would have known that you were coming. I would have brought something for you. You're not going to feel left out at all, I hope?”

[Adina Gillespie]

Adina had her Secret Santa's gift wrapped up in a simple brown paper and twine with a lovely handwritten note saying 'Merry Christmas'. She stepped into the downstairs room and gasped, looking around at the beautiful decorations. It was simply gorgeous! Oh, it was so lovely and beautiful! She had never seen such a more lovely room. There were two people who had already arrived; one a blond young woman and the other.....

"Th-The king!" She whispered, her hands shaking and knees buckling. She had longed to meet the King of Ghosts! And there he was! It had to be him, it had to! The timid young woman approached the man, her hands still shaking as she looked up at him. "J-J-Joyeux Noël, m-mon roi," She stuttered, trying to give a courteous bow without her legs giving out underneath her. She looked over at the other woman and smiled. "Et toi, madam?"

(I know Adina still hasn't seen her S.S.'s post, but I REALLY wanted her to meet William!)

[King William Leverich II]

“Well, that's perfectly fine. I do hope that he will come so that you might be able to meet him," Christine said, and he nodded a little timidly in agreement, commenting on Christmas afterwards.

“Yes, it is, isn't it? Oh, I wish I would have known that you were coming. I would have brought something for you. You're not going to feel left out at all, I hope?” Oh, Christine. She was ever so gracious, and Will shook his head and smiled.

"No, do not worry about it," he said, "Though I'm touched, really. Thank you." He chuckled and patted her lightly on the knee in additional thanks.

He looked forward when a young girl came in, looking as if… well, as if she'd seen a ghost. Ha. Haha. She approached him and said with wide, nervous eyes, "J-J-Joyeux Noël, m-mon roi."

Will stared at her, a little taken aback; it'd been a while since anyone had acted like he was actual royalty, and even fewer times had the characters recognized him. Huh. Perhaps Lenoir did get the word out… saved him time. He switched his language over to sloppy French, "Er, hello. Nice to meet you. You can call me Will, if you'd like." He stuck out his hand to shake her's, [/b]"And what is your name, then?"[/b] He did not recognize her from a story.

[Christine Daaé]

Christine could not help but to blush like a complete and utter fool. In her own time and place, it was considered highly... sensual for a man to touch a lady's knee, even if through her dress. She knew now though that she was, in fact, not in her own time, and reasoned that William must not be from her time either. She had figured as much, for now that she thought about it, she had never seen him in Victorian dress... But either way, this did not fail to cause her cheeks to turn a deep rouge. “You are welcome,” she managed to say through all of her blushing.

Another woman entered the room, one whom Christine had never seen before there at the manor. She was holding a simple brown wrapped parcel and seemed almost in shock when she saw William. J-j-joyeux Noël, mon roi, she had said. Christine looked at William, the man sitting beside her, and did a double-take. The King?

Will replied, seeming nearly as shocked as Christine, though a different kind perhaps. “King...?” the young woman repeated in awe. She had known William for quite some time now, though had not recognized him to be a king.

Et toi, Madame?

Christine suddenly looked back to the woman with an expression of confusion. And you, Madame? Christine didn't understand what the other woman meant. And you... maybe merry Christmas as well, but then why would it be a question?... And why did she tutoyer? They certainly didn't know each other from before, or she would have seemed at least the slightest bit familiar... “Joyeux Noël...?” She risked saying, hoping that was what she had meant. “I'm sorry, Mademoiselle, but I do not believe that we have had the pleasure of meeting previously. “I'm Christine. Christine Daaé– well... no, I suppose it's Christine de Chagny now.... and who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”

[Gustave de Chagny]

Gustave raced downstairs to where he knew the Christmas tree would be. It was Christmas Eve, after all, and he was very excited for it, as would be the vast majority of ten-year-old boys. Tonight was the night when they would reveal all of the Secret Santa gifts. Gustave had worked very hard on his gift, and hoped that the person he was giving it to would like it. Naturally, he was also very eager and excited to see what was waiting for him there, underneath of the tree.

When he arrived downstairs, he looked up at the big tree, all lit up and hung with tinsel, and ornaments, and garland, and candy canes, and anything else that one could think of for decorating a Christmas tree. It looked so beautiful! There were already so many presents underneath of its boughs, and the little boy's eyes were all aglow with the sight of them. He wanted very much to go open them all right then and there, but he knew that it wasn't time yet.

He saw a few other people there in the room already, some of whom he recognized, and some he did not. Silently, he slipped passed the grownups and sat down beside the tree, trying to spot any boxes with his name on them. He found one and then picked it up, observing it very carefully, and shook it a little to try to guess what was inside. Maybe it was a toy train set! Or maybe it was a wooden sword! Or maybe it was even that violin he'd told Father Christmas he wanted in his letter to him. Whatever it was, he was sure that he would enjoy it... Unless it were clothes. Like most little boys, he loathed and dreaded getting clothes for Christmas. Socks, underwear, dress clothes... Anything but clothes!...

[Christine Svenna Daaé]

Christine Svenna had been quite busy this holiday season, even with her time off from the aquarium while it was closed for winter. With some of the extra money that she had earned from working, she had been busy trying to find special surprises for her friends there at the Manor: Raoul Christophe, Erik Lenoir, Alfred, the nice Carlotta, Adina, Vincent and his wife... And now with this Secret Santa thing thrown in the mix, she had been even more busy.

It was Christmas Eve and she had purchased a special outfit for the occasion. It was a red mini skirt with white fur trim and a matching long sleeve red jacket with fir trim, sleeves, collar, and a black waist belt. On her head, she wore a bright red Santa hat, and on her feet, she wore simple black buckle shoes. She was even more cheery than her usual self, filled to the brim with joy and Christmas spirit. This was going to be a fun night – she could tell.

“Merry Christmas, everyone,” she practically shouted as she burst into the room where the gifting event was too take place. She spotted a candy dish sitting on one of the tables. “Ooo! Peanut brittle. Don't mind if I do...” After grabbing a few pieces of the brittle candy and popping one into her mouth, she turned to the other people that were already there and waved. She recognized the two ladies – Adina, and Vincent's wife, whom she still needed to find a name for... Angela? Angie! That was it: Angie. Vincent and Angie. The man, however, she hadn't seen before. “So what's up with you folks? Hi. I'm Christine. Christine Svenna. And you are...?”

[Adina Gillespie]

Adina looked at William's hand then back up to his face. So this was the ghost king! She did a double take, looking at the gift in her hands before quickly setting it down in front of the tree and pleasantly taking the man's hand. "A-A pleasure to meet you... Will. Oh! M-My name? Oui! My name! A-Adina Gillespie, mon roi." Gracious, she was flustered! She was actually shaking the king's hand! This was like a dream, a miracle! For so many years she had heard the other ghosts whispering about their beloved king but she never had a chance to meet him.

The young maid smiled at Christine and, again, curtsied. "Adina Gillespie, maid of the manor, madam. It is an honor to meet you-." Then suddenly, something caught her eye.. There was a young boy who had seemingly snuck into the room and had begun to hunt through the Christmas gifts, shaking and listening to them. Adina giggled and then looked back to see someone else enter the room...

"Christine!" Adina hurried over to Svenna and hugged her. "Joyeux Noël. It is very nice to see you again... Oh! And it seems that I have become human again, even if for a little while." Then Adina began to wonder... How long was she going to stay mortal? She began to dread what horrors waited in the future if she were to go back to being a ghost.

[Raoul Edouard de Chagny]

Edouard came down a bit after Gustave had entered the sitting room where they were holding the Christmas eve event. He was wearing a deep navy blue Edwardian coat with matching trousers and a matching ascot tie. He had a sprig of holly pinned to his lapel and he was wearing the silver cuff links and matching tie tac that Christime Emilie had given him for one of their early wedding anniversaries.

He was carrying his gift for the Secret Santa exchange and he placed it under the tree. He hoped the person receiving the gift would be appreciative. He had put a lot of thought into finding something appropriate.

He went over to his son and put his hand on his shoulder. "Gustave, do you know if your mother is coming down soon? Let's wait for her. I hope she's in a happy mood tonight." He sat down in an empty chair and looked at the tree. Someone had done quite a marvelous job with the tree and decorating the room.

Edouard looked at the variety of people who were there. Strangely enough, King Will Leverich was here. He hadn't seen him since their meeting outside, not long after Edouard had arrived at the mansion. Then he saw Christine de Chagny, the little blonde one sitting on a couch. He tried to catch her eye. It had been a lovely wedding and h e must now remember to call her "Madame de Chagny," the same naame as his wife.

The little maid Adina was there too. She was a pretty little thing, but he had the feeling she didn't really like him. He wasn't sure why. He noticed another Christine, he thought she was, in the room too. He studied her. She resembled his wife quite a bit. Could this be the Christine that belonged with the younger de Chagny....Raoul Christophe? He wondered. She looked so familiar.

He decided to wait with Gustave until Emilie arrived and then speak to some of the people together. He gestured to his son to sit next to him. "Did you put your gift under the tree, Gustave?"

[Erik Lenoir]

Erik checked his pocket watch for the time. It was nearly the hour when the gift exchange was to happen. He picked up his carefully wrapped gift and hoped it would be appreciated. He had gone to the village to find just the perfect gift and also a few gifts that he would personally give to a few of his friends. He was wearing his usual style tail coat, although this one was even a bit more elegant than his everyday wear. He replaced the black waistcoat with a blue satin patterned one and wore a matching bow tie and gold cufflinks. A red carnation adorned his lapel. He was wearing white gloves.

Entering the room, he smiled when he saw Adina. He put the gift under the tree and passed Edouard de Chagny and a boy of about 10 years old whom he assumed to be Christine Emilie's son. He nodded to them. He saw King Wiliam Leverich there, he seemed to be having a good time. He was glad for the ghost. Things seemed to have worked out well for the fellow.

He walked over to the King , bowed slightly and smiled. "Do I say, Good day m'Lord or do I say Hello, Will? The King seemed to be quite casual, like the people who populated the modern world. Erik felt more comfortable being a bit more formal and proper, especially with those he didn't know well. And yet, this fellow who purported to be a king had wanted to be called merely Will.

Then he greeted the little blonde Christine. He took her hand and kissed it. "Madame de Chagny, it is certainly a pleasure to seee you here. The wedding was quite an event. Excuse me for a moment." Erik saw Christine Svenna. When he saw her, his heart always began to beat a bit faster. What was it? He thought he was over her... He bowed formally to her and kissed her hand. "Hello, my dear. It is so very good to see you...Will Monsieur le Vicomte be arriving at the party tonight?" Then he saw Adina again. "Excuse me, dear, I must speak to someone." He touched Adina on the shoulder to make her aware of his presence. "Adina, it is lovely to see you..." He smiled and kissed her hand as well.

[ladybarbossa]

She had finished with the final touches to her appearance, dress all smoothed and hair in place. All was set and ready. Pondering last minute thinking she might be missing something as she picked up the gift then left her suite.
Checking to see if Raoul and Gustave were ready but did not find them and wondered if they were down in the grand room already. No doubt Gustave would be! He was always eager for Christmas.

She made her way down to the large grand room. Upon entrance, she spotted her Husband and her son - who naturally was by the tree with a sparkle in his eyes so eager to open his gift. Then she saw Lenoir, Adina, and a couple others. One woman she had not met before but nearly gave her a start for she looked exactly like her! Placing her hand upon her heart as though to stifle it and took a deep breath. Oh, what a night this will be. She moved over to Raoul, smiling at him, glanced to Gustave then turned her attention back to her Husband, "Good Christmas Eve, darling," and placed a light, sweet kiss upon his cheeks.