[ Was it wrong to say that Henry had been dreaming of those drinks the entire month, so much that he wanted to go back to that little nexus portal to try them again, It had been like something right out of a fantasy novel, and it had been his first taste of pure unadulterated magic, but it certainly was not his last by any stretch.

And so he was at a table, watching the new arrivals arrive and he would absolutely assist where he could to make them feel at home. But, there was no way that he could resist the allure and the pull of the various drinks on offer. He was missing the holiday season which, he could not deny, he loved. It was his favorite time of the year, the palace being awash in Christmas firs, the wassailing, the scent of gingerbread cookies baking in the oven.

As a small boy, delightedly helping to decorate the treats. As he grew older, he would take those same homebaked cookies to the cancer ward and distribute them out to children who were stuck for the holiday season. Wearing a cheesy santa hat and saying 'ho ho ho merry christmas'. Those were never publicity stunt, because he loved interacting with the children, would've done it even if it was under the cover of darkness and with nary a camera in sight.

For one night only, the fragrance of Santel 33 was replaced by Gingerbread Man drink that he was sipping on. ]

Oh no, this is not my cologne, this is the drink-- it makes you smell like the holiday spirit. [ And there was a pleased tone in his voice, a happiness there that was far freeer than it had been.

[ At this moment, hovered on a ladder just outside his shell house, he was attempting to put up lighted decorations. He'd found some ones in the shape of sea horses and thought there was quite charming and had gotten it in his head that he had to decorate his abode for the season.

He was only a little homesick for the family that he remembered. He missed Bea and he missed Sean, and yes even some of the servants who had been with him since he was a young child. So he had decided to swathe his cottage in something seasonal that would help him remember the season.

Indoors, he had already decorated in boughs of holly and ivy which he had noticed with pleasure was also available in abundance at the markets. So he painstakingly looped the lighted festoons over the eaves and occasionally he would lean in to grab a nail to nail something down as best he could (for someone who had not ever used a hammer or a nails).

If sensing someone behind him, watching his work-- he would call over his shoulder. ]

Can you tell me if this is straight? I am not very good at this, unfortunately.

Now that his best friend knew he was gay, well that was one less thing that he had to worry about; granted there were some things that were between them, unspoken and a bit frightening in that it was uncharted territory for Henry. But he was willing to see what happened, and because of the free nature of this place, he was starting not to hide it so much. Little parts of his personality would shine through, pieces that he'd meticulously kept under cover.

His smiles became a bit more free in nature, his shoulders relaxed if but a little (though he still had that posture that could not be erased, due to years upon years of ettiquette training.) It was that posture that served him well as he entered the Masquerade. He wore something that was a little more casual then he was used to, a silk shirt that draped, with a cravat like a waterfall, and tight fitting trousers that conformed to muscled legs.

A royal blue sash around his waist, high boots that went up to his knee, buckled in silver. And on his face, an Owl's Feathered Mask, to represent that he prized knowledge above all else; his nerdism knowing no bounds.

Despite that he did not want to appear as royal, it was true that the way he carried himself gave away that secret completely, even if he did not say as much with his words. He would be more than happy to dance, and would go around and hunt down the people who did not look like they were asked to dance too much, executing a chivalrious bow and going, "May I have the pleasure of this dance?"

Hello everyone, I am Nia (zauberdecke) and here comes the very dumb Prince from Red, White, and Royal Blue. Feel free to hit me up in DM or on Plurk for any ideas, I'm mutable!

Masquerade Costume
Outfit
Mask