exceedinglybright[The video feed opens on a particularly cheerful-looking Lily Potter, dressed to follow the recent trend that seems to have sprung up within the mansion-- the familiar red with fluffy white trim is impossible to miss, hat and all. Somewhere in the background, the Potters’ cat can likely be seen wandering past with a tiny pair of reindeer antlers tied on. Any other time of year, a forced wardrobe change would have been more irritating than anything else, but this one happens to fall perfectly in line with a pet project she and James had already committed themselves to. Clearly, Wonderland knew exactly what they were up to.]
Happy Christmas, Wonderland! [Given the lack of Jabberwock or Mirror shenanigans, Lily thinks most will agree that this one is happier than the last few, though this is only her second Christmas here in the mansion.] While we know that there are many of you who would rather be home with your loved ones this time of year, we were thinking we might bring some of our home to you!
Yes, Happy Christmas Wonderland!
[James can be heard before he even makes it into the frame, unable to contain himself for the short time it takes him to cross the room and join her - and when he does he’s in the same red Father Christmas outfit as her. What an adorable pair they are with their matching red suits and bright jolly smiles. He’s brought a large sack into the frame, because clearly this year they are taking Christmas into their own hands. They had already been planning something along these lines. Wonderland simply added more...enthusiasm!]
We were thinking exactly that! Wonderland can be dreadful at the holidays, and what better way to combat that than holiday spirit and Christmas cheer? [He’s almost too excited, as if he had far too much coffee before this broadcast, but who can argue with that sort of energy?] Especially since we’ve noticed more and more children coming to Wonderland this year! Every child ought to have a gift at the holidays, don’t you agree, Lily?
Absolutely! And while we know gifts can seem a little redundant when we have closets that provide just about anything you could possibly want, there are some things that they can’t deliver on! [She grins broadly in reply, beaming with cheer the same as her husband-- it’s hardly unheard of for either one of them to be bright or pleasant, but there’s something especially tireless about it this time around. There’s something to be said for holiday spirit, right?] There are a number of things no Christmas at Hogwarts would be complete without, and we thought we might share them with you!
[James rummages through his bag, looking even more like Father Christmas for a brief moment, and pulls out a small basket filled with as many little gifts as they could fit into them without tearing the tissue paper and decorative cellophane.]
There’s candy - wizard candy, naturally - and little magical toys and favours and things. Oh, and Christmas crackers! Can’t forget those!
[He feels around in the bag again and pulls out a loose one for demonstration purposes. His hands are full now though, so with grin he offers one end of it to Lily.] On three! One, two...
Three! [Lily obliges by taking the other end, giving it a sharp tug once the count is up. There’s a loud bang! as the cracker snaps in two, followed by a puff of bright red-and-green smoke that clears a moment later, revealing a number of live white mice that proceed to scatter, one leaping to the floor while another skitters its way up Lily’s arm, another taking a hard turn to try and get into James’ sack of gifts.] They have all sorts of gifts in them, not just mice, though we promise that any mice you do encounter will be very good-natured!
[Madeline, for her part, edges her way back into view of the video feed, tiny reindeer antlers peeking up along the bottom edge of the screen as the mice grab and hold her attention.]
Well, there’s at least one person who’s happy about her gift!
[James laughs at all the mice, and gently plucks that one trying to climb in the gift sack away from it...and makes certain to set it down away from the cat.]
Each of the crackers has got a joke as well, and- [He bends down and scoops up a top hat from the floor, and sets it right on top of his Santa hat.] -a spectacular hat! Nothing’s more Christmas-y than that in our world!
[He puts the gift basket back inside the sack though, and closes the whole thing up.] We’ll be delivering them shortly - no need to wait until Christmas itself when Wonderland’s brought the season upon us early, right?
We’ll be seeing you all soon! [Lily beams, reaching up to gently tip James’ top hat so that it’s just slightly askew.] Sherry and mince pie not required!
(OOC: Network and action threads both welcome! James and Lily are available to thread out deliveries as well as chat; they will be together by default and responses will come from both Potters!)