It's New Year's Eve in Krankenstadt Palace. . .

The New Year's Eve costume ball in full swing at Krankenstadt palace.

Back in the capital city of Krankenstadt after 10 days away at the country house of Aunt Irmgard to celebrate Christmas, Grand Duke Irwin-Amadeus II has organized a masquerade ball for New Year's Eve. Or rather his man Hives has done so.

Already in full swing, the guest list read's like a who's who of Krankenstadt and Stollenian society. While guests continue to arrive and wait to be announced, up in his chambers the Grand Duke struggles to fit into his fabled lobster costume. But he has indulged rather a bit too much during the Christmas festival.

"I say, Hives! Pull the laces tighter! Pull the girdle laces tighter. We're already an hour late, and I've simply got to fit into this costume."

"Sir, I'm afraid I'll have to call for your tailor Monsieur de Bobèche to make some last minute alterations."

"Oh, blast Hives," The Grand Duke despairs, "He is always a bit more familiar than I'd like and insists on taking my inseam dimensions."

As Irwin-Amadeus II and Hives continue their fraught discussion, crates of fireworks are meanwhile delivered and unloaded in the palace gardens below to set off at midnight. And Lady Solange de Badinage, who has contrived to be invited to stay in one wing of the palace during the New Year's celebrations, has vowed that January will be when she at last gets Irwin-Amadeus II to propose marriage to her. Of course, it would help her cause if The Grand Duke was himself aware of those same plans.

And is that? Why, yes! It is. Over there. The Prussian ambassador to Stollen, Herr Heinz von dem Salat is at the punch bowl. In the guise of a pineapple of course. He is already arranging to sit down at the card table in a side room across from Bishop Sivert Tiburtius for a game of Grobhäusern or Mariagenspiel. Of course, the fact that both men are inveterate gamblers and cheats at cards complicates the picture somewhat.

Yes, the evening is shaping up as one of farcical intrigue.

-- Stokes

Comments

Whiskers said…

Well observed Sir.
Happy new year!

3:03 AM

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The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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