Lupine listened to the soft music, remembering from that last full moon gathering, that she attended, a far more raucous rendition of "Hark the Herald angels sing, Glory to the Newborn King", which went more like Woof, Woof Woof, Aroo, Arooooh, Woof Woof  Woof, Aroo, Arooooh, singing all the verses, wolf & dog fashion, until someone human in the neighbourhood yelled at the infernal racket they were all making. Lupine wondered with faint horror, what she would do if those in her present company were expecting her to join in, in any singing. Listening with human or wolf ears was one thing. But though the animals might manage the beat of a song, getting the words & especially the tunes right would be much more difficult. Lupine was sure to sing flat, but not every human is a gifted singer, anyway, she thought hopefully.   

But never mind, when Maeve presented her with a piece of cake, Lupine, murmured her thanks and gratefully ate that piece of tea cake, enjoying the different flavours. Copying Maeve's actions, Lupine then picked up a napkin, using it to select some cookies, cheese and crackers to nibble, grateful for fingers to manage with everything, rather than wolfpaws. As well, she took with her another cup of cider, to quench her thirst. At least whilst she was eating or drinking she couldn't be asked to join in singing.  

"Lovely playing," Delia said, appearing from the hall. "I think it's pretty enough to make a bird stop picking at liver."

She nodded along, but waited until a break in the music to clear her throat and announce,

"The party is drawing to a close, so if you have any business you would like to complete before the Holiday Cheer up and vanishes, I recommend you attend to it posthaste. Also, eat the snacks. They disappeared at the end of the last Holiday party, and haven't been heard from since."

Writers, it is nearly time for us to draw the curtains on this fair event. The Mansion will remain open, but the decor will go back to normal shortly after Epiphany, the final holiday in our run of Holidays. You may have your characters return home, or they are welcome to stay and engage in shenanigans.

When she heard the party was about to finish, Lupine decided it was about time for her to go. Returning her plate & cup, neatly to where others had also stacked their used crockery, & wondering if she should have volunteered to do the washing up first, she gathered her clothes about her, hoping she'd be able to get back to her den quickly. She'd spent so much time at the Mansion that she feared it would be time for her to change back to being a wolf which might tear her dress. It was nice listening to the soft music, but something livelier would have also been good fun. So, she hurriedly went to thank Delia and Maeve for allowing her to attend, explaining that unfortunately, it was time for her to depart. . 

"Good night and all the best for the future, everyone! Thank you for having me here, and I have enjoyed spending time with you, but it really is now time for me to go", she said. And so, she left the Mansion, gradually loping back to where she came from, reaching her den as the Wolf Moon shone.    Hooo-rooooo! Bye Bye!  

"Good mortereve, and have fun!" Delia called, waving as Lupine walked out. The wreath seems to disappear as the door closed, and the gently draped greenery began to disappear. The decorations hanging from the ceiling went next, then the staff, then the treats.

Delia snagged a doughnut off a tray moments before it disappeared, shoving it into her mouth.

"I just love when the calories aren't real," she mumbled, holding her hand in front of her face so she wouldn't be too disgusting as she talked through her mouthful.

Soon only a few candles, mindfully lit by Delia herself long before the event began, were the only decorations left. Yet another Holiday Mansion was history.