The Whitmoore Apartments - Christmas Party

Noelle struggled with a bag of groceries, another bag of baking supplies, and a third, huge shopping bag of presents she mean to buy weeks ago to ship up to her parents. Despite the huge armloads, she couldn't help but check her mailbox on her way into the apartment. Among the menus and coupons addressed to "Resident," and her latest credit card bill -- Not going to think about that this week -- was a cream-colored envelope of heavy weight paper, neatly addressed with her name, and seemingly hand-delivered.

Noelle let her bags crash to the floor, wincing only slightly at the thought of the possible breakages, and ripped open the envelope. "Anna "Stateswoman" Anderson and Josie "Texan Star" Wells are pleased to invite you to celebrate a little holiday cheer..."

"Whooohooo!" She exclaimed. "Par-tay!" Picking up her packages and letting herself into her apartment, Noelle grinned. It was one thing to hear about the party from Silver-Streak, even from the Baron. She kinda knew they liked her. I mean, they'd let me into the Knights, right? But there was something about the official invitation from Stateswoman -- The Stateswoman -- that sang to her. She felt -- maybe for the first time ever -- a real part of something. A community.

"It's beginnig to feel a lot like Christmas..." she sang, as she put away the groceries and opened up the rest of her shopping. Cookie trays, cooling racks, a spatula, a giant spoon. It was cookie-baking time. And afterwards -- Noelle thought only briefly of her credit card bill, then banished the thought from her mind -- maybe a quick trip out to Icon to find something sparkly to wear.

After all -- there might be mistletoe. And she wanted to look her best... just in case.