➊
( by the fae's perspective, all celebrations should've concluded on the 21st — the winter solstice. longest night of the year. feyre's birthday. it's the latter which has a damper on his spirits, an otherwise chipper and chatty man rendered instead to solemn quietude, a melancholic air about him. brooding, one might say, by the swell of thick shadows that seem to follow in his footsteps, crowding whatever corner he decides to occupy inside the mess hall.

to say he's surprised by a stocking gifted to him is an understatement. curiosity penetrates his sour mood and —

when he pulls out a small velvet bag, he manages to crack a smile, dipping his fingers inside it. to the nearest person, he reaches out — playfully dotting their nose with a iridescent green glitter. )

Stardust. ( he explains, lightning up at the sight. ) To make wishes on.

➌
( the feast needed some more alcohol, right? surely it was lacking. rhysand himself is sporting a tipsy lean to his step by the time dinner comes around, and to the table he brings several bottles of multicolored wine — all products from his home, tainted with the fruit of faerie food. of course, the fae like to play tricks with their human counterparts, which means they have effects outside of what one would call ordinary for alcohol. pleasure and good feelings accompany a rose colored wine swirling with gold glitter, while debauchery and mischief take hold of one colored like the night sky, black and shining purple, dotted with silver stars. while the entire side effects of the wine are flexible enough, all wines will have the effect of making people want to get up and dance, the desire almost impossible to resist.

of course, rhys will stand guard and stop anyone from dancing until their feet bleed. but — until then, he's happy to spread the cheer, encouraging people to taste and be merry. )

➍
( a sluggish smile crests his features while he cups a little self-shaped him in his palm. for awhile, rhysand takes quite a bit of joy out of looking at everyone's dorky ornaments, reaching out and poking some people in their pudgy little faces, feeling an odd bit of tenderness at knowing people. recognizing them. befriending them.

to the person beside him, also looking at their elf — )

Should we make them kiss? ( he holds his visage out, pointedly. )

➎
( in a somewhat hilarious sight, rhysand can be found inside the bookstore, stacks of books surrounding him, lip bitten as he furiously reads through a dozen different children's tales on father christmas. soaking in as much knowledge as he can get, apparently, as if worried it'll all run away from him tomorrow.

he is rapt, in his studies. stick around long enough and you'll hear him curiously hum after grabbing a new book off the shelf, eyes twinkling in morbid delight. )

Aha. Oberon. ( rhys tuts his tongue. ) Yikes.

➏
( sour mood apparently entirely crushed by the time christmas dinner comes around, rhys decides to be bit more of an active participant in the festivities — sitting at the table, drunkenly and animatedly conversing with people, comfortable enough to bump elbows and trade laughter. despite all the food that keeps popping up on the set plates? that brownie in your hand looks extremely good. rhy has been watching this particular treat come in close proximity to your mouth about a dozen times, but you keep getting interrupted, by conversation or laughter or otherwise merriment.

so. he decides he must act, or otherwise face all consequences of missing out on a great fuss of laughter. the next time the brownie comes near your mouth, rhys cranes his neck over your shoulder and steals the bite from your hand, tearing it away and, before chewing, turning to smack a chocolately kiss on your cheek.

and then he doesn't get to eat it at all because he's practically spitting it out on the floor, laughing as he is. such a tricky fae! stealing treats and kisses. )

🎄
( anything else! feel free to pm or reach me at trashmouth for any questions! if you have the time, i'd also appreciate if you could fill in my opt in/out post for rhys' mind reading abilities — thank u in advance, and merry christmas 2 all. )