Kris had spent the last couple of days since receiving his keys, remodeling and finishing the final touches on his new HQ. The home of The Council of Guardians! From here he hoped to assemble a group of people who would become more than friends, more than a family. He would gather other like minded individuals to help him in his mission to restore the magic and save Christmas. 

He stood at the front entrance to the building which would be his new headquarters. Despite having started with just a building somehow he now stood inside a fairly large compound. Bernard and his elves gathered all around, smiling faces everywhere as Kris smiled looking up at the sign above the large emerald green double doors. 

The Council of Guardians

A Guardian's mission
To restore the faith and belief in the magic of Christmas and other magical events.
To uphold and defend against those who would wish to taint and defile the belief until it is eroded away.
To bring and maintain peace and happiness to all for a better world.
To save Christmas.

He grinned as he turned around and looked over his compound toward his front gate. Other smaller buildings were on either side along the main road to the HQ from the gate. Some obviously housing for the many elves, while others seemed to have... other purposes. Those building seemed to have a pair of elves on either side of the doors. Obviously there in a guard capacity.

"Alright, go ahead and open the gates."

Kris smiled with a nod before turning back to the large double doors. He walked forward and pushed them open. His smile persisted as he walked through his front foyer. His eyes followed the shiny red, green and white checked flooring. Some elegant dark green couches on either side for seating. Nodding as he continued into the next area which served as the hub of his HQ. The archways made to resemble giant candy canes. Two large staircases sat on either side of a long dark wood counter where an elf stood behind reading over a book. 

To the right, a long hallway with several doors on either side which served as conference rooms or storage rooms. To the left, another long hall with a similar set of doors leading to other rooms that would be repurposed as needed. Around behind the counter another long hall headed further back where the kitchen and dining room as well as the grand ballroom where Kris planned to host epic events. 

The stairs led up to Kris's main meeting room where he would soon be conducting meetings for his family. Along with three large offices, one of course larger than the rest as it would be Kris's office. The other two reserved for his Right and Left Hands. 

He stood in front of the counter in the main lobby area looking up and around at the magnificent wallpaper and the decorations that adorned the inside of his new HeadQuarters. He smiled so big his rosy cheeks started to hurt as he looked around at his elves and Bernard, all who were equally overjoyed to be on this adventure. 

"Did all the invitations get sent out, Bernard?"

Kris asked looking over at his Head Elf, who nodded back as he stepped closer through the shorter elves to speak with Kris. 

"Today's the start of a new future, Bernard. Let us hope we can muster the help we need in time. We have to save Christmas." 

Kris said sounding slightly concerned. Bernard nodded knowing the pressure his boss was under at the moment. He knew despite things going well right here, right now that he still had other pressing matters in the back of his mind. Matters like finding and dealing with his deranged violent ex wife before she hurt someone else. Still he was amazed to see his boss sporting a smile. He was right however, it was the first day of a new future and his boss was one step closer to saving Christmas. 

"I'll be in my office Bernard, please let me know when the guests start to arrive. I look forward to this evening celebrations and festivities. I trust you have everything prepared?"

Kris asked to which Bernard nodded affirmatively. 

"I will let you know when they arrive." 

With that Kris headed up to his own office upstairs to go over his other preparations for things he wanted to accomplish in the near future. To await the arrival of all his friends and his previous family. Eager to get to know those he did know in his new position influence. To await the arrival of his friends and future friends... 

Joli arrived to @Kris_Kringles HQ, mainly to congratulate him on everything he had accomplished, but secretly to figure out how to get herself to the North Pole. It had been an on going game with them two; multiple times she had successfully sneaked into his giant red bag, it was her one way ticket to where all the magic happened, but to her dismay she was always found out one way or another. Pure tragedy. She looked up at the giant double doors from the bottom of the steps leading into Kris' HQ guarded by pointy eared demons, fine they were elves, but they were evil, always spoiling Joli's plots of breaking and entering. Sleighs don't have doors, is it technically breaking and entering.......no. Now explain that one to them. She smirked at herself and walked up the steps towards the doors, the elves eyeballed her very suspiciously.

"Oh I'm expected this time, and you know it!" She stuck her tongue out at one of the elves as they obliged and opened the doors for her. Guard elves were not cheery what so ever, way too serious she thought to herself. She smiled and skipped down the hall headed toward Kris_Kringles office, she admired the decorations on her way as she suddenly caught a smell, stopping immediately she peeked through the door that the smell was coming from and discovered the kitchen. Elves were inside baking cookies, santa cookies to be exact. Joli's mouth began watering. They had just sat down a plate of fresh hot cookies to cool on the edge of the counter. Joli waited patiently until the elf had her back to the cookies busying herself with pulling out more cookies from the oven, ceasing the opportunity she slyly tip toed grabbed the plate and slunk back out of the kitchen door way. Gently closing the door behind her she quickly ran down the hall a bit before slowing down to a casual walk stuffing her mouth with the yummy gooey hot out of the oven santa cookies. She finally arrived to Kris' main office, she tapped on the door then opened it and walked inside.

"Santy Clause!" She smiled and glided over to his desk setting the plate down which now had 3 cookies left. She grabbed one quickly before running around the desk to give him a great hug and also glancing around for the big red bag that she knew was near by. After hugging him she took a bite of the cookie and grinned.

"Delicious cookies! Uhhh I just kind of bumped into an elf and she said I could have them!" She quickly finished off the cookie and went for another one, they were too good to put down. "You wouldnt by chance have anything to drink with these would you, you know something stronger than milk?" She winked innocently as she sat on the edge of his desk enjoying the cookies.

Kris sat behind his desk as he set down his paperwork and plans to grab a cigar from his drawer. Cutting the tip and striking a match across the matchbook before tossing it back in and closing his drawer. Sitting back in his chair as he could hear someone coming down the hall to his office. Expecting Bernard but smiling surprised once he sees Jolibebe enter his office with a plate of cookies. No doubt from downstairs as he knew she couldn't resist his elve's cooking. 

"Joli!"

Kris said loudly while wondering why Bernard hadn't informed him as she set the plate down on the desk and came around to give him a hug. Kris wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her back, making sure to hold the cigar away from her so as not to burn her or ruin her attire. Noticing her eyes darting around the room the big red bag. Chuckling as he let her wonder where it might be. Knowing it was safely locked away in the vault. 

"I'm so glad you could make it! You're the first to arrive. Thank you for coming."

Kris said sweetly as Jolibebe walked around to the front of the desk whilst asking for something stronger to drink. 

"Well.. I do have something I've been saving for a day like today. Two bottles actually." 

Kris said as he reached down under his desk and brought forth two bottles of  1937 Winter Snow Sleigh G&w Whiskey and two glasses. Smiling as he popped one open and poured two drinks, for himself and the ever vibrant Jolibebe. Standing from his chair behind his desk as he handed her the glass. 

"Here you go. Here's to the future.. and to saving Christmas!"

He raised his glass to toast with Jolibebe and quickly swallowed down the drink and setting the glass down on the desk. Bringing the still lit cigar to his bearded face and taking a puff. The smoke leaving his mouth and flowing up into the room. 

"I can't wait for the rest to arrive. I really hope tonight is a hit." 

Kris says with a smile as he watches Jolibebe stuff the second cookie into her mouth and chomping down happily. 

Having known the jolly old elf from his days in Chicago and missing the bit of charm and spirit he had brought to the busy city, Ravel was overjoyed to receive his invitation to visit. All indications had been that Detroit was growing quickly under its new leaders and it was no surprise that Kris_Kringle had found a place among them. Ravel immediately booked a flight and left notice of his whereabouts with HQ.

Upon arrival at the front gate he was overcome with wonder at the compound before him. Surely Detroit had nothing of this sort to behold within its limits? And surely there had not been room for something so large in a town already packed so tightly. Yet here before his eyes was a fortified location that any leader of the underworld could be proud  of...with a few abnormal aesthetic choices. That said, everything here fit the man and his personal mission to a T. Approaching one of the elves at the gate, Ravel showed them the invitation he had brought. "Greetings, I've come to meet with your employer regarding his fortuitous rise. I'm eager to congratulate him and hope that you might point me in the right direction."

The gate elves were a bit more on the gruff side than most would expect from their kind, but then again their attitude was befitting their role. After a glance at the paper, a more cheerful demeanor returned and Ravel was shown to the foyer where an elf introduced himself as Bernard, the chief among them. He led Ravel through a delightful symphony of sounds, sights, and smells from the elves toiling at their craftsmanship. While from the outside the place had seemed fortified, the inside was as comforting as being within one's childhood home. Toys, cookies, and decorations in green and red made one feel as if one had fallen into a dream of the north pole, and indeed it roused a sort of childlike wonder that had long been absent Ravel as he had come to terms with the world as he lived in it.

This reverie was briefly interrupted as Bernard knocked at the office door and announced his presence to the leader of this fantastical place. Ravel slipped into the office with a sparkle in his eye and a youthful grin upon his face and immediately sought to shake the hand of the only one who could make such a thing possible. "It seems that I have found you well beyond all hopes, my friend! Though I never would have thought it the case in the past, it seems that Detroit has become a perfect fit for Santa's workshop. May you find all that you seek here in the motor city." Noticing JoliBebe had arrived before him, Ravel turned and gave her a charming smile. "It is always a beautiful day that I find myself in your company, my dear. I am quite certain we'll find a great deal of amusements to share during our visit to this magnificent place."

Suddenly remembering that he had something to celebrate the occasion, Ravel turned his gaze back to Kris and produced a thin case from within the vest of his suit. He opened it towards the man of the hour to show that it was filled with the finest of Cuban cigars. "A small housewarming gift to celebrate the occasion, thanks to the booming trade re-established by Godmother Lucania and of course your own Don Luciano."

Isabella peaked her head into the HQ and smiled at Kris, "Mind if I come in and join the fun?  I brought eggnog!"  She says showing off the homemade beverage which she'd whipped up.

"I'll have some @Isabella_Luciano!" Bellator said excitedly.  "If it's not too much of an imposition?"

The thrill of a new family had created an electrified element in the air.  Whilst things had moved on, and the news was certainly not new, there was still a buzz for those who were embracing it.

"This are looking up in Detroit.  The sky is the limit and the world is our oyster.  With good friends, good drink, and a pinch of luck, we may just make good for this city."