With her manuscript safely in her editor's hands awaiting feedback, Juliana had decided to take a while off her research to enjoy the holiday season. She knew she'd be too tired on Christmas to do much besides drink cocoa and eat, because whatever her plans she would worry far too much about her numerous lycanthrope contacts during the Christmas full moon. With that in mind, she was front loading as much of her festivities as possible. She'd already decorated her own home, Zachariah's flat, and assisted at Hugo and Rosie's. She'd tried and failed to bake gingerbread (though she'd eaten the burned bits anyway when the cook had pronounced them too far gone to decorate). She'd been caroling, bought presents, and sent cards. The only thing left to do was enjoy this lovely festival Zach had helped put together.

She actually was a passable ice skater, though nowhere near athletic. She could glide around in circles and hold conversations, and she'd been doing that with a friend for at least ten minutes before she tried to push her luck. She'd just seen a young woman skate past and do something with her feet — lifting one off the ice and turning the other and accomplishing a lovely graceful little turn that sent a shower of ice shavings up all around her feet.

"I want to try that," Jules told her friend, then did so, to disastrous effect. She ended up flailing her arms wildly in an attempt to stay upright, but succeeded only in managing not to plunge into the nearby fountain before she fell spectacularly. Her friend gasped, and started towards her, but then seemed to think better of it and skate on. Juliana was confused only until the gentleman behind her asked his question — if she'd fallen so splendidly that she'd attracted the attention of strangers her friend was probably embarrassed to be seen with her, and Jules couldn't quite blame her.

"Quite alright," Jules said, though her bottom was already aching and one side of her corset had poked her roughly enough that she would at least be deeply bruised. "Serves me right, I suppose, trying to get fancy."

Now she had to get up, which had always been the most difficult part of ice skating. Jules let out a pained breath and decided her best bet was to scrabble to the fountain's edge and use that as a support. It was only then that she really looked at the man who had spoken to her, and recognized him at once.

"Oh, you're Minister Urquart!" she said with surprise. No wonder her friend had been too embarrassed to insert herself into the interaction. "Imagine meeting you here! Happy Christmas, sir."