My final response to Hades' awesome challenge.

Wishing everyone all the very best for 2015:-)

And many many thanks to Hades:-)

Prompt from silvermouse - Mon ami

Prompt from I'm Nova - "I won't do it ever again."

Reluctance

I will do this just once,

My persistent old friend,

But I won't do it ever again;

I am not one for garlands

And seasonal cheer,

I have made my views

Perfectly plain.

~0~

I would rather stay home

As you know, mon ami,

With my test tubes,

And old violin.

I abhor all the fuss

As the great masses wait

For another

New year to begin.

~0~

My dear friend, as you know,

I excel at charades,

Twenty questions,

And, yes, blind man's bluff,

But I'm destined

For difficult,

Challenging things,

Not an evening of

Frivolous fluff.

~0~

But...you kept up your silence

For more than three days,

It was more than

Most people could stand,

And you got Mrs Hudson

Involved in your scheme,

Which was cunning

And quite underhand.

~0~

I had never expected

A fine walnut cake

To be used as a pawn in

Your game;

If the evening

Ends up in disaster,

Of course,

There is only your good self to blame.

~0~

So, our carriage is waiting;

We're dressed to the nines

And, we're off to the

Yarders event;

There'll be dancing and singing,

Much food and much wine

In an evening of

Forced merriment.

~0~

Do not fret my, dear Watson

I will keep to my word,

As a picture of joy and good cheer;

And at midnight, I'll wish

Each acquaintance and friend

All the best

For a Happy New Year.

~0~