The colonel is the main character, and around him, we can expect his immediate family. But it's also likely that there are characters like the cook and the maids who are responsible for the dinner. There could be old friends of the colonel from his military days. There might be a character who brings a bit of drama, like a jealous relative or a person with a secret. And in the 'other stories' part, there could be a whole range of characters from different backgrounds that somehow tie back to the idea of Christmas or a similar festive event.
The colonel is the central character for sure. In addition to him, there could be servants or staff who are helping with the Christmas dinner preparations. There may be neighbors or friends who are invited to the dinner. Given it's a Christmas setting, there could also be local clergy or community leaders who play a part in the story. Since it's a collection of stories, there might be different characters in each story related to the overall Christmas dinner theme, such as a lost traveler who is welcomed to the dinner or a child with a special Christmas wish.
Obviously, there would be the colonel. There might also be his family members, like his wife, children, or other relatives. And perhaps some of his military comrades or subordinates could be there too.
The main themes could include family relationships as it is a Christmas dinner setting which often involves family. Also, perhaps there are themes of tradition and nostalgia related to the Christmas celebration.
The main characters would include Kurt Hummel. He would probably be in charge of the decorations, making the dinner area look fabulous. Mercedes Jones would be there, bringing her amazing voice and her big heart. Puck would also be involved, maybe causing a little bit of chaos at the dinner table but in a fun way. And Quinn Fabray, who might be reflecting on how much her life has changed since last Christmas.
Obviously, Batman himself. He is the central figure of the family. Then there's Alfred, who is like the family's butler and caretaker. He would be the one preparing the dinner. Robin, whether it's Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, or any of the other Robins, would often be present. Batgirl could also be there, adding a female presence to the group.
Perhaps there are street - smart characters. People who know the ins and outs of the unforgiving city, like a street vendor or a pickpocket. There could also be authority figures, like corrupt cops or powerful politicians who add to the unforgiving nature of the city. And then there could be ordinary citizens just trying to get by and deal with the challenges the city throws at them.
There could be a gardener, someone who takes care of the garden in the story. Maybe a young child who discovers the garden and has adventures there. And perhaps an old wise person who imparts knowledge about the garden or the stories within the book.
The likely characters in 'lost love and other stories' would include the ones directly involved in the lost love situations. For example, ex - partners, who might be of different genders and personalities. There could be a male character who was unfaithful and now regrets it, or a female character who was left without any explanation. Additionally, family members could be characters too. A mother who tries to comfort her daughter after a bad breakup, or a father who gives advice to his son on how to move on from lost love.
There could be lovers, of course. Maybe a character who is in a doomed relationship, like a man or woman who is in love with someone they can't have. There might also be friends or family members who are affected by the main characters' love situations.
Maybe an old wise figure, like an old man or woman who knows the secrets behind the door or has some knowledge about the events in the other stories. They could guide the younger characters or be a source of mystery themselves. For example, they might have a past connection to the secret door that is gradually revealed throughout the stories.
There might also be the courtiers, the servants who work in the royal palace. They could be important characters as they often have a unique perspective on the royal happenings. And don't forget the advisers to the royals. They play a crucial role in decision - making and could be central to some of the stories.
There might be brave explorers who are curious about the haunted house. Also, there could be the previous inhabitants of the house whose presence lingers in a spooky way. And of course, there would be the people who are affected by the strange happenings in and around the house.