ximilialog | OPEN // december catch-all log

[ It's going to be happening a little all over the station, at any hour of the day too. Jim sticks to a pretty strict schedule despite the lack of a duty roster here, but even then he has the odd night where he can't sleep, and he might be roaming the station just to shake off that nervous energy.

Whether he's simply going from point A to point B (the labs, kitchen, mess hall, crew's quarters and sunlight room are all very easy bets), or donning running shorts and a t-shirt and jogging all around the station, it's not going to be very difficult to run into him somewhere. Perhaps that run-in will happen underneath some mistletoe...

... perhaps he won't look all that upset about it. Rather the opposite. ]

Well, it is tradition, [ He'll say to anyone who seems amused or maybe a little embarrassed, but!!

If he notes any serious discomfort or outright annoyance or hostility about the situation, he'll instead go with— ] We can ignore it, it's fine.

[ But c'mon why're you here if you don't want some smoochin'. ]

[ Despite Jim's best attempts at a sleep schedule, some nights he just can't make himself fall asleep. Some days he can't focus on anything either, too much pent-up energy with nowhere to go when he has so little do keep him busy at times.

A message will ring out across the Orbers' earpieces, quick and simple. ]

Looking for sparring partners. Training room, right now. No weapons.

[ Plain and simple, really. Jim doesn't really care how strong they might be, or if they have special powers. They can just tweak the details. He might not even mind being roughed up some. ]

[not discomfort, not annoyance, just curiosity. he hadn't noticed the little plant until Jim had pointed it out, and now Blue is looking at it thoughtfully, trying to recall if it means anything to him, but...nothing really comes to mind. nothing as strident as whatever Jim's on about.]

Is it an Earth tradition? Different from...hanging other kinds of plants?

[ Jim can't help a soft laugh, though empty of mockery or malice. He steps closer to Blue but rests both hands on his own hips, looking up at it and nodding. ]

Yes. That's mistletoe. It's traditionally hung over doors during the winter time, and it's said that if two people are caught under it, they have to kiss. You haven't noticed these all over the station yet?

[well...]

Ad...mittedly, I don't...spend much time. Looking up. [his mouth curves on one side briefly.] Why are those the rules?

[ Elthree has no need for sleep, so a "sleep schedule" doesn't even factor into her vocabulary. She takes her downtime when she pleases, and can often be found out and about when most of her organic crewmates are sleeping.

But not Jim, apparently. She crosses paths with him in the curved hall between the common living area and the north wing, where someone has so unscrupulously thought to hang another one of those kriffing plants.

Elthree looks up, then back down at Jim, her optic narrowing. ]

...Fine. But you're going to have to do all the heavy lifting.

[ She gestures towards her lipless face. ]

[ Oh, Finn loves it when he catches Jim running around. Despite wanting to, he has yet to drop everything to run with him, but he has stopped and watched him make a few circuits on occasion. It's one of his favorite hobbies.

But today, he finds that Jim has already stopped. ]

Oh? [ Then he glances up and sees one of those plants that's been dotted all around the station. Didn't Dean mention something about them being- Something about kissing? There was kissing involved.

Sorry, his flirty smile is gone in favor of squinting at the green sprig. ]

It's-... It's a kissing thing, right?

Well, now you've seen it.

[ It's definitely very There, just looming over their heads, all bright and cheerful and festive. ]

Oh, it's not a rule necessarily, just a tradition... I'm not sure how it came to be? Probably just someone hoping to get a kiss from their crush. It's a very old tradition on Earth, but not a lot of people follow it anymore. I'm sure most don't even know about it.

[ Jim can't help a quiet chuckle, amused by her reaction. She seems a little annoyed by the plant, but evidently not enough to tell him where he can stick it. So, you know, all things considered, not so bad.

Even better when she gives him clear consent, something he always appreciates. ]

Mmm, I think I can make something work.

[ With a wide teasing smile, he steps up closer to her, both his hands moving to curl loosely around the wiring and structure that make up her neck. Both thumbs gently tilt her head up, then he leans down to press a lingering kiss to the rim of the dome just an inch or so below her optic. She may not register the kiss in the same way a humanoid would, but unless she's willing to show him other ways she might share in intimate gestures like that, he's going for what seems more natural and familiar to him. ]

[ I'm sorry Finn, but why is that flirty smile gone just when they're literally both 'trapped' under the official make-out plant of the season? This is the time to ogle him, thanks. ]

Oh, yes. It's a kissing thing. I hear you really have to put your heart to it, or else it doesn't count.

[ Not that he needs any kind of excuse to get Finn to kiss him senseless, but... you know. ]

[he breathes out a thoughtful sound at that.]

I wonder...if there are humans here from a time...that does know. [just a passing curiosity, sure, but Blue's curious!

that aside:] Though, should I ask Finn...to come find you here? For your tradition. [humans and all. and boy do you two smooch.]

Maybe. You could try asking around, if you're curious. [ Well, now Jim's curious too, so he might look around for information. Not right now, though, his focus is elsewhere.

He looks amused when Blue mentions Finn. It's true, they do smooch a lot, but also— ] No, that's fine. We also like to kiss other people, you know. I'd gladly kiss you, if you want it.

[he dips his head apologetically, just briefly.]

Oh, I'm...sorry, James. I've no experience with such things.

Really?

[ Jim's smile somehow widens even more at that, head tilting. ]

Well, all the more reason to try it. Aren't you at least a little curious?

[he mirrors the head tilt in the opposite direction, blinking.]

Well... [his gaze moves askance.] Many, many people seem very keen to it here. I wonder if it would mean...something different to my kind.

That's because kissing feels good. It triggers certain reactions in your body and releases chemicals that make you feel really nice.

[ He's not going to go into the specifics of arousal because that's a very intense kind of kiss that he's not planning on overwhelming Blue with. Baby steps, all that. ]

Tell me if I got it wrong, but from what I understand, your people are relatives of Humans in a way. So you might be able to experience some of the same sensations.

[Blue brings a hand to his chin in thought.]

Aa, that's true. Physical connection still...has impact. It can make connections...clearer. [nod nod.] It's why I could show you those memories. By hand.

Chemicals, though? I'm not...very sharp about science for that. But it's possible, if attempted.

See? So there might be something to it.

[ He will admit he's doing this mostly for selfish reasons (he really likes kissing, okay), but now he's also curious about how that will feel. To Blue, and to himself as well. There must be some kind of feedback loop there while they're touching, right? ]

So... is that a yes?

[ Zari doesn't care about Christmas and she doesn't celebrate it, but it's hard to resist a fun and harmless tradition, especially when she's standing under the mistletoe with someone as cute as Jim.

What's the best way to get over one John Constantine breaking her heart? It might be something like this. ]

Is it?

[ She can't help smiling, playing a little coy as she reaches out to rest her hands on his shoulders and leaning right into his space. ]

You don't strike me as a very traditional man, Jim.

[that pulse of interest peppered with delight makes Blue's mouth quirk.]

Yes. If I were ever to try, I think...you would be the best candidate. [because he's been very unafraid of Blue's...Blueness.]

[ Had their first meeting gone differently, Jim might not have been quite so bold out of the blue, but they did seem to hit it off well, despite the circumstances. He's also made his interest (very) clear, and she didn't turn him down on the spot.

Plus, she's getting her hands on him the moment he steps close enough to her for that, which is very promising. Oh, he likes where this is going already. ]

I like to pick and choose. Some traditions are worth holding onto, don't you think?

[ He raises an eyebrow at her, a hand resting on her waist. ]

[ Jim can't help a light, open laugh at that. ]

I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you.

[ He's very sure that Blue didn't mean he's a good option because of his vast experience (thus calling him a space ho), so he doesn't take it to heart. Wouldn't have been particularly offended either if that's what Blue meant, but it might've put a bit of a damper on things.

Anyway— he steps closer to Blue now, resting a hand on his waist. ]

Look at me.

[Blue removes his hand from the wall he'd been using for balance to straighten up, lifting his head and watching him obediently.]

Any other instructions?

Yes. Close your eyes and relax.

[ No point in holding onto tension, it'll just feel forced. He'll find some way to work around it if Blue does tense up, though, so he tilts his head in to press his lips to Blue's, his free hand resting on his arm first, then slowly moving up to cup Blue's jaw. ]

I guess I can see the merit of a few of them.

[ She can feel a pleasant flush rising in her cheeks. It's been too long since she could just be playful and let go of everything for a moment.

Leaning up just a little on her toes, she presses closer until they're breathing the same air. ]

This one doesn't seem too bad. It definitely has me thinking of you.

[ Zari knows she's a lot of things, but subtle isn't something she's ever tried to be. Subtle doesn't get you millions of followers and a successful business and it doesn't get you the things you want. ]

OPEN // december catch-all log

OPEN // mistletoe mischief

OPEN // training day

leggy out

uhuhu

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pls run into her in short shorts

sneaks right up in here

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the shortest of shorts, I hope she appreciates the view because it's really nice

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