OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

[lateness]

CHARACTERS: the doctor (12), the doctor (11), clara oswald, river song, and all of you
LOCATION: the mess hall, the kitchens, the simulation room
DATE: december 24th, 25th
CONTENT: team tardis throws a big christmas party for the station
WARNINGS: none for now, will warn as needed (no fires!!!)

PART I
'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ...

1.0 Inside the kitchen and mess hall, Orbers will find the entire place decked out to the nines (Or elevens! Hohoho). No one knows how this all came together, but you will find almost everything Christmas related decorated along the walls and tables.

Hanging all around the walls are blue Christmas stockings! Each stocking will have the name of Orber etched in gold knitting. Inside each stocking is an array of personalized treats (if your character is a smoker, for example, then they will find a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, etc.)

On the tables at each place setting there are various coloured paper crowns for Orbers to decorate on their head – courtesy of Clara Oswald and her assistant, the Doctor (the chinny one) – and Christmas crackers to share with friends. Go on, then! Pull that cracker, see the assortment of sweets and surprises you’ve received. As far as refreshments go, there is plenty to share amongst everyone! There is eggnog, "naughty" eggnog, cookies, cakes, candy canes and sugar gumdrops. It is a downright delightful spread of treats to indulge and tide you over for before you feast with your teammates.

2.0 Before the main feast is prepared, there are plenty of activities to keep you (or a friend or two) occupied. Do you see those Christmas trees on almost every corner of the station? Yeah, the Doctor(s) got awfully distracted (something about if a hot dog is a sandwich) and these bare trees could use some decorative love. Or perhaps you can express your creative talents in the kitchen, where you may want to test out a new recipe to share with the rest of the class. Whether it be a savoury or a sweet dish, there is sure to be at least one person who might like it.

There is also a magician’s kit lying around if you want to take a crack at learning a few new tricks to show off to others! Or if you wish to partake in any group activity, there is a stack of board games and a deck of cards to play a friendly game of Go Fish! Who knows? The game-world’s your oyster.

3.0 By evening, the mess hall will be set up with napkins and plates and cutlery of varying Christmas-y colours. It isn’t perfect, but nothing ever really is, is it? Especially after the Doctor (the cross Scots one) might have very nearly burned the kitchens down a little earlier – something about improving the heat for the roast. Still, it’s finally time for the Christmas feast! And oh, what a smell there is wafting through the large space. There’s plenty of delicious food to go around – especially using much of the ingredients that had come in through the last supply drop. There are varying plates of savoury and sweet dishes, some recognizable, some a little more ... eclectic (you use what space ingredients you’re given, after all), but all of what the hosts have prepared look ... surprisingly edible, some of it even delicious. Roast veg, gravy, stuffing, biscuits, gingerbread, hot cocoa, marshmallows, something mulled, and sweets!

Of course, the more food, the merrier! If you’ve taken part in the cooking and baking from earlier, arriving with your own special Signature Dish, the Doctors (yes, both of them!) will be so pleased to see it join the rest of the feast.

And for those who might have run across the Doctor’s enthusiastic ramblings on Jammie Dodgers at one point will finally get a chance to try them. They’ll be stacked up to resemble a tree on a plate, sprinkled with (edible) glitter in blue and silver.

PART II
SIMPLY HAVING A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME

4.0 Christmas Morning finds everyone with an open invitation to the simulation room to attend a very merry Christmas morning. Step inside and be taken away to a warm and cozy living room that is elaborately decorated for the holiday. You’ve been decorated for the occasion too, decked out in pajamas and a robe. With slippers to match, everyone that’s a part of Christmas morning will look like they’re ready to play their part in the festivities. There’s a fire crackling in the fireplace, the smell of cinnamon and clove in the air, and the distant sound of traditional Christmas songs playing on an antique radio over in the corner of the room. There’s also a tree, of course, one that almost seems too large to be in such a quaint place. It’s fully decorated, absolutely covered with a variety of kitschy ornaments like Santa Claus on a T-Rex or bears in tutus. There also happen to be ornaments of every single orber present on the station, presented in the form of ridiculous looking little elves.

Around the tree and scattered around the floor are opened gift boxes, wrapping paper strewn about. Toys from the boxes are discarded on the floor and around the room, plastic dinosaurs and robots that come to life when you wind them up. There are ridiculous looking squeaky alien toys, marshmallow launchers, and even a giant stuffed giraffe. Who could all of these toys belong to?

There also happen to be gifts beneath the tree for everyone. There aren’t any labels on the gifts so feel free to choose whichever one you like (but only one, there won’t be any greedy Scrooges here on Christmas!). No matter what size package that is chosen, big or small, there’s a sweater inside: an ugly Christmas sweater for everyone. One that can be put on over your pajamas to take part in an ugly sweater contest once everyone has unwrapped their gifts.

And of course no Christmas morning is complete without some sort of breakfast. Set up in the corner of the room is a small table with pastries and cocoa, with a big bowl of mini marshmallows. There’s coffee present too, for those that prefer their breakfast with a little less sugar. There’s plenty of seating around the living room to grab a leather chair or a spot on the fluffy couch. Or maybe sit in one of the red velvet chairs over by the windows to watch the slow and steady snowfall over a picturesque view of the British countryside.

5.0 As the events of the morning slowly come to an end, the simulation shifts to a quiet little town. There’s snow on rooftops and colorful lights lining buildings that manage to glisten and glow even in the daylight. The entire street is completely over the top with decoration; fresh garlands that smell of pleasant pine, miniature christmas trees decorated from top to bottom, and vibrant red bows are just about everywhere. There’s no hustle and bustle here, just a relaxed afternoon in the most Christmasy town ever.

The smell of cider and gingerbread baking are in the air, brought on by a bakery that’s open for a visit. Want to make a gingerbread house? There are materials set out to do that. There are things for gingerbread people too, if that’s more your bag.

There’s a bookstore filled with all kinds of books. If you’re not from Earth and are curious about Christmas, there’s plenty of children’s books on the matter waiting for you to enjoy. They’re set up on an elaborate display up front, though anyone is free to browse around and look through what else they have to offer.

A toy store, magician’s shop, and a boisterous pub round off the shops found on the street. There’s street vendors selling chestnuts that have been roasted over an open fire, wassail, and marshmallows for roasting. There’s also a band playing live music, Christmas carols of course. Join in and sing along or don’t. No one’s going to judge you either way. Take your time to enjoy everything or rush through because it’s too much Christmas, all in your face at once. Either way, the marketplace is present for hours in the afternoon and leading into the evening hours.

6.0 As night falls everyone is guided out of town and down a candle lit path that leads to a frozen over pond. It’s been set up for ice skating, with skates set aside for anyone that wants a pair. There’s baubles of lights set out all around the area, and the moon hangs high overhead. No seriously, the moon looks incredibly huge tonight. It’s blue glow reflects on the ice along with the warm yellow glow of all the lights. It’s a welcoming atmosphere, inviting anyone that’s brave enough to put on skates and take part.

The band from the Christmas market earlier are back to play throughout the night, playing quieter songs mixed in with lively pieces that are meant to get people speed skating around the ice.

Set a short distance away from the ice is a long table, with plenty of mismatched seats. Fairy lights twinkle overhead, and are also glowing from inside glass canisters that make up the centerpieces on the table. There’s dark blue galaxy dinnerware at every place, and a small feast spread out so no matter where someone sits there’s plenty within reach. It always manages to stay warm, and nothing ever seems to run out. It’s a perfect place to take a break and grab a quick meal, or just sit and chat with someone while you both enjoy a drink.

The area around the pond can be explored, so go crazy playing in the snow or whatever it is you want to do there. Just don’t wander too far off from the group. There may or may not be razor-toothed snowmen keeping you from going too far. They may hiss or blow snow in your face, but they probably won’t try to bite anyone.

🎄 After all of that is said and done, Orbers may find themselves drawn towards a small bonfire billowing from the center of this quaint little town. But it isn’t just the scent of warm Maplewood dancing underneath your nose. There sitting on top of a milk-crate is The Doctor (12) playing a jaunty little tune from his electric guitar. Orbers are more than welcome to sit around the bonfire and reflect on these past few months and where they might find themselves in the future.

If you find yourselves by your lonesome fear not! The Doctor (11) will be there offer you a hug (or smooch if you’re feeling saucy).

No matter what strife you have been through this year, just remember ...

Each and every one of your lives is a story. So best make it a good one.

Comments

[calmness]

Perhaps we are meant to find the matching set and then wear them? [it is rather wasteful but, well, he has no idea really.] That is also true.

If it is something we are meant to keep, it would be to use again if we are here next year... [he trails off, frowning.] If Viveca means for us to stay so long.

[winscenario]

[ Epi-pen. That... takes him a while to even recognize, and after a couple of seconds that feel like forever, Jim shakes his head frantically. No, he has nothing at all on him, as he wasn't exactly planning on, you know, eating something he's allergic to tonight. Probably should start carrying something around for that.

A problem for another time. He reaches out to hold her arm, opening his mouth to try and say 'Bones', but all that comes out is an incomprehensible noise (not that she'd even know what he means by Bones). His throat's starting to close up now, which is pretty great, cool, all these crazy dangerous missions and he's about to be done in by a stupid strawberry. ]

[bossily]

My favorite Earth holiday, I suppose.

[Because as being here on the station has shown, Christmas isn't a universal holiday. She's experienced holidays and celebrations on other planets and in other galaxies, all of them wonderful.]

This Christmas is definitely turning out to be my favorite in a long time. It's the first where I've gotten to celebrate with my Doctors.

[And wherever they are in the room, Clara glances around to spot them. She warmly smiles as she does, so pleased to see them enjoying themselves the way they are. All the work she's put into this is to make sure it's absolutely perfect for them. Everyone else on the station coming and enjoying themselves too is just icing on the cake.]

[calmness]

Do you remember when we spoke about spiritual energy in my world? [he says after a soft laugh, a little pleased that someone's impressed.]

And I do so because the rules of my sect forbid drinking. Technically only within the confines of Cloud Recess... [he glances down at the wine, the smile turning a bit sad. he's not in his home. he shakes his head.] My uncle taught me the trick so I would be able to drink at banquets when declining would be considered an offense.

[winscenario]

That leaves Jim feeling intrigued, maybe even a little confused for a moment. He frowns a bit, considering Blue's ghostly shadow hovering in front of him.

So what, you believe... things last forever? Some kind of permanence? Aren't Mu mortals, then?

Is that it, he wonders? He does know Blue is old, but they've never really talked about that beyond references to how long he was asleep, and what few memories he got to glimpse through Blue's eyes when their minds melded.

[naloxone]

[ her careful observation lightens when he seems to decide on settling back in, for now, but she doesn't sink back into her seat just yet. ]

Only the really good ones or the really bad ones.

[ it's right there, right on the tip of her tongue, wanting to ask, Which one was yours? but it isn't as if she can't surmise on her own, and she doubts he would tell her anyway.

at his question, she purses her lips thoughtfully and glances off towards the desk settled close to the entrance. ]

I was over there for a little while.

[ it's not as if she can't sense his sudden sheepishness, like a child caught reaching for a comforting hand in the middle of a crowded grocery store. but she doesn't think bringing any attention to it will make it an easier pill to swallow. it's not in her nature to shame someone who reaches out — subconsciously or not.

she finally turns a page. ]

Don't worry, you don't snore any louder than the last guy that was on that bed.

6.0

[bossily]

[For once, Clara's feeling like the one that's capable while all the stronger, superpowered people struggle on the ice. She's in the middle of skating backward when she breezes past Daisy, spotting her friend about to fall. She about faces and skates on over to stop that from happening, grabbing hold of her friend and not letting go.]

Come on, we'll keep going together. [She skates over so she's going backward and both of her hands are in Daisy's. If Daisy keeps moving forward, she'll gently pull them along while skating backward.]

I won't let you fall. Promise.

[winscenario]

Hey, it's fine. Don't worry about it. Just be glad you bumped into someone who knows how these things work, yeah?

[ Someone else might've tried to give him water, and that'd just make it worse. Thankfully, Jim knows better. The kitchen isn't too far, and once there he urges Xichen to sit down, while he rushes over to the fridge. ]

There's a whole scientific explanation for it. I can tell you later, if you're interested in that kind of thing, but for now—

[ He fills up a glass with milk, setting it down in front of Xichen. ]

Take a decent gulp and move it around your mouth. Don't swallow right away, let it sit for a bit.

[winscenario]

[ Ahaha, yeah sure, Jim would have mentioned it... ANYWAY. Moving onto the current order of business (and forgetting all about drunken confessions that obviously meant nothing at all!!). ]

Mm, do you now? [ He grins, voice sweet as he leans in closer to Finn. ] I might have a little surprise for you, too...

[ That only sounded mildly sexual. ]

[kovach]

[ considering he's never really had much of a christmas, never having much of a reason to celebrate it in the first place, he might have just automatically placed them in the latter category of really bad, just by the sheer fact that he'd woken up from a hasty night of getting as high and drunk beyond even what his body might've permitted. but then that'd be saying that everything else prior hadn't mattered, because between the rest of the festive cheer he might've been reluctant to engage in with the other orbers and even the surplus of go games he'd lost to marta's hand, he'd actually had something of a good time.

still, sometimes, all it takes is one thing to go wrong to have it all plummet down to the ground, and he could still almost hear clara's sobbing angry cries even now, but he tries to drown it out.

marta keeps him occupied, at least, even if he feels a bit guilty for getting her stuck with checking on him in the first place. ]

Oh, good. Would've really hated to get a bad review on my sickbed courtesy.

[ he sets the glass back down on the table, back settling on the pillow behind him again, quiet as he considers himself for a moment, staring at his hands. ]

You been reading that out loud?

e.........................ish

[doze]

( so!

this has been some kind of wild ride. christmas is such a strange and random thing to ace (at first he thought it was just a weird themed party with trees and gifts and stuff, then he heard about this jesus fellow and it's his birthday or something that all of earth (lmao at the planet name still, ace can't get over that) celebrates that for some reason. he's still kind of unsure on the details.

but, whatever. it doesn't really matter. a party's a party and he's been having loads and loads of fun all day. eating and drinking and making merry. there's no better way to get to know people in a new place than to have a party. in the back of his mind it makes him a little sad he can't share this with everyone else, but he keeps that to himself and will probably share a drink with yamato later and commiserate over everyone back home not being here or them not being there. whatever.

but as the day wears on, he gets a little tired and needs a break from all the hustle and bustle of socialization. so he looks for a place to chill and relax with a warm drink (turns out mulled wine is pretty good!) and spots a familiar face. he meanders over to where marta is sitting and sits down beside her. as he does so, he drops a crudely wrapped small package into her lap. just by looking at it she can probably tell he recycled the wrapping paper from his sweater because... well, where else would he get wrapping paper from?? but anyway. )

Happy ( is that right? he doesn't know. ) Christmas, roomie. Y'like reading, right?

( though, probably likely not the kind of book ace decided to swipe from the bookstore for her. but it's fun, right? he loves the title. )

bonfire

[bossily]

[The bonfire goes on until late into the night, and it's when many of the others have already gone that Clara finds Dean. The fire's still burning bright and is pleasantly crackling, the smell of wood burning and smoke hanging heavy in the air. The scent of it is lightly to blanket the both of them for a while, with how they're lingering out by the flames. But Clara doesn't mind that. It's one of those comforting, nostalgic sort of scents.

Clara quietly slips over to sit beside him, not asking permission before picking up the bottle of whiskey. She opens it and takes a slow sip straight from the bottle.]

Who is it you're missing tonight?

[She wonders softly, not looking away from the flames. She knows the look of ache and longing, of missing someone you care for.]

[calmness]

[he does not know water doesn't help either, so this is a great thing for potential future mishaps. so jim's offered a grateful smile, as xichen lets himself be guided along toward salvation.

anti-spice salvation.

he sits down and glances at the milk, which there's quite a bit of. hopefully he's not supposed to drink the whole thing since he's learned he doesn't care for the taste.

but he does as he's told, taking a sip and moving it around his mouth. it's a few moments but he feels better surprisingly quickly, at least his mouth no longer burns and he's not quite as red when he finally drinks the gulp.] That feels like it should be magic. [he says with a wry smile. he knows well that it's not, but hopefully the playfulness lands.] Thank you.. No one in my family or sect is known for handling any level of spice well and I was not expecting it at all.

How did you learn this works? [he is actually curious about the science too, but that's a question for later.]

2

[bossily]

Clara's always up for a good game of Parcheesi. She spots someone setting up the board and moves to sit across the table. She's not particularly expecting to hear that second part of what's said, and the shock on her face shows for a few moments.

"Sorry, what?" No, she definitely just heard something about being sucked into a game. "So you're saying you basically lived Jumanji?" There's a pause, and she chooses to accept that at face value. She's heard and lived through stranger things. She just shrugs and nods a little, putting her pieces into place on the board.

[hatejakku]

[ He might have mentioned it!!

Anyway. If the surprise is in any way sexual, Finn's not going to be complaining. It gets a chuckle out of him, at least. ]

Oh, you do, huh? I can't wait.

[ He closes the small distance between them, taking a kiss. ]

[flickerandfade]

"Ah, the commander of his vessel." Megatron studies Jim Kirk and decides that human star captains must have a disturbing resemblance to Rodimus in temperament as a general rule.

"I have, I work with him in the infirmary. A keen medical mind and quite pleasant to work with."

[naloxone]

[ there she'd been, innocently minding her own business...

nah, in truth marta is actually really pleased to see ace, as she'd lost track of him somewhere after the christmas morning opening of gifts. being rather new, marta hadn't thought to get anyone anything, and so she'd gotten content living with the guilt of being a horrible person when people started turning around and gifting her... but she honestly hadn't expected to feel so towards one of her very own roommates.

she looks up from the bundle in her lap, touched. hands already moving to pull the reused wrapper away. ]

Ace, you shouldn't —

[ her eyes fall on the cover ]

...have.

[ she's silent a few moments, before very slowly, very carefully lifting her eyes back up to meet his. she's looks at him closely, trying to figure out if its mischief or firelight dancing in his eyes. ]

You know this book?

[flickerandfade]

"Back from the dead? I wasn't aware it was possible," he says drily.

"Often times we are the ones who do that to ourselves, whether we like to admit it or not. After all, do we not set ourselves on our own paths to our own dark places?" Oh good he's waxing philosophical now. Lovely. Look what you've done, River.

[doze]

( listen.

he tried his best, okay? books aren't exactly a big thing to him; he can read, but he doesn't make a habit of devouring books. that was best left to someone else. and maybe it's because there's that thread of commonality that's in marta that ties her to his old friend that drove him to do this in the first place. there's no telling. but, he genuinely thought this was a good idea; this isn't some ximi version of punk'd.

anyway.

there's enough alcohol in his system to dull his senses just a little bit that it doesn't register with him that marta doesn't seem to like his very thoughtful gift. which, speaking of alcohol, he takes another mouthful of the wine and shakes his head, gesturing toward her with the cup. )

No. Sounded more interesting than the one you had the other day. That one's got pirates— ( a beat ) I think.

( he snickers, almost more to himself than anything. )

Besides, I thought the title was pretty funny.

[firstroar]

As far as is known we are, but... Blue frowns. But there's still something...some...part of me that...wants to believe in some kind of long-lasting...connection. Perhaps it's because in the universe I come from...people no longer have connections to those who came before them.

He looks back at Jim thoughtfully.

People you never met...your ancestors...they're not forgotten. Their traditions - these...traditions...are from people long, long ago. They're still lasting in this way. Changing, person to person, but...undying.

[scarcastically]

[ he blinks, not expecting that. ]

Uh, yeah. I'm down for it. Just us.

[bindsthedead]

Then let's start. I'm familiar with waltzes as well- ballroom dancing was one of the things our school expected everyone to know.

[Sabriel's posture shifts, as she moves to let Yzak take the lead.]

Admittedly, I never had much of an opportunity to put it to use, until the Braccia mission.

[blackfire]

（ there is a cultural nuance he is missing, and yet — he grasps enough to guess at what erik is saying. he felt the same, to learn of the way the rinne festival had shifted away from an opportunity to pay respects to one's ancestors to an occasion for gifts. ​ ）

Does the commercialization of the holiday obfuscate the sentiment for you?

（ he's asking from that place of understanding — he is here, participating because he was asked to, yet it is not the sort of thing he enjoys or wishes to attend to for his own sake. ）

[scarcastically]

[ erik purses his lips for a moment. ]

It becomes about wealth. Or it pushes out the people who don't celebrate it by pretending it's secular when it's not. Feels there's too much history involved for me to just . . . push it aside.

[blackfire]

（ he nods, accepting that. ）

I understand.

（ the uchiha were a wealthy clan, and itachi had needed for nothing growing up — yet they had still lived sparely, without excessive, lavish comforts. he puts no value on wealth and never has, but it is an easy thing to dismiss when you have never been in want of it. the innocent hope of a child to receive a gift their families cannot hope to provide can only ever be an injustice. ）

Are there other occasions you prefer to celebrate?