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

[homeostatic]

It's almost over.

( Does he sound a little wistful? Yeah. The break from action has been a welcome one, moments of kindness, of thoughtfulness shared for a little while, new friendships forged and bonds strengthened in every smile, every warm word and deed traded these past few weeks.

He hopes it's enough to get them all through the days ahead. )

I have something for you. ( Leonard's tone turns lightly apologetic. ) It'll have to wait until tomorrow though.

[firstroar]

Blue nods, sending out a soft, affirmative sound before his image fades, his mind returning back to his body, back in that room of his. It's nice, though...to come back with a hope for something nice to look forward to.

[bossily]

Not tomorrow.

[Tomorrow is another busy day for them, celebrating Christmas all day with whoever would like to show up. She almost stops worrying about her arm long enough to insist that he come then too, but he's here tonight, and that's absolutely perfect. If he'd like to spend Christmas day with them in the simulation room, he'll make his presence known to her one way or another. And if not, well, she's glad to have him here now.

The dress she's wearing is sleeveless, so she doesn't hesitate to dive right in and start washing up best she can.]

The day after that, though. I figured you've been busy with everyone else, and haven't wanted to be a bother.

[Sam and Eleven are there, and so is Newt. That's not counting the other little injuries and people who need him on a daily basis.]

[homeostatic]

Yes!

( McCoy gestures Xichen in, and happens to produce another of the fur balls, offering it to him with an easy air. )

It's a tribble! Not a real one, but close enough. They're little critters from back home, their trill is very soothing to humanoids. ( Except Klingons, so he hears, but he won't go into detail there. )

These are made to help you sleep.

[firstroar]

You're right.

[Blue gently hugs Finn's arm, taking solace in his understanding, grateful for it.]

That happiness...I want them to know what it's like here. With you, with the others. I can't stop thinking about it...how much it would mean for them to see you all...

[homeostatic]

Clara.

( McCoy gives her a side eye, taking the washed plates from Clara to dry and setting himself up a station at the counter next to the sink. )

You're never going to be a bother, not about that. I can take care of that in less than an hour; you'll be good as new.

[bossily]

[She recognizes that tone. It's the one people use when they try to convince her that she isn't getting in their way, after she stubbornly refuses their help. She appreciates his insisting, and pauses in washing a plate long enough to glance over at him with a smile.]

Suppose I can make time tomorrow morning, then. There'll be time before the Doctors get the Christmas simulation up and going.

[homeostatic]

Good.

( Satisfied, he gives her a slight smile as well, turning a plate in hand as he blots the last bit of water along its rim, setting it aside in a stack with the rest. )

I can give you your present then, too.

[morethan084]

It's raw fish, usually wrapped in seaweed.

[...]

Which probably sounds disgusting if you haven't tried it.

[Looking out towards the fire as talks, Daisy's nose wrinkles in disgust.]

So fish pudding. That sounds awful.

[hatejakku]

[ Finn laughs hard, his hand wrapping around Jim's wrist before they both fall to his chest. ]

That's a good solution, yeah. [ He says after the kiss, but the idea of food prompts himself to look around. ]

I haven't seen anything but I'd bet there is. C'mon. We'll go find it.

[ He stands, offers his hands down to Jim to pull him up. ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim takes both hands and hops up to his feet, keeping hold of one of them as he steers them around the room. It's large and cozy, decorated everywhere with Christmas and Winter-themed ornaments and lights, and Jim loves every little detail, the thought put into all of it with exquisite attention.

Eventually, he does spot the breakfast table, full of delicious-looking cakes and snacks, and with hot drinks to anyone's liking. He grabs a plate for himself immediately, then adds a few of the treats onto it, though without overdoing it. ]

We could sit by one of the windows to eat, if you want, [ He nods to one of the window sills, wide enough for two people to lounge in comfortably, even with a blanket and a few pillows added there. Clearly meant as a place to sit and watch the snow falling just outside, it's honestly a picture perfect of Winter that Jim's never once experienced himself. ]

[cruelyethuman]

You eat- seaweed.

[With a teasing tone of voice, since really- that is much worse than pickled herring. Just thinking about sinking his teeth in to the slimy, salty seaweed that drifts to shore by the True Sea and he wants to rinse his mouth.]

It does, yes. It sounds absolutely horrible, to be honest. Seaweed. Really? You put that in your mouth?

[It's... nice. Quiet, despite the music and the other orbers close by. The snow like a blanket over the room, dampening the sounds and it makes knowing that there are walls all around them fade a little.

That, and Daisy.]

It was disgusting. But she doesn't make them anymore, thank the saints for small favors.

[hatejakku]

[ Even though Finn was expecting it, he's still kind of surprised when the find the buffet. Maybe it's the variety or something. Either way, he's delighted about it and is pretty much prepared to be delighted about the whole day, whatever else is in store.

He also doesn't know what most of these foods are but he grabs a healthy variation of several. When James speaks up, his thumb is in his mouth, trying to get off something sticky that was stuck to it and feels a little caught.

But he smiles and grabs them each a drink. ] That sounds perfect. [ He hadn't watched a snowfall this peaceful before. Snow usually brought a sense of dread with it.

Anyway, he tips a cup at James, making sure this kind is what he wants. ]

[morethan084]

Yeah I guess when you put it like that, it doesn't sound any better than pickled herring...

But it's not all gross and slimy like it is when it's in the sea. It's cleaned and dried out. Maybe we can somehow order it. I think you'd like a California roll.

[It's the small things that this place lacks that make her realize all over again the things she's missing about home.

Brows knitting together, Daisy tilts her head to look up at him. She knows he's old, really old. So it's surprising to hear that his mother is still alive.]

Your mom is like you?

[She's purposefully being vague, since there are people within hearing distance.]

[blackfire]

（ questions are how other people come to know each other. they foster trust, reliance, camaraderie. all things he has eschewed in his life — they were cast off as largely unnecessary for the role he played.

he straightens from where he has finished sweeping little bits of shredded ornamental paper into a pile, and studies her for a long moment. then: ）

I do not enjoy questions of a personal nature. （ it isn't that he would refuse them — it is simply that he is utterly, intensely private. ） However, I take no issue with answering questions about my powers or world that will not pose a risk to the safety of those I am sworn to protect.

（ but in that case he will either divert her attention or lie. ）

[morethan084]

[Daisy's smile fades a little when she thinks about asking if he knows what happened to Newt. What if Newt doesn't want him to know?]

Did you work with him and Hermann?

[morethan084]

[Daisy's smile only widens when she puts the broom down and sits down next to her. Good. No one should be working tonight.]

The purple one.

[It's all the way at the bottom, and she's got at least 12 crowns stacked on top of it now. In the back of her mind, Daisy's thinking about Blue. But all of that stress associated with that is gone. At least for now.

Squinting at the top of Marta's head like she's trying to focus,]

I didn't steal yours, did I?

[blackfire]

（ he is not often left speechless, or without some other recourse. but her taking his hand is so very unexpected and — worse, perhaps — reminiscent of izumi that he actually freezes. he's pliant enough to be pulled along, but his mind has stuttered to a halt. he barely hears what she says for a moment afterwards, even as instinct cautions him about how very dangerous it is to allow himself a moment of such substantial weakness.

—start feeling like the family we're all becoming.

the concept of family is not one he takes lightly, and despite the winsome hope in her tone he knows that it is not one he will take to. he has put such things away and, save for sasuke, could not in good conscience apply it to anyone else.

he tolerates this for several meters, and then gently extricates himself from her grip. ）

Clara-san, you do not need to drag me.

（ bemusement wars with humour in his tone, as he falls into step beside her. ）

I cannot guarantee I will enjoy it, but I will attend.

（ he had fun once, it was awful. ）

[winscenario]

[ He's not that surprised himself. It's the kind of care and attention that's clear in this entire simulation, everything put together with such dedication, and Jim considers himself lucky to get to experience this.

Jim smiles fondly at Finn, taking the drink with a nod and a 'thank you'. It's hot cocoa instead of coffee, but that works just perfectly for the current mood. It also reminds him of his afternoon with Blue and Finn. Picking up his plate as well, he then leads them to one of the windows, setting his breakfast down so he can climb onto the sill, making himself comfortable on some pillows and then holding the blanket back so Finn can join him in there too. ]

[morethan084]

[The first thing Daisy notices, once she's not worried about falling over anymore, is that Clara's not wearing the sling anymore. Her balance falters for a second, hands gripping Clara's more tightly for a moment before she smiles at her.]

Thanks. Looks like you're doing better.

[Now that Clara's doing most of the work, Daisy's feet glide across the ice with ease. She tries to mirror the way Clara moves her legs to keep her balance.]

Not your first time ice skating?

[kovach]

[ it's not like kovacs necessarily goes on conversing about his own romances too much, but it's a curious detail for a man (or two) that seems so much entangled in his own bizarre actions to be married, especially to someone who seems to have an understanding about the double body situation. ]

Must make for some very entertaining evenings.

[ mostly a joking tease and not actually a question he's seeking an answer to. ]

So what kind of woman jumps at the chance for a marriage like that, with the ever elusive space traveler?

[ because if the doctor is as interesting as he is, he can bet river stands to be even more interesting. ]

[kovach]

Just be courteous next time and put my cigarettes out the door before you lock me out.

[ because he honestly didn't mind not being able to get back in, but the pain had been in not having his cigarettes tucked in his pocket, leaving him on edge for the rest of the night until he'd managed to find rosinante to bum a stick off of.

when daisy hands the blunt back over to him, it's a different kind of satisfaction of smoke, bringing it to his lips as he listens to her make that reference to him and clara. it's strange, realizing it's the first time he's even talked to anyone else about her.

for all that time, treating it like a casual secret, it's almost like a different kind of acknowledgement now of what they have. ]

We're just ... [ what are they doing? ] We're having fun. Kills time.

[ he knows it's more than that, of course. ]

[mendo]

[ he doesn't think he'll ever be able to fully comprehend what itachi went through or how the ramifications of what he had done must have affected him, if what he told him is true. maybe it says something about his own character that even now he isn't eliminating the possibility that the man could simply be putting up an act to deceive him. he sometimes wonder if it would be better to have naruto's unwavering trust in someone once he's made up his mind.

he can't do that though. it isn't how his brain works.

eyes focused on the deer slowly forming in his hands, shikamaru listens quietly. there is a certain calm that has settled over him as he scrapes his blade over the fruit. it brings him back home with his mother, conversing with each other as they created these deer in remembrance of the fallen — of his father and her husband. ]

Konan, huh? [ he hasn't heard that name in a while. ] Never had the pleasure of meeting her in person. [ note the slight sarcasm. ] Were you two close?

[kovach]

It's my best color. [ spoken with a bit of a defeated pursing from his lips. he much prefers darker colors as a way of sort of blending, as best as a man of his height can blend, but it's not like he has anything against the brightness of the pinks that he somehow gets himself stuck with more often than not.

he's trying to tuck down the sweater further to his hips when he sees the offered box from quill, raising his brow. ]

Oh, uh — I didn't really do gifts. [ honestly, he wasn't expecting anything from anyone, and never having been much of a christmas person himself, he hadn't been inclined to even think of getting anything for anyone.

but he opens the box, expression softening at the sight of the zippo. ] Thanks, man. This is — this is really nice.

[ even that by itself is generous, making him feel a little guilty about not having anything of his own to hand off, but he also doesn't expect a secondary gift, confused by the envelope as he opens it carefully. when he sees the drawn image inside, his body seems to sink with a sudden weight, everything seemingly falling quiet, growing still.

he hasn't had any pictures of her, but it's a face he's seen almost every day, like a ghost in the corner of his eye at all times. but the image he sees on the paper, it doesn't feel haunting, and he can feel the prick of dampness in the corner of his eye, swallowing to hold it back.

his voice is quiet when he finally speaks, eyes locked on the portrait. ] It's just like her.

[morethan084]

[Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, Daisy stares at Gamora for a little too long before speaking up.]

Are you kidding me? They're amazing.

[Daisy pulls one out of her pocket and holds it out to her.]

You gotta try it.