ximilialog | OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

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.

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Huh. That's--

Completely different to how it is in my world.

[And not something she had thought could happen, but apparently it's common where he's from. Frowning slightly when he mentions that only he and one other person have unique abilities, Daisy can imagine the amount of attention that draws.]

What about your mother? What can she do?

Or you're just naturally talented.

[Daisy holds her hands out like she's a toddler walking for the first time, but she manages to balance. For now.

Surprised by her response, Daisy's brows knit together.]

What are you talking about? You're good at a lot of things.

How is it in your world?

[He skirts the question about Baghra, eyes going from the fire to Daisy's illuminated face, golden and beautiful in the flicking fire.]

I know you mentioned that you were- made. [Experiments, cruel and inhuman, visited upon Daisy's unwilling body] Are you the only one like you?

[ marta remembers her first night here, the night they shared mulling over glasses of whiskey, toasting to survival and lonely stars. she thinks of the man who'd sat across from her, smirking around the rim of his glass and offering words of realistic encouragement, minding her expectations, keeping them reasonable.

she knows that the man seated in front of her now is that very same man, even if only a shadow remains. even if the his edges seem blurred, lost.

she expects to hear a scoff, maybe even a laugh. to see a roll of eyes or a shake of the head. nothing patronizing, but close enough that a dismissal is obvious. she thinks at best, he would humor her, egg her on with a quietly snide smirk until she explained herself raw.

she doesn't expect the quietness in his voice, making this giant of a man seem so much smaller than the bed that he occupies.

slowly, she nods, like any sudden movement might cause the fragile air around them to shatter. ]

Sure. [ quiet begets quiet, tender and gentle in a silent promise. ] I can do that. [ whenever you need. ]

They could have been going for interactive festiveness.

[ with teeth. maybe it glitched. ]

The snow adds to your holiday ensemble. Assuming we're emulating the northern hemisphere.

[ truthfully andy loves the snow, even if she's more indifferent to christmas itself. the cold doesn't bother her too much, and she loves the outdoors in general. she's made snowmen before, but they've never come to life before. ]

[ she brushes some of the snow out of her eyes. ]

Sentient snowmen playing guard dog. It's probably just the edge of the simulation, but they seem a little out of place compared to everything else.

[ he'd taken it all lightly to start, a bit of a friendly casual game that he hadn't been inclined to go too hard on, but something in marta's skill requires him to give the whole thing more of his attention than he might have assumed at the start. it makes him think, makes him contemplate the moves, makes him consider the consequences of every placed piece.

with each piece she places down, he sees where she could potentially trap him, where the white pieces begin to surround his black, where he can consider navigating around to escape her moves, but each and every time, he finds himself sinking within the perimeter of her skill, to the point where he doesn't think he could escape her if he tried.

for someone like him, it's never been easy for anyone to gain such an advantage, but — well, she certainly has his attention.

despite his losses, he's more calm and pensive than frustrated, fingers briefly tapping on the board before he begins to follow suit in picking up his own stones. ]

My sister and I grew up on it. Played it with plenty of others, but — [ he looks up to marta, brow raised. ] She's the only one who could beat me every time. [ until now, apparently. ]

When you're good at something, you should be confident about it! After all of the work you put into it.

But if you insist. Hm...

[ He brings the violin up to rest on his shoulder, tipping his chin down and considering what to play for a couple of moments.

Eventually, he plays a little bit of something off the top of his head. ]

❰ what dinosaurs and unicorns are is a mystery to jiang yanli, but she can only assume they're terms for these mystical creatures that the red-clad elder has slain or tamed. ❱

It could perhaps be legend... ❰ now that she thinks about it, previously overlooking that angle was silly of her. however, it also feels rude to assume that the traditions and origin story of a holiday she's unfamiliar with are simply fantastical on their face. ❱ I've asked so many needless questions about these activities, and yet I still can't discovered the meaning of the festival we're participating in.

❰ the happenings of her various dreams are stuck in her mind but at varying degrees of fuzziness. her brain was so entrenched in a different kind of reality by the end of it that it gets increasingly difficult to extract happenings the further into the dreams she goes. with an exception -- the stature of this person is so unique that it would be wholly impossible to wipe them from her mind.

the bolt of recognition hits and it shakes her that she was even momentarily unaware of knowing this person. truthfully, they'd stood out in the ship previously but that hadn't sparked her memory like being so close now has. ❱

Hello! ❰ the bow she offers is more like a pronounced nod, considering she's holding food, and jerky with apology. ❱ I did -- it's a simple stew, if you're amenable.

❰ she nods in understanding, finding enough balance to decrease her grip ever so slightly until she finds the confidence to let go completely -- but her hands hover over his form, still, sure that at a moments notice she could slip yet again. ❱

Thank you for the understanding. I would just hate to be the cause of an accident that affects another, due to a desire for thrill. ❰ after all, this is wholly optional. jiang yanli doesn't know what she would do to ever hide the shame and embarrassment of toppling over someone else on such a whim.

her shakes shake beneath her, but she finds enough core strength to stay upright despite her top half wobbling back and forth for a moment. despite her concern, the uncertainty of it all and the success afterwards brings a smile to her face. ❱ And it is quite thrilling.

❰ when she was younger and played with her father, they would switch roles regularly -- he would let her start with black to warm up, then after a few rounds offer her the reverse to see if she could be equally successful with the assumed disadvantage. she was no expert at that age, nor is she now, but jiang yanli has become capable of beating middling-level opponents with little effort, and even those with a bit more skill with the right amount of focus.

so white suits her just fine, ❱ Of course. ❰ and she begins sliding over the small, blank discs. she sound of the tiles skating over wood reminds her of how her mother would keep her tiles in neat rows before placing them on the board, while her father dug through a pile to find just the right one to place. ❱ I'm glad to see games that I played in my youth are somehow known by others in different worls.

That sounds like a lovely holiday.

During our end of winter and new year celebrations, we do something of the same. [a pause.] Though my sect is not known for singing.

Who is Peter Pan? [sorry, dean, the references are lost here.] Is he able to fly on his sword?

[from the other man's enthusiasm, he can tell that all of these are good things and he nods along. But that begs the question---] Why is she named after an infant?

I can tell, Newton, the precepts also forbid slouching and sitting improperly. [he gives newt the once over, but there's still a smile on his lips and the corners of his eyes crinkle.]

Compared to most children, probably, but I will tell you a secret. [he leans a little closer, then whispers.] It is all a matter of not getting caught.

[not that xichen's moments of misbehaving would be considered anything egregious to anyone outside of the lan sect.]

Ah... in that context, it does sound like a very lovely thing to do. Though I do not see why it would be something to make fun of.

[ Oh, he's happy to hear that! Finn isn't sure what kind of scale that places him on, really, but he'll take the compliment.

He also takes the advice with a nod. While he doesn't want to remain so afraid of himself, he also thinks the power he's got should be, at the very least, respected. That fear helps him settle in that state of mind. ]

Meditating, mostly. Blue is a bit of a telepath like me. He's been helping a lot. And Luke Skywalker has the same power that I do, too.

I don't know what I'd do without so much help. [ He's so incredibly grateful for it. ]

Agreed. Especially if it's a gift for my kids.

[ Finn's giving the book a more twisted look and, ultimately, puts it back on the shelf. ]

I guess you don't celebrate this holiday where you're from either?

How is it celebrated where you are from? [xichen is used to the cold, with his home in the mountains, but he doesn't have his winter robes or furs here so the blanket is quite appreciated.

he wraps it around himself after a dip of his head and thanks to the doctor. the smile on his lips is a bit warmer than usual. and if there's a little more redness to his face, it's definitely a bit more than the cold. it is such a little thing, but his heart warms at the way the orbers have bonded and are able to do things such as this.] I have. [he glances at his drink and then back at the doctor.]

The snow and ice skating remind me of home and I must say I am very fond of the sweets we have all been eating. [his big secret is his sweet tooth, really.] But, most importantly, it is good to see everyone so cheerful after the last few missions.

Way ahead of you. Surprised I haven't fallen already.

[ He'd half expected to have a broken leg by now. But, very slowly, he begins to let go. First, his grip loosens, then one hand goes, then the other very slowly. Though, the same hands are hovering near her just in case he falls.

It's not falling he's worried about, at this point. It's getting back up. But look at him! He's standing! All on his own! ]

It's working.

[xichen keeps her balanced and where she needs to be until he's settling her down, careful this time.]

Because I nearly sent you off on a flight and there are safer ways for that. [he still looks apologetic, but there's a smile on his lips and the joke earns a small laugh from him.]

It seems for the moment, my hands and your hips are uncooperative. [if there's room for her to be playful, he'll give the same in return.]

[ A weight comes off of Finn's own shoulders thanks to the smile. Blue feeling better makes him feel better, it seems. Could be something in the Force, in their connection. More than likely, Finn just wants the people he cares about to be happy.

And Blue desperately deserves to be happy. This place (the station as a whole) can't do much for that, but it's something. ]

I'm glad I'm here with you, too.

I'll have to hide if I see you coming a third time then. Lest it seem like a habit. [because he is familiar with the saying and knows where it goes. it is still said with a smile as he raises the drink in cheers but does not take a sip himself.

the smile gets a little sadder then and the words earn a nod.] We do after all of the missions and whatever it is we all left behind. [after all, everyone is here with a regret to fix.

but that's a heavy topic and so he offers an escape to them both.] But I must admit that I am not even partaking in the escape properly. I am burning off the alcohol. ][which is usually a great segue and has scandalized other... but in hindsight, sounds a lot more pathetic than he intended.]

[he wants to kiss him, to be kissed again...but instead Blue just holds onto Finn's arm and walks on, walks with that feeling for a while. odd or not, it feels good to be in the midst of such an ache, knowing how securely its source is right next to him...and how often is he going to have chances to simply walk with him? and in such an atmosphere...

for a little while, Blue leaves those somber feelings aside to simply indulge in the soft moment he's sharing with Finn.]

Do you think...there will be as many of these kinds of moments...as missions? Until the work is done.

[ Finn's smile softens until it's not so much of a smile anymore. For most people, his answer would be an affirmative and almost certainly a lie. For those he's close to, he'd be hopeful, claim that it could be.

For Blue, due to their connection, he gets the truth. ]

No.

But they will be there. We'll just enjoy them when we get them.

[it may not be a rosy perspective, but Blue is grateful for the truth more than anything. he breathes out a soft sound of regard.]

The others...many of them, at least... [Peter. James. the Doctors.] They're working so very hard...to share such good things with us.

It feels strange...not having just as much to share in turn, doesn't it? [he smiles lopsidedly and tilts his head to peer at Finn through his bangs. they're both from pretty harrowing places full of strife and little time for festivities, aren't they. yet they are both quite keen for them - starved for them, in ways.]

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OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

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