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

[oiorpata]

[ oh, hm, there's mild discomfort now, which hadn't exactly been andy's intention. she just makes a habit of watching her fellow orbers, trying to get a sense of them. she takes a moment to finish chewing her bite of food. ]

I'm finding that definitions of modern can vary here. Is it space that's new to you or everything? Because there's a lot about space that still throws me for a loop.

[bossily]

[As she pulls out of the hug, he gets an apologetic look. She really shouldn't be seeking validation for her life choices to throw a Christmas party for everyone from him. And yet the fact he approves does mean something to her. So she's smiling in an embarrassed sort of way.

And reaches back to rub at the back of her head, sighing.]

Sorry. Sometimes I forget not everyone does hugging.

[bossily]

[Clara has opened plenty of these things every year of her life. And despite that, she still gets a thrill out of seeing what's inside each and every one. This is no different, a soft little laugh escaping her as she watches the sweets topple out.]

I think they're supposed to be for children, but I guess some traditions you never outgrow.

[Or maybe she still finds joy in little surprises like what's inside the crackers because it's just part of who she is. Still able to find happiness in small, simple things.]

Those are all yours, by the way. I've had plenty.

[She means the sweets.]

[bossily]

Clara laughs a little, leaning in so she can speak in hushed tones. "That sounds like the perfect way to get over any sort of heartbreak." An amused wink goes along with her approval, and she slides back to slouch in her seat.

"Have you been here for one of the missions yet, though? Those might get in the way of enjoying yourself too much."

[bossily]

[She really can't help the way she reaches out to grab at his arm, looking completely intrigued by something he's just said.]

You can fly? No, wait, don't answer that.

[There's a pause, and she sounds like an excited child when she asks:]

You can take other people flying?

[coordination]

It's ... it's not a problem!

[ Because truly, it's not. He's just Bad And Dumb about this kind of thing. ]

I appreciate it. The thanks.

You've made the time to relax and enjoy yourself, too, right?

[bossily]

[Her eyes widen for a moment, if only because she isn't sure he's talking figuratively or not. But when she looks at him, really looks at him, she understands that he means it literally.

She sees the same look in his eyes now that she so often does when she looks in the mirror. Resigned to the fate of your bad end, knowing that nothing is going to change it. Even worse for him, his regret here is something that will just ensure that he does wind up in hell.

All she can do is reach over to place her hand over his as she looks away, her eyes brimming with tears. It's not any fair that decent, good men like he is have to be met with that fate. The universe owes no one anything. But it seems so unfair to just let his existence slip through his fingers like this, because all he has left is torture waiting for him.]

Then we'll have to make sure you make the most out of your time here, yeah?

[ruinously]

[ At first, it was the knee jerk, right? Don't break the first seal, then none of the events in the following year happen. Sam doesn't screw around with Ruby, he doesn't get addicted to demon blood, he doesn't make the choices that rip their relationship apart and literally raise the devil from Hell.

In hindsight, maybe he should've thought of something else, gone farther back. Maybe left him the hell alone at Stanford, or even stopped his mother's death.

God, he doesn't know.

He looks down at his cup, it's little wonder that he drinks like a fish. ]

Yeah. I guess so.

[ there's two sides to that coin. A 'whats the point?' side, and a ;fuck it, I'm going all in' side. It's hard to choose. ]

[bossily]

[Of course he doesn't understand why those words mean so much to her. For someone that's as social and as connected to others as she is here, it would be laughable to find out that she's terrified of ending up alone. But that's always a worry in the back of her mind, that if she lets go of even one shred of that bubbly personality that masks the control freak that spirals so easily out of control -

That she's going to wind up pushing everyone away without intending it to happen.

Thankfully, she doesn't have to explain her train of thought. She doesn't have to do anything other than smile, giving a turn so she can wrap her arms around him in a hug. Her hands and arms are covered in soap, but he probably won't mind. He's in an apron, after all.]

I'll be sure to keep that in mind. You know the same goes for you, right?

[kovach]

A good idea. [ not that kovacs has terrible opinions of the doctor, either of them, and if anything, it's more of the opposite since they've actually really grown on him in the past few months, but he's also well aware that it does take a certain kind of preparation for the sort of conversations that come with both.

his attention steers to the gradual slide of alina's fingers across the books, following them not with the intent on anticipating a chosen book but for the manner that she does it, like the act itself, the presence of it all is more interesting than the context of the books themselves.

her answer to her own question earns a personal little smile from his lips, more of an amused gesture in the face of her apparent description of herself. ]

You're not an encyclopedia. Way too dull for you. [ in a casual manner, he raises his fingers up to her nose where she rests against his head, pinching lightly at her nose before he picks a random book off the shelf, something thick with a long title that gives the assumption of some sort of self-help guide, not of any particular interest but enough for him to scrunch his own nose at. ]

More like a pop-up book. Little obnoxious, over-the-top, and annoying. But entertaining enough.

[bossily]

[For once, she doesn't know what to say. She doesn't have any soft, gentle words to reassure him. There's no pep talk like she's able to give to the Doctor when he's facing the worst. There's no joking or teasing that will make this better. She can't fix this problem for him, most notably because she doesn't know the full situation.

But maybe she can change that.]

Do you feel comfortable telling me the whole story? If this really is the fate you're bound to, you should share your story with someone. That way, you're never truly gone.

[kovach]

So the knot really is tied no matter the face.

[ such a concept isn't actually strange for him, since in his world, people can change bodies at any given time, having had at least a few dozen himself. but the difference is that personalities don't change, not in the way that someone could look at the two doctors and distinguish them easily just by certain traits that seem to stand out much more than others.

but from what he does know of the doctor, of any doctor, settling down for a marriage isn't something he'd easily predict. ]

So with all his traveling, what is it you do in your own time? Doesn't sound like you two are attached at the hip.

[ruinously]

[ He exhales noisily, finally looking up and glancing over at her, expression tired but wry. ]

IT's a hell of a story. You sure about that?

[calmness]

Others can probably sing though I cannot think of one prone to doing so collectively without alcohol involved. [he's teasing, really.]

It is not part of the holiday either way.

[bossily]

[She's just had a miserable Christmas and just spent the past hour or so crying by herself while hiding in a snowbank. So her expression is tired and flat as she looks over to him, single eyebrow arching to let him know that she's completely serious.]

I've got no one waiting for me. We have all the time in the world.

[calmness]

The receptors are different for true pain? [then maybe it's not quite as he thought. xichen wrinkles his nose in thought for a moment and then shakes his head, it isn't really pressing now and jim kirk does not deserve an interrogation.

he offers a warm smile.] You are a good teacher, Jim.

[on the matter of qi, he thinks for a moment.] The closest I can liken it, is the explanations others on the ship who are familiar with The Force have shared, but even Taoist scholars cannot truly explain all it encompasses. [a wry chuckle.]

So you are right. It may be the same or something similar. [a pause as he taps the side of the milk glass.] It does not help with spice as well as this does, that is for sure.

[stationmaster]

Yeah, music — [ and all right, he's got no idea what peter's up to but he waits. patiently. doesn't even know what to expect until he's looking at the little black box in peter's hands, small enough to fit into one of his many wonderful pockets.

he leans in, frankly fascinated. digital music devices are strangely a thing of the future in a place like this. who woulda thunk it? ]

Wait, is this that Spotify thing? Or the iTunes one? [ asked like he totally knows what he's talking about. because it's gotta be that, it even looks like a 'Spotify' thing. ]

[calmness]

[sometimes xichen forgets that that is not so normal on the ship, even though it's been months since he's called the ximilia his home.]

Not without a sword. [clarifies, looking a bit more sheepish. the touch is something he would have step aside to avoid at home, but out of social norms and expectations.

in truth, xichen is a tactile person and it isn't unwelcome.

but, in the moment, there are more important matters to focus on.] I can take you flying, if you would like. [he tilts his head, then glances upward at the tree and ceiling.] Though perhaps not in here for risk of undoing your hard work with the tree. [and flying is difficult in cramped spaces.]

The best I can do in here is make you float. [which is not the same.]

[bossily]

Oh, it's been wonderful. [And given the dreamy sigh that follows, she sounds pretty genuine about the sentiment.] It's fascinating to meet people from different versions of Earth. It helps put some of the stranger things in your own life into perspective when you get to know people here and what they went through.

[There's a pause as she glances back his way, eyebrows arching. It's time to be casually nosy.]

Are...you from Earth, Degar?

[She could call him commander or be respectful but no they're basically friends now. He's #blessed]

[calmness]

Well, something can be done about that if you need assistance. [still teasing here and while it's playful, he totally means a silencing spell.

xichen watches and for a moment looks very proud, before he's biting his lip to not laugh. proper gentleman here and all.

he offers a hand out to help dean back up.] Cocoa time. But at least an exponential improvement, I'd say, on your skating performance.

[homeostatic]

( McCoy huffs like he's put out by Clara's sudden affection, but he sets that aside along with the plate he was drying, and pretty much enfolds her in against his chest. Lanky arms and all. Maybe even rests his chin lightly on the crown of her head.

He huffs again at her remark, but it's warm though, and looks skeptically down at her. )

Oh, I know that, I don't need the reminder.

[bossily]

[She nods eagerly, giving him the sort of pleading look she gives when she's trying to convince someone that something will be fun.]

Maybe you could make me float here.

[She's so excited, she can't contain it. There's a bounce to her step as she takes to pacing.]

Make me float here, then we can go to the sunlight room for actual flying.

[He is now her new favorite person.]

[stationmaster]

[ degar nods, looking pleased — maybe even a little proud. ]

That's the best part, right? The perspective. [ he gestures to his very cool pants; no he won't be taking any criticisms on the cargos, okay, they're the coolest clothing item ever invented. he flaps at a pant-leg. ] Never even knew these things existed, but they're my favourite. Look at the number of pockets on them!

[ so, uh. in case that wasn't obvious enough for ya, clara ... ]

If you're talking about the Milky Way Galaxy's Earth, I'm afraid not. I might look like I could, but my world's not even in the same system.

[kovach]

[ the gun and knife would likely be the least surprising, even to find here on the station, since kovacs has a tendency to make sure he's well prepared in any situation. even if things around here are promoted to be a more calm period between missions, he's never going to trust that nothing will ever go wrong otherwise.

the rest of the stash, though, he can tell might seem a little more curious, catching the bottle she tosses and spinning it in his fingers. ]

I don't actually always keep them in there. Just happened to be the bag I bought them in, and if something's promoting a party — [ he gives a faint shrug. ] Then I like to keep them accessible.

[ despite the excess contents, it isn't as if it's a regular habit that he makes use of regularly, not unless he's in a particular — either a very good one or a very not good one. there's rarely an in-between. ]

So, in case it's a question — no, I'm not actually high all the time or anything. Even if I've heard Ryker's a bit of an addict himself.

[bossily]

[Clara tries her best to hide her smile and muffle her laughter from behind her hand. She really does. But hearing Andy say that it's easier just to let the Doctor talk makes her laugh. ]

Oh, it is. Just let him talk and get it all out of his system. That goes for either Doctor, I should add.

[Her hand drops away, and since they're on a first name basis now she takes no issue with reaching over to grab her hand. there's an insistent little tug as Clara tries to drag the much taller woman along after her.]

I think it'd be much more fun to see those snowmen up close.