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

[lateness]

[ Well — okay, twist his rubber arm then, why don't you. He'll allow himself a moment to be a little smug. Of course, it was a team effort, and he'd had to make sure it was 100% accurate and Clara-approved, but he'd played a rather big part in this whole affair, yes, absolutely, without a doubt. ]

Ah. Yes. Had a bit of a rough go of it last mission, didn't we? That sleeping illness, those dreams. [ He shakes his head too, like he could sweep them from his memory that way. Not so, of course, never so, but he could try. ] But onwards and upwards, eh? Maybe we'll be surprised. Maybe we'll get to see something really cool, and it'll be nice and friendly, eh?

[ Well, he can hope. ]

[bossily]

[You know, she can get used to being called Queen Clara. It has a certain ring to it that she likes. so of course he earns a dimpled grin as she takes the brownie from him. His cheek also earns a pat, because he is a very good and sweet boy.]

Has anyone ever told you that your charm is likely to get you in trouble someday?

[bossily]

[It's a shame she probably won't remember much of this afternoon on account of drinking entirely too much. But she'll have some vague memories of the day she spent nearly an hour on top of the bar, singing and dancing and having nothing but carefree fun.

In the end, she only has him bully one or two people into participating and having fun along with them. She likely gets even more intoxicated on the power of being able to do that.

And when she's finally exhausted and he helps her down from the bar, she takes hold of his hand and has him lead her right on outside for some fresh air. And maybe when he does she's quick to rise up on her tiptoes to place a kiss to his cheek before collapsing up against him in a drunk little heap of a hug.]

[bossily]

[And his story only gets worse.

And worse.

And somehow, even worse.

By the time he finishes, she's stunned. She's still standing there before him, but is wide eyed and completely silent. There's absolutely nothing she can say to make this better for him. The reality of the fact he's accepted that he has to go to hell and stay there forever in order to not only save his brother but everyone else is so completely depressing that she can't begin to process it.]

So you know the real, actual Devil.

[That's what she's going to touch base on first, when she's finally able to speak. Which is a fact that's really overwhelming all on its own, but she's not going to get into it. She holds up a hand to tell him to not respond to what she's said.]

And not only do you know the Devil, but the weight of the apocalypse has been placed upon your shoulders?

[There must be a way for him to keep his regret and still be able to ensure that he doesn't stay in hell forever. Even a man like him would be broken by a fate like that. And she feels the increasing need to protect him, to stop that from happening.]

[karaoqi]

[ If only it were easy enough for him to talk about his own childhood, or anything relating to his past. Like Clara, thinking about what he used to do as a kid is mostly laced with feelings of sadness, though there's a healthy amount of guilt and fear too.

He shrugs a shoulder, suddenly looking just a little less at ease with himself. ]

Oh man, I don't know — [ That's mostly the truth, but it's rehearsed in a way like maybe this isn't the first time someone's asked him about his childhood. He plucks a memory from when his mother had still been alive and the Xu family had been relatively happy. ] — well I used to celebrate New Years with my family. It wouldn't be anything big, nothing like this, but there was always a lot of food. We'd light lanterns, that kind of thing.

cw: vague refs to racism

[peasant]

[ in another life, she would have shied from it. scurried away as mice were meant to, burrowing into holes to go unnoticed. no good would have ever come from catching the eye of a boy in the first army — or girl, her mind unhelpfully chimes, with the phantom memory of yelena's soft kiss. nothing but the inevitable heartbreak, but her paranoia poisoning every encounter, knowing it would only be a matter of time before —

before they turned away from her in the light of day, like an ugly, shameful secret to be kept in the dark. before they remarked on her face, unable to pretend it was a portrait of beauty, when they had been taught to hate the shape of her eyes. before it became another part of her to mock — a raw piece of herself she had known not to leave unguarded, vulnerable to cruel hands, too fragile to endure being mishandled.

but this isn't another life, and she isn't that girl anymore, bending her head to the ground. praying, against all odds, that she would remain unnoticed — finding loneliness to be preferable to make ripples through the encampment, through the world. all that had ever brought was attention as sharp and malicious as a knifepoint.

rather than flinch, she cocks a daring eyebrow, as bold as the light that dwells within her. and though it's mostly sincere, there's a nagging insecurity lodged at the back of her mind, that whispers this is silly — that it's possible clara, too, has found her worthy of being mocked. it's a stupid little thought, alina tells herself; clara has only ever been as warm as the bonfire that kisses alina's cheeks, that dances shadows across the bridge of clara's nose — and the stripe of pink, there, that alina's eyes target. ]

You must think highly of your kisses. [ her mouth dimples, grin widening, as though it can't contain her amusement any longer. arrogance isn't so unfamiliar to her; rhysand rules over cockiness as though it were his kingdom, a similar charm to clara's — an easy confidence alina finds herself envying. she leans forward like it's a dare that needs to be issued, brazen and reckless. surely clara will be the one to fold with a little laugh of surrender. ] What makes you believe a kiss is a worthy trade?

[bossily]

[Her arm starts to curl up to press her hand against the side of his head as his lips find her neck, and her fingers just barely touch him when he pulls away. His question makes her eyebrows arch, and she slowly turns her head to stare up at him with amusement.

She can think back to a time before they fell into each other's life the way they are now where she might've scolded him. Or said something sassy and baiting to try and one up him. Neither reaction feels appropriate now, when she's so completely comfortable with him that it takes a lot to embarrass her.]

Do you really have to ask?

[Or clarify what he meant, though she doesn't bother adding that. Given their track record with being able to keep their hands off one another, she figures she's owed that particular little tease. It doesn't stop her from laughing and reaching over to hit him on the chest, like she genuinely can't believe he's gone and said a thing like that.

Then again, he's completely shameless and she's lost any and all of her shame with him. It's an interesting place they've found themselves in, where they can bounce between talk of hallucinogens and the painful emotion of his being on ice forever. Something about it being Christmas only makes it more comical to her. It makes it more special, and she lets the moment draw out a little before she gives him the answer he's waiting to hear.]

Why bother doing anything if it's not going hard?

[And with the way her smile turns into something almost devilish, it's obvious she's not just talking about what's in the bag.]

[bossily]

[Oh, that didn't just happen. She didn't just get challenged like that. It's strange in a way, how easy it is for Clara to switch between heartbreak and this sort of casual flirting. Both are defense mechanisms, both ways for her to try and deal with the emotions she's processing. On the outside, she always tries to present herself as bubbly and confident. So sure of herself and that she always knows right. And truly, she does always believe she knows best. That's exactly why she went and ended things with Kovacs, because she felt drawing things out further than they already had would be cruel to the both of them.

She was the one who had made the choice to stay and get in his bed that first night. She was the one who chose when things ended. They both knew from the beginning she was always going to be the one with that power. And here she is, hardly any time later, pretending like she doesn't have a care in the world apart from getting a marshmallow.

When really, she doesn't care about the sweets. What she wants is for Alina to continue spending time with her, so she wouldn't have to go back to her room alone and sleep in an empty bed. And this sort of playful banter, the flirtation that she knows isn't going to go anywhere, is safe.

It's another mask she can pull down and wear.

It's something she can hide away in for the time being.]

Oh, haven't you heard?

[She teases as she leans in close, so the tips of their noses brush against one another.]

I'm an expert, when it comes to kissing.

[Clara doesn't back down from challenges. No matter how her heart is breaking, her pride won't allow her to step down. So she stubbornly refuses to sit her ass back down and cry, even though she knows this is a dangerous game to be playing. Someone that's desperate to be wanted and loved shouldn't be toying with the idea of kissing someone. Even if that kiss is simply a sweet gesture between friends.

A gesture that brings her lips to press against Alina's, something chaste and sweet. She's mindful to pull away after a couple of seconds, not wanting to make this awkward. Not when there's sweets to be shared, and potentially more secrets to whisper while the fire is still burning and able to keep them warm.

When she pulls away, there's a lopsided and self-conscious sort of smile on her face. She can't go burning two bridges in one night, so she extends a hand as if to ask marshmallow please?]

[bossily]

[She can instantly tell she's made the moment uncomfortable. For someone as perceptive as she is, and someone that's as good at dealing with people, his uneasiness stands out to her and makes her frown a bit. There's a moment where she feels guilty and thinks of interjecting before he can answer, suggesting that it's silly they talk about the past.

But then he's speaking and she doesn't have the heart to interrupt him. She does smile though, because it takes courage to speak on something that makes you uneasy. So rather than speak on it and as more questions, she gives him the tiniest nudge.]

Come with me.

[With a crook of her finger, she beckons him to follow along after her. Where she'll lead him directly to mistletoe that's hanging nearby. Experience has taught her that something silly sometimes can form friendship and bonds better than having to trudge through emotions when they aren't wanted.]

You don't mind it, do you? The mistletoe?

[morethan084]

[Daisy smiles at the surprised look on Clara's face.

Gotcha.

Her smile fades a little when Clara lets go, hands straight out in front of her to help keep her upright.]

Guess you'll just have to see.

[She takes a wobbly step forward before reaching out to try and grab at Clara's sleeve when she starts losing her balance again.]

[morethan084]

[That makes Daisy laugh harder than she would have if she wasn't high, and just as quickly the amusement leaves her face.]

Wait, are you being serious?

[morethan084]

That had to be...

[What's even the right word to use?]

Intense.

[groupiedrifter]

[Beneath him?! Clara, please. He links his finger with hers obviously, because pinky promises are serious fucking business. He trusts her. Of course he trusts her; she's never let him down yet, and if there's anyone on this station that'll he'd tell this to, it'd be her. First and foremost.

Biting his lip, he takes a moment to consider how to say it while they calmly wander.

And not-so-calmly ramble.]

Uuuh. Well. Hermann — visited me at the infirmary. A few hours after you visited me! And it went kind of badly. I mean, I might've... I don't know. I was emotional. Y'know. I think I was having a teeny tiny meltdown, because I thought — I know he's not happy with me, like, I totally screwed up his trust in me. [Ooooh, getting kind of breathless. H'okay, stop talking so fast.] I told him, I — he asked me to trust him and let him into my head, and he was right there in my face, and I wasn't really firing on all cylinders —

[He stops, his gesturing hands slowing down to hover in front of him. A beat. And then he looks to Clara again, looking a little startled at himself, like he still can't believe his own actions.]

So I kissed him.

[hatejakku]

Boil? [ YEAH, that sounds painful, and Finn's pretty sure he can't be quick about it.

He's also never seen the Force do that before. He looks to the liquid and... concentrates. It's mostly just glaring at the cup and willing it to warm up in his hands. The results are unsurprisingly non-existent. ]

I'll... keep practicing. [ He laughs a little at himself, handing it back over. ]

[flickerandfade]

A Cybertron from an alternate universe where the Functionist political-religious movement became the dominant force of our society. It was moved to our original universe.

[ Megatron sighs. This sounds crazy. ]

It is a long story.

[groupiedrifter]

[He brightens up at that, pleased in his recollection of this past Ximilian holiday.]

Oh, it was great. Watched some scary movies — totally wasn't scared of any of them, for the record, don't listen to anything anyone else says. [So basically he was scared of them.] We had costumes and cookies that looked like us and drinks — oof, I had the worst hangover after that. But I guess at some point in the night I woke everyone up playing guitar in the lab.

You ever see my guitar? It's literally Angus Young's guitar. Degar got it for me for building Viv's robo-bod.

[unbreachable]

Yeah uh...

That's a word for it, definitely.

[ He isn't really sure how else to describe it -- he only got a brief glance at the Precursors before he blew them to hell, but what he'd seen was enough. It had been jarring. ]

[ruinously]

[ He opens his mouth to answer her, to say well, not personally, my brother just let him out of the damn cage and then I came here, but I have a feeling I'm gonna be on a first name basis with him at some point, but he closes it when he's told, shutting it with a click of his teeth.

It's a lot to process. He knows. It's a lot to unload on someone, but...she did ask... and did reassure him it was fine.

But it's probably a lot more than she bargained for.

He isn't sure if he should respond just yet, so he simply nods in affirmation, like yes, the weight of the literal biblical Apocalypse has been dumped right onto my shoulders -- especially now, with Lucifer free. ]

[stationmaster]

Are you kidding? I'm never taking it off.

[ he looks as though he might be having a bit of difficulty coming up with the best placement for it though.

hmm. ]

Once I can decide where it should go.

[stationmaster]

Oh, just a couple bites here and there before the guilt got to me. [ he looks a little sheepish. ] Might've thrown down one accidental crumb too many with the bot.

[ so really he wouldn't say no to grabbing some proper food with all that it entails, following bones without hesitation. ]

You guys really went all out here.

[ he gestures to the room. ]

[stationmaster]

The sound coming out of these things — [ degar gestures to the earbuds in his ears with delight, voice raised because he's got no idea how loud he's being. ] Wow this sounds great!

Oh, yeah, I'm digging this.

[construing]

[ gwen takes clara's hand, but the effort to get up remains hers. last thing she needs is to accidentally fling the poor woman into a snowbank. ]

If it's the snowmen, I met them, and they don't like me. [ more to herself, she grumbles, ] You accidentally decapitate one and they all declare war…

[aurable]

I think— [ They sidestep a raucous pair of bar crawlers stumbling and laughing their way blindly through the other dancers. Drift catches the wet, yeasty smell of beer on their breath and still hears the ringing of their laughter in his ears after they wandered away. Having never been so entrenched in the human world before, it was all real enough for him. ]

—You have made my first Christmas something quite remarkable.

[ Drift was by no means a natural charmer. There's an uncertain laugh as he spins Clara off the dance floor in a finishing pivot with his hand flat to the small of her back. When they come to a standstill, he's holding her other hand gently by the fingers, almost as if he meant to kiss the back of her hand, but the gesture (if he intended to make it) was lost on him. ]

Thank you.

[aurable]

"Small miracle I was even able to get my hand on a copy," Drift spoke quietly as if preparing for Megatron to be spooked by the slightest disturbance at a moment's notice. He didn't know if he was trying to appease Megatron or make some half-conscious effort in finding common ground when he added— "Lend me that when you're done?"

The truth was that Drift had never read any of the poetry Ambus had penned in his now lengthy career. Ratchet had been a casual fan, so any attempt to try had been too painful after losing him. Drift thinks now he could try and pick up something Ratchet had liked without falling to pieces. If just because he wouldn't be the only one hurting. A selfish thought, but Drift wasn't going to deny it. Neither he nor Megatron wanted to confront their grief alone, even if they would never say as much.

They're almost at the threshold that would lead them out of the party when Drift stops.

"I won't make you, but," He looks back at Megatron as they stand with their hands still loosely clasped together, "Sure you don't want to stick around, just people watch? You could think of it as watching a very loud and colorful aquarium of pleasantly intoxicated fish."

He offers a tentative smile that could almost be encouraging.

"And I was hoping I could get you tell me about that time on the Lost Light—did you and Ambus really manage to get Rodimus to wear hat?"

[spoilers]

[ River smiles, shaking her head, but she does step closer now. ]

By all means. I expect you'll make better use of them.

Did you teach yourself?