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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[clarke just follows the other woman's glance around the room before she just nods] Yeah, it seems like it.

Are these type of festivities something you didn't have much time for either?

[ he'll just continue grinning happily, especially when she doesn't say anything to contradict him.

a moment later though, and his expression sobers. ]

... I know.

[ no, he doesn't need her to finish the thought to know what she might be thinking, the numerous questions and scenarios running through her mind. she's always been smarter than him and he's never denied that (except, you know, in jest). but his favourite thing about her is her optimism. no matter how bad the situation might look, she always, always has hope. it keeps him hopeful too. ]

I know.

Like how you found each other here? [she doesn't quite understand it but it's not like it was her business anyway] It definitely sounds unconventional though if did live your lives separately.

[ they haven't always agreed about everything, their approach to certain matters differing, but in this, they don't need words — both of them know exactly what the other is thinking.

let them succeed.

with a sigh (a breath she doesn't need to let out, and makes the sound nonetheless) she smiles at him, determined to direct his attention to something else; not what this is a reprieve for, not what could be, or what could have been. to what and who are here, rather than what and who are not. ]

Come on, I've been told there's a lot of different foods to taste. You can tell me how they are. With exact and accurate descriptions, please, none of the it tastes like a thick forest thing.

[ distracting him with slight jabs at his musician's tendency to describe things in flowery ways? her? never. ]

Something like that. This is a stolen moment, past our time together.

[ And time hasn't taken it upon itself to unravel yet, so she assumes that isn't a problem. ]

[Newt laughs at that, because typical.]

That's me! Super humany-wumany. I'll put that on a business card.

[Really, though, he seems terribly pleased himself; it's nice to have an audience, even if it's just an audience of one. Or rather, maybe it's even nicer, in it's own way.]

Merry Christmas, Doc.

[ she hums. ] More like I never really cared about them much.

[ andy watched them develop and grow and change and saw christianity itself do the same; christmas as they celebrate it here and now is so... young. ]

[ when shaun's statement is cut off, kovacs gives a raise of his brow and a tilt of his head to provide his own silent but telling answer, even if it seems like the indication is caught on. ]

You know they're gonna look.

[ maybe kovacs isn't a flaunt-it-for-attention kind of guy but he also knows where people's eyes tend to linger. maybe it's for the fact that this isn't actually his body that he sees it with a bit of a different perspective, that he isn't think of his own looks but the fact that he knows elias ryker is a good looking man with plenty of attractive muscle. he just happens to be the one walking around in it.

and it's also no secret that he's aware shaun's got something to show off too. ]

But I got kind of a different rep than you. Turns out, you get caught with your ass hanging out enough times and people start to get a certain idea of you.

[ funny how the doctor isn't actually too much shorter than his own height, but the scrawniness of the other man, a little dangly in certain areas, makes him all too easy to snag and pull around, where kovacs would likely even be able to lift him up a little by the collar to earn more of his attention. luckily, he doesn't take it that far, even if he maintains the light grip, offering a stern look as the other man moves into his typical routine of rambling. ]

Maybe your shit-talk about what happened at the strip joint in Braccia rings some bells.

[ does he need to go further? ]

[it's bittersweet if she thinks about it given river's situation with the doctor even if she doesn't know all the details or context] I hope you're able to make the most of it then.

Edited 2022-03-01 08:15 (UTC)

Is it though?

[Daisy asks, grabbing a roll when they're passed to her before holding out the basket to Andy.]

[ she will absolutely take a roll, never say no to food. ]

I suppose everything seems more believable when you're high enough.

[ :) ]

[ Dangly! Please, how insulting. He is absolutely not ... dangly. And, all right, that's a bit more force than he's used to from his friend, but he really isn't sure what this could be all about.

And then.

Wait. Hm. ]

I don't shit-talk. [ Is this literally the first time the Doctor has ever sworn? Maybe, maybe. ] Now, what exactly have you heard? I suspect someone else has been telling stories.

What? What's wrong with 'it tastes like a thick forest'? That bread on Vakler IX literally tastes like a thick forest.

[ he stands by this, but it's clear he's both relieved and more than willing to take it all in stride with the way he laughs in reaction. ]

I promise, I promise, I'll give you really boring, really scientific descriptions. Should I rate them on a scale? What's the word — uh, uh. Oh, right: 'mouth feel'?

[Pft.]

I'm not that high.

[Sure she isn't.]

[clarke gives her a curious look hearing that] Seems like you made an exception for this one then.

I'll never turn down free food.

[ especially the sweets. andy has been lured into many a festival or holiday simply because the food smelled good. ]

[ is the use of a swear from the doctor going to send kovacs into shock? no, not necessarily, even if he does raise a brow at the man who often uses vocabulary like he's trying to remain appropriate like some mediator for a kid's program.

he hums a disbelieving mhmm as he lets go of his grip to go on crossing his arms as a reflexive intimidating tactic. ]

Really? Someone else, huh? So it wasn't you going around describing it as dry and stale? Rushed and messy? Disappointing? [ maybe the story's become more exaggerated as it's exchanged mouths through the night, but there's still going to be a particular person to blame for starting it at all. ] You know — during that time that you kissed me?

We'll see about that tomorrow.

[ you can't fool her daisy, andy has probably tried everything under the sun at least once. ]

[Daisy chucks one of the rolls at Andy, laughing whether or not she manages to dodge it.]

Shut up.

[ The Doctor, meanwhile, straightens his jacket and readjusts his bow-tie; this is also a reflexive motion, but not so much for intimidation nor for tactical anything.

Besides, Kovacs has just twisted it a little out of place, and no one likes a wrinkled jacket either. ]

‘Dry and stale’? ‘Disappointing’? Hah. [ None of those words strike familiar, but oh, all right, maybe some other part of his memory's being jarred a little and he's remembering the conversation with some clarity.

Who had he even been speaking to, anyway? There was discussion about Braccia, yes, and the mission and a teasing question about his snogging Kovacs, which the Doctor wasn’t going to deny by any means, it did do the trick, didn’t it? And the Doctor is very fond of Kovacs, of course, though perhaps he might have described their quick snog as ... ah.

'Well, it was all right, I suppose. Bit rushed, really. Not nearly the best, but let me tell you about the time I very nearly married Marilyn Monroe —'

The Doctor clears his throat. ]

Those were not my words. In fact, I think there’s been an unfortunate game of ‘broken telephone’ playing around the room.

[ she'll allow it and temporarily shut up by shoving more food and drink into her mouth, but don't worry, she will continue teasing daisy about it till they're both done eating :) ]

Yeah, I'm with you on that. That's a good reason to make an exception for this. [for as socially awkward as she can be sometimes, the free food with this particular holiday event does make it worth it so far] I'm Clarke, by the way.

Especially for the stuff people only whip out seasonally.

[ when it comes to food, andy is kind of a gremlin, a fact her brothers never let her forget. ]

Andy.

Yeah, it means we got to make the most of it. [she knows that all too well even in situations like this when their inventory for food isn't as dire]

It's nice to meet you, Andy.

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OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

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deadeye stare into the camera @ 'kid's program' how dare u

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