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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

（ way to ignore his idle commentary on the sunlight room, shikamaru, a+, great ninja skills.

at the comments about his clothing, he just lifts a shoulder in an unselfconscious shrug. ）

The sweaters seem to be part of the celebratory custom. The headband was （ 'foisted upon' ） gifted to me. Parting with it seems impolite.

（ why does this matter. ）

[ consider: maybe if he wasn't wearing something so outrageous, shikamaru wouldn't have ignored his idle commentary. ]

I didn't take you for someone who would care about celebratory customs.

[ and this matters because it's currently creating severe cracks in his perception of him. 👎👎👎 ]

Can you at least do me a favor and take that stupid headband off? You look ridiculous.

I don't. But it seems this holiday is important to our allies, and it costs me nothing to participate.

（ therefore, who cares if he looks ridiculous by shikamaru's metric? itachi has never cared for his appearance. he does lift a hand away from his mug of cocoa to touch the headband in idle consideration, but the only thing that comes of this is that he straightens it faintly, jingling one of the bells. ）

If being seen with me is an embarrassment, you may leave. I will not be offended.

（ this is all said in the selfsame lack of intonation as is his custom — so it's impossible to know, really, that he's faintly amused by all this. ）

[ he lets out a sigh, but it seems that itachi's fashion foul isn't enough to make him leave. just yet. ]

Whatever. It doesn't matter. [ he pulls his gaze away from the antlers, lowering them down to just below his chin without ever meeting his eyes. ] Are you waiting for someone?

No.

（ he's allowed to mingle, you know. it's not a crime. ）

I've been studying the sensory perceptions this room seems able to generate.

（ and so, this conversation has come full circle and been hauled back around to ninja work. as always. ）

[ it isn't the worst conversation they could be having right now. ]

It's impressive. [ he crosses his arms against his chest. ] The technology they have here is more advanced than anything I've seen before.

I'm not entirely certain it's all technology as we understand it. Degar is a powerful magic user, it's possibly a hybridization of the two.

( but he hasn't been able to dispel or affect it. it's not directly unsettling — but he doesn't have a great deal of appreciation for situations when he can't take something apart and come out understanding it. )

Edited (mobile ate words) 2021-12-13 19:14 (UTC)

Magic, huh? I can't say that I fully understand this place or the people in it yet, but considering the extent of what they can do, it would make sense.

[ to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanics, they would have to ask the ones in control of it, but there is little guarantee in how forthcoming they would be. ]

Do you think they'll hold up their end after all's said and done?

（ he makes a gesture with his right hand — visible in shikamaru's line of sight — in the unspoken ninja code for no, while he responds verbally at the same time: ）

I think it will be curious to see what comes of our arrangement.

（ he is disinclined to trust by nature — but he thinks this is too much power at stake not to tempt someone to betray them over it. whether the betrayal comes from degar, from viveca, from the other crewmates, he is anticipating something that will be at odds with their goals. ）

[ there is neither indication nor acknowledgment that he has seen the hand signal except for a slightly amused curvature of his lips. it seems that this is one thing they both agree on. he has little trust to offer anyone aboard the ximilian right now either.

he hasn't eliminated the possibility that their hosts may simply be exploiting all of them to achieve some kind of unscrupulous aim. if they are to believe that these orbs are powerful enough to change the past, then what is their purpose for collecting them?

taking a steady drag of his cig, shikamaru lowers his gaze to the mug in itachi's hand. he makes no further comment on the given topic. instead, he shoves his hands into the pockets of his pants as he jerks his head towards the pond. ]

Want to take a walk with me? [ he doesn't expect him to accept the invitation, but he extends it all the same. ]

（ his attention drifts over the gathered crowd of individuals enjoying the skating rink, and then it cuts cross to shikamaru. ）

As you wish.

（ likely, there is something he would like to discuss away from the crowd. ）

[ there is something he would like to discuss away from the crowd, but whether he can articulate it well is beyond even him. he isn't always the most verbally tactful guy, so taking the time to mull over it as they walk, he looks out at the snowy landscape where a few orbers are building snowmen at the edge of the frozen pond. ]

This isn't going to mean much, [ he finally starts once they're far enough away to ensure nobody will be able to hear their exchange. ] but I just want to say it out loud once. I'm choosing to believe you. [ he knows what he's referring to. ] I've never liked troublesome things, so it stands to reason that it won't benefit me if I treat you with unfounded hostility.

[ his ever persistent frown deepens slightly. ]

I am here for the sake of Konoha though. [ there is a sharpness to his gaze as he lifts it towards the luminescent moon. ] As long as your reason for being here doesn't endanger the village or interfere with my goals, I don't care what you do while we're here.

[ he reaches up to pinch the cigarette between his fingers, momentarily pulling it out. ]

What I mean to say is, [ he taps some ash off of the thinly rolled tube. ] let's try and get along.

（ he listens without interruption, footsteps impossibly silent against the snow. he is altogether eerily still for someone who moves and breathes and exists, a bare simulacrum of living that seems at times to be at odds with the real thing.

he neither needs nor expects what is said. but he accepts it for what it is — a gesture. as much an olive branch as allowing himself to be put under tsukuyomi. it says much about his character, and itachi finds himself studying his profile in the moonglow, wisps of smoke reaching like a tattered ghost for the sky. it will irritate his lungs if he inhales too much, and so he takes care to turn away before drawing breath.

and when shikamaru is finished — ）

I have no intention of allowing harm to come to Konoha. Its safety is my priority, and will remain so well beyond my death.

（ more than he knows. the sentiment runs deep.

although. after a moment: ）

I cannot guarantee Shimura Danzō's life. His existence in Konoha is like a poison. If I can draw that poison out without endangering the village, I intend to.

（ that same gesture, returned. he is not asking for permission and would not refrain even if shikamaru expressed dismay or concern. he will assess the matter, and act as he believes is necessary.

he could not have killed danzo at thirteen.

but if he is able to live life over again from that point with the experience and knowledge he has now — he will manage. shisui would stand with him, if only he had a chance to — ）

[ shimura danzō, huh? he can understand why itachi would want him dead and he is inclined to agree with him that danzō is a problem that needs to be dealt with, but he doesn't intend on delving too deeply into a conversation about a man who has been dead for years — at least going by his own time.

he doesn't know how much of the future he should divulge to uchiha, so it's best to say as little as possible until he makes a decision. ]

Then I guess that settles it. [ he slips his cig back between his lips, inhaling slowly. ] Now it's just a matter of seeing what's in store for us. [ none of their aspirations will come to fruition if they don't manage to collect all of the orbs or ascertain that their hosts won't go back on their word. ]

Have you interacted with Degar?

（ he makes another gesture, this time it means yes — not here. it's subtle enough most people would miss it, or think it simply an errant tick of the hands. but this area is still too open and he is too deeply suspicious of the illusory capability of the sunlight room to trust it altogether.

he knows that ultimately, it's foolish. that they are likely monitored entirely in every distant corner, every alcove of the ximilia. but he has no desire to make said observation easy.

(he learned to avoid the cameras aimed at the uchiha compound, once upon a time.) ）

No. He seems not to wish to engage overmuch with us. Perhaps it is taxing on his power to split his attention.

[ caution is warranted on the ximilian. it is hard to discern which areas are being monitored, so it's safer to assume that they're always being watched.

they will have to figure out a more effective means of communicating with each other if they don't want what they say to be heard by either degar or viveca. it's going to be a bit of a drag until then though. ]

He does seem like a pretty elusive guy. Kinda like you, don't you think?

（ itachi gives him a sidelong glance. ）

Do you feel I have not been forthcoming?

（ there are some secrets he has preferred to guard — but he has been blunt about his unwillingness to answer those. ）

[ SHRUGS. ]

Hard to say. [ a beat and then: ] But I guess you're a little better than him.

Until we know what it is he's choosing to conceal, it's dangerous to make that assumption.

（ sorry, shika. his sense of humour is a bit... deceased. ）

[ he slides his gaze over to him, a vague smile lingering on his lips. ]

You know what? You're probably right about that. [ what a hopeless guy. ]

（ he's missing something. some nuance of conversation. it does not quite trouble him enough to ask about it — he sets it aside. ）

Was that all you wished to speak on?

（ shikamaru had asked him on a walk for a reason, after all, and if that business is concluded he has no interest in prolonging their contact. ）

[ he is definitely missing something. ]

Yeah, it was. [ he won't keep him if he wants to go off to do... whatever the hell he's gonna do in that getup. ]

Then, we will speak later.

（ and just like that, he vanishes. good ol' body flicker. have fun, shikamaru. ）

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

itachi and the incredible fashion crime, a novel

shika is just suffering from immense secondhand embarrassment rn

good. suffer.

t e r r i b l e

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject