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

blue (toward the terra), ota

[firstroar]

12/24

13:00-14:00
Blue makes a brief appearance in the kitchen to heat up the last of the stew Sabriel had made for him, lingering mostly because the buzz of festivities has him curious. Sensing that buzz at all...it's a relief, it means he's getting better.

"Is...there another holiday happening?" he asks, directing the question to whomever might be there in the kitchen with him.


18:00-22:00
That was the last of Blue being physically around for festivities on the 24th. He returned to his quarters to rest his body, to give his form a safe place while he once again stretches that extrasensory muscle. This means that, amidst the goings-on of the later hours, a pale ghost may be perceived lingering around, observing the happenings with bright red eyes. Spooky? Probably. Dangerous? Not at all.

The specter seems to be simply a curious watcher, lingering amidst the clusters of merriment of strangers and familiar minds alike. When he is noticed, those eyes naturally fix toward the source, quiet and curious.

To stranger and friend alike, a thought is passed along: Hello. What is it you're doing?

---

12/25

11:00-13:00
'Bright and early' isn't very feasible for him, and even then, it takes a while to make his way to the simulation room. Since the shift to that snowscape, he's been more amenable to the place, even though there's still something foreboding about it - something too close to the Mother system back in his universe.

But so many are there...enough anchors to reality as to not lose himself to any potential AI traps, right?

...

While the sweater is warm and the slippers comfy, Blue is unnerved by the shifting of his physical senses more than he was in simply walking into a snowy landscape. It's countered by the general states of mind by the others already within - real people, not simulations, which can give him some solace. He'll gravitate toward those people to watch them interacting with the Christmas morning spread, seeking the value of it all in those around him.


18:00-20:00
He couldn't explore everything even if he wished to, given his physical limitations. After some time to retreat and rest, Blue makes an effort to return, still striving to connect with people here.

That was the intention, but...this place - the pond, the candlelit path...it halts him, quiets the wandering of his mind and gives him a brief moment of reflection in a solitude that isn't frightening. It leaves the Mu silent and still, staring skyward at this false sky in the midst of the mental ambience around him, wondering on how far he's come in such a blink of time.

So much has changed...so fast. And somehow, he's still kept his head above water. It's taken others to pull him up above the choppy waves of circumstance, and that isn't something to take for granted, either. He's only alive...because of those people.

Is that what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown?

He can't sit there forever: The longer her lingers, the harder it'll be to leave on his own. Eventually his gaze will pull away and he'll look to others, look to catch an eye, perhaps seek the help he'll need to get up and get out of here.

12/24 - 18:00-22:00 (for!! now!!!!!)

[coordination]

[ He happens to catch Yzak at the start of things, when he's just arrived with his cookies and is putting them out. He looks quite pleased with himself, too, with the end result.

(there's totally one of Blue's cute lil face among them) ]

Making sure everyone gets a good look at my hard work, before they enjoy themselves!

[ Gloat gloat. But in his defense, he is good at this, and they do look well-made. ]

[firstroar]

[once he's noticed, Blue draws nearer, drifting to peer over Yzak's shoulder at the spread.

cute... do all of the space-faring humans on this vessel seem apt to charming little crafts and confections?]

These look very well done, Yzak. You made them yourself, alone?

[coordination]

[ He puffs up at the compliment. ] That's because I'm good at this!

Sabriel helped with a lot of prep work and mixing, since she's learning how to bake just as well as me, too. She made most of the standard gingerbread men. But these, these were my work.

[firstroar]

[Blue comes around one side of him, still surveying what he can perceive. so long as Yzak's eyes are down on it, he can.

so:] Can you...look at this one? [the Blue-one.] Red eyes and white hair...right?

[coordination]

Right. That one is yours.

[ He answers as his eyes fall on it. Simplistic in design but still very clearly Blue.

He ... sends a quick glance to Blue's projection. ]

I can bring it to you later to eat, if you want.

[firstroar]

[Blue smiles, endeared. people are so nice to him here, for so little in exchange...]

I don't know if I could bring myself to eat it...it's too nice.

[coordination]

They're cookies! They're supposed to be eaten!

I'll bring it either way, when I have a few moments. Are you planning to stay where you are for the rest of the day? Or will you be joining us at some point?

[firstroar]

[yeah but. it's...his face...?

anyway, Blue gets a pensive look on his ghost-face.]

I think I would like to try...

[he hesitates.]

But if I were to somehow hurt Newt when he is there...

24th, 18-22

[winscenario]

Jim isn't as startled by the ghostly presence as much as others might be, just glancing over with a bit of surprise but soon dissolving into a soft, amused laugh when he recognizes the voice that reaches out and rings in his mind. He looks back across the room, sending the answer through thoughts, or at least making his best attempt at doing so. He's been getting a lot of practice at that, between Blue and Finn.

Just relaxing. Having eggnog. I've had dinner, and I'll be helping Bones clear up in a bit. Where are you?

[firstroar]

The answer's loud and clear, and Blue's pleased to know Jim's pretty unfazed to respond as he does. It emboldens Blue to make a reach to see whatever it is Jim's focusing on in the moment, to borrow a bit of sight to see the things that aren't just colorful minds within the area.

In my room. Was the dinner good?

[winscenario]

He's not focused on anything particularly. His gaze moves from person to person for the most part, enjoying the smiles and happy faces, fondness surfacing when his eyes linger on Bones or Finn, of a few others he's grown closer to.

Delicious. I helped make potato casserole. I can save you a bit, if you want to give it a try later.

[firstroar]

Only if it is something that can keep; I don't want anything precious to go to waste. He's got his surplus of rice porridge from Itachi to get through to suffice, and he's certain the enjoyment others get from it counts for far more.

All these things...are limited, right? The occasion, the decorations, the gatherings.

[winscenario]

It's fine, it'll hold for a while. There's so much food anyway that Jim doubts anyone would go hungry if he just took a little bit for Blue. It might seem silly, but he did cook that (together with Bones of course), and he'd like to share it with him.

He's quiet for a few long seconds after the question, a kind of melancholy settling in him. Aren't all things limited?

[firstroar]

That kind of feeling is something Blue resonates with quite easily, and it pulls his focus away from what Jim's got his eyes on to Jim himself. Red eyes fix on him and watch, unblinking.

Are they? Where you're from.

[winscenario]

Of course, he says, almost surprised by the question. All the occasions, our experiences. Even our own planet, the concept of time and the universe itself; everything has been created and everything will inevitably end one day.

He looks down to his glass of eggnog, chuckling. A bit fatalistic and depressing there, huh? Guess that's why we cherish all these memories. We see life as precious, because it's all we have, and everything we'll get to experience is contained within it. Isn't that the same in your reality?

[firstroar]

Blue is silent for a bit, contemplative.

It must be different...because saying such things...seems so radical and dangerous. The sort of thing you speak of when you're sure you're safe from detection. Quietly. Carefully.

It's simply not as ingrained at the core, I think. The way people are groomed...the way...I was groomed... His head shakes with that notion. Something deeply ingrained.

I may not have noticed how strongly it's skewed my perceptions...had I not met you and the others here.

12.24 13:00 - 14:00

[calmness]

[the kitchens are a safe place to get away from most of the holiday buzz, even if they remain decorated and bustling with people. winter is a difficult time and as what would be the harshest days draw closer, xichen cannot help but feel melancholy even as most of the crew seems filled with cheer.

still, he's not about to let his own sadness seep outward into those around him. even if his energies are drained from the last mission and keeping up his usual smile is more tiring.

hey, maybe he'll sleep regularly again.

he's making a warm cup of tea when a stranger speaks to him and he glances up, schooling his face from tired to a gentle smile.] Hm? Ah, yes. Christmas, I believe. [he offers a wry smile.] I am unfamiliar, I am afraid, but it seems.. to involve oddly decorated and bright sweaters, food, a tree, spending time together and quite a bit of alcohol. [amongst other things. but really he's assessed that the sweaters are important.]

[firstroar]

[the languages with which sadness speaks are pretty diverse, and while most people don't perceive the ones of unspoken thought, Blue is one of the few on the station who can. it's...everywhere. sadness and regret permeate the station, because it must. but while it is there, many work hard to feel more beyond that...especially now - hence the question. previous holidays stirred up much similar buzz, after all.

Blue isn't familiar with who replies, but he gives him his attention all the same, fixing his primary focus on the answer as opposed to that state of mind. boundaries and all that.]

The trees must be the new part. [...] Since I recall...an abundance of food at the previous occasion.

[calmness]

They have spent quite a bit of time decorating them. [he almost mentions the sweaters again, but repetition is persistence and he doesn't quite have the energy. nor is there a point.

xichen nods.] Food is at the center of most holidays, I think, in most worlds. [even if the food in his own home is quite bland, there are still feasts held in celebration of the coming of spring, the new year, qixi and other holidays.] Is there anything like this where you are from? It isn't quite like anything I've seen.

[firstroar]

[are the sweaters that weird? considering...what some folks here wear on the regular? Blue doesn't have enough of an eye for fashion to say. trees, though? those stand out.

he shakes his head a little at the question.]

No, I can't say there is... Feasting and decorations...there's no means for that. Not yet. [not until his people can live freely. they had it for but a breath, just a second it seems...but Blue had been asleep for it.]

[calmness]

[someone is just bitter his had a beheaded snowman on it and can't let go. sweaters themselves, without such designs, are completely acceptable!

that answer draws the corners of his lips downward.] Ah... Perhaps other celebrations and holidays?

[firstroar]

[by contrast, Blue smiles a small, apologetic smile.]

These occasions are new to me. Festivals, annual feasts... It wasn't done among my people.

[not for lack of want! more...lack of knowing that they lacked it at all. ignorance is like that.]

I can understand the appeal, though.

[calmness]

[that makes sense, then, though the smile he offers in return is sympathetic before he looks out at the festivities.] Then I hope you are inspired and able to take some of this home with you.

And that there is reason to celebrate in the future. [even with the strictness of gusu lan's precepts, there was room for celebration.] Lively like this or a little tamer.

[firstroar]

[home with him...

Blue doesn't have any faith at all in a return home, but the sentiment is kind. he nods, appreciative.]

Everyone here...we're no more special than anyone else who has something they regret. We are just fortunate to have a chance...to do something about it.

I like that...there is more to look forward to than simply that. That there's something to learn.