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

[Blue's expression grows a bit more concerned as Yzak's exasperation flares.]

Then...how can I help...ease your agitation?

You don't have to help! I'm not...

[ He trails off, because, of course nothing he says is going to be able to hide anything here, with Blue. Am I really that agitated?

Ugh, snap out of it, Yzak!

Even he seems annoyed at himself, for overreacting. ]

...

[this is something of an echo of Braccia, Blue realizes: the more he addresses or presses on something, the more Yzak balks - then balks at his own balking. that just...seems to be in his nature when vexed.]

I won't press, then. It's alright.

It's not even a big deal anyway!

[ It's not. He knows it's not - not what he's openly complaining about, at least. It's everything beneath it that he's currently trying to mentally wrestle into submission. Because when Blue speaks, there's a touch of self-awareness, of guilt, as words thrown at Yzak during the last mission come back to him: It isn't my fault this castle knows you've got communication issues! Athrun Zala, right once again. Ugh. ]

Look, I just — nearly everybody else enjoys having fun kissing underneath these things. But that's not fun for me! It's something I take very seriously! That's all!

[ It's very much not all. But what he says outloud isn't a lie, even if there's this feeling right beside it; that his aggravation stems from reminders, from having to consider things he's still at a conflict with in his own mind that he doesn't know how to settle. ]

If anyone has forced you... [is that what he's implying? has someone tried to bully him into something?]

No, nobody's done that! [ That would imply an attraction to This Mess. And what would that say about the other person. ] I'd kill someone if they tried that anyway!

I just don't like the expectations these things set. And since they're all over, it's not exactly easy to ignore! [ There's that touch of envy again. A lonely, conflicted sort of envy, partially self-imposed. ]

But like I said — I'm not going to make anyone take them down or anything. They can do what they want, as long as they leave me out of it! I don't have any sort of romantic inclinations toward anyone on the station anyway!

[Blue listens, watching Yzak with great care.

perhaps all Yzak needs is just to be heard? if there's anything Blue can do, he can do that.]

...I understand. [to the...extent that he can.]

The faces you're making make me wonder about that.

[ Regardless, he heaves a heavier than usual huff. ] But if that's the case, then, good! [ He's not placated by that, because he's Yzak. But at the very least, Blue's presence is something else to focus on so his prickly thoughts get pushed back the slightest bit. ]

What are you even doing here? [ Just chilling on a window sill? ] Were you headed somewhere?

[Blue's eyebrows lift. faces? he's...making faces?

...bad faces?

he'd ask, but...Yzak's already pivoting the conversation.]

...Yes. I was going to see the decorations. In the mess hall.

I can take you the rest of the way, then, if you need a hand.

[ Arm: out in offering, almost automatically. At the gesture, he also thinks to himself, I've gotten quite used to this, huh. ]

Ah-- thank you. [Blue reaches and takes the arm, getting to his feet with that help.] Have you already seen it? What some of the others are up to. Decorating.

I have. And I've been helping them out where tree decorating is concerned. Because there's a method to it!

[ Helping them, directing them like he's some kind of expert. ]

[his mouth tugs.]

That must be enjoyable...do you like decorating, Yzak?

It's ... not bad, I guess. [ He considers. When he thinks about it, he definitely had that childlike excitement about it when he was younger, a brief flash of a memory of a tiny little gremlin Yzak (who probably looks The Same, Only Bite-Sized) and a woman who is clearly his mother because he looks like her clone, in a big fancy house putting up just-as-fancy decorations. But he gives a small shrug. ]

I wouldn't call it a hobby, but I guess I like it, occasionally.

[some of that reflection naturally bleeds over...it's nice. Blue certainly won't point that out, lest he ruffle Yzak needlessly. is that dishonest of him to conceal? or kind.]

When we get there...maybe you could explain some of those techniques, then.

I could show you, instead, as they were still working on things.

But it's very simple! All about variation and evenly spreading things out! A bit like being part of a team.

[Blue would hesitate to agree, considering his lack of...creative vision and the hundreds of years lacking in it. but if Yzak's going to happily tell him what to do, that seems to be something that wouldn't be too much trouble.]

I'll follow your instructions...best I can.

[ Bossing people around is his specialty. ]

You'll be fine. Once you see what I mean, it's easy!

[ And sure enough, since it's still early there are plenty of trees to be decorated. Which means there are different boxes of ornaments all set up nearby. ]

You can already get an idea by looking in the boxes alone. [ He points to one, full of little glass snowflake ornaments, and then to another, which is full of baubles. ] See how it's all one type in each box?

[Blue's eyes scan the array ahead of them.]

Is there a...difference of significance between them?

Aside from how they look? No.

But decoration like this is about look! About catching the eye and enjoying a view, or appreciating what someone's put their hard work into.

[ He makes a grab for a snowflake. ] And this has the same sort of formula as building a team. [ It's how he looks at it, anyway. Most things like this he looks at with an eye of seriousness and dedication as if he's at work. ]

If you look at the differences as traits. Skills. Sure, you can put some together, that's always fine. [ He hangs it up on one of the branches. ]

But like our team here, how have we worked best together? By bringing the unique things we know to the table and using them to support one another. [ He then reaches for a candy-cane looking ornament, placing it near the snowflake. ]

It's a bit like that. The differences end up complimenting each other in various ways when they're mixed together and spread out on the branches.

[Blue's mouth tugs, wearing faint admiration and amusement on his face because how can he not? Yzak is very forthright and driven in most any aspect, but he's shining a bit brighter in this moment. as he speaks on, Blue lets go of his arm so he can find a stool to sit on, rarely letting his gaze fall away from what Yzak's up to.

now, he doesn't have much of an artistic mind if only for lack of any nurturing, but he can at least follow this simple theory of variety mixing together...he just wouldn't know how to do it himself.

also, it takes a moment for that analogy to sink in.]

I don't think...I'd ever consider comparing our work on a mission...as anything remotely like a decorated tree before, Yzak.

Haah? Ever? Is it really that strange a comparison to make?

[his smile pulls a bit more as he tilts his head.]

You'll have to ask someone else...someone who knows about these trees.

[ He opens his mouth.

Closes it.

And then opens it right back up again. ]

Hey- I know about these trees!

[ And then he POINTS straight at Blue. ]

You try it and help me out, then! With what I said in mind! Then you'll see what I mean!

[blink. blinkblink.

so assertive...!]

Aa...very well...with your instruction, of course...

OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

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