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

5.0.... with an inevitable side of sloppy high besties

[peasant]

[ it's not so unexpected to find her in the bookstore, surrounded by the only constant companions she had had in childhood, beyond mal — dusty books, with all of their tattered pages. the well-loved, worn chapters of stories that had allowed her to escape from a sickly childhood and its lack of adventure, from the pit of loneliness that still sometimes aches in her chest — a yawning chasm that can never quite be filled.

for all that the festive cheer has been welcoming, flooding her with a burst of warmth despite the chilly christmas air, it's been equally overwhelming. and so she's taken up residence in a corner, sheltered by the books she's gathered around herself, for a moment of respite — alone with her thoughts, regardless of how often she's tried to run from her own head lately.

kovacs' familiar face is another excuse to flee from the burdens she doesn't want to be saddled with, the strange emptiness that takes up residence inside of her tonight; she recognizes him instantly from her perch at a table, quietly abandoning the pile of books spread across its surface and snatching the bottle of wine she had swiped for his gift, to follow him where he's disappeared down a towering aisle. her approach is a soft one, afraid of shattering the peace that's gathered in the atmosphere here, as she comes to a stop behind him — squeezing her hand at his elbow, to prevent him from whirling around on her in surprise. ]

Find anything good yet? [ the one issue: she can't see past him to be able to determine that for herself. she slides up onto her tiptoes, dropping her chin against his shoulder, bringing a gust of a summertime peach scent with her. comfortable enough in his company, her arms loop around his neck to keep herself steady, a little like a small bear fastening itself to a tree trunk as she tries to peek at the shelf. ] I'm a little afraid to ask, if I'm being honest. Knowing the Doctor, they might all be books on the history of bowties.

[kovach]

[ even traveling back to before he'd slept for two and a half centuries, books had already begun to become less commonplace albeit still present even as technology began to escalate faster towards requiring nothing but screens to read any kind of information, fictional or otherwise. but in his more modest home, in the less developed corners of harlan's world, there was a fondness for storytelling, particular the kinds that he and rei so often indulged in together to escape the harsh realities from living beneath their father's roof.

it doesn't take much to sense her coming, not from any kind of superpower or voodoo as it's often titled as, but just from the attention he has to the sounds within the shop, including the soft taps of her shoes against the wooden floorboards as she slips into his aisle.

what he doesn't fully anticipate is the way she leans up against him from behind, arms circling around his neck as she tries to steal a peak from behind. of course, he's actually comfortable enough with her that it doesn't actually bother him, even leaning back a little so she has a better reach for peering over his shoulder. ]

I'd rather that than whatever the other Doctor might put in as a recommendation. You see anything weird about meat, do yourself a favor and ignore it. Better yet — burn it.

[peasant]

[ he doesn't get the full effect of alina's confusion perched on his shoulder as she is — but she doesn't go to any lengths to hide the scrunch of her nose. an expression that seems to answer her immediate question of do i want to ask? apparently, the answer is a resounding no.

much as she doesn't like to stumble across secrets hidden in the dark, this meat mystery is one best left to the shadows. ]

We haven't been formally introduced. [ for saints' sake, she had only recently learned of his wife's existence. such is the way of the doctor's madness, she supposes, too occupied with the racing gears in his mind to bother with normal pleasantries. ] But for what sounds like the sake of my sanity, I'll keep that in mind.

[ she has to strain only slightly to tap her fingers on a pristine book spine, a hand sweeping past them all, like intuition alone might lead her to the right story. it's an impossibility, really; none of the titles stand out to her as familiar, though it isn't a surprising discovery. keramzin's orphanage had only been blessed by secondhand books, the few hand-me-downs donated to them, until alina had inevitably worn them out. ]

Say you're a book. Which kind would you be? [ her head tips to the side, absently resting against his. it's a silly question, alina knows, but — maybe it'll narrow their search. and, beyond that, she's still curious by nature. ] I would be ... An encyclopedia. Plain, but trying to understand it will give you a never-ending headache.

[ perhaps that counts as a lie, in some form, when ravka would eagerly categorize her as a myth come to life. still. her mouth quirks at her own expense, light and unbothered by her usual brand of self-deprecation. ]

[kovach]

A good idea. [ not that kovacs has terrible opinions of the doctor, either of them, and if anything, it's more of the opposite since they've actually really grown on him in the past few months, but he's also well aware that it does take a certain kind of preparation for the sort of conversations that come with both.

his attention steers to the gradual slide of alina's fingers across the books, following them not with the intent on anticipating a chosen book but for the manner that she does it, like the act itself, the presence of it all is more interesting than the context of the books themselves.

her answer to her own question earns a personal little smile from his lips, more of an amused gesture in the face of her apparent description of herself. ]

You're not an encyclopedia. Way too dull for you. [ in a casual manner, he raises his fingers up to her nose where she rests against his head, pinching lightly at her nose before he picks a random book off the shelf, something thick with a long title that gives the assumption of some sort of self-help guide, not of any particular interest but enough for him to scrunch his own nose at. ]

More like a pop-up book. Little obnoxious, over-the-top, and annoying. But entertaining enough.

[peasant]

[ part of her wants to protest that's the point. her dullness, once the gilded shine of her powers wears off. but takeshi had never known her before. before, when she had been as quiet and overlooked as a mouse. when escaping notice had been less dangerous than drawing attention to the shape of her face or her mother's heritage, feared and distrusted on sight. she can't imagine the first army had looked at her differently, either: the half-shu girl cloaked in mud and dirt, scuttling through the camp like vermin they had learned to tolerate.

or had simply enjoyed kicking, at other times.

still, despite how she wants to argue otherwise, something floats in her chest. some stupidly elated bubble, to hear he doesn't look down at her and see her as drab and dreary, as unappealing and unwanted as a somberly gray sky. it dulls the edges of her (pretend) offense, a wrinkle to her twitching nose plucked there by his playful fingers. a huff leaves her and gusts over his cheek, though it sounds suspiciously like a laugh at her own expense.

after all, those aren't the worst things she's ever been called. ]

Yeah? Well, you're — [ she punctuates it with a tug on his ear, as if ensuring he hears her fully. a tap against his cheek, and then she's reaching to tug open the front of the book he's pulled away, frowning when she finds it to be a self-help guide, neatly blaring its title at them: F*CK NO!: HOW TO STOP SAYING YES WHEN YOU CAN’T, YOU SHOULDN’T, OR YOU JUST DON’T WANT TO. ] — One of those dark, brooding poetry books. The absolutely miserable ones you read on rainy days.

[ her voice lowers, a mockingly dramatic reciting of ravkan prose. ]

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.” But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

[kovach]

[ kovacs can only go by what he knows of her here, stitching together the fragments of the memories he's formed with her in scattered passing over the last few months. of course, much of it draws on that day in his room, when he'd learned the young girl carries wisdom of age more impressively than most much older than her, and that she's more deserving of respect than others who would claim to have the years and experience worthy of it.

since then, his eyes have inevitably been more drawn to her, like a magnet helplessly locked on to someone pulling that threads knotted tight on his body, reeling him in closer, deeper. it's nothing like his relationship with clara — alina's attractive, sure, but he wouldn't deem what he has with her to be seriously romantic, by any means — but there's a solemn respect and care that doesn't compare to what he has with many people.

maybe it's because he'd been there in that room in his memory, with him and rei, that he's come to see her the way that he does. she's not a replacement for his sister, no one would be, but ... well, the ease in which he can tease her, the way he can take it in turn, the playfulness when she hangs at his back, it almost feels like — having family again.

he hums an almost affirmative sound when she tugs at his ear, the gesture practically drawing the lift of a smirk on his lips. ]

Only rainy days? I was hopeful I could bring misery year-round, no matter the weather.

[ the words of poetry that she offers, though, whatever playfulness is meant there, he finds far too much of a connected understanding with them. ]

Very dramatic. Though I'm not really a joy kind of guy, so I think I can argue that pretty well — come on. [ he crouches down a little, arms reaching back to snag at her legs, drawing them in against his hips to hold her against his back before straightening again, boosting her up in a proper piggyback. ] Top row. Look like fairy tales. Better options.

[ can he just reach them himself without her? sure, but where's the fun in that? ]