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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[ since clara isn't a stalker, she definitely wouldn't have noticed how marta had remained at the peripherals of all the festivities. even now, at the very beginning still, marta hovers until there is absolutely no one left at the table where clara sits, and she's forced to step forward and meet her fate. ]

Oh—

[ marta lowers her head so clara can place the delicate paper crown atop her head — a soft lavender speckled with glittering stars — and just as carefully straightens so as not to disturb it. ]

Clara, it's beautiful. This all must've taken you days...

It's no more beautiful than the person that's wearing it.

[Clara sprinkles in a little casual flirting as she offers Marta a smile. She's so glad to see one of her new friends here, since she remembers her first months on the station being overwhelming.]

And yeah, it might've taken a week or so to get them all done. But the effort is worth it, if it means bringing everyone together like this.

[She glances away from Marta to look around the room at the people who have gathered at their little party. It really is something that so many people decided to come celebrate with them.]

[ that casual flirting has the very special honor of flustering marta enough that she looks even more out of place amidst all the festivities, but at least this time there's a warm smile on her face to accompany it. there's a murmured Thank you, too shy to be anything less than awkward, so don't mind if marta moves them along— ]

Is it your favorite holiday, Christmas?

My favorite Earth holiday, I suppose.

[Because as being here on the station has shown, Christmas isn't a universal holiday. She's experienced holidays and celebrations on other planets and in other galaxies, all of them wonderful.]

This Christmas is definitely turning out to be my favorite in a long time. It's the first where I've gotten to celebrate with my Doctors.

[And wherever they are in the room, Clara glances around to spot them. She warmly smiles as she does, so pleased to see them enjoying themselves the way they are. All the work she's put into this is to make sure it's absolutely perfect for them. Everyone else on the station coming and enjoying themselves too is just icing on the cake.]

[ she gives a quiet nod, making a small mental note to herself to stop speaking in such absolutes. the universe is far too vast for her to keep thinking the way she has been, curled up in her own little corner.

quietly, marta follows clara's line of sight, too curious to help herself. when she takes in the doctors — the doctors — she takes note of the tone in clara's words, how her voice seems to curl carefully around the word my. marta glances back just in time to see the warmth of clara's smile brighten up her features. she feels a tug on the corner of her own lips. ]

Did you all come here together?

[And that's where her smile fades away. The question is innocent enough, but has a headache for an answer.]

Technically speaking. The bowtied Doctor? He and I, we woke up here together at the same time. Only we were from different points in time, so things didn't match up. Then the other Doctor showed up a bit later, also from a different point in time. Then I was sent back home and lived out a few years before being brought back here, only to be so far beyond both of them on our shared timeline that everything's a bit...complicated.

[Which may explain why tonight is so important to her. It's the first chance they've all had to just relax and enjoy a holiday instead of constantly being stressed over timelines and spoilers, and where they all stand with one another.

But still, she figures that's more than Marta needs or wants to know. So she gives an embarrassed little smile and shrugs. It's time for a subject change, before she winds up making herself pensive on a night where everyone's supposed to be merry.]

Think now would be a good time to have you help me with the egg nog. Come on.

[Without hesitation, she reaches over to take her friend's hand, laughing as she pulls her along after her toward the long table where treats and drinks are set up.]

[ she regrets asking the second she sees that gentle smile fade. a bit like watching a bubble burst, beautiful in its fragility, in knowing it can only ever be a temporary thing.

marta listens to clara's explanation and thinks of peter, the man she'd spoken to over the network during one of her first nights on the station. she thinks of him and his girlfriend, back from the dead, how death and time seem to have no meaning here in space, in this space in particular. timelines, time travel... things that are just so far out of marta's grasp she often finds herself clumsily stumbling along when others can speak of it so casually, with such familiarity.

she wants to ask, but she honestly wouldn't even know where to start. so when clara shrugs, marta decides to leave it be for now. maybe talks like these are still heavy even for those who are already so comfortable with it (in which case, what hope does she have?). but when clara reaches for her hand, marta reflexively gives it a squeeze — as reassuring as she means her smile to be, a sort of silent understanding that clara needn't say more than she'd like to.

but if she wanted to... marta's hand is still in hers. ]

I've never made it before, so I should make the second batch. People will probably not notice by then if it's not any good.

No. [Clara's quick to speak up, giving her head a shake. She also gives Marta's hand a gentle squeeze.] You shouldn't second guess yourself like that. You're one of the most observant people I've ever met. You'll know exactly how to make it just right.

[She isn't about to let Marta doubt her abilities, even when it comes to making drinks. It's with an encouraging smile that she grabs a big metal bowl off the table, handing it over for Marta to take. She leads the way into the kitchens next, pulling away in order to grab the ingredients they'll need. The stovetop is where she's settle, looking right at home like she owns the space. Truthfully, she's here often enough that it feels like a part of her daily routine to cook or bake.

It's strange how domestic some aspects of this big adventure feel.]

[ clara's response comes so swiftly and so simply that marta is left staring after her, jaw slightly dropped. it has her scrambling to recall what she'd said that'd prompted such resolve. the truth is, she's grown so used to making herself small in the hopes of avoiding getting a target painted on her that she's often so unaware of she's even doing it. ]

Sorry. [ that, too, is a reflex. one that is perhaps even harder to kick.

but at least they've got things other than herself to focus on. marta is only vaguely aware of what goes into eggnog, but she's sampled enough of it before not to be too surprised by all that clara pulls out.

she stands closeby, hands clasping dutifully in front of her. ]

Where should I help?

[Clara points out the ingredients that need to be used on the stovetop, letting Marta get to work. She's got to go find a nice big bottle of alcohol to add to things. This nog is going to be spiked and delicious and get everyone nice and tipsy.]

Are you used to having to apologize often?

[She finally asks, when she's standing at Marta's side, guiding her hand on exactly how to stir the liquid that's in the saucepan. It isn't that Clara wants to pry, but rather she's curious about why Marta always seems quick to apologize for things that don't need to be focused on. It reminds her in some ways, of how she had been once, a long time ago. Always so quick to apologize for standing out, or taking up space she wasn't sure she had any right to be in. ]

[ marta works dutifully, even if the appearance of the large bottle of alcohol has her smiling to herself. she follows clara's instructions perfectly, but her focus momentarily falters when clara turns the conversation back on her.

she doesn't answer for a moment, lips parted but she struggles with the words. it's always honesty she speaks (both willfully and necessarily) but she always has to be careful with how honest she means to be. ]

...Yes. [ she keeps her eyes on the pot. ] It's just become habit, sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it.

[ she supposes she could leave it at that. but something inside her compels to adds, albeit quieter: ]

It's just easier that way. I don't really like to make waves.

[ making waves gets you noticed, and any kind of notice is the bad kind for someone who has to keep her head down. ]

[Clara watches her, studying every little mannerism. She lets Marta have her quiet moment without speaking over her, letting the words wash over them both so they weigh heavy on Clara's mind.]

There's nothing wrong with making waves sometimes.

[She finally says, her voice a whisper near Marta's ear as she moves to stand beside her. Her hand goes to rest on Marta's arm, a brief and gentle touch.]

You don't have to apologize for taking up space.

[But she gets keeping things easy, so she doesn't press more than that. When Marta's ready to stop apologizing, she'll let Clara know in one way or another.]

[ for a long moment, marta doesn't say anything. she can sense that clara doesn't mean to say or push any further, content to leave it at those gentle words, that tender touch. and were it so easy, marta might have been just as content to leave it at that.

but she so hardly gets to do even this much, speaking the truth of her situation. silence can be as much a default as her apologies. ]

I don't know how it is in your world, but in mine, people like me... aren't always welcome.

[ she keeps stirring, keeps her head bowed low. there is no pain in her voice, just the quiet acceptance of fact. ]

Making myself small is sometimes the only way I get to stay.

[Clara really has to think on what Marta's said here. She takes in her words, and she stops to really take in Marta's accent for the first time. And some things start to fall into place. Things are different in the states, but not so different at the root of things like Marta's referring to.

Hate shows itself in ugly, cruel ways all over the galaxy.

Clara comes from a place of not having to worry about that until she left her home planet and went to others where she was the one that was different. She's privileged enough to not have to make herself small.

She stands at Marta's side, unsure of what to say. So she doesn't say anything at first and simply reaches over to curl her fingers around the other woman's wrist. She stops her from stirring further, and shifts her hand so she can gently press her palm against Marta's cheek. With the most careful of touches she guides her to look her way. Marta doesn't have to bow her head here, curl in on herself to make herself small and seem like she's invisible. Not here, not around her.]

It's the same in my world. But here, you are always welcome.

[And with that promise her hand drops away, gently taking the whisk from Marta so she can stir some instead.]

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OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

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cw: racism

cw: racism