ximilialog | 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

It stands to reason.

（ he reaches out and touches the little paper boat gently, rocking it with a finger as if it were alight on the water, and then lets it rest. ）

Given your responsibility, it must be difficult to be away from your duties.

Yes. Although Abhorsen's duty is not just laying the dead to rest... but also restraining dangerous magical forces, and dealing with those who seek to traffic with them- necromancers and Free magic sorcerers.

[Sabriel stares at the boat, watching as it comes back to rest.]

Helping make sure the orbs are contained is... consistent with that responsibility. But I won't say the promise of my regret being undone isn't also part of it.

[If her friends will be restored to life in the process, all the better.]

It's a strong allure for all here. Otherwise, we would not be present.

（ he has not spoken of his, though shikamaru asked him point-blank. the truth is, it's no one's business, and he is too intensely private to ever wish to share it no matter how strong a bond may be. ）

Yes. One they- or the orb, more likely- would like to maintain, given that people can apparently change their regret- albeit at a price.

[Which somehow makes Sabriel slightly less suspicious. Even with magic, all things have their price. Being upfront about it is just more honest than claiming it's for free.]

It gives everyone motivation to cooperate with each other. Even if there's always the question of what happens if someone gets truly desperate.

Mm.

( is he desperate? no. would he be, for sasuke's sake?

(the better question, always, would be what would he not do for his brother?) )

Then we will deal with it as it becomes necessary.

And until then, enjoy the festivities. People keep trying to outdo themselves with them.

[Really, it's nice but... a little excessive, in Sabriel's opinion. Gifts and parties are fine, and the simulation room can create all sorts of scenarios, but they're here for a purpose, and it isn't to have fun.]

Although I contributed a little myself, with the gingerbread.

Let them. There is little enough joy in the world.

（ he agrees with her, of course — their purpose is not to have fun. but everything around them now is still ephemera. it will be gone in a day, or a week, and their fraught journey will continue onward.

itachi does not remember a single day in his youth without training, or a mission or a duty, without the far-reaching hand of conflict closing around his chest like a cage. perhaps he would have become a different man if he had ever learned (if he had ever been taught) that it was... permissible, to take time to himself. to pursue other interests.

he is not gladdened to hear that sabriel had done so — that is too strong a word for too neutral an emotion. yet, some fey emotion still persists. ）

Did you enjoy making it?

True. All the more reason for people to find some where they can.

[At the question, Sabriel grins.]

Yes. I... wasn't taught much about cooking before I came here, and most of what I did know was about feeding myself in the wilderness. Preparing things in a kitchen for other people... well, my school would have seen it as servant's work.

[Because any family that could afford the tuition at Wyverley could also afford to hire a cook.]

But it's nice, to be able to make things for other people, and for them to enjoy it. Did you try any?

[Especially foods that Sabriel herself had fond memories of, from her time at school and the vague, hazy memories she had of her childhood in the Old Kingdom.]

（ 'servant's work'. and yet, she does it regardless. he has always appreciated that air of humility about her. ）

No.

（ he may like sweets, but he has found that most other people's idea of 'sweet' exceeds his own by a considerable margin. most of what he's sampled has been done in small increments, and even then it's been overwhelming for him. ）

But I would do so, if you wish to share.

['Humble' is not a word Sabriel would use to describe herself. She is Abhorsen, a position of considerable honor... but not one that exempts her from doing mundane tasks, like helping with cooking and other work around the station. And it is also a title that is meaningless to anyone outside the Old Kingdom, unless or until they have to deal with the Dead.]

I'll give you some when this party is over- I particularly like how the gingerbread came out.

Very well.

（ spending time in her company is not a hardship. she does not exhaust his capacity for tolerance the way some others do. ）

OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

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