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

[ sorry, peter, she can't help but laugh at his reaction just a little bit. ]

Not voodoo, no. Just an effigy. A doll, see?

[ she holds the stick figure up to show him, though perhaps it's not nearly as comforting as she thought it might be... given its head is still on fire.

maybe she should explain. ]

My family and I have this tradition every year. We would do it for New Year's but I figured... there's twigs and fire now, so.

You make one of these. Every twig, every twine. It represents something bad that happened that past year. So when you burn it, all the bad goes with it.

I...do see it. [ It helps that Peter has seen his team, especially Rocket, do the weirdest things on the regular. He can more or less keep a straight face, but there's no stopping the twitching of the corner of his lips when she lifts the doll with its head on fire. He's trying not to smile too much. ]

Ohhh...that's really cool, actually. Can other people partake in it, or it's a personal tradition?

[ He would like to join her but if it's a private thing, or inappropriate, he will just happily just look at her. Besides, Peter has the feeling he's going to need a lot of wood to burn all the bad that had happened this last year. ]

[ she can see him doing his best not to smile, but she silently assures him it'd be alright to by smiling a little wider herself.

she sets the current doll down against the snow, letting the flames slowly lick away at its extremities, then focuses on gathering up more twigs to hand over to peter. ]

It's actually a cultural tradition, but anyone can do it.

If you're really sure I'm not over stepping on any boundary. I do like to learn about other cultures. It was impossible not to, when I lived in space, I was the only human there for years.

[ Peter eyes the doll briefly again, and this time he does chuckle before his attention goes fully back to Marta. He takes the offered twigs with a small 'thank you' and his voice softens when he speaks. ]

I know you had a difficult year, losing your friend and all. Mine has been similarly shitty...this seems like a good step to start unwinding. What other traditions do you do at home? Maybe we can adapt them here as well.

Nothing that isn't already being done to some degree.

[ she gives him a smile both thankful and kind, before gesturing with her free hand around them. ]

Being with family, eating well, being merry... It's kind of comforting, isn't it? How we can all still be so very much alike, despite being so very different.

[ His expression softens after that smile, Marta is generally very sweet, and he can't help but feel comfortable around her. ]

It is. We can't go back home, but we can bring home to us. [ It's what Peter had been trying to do for the last 30 years while being away from either. Either annoying people by telling them about music, movies, and pop culture from earth, or convincing the Guardians to try to participate in earth holidays like Christmas himself. ]

I found out that people are basically people everywhere, even aliens. We all want a good life, company...to be happy and without too many problems.

[ she listens to his wisdom with a soft, wistful look around them. meeting people from different worlds, different universes, different times... it's a reality she never could have imagined for herself. anything close had been as fantastical as all the books she'd devoured in her quieter times. ]

It's funny how the more complicated life becomes, the simpler you realize it is.

[ that want for happiness... it's comforting to know it's universal. ]

What are some of your own traditions?

[ Call it wisdom, call it learning things the hard way. He had felt lonely often before meeting the Guardians and starting a new life with them, and he misses them like crazy now. ]

That's one of the strangest truths, yes. [ As Peter talks, he tries to re-arrange the twigs he's holding into something resembling a doll, but it leaves a little to be desired. ]

Uhm...back home, when I lived in Missouri we had pretty much the same things you see around here: stockings filled with small presents, the sweets, fancier dinner, tree decorating...but instead of caroling around town, my mom and I played karaoke on Christmas's Eve. It was silly and fun, and we didn't worry too much about singing well. We're just living in the moment.

[ marta watches his work with an idle smile. it would be easy enough to reach over, or offer her help if he wanted it. but part of the process is figuring it out yourself, or being happy with whatever it is you make. ]

Sounds fun. My sister loves singing, so every holiday had a karaoke component to it.

[ The doll is far from perfect, but at least he's having fun? The legs are long and there are a bunch of little twigs on the head, as if it had really spiky hair or maybe because Peter is thinking of someone. ]

Oh...? [ There's a mischievous grin appearing on his face at that statement, like a cat who just spotted a canary. ] We should sing something together after this.

[ 👀👀👀 ]

[ that single note of interest has marta looking up from his work just in time to see the crackle of mischief in his grin, and immediately she regrets saying anything. ]

No no, [ she says around a nervous laugh, ] my sister is the singer in the family. Not me. Definitely not me.

Aww but...it's Christmas. [ Oh Marta, Peter's not beyond using those big green eyes to give you a sad puppy look. ] It's what your sister would have wanted?

[ It comes out more as a question than an affirmation because Peter can't be sure and he doesn't want to be rude and make assumptions. But he also really, really, wants to hear Marta sing now. ]

Just one song?

OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

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