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

4.0

[spacedisaster]

What is with you and pink, man? The color does help bring out your pretty eyes, though. [ Peter asks cheerfully, walking over Kovacs with a small present in his hand, a leather messenger back slung on his shoulder, and wearing the new ridiculous sweater he's got as a gift. ] I've got a couple of things for you.

[ First he offers Kovacs the box he's been holding, the size of a mobile phone, wrapped in red paper and topped with a gold bow. Inside the box, Kovacs will with a Zippo lighter that has, on one of its sides, 'Takeshi Kovacs' written in kanji. ]

It's not much but ey, Merry Christmas. The other thing is, well... [ Now Peter looks a little more fidgeting and unsure than before as he pulls out a simple white envelope from inside the messenger's back and hands it to the other man.

The Guardian saw what Kovacs' girlfriend Quellcrist looked like when they got trapped in the dreamscape during their last mission, and had contacted Clarke for her drawing skills. Inside the envelope, there's a hand-drawn portrait of Quell from the shoulders up, looking exactly like the first time Kovacs met her in that rope bridge. There's a small, slightly amused expression on her face, lips upturned as if she's once again entertained by his frustration. ]

I thought you might want to have a way to see her without having to be high as a kite.

[kovach]

It's my best color. [ spoken with a bit of a defeated pursing from his lips. he much prefers darker colors as a way of sort of blending, as best as a man of his height can blend, but it's not like he has anything against the brightness of the pinks that he somehow gets himself stuck with more often than not.

he's trying to tuck down the sweater further to his hips when he sees the offered box from quill, raising his brow. ]

Oh, uh — I didn't really do gifts. [ honestly, he wasn't expecting anything from anyone, and never having been much of a christmas person himself, he hadn't been inclined to even think of getting anything for anyone.

but he opens the box, expression softening at the sight of the zippo. ] Thanks, man. This is — this is really nice.

[ even that by itself is generous, making him feel a little guilty about not having anything of his own to hand off, but he also doesn't expect a secondary gift, confused by the envelope as he opens it carefully. when he sees the drawn image inside, his body seems to sink with a sudden weight, everything seemingly falling quiet, growing still.

he hasn't had any pictures of her, but it's a face he's seen almost every day, like a ghost in the corner of his eye at all times. but the image he sees on the paper, it doesn't feel haunting, and he can feel the prick of dampness in the corner of his eye, swallowing to hold it back.

his voice is quiet when he finally speaks, eyes locked on the portrait. ] It's just like her.

[spacedisaster]

It shows. [ Peter's got nothing against pink either, it's not a bad color, and it does look especially nice against certain skin tones. He smiles and shakes his head when Kovacs starts apologizing, having gone through this before with plenty of other people. ]

That's fine, you don't have to. I'm plenty happy giving just those out, sharing the Christmas love and all that. [ The Guardian visibly relaxes when Kovacs seems to at least enjoy the first present. As for the second, Peter studies his face, looking for any signs of annoyance beyond the initial shock, and soon enough his own face softens. As does his voice when he finally speaks, after giving Kovacs another moment. ]

I'm relieved to hear that, I was a little worried that I might have missed something important. I'm no artist, but I do have a good memory, I describes to Clarke how Quellcrist looked like and she worked her magic. She's very talented..

[ Peter knows it's specially hard to be cut off from the person one loves the most, and how meaningful certain mementos can be. He hopes this brings him at least a degree of comfort. Peter gives him a smile, even if Kovacs isn't looking he might still notice it. ]

It's a bit earlier for drinks but we do have hot chocolate, or even eggnog, if you want some. [ Hot chocolate makes everything better, does it not? ]

[kovach]

[ it's as close to quell as it could get for reciting a brief memory, and considering he sees quell stitched together from his own memories each and every day, it's a consistent image, right there on paper, not an hallucination but a record of something real.

still, it takes him a moment to process, not having been too prepared to suddenly find himself in a wave of nostalgia from a gift, one he hadn't anticipated and one that he isn't even entirely sure how to respond to.

when quill speaks up again, kovacs raises up his eyes to look at him, giving an almost awkward nod. ]

Yeah, could do with the eggnog. [ he hadn't liked it initially the night before, but he's learned to be more open minded. then again, the hot chocolate would probably be too sweet for his liking.

after another moment, he adds, more sincerely, ] ... Thanks, Quill. Really.

I'm sorry this is so late, I'm the wort sajdhkd feel free to ignore it, or we can wrap it up like th

[spacedisaster]

[ Peter is a sentimental man. He keeps physical keepsakes of the people he loves, and he clings to memories when that's all he has left. It's actually one of his biggest problems, emotionally-wise. He really has a hard time letting go of things. But he had come to accept, that is simply how he is and always will be. Everything he ever let go, has claw marks in it.

So he understands the surprise at the unexpected gift, and the comfort and sadness it can bring. He looks at Kovacs kindly, pats his shoulder before they go have the drink and simply says. ]

You're welcome.