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

[winscenario]

Hey, it's fine. Don't worry about it. Just be glad you bumped into someone who knows how these things work, yeah?

[ Someone else might've tried to give him water, and that'd just make it worse. Thankfully, Jim knows better. The kitchen isn't too far, and once there he urges Xichen to sit down, while he rushes over to the fridge. ]

There's a whole scientific explanation for it. I can tell you later, if you're interested in that kind of thing, but for now—

[ He fills up a glass with milk, setting it down in front of Xichen. ]

Take a decent gulp and move it around your mouth. Don't swallow right away, let it sit for a bit.

[calmness]

[he does not know water doesn't help either, so this is a great thing for potential future mishaps. so jim's offered a grateful smile, as xichen lets himself be guided along toward salvation.

anti-spice salvation.

he sits down and glances at the milk, which there's quite a bit of. hopefully he's not supposed to drink the whole thing since he's learned he doesn't care for the taste.

but he does as he's told, taking a sip and moving it around his mouth. it's a few moments but he feels better surprisingly quickly, at least his mouth no longer burns and he's not quite as red when he finally drinks the gulp.] That feels like it should be magic. [he says with a wry smile. he knows well that it's not, but hopefully the playfulness lands.] Thank you.. No one in my family or sect is known for handling any level of spice well and I was not expecting it at all.

How did you learn this works? [he is actually curious about the science too, but that's a question for later.]

[winscenario]

[ Jim waits quietly as Xichen drinks the milk. He knows it'll work, but how fast and how well really depends on how much spicy food he's had. He may yet want to drink that whole glass, though, so don't knock it. ]

Oh, years ago, when I was a kid. It's just one of those things you're told helps, but you don't really understand why until you're older or look around for the explanation.

[ Speaking of! Jim sits down too, so he can try to explain it to Xichen, and why it's not actually magic. ]

Have I told you what molecules are?

[calmness]

[unfortunately, his suffering is not over and xichen does keep drinking the milk. he follows the method jim's suggested, drinking slowly but surely.

he has no stomach for spice at all, most of the food back home he eats is horribly under seasoned -- boiled vegetables all around.] Is a lot of the food where you're from so spicy?

[he shakes his head.] You have not. What are they?

[winscenario]

[ See, this is why there's so much milk on that glass. Jim figured he'd need it.

Anyway, talking should keep him distracted too, and Jim loves talking science, so he keeps going. ]

Okay, so first I need to explain atoms to you. An atom is the smallest unit of matter; basically what that means is that atoms make up everything in the universe, they just come together and combine in very complex and different ways to make up different things. And a molecule is a combination of two or more atoms.

So in spicy food, like what you just ate, there's a molecule called capsaicin, that triggers the temperature-sensitive pain receptors in your mouth. It's not real, you're not actually getting burned, but those receptors tell your brain that something's burning you, and in response your brain sends back a pain response in an attempt to make you stop eating that food.

What happens when you drink milk is that it has casein, a protein that can break down capsaicin molecules, so they can no longer send that message to your brain. The reason why you're so sensitive, I imagine, is because you're not very used to eating spicy food, so your body isn't as desensitized to the capsaicin.

[calmness]

[xichen cannot picture how small that is, but he does not doubt there are things so small he cannot see. there are plenty of things he cannot see, that he knows exist.

so he does not protest nor push back on the explanation, does not try to reframe it in terms he knows until he has listened to it all. for a moment, it reminds him of lectures at cloud recess but with an instructor who was much more enthusiastic than any teacher he'd had or the sort of teacher he'd been himself. there's merit to it and it's nice to learn like this. it's been a long time since xichen has been the one learning, not teaching. it earns a smile which means--

the milk and explanation are both salves to the wound, distraction enough that he does not realize he's not in pain at the bottom of the glass and at the end of it.] Is this similar reasoning behind any salve or medicine that stops the pain from a wound? Though not with the same compounds?

[he figures it is not limited to the milk, thankful as it is for it. he wonders if this sort of thing can be done for emotions, if such pain as sadness can be blocked out as easily as jim kirk describes. or if it is different for emotions.

his brows knit for a minute as he considers the whole concept.] By the understanding of our scholars, it is qi that makes up and binds all things in the universe. It sounds like atoms, then.

[winscenario]

It's... not quite the same? Spicy food doesn't necessarily cause you harm, if you don't overdo it. A wound is a very different thing, and what we use to treat them acts in a different way.

[ It's probably best he doesn't go into much detail on that, it'd just be too much information jumbled together, but he appreciates Xichen's clear interest. He'll make a note to further elaborate on this kind of stuff, look up more information too since he's a little less knowledgeable when it comes to medicine. Maybe ask Bones for his help. ]

Maybe it is. I, ah... don't know enough about qi to say, but it's possible that it exists on the same level, or that it's the equivalent to it in your reality. It does sound pretty unique, I've never heard of anything like it before.

[calmness]

The receptors are different for true pain? [then maybe it's not quite as he thought. xichen wrinkles his nose in thought for a moment and then shakes his head, it isn't really pressing now and jim kirk does not deserve an interrogation.

he offers a warm smile.] You are a good teacher, Jim.

[on the matter of qi, he thinks for a moment.] The closest I can liken it, is the explanations others on the ship who are familiar with The Force have shared, but even Taoist scholars cannot truly explain all it encompasses. [a wry chuckle.]

So you are right. It may be the same or something similar. [a pause as he taps the side of the milk glass.] It does not help with spice as well as this does, that is for sure.

[winscenario]

No, ah, it's... complicated. Different? Maybe a doctor would be able to explain it to you a little better.

[ In fact a doctor would be able to explain all of this better to Xichen, but he's happy to share what he does know, if nothing else then so it keeps him distracted while the effects of the spice subside. ]

Ah, yeah. I've been told about the Force, too. I can't say I know much about it myself either. We generally lack anything like it in my world, at least anything that's quite so tangible.

[ Because the Force is tangible, even if it might only be accessible to a few; it's a real kind of energy that they can reach into, interact with in a way. Much like qi seems to be, from the way Xichen's described it.

Jim smiles a little at the last bit. ] Well, that is all science, nothing more. I can't take credit for it, only for knowing how it works.

[calmness]

[he nods at that, filing it away after a moment.] I will bother Doctor McCoy instead, then.

[with questions he probably should have asked when he was in the infirmary, but xichen had slipped out as soon as he could form there.] It is a fascinating thing, how different all of our worlds are. What truths we know, what our realities look like. [he turns the free hand he'd been resting on the table upward, calling forth a spark of pale blue light that then flickers and fades. for a moment, he looks at it with confusion before shaking his head and glancing up.] Or what they do not look like.

If my opinion, I will give you the credit for saving me instead of to the milk. [he has been saved, after all.] Thank you.

[winscenario]

[ The way Xichen says that just makes him chuckle, smile wide on his face. ] Yeah, you do that.

[ He doesn't doubt that Bones will be more than willing to answer any questions, but he can almost imagine the doctor's annoyed look at a potential string of questions thrown at him. Cute. Anyway. ]

Guess I'm a little more used to it, after seeing so many different worlds, each with their own truths and realities. [ Not quite as unlike different universes as one might think. He watches the pale light shimmer for a brief moment, then smiles up at Xichen. ]

You're welcome. Just try to avoid any spicy food from here on out, or at least try smaller amounts if you're not at all used to it.

[calmness]

[he raises his brow at the chuckle, curious but not broaching that line of questioning.

then nods, not quite sure he'll ever feel used to this or at ease as jim does in new places or with such new concepts. he's learning though, slowly and surely.] Visiting different worlds was previously only a possibility through books. I never though I would be visiting any. I am glad to hear one gets used to it.

[he glances at the plate of food which he will definitely finish.

then back at jim a bit more sheepishly.] I will manage this as long as there is more milk. Though not in Cloud Recess and ignoring precepts, it is still wrong to waste the food.

[and then a gentle smile, because he does not wish to bother the other and does feel guilty for nearly plowing him over earlier.] I fear I have kept you from the festivities too long.

[winscenario]

It might depend on the person, to be fair. Maybe you'll find that the constant changing isn't to your liking. But even then, it's important to keep a certain routine. Keeps you grounded. Figuratively speaking, of course.

[ Because there's no ground up here, and the few times they actually do touch ground, it's precisely when they're farthest from their routine here. ]

I can definitely get behind not wasting food.

[ No matter where; even when there's food in abundance, there's always uses to it. It's stupid and pointless to just throw it away, and Jim has his own personal reasons to be so averse to the very idea of it.

He smiles back at Xichen, shaking his head, though he gets to his feet. ] Not at all. But maybe we can go back and enjoy them together, if you want? I'd welcome your company.

[calmness]

[that earns a soft chuckle because, ah, they aren't grounded are they. he nods at the advice.] If nothing, one thing I am fortunately good at is routine.

[as jim stands, xichen glances at his food and then back at the doorway back to the festivities. there's no harm in leaving this for later, is there? he stands up as well.] I would like that. [a warm and easy, a bit more relaxed.] My stomach does need a break before I find more milk and attempt to finish this. [not being wasteful can come after the party.]