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

[ The poor dear. River is very much the wrong individual to help clarify...well, absolutely anything. ]

Yeah, I see how it loses something in translation.

[ But is she going to explain? No. No, she isn't. ]

It's a joke, but a very bad one. Even if you had understood it. [ A light shrug. ] It's part of the charm.

Odd.

（ yes, that is his verdict — odd. a strange custom, a strange result and certainly, a strange woman at the helm of it all. ）

Then they all come with such jokes?

（ he's surveying a nearby table, upon which many more of the crackers are laid out. it seems wasteful to him — but then, he has lived an ascetic's life. ）

I suppose it is.

[ But her parents had enjoyed it, as had she during her time on Earth. The Doctor loved it. ]

Yes. As well as these paper crowns that never really fit your head and these little trinkets that hardly anyone ever keeps.

[ She offers up the small, cheap model plane and blue tissue paper crown for him to examine. ]

Keeps children entertained at the dinner table. And my husband.

[ And then adults carry on doing it because...well, humans are a bit like that aren't they? ]

（ he takes the crown over the plane solely is given to him, but he is already moving beyond the clear thoroughfare of the room, off to some undisturbed corner where there are chairs and trays of drinks. he has decided she is a source of information about this debacle, and so he gestures for her to join him.

the paper crown feels like gauze beneath his hands. light ephemera, clearly meant to entertain in the brief moment between its use and its inevitable ruin. ）

It seems extraordinarily wasteful.

（ he's not judging, exactly, he just fails to see the point. everything in a shinobi's life is meant to serve a purpose. he did not even have posters on his walls as a child, and as a man grown these sorts of trinkets feel like nothing else so much as some sacred, civilian thing. he will defend the people's right to have and enjoy it — but he has no desire to open another for himself. ）

[ When he takes the crown, River sets the little plane aside, back on the table with the rest of the crackers, before following him to his out-of-the-way corner. She snags a drink from a tray on her way past, and sips it as she watches him handle the thin paper crown in his hands. ]

Ah, yes, well, humans can be that. The ones from Earth, anyway.

[ No argument from her on that. But...she doesn't mind being wasteful on occasion. ]

These little trinkets, these traditions—we didn't practice them when I was a child. I didn't have much opportunity for fun or to have anything of my own. When that started to change, even something like this felt...exciting.

Many of the humans here seem to be familiar with or from Earth.

（ given the breadth of the universe, such a commonality strikes him as unusually strange — what is it, specifically, about that place that seems to foster such a predilection towards regret?

she continues unprompted, talking about her life and her own experiences, which is equally as foreign a concept to him as the crackers, but he listens respectfully, head faintly canted to show interest the way a bird might examine something curious. he still has no real guideline for how to respond to such overtures, the civilian tendency to overshare. should he express sympathy? understanding? finally, as he rolls the paper crown back up carefully to set it down (someone else, after all, may wish it for some reason) he tries: ）

What brought the tradition about for you?

（ he's winning at this social interaction thing. ）

[ River isn't from Earth, exactly, but she did grow up there. In a manner of speaking. It's enough that she doesn't even consider it lying when she claims it as such.

His question prompts her to tilt her head to the side, as though debating something. ]

I found my parents. Both human, both from Earth. Rather fond of a family Christmas, as it turns out.

（ red eyes alight on her, studying her for a moment, and then they cut away to focus on something in the middle distance. ）

How old were you then?

（ it's a step up from offering polite congratulations that may or may not be warranted. there are many reasons a child can grow up separately from their parents, and as many of them are good as bad. he does not know her well enough to place her tone on the matter — but as long as she seems willing to speak on the matter, he will keep asking questions. it's a habit, to accrue information about others. to put it away, should he ever have need of it. the right knowledge levered in the right spot is better than a knife to the throat in most cases, and he is no stranger to either. ）

[ She eyes him carefully, considering her answer. ]

About the same age as they were, as far as they were concerned.

[ Which is likely a bit confusing. But then perhaps no more confusing than anything else she's said to him today. And agreeable as she seems when it comes to answering questions these days, River still clearly isn't one for clarifying.

She does, however, give him a critical once-over, well aware appearances can be deceiving, before she adds, perfectly casual as she takes a sip of her drink, ]

Maybe a little younger than you look.

（ his eyes narrow very faintly — he isn't certain if she's trying to tease him or not, with that most esoteric answer. ）

That seems unusual.

（ ignoring the comment about his age, because he's a Tired Old Man at twenty-one, thank you. ）

Unless Earth custom somehow facilitates such a thing.

[ Quite unhelpfully, she laughs. One can never really be sure if River is telling the truth or a lie or something in between. ]

That's one way of seeing it, yes.

[ Another pause. Another drink. Then she swirls the liquid in her glass, but her gaze remains fixed on him. ]

Not usually, no.

My parents didn't raise me, dear.

[ She's feeling generous today. ]

But I did grow up with them in a way.

（ she's a particular type of maddening he's honestly more endeared than annoyed by — strange as that may be. but she happens to be presenting him with a mystery, and as long as she's at least semi-amenable to answering him he'll trouble himself to ask.

he is silent a moment. then: ）

Time-travel?

（ he's... adaptable. ）

Very good.

[ She shrugs vaguely, smiling. River is abnormally good at hiding what she's thinking. And what she's feeling. ]

I was young, they were young. When I managed to find them, they hadn't even had me yet.

[ Another laugh, short and amused. ]

We went to school together.

OPEN ● ● ● Every Christmas is Last Christmas

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