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

[calmness]

Not quite a superhero. [mostly because it's clear he is confused by what that means, even with that little wry shake of his head.]

But able to send a sword flying and possess a decent sense of balance. [it is less impressive than flight alone when said aloud, but that is what it breaks down to.] But I suppose that also makes it easier to offer to take others flying if in need of a quick getaway.

[bossily]

[She really can't help the way she reaches out to grab at his arm, looking completely intrigued by something he's just said.]

You can fly? No, wait, don't answer that.

[There's a pause, and she sounds like an excited child when she asks:]

You can take other people flying?

[calmness]

[sometimes xichen forgets that that is not so normal on the ship, even though it's been months since he's called the ximilia his home.]

Not without a sword. [clarifies, looking a bit more sheepish. the touch is something he would have step aside to avoid at home, but out of social norms and expectations.

in truth, xichen is a tactile person and it isn't unwelcome.

but, in the moment, there are more important matters to focus on.] I can take you flying, if you would like. [he tilts his head, then glances upward at the tree and ceiling.] Though perhaps not in here for risk of undoing your hard work with the tree. [and flying is difficult in cramped spaces.]

The best I can do in here is make you float. [which is not the same.]

[bossily]

[She nods eagerly, giving him the sort of pleading look she gives when she's trying to convince someone that something will be fun.]

Maybe you could make me float here.

[She's so excited, she can't contain it. There's a bounce to her step as she takes to pacing.]

Make me float here, then we can go to the sunlight room for actual flying.

[He is now her new favorite person.]

[calmness]

[that look is one he knows well, actually, from his nephew and his best friend. normally it is followed by an attempt to reign themselves in to abide by the codes of etiquette of the lan sect, but it does wonders against lan xichen who would not normally suggest such a thing.

there's something about clara's excitement though and here, well, maybe it is alright to live outside the weight of 3000 rules that have already crushed whoever lan huan was before he became lan xichen. when he was just a young boy who wanted to dote on a little brother who hated the silliness and fussing.]

For just a bit of time and then we can properly fly in the Sunlight room. [because the floating is actually a bit more straining and requires concentration xichen worries he may not hold on to too long.] Let me know when you are ready.

[because it is when she stops pacing that xichen can focus. the spell is normally meant to suspend people or objects in mid-air and would be easier with his flute, but xichen can manage this even with energy frayed as it is.

so, a moment or two after she's all set clara should feel herself lifting up slowly. slow enough to adjust, until she's a few feet off the ground and surrounded by a pale blue light. she'll find herself not quite able to move in any direction on her own, but otherwise free to move.] Is this alright? Higher?

[bossily]

[She's downright giddy as she feels herself start to float. It's close enough to the weightless feeling she can sometimes get out in space that it fills her with a strong sense of nostalgia. Of course, she does try to move this way and that, only to realize she can't float all over the place by herself.

This is his magic, and he's in control.

Her head turns, looking over to him. And thanks to his lifting her, she's actually taller than someone on the station. That's a gift in itself.]

Just a bit higher. Unless -

[She hesitates, frowning.]

It doesn't drain you to do this, does it?

[calmness]

All use of spiritual energy drains one's reserves, but this isn't in a way that one should worry about. [he shakes his head slightly, lifting her up just a bit. worrying others is admitting a problem is not quite ready to face, not yet.

he is self-aware enough, though, to realize that if he'd heard the words that he would not believe them. so, it is a few more moments up, up, up high for clara before he's bringing her back down slowly with a smile.] Did it live up to expectations?

[bossily]

Oh, it was better than I expected.

[She giggles, like a girl that's just gone on her first ride at an amusement park. And all that energy is causing her to practically radiate with happiness, unable to keep still for long. She darts forward, taking one of his hands in her own.]

We have to go to the sunlight room for proper flying. Come on!

[calmness]

Then I am happy to be of service. [and is that a teasing smile and wink that follows? perhaps.

the hand-holding, well, would be considered intimate if seen by anyone from his world and while surprise flashes in xichen's eyes, he nods at her words. the excitement is contagious.

still, after a gentle squeeze of her hand and ever the gentleman, he offers an arm out to lead her to the sunlight room instead.] Off we go, then. Your chariot awaits.