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

[ruinously]

Hell.

[ Simply put. He isn't joking or making fun - he means what he says, and the more he's been thinking on it, the more he's realizing that while what he's doing here is important, the relationships don't matter so much. What's the point of meeting people, making friends, falling in love, when all that waits for you is torture and pain?

There's something to be said for living in the moment - he'd spent a whole year doing that. Random hookups, cheeseburgers for breakfast, as much pie as he could feasibly stuff into his mouth. In the end, it had all tasted stale, left him hollow inside, because he knew what was coming - and he knows now what's waiting for him at the end of this road.

Fire and brimstone, the stink of sulfur, and the sharp point of a demons blade. ]

[bossily]

[Her eyes widen for a moment, if only because she isn't sure he's talking figuratively or not. But when she looks at him, really looks at him, she understands that he means it literally.

She sees the same look in his eyes now that she so often does when she looks in the mirror. Resigned to the fate of your bad end, knowing that nothing is going to change it. Even worse for him, his regret here is something that will just ensure that he does wind up in hell.

All she can do is reach over to place her hand over his as she looks away, her eyes brimming with tears. It's not any fair that decent, good men like he is have to be met with that fate. The universe owes no one anything. But it seems so unfair to just let his existence slip through his fingers like this, because all he has left is torture waiting for him.]

Then we'll have to make sure you make the most out of your time here, yeah?

[ruinously]

[ At first, it was the knee jerk, right? Don't break the first seal, then none of the events in the following year happen. Sam doesn't screw around with Ruby, he doesn't get addicted to demon blood, he doesn't make the choices that rip their relationship apart and literally raise the devil from Hell.

In hindsight, maybe he should've thought of something else, gone farther back. Maybe left him the hell alone at Stanford, or even stopped his mother's death.

God, he doesn't know.

He looks down at his cup, it's little wonder that he drinks like a fish. ]

Yeah. I guess so.

[ there's two sides to that coin. A 'whats the point?' side, and a ;fuck it, I'm going all in' side. It's hard to choose. ]

[bossily]

[For once, she doesn't know what to say. She doesn't have any soft, gentle words to reassure him. There's no pep talk like she's able to give to the Doctor when he's facing the worst. There's no joking or teasing that will make this better. She can't fix this problem for him, most notably because she doesn't know the full situation.

But maybe she can change that.]

Do you feel comfortable telling me the whole story? If this really is the fate you're bound to, you should share your story with someone. That way, you're never truly gone.

[ruinously]

[ He exhales noisily, finally looking up and glancing over at her, expression tired but wry. ]

IT's a hell of a story. You sure about that?

[bossily]

[She's just had a miserable Christmas and just spent the past hour or so crying by herself while hiding in a snowbank. So her expression is tired and flat as she looks over to him, single eyebrow arching to let him know that she's completely serious.]

I've got no one waiting for me. We have all the time in the world.

[ruinously]

[ Yeah, neither does he. ]

Well -- uh. I guess it kinda started when I was a kid? I was four when a demon got into our house, fed my brother demon blood, and killed my mom.

[ He realises how it sounds, and takes a very long sip of his drink. ]

That..kickstarted the whole hunting lifestyle. My dad went from a normal guy to this deranged, obsessed bastard who devoted every waking moment to hunting the paranormal, the supernatural. Sammy and I, we grew up in sleazy motels while he left us to go on hunting trips. I pretty much raised him, cause no one else was gonna. I shielded him best I could from our old man - the drinkin', the being an asshole. Couldn't shield him from the military training but that's probably for the best, cause he was a scrawny kid growing up. He needed the self defense techniques.

[ He shrugs. ]

I was six when my dad first took me to the gun range. [ if that gives her any indication of his shitty, awful childhood that he's just now coming to realize was shitty and awful. Dean and Sam had very...very different experiences despite growing up in the same house. ]

Anyway. He and Dad always fought like bagged cats - they were too much alike. So Sammy turns eighteen, and fucks off to Stanford. I was--

Mad. Mad he left us, our family, but also deep down, kinda proud. He did what I sure couldn't ever do. Fast-forward a couple years, Dad disappears, so I went and pulled him outta Stanford to help me find him. Dropped him back off after a hunt that turned up pretty much nothin', and that's when Sammy's girlfriend died -- just like our mom. Same way. Was the demon, pushing Sam back into the hunting world.

[ God, he should've seen it then. ]

Spent a year on the road, found our old man who--

[ Dean swallows, sets his jaw. ]

Died. And that left us to keep on keepin' on, finish the task, kill the demon that started all this shit. Which I did. But on the way, Sammy, he...

He died. And I couldn't--I can't. I couldn't let him die. So I summoned a crossroads demon, made a deal. Sammy's life for my soul.

[bossily]

[This is a lot. And she doesn't mind hearing any of it, and listens to each and every word before saying anything. By the time he finishes talking, she really can't help but look like she's been kicked a few times. There's a few tears streaming down her cheeks, and she tries to quickly wipe them away before he can see.

Here she is, feeling sorry for herself and what she's lost tonight. And he's been through so much worse, his losses so great that she can't even begin to imagine what she would do if she was in his shoes.

She can't find the right words to say at first, so she moves from her spot sitting so she can stand before him. And despite her tears, there isn't any pity in her eyes. She doesn't pity him. But her heart aches for him, and she wishes so much she could make this better.

She can't though, and she knows it. He wouldn't allow her to, even if she could. So she does what she can, and what that means is supporting him no matter what. Her hand goes to his cheek, palm pressing gently against him. And she tips his head just enough that he can look up at her. He can see the sadness that she's feeling, but also the admiration there. She respects him for his choices. Protecting the people you love is always something she values others doing.]

Then we'll work to find a way to undo your deal. You and me, we'll find a way to save your soul.

[And with that promise fresh on her lips her hand drops away from his cheek so she can lean down to embrace him in a tight hug.]

[ruinously]

[ Oh, Clara. If it were only as simple as saving his soul. Dean's story just gets so, so much worse.

He accepts the hug, because he needs it, because talking about all this is exhausting, it's emotionally draining but somehow it needs to come out, because he's been bottling all of it up for so long with no outlet except Sam who's both unreliable and untrustworthy, and he's just...

God, he's tired. Going back to hell will almost be a relief. ]

It isn't that simple, [ He says, breaking back a little, giving her a small smile. ]

An angel busted me outta hell, the one I told you about. But not before I'd broken the first of sixty-six seals that kept Lucifer in his cage, and kickstarted the apocalypse. It's..

All of it, is my fault. If I hadn't broken, if--

[ He takes a shaky breath. ]

"The first seal shall be broken when a righteous man sheds blood in Hell." It was me. I started everything, and now my brother betrayed me, didn't listen to me, didn't trust me, consorted with a demon and chose and trusted her over me, and broke Lucifer free.

That's my regret, that's why I'm here. To go back, and never break that first seal, which means...I stay in Hell. Forever.

[bossily]

[And his story only gets worse.

And worse.

And somehow, even worse.

By the time he finishes, she's stunned. She's still standing there before him, but is wide eyed and completely silent. There's absolutely nothing she can say to make this better for him. The reality of the fact he's accepted that he has to go to hell and stay there forever in order to not only save his brother but everyone else is so completely depressing that she can't begin to process it.]

So you know the real, actual Devil.

[That's what she's going to touch base on first, when she's finally able to speak. Which is a fact that's really overwhelming all on its own, but she's not going to get into it. She holds up a hand to tell him to not respond to what she's said.]

And not only do you know the Devil, but the weight of the apocalypse has been placed upon your shoulders?

[There must be a way for him to keep his regret and still be able to ensure that he doesn't stay in hell forever. Even a man like him would be broken by a fate like that. And she feels the increasing need to protect him, to stop that from happening.]

[ruinously]

[ He opens his mouth to answer her, to say well, not personally, my brother just let him out of the damn cage and then I came here, but I have a feeling I'm gonna be on a first name basis with him at some point, but he closes it when he's told, shutting it with a click of his teeth.

It's a lot to process. He knows. It's a lot to unload on someone, but...she did ask... and did reassure him it was fine.

But it's probably a lot more than she bargained for.

He isn't sure if he should respond just yet, so he simply nods in affirmation, like yes, the weight of the literal biblical Apocalypse has been dumped right onto my shoulders -- especially now, with Lucifer free. ]

[bossily]

[She doesn't mind that he's told her. And really, she's not exactly overwhelmed as much as she is trying to process and file away the whole religious aspect of this. But since she had told him it would be fine, and she's his friend and wants to be there to support him, she sets aside the act of processing and just moves right into acceptance.

Everyone here has crazy lives. In Dean's version of Earth, it's just a bit more intense. And maybe she can't protect him from that, but she's sure as hell going to try.]

I suppose this makes you the most important human ever born.

[The way she says it is with forced flippancy, a teasing edge to her voice. Like she's trying to make him laugh to try and forget about his terrible fate and everything that comes attached to it.

But there is some truth to her words, and the admiration shows in the look she gives him as she moves to sit back down at his side. He's incredibly brave, and she respects him greatly because of it.]

[ruinously]

[ Her words pull a little laugh out of him; it lacks a lot of humor, but at least it's a laugh. LEss doom and gloom. ]

I dunno about all that. But if I can succeed, I think...things might be okay. Maybe.

[ He knows Sam was screwing around with Ruby after he died. But if he can fix the regret, maybe even talk to Sam...maybe. Just maybe. ]

Sorry. Didn't mean to dump all that on you.

[bossily]

I asked you to.

[There's no way she's going to let him apologize for telling his story. Not when she practically insisted he do it.]

I was feeling so sorry for myself before I saw you sitting over here. But hearing your story, it helps put things in perspective.

[Her relationship drama is upsetting, but it's a blip in the big picture. No matter how sad she is right now, at least she's not destined to be trapped in hell.]

[ruinously]

[ Well, that's a good way to look at it, for her anyway. Dean's damnation isn't new to him, not really. It's old hat at this point, not that he wants to put that particular cap back on.

But it is what it is - maybe things will be different if he doesn't massively screw it all up again. ]

Well, good. At least something positive came out of it.