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

[bossily]

[All she can do at first is stare up at him with wide eyes, hating the words that have just come out of his mouth. She's glad that he looks relaxed enough to be honest with her like this. But the thought of him being in storage and living in the dark forever is something she absolutely doesn't want to dwell on for long.]

What is it like to be in storage? Is it like sleeping? Or are you aware of each and every second you're left alone and in the dark?

[There's an urge to protect him regardless of what the answer is, to keep him from having to worry about things like his freedom or not having the things he cares about. The fact he was down for that long makes her heart ache. All that time, and what -

Was he aware?

Or was it just a long sleep?

Either way, Takeshi Kovacs is a man who deserves so much better than the hand he's been dealt. She's grateful she can offer him something now to hide away in. Something that makes him feel relaxed, that enables him to let the weight on his shoulders fall away for just a little while.

Her hand slips free from his pocket, slipping up so she can curl her fingers around his wrist. Her head tips a bit, pressing her jaw into his touch. Her eyes close as she waits for his answer, bracing herself for the worst possible answer. ]

[kovach]

[ for as much as he wants to be honesty with her, the consequence of the truth is the weight that follows it, the way it conjures up the sadness that swirls in the round of her eyes, wide with their sad curiosity. he wants her to know, to understand more of him, of what he's seen, of what he's felt, but all in the same breath, he doesn't want to her to feel the ache he often comes paired with.

but she's asking him, and when she does, he can't give her lies. he wouldn't want to. ]

It's ... a bit of both.

[ when she lightly holds at his wrist, her eyes closing, he brings up his fingers to lightly graze more of her cheek, like he can somehow soften the solemness of his explanation with gentle caresses to offer a balance. ]

You can't really keep track of time in there. It all blends in together, like a dream just layered over in blankness. When you wake up, you don't feel like you've been asleep for long, but you ... remember every bit of darkness. Like it just pulls at you without stopping, like you're out of your body, and you don't have any bit of control to make your way back, not until someone finds you and puts you back.

[ his voice is quiet, composed like he's explaining it just as calmly as everything else, but there's a light tension in his fingers, like he's purposely countering a tremble. ]

It's why it's the primary form of punishment in the prison system. They can just store you in the ice forever, leave you to be forgotten, to just swim in the dark without dying. [ why sentence someone to death when you can just let them live in torment? ] And my sentence never had an end date. I was never supposed to wake up.

[bossily]

[Her eyes open as he starts to explain, the soft touch to her cheek anchoring her to the reality of the moment rather than the weight of his words. Here, they're safe. There's no darkness because if he ever slips back into it, she'll be there to light the way and pull him out.

But she can feel the restraint in the way he holds her, his fingers carrying a tension that's easy for her to pick up on. She turns her head to press kisses against his fingertips, like she can ward away all the years of darkness and torment he experienced.

The fact he was in a state like that for so long and still is such a good man helps ease the way her heart breaks for him. She can't handle the idea of him being left like that forever. He wasn't ever supposed to wake up. But she's so glad that he did.]

But you did wake up. And you're here now. So I suppose I owe someone in your world a great deal of thanks.

[Where no matter what happens, she will always be there to see him and protect him. She reminds him of that as she rises up to softly press her lips against his.]

And now we, Mr. Kovacs -

[She speaks with her lips against his as she laughs, pulling away so she can take him by the hand and drag him over to sit on the bed with her. It's time to try and help take some of the weight off his shoulders so he can forget the ghosts of his past and the darkness that's always in the back of his mind. ]

Have some celebrating to be doing.

[kovach]

[ he remembers wanting to go back into that darkness, to just abandoning the world he woke up in because it lacked everything he once loved, carried nothing he wanted to get back to. but he'd stayed, urged by quell's voice, and now it's led him here — to clara's lips brushing his fingers and coaxing out a soft sigh from his own, assuring him of the gratefulness in being awake right now.

his being awake brings him here, and it's what he can use to make sure that the girl in front of him survives, that she carries on into tomorrow and the day after that, that she gets dozens of more christmas that would have been taken from her.

when she kisses him, he only wishes he could be around to share in them with her. as nice as it is now, he knows he's on a clock.

but when she laughs against his mouth, the sweetness ever present on her lips, he can live in the moment with her, pretending that they have a lifetime of this as he smiles with her, humming a chuckle of his own as he follows her lead over to the bed. ]

Mm, yeah, yeah. [ settled at her side, he leans down, brushing her hair from her neck with a tuck of his fingertips, pressing his lips gently there against her pulse, somewhere between both intimate and chaste all at once. ] Want to go hard or gentle tonight? [ with a helpless smirk, he draws back to look her in the eye, raising his brow teasingly. ] I mean with what's in the bag.

[bossily]

[Her arm starts to curl up to press her hand against the side of his head as his lips find her neck, and her fingers just barely touch him when he pulls away. His question makes her eyebrows arch, and she slowly turns her head to stare up at him with amusement.

She can think back to a time before they fell into each other's life the way they are now where she might've scolded him. Or said something sassy and baiting to try and one up him. Neither reaction feels appropriate now, when she's so completely comfortable with him that it takes a lot to embarrass her.]

Do you really have to ask?

[Or clarify what he meant, though she doesn't bother adding that. Given their track record with being able to keep their hands off one another, she figures she's owed that particular little tease. It doesn't stop her from laughing and reaching over to hit him on the chest, like she genuinely can't believe he's gone and said a thing like that.

Then again, he's completely shameless and she's lost any and all of her shame with him. It's an interesting place they've found themselves in, where they can bounce between talk of hallucinogens and the painful emotion of his being on ice forever. Something about it being Christmas only makes it more comical to her. It makes it more special, and she lets the moment draw out a little before she gives him the answer he's waiting to hear.]

Why bother doing anything if it's not going hard?

[And with the way her smile turns into something almost devilish, it's obvious she's not just talking about what's in the bag.]

[kovach]

[ even with the slight hit she grants to his chest, it doesn't make him lose the playful smugness in his expression, knowing that such little games have become a normality for them, that everything they say could carry a series of different meanings and it doesn't change how they are, that what they have might be more durable than he might have once thought it to be.

whatever darkness he'd just been talking about, it's far from his mind now, like there's no temptation to fall back into it, no consideration to throw himself back into storage when he could be here instead.

whether it's in recognition of that feeling or in response to what she says, his gaze lingers on her as he leans back into her, finding her lips with his own to offer the slow press of his kiss, no longer chaste as he seeks the heated taste of her mouth. despite the suggestion of their conversation, of his tongue grazing against her lip, he doesn't chase further, simply enjoying her here, like he's trying to put it all to memory, like it's important that he does.

when he sighs against her mouth, he only draws back enough to meet her eyes, his fingers reaching into his pocket to pull out the bottle she'd tucked there, raising it up with a rise of his own brow as if ask her one more time with certainty. ]

[bossily]

[He's left her a little distracted with that kiss. Enough so that she nearly goes chasing his lips for more when he pulls back a bit, and it's only when he raises the bottle that she remembers what they were talking about. The corner of her mouth draws upward into a smirk that almost matches his, as her eyes look from the bottle then back to him.

There's no hesitation as gives an eager little nod, signaling her approval. Her fingers curl around his wrist as she does, just an excuse to touch him.]

It'll be fun.

[As if there needs to be any further convincing than that.

She closes the minimal distance between them with another heated kiss, nipping at his lip each time he tries to be the one to pull away first. When she's had her fill of the taste of him she pulls back, tongue grazing across her bottom lip.]

Just don't laugh at me when I ask how we're supposed to use it.

[if he laughs, he's getting hit in the chest again.]