James "Bucky" Barnes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starer) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
ximilialog2022-05-02 02:30 pm
starer) wrote in ximilialog2022-05-02 02:30 pm
Entry tags:
Maymas party - Open mingle log!
CHARACTERS: Open mingle log, so...open to everyone who wants in!
LOCATION: Simulation room
DATE: 2nd May
CONTENT: Christmas inJuly May? (And a surprise party for Eleven)
WARNINGS: TBA
NOTES: This is an open log for people to make their own starters/tag around. If you want your character to have been involved with the set up, please feel free to assume as much.
LOCATION: Simulation room
DATE: 2nd May
CONTENT: Christmas in
WARNINGS: TBA
NOTES: This is an open log for people to make their own starters/tag around. If you want your character to have been involved with the set up, please feel free to assume as much.
//PREPARATION
Christmas may have been a little over four months ago here, but with a certain teenager fast asleep for it, it's time for a repeat. A second Christmas ahead of the upcoming mission.
So a couple of days before the party, an invitation is shared across the network, along with explicit instructions to keep it hidden from one of the very youngest of their crew. There's also a request for help. For support in getting the food and drink together. The cold weather gear. His patience with setting up the simulation room is short at the best of times. So that too is outsourced to those more capable of piecing together the thoughts he had and making his scribbles a reality.
And thanks to all the support, by the eve of the party, everything is ready to go.
Here's hoping it goes off without a hitch.
So a couple of days before the party, an invitation is shared across the network, along with explicit instructions to keep it hidden from one of the very youngest of their crew. There's also a request for help. For support in getting the food and drink together. The cold weather gear. His patience with setting up the simulation room is short at the best of times. So that too is outsourced to those more capable of piecing together the thoughts he had and making his scribbles a reality.
And thanks to all the support, by the eve of the party, everything is ready to go.
Here's hoping it goes off without a hitch.
//SIMULATION ROOM
Made up of a number of potentially familiar landmarks, the Simulation room has been overhauled for the evening. Winter taking over, with hints of New York Christmases at its core.
Towards the entrance, there's a collection of sweaters and coats draped across a few tables. All of the unclaimed warmer clothing that he could find, gathered together for the comfort of anyone attending. There are blankets too, hats and gloves. All kinds of protection from the elements that are free to a good home when the night is over.
Up the stairs, the dark pathways are lit up by the trees that guide the way. That lead people through the park and towards the offerings laid out ahead of them. To the three different paths they can take.
The first path leads people towards a pair of gazebos. The first is complete with a Christmas tree in the middle, and dotted with tables around the edges of the stand. This is where the food is kept, a few tables already filled, and others left empty for those who were planning to bring something by. There's drinks, already poured and waiting. Alcohol clearly marked and kept clear from the rest. (The guest of honor is a child, afterall.) And on one table in particular, there's something a little special laid out waiting. Namely, a huge pile of green waffle quarters, along with a variety of toppings. All ready for people to build their own Christmas tree.
The second gazebo is empty. But with the music echoing around them, the reasons for the empty floor is clear. If people want a place to relax and dance without having to worry about the snow underfoot, that would be the ideal place. And naturally, people are more than welcome to make requests if they want to hear anything in particular. So there's no excuses not to cut loose.
If they choose the second path, a huge Christmas tree looms in to view. And beneath it, an iceskating rink. Skates can be found nearby, ready and waiting for people to get on the ice and do their best impressions of Michelle Kwan. And for the spectators, there's canteens full of hot chocolate dotted around to keep them warm while they wait.
The final path leads towards an open field, the snow thick and ready for a snowball fight or two. Or perhaps to build a few snowmen to keep the crew company when, later that night, the skies explode with light as a fireworks display begins. Heralding in the end of the night's festivities.
The whole event is nowhere near as ostentatious as the parties that have taken place previously. But at least it's a chance for people to relax before they're thrown head first in to another mission. So they should enjoy it while they can.
Towards the entrance, there's a collection of sweaters and coats draped across a few tables. All of the unclaimed warmer clothing that he could find, gathered together for the comfort of anyone attending. There are blankets too, hats and gloves. All kinds of protection from the elements that are free to a good home when the night is over.
Up the stairs, the dark pathways are lit up by the trees that guide the way. That lead people through the park and towards the offerings laid out ahead of them. To the three different paths they can take.
The first path leads people towards a pair of gazebos. The first is complete with a Christmas tree in the middle, and dotted with tables around the edges of the stand. This is where the food is kept, a few tables already filled, and others left empty for those who were planning to bring something by. There's drinks, already poured and waiting. Alcohol clearly marked and kept clear from the rest. (The guest of honor is a child, afterall.) And on one table in particular, there's something a little special laid out waiting. Namely, a huge pile of green waffle quarters, along with a variety of toppings. All ready for people to build their own Christmas tree.
The second gazebo is empty. But with the music echoing around them, the reasons for the empty floor is clear. If people want a place to relax and dance without having to worry about the snow underfoot, that would be the ideal place. And naturally, people are more than welcome to make requests if they want to hear anything in particular. So there's no excuses not to cut loose.
If they choose the second path, a huge Christmas tree looms in to view. And beneath it, an iceskating rink. Skates can be found nearby, ready and waiting for people to get on the ice and do their best impressions of Michelle Kwan. And for the spectators, there's canteens full of hot chocolate dotted around to keep them warm while they wait.
The final path leads towards an open field, the snow thick and ready for a snowball fight or two. Or perhaps to build a few snowmen to keep the crew company when, later that night, the skies explode with light as a fireworks display begins. Heralding in the end of the night's festivities.
The whole event is nowhere near as ostentatious as the parties that have taken place previously. But at least it's a chance for people to relax before they're thrown head first in to another mission. So they should enjoy it while they can.
Natasha Romanoff | MCU | OTA
[If it weren't for Yelena, Natasha probably wouldn't have come tonight. She's new to Ximilia, and while she knows some of the people here to varying degrees, she's also not sure she's feeling exactly... festive. She doesn't know the guest of honor. The whole situation is more than a little overwhelming and it's been a long time since Natasha was comfortable working in social situations. That all adds up to a lot of compelling temptation to find a quiet nook and catch up on intel gathering. Or maybe get in some training.
But Yelena insisted, and even if she protested a little, Natasha knew she'd give in.
It's not long before she's glad she did, either.
Natasha doesn't rush forward, lingering among the rows of light decked trees, looking up at the limbs with a little smile.]
All right. [She admits to whomever might be at hand.] This is pretty nice.
WE WISH YOU A MERRY
[Natasha finds herself on skates. It's been a while, but she moves confidently, well balanced as she circles the rink.
She takes it relatively slow at first. Casual circuits that weave easily through the other skaters. But as she warms up to the activity, she picks up speed and and opens up with a few spins and fancy footwork.
Honestly, at some point she's just showing off.
Pulling to a stop, she lifts her chin in acknowledgment, then cocks her head. Her brows rise in a silent question. Race?]
ALL I WANT FOR
[The guest of honor might be a child, but Natasha is not. She helps herself to a cup of mulled wine. The last time she was in the simulation room, it had been a pleasantly dewy spring day, but now the warmth of the alcohol is welcome both cupped in her hands and in her chest.]
So is this a normal thing? Anyone can just throw a party whenever they want? Or a holiday, I guess.
[Her expression is reserved, but still softened by a slight smile. She's not sure what to make of all of this.
She'd like to be cynical, but in the face of something like this, why not enjoy it?]
WILDCARD
[Want something else? Natasha is around. Let's do it.]
All I want for
But now, with Eleven gone off her own way to explore the room, Bucky wastes no time in heading over to the gazebos to get himself a drink. A glass of something strong enough to take the edge of that discomfort he always feels when he's stuck around a crowd. When he's forced to decide between staying on high alert or dropping his guard. It's the latter he's aimed for. But it's difficult.
So it's with an already half-empty glass that he turns to face the familiar voice, caught short somewhat as he stares back at Natasha. At a ghost from the past that he'd only just started to connect with all those months ago. Sam had warned him. Had said she was here. But he'd put off meeting her again, not knowing how to deal with the fact that this is a Natasha who doesn't know him. Not who he is now. Who he fights to be.
So all that escapes him at her words is a quiet-]
Yeah. Kinda.
[Don't mind him, Nat. He's just going to...keep staring. That's not awkward, right?]
no subject
Seeing the demonstration of where he is now is enough.
And seeing him alive.
She's still getting used to that part.]
And is it a normal thing for you?
[The answer to that might be sort of self-evident too. It's in the way he holds himself back. The tension she can read in his posture.]
Because if it isn't, you really rose to the occasion.
[She knows she was here before, even if she doesn't remember it. Or some Natasha was. Yelena and Sam have both clued her in. She doesn't know exactly how far that previous stint's reach extended, but judging from that look? Well.]
Hi?
no subject
[The same kid that he knows Natasha will need to meet at some point. While he wants nothing more than to keep Eleven out of harms way, to protect her however he can, he knows that she needs people to look up to. People other than him that she can rely on. And who better than Natasha? One of the few people he knows who can offer the support she needs. Who understands what it's like to be turned in to a weapon at such a young age.
Between Natasha and Yelena, Eleven really does have all the role models she needs.
But that's a thought for the future. For after the party ends and they've all had a night's sleep under their collective belts. For now, face to face with Natasha, there really are more important things to focus on.]
It's good to see you again.
[And he means it. He remembers the aftermath of when she died. Of when she turned up here, only to disappear once again. With both Yelena and Sam here, he can only hope that this is the last time. That they can bring her back with them when they finally do return home. Even if it means yet another change of regret, he knows it's worth it. For all their sakes.]
Take it you've spoken to the others already?
no subject
[She glances out of the gazebo, sipping her wine as she considers her next words, weighing her feelings carefully. She could seal them all away, tucked aside for another time. Or never. She's very good at boxing all of that up. Not sharing anything real.
But doing that now seems unfair, especially if she ever expects Bucky to be honest with her.
So she picks the bits and pieces she's comfortable sharing.]
It's weird having everyone know her here. But I'm glad to see her.
[Weird doesn't begin to cover it. Natasha has spent her entire life carefully protecting her secrets. Now one of them is out there, walking around with a mind of her own. Someone who knows more about her and in ways that only someone who lived through a particular time with you can know.
But it's true; she is glad. She's happier than she's been in years.]
Glad to see you too. And Sam. And I met Quill.
[So she knows her sacrifice worked. It doesn't fall on him to tell her about it.]
Wildcard-ish
But Natasha wasn’t around for those Christmases. Yelena has not had a Christmas with her sister since she was 5. And she knows things can change quite suddenly and dramatically on the Ximilia, so she is not going to let this chance pass her by.
She’s getting a Christmas with her sister. Even if it’s in May.]
It will be fun, I promise.
[And if it’s not fun, she’ll find a way to make it fun.
She’s admittedly not entirely convinced Bucky knows how to throw a party. However, it is likely he’d make a pretty good effort for Eleven and Sam. So she’s reasonably sure they will have things to work with, at the very least.]
no subject
I'm here.
[Even if she's a little skeptical about this whole thing. Why are they doing Christmas again?
And in space.]
Ziggy Berman | Fear Street | easy breezy OTA
She doesn't particularly know how to to do any of that, and honestly... she's not into the idea of faceplanting in front of everyone while trying.
Maybe... she'll just grab herself a hot chocolate instead.
Eventually, she finds her way toward the snowy trails, which is a little more up her alley. It's so strange, to be celebrating with this kind of weather in a place where no such thing exists... outer space, you know? Not a lot of snowfall in the vast expanses of it.
But that doesn't mean she won't lob a snowball at someone's face.]
Aw, yeah. Still got it