Christmas Party & Cheer

[goddessofthesky]

WHO: OPEN
WHEN: FORWARD DATED: December 22nd
WHERE: Christmas Town
WHAT: Celebrating the snow, the holidays, good cheery, warm fires and friends.
WARNING: Mistletoe?



With Rukia's help they were able to find a large enough hall in Christmas Town to throw the party. Zelda had set it for this day since a group of brave heroes were going to set out on the 24th. She had made sure that everything was perfect and of course everyone was invited. There were at least six decorated trees with polished silver and gold ornaments hanging from their branches. Scarlet red ribbons decorated the trees and tables with large bows tying the streaming trails together.

There was one very large tree at the halls center and there were a few presents around the bottom for those who needed a place to put gifts. At it's top was a large pointed star.

Champagne and small finger snacks were set on the tables and a part of the room was cleared for those who wanted to dance. Zelda was even able to hire a few people to play Christmas songs throughout the night. There was a table dedicated to sweets with cookies, cakes, small pies and other wonderful treats spread out for people to try.

Among the decorations was mistletoe. This little plant hung above the doorways waiting for any pair who happens to be caught in their hold. Most of the mistletoe was thanks to Minako but Zelda might have put up one sprig at the entrance to the party; it's all in good fun and kisses on the hand or cheek are perfectly acceptable.

[ooc: feel free to make open posts and tag around! It's a party!]

Comments

[cantante]

Is that what it is? [For a moment she looks amused, shaking her head once as if to disagree as she traced a finger along the candy cane idly.]

I do understand your feelings, and while I'm willing to accept your thanks... Maybe Crystallis is doing a lot for us, too.

[cantante]

[That look in his eyes is all Tear needed to melt her worries away, allowing the girl to let go of a sigh of relief she hadn't even known she was holding on to and leaving a warm smile in its place. Maybe she had overdone it with the gifts, questioning whether it was something he would need or enjoy the entire time, but what she wanted most was to see him happy the way he seemed to be now.

After all, there had to be some way to express just how much he had done for her in the time they'd known each other, a way to communicate her feelings and let him know the stability he had provided her. So she reaches over to place her hand over his gently, quietly looking down at them to consider what words would help her say what she wanted to.]

... For me, it's the same. I don't know how to thank you enough for it and all the times you helped me in the past, so I hope this helps a little. I'm... grateful that we met.

[dammit_flynn]

Either you're joking, or you drank too much, Shorty.

[ Yuri replied with a chuckle for he response. He's genuinely curious so to say. he's not really into the festivities but learning about them is rather fun from time to time. He did only because he ended up baking so much for the event itself. On top of that, he was too damn lazy to leave the place. That's why he's here. Don't think anymore of it, Rukia. ]

None at all. It's honestly, just a plant on top of a doorway.

[dammit_flynn]

What gave you that idea?

[ He replied giving her a brow raze as he sips his drink. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. Who's going to tell her anyway? Yuri's pretty unpredictable in these kinds of situations to be honest. He stares back at her for a moment, completely blank on what she's trying to imply, before he starts laughing. ]

If that's what the plant means, then I'll be passing on that really.

[ Kisses on the cheek huh? Maybe he'll swoop for the lips and then deter it towards her cheek just to scare her? Only that's too much work and he's not in the mood. ]

[dammit_flynn]

[ Yuri caught sight of Luffy's hat before he caught Luffy. Which isn't a surprise in his opinion but the sight of the other like that made him grin a little. It's been a while since the expedition and he hasn't seen Luffy for a while. He's glad to see the other is doing perfectly fine with his monstrosity of an appetite again~ ]

Yo Luffy. You're going to have to swallow that before asking me questions because all I got from you were gibberish. I see you haven't changed much since I saw you last time!

[damn_juicebox]

A plant that gives people an excuse to exchange a kiss. People do tend to grow more lonely during the winter months~

[She's enjoying this way too much. How often does she get to be the one teasing Yuri, instead of the other way around? This is excellent! ...And for the record, unless someone spiked the eggnog very lightly, she hasn't had a drop of alcohol to drink.]

Maybe that's why you agreed to the auction two months ago. You were hoping a certain someone would bid on you, so it wouldn't look like you were actually incredibly lovestruck~

[Rukia is only half-teasing. She might actually be right about this! So she turns to look out at those gathered in the party. If she's right, then the love interest is here tonight!]

So who is it?

Yuna x Ven

[makingfriends]

Ven had noticed the mistletoe decorations upon first arriving, but since then his thoughts were distracting enough to make him all but forget about dodging the plants. That was likely an incident waiting to happen.

"Mm!" It was an eager sound of agreement as he returned the nod. He was suddenly feeling much more energetic. "Have you danced yet?"

Ventus x Terra

[makingfriends]

"Uh-huh," Ven assured her. His smile was already looking more relaxed, his heart plenty glad for the distraction.

Once the music picked up, he started to step in time with it, moving back a step as Terra moved forward. It didn't take long for his heart to feel lighter, and his mood quickly lifted with it. He soon laughed, already caught up in the moment.

"You been practicing without me?"

[needsteaplz]

Good because your present from me is going to take up some space in the freezer. I'm just glad I made it in time for the holidays. You won't be disappointed.

[It's only then did Brigid tapped Saori on the shoulder.]

What is it?

Might want to look up, kupo~

What on earth are you tal-oh.

[The moogle slipped away, giggling to herself as Saori looked mildly horrified at what hung above them. And here she was so good about dodging mistletoe the entire month until now. She cleared her throat.]

Right then. This is strictly for the holiday spirit so no reporting me to HR, alright?

[Without giving Sparks a chance to react, she gave him a peck on the cheek and turned her head away. For someone who's been around the relationship block a few times, there was something cute about her blushing like a school girl.]

[needsteaplz]

No way, seriously?!

[Saori's jaw dropped at the sight of chimichangas. Yes, more food is a good thing for a large scale party like this. She may have to pry him on where he got these later. Even though it had been years since she had one, it wasn't hard recognize it.]

I mean normally it's fried chicken during Christmas back home but wow! I hadn't had one since my last trip to the States.

[damn_juicebox]

I certainly wouldn't harbor any doubts in that regard~

[She tips an open palm in his direction, a playful smirk working its way over her face. It's true, he's certainly one of the most capable and skilled fighters she knows, and it's difficult to imagine that he would ever be overpowered or outmatched.]

[But no one is perfect, and it pays to have a back-up plan just in case. Honestly, she should carry something like that herself, instead of relying so heavily on her zanpakutou that she recently regained from Cid.]

I'm glad you decided to attend the party. Honestly I didn't expect you'd come. How many people twisted your arm about this?

[She knows there were, what, at least two letters about how people should convince him to lighten up and have fun? His Moogle and Cloud both mentioned it, but she's not bringing that up since it was told to her in confidence.]

[iscursednomore]

It's fine, you have whatever you want.

[He had to let go of her hand to be able to grab something for the both of them holding up the glass for her to take.]

This looks good.

[soldierofloveandbeauty]

Well it would have been the case had I been at home. But with my stall and all here I had no time.

[She had rarely been at home this month, which was pretty impressive in itself since usually that was where she could be found being lay for the most part. But mistletoe and love were just something she had been passionate about.]

You did? [She didn't fully understand why but it was enough for her to feel happy both inside and out.]

[shinrasfinest]

"It's like every event at the Coliseum. There is a measure of showmanship involved but the competitors really do go further for Noel. I heard from some of my comrades, once, that some guy had glued his beard on...nearly ripped all of the skin from his jaw..."

Talk about pulling the festive mood down to the floor and crushing it underfoot. Trust Sephiroth to take something cheery and immediately make it sound less such, by applying his signature splash of harsh reality every time. Honesty is a blunt creature.

Sephiroth gives Sparks an almost disbelieving look over when he mentions that he's brought ice cream for everyone. It seemed way off what he knew of the Marshal up to this point and only kept a layer of underlying tension in their conversation; wondering what exactly was Sparks' point. Maybe there wasn't one, and that bothered him even more.

"I'll try to remember for when we're headed back to the lodge."

Ventus x Terra

[greenmagick]

Terra smiled brightly realizing that she had been found out. It was probably really easy to tell compared to the tentative movements she had before. That and she hadn't looked down once since the song began. Her feet just moved as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do.

"You can tell?"

She was a little proud of herself.

"Tempest helped some as well as a few others."

She was lucky to have the friends she did and while it took a far amount of time to see them as friends she's happy. Even if that happiness were to be fleeting. Seeing Ven smile lifted her spirits as well.

[no1]

[ What a strange hobby. Frankly, Ace can't think of any practical application of a similar skill if it ultimately doesn't seem to lead anywhere, but in hopes that it might at least give him some idea, the cadet observes Graham idly for a longer while before responding. ]

Maybe you should consider switching on to something more complex. Getting better is all about taking on challenges.

[ Perhaps he would have known better than to instigate further dismantling shenanigans if his knowledge of the man was anything more than vague. For now, he only means to be helpful. ]

[thegreatninja]

[Yuffie pouts.]

That's so mean! You're going to break a young beautiful girls heart.

[She's talking about herself.]

[dammit_yuri]

[and along comes Flynn.]

The kids really seem to have taken a shine to you, Yuri!

[smilesmile]

Not to mention the ladies, apparently.

Yuna x Ven

[whereishe]

Yuna smiled and then shook her head.

"No, I only arrived a few minutes ago."

Ven had just looked down so she had come to see him first. She would never say no to a dance from him considering how fun it was the last time they danced. Even if it had been a little awkward when they fell.

[whereishe]

[Yuna takes the glass with a warm smile before looking down at the food. For now she's just going to take a few cookies as a snack. The drink fills her mouth with a semi-sweet full flavor which goes well with the sugary hardness of the cookie.]

It's very good.

[She looks up at Fai, her mismatched gaze shining brightly.]

Company and food.

[umslay]

Ales stood on his toes and stretch his arms as high as he could while lifting the glass in response. A second of wobbling later, he stood down and took a sip of his own. He clasped his small hands around the glass and drank half of the small cup of punch. The night had been full of dancing and talking without the aid of alcohol, and he was already getting a dry mouth.

"Hm?" He kept his gaze fixed on Sephiroth in case he was choking on the strong whiskey, but he appeared fine. "Of course. That's why we have celebrations - to delegate time to goofing off and focusing on the topic of celebration. Friendships and gift-giving, in this case." A vague theme for a holiday, but Teensies only needed the smallest of reasons to throw a party.

"And the new year is coming up soon. I'm looking forward to getting more work done and researching crystal energy in the new continent." Imagine all those library they must have!

[umslay]

"Y-yeah..." To be honest, she wasn't sure if Ales knew about the Calamity returning, but she couldn't find a way to break the news to him. It didn't feel right to ruin this happy party for him.

"I-it's awfully nice of you to do that, kupo," she whispered, though her voice was naturally quiet anyway. She rotates the candy cane in her hands. "Can I help with that?"

[no1]

[ The warmth of her hand provides a small challenge to his self-restraint as he momentarily considers a response that usually fell into her domain. What comes out is something more of a feeble imitation - the boy reaches forward to lift her chin with a light touch of his finger (and withdrawing it immediately afterwards, of course), to let her know that her wishes have been met.

His expression is bright, but he also lets the moment linger for a while too long. ]

I, uh.... Stay here, please.

[ Gently sliding his hand out of her grasp, he places the charm on top of the case where it's clearly visible, and rises to his feet. Hanafuda floats up dutifully as well, offering Tear a soft giggle before following Ace to retrieve their part of the exchange.

The melodist wouldn't have to wait long, but there's a chance that she won't foresee ending up with a soft, white wool cape that Ace sneakily drapes around her shoulders upon returning. It comes with a hood and a couple of crimson ribbons for adjusting the cloth under one's chin - in a way, the design accidentally matches the colours of the holidays. ]

... Because you wouldn't admit you felt cold that day.

[ Taking advantage of the commotion, the cadet swiftly moves back to where he was sitting, hands clutching a wooden box that he doesn't present until after a few moments have passed. ]

And here... is what I would like you to hold onto.

[ In the background, Hanafuda tackles Sein with an array of finely-selected Kupo Nuts that she had previously placed in ornamental pouches; the package the fellow Moogle would receive miiight have been significantly richer than the others. It's all well-deserved.]

[no1]

[ Ace offers her an understanding nod. It was out of his own volition that he has stuck to his duties in Aqures for the most part, but even though he wasn't a frequent visitor in the newly-opened village, he has to admit the results of the Heroes' efforts are pretty impressive. ]

This... is the tradition, isn't it? To present gifts to one another.

[ ... Does his participation come across as this surprising? Somewhat timidly, he glances to the side. ]

[provenworth]

....You seem to be enjoying yourself.

[Surprise! A lady Turk has magically appeared at his shoulder. Considering she's a bit new, she didn't have the funds to get all decked out, so she's still in her gunner outfit.]

What is all this? [And she's peeking into the bag he's got with him.]