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

[goddessofthesky]

It has.

[Zelda smiles brightly at her friend while continuing to twirl the piece of mistletoe between her fingers.]

Are you having fun?

[thegreatninja]

[Yuffie waves a dismissive hand towards Elena. She doesn't really know what to think about the turk but they had been captured together.... once. Mostly Yuffie knew that she was annoying and loud but this woman seemed a lot older than that.

It was a little hard to gage.]

Yo~

[Leather is certainly an interesting look for a party. Yuffie is dressed more for a party. She’s wearing a midnight black sweater dress that falls off her shoulders and then clings to her slightly curvy form. The end of the dress seems a little short, barely pulling over her rear but she calculated for that and wore dark leggings that kept her legs completely covered. Her boots were the same, rising up to just below her knee. Her hair which now brushes against the end of her shoulder blades is pushed back with two emerald green ribbons snaking through it.

There is a glass of wine place between her fingers and a light smile curling at the curve of her lips.]

Didn't think I'd see you here.

[cantante]

[It seemed like a perfectly sound explanation, up until Ace uttered that fateful word; at that precise moment she felt herself slowly going rigid, her eyes widening and cheeks flushing in what could only be described as shock.]

You mean... That's why there are so many...

[She was thankful that he had been considerate enough to avoid them before, but now that they were ensnared by the presence of one, she was half-tempted to reach up and cover her face with the hood of her new cape.]

You were avoiding them before.

[no1]

Here, and at our apartment as well. That girl sure lives up to her title.

[ Although he tries to make some light of their situation, witnessing her emotions take such a deep dive leaves him with a cold shiver of his own; could it be that she was now suspecting him of pulling a prank on her? ]

Yeah, well....

[ It was more like a practice for the sake of his peace of mind, nothing more to even suggest that he has ever considered actually going with what being caught entailed. ]

It doesn't have to be on the lips, you kno--kupooooo!

[ That's it. Ace finds his patience teetering on the limit, immediately rising to his feet to shoot Hana a warning glance. Yeah, he might have done that from the ground... if only the sudden rush of adrenaline let him stay still. ]

[cantante]

[It doesn't even occur to Tear that this might have been a prank, with any ideas of suspicion dashed away immediately with his reaction to Hana's words. Were she any less troubled by the situation she would have found the exchange amusing.

Instead she stays in the same position, glancing down at the box still safe in her hands. Though she does her best to hide it, her thoughts were quickly becoming a tempest of conflicting ideas and emotions. Maybe she was overthinking what was ultimately a silly tradition, but she couldn't just ignore the way her heart was beating rapidly in her chest, so hard that it felt tight. She knew what it could mean...

In her confusion she chances looking up at the three in turn, at last lingering on Ace himself. The blush was by no means gone, accompanied now by traces of conflict as she gently set her gift down, pressing her lips together tightly in a vain attempt to calm herself down. She really was being ridiculous with such a reaction, wasn't she?

... And why was she having it to begin with? That was the part that confused her the most as she slowly rose to her feet, hands clasped together so tightly her knuckles were becoming white.]

[no1]

[ The blond couldn't give her the answers she wanted, too busy searching for his own. As it was, Ace had already been at a loss for words when Tear's inaction put him into a somewhat uncomfortable position, but he could never blame her.]

It seems like a bit too much, doesn't it?

[ He musters up a soft chuckle; that much they could both agree upon, though he could also feel his own heart grow heavy with indecision. With an easy way out at their disposal, it all made so little sense to concern oneself with odd customs. All it would take was a simple refusal to comply, a fact which neither of them seemed to acknowledge the way they should have.

It's as if the problem lies somewhere else. ]

[cantante]

[Whether he had intended to lighten the mood with such words or not, it was enough to incite a weak smile from the melodist as she looked back down at her hands, willing them to relax from their rigid state.]

Maybe... It would depend on what it is you want. [On what she wanted, though she knew a resolution wouldn't come so easily. The answer had been simple enough all those months ago when she first arrived, finding that the best way to cope was to simply close her heart and try to cast away such sentiments for the sake of that person and her own. Though the ache had lessened with time, the situation served to remind her that it was still there, in the silence that had followed her words.]

Mystearica...? [The little moogle floated over and placed a paw on her shoulder gently, catching his Hero's attention even if she didn't turn to him just yet.] I don't think it'll be like last time, kupo...

[... Ah.]

... Sein. [She gives the moogle a look that clearly said they would have a talk about this later, eliciting a terrified squeak from him followed by his quick departure from the scene upon realising his slip-up (or so she thinks). The girl herself takes a few slow and careful breaths, her smile becoming more wistful.]

Maybe I should consider myself lucky that he thinks he's looking out for me...

[bright_and_blue]

[Graham breaks out into an excited grin as he looks over the plans. He's doesn't often get this excited to build things.]

Yes! That's right, here's the first step in such a magnanimous project! The next step is to find all the parts, which I will personally wring out of the Empire myself if need be. No nation should have such a stranglehold on technology. Especially if that nation is one I currently don't reside in. We can show them up, and finally transform this nation into one on par with the twentieth century. These motorcycles could inspire this world into something more!

[Lofty dreams, indeed.]

Re: Zelda || Open

[nomorecowbell]

I'll try. But sometimes I just want to go home.

[Not that she's sure what she has home. School. Miki and Juri-sempai. Figuring what to do about her brother, and what Tenjou-san's actions were going to mean, if anything.]

[bright_and_blue]

[He may be lying on his back, but there are a lot of impassioned hand gestures to go along with Graham's ranting.]

My job. My life. My very essence! If people are born to do something, to leave their mark upon the world... If this universe isn't just a series of random events that fell into line to bring us to this very moment, then dismantling is the closest I get to having a reason to exist! Brought to a new planet with everythin' about me changed renders me unable to even recognize myself. Being told I'm a Hero on top of it all is the last straw. [There's bitterness behind that word.

He looks at Ace, his expression upset and frustrated.]

It's a sad, infuriating story! Did you ever feel this way since you arrived here?

[bright_and_blue]

[That last bit definitely gets his attention, since up to then he was blocking out getting lectured. His head snaps to attention.]

You do? Something new? What is it?

[bright_and_blue]

What a confusing story. I'm both grateful and guilty. One man can't define society, but society can define me. And it seems to want to define me as a Hero! It's very unfair considering I have no interest in bein' one. I only even game to this party because Zelda invited me.

[He plops back down on the couch now.]

While I still feel like my identity was ripped from me, I don't plan to replace it with the identity of a Hero. [Said very matter-of-factly. You people and your gifts can't sway him!]

[no1]

What do I want?

[ The gravity of the situation strikes him at last, drawing the breath out of his lungs and curling fingers of the hands, previously planted proudly at his sides, now hanging somewhat helplessly. As a result, the following exchange between Tear and Sein resembles a hushed whisper in his head while he's struggling to figure out an order to his words. ]

The way it all has turned out, [ a frown crosses his features. ] I cannot help but think you've misread my intentions.

I would never.... Tear, it is not within my right to force your hand like this.

[ For a passing remark, it created a real mess out of his thoughts, awakening a side formerly unknown, yet irrational enough to make him consider treating the unfortunate sprig with one of his newly acquired Fire spells. Whether it's safety measures, or a sudden return of his self-control that ultimately keep it from happening, it's worth noting that it's pretty rare for him to drop his guard down to this degree. ]

[cantante]

[... It might make her a terrible person for it, but something Ace's reaction was grounding in a way that it helped calm her own thoughts, and though she wasn't about to admit it out loud. Shaking her head, the nervousness begins to ebb away in favour of a strange sense of calm, a reassurance that perhaps only he could provide her with.]

You've never once forced my hand Ace, even now. [If anything did happen, it would be entirely of her volition. It was something he needed to know.] As you said, it's entirely voluntary and you've been considerate about it. All you've done is prove that I can trust you.

[Not that it meant she was completely relaxed—she could still feel her heart fluttering, but it no longer felt constricted in her desire to reassure and see him smiling again.]

Saori - open

[needsteaplz]

Saori turned around, a little surprised before breaking into a smile.

"Aww thank you," she beamed as she took the present. "Guess this would a perfect time to give you yours. Just don't go opening it here, okay?" She waved to her moogle and in a second she came back with a bag. After a second of searching she pulled a wrapped rectangular box. Congratulations Reno, you're now a proud owner of a nice collection of adult books straight out of Mysidia.

"It's been a while since our last meet up. How have you been?"

[needsteaplz]

Y-yeah. Holiday tradition. Anyway, you probably shouldn't be doing your gift giving here unless you want a smooch from everyone and their moogle's grandma. At least this looks like the only mistletoe here though?

[Saori's eyes dart across the ceiling, on the look out for the accursed decoration. She gives the nod of approval once everything's clear. Knowing it was safe, she goes ahead and takes a spoonful of her gelato. She hadn't had gelato straight out of the container since she was pregnant but honestly she deserved it after this month.]

Dang, this is good. They really got the flavors down nicely. Can't believe I didn't try this one after paying for last time. The spices aren't overpowering but give it such a nice kick after the sweetness.

Really, Sparks, save room for your freezer. I'll drop it off at your place tomorrow after work.

[no1]

[ As the other continues to ramble, the cadet moves into a crouched position in order to hear him a little better among the party chaos. He doesn't expect having a question thrown back at him, though. ]

... Sure.

[ Didn't they all? ]

It was like years of training no longer mattered. Losing your purpose hurts-- [ a short pause. ] --but then it's up to you to find another. Besides, it seems you can still use some of your abilities.

[no1]

[ Brighten up he does, reaching up to feel the metal feather that rests under his shirt, emitting soft warmth he was slowly beginning to acknowledge as his own feelings. A tangible symbol, both vague enough to keep his thoughts in tangles and persistent in letting him know that there is nothing inherently wrong with that. Given time, he was almost sure he could figure that out on his own.

And maybe... he would tell her, then. For now, he hopes that she will still hold onto her beliefs despite what he's about to do, releasing hold of the charm to gently wrap his arms around her shoulders. It's stronger than him, and hardly forceful in its nature, but most importantly odd for how it seems to be capable of healing the unsteady beating of his heart. ]

[red_planet_blues]

[That's fine by him. He takes the card with a nod.]

Right, happy Starlight thing. Thanks. This planet really goes crazy with the holidays, though. It's been like a three-week-long marathon 'a cheer. I think I'm gettin' exhausted.

[cantante]

[Her breath hitches sharply the moment she feels his arms wrapping around her, leaving her stunned for only a few seconds before the warmth of his embrace begins to soothe her.

Despite being mostly unfamiliar with such gestures of affection, Tear still found herself wrapping her own arms around him in turn, if somewhat shyly. The comfort it brought was undeniable, quieting the celebration happening around them and focusing solely on this moment, just the two of them.]

[red_planet_blues]

[Don't mind while he subtly steps out from underneath that mistletoe.]

Alright, I will. That means everyone here better take theirs homes. I can't be stuck with all this.

[Because he'll eat all of it. And that won't be good.]

[no1]

Thank you.

[ Ace's hold remains rigid, hinting at his own lack of experience, or perhaps courage to press any further if he's already gone far by initiating it in the first place. ]

... But I won't blame you if you've changed your mind.

[ Silence falls as he hesitates to abandon the safety of her arms all the while, but when a memory of Mother's embrace unexpectedly flashes through his mind, it results in a brief moment of uncontrollable tension. The cadet's fingers curl at their tips, eyes shutting tight before he pulls away from the girl.

And then, almost manages to stumble, he steps backwards so fast. ]

[damn_juicebox]

[Graham and Yuri sure have a lot in common. Rukia tilts her head faintly, regarding him with curiosity, then stirs her eggnog with the cinnamon stick that had been left inside.]

Don't you think you're taking this a little too seriously? How can a gift rip away your identity? Just pretend you found it if it's that much trouble.

[cantante]

[Despite the confusion sparked by his newest actions, Tear automatically reaches out to grab hold of his hands to try and steady him as best she could. Though considering he had pulled away from her in such a way in the first place, maybe she shouldn't be holding on to him in such a way.

The result is she stays exactly as she is, caught in a moment of indecision as she wondered over which would be the better course to take. But there is one thing she felt she had to answer, looking down at their hands again uncertainly.]

... I don't think I'll change my mind...

[line_piece]

They're criminals.

[She's very matter of fact about this.]