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

[bright_and_blue]

[Graham is at the party, and his moogle, Kuprono, has alerted him that there's a gift under the tree with his name on it. He hadn't even bothered to look, assuming there wasn't any for him. He already had gotten his scarf from Zelda - that he's been wearing religiously in the cold weather since he received it - and figured even that was an anomaly.

The moogle flies the gift over to his Hero, who looks at it dumbfounded as he reads the tag. Graham's head pops up to look for Rukia, and when he spots her across the room. He holds up the present with a questioning look, and gives her a surprisingly succinct question.]

Really?

[damn_juicebox]

[It takes a moment for Rukia to realize she's being signaled. When her eyes finally track toward the arm held in the air, and the present and person attached to said arm, she smiles confidently and gives him a single nod.]

Really.

[She's not sure he'll like it. It's a very practical gift, but there's only one thing in the world she knows that Graham loves. So she's hoping for the best.]

[She raises her eggnog faintly with a nod, a silent wish of holiday cheer as well as an invitation to go ahead and open his gift if he wishes.]

[bright_and_blue]

[Graham trots over and plops onto the couch with the gift, still blinking in surprise at it.]

This is unexpected! Totally unexpected! I'm... embarrassed?! I have nothing to give you in return! I've been totally thrown for a loop here, and feel undeserving of such a gesture.

[He's not much for holidays, so he didn't even think about buying gifts. He didn't even enjoy working at the Christmas village. But now someone's gotten him a gift and he has just so many feelings about it.]

[damn_juicebox]

Don't feel undeserving.

[Easier said than done, she knows. She sips calmly from her spiced eggnog, ankles neatly crossed. Even though she's sitting on the couch arm, she still has the poise of a really short noblewoman.]

You've had a difficult time adjusting to this place, and I know it's been difficult. I've been tough on you as well, in my efforts to preserve you as best I can. In my opinion, you've worked hard, and are more than deserving of a gift.

[She's not worried that he didn't get her anything; she doesn't need much to begin with, and she didn't buy presents with the expectation that she should have gifts returned.]

You may open it, if you wish. I hope it doesn't disappoint you.

[bright_and_blue]

This is really moving. I'm unused to such displays if generosity, so I'm unsure if how to feel!

[But he doesn't hesitate to open it, completely taking the paper off in one piece unripped, like the disassembly master he is. The earmuffs he looks over for a moment, then pops on his head. They're a good match with his scarf. The metal polish he takes a moment to consider, until he looks down at his wrench, rusted in spots from blood stains. He puts it together.]

How can I be disappointed when someone has thought so kindly of me?! Rukia! [He stands up suddenly, making a spectacle of himself as usual.] I vow to make this up to you.

[damn_juicebox]

Ha...! It's a gift, not a favor.

[She smiles calmly, taking another sip from her mug. She's accustomed to his quirks and dynamics by now, enough to find them endearing. ...Most of the time.]

I'm glad that we're allies, and friends. So relax.

[Rukia slants a playful grin at him, lightly tapping his arm with the back of her fingers.]

You don't owe me anything more than that.

[bright_and_blue]

It's too late! The vow has been made, and I'm a man of my word.

[He nods with conviction.]

The point of this holiday is to give and receive! Am I really a part of society if I only participate in half? I hadn't planned to participate at all, being that I am not part of a normal society. And yet, I was given not one, but two gifts! I've been dragged into society's whims, acknowledged by others while totally unaware that it was happening! I'm still not sure I want nor deserve such treatment. I may have to carefully reconsider my position among the others here.

[damn_juicebox]

[Oh nooooo. Another rant? Rukia goes quiet and listens to him for a few moments, just sipping at her eggnog. He does have a point, though.]

I...suppose I can't argue with that...

[Dragged into society's whims? That's dramatic. He makes it sound as if she forced him into some sort of torturous servitude.]

If you want to, feel free. But the point of giving a gift is to express appreciation, not to expect a gift in return.

[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!]

[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.