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

Rukia Kuchiki | OPEN OF COURSE!

[damn_juicebox]

[It feels good to take a break at long last. Rukia certainly doesn't mind her work at the Santa Village -- quite the contrary! It's rich and fulfilling. But she's pretty much done with cookies, and she's been eyeing those finger sandwiches like a man stranded in the desert eyes a glass of ice water.]

[If you know her, then you probably have a present under that tree. The one who appreciates the pile of gifts the most is probably Chappopo, since the fewer deliveries she has to make, the better. Some of those things are heavy! The Moogle even sneaked in a present of her own for Acrisius, just in case Yuri's companion showed up. An assortment of good tea seemed like something he would appreciate.]

[Avoiding the champagne in favor of eggnog, Rukia finally sits down on one of the plush couch's armrest. She doesn't want to get too comfortable, in case she needs to hop up and replenish any of the snacks, but it's nice to get off of her feet for a little while. Maybe she'll try that dancing business later. For now, she's having a good time just relaxing and chatting amiably with anyone who crosses her path.]

[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.

[iscursednomore]

[Fai had been kneeling by the tree, Yuki his moogle had done his best to avoid the party but still had been dragged regardless and was currently finishing off the neat little pile of treats Fai had made for everyone. He had tried to make sure everyone had at least one little bag and he felt like he managed.

Moving to stand up he had soon gone to grab some eggnog, for one wanting to try it out as he soon found himself sitting in a random empty spot, and looking round to see who else was close by. When his eye caught a somewhat familiar face, he smiled.]

I assume you enjoy the holidays?

[damn_juicebox]

I have yet to meet someone who doesn't.

[She replies with a chuckle and a light shrug. He's just sparking conversation as best he can, she knows, and she definitely appreciates the effort. Rukia rests her cup on her knee, holding to the side so it won't spill.]

What about you? Did you come to the Village for the party, or are you working here on a part-time basis?

[iscursednomore]

You might be surprised at who might not.

[It made him wonder if someone he knew wouldn't have liked such a holiday, but he knew he would never know at this point.]

I actually came to open a stall and help out with my baking. It's not as much as what others have done, but... well it's the least I could do.

[damn_juicebox]

[Oh? She's a little curious about who the Christmas Scrooge might be, but she's not really interested in satiating the devil's advocate. The exchange was small talk and nothing more; anything else would just be unpleasant.]

I wasn't aware you could bake. What are your specialties?

[She looks toward the snack table. Did he bring anything of his own making? If so, she'll have to give it a try.]

[shinrasfinest]

[Better her than him. Sephiroth's barely been to the Santa Village for even very much more than a brief look around this month but Terra wanted to come -at least for the party- so here they are.

He'd only gone over to the tree out of curiosity but a moment later a moogle was thrusting a small box of a present in his direction. He blinks, more than a little surprised but only when the moogle then insists that he take it does Sephiroth manage to read the gift tag.

From Rukia? It's not like he'd have expected that and so he hasn't bought her anything as a result. Sephiroth remains stood by the tree as he precisely picks apart the folds in the wrapping and uncovers a box. He can smell the leatherwork -the sheath of the boot knife- before he's even taken the top off of it. He takes a long moment looking down into that box, the small weapon neatly set in it's packaging.

A little confused, yet not ungrateful at all, Sephiroth then looks from one side to the other trying to locate the girl.]

[damn_juicebox]

[She's not too hard to find. For one thing, she's pretty much staying in the same spot, positioned between the snack tables and the kitchen so she can monitor both. For another, she's paying attention to who goes to the tree to collect a gift, since she did give out quite a few and she's eager to see if what she chose was well received or not. Rukia is pretty sure she has excellent taste, so she expects people to be pleased.]

[When Sephiroth starts to look around, she can pretty much guess he's looking for her, so she gives a casual wave to make it easier for him. Once he approaches, she grins, looking more than pleased with herself. He liked the knife, right? He wasn't frowning, in any case, and it did come in blue wrapping paper.]

Colonel.

[She greets him with a little nod. The title is formal, the friendly grin is anything but.]

[shinrasfinest]

[A Starlight celebration party is hardly the place to be pulling out a knife of any description, whether it be a gift or not and so Sephiroth takes care to put the lid back on the small box before approaching Rukia.

He raises the box in his grip slightly in response to her small nod of a greeting, before tilting his chin up to her in acknowledgment. A small gesture but it's clear what he's referring to at least.]

Sergeant. [He replies since she'd addressed him the same, but an informal smile is pulling at the corners of his mouth before long; it's nice to be gifted at all, but Rukia has clearly put some appropriate thought into it.]

I-

[Really? Was he really going to start by telling her that she needn't have bothered?]

-thank you.

[damn_juicebox]

Hm~

[It's nice to just play at formality. If there were other officers around, she wouldn't engage in any sort of mischievous banter at all, as she wouldn't want to seem disrespectful. But in this kind of environment, it's nice just to be friends.]

[She watches him pause at his words, and studies him curiously. What's this? Could it be he's just so very moved and touched at her gesture? ...Probably not, but that's what she's starting to assume. Rukia smiles proudly.]

You're welcome. I know it isn't your weapon of choice, but it doesn't hurt to keep a second weapon on your person should you ever be forcefully disarmed.

[line_piece]

[After retrieving her gift from under the tree, Chiaki heads over to where Rukia is sitting on the couch. She's got something for her too, after all, and holds it out for her once she finds her.]

Merry Christmas, Rukia.

[She hasn't opened hers yet - she figured Rukia would want to see her reaction.

And oh yeah - she's also dressed as Batman. Have fun puzzling that one out.]

[damn_juicebox]

[Rukia has never heard of Batman before, and just assumes it's some sort of elf helper who likes the color black. There are many Christmas traditions and stories she doesn't really know.]

[So whatever the reason for the costume? It goes so far over Rukia's head that it might as well be in another solar system.]

Oh, Chiaki! Merry Christmas to you as well.

[Wait, what? She gets a present? How generous! Rukia beams as she accepts the package.]

This is very thoughtful of you, you have my thanks. ...Shall we open our gifts?

[Grin.]

[line_piece]

[It will go unexplained for now, then!]

Sure. I hope you like it.

[Chiaki slowly pulls the paper off hers, unwrapping it very methodically. For Rukia's part, she'll find a small pixel painting of a Lagomorph inside hers.]

[damn_juicebox]

[Rukia begins opening her present casually enough, a relaxed smile on her face. But as soon as she sees what she's holding in her hands, her expression goes from :) to 8O.]

Ohhhh. Oh!

[Her dark eyes dance with sheer wonder and delight.]

I-it's wearing a hat...and a jacket...!

[IT IS SO CUTE. She's already hugging it like a sacred treasure as she stares up at Chiaki.]

How did you know? Did you make this yourself?

[scriptrix]

Wow, you've been busy this month. I think half of those gifts said 'from: Rukia' on the tag.

[Levy's smiling as she sits down next to her guildmate, her own gift in hand. She's got another one, too, which she immediately hands over.]

Here. This one is from me.

[damn_juicebox]

[Rukia chuckles, looking as happy and relaxed as a body can. She's never really had much occasion to give so many gifts before. This place has given her a chance to make so many friends, and she's eager to express her gratitude in the proper tradition.]

[Or maybe it's just the warm glow that comes from having the Santa Claus job equipped. WHO. KNOWS.]

I hope I chose the correct gifts. I think you'll like what I picked for you, however.

[Of that, she's confident. She knows how Levy said she had a magic sort of writing back home, so fancy colored ink seemed like the perfect idea.]

[Rukia blinks when she herself is handed a gift, however. She honestly wasn't expecting any return gifts.]

For me? ...May I open it?

[scriptrix]

That's what it's for!

[Levy laughs and flashes a playful wink.]

Hmmm... I wonder what's in mine...

[She lifts the package and gently shakes it from side to side for a moment before starting to open it up.

Rukia's present turns out to be a book - no surprise there. It's a collection of traditional ghost stories from around Crystallis.]

[damn_juicebox]

You'll see.

[She considered getting Levy a book, but she's pretty sure that's what everyone else is going to get her. Besides, she's not sure which books Levy already has, so she wouldn't want to give her a second copy.]

[Meanwhile, she opens her gift, and grins widely. Research materials! Excellent.]

This is very thoughtful. I'll have to do some traveling to verify which of these stories are factual and fictional. Thank you!

Re: Rukia Kuchiki | OPEN OF COURSE!

[not_most_days]

[Gift exchanges are wonderful things, but some of the festive offerings aren't the sorts that go under the tree. While Kidd will be happy to find that bottle of whiskey later, it was a moogle who came to speak to Rukia at the couch.

Fluttering over, Bonnie smiles at Rukia and then fishes around in her mail satchel before pulling out a candy cane which she holds out in offering.]

Thank you for all your hard work, kupo.

[damn_juicebox]

Oh, why thank you.

[She smiles at the pleasant Moogle, lifting the treat to acknowledge her gratitude.]

I'll be certain to share this with Chappopo. A blessed holiday to you, Bonnie.

[not_most_days]

Thank you very much, Miss Rukia. You too...oh!

[She fishes in her pouch and pulls out a smaller sized candy cane.]

Chappopo can have this one. You don't need to share if you don't want to. I think I have enough for everyone, kupo.