EVENT MINGLE: AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

[asgardmods]

Who: Everyone!
What: The event mingle for the And A Happy New Year event.
When: Days 555-557
Where: Anywhere in town!
Rating: PG-13 tops! If it gets worse, move to a private log please.

DAY 555 (Dec 14-15)

As the last of the black ice is cleared from the city - and the last of its natives wake from their gray slumber - a cautious winter celebration begins. The city itself opens its doors wide to the allied forces still camped outside it and the natives invite the Travelers to observe the beginning of Winter and the approach of the end of the Asgardian year with them.

The day begins with what seems like a typical party in the streets. There is food, music, and an attitude of general warmth and hope from the Natives that hasn't been quite so present in a long time. It will be interrupted in the early afternoon by a snowball fight that starts in one sector of the city and quickly snowballs out of control. For a few hours, the city itself will become a veritable warzone, with most of the city's native children and adults alike getting in on the fight! Watch your back and take no prisoners. (NOTE: Please check THIS LINK for player plot information about the snowball fight!)

DAY 556 (Dec 16-17)

Day 556 sees a brief return to old - and maybe familiar - tricks. The festivities continue on outside, but some Travelers throughout the course of the day may find themselves influenced by magical impulse… all in the name of good holiday fun, of course.

The effects of these miniature curses will last anywhere between ten minutes and an hour and happen spontaneously, and most of them are echoes of similar curses that have been laid upon the city before. Travelers may find themselves:

• Unable to lie or actively compelled to blurt truths, consequences be damned
• Only able to communicate in poetry or song
• Given a nagging urge to (sincerely!) compliment anyone they come across
• Compelled to just hold hands with whoever they're near
• Caught under sprigs of magic mistletoe that seem to appear at arbitrary times at equally arbitrary places (though they can either be kissed or just wait a few minutes for it to disappear again)

Your character can be affected by as many and as often as you'd like, but none of them are mandatory. To reward the Travelers for putting up with that silliness one final time, they will find in their rooms that night a basket of chocolate, a horrendously ugly Christmas sweater, and one item from home. The item can be anything that fits within the game's technological and magical rules! If you'd like your character to receive something, please just drop a comment HERE to get it approved.

DAY 557 (Dec 18-19)

Day 557 marks the final day of celebration. That evening, twinkling, magical fairy lights will cover the edges of buildings and the branches of trees all over the city. There are light displays of amazing proportion all over the city, and the Welcome Halls are done up in entirely their signature color. the Travelers will be invited into the castle again for a ball much like the one last year. Thor will announce the end of curfew and tell everyone to party hard, because the hunt for both Surt and a way to heal the World Tree will begin after this.

The party will last until midnight, when everyone will be shuffled out into the courtyard for a brilliant fireworks display. It represents both the victory over Thiazi and the hope that the celebration of this coming new year will not be the last.

[ This is the mingle log for the And A Happy New Year event. Please include your location and the IC day in your top-level comment or your subject line when starting a thread! ]

Comments

Ellie | Multiple Locations | D556 & Open

[tonsofpun]

The third time she gets stuck in a doorway of a shop, Ellie reaches down, pulls off her sneaker, and hurls it at the mistletoe.

It makes a satisfying thwack noise, and thankfully, causes it to fall. Sensing too late that she's being watched, she pulls a face.

"What are you looking at?"


--


"I think you're awesome," she blurts out, right at someone's back. Followed by a much more quiet, "Oh, shit."

Is it honesty or just one of those compelled compliments? Who knows? Oops.


--


The last one is what will ultimately convince Ellie to just go the hell home. Walking along the street, she first bumps hands with someone, then looks down in time to grab their hand, slotting their fingers together.

After a slow, unsurprised but very unimpressed look down, she settles for a loud, long-suffering sigh.

[killuwatt]

Whoa, uh-- Hello there.

"Ellie?!"

Killua tries to tug his hand away immediately on instinct, startled. Ellie's holding on harder than expected.

"W-what are you doing? Is something the matter?"

[windbreak]

It might be a rare miracle of nature, it might simply be not the first time something like this has happened today, but the look on Yosuke's face is for once similarly more tired than freaked out.

"Can I just point out that one wasn't my fault, either?" he says in a small voice. "That one was totally all you. I didn't even move a finger."

Which isn't to say that the glance he shoots her at this point is perfectly calm, or that he's letting go of her hand yet. ...Don't kill him, Ellie.

Option 1

[samantha_grey]

"Something hilarious," Samantha said with a snicker from the other side of the shop's counter. She was keeping her distance and watching as Ellie knocked the thing down. "I've had to knock ten of those things down myself. Don't need to go kissing all sorts of random people, do I? How've you been holding up? Good job on the fighting by the way."

Robb Stark | day 556

[needsnoheadsman]

[When the afternoon descends, Robb has lost count of how many times he's broken out into song or blurted out some truth he'd been keeping back. Or done both at the same time. It's this city again, and he's seriously considering just heading straight home, locking the door, and not coming out until it wears off when he walks under a street marker (with a sprig of mistletoe dangling off it) and stops in his tracks.

Judging from the surprised expression on his face, he wasn't really planning on stopping. He looks around, wondering what could've somehow trapped him in one place, before scrubbing a hand over his face.]

Gods, what is it now? [There's a deeply exasperated note to his tone, and he leans against the post to wait for whatever's going on to just wear off, not paying attention to the sprig of mistletoe dangling above his head.

After a few seconds or so, his fingers start drumming out an audible beat against the post.]

[comeonthensexy]

[ Oh hello, poor victim stuck under a mistletoe! Fear not, for the Doctor is always absolutely gleeful to help. Perhaps a bit ... too much so. But it is the Doctor. ]

Hello! In a bit of trouble?

Yuiko Hawatari | Multiple Locations | Day 556 & 557 Open

[made_4_ritsuka]

Day 556

[Yuiko had been feeling a lot better and had started venturing out and away from the welcome hall more frequently. After the snowball fight the previous day she was really energetic and so she was out wandering around the town and enjoying the festivities. Tufts of her hair just poked out the edge of the cap that she had one, something she had handmade to go with the scarf wrapped around her neck.

She hadn't really noticed the curse complimenting people, usually being cheerful and friendly anyways. However, on occasion she did look confused when people were singing or she found herself stuck in one spot.]

Day 557
Yuiko had gotten a gown from the welcome hall and was excited about getting a chance to go to the ball, though she completely forgot to ask anyone else if they were going and just assumed that everyone would be there. Now that she was actually outside though she was kind of nervous and just took a seat outside of the gates staring at all of the lights. Hopefully someone would come along an coax her inside.

556

[not_sasuke]

You're a sight for sore eyes! Adjusted back to the world of color again?

[Was he always behind her shoulder? Well, he certainly is now.]

Gon! l Open l D556

[freecssgonwild]

a) [ If your character runs into Gon, he'll reach over for your hand, putting it into his without thinking. Weird. He'd been on his way to check out the festival, and upon seeing them--

Wanted to hold their hand? ]

Huh?

b) Hey - what the? What's this? [ He'll point upwards at the mistletoe, brows furrowing in irritation at the fact that he can't move. He'd never seen a plant like this, but he was aware that a new world could have new things he hadn't seen or known about before. And, not only that - wasn't this full of magical things, too? ] --Is it a magical plant?

[ It didn't seem all that harmful, but it was rather annoying that he suddenly couldn't move. ]

c) [ Gon seemed to have a habit of being blunt and honest. However, he'd barely noticed it seemed to have become even more of a habit today. ]

--You know, you're really amazing! I'm glad I'm here, because I got to meet you.

a

[nukeoleptic]

[ Jade jumps slightly, startled at the sudden contact, and she grins a little in amusement even as her brow furrows in confusion. ]

Well! Hi to you, too, I think.

Day 555-556

[splendid_solitude]

555:

[Though she had taken part in a snowball fight during the past summer's unseasonable bout of cold weather and misery, she was still not the sort to willingly let herself be drawn into such a childish contest.

If you were to find Asuka, she would most likely be ducked into an alley or other such lonely place where no one could reach her.]

556:

[As isolated as she was, Asuka had many a secret hiding within the dark recesses of her mind. Things terrible, embarrassing and even just a little stupid all lay locked firmly away in a vault she had long ago thrown away the key for.

But that same mental fortress had now been torn down by the simplest of curses, rendering the Eva Pilot to speak naught but the truth. And it was terrible, as she tried to in vain to cover her own mouth and prevent the font of long forgotten truth and buried memories from leaking forth.]

I used to have a crush on Shinji Ikari!

[She yelled before quickly silencing herself with both palms.]

2.

[Asuka knew what mistletoe was, even though it had most likely been extinct in her world for sometime now, and had vague recollection of the sort of things people did when it hang overhead.

It also made her recall her first awkward kiss that had comes not all that long ago. The mere recollection brought a slight blush to Asuka's face, and prevented her from moving from beneath the enchanted plant.

By the time she awoke from her stupor, any near here would be greeted with surprise and confusion.]

AH! Where the heck did you come from?

556

[true_renaissance_man]

[Busying himself with the simple task of repairing the runners on a small child's sled Leonardo hadn't even noticed the young lady was around, until that is, she suddenly yelled out her confession. The he and sled both nearly toppled over into the nearest snowbank. ]

Ahha! Signora! Young love is wonderful isn't it?

[With the final bolt tightened the sled was left abandoned by the side of the house it had been resting by before he had happened upon it and wandered closer. It was far easier to nag some one when you were standing beside them! ]

You have told him? Something like this should not be wasted on a total stranger. Some one else might confess to him first and you could lose your chance forever. That would be terrible! No, first chance you get to see him again you must tell this Shinji of your feelings. You will do this?

the Twelfth Doctor | Day 556 | Open

[attackeyebrows]

[It doesn't take him long to work out that there's mistletoe in the city. The Doctor finds himself edging around carefully, neck craned so he can keep an eye out for sprigs trying to catch him unaware.]

Ridiculous plants. I don't know why anyone ever started a tradition of kissing under parasites anyway.

[He mutters under his breath, flattening himself against the doorframe of one shop. Once he figures out that the coast is clear, he moves into the street, inadvertently bumping into someone walking into the shop that he's leaving.]

[nukeoleptic]

[ And Jade yelps in surprise - not because the bump hurt, but just because she's startled. She's doing the same thing, after all, keeping an eye out for the plant. Not that being caught under it is a disaster for her, but it's simply ridiculously inconvenient, especially when she's got things to do. ]

Whoops! I mean - are you okay?

[ Asked as if she were the grown man who'd bumped into the teenage girl instead of the other way around. ]

jade harley | 556 & 557 | totally open!

[nukeoleptic]

[ 556: ]

[ Jade is caught under the mistletoe once or twice, but she never seems especially shy or embarrassed about it. If anything, she might call out to whoever happens to be passing nearby while she stands stuck in a doorframe or beneath a lamp post. Nothing detailed, just a quick: ] Hey, come here! Do me a favor?

[ Otherwise, she can be found all over the city with her enormous German Shepherd. He jumps and hops through the snow like he's equally terrified and amazed by it, and will probably end up smacking into anyone who gets close enough. ]

Oops, sorry! He's a little excitable.

[ 557: ]

[ Jade is in a dress at the party in the castle because she likes having excuses to wear them, even if she sticks to the wall most of the night. She'll bump shoulders with anyone who seems amicable enough, though. If she knows them, she'll ask - ]

Hehe. Wanna dance? This might be our last big party.

[ And if not - ]

I'm so glad the curfew is over. I got stuck in a holding cell overnight when some swear toads gave me away, once. Never again.

566

[abhero]

[Screw celebrations and winter wonderland, Hamel is having a bad day. Everywhere he goes, he blurts out embarrassing things like feelings or compliments total strangers and means it. Ugh, could this get any more wor -

- he can barely finish the thought when a giant dog knocks him down into a snow pile. Struggling to get up, Hamel fixes Jade with an annoyed look.]

Get that fuzzy super cool beast under control.

[That... didn't come out quite as intended.]

Felix Dawkins | 556 | Open

[felixtheprat]

[ This is Felix's first good and proper actual curse. Sure, he's chugged through some of the frustratingly traumatic things that have happened to the city, but never quite anything like this before, which probably explains the look of absolute horror on his face as he marches up to anyone who seems like they might be willing to listen and announces, tone edging on whiny: ]

Oh my god, I miss my sister.

[ka_sera_sera]

[Roland blinks.]

[This is the boy with no common sense, who'd wanted to go drinking at the most dangerous possible time. Roland remembers. He opens his mouth to say something dismissive - not too much so, because being separated from your family is no small matter, but Roland is probably not the person to be telling-]

I fear I'll never see my son again.

[-and his expression now mirrors Felix's. Pained, dismayed, and understanding now why the other man looks so.]

Hizumi Mizushiro | Various places | Wide open!

[bondsofsuffering]

[555]

[For this day, Hizumi can be found participating in the giant snowball fight just about anywhere in the city. He is also more than happy to drag others into it with a few well-aimed snowballs at the unsuspecting.]

[556]

[This day finds him all around town enjoying the festivities. He'll be hit by just about any curse along the way; feel free to indicate one if you have any preferences. But otherwise...

Have a chipper kid greeting you randomly in the streets.]

Yo! Havin' fun yet?

[557]

[For the first part of the ball, he'll stick to eating, though he watches the dancers intently. Specifically, their feet. He's mentally counting the steps as they go, but he'll just as easily turn his attention to anyone else who happens by.

For the second half, he'll be wandering around offering to dance with any lady who looks like they'd be up for it - regardless of age, even. It's all just for fun, so why not?

He even bows with a flourish, which is slightly more impressive given his current formal attire. He somehow pulls off the look, green hair and all.]

May I have this dance, miss?

556

[melodyoflogic]

[Ayumu is nibbling on some sort of strange fruit kabob he'd picked up at one of the many food stalls set up about the city when he finally finds Hizumi. There really was such a huge assortment of goods to be found in Asgard-- he didn't even recognize some of the fruits they'd been selling and he'd been tempted to try, so he'd grabbed the kabob as a simple snack on his way.

He was kind of tempted to check back later and pick up a few to see what he could make with them.]

Hey. Sorry I'm late, I was browsing a little.

Hibiki | Day 556 and 557 | errywhere | super open!

[saving_sound]

[556]

[She's been feeling sort of... odd. Not necessarily bad, but weird in a way that she can't quite put her finger on. Maybe it's simply been that long since they last had a festival? And it's so very nice to have another one full of real cheer at their victory...

...That is, until she latches onto the nearest person's hand without even thinking.]

--!

I-I-I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over...

me?

[Why can't she let go.]

[557]

[She looks absolutely adorable in a rather intricate green ballgown, though she looks quite embarrassed about it, too. This is way, way, way fancier than anything she's accustomed to wearing, and it shows in how awkwardly she moves in it. It's not all that surprising that she'd stay near the edges of the ball, shifting around uncomfortably.

At least it's fun to watch everybody dancing...? Though it might be nice to have someone else to talk to instead...]

556

[abhero]

[Hamel looks down at the hand clutching his. What’s up with her being all clingy, he better pull his hand away and give her a piece of his mind.]

I will now huff and puff and make a scene to cover the fact I actually don’t mind it.

[Wait that came out wrong. And he’s still holding her hand.]

Yuusuke Sagami | 556 & 557 | Various places | absolutely open!

[not_sasuke]

[556]

[Okay, but seriously, he's had to jump back from doorways several times now. Is this mistletoe stalking him or something?]

You've gotta be kidding me...

[He won't be easily coaxed into crossing under its path, but that's not the only curse that could strike him - or others - at any given time...]

[557]

[He's staying out of the way for the most part, drinking... something nonalcoholic anyway. He'd like to remain perfectly aware of his surroundings for better spying, thank you very much. At the announcement of the end of the curfew, he seems decidedly unimpressed.]

It's about time, don't you think?

[...Isn't this kid part of the city patrol...?]

backdated to any day, mostly around Sigyn, but also in the Park, OTA

[bythewaves]

Maglor is injured still, and Elrond not at all pleased at his foster father's need to be outside, but both are equally stubborn, and Maglor is allowed out, if not to play. He is happy to watch, for the most part, bundled up in his hideous rainbow-barf sweater, their Reinhare on his lap. He looks content.

But wander too close and a snowball might hit someone. Surely it didn't come from the invalid in the chair?


[ ooc: I am happy to play ANY of the curses with him~ ]

[abhero]

Boom! It's a direct hit to the back of Hamel's head. He grabs his hat to make sure it doesn't fall off, and jumps around as the snow rolls down his collar.

There are more than a few people playing in the snowy park, so while Hamel does notice Maglor, he doesn't pay him any particular attention.

"WHO THREW THAT?!"

maria hill | day 556

[brainsqueeze]

{ a }

( When you're taking a walk through Asgard, looking for more supplies - or just taking an afternoon away from training - it has to be the case where the last thing you expect to happen happens. Although, in fairness, randomly appearing mistletoes were probably not the last thing that Maria would have expected to happen - it wasn't something that she'd even given a thought too.

She's already stood under it by the time she notices, her attention caught by a native's 'quiet' whispering to a friend, making her look above her. Oh crap, and in her luck someone is close enough by they could get caught in it too. She doesn't trust Asgard to not instantly make that happen - not after what she's seen )

I'd stay there.

( Or turn around. Although really she could just move, maybe. Could she? And she hopes that no one asks why - embarrassing )

{ b }

( After a day spent being bombarded by unexpected mistletoe Maria ends up at the bar, in need of (at least) one drink and some quiet alone time. The first part Maria gets at least, although the bar is a little busier than she'd hoped meaning that she has to sit near to someone )

Don't ask.

( She looks a little weary, and possible frustrated - and there's a quick mouthful of her drink had. Sadly, for her, her answers to any questions may currently be a little more honest than she'd like )

A

[daistanbul]

Eh? Why?

[Yusuf had just been taking a walk when he'd noticed Maria and wanted to say hi. Did he do something wrong? He blinks, searching for what could be the cause of Maria's sudden outburst, when he notices the mistletoe, then points at it curiously.]

What is that?

natasha romanova | various days. | various places.

[redhourglass]

day 556 ( caught under the mistletoe, holding hands, blurting truths - take your pick )

( at first, natasha was still recovering from the snowball fight the day before and she'd only ventured out of her home to take a walk in the snow (hey, she was russian, it was in her blood). in retrospect, it was probably a mistake to even leave her room given the track record the gods had for playing tricks around the holidays. maybe her spirits were just lifted because of the recent death of thiazi. maybe she was just bored.

still, once she found herself unable to move, feet seemingly stuck to the ground, she hesitated for a long moment before rolling her eyes. great. of course, she knew what it was before she looked. still, looking anyway just to confirm, she sighed at the mistletoe and tapped her foot (that action, at least, was allowed). )

day 557 ( at the ball )

( for once, it seemed like natasha had given up her solitary ways. she was sitting at a table, drink in hand (that at least was familiar), listening to a native and laughing every now and then, nodding her head. you might get a chance to speak to her once she excuses herself, glancing up at the sky before taking a breath of air near one of the windows of the palace. her hair is done up in an updo, and she's wearing a dress - and probably looks a hell of a lot more feminine than she ever has in asgard (except for maybe last year).

last year. it'd been over a year since she came here and she'd seen so many people come and go. maybe tonight was her way of appreciating those who had stayed with her (even if it hadn't been by choice), those who had helped her and others defeat thiazi. maybe tonight was for hoping that they would find their way out of this and soon she would be home, with her friends -- and she was finally comfortable calling them friends.

taking a sip of her drink, she frowned slightly out the window.

partying is all well and good and she's 100% behind that, but, there would be a lot of work to come. )

556 - Truths

[samantha_grey]

I'm not coming near you. If I'm swiping a kiss, I want you to be doing it on purpose, not because of some magic crap.

[That came from some distance away, Samantha having caught sight of Natasha tapping her feet. The cambion risked coming a little closer, leaning against a wall and grinning at her smugly.]

Of course, I'll come over if you ask, but only if you ask. It's not like I wouldn't want to kiss you. You have very kissable lips after al...

...

[Her eyes clenched shut and she grunted.]

This is Loki's doing, isn't it? I haven't been able to stop complimenting people all day.

irene adler | various days. | various places.

[herrin]

day 556 ( around loki house, tea shop in town )

( it actually hadn't struck irene that it would be close to christmas - or whatever holiday was the equivalent in asgard. she didn't celebrate holidays at home, really, and they were mostly marked by an increase in clients and a tidy bonus for herself as a result. there was the two weeks she gave kate off every year, that she made sure to mark on her calendar ... and of course, the atmosphere of the shops was completely transformed. but personally? christmas eve was just another day; she could expect trinkets from clients, perhaps, but she did not decorate her flat, nor did she make any special arrangements.

seeing the celebrations around the city, it struck her for the first time that that was rather sad. in the midst of their game, she'd sent sherlock holmes a gift and wished him a happy new year - he clearly celebrated, to some extent. kate went to her family every year, or went on holiday. it seemed like the rest of the country celebrated, why didn't she?

she was so deep in thought she didn't notice the mistletoe above her - or the fact that her feet could no longer move, leading her to almost land on her nose. furrowing her brow, she glanced up and glared at the offending plant. )

Shoo. Haven't you heard? I'm a regular Grinch. ( she's not intending to be overheard, nor is she really expecting a response. ) I don't encourage this sort of behavior.

day 557 ( at the ball )

( now this, this was much more up her alley. this felt almost like her interactions at home; she would be on the arm of someone, most likely one of her favorites who she was willing to engage with outside of the classical work setting. it was a good way to make connections and this ball was no exception. things were winding down, but there was still time to make friends. there was always time for connections.

dressed in a rather flattering white dress, her hair in her traditional style and her red lipstick immaculate, she wandered the room with a drink in hand, making eyes at a few of the travelers rather indiscriminately, listening in on conversations and generally gathering information. who was worried, who was happy, who would be counting the days to go home .. that sort of thing. anything she could use to twist some arms, or gently suggest some alternative actions. it was very her. you might notice her listening in, or see her watching you. in fact, she might approach you. )

[alternia_strength]

And exactly what is a Grinch?

[The mountain of gray skin was standing there, feet rooted to the ground in front of her. He stared, or more accurately glared and growled up at the mistletoe, teeth bared briefly. Looking down, the troll grunted.]

If it involves finding this parasitic vegetative matter to be offensive in nature, then we are both these Grinches and should be proud of this explicit fact.

eyes rutherford | many places! | ota.

[seeksblessings]

day 555.

[ Eyes was unwillingly brought into the snowball fight occurring throughout the city, but now that he was an active participant, he might not necessarily object to throwing one of the projectiles at a person here and there. It was a distraction from his yet clothing, at least. ]

day 556.

[ Come the next day, he is noticeably wary and a bit on edge. He didn't like any of these curses the first time, he was definitely not going to like them a second time. Sure, holding the odd person's hand rather than hugging every single person he came across was preferable, but he still didn't like it. And if it came between complimenting a person or speaking random truths, he'd rather do the former. Not that he had any choice of which came out anyway. ]

... I'm afraid I won't be the best company.

[ And forget it if he happens to be near one of those blasted sprigs... ]

day 557.

[ As for the celebration... He wasn't adverse to it, acknowledging what would probably be the last festival before the war sent the next series of events their way. It was somehow more beautiful than the first party held here, or that could also be his perspective muddled by years of being in this city. The abundance of colour was a stark contrast to then, and it makes him seem lost in thought.

What wasn't so different was his preference to stay as an observer, though occasionally he starts chatting with passing Traveller or Native. That much was different. And if he catches sight of someone who could use a little cheer? Well...]

If I may have this dance?

557

[saving_sound]

[She's mostly been standing awkwardly to the side, not confident at all in her ability to move without tripping over the hems of her ballgown. It looks adorable, certainly, but the clerks at the dress store probably went a little bit overboard with this one, green with intricate gold detailing aside...

Probably the plainest thing about her current outfit is that black ribbon tying her hair to the side, to match with the darker shade of the dress. It's one that he would probably find very familiar.]

Eh--

Um... But I don't really... know how though...

Ayumu Narumi | Multiple Locations & Open

[melodyoflogic]

[556]

[Ayumu spends some time roaming the streets, investigating stalls curiously and stopping for a while to listen to a music performance or two. Luck doesn't seem to be with him today, however-- curses of all types seem to be hitting him hard and often, and between all of the effects throughout the day he'll probably end up retiring to his house earlier than usual, though not before picking up a few things from the stalls. He'd spotted some strange fruits, and he was rather curious about seeing what he could do with them.....]

[557]
[Ayumu is dressed formally for the ball, having come along with his housemates, but unlike his friend Hizumi, he wasn't seeking out dance partners. Instead he can be found sticking to the sidelines for the most part, hands at his side, tapping his fingers to the music at times when there's a particularly pleasing melody playing.
He might not be dancing, but he might be ok with being asked. Chatting too, for that matter.]

556

[samantha_grey]

[By one of the stalls, the faint whiff of sulfur attended a red-headed girl looking over some of the produce. Over the awning, mistletoe hung, just barely out of sight. She was looking over some of the fruit too, a tired look on her face as she did so. The curses seemed to have found her a few times already, though for now she wasn't moving her feet so she hadn't even noticed the touch of it just yet...]

Why do they call it a Buddha's hand anyway? It doesn't even look like a human hand. Better to call it a Troll's hand or something.

The Eighth Doctor | Day 556, Multiple Locations | OTA

[beforethewar]

[Eight is being followed.

Or at least he thinks so. Despite his wish to have this winter, with all it's memories and the sense of loss he's been feeling lately, to just pass by him despite his usual love of the season and his obsession with Christmas, the magic mistletoe seem to have other ideas.]

(A)

[First he tries to hide from the world in the rows and rows of bookshelves in the Library. Work always seems to be good to keep his mind off of unhappy thoughts, but just when he finally gets into a groove, returning books to their rightful place, he finds himself stuck.

Looking up, he stares at the little sprig of mistletoe that's perched on the top of a bookshelf at the end of one of the rows. Eight glowers at the pernicious little plant and reaches a hand up to snatch it down, but he can't really reach it, short as he is and as tall as the bookshelves are. He's stuck until someone kisses him or the plant disappears. But would you want to kiss that sour face?]

(B)

[Thinking the worst is over, Eight goes to the shops to purchase items their fridge at home is running low on (thank goodness for no more rationing), and as he's rushing past a few people to get out the door without having to be stopped to have a conversation with anyone, his entire body jerks to a halt so suddenly that the bag of groceries keeps going right out of his hands, flying forward to crash on the street, milk and eggs leaking everywhere.

As he looks up with dread, he groans deeply to find that, once again, one of those little bastard plants has rooted him to the spot. Again. His cheeks burning, he shoves his hands in his pockets and waits for someone to take pity on him or mock him mercilessly until the stupid plant lets him go.]

(C)

[Oh this is just getting ridiculous now.

Eight tries his hardest to keep far away from anything hanging over his head. By this time, he's been stopped over and over again, at least a dozen times, and he's absolutely certain that the little blighters are following him now. They seem determined to get him kissed or teased at every bloody opportunity.

In a last, desperate attempt to get back home so he can humbug in peace, he skulks through the open field portion of Gefion Park. Of course, he can't hide forever, and he has to pass by a few trees to head in the right direction towards home. And, of course, as soon as he passes them, he nearly falls flat on his face when the trees practically explode with branches and branches of magical mistletoe.]

Oh, this is just ridiculous! Why can't you leave me alone?

[And yes, he's shouting at the trees. It's been that sort of day.]

a.

[redhourglass]

( who indeed? still, never let it be said that natasha was scared off by a sour face; she had one of her own that could rival the very best. still, assuming that he would rather die than be caught dead in the predicament, she snuck up behind him and pressed her lips to his cheek before she had a chance to react, pulling back and offering a mischievous grin. )

Looks like you were in a fix. ( were. hopefully he'd be free now; she'd heard he had a girlfriend, however, so she wasn't about to go much further without actual permission. ) Glaring at it won't make it go away.

Yosuke Hanamura | D556-7, wherever | open!

[windbreak]

[D556, by a doorway]

[Anyone bumping into Yosuke in the morning around the food stalls and outdoor displays might have thought he looked even more harrowed than usual, but he wouldn't have been inclined to talk much about it. By the time the watery afternoon rolls around, he's not inclined to talk much about anything, lest he accidentally raise his voice or laugh too loud and regret it for eternity. God, this is getting old.

When his next attempt at stepping indoors sends him stumbling into the doorframe and leaves him there, he doesn't even bother to glance up, let alone make a fool of himself failing to knock the plant away. Instead, he leans back to check his watch, then lets out a protracted sigh.] I should start keeping count...

[Complaining about it also takes less effort and involves fewer sudden movements than trying to swipe at it. Don't judge him.]


[D557]

[At least he seems to have recovered by the following day. Then again, any half-decent excuse to party would have that effect on Yosuke. Though he sticks to the edges of the dance floor to begin with, he's not difficult to spot, and nor are the brightly-coloured headphones hanging from the collar of his dress shirt; almost any face he recognises is invitation enough for a wave, and probably a little pushing and shoving so that he can catch up. Hey, he can use the distraction. He's positive most of the people in town could, even.

With the seconds ticking closer to midnight, he follows the other partygoers as they begin to drift outside - but in contrast to his earlier eagerness to mingle, he does appear to be hanging back from the crowd. How uncharacteristic.]

Hmm, they're missing something...

[Or maybe not.]

D556

[not_sasuke]

[Oh.

Oh, this looks fun.

Staying a careful distance away from the doorway, Yuusuke will pop by, a knowing grin on his face.]

Hey, hey, where's your holiday cheer, Hanamura?

Kanji, 556/557, open

[realmenknitplushies]

556:

Kanji seems to be spending more time looking up than anywhere else at the moment. And for a tall guy like him, that ... probably isn't the best direction to be looking in.
But dammit. He is not in the mood to be caught out by some plant as he wanders through town.

557 (a):

Formal events. Man, he's still not used to the way this whole 'ball' thing works. But he's made an effort, appearance-wise - is that seriously a suit on him? But he's more likely to be found around the snacks than the dance floor...

(b):

The fireworks are worth it, though. Kanji's there, laughing, punching the air as they go off. "Look at that!" he calls, happily. Man, that's pretty. When was the last time he saw a firework show like this? Any firework show, come to think of it?

Open | All over the city

[sleight_of_hand]

[Day 556]
It seemed like the magic mistletoe was just out to get Adachi. He couldn't go anywhere in the city without being stuck with something happening, like him randomly reaching out to grab someone's hand. That was difficult enough to deal with on it's own, and usually met with sputtered apologies and a bright red face until he could finally let go of them.

The real problem was the random compliments; mostly because they happened around women. He was already having enough women trouble, he didn't need nor want more, especially since most of his compliments were more to their looks than anything else... and probably not all that much of a compliment. At least, the last time he checked, honestly telling someone they had a nice ass wasn't much of a compliment.

And then there was the honesty. Adachi didn't even like being honest with himself, let alone other people, but it went hand in hand with the compliments in being a huge problem. Last thing he needed was for one of the kids to come around... or worse, the Harley or Mari-chan.

[Day 557]
With everyone in the castle, Adachi elected to keep himself to the perimeter of the party, keeping an eye out for any problems, never mind that the castle had its own security force. At least, it sounded better than him being a wallflower, and gave him an excuse not to just grab a drink and drown away yet another holiday alone.

He followed everyone out once the fireworks started, letting out a faint sigh as he leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed, watching the sky light up.

[Day 556]

[damselled]

It had taken her awhile to recover from her rather delicate condition, what with losing her bracelet and having dealt with her worst fears, and now Maribelle was in the process of getting her bearings back. Quite a lot had occurred in her absence, much to her chagrin, and here she was, faffing about as though she were some neophyte. Really, the entire thing was horribly grating, not to mention undignified.

And then she saw Adachi, and she walked right up to him, aiming a hard slap in the general direction of his face. She planned to leave it at that, of course.

day 555; closed to don draper

[honouraryfitz]

It's springtime at home. There are baby animals at the school farm, and Charlie loves them so much that sometimes Rusty takes him to say hello on the weekends, even though they're supposed to want to get away from school on Saturdays and Sundays. This one isn't anything like her boarding school, though. It's more like the day schools she attended in New England, and as with those schools, it's one she doesn't dread on Sunday nights.

She's happy. Really and truly happy, happier than she's ever been upon returning to Asgard. Maybe things are lousy here--she figures she'll find out soon enough if they are--but until then...well, it's a snowball fight. Things can't be so bad if they're having snowball fights, right?

When she sees Mr. Draper, she's already wadding snow into a ball between her bare hands. (Yeah, it's cold, but it's also fun. She's been colder and more miserable than this.) With a grin, she shouts, "Think fast!" and lobs it at his back.

And then it occurs to her that maybe he won't be happy about getting beaned in the shoulder. Well, too late now.

[selfmadman]

As best he can, Don's stayed out of it. Has treated the flying snow like another swerve in the weather. He pulls his coat around himself and sets his shoulders in a way that's ushered him through rented rooms full of outthrust hands. And except for the snow smearing his shin and one hasty backpedal, it works.

The kids are kids, a reminder he could have lived without. Train them all you want in breaking down bodies, if they get their hands on some snow they'll still pack it into a snowball. The cries flung across the city are giddy and crystalline, seem to hang in the air. He doesn't turn at another voice.

Then snow thumps against his shoulder. He stops, swings slowly around for a look. The sight of her is like a first mouthful of freezing air. “Rusty Dickinson,” he says, in a voice to launch a lecture. He brushes once, twice at his shoulder. For effect, to cover his shock: there's only a scattering of flakes.

He hesitates. He owes her, though what he's not sure. For a fleeting moment he considers saying something, apologizing for a failure he can't even reckon. He swallows. “You better run,” he says instead. Breaks into a smile, lunges toward her. It's a feint, but she'll only have a few seconds before he starts scooping up snow.