Ho Ho Ho! Happy HP Holidays!

[mudblood_andproud]

There is something different about the Nexus this Christmas season. There is a light snow falling over the entire Nexus plaza. The snow is gentle, with no real coldness to the falling snow flakes. As one approaches the main gathering area, they will notice that there are many Christmas decorations, including garland hanging from the air, and there are twelve towering decorated Christmas trees, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles. There are also thousands of floating tiny candles in the Nexus plaza, that gently move at their own discretion.

In one corner, there is an orchestra, directed by a Dwarf. All of the musicians are playing music on instruments made from ice. In the center of the Nexus plaza, is a huge banquet table, loaded with holiday foods and treats that showcases a variety of food from different cultures, and some of the different worlds that gather into the Nexus itself. The main delight of the banquet table is that magic can make the food replenish itself, meaning Christmas dinner never has to end. Most will be able to find something they would enjoy. With the added perk that the food is LOL-free.

There are some added little Christmas adventures, for those who get caught up in the holidays. Here are some of the extra options for the Holiday season.

Secret Santa!
There is an added bonus to the Secret Santa gifts this year. The presents will deliver themselves! There are tons of wrapped gifts floating through the air, destined to only drop when they reach the person to which they are intended. Please note that not all gifts will be given in the spirit of the season. There are a few prank gifts floating around too. Be sure to watch out for them!

Christmas Crackers!
There are Christmas crackers scattered among the tables, and in amongst the branches of the trees. They are decorated with festive paper that is twisted at either end like a sweet wrapper. Inside of the tube are prizes, and some contain Muggle prizes such as a paper hat, a plastic toy, and a slip of paper with a joke printed on it. But the rare person will receive a unique, peculiar magical prize, and will envelop everyone nearby in a cloud of blue smoke.

Weasley Sweaters!
Time to try your luck at the Christmas Sweater bin. There is a large rotating clothing rack that seems to have an endless supply of them. Each one more Festive than the last! Pick one and show your Christmas spirit for the rest of the day.

Enchanted Mistletoe!
Be warned Nexus traveler, the Nargles** have hung enchanted Mistletoe all around the plaza. If an unlucky person steps underneath the Mistletoe, they will find that they are magically stuck to the spot, until they can find someone to kiss them. Of course, the kiss can be platonic, familial, or even romantic. For a few unfortunate people, the kiss may be the last thing they would want to do... but it is that or be stuck in the same spot for the rest of the season.

**Nargle Wiki
[Click Here for information on the HP Holiday Event!]
[Your character is free to give other Christmas gifts to people they care about -- HOWEVER, please do not deliver your Secret Santa gift. That will be handled by the Secret Santa moderator. Please post details on your Secret Santa gift in this post please.]

Comments

[boldygoing]

Tucked away in a corner somewhere, Jim Kirk sits with a small plate of Chinese food and a glass of mulled wine. Despite his festive holiday sweater, he doesn't look terribly excited about being here, his hand drifting down to his hip every so often to make sure the phaser is still there. After what happened at the last Nexus party, the captain is taking no chances, watching the goings-on with a wary eye for any trouble. Never mind that the phaser might not even work here; the AVF didn't stop the Nightmare, and he'll be damned if he doesn't at least try to protect himself.

As far as enjoying the gathering... well, we'll see, won't we?

[mudblood_andproud]

He is not the only one who is watching everything, making sure nothing goes wrong tonight. And after seeing one of his favorite people, Crookshanks makes his way over to Jim.

He chirps a greeting to the Starfleet Captain.

[boldygoing]

Now that's a sound that Jim has come to know well, and he glances down at the orange cat rubbing up against his ankles. Okay, even he will admit that the little red suit is kinda cute.

"Hey, Crookshanks. How've you been doing?"

He uses his toes to hook another chair and drag it a little closer, giving the kneazle a spot to jump up onto his level. Or onto the table, because really, what cat doesn't want to be up where the more interesting stuff is?

[mudblood_andproud]

Crookshanks uses the chair as a way to get up to the table. He is getting old. He can't make such big jumps anymore. He strolls along the food, sniffing for something tasty.

Then chirps at Jim. Hey human! Over here!

[boldygoing]

Jim returns to picking at his food while the kneazle explores the table, but the chirping sound get his attention, and he frowns a little, trying to see what Crookshanks wants. "Let me guess, you need a guy with thumbs?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"Are you spoiling him again?" Hermione teases Jim lightly, as she approaches the pair.

[boldygoing]

He manages to not reach for the phaser at the sound of an unexpected voice, turning in his chair to see her and giving her a lukewarm smile. "He makes it kinda easy," Jim answers. "I think he's figured out which buttons to push."

[juststeverogers]

"Evening, Captain."

Steve also has a festive sweater donned for the occasion, and while he doesn't know it yet, he's more like Jim than he knows. His own Shield is slung over his shoulder despite the festivities and he waits for Jim to say anything before he moves to join him at the table.

"I didn't expect to see you here, if I'm being honest."

[boldygoing]

Oh, well that's... an interesting combination. Jim has seen the shield only once before, enough know it's not painted that way to be festive, despite the appropriate color scheme. Enough to easily make the connection between Steve carrying it today, and the phaser attached to his own hip. "Evening," he answers, using one foot to pull a chair out for the other man in silent invitation.

He might wonder what the hell that's supposed to mean if he wasn't on the same page, really. "I wasn't expecting to be here either," he admits. "Didn't seem like a good idea not to... keep an eye on things."

[juststeverogers]

Steve murmurs a thanks before he removes the shield (keeping it close leaning against his knee instead) and takes a seat across the table from Jim.

"Well, I haven't seen you or your counterpart in the Nexus at all, save for your visit. Increased patrols around all affected areas but nothing is out of the ordinary. I'll know for sure when I check in with Blaze and Ghost later. They can do a more thorough processing of the place than I can." Helps to be a robot, sometimes.

"So while I can't and won't say 'don't worry', things are looking on the level for now."

[boldygoing]

Jim's gaze drops to his plate at the mention of the older Kirk, for a moment. "Yeah, he's... busy." At least, that's what he's going to tell people. It might even be true. But there's been little communication between them, since their last chess game, the board still frozen halfway through a match that might not see another move for quite some time.

He hadn't expected an actual security report, but it's definitely appreciated. "That's good to know. Thanks." He looks up now, well aware that the more brooding he looks, the more people are likely to ask questions he doesn't really want to answer. "All the same, I still want to help keep tabs on things. The more eyes, the safer it is, right?"

[juststeverogers]

"I can't say I blame either of you. I...I don't know what happened out there, but I saw how it affected some of my friends. After. I'm just glad to see you here."

Steve's smile is small and he drops the subject there. He hadn't been able to protect anyone before, but he's done his best to make up for it since. The patrols are helping, he thinks. Helping people feel safe and secure in the Nexus again. He's not actually had to do anything more than help a few lost souls find their way around but it's the action that helps more than anything.

"Nat's taking a round while I come here. We'll probably swap a bit later." He pauses then, unsure how to start a conversation that isn't about topics Jim won't want to discuss. Or ones Steve himself won't.

"House hunting's going alright." Steve starts neutrally. "Hoping to get a place big enough to have my own training room. Then you'll really be able to go all out."

[boldygoing]

Jim just nods a little, a noncommittal hum in his throat. The lack of prying questions is appreciated. Respect for his privacy, especially when it comes to this sort of shit, has been in short supply throughout much of his life. And sure, he might feel a little bad about leaving Steve in the dark with only his imagination to fill in the gaps, but not dumping this on other people has been his way of life for as long as he can remember. The less anyone else knows, the better.

The change in topic is more than welcome. Jim can do a better job of faking having a good time when it's not something too personal. "I had to get a new place recently too," he says, sitting up a little bit straighter, like he isn't just wallowing in his own thoughts. Good luck with that, Jim. "You looking for anything in particular?"

[tielle_mortevus]

Noticing Jim sitting off by his lonesome, Tielle decides to pay him a long overdue visit. As she gets closer though, she quickly realizes his mind is certainly preoccupied.

"You seem... distracted, and not in the good way. Perhaps I can help ease that troubled mind of yours."

She gives him a smirk, taking a seat next to him.

[boldygoing]

Preoccupied is certainly one word for it. Between the wariness about the party and his annual end-of-the-year mood, Jim has a lot on his mind and not a hell of a lot of holiday cheer. He looks up, recognizing her from their one meeting once before. Not a threat, as far as he knows.

"You can try," he says, giving her a small smile that isn't entirely real. This is the problem of looking downcast around holidays... people want you to talk about it. Better to deflect from that, if he can. "How're you doing?"

[tielle_mortevus]

“I’ve honestly been about the same really, still listlessly wandering, trying to find my place here. The decorations are certainly a nice distraction though...”

She gazed up at snowfall, closing her eyes for a moment as she let out a sigh.

“I never really was a fan of this time of year... too many memories, and the cold doesn’t make things any better.”

[boldygoing]

"You too, huh?" He gives her a sympathetic look, not digging any deeper than what she wants to say. He's not terribly enthused to talk about his own bad associations with this time of year; it's only fair that he doesn't ask in return. "All we've got to do is get through it. Winter'll be over soon enough."

[tielle_mortevus]

She pulls out her trusty flask, popping the lid.

"I'll drink to that. Spring can't come soon enough."

She takes a swig, wiping a little blood from the corner of her mouth before tucking the flask away once more.

"I should be happy... it's been almost seventeen years now, but the pain just won't stop..."

She goes quiet for a moment, blankly staring at the falling snow.

"I'm sure you've gone through hardships... lost people you've cared deeply for... Is there ever a point where you can truly move on? For most I've been able to, even the loss of my father I was able to put behind me eventually... but not him... not..."

She let out another sigh, shaking her head. Noticing a fresh bottle of wine on a nearby serving table, she decides to help herself and tips her head back a bit as she takes a swig straight from the bottle.

"Sorry, I'm sure you have your own demons to deal with, and I doubt you wan't me adding to it."

[boldygoing]

Unlike Jim, she seems to want to talk about her problems, vague though it is. If he was the type of person to think kindly of therapy, he might suggest she look into it, but as it is, he just replies, "This time of year is hard on a lotta people, for whatever reasons."

[rogueinladysclothing]

It's fairly easy to miss Jim on Amelia's first pass through the party, but with her eyes wandering everywhere, it's only a matter of time until she does. He looks as uncomfortable and out of place as she feels inside, and carries himself with the same wariness that she does. Maybe it's not the best time to approach him, but knowing what he went through and seeing that he's not a worgen anymore, she wants to make sure he's all right.

She also wants to make sure he knows who she is this time. He certainly didn't when last they met, even if he doesn't remember the encounter.

"Jim...?" Her approach is one of shuffled feet and a soft, concerned tone of voice. "Do you mind if I join you?"

[boldygoing]

There's certainly recognition in his eyes now, a brief flash of alarm swiftly followed by confusion at the lack of anger on her face. He still doesn't know the details of what he did to her, just that he'd hurt her badly enough to need medical attention, but she doesn't look injured and she's not furious with him like he thought she would be.

Honestly, he's surprised every time he sees anyone here who had to deal with that place. He has no idea what nightmares they went through and he's sure as hell not going to ask, but his own was bad enough that if it wasn't for the nagging security concerns he has over letting some of his friends hang out at a gathering like this, he might have given this one a pass.

"I don't mind," he answers, uncertain what she wants, fairly reassured by her expression that she's not here to yell at him. "Are you... okay?" It's probably a stupid question. He wouldn't have an answer to that either. But he's been worried about her too.

[rogueinladysclothing]

What happened between them in the Nightmare wasn't his fault, from everything she's come to understand about the whole encounter. For that reason, and the fact that she doesn't want to ruin a possible friendship with this man, Amelia's not at all upset. It wasn't their fault that things went to hell. It wasn't their fault that Jim became a worgen and attacked people. The rogue may have been hurt, but it doesn't matter now that she's healed. It's just another scar to add to the list, though she's thankful it's much more faint than she expected due to Hermione's magic.

"I'm all right," she says as she takes a seat. A frown tugs at her lips as she watches him. What did he see that's so terrifying as to affect him even now? How awful it must have been if he's showing signs of it more than she is. "But it looks as if you're not." If not for her concerned tone, that might be considered a rude thing to say. As it is, she's honestly worried about Jim. "Did something happen? Is everything okay?"

[boldygoing]

What...? Oh. Of course. Sitting off on his own, periodically checking to make sure he's armed, isn't exactly relaxed, ordinary behavior. He musters up a faint smile, deliberately keeping his hand away from his hip. "Nothing happened, I'm just... making sure this get-together doesn't end like the last one did." Although whether or not he could do anything to stop it, well, it's more about his psychological comfort than any real ability to defend the place, and he knows it. But a small comfort is a comfort nonetheless.

That doesn't quite explain why he looks so solemn, though, and he's pretty sure she's noticed. "This time of year and I have never really been friends, either."

[rogueinladysclothing]

If he can find comfort in the gesture, Amelia's the last one to tell him not to do it. His answer's a little dodgy for all the warning signs he's giving off, though.

"I wasn't talking about tonight. This looks like it's more than that." His lack of time in the Nexus proper hasn't escaped her notice, either. Try as hard as he might, Jim's not going to find an easy way to blow her off when she's worried like this. "I know, from the other Jim, that this isn't your favorite time of year, but you seem more anxious than that."

They're both avoiding openly asking the other about the Nightmare, but it's obvious it hangs on them both. Amelia's lost weight in her face due to her poor eating habits and how much she's pushing her body through weapons practice. She's got dark circles under her eyes and she's not at all her usual, fiery self.

"Is there anything I can do to help? I can watch a door or see if I can make some of that cider from the last party?" That would be a good, distracting thing right now and would be helpful, right?

[boldygoing]

Jim hasn't been sleeping terribly well these past several weeks either, not after he's had to be taken off the sleeping potion he'd used to get through the initial days after Halloween. Over a month past the Nightmare, he's physically a lot better than he was, but there are some things he just can't shake so easily. He hadn't the first time around, either.

He'd be surprised if anyone made it out of there unscathed.

Her offer gets a small, but somewhat more genuine smile out of him, and he drains what's left of his mulled wine. "I wouldn't mind more cider, if you want to do that." Far be it from him to refuse her outright, knowing that she probably just wants to do something. And really, what he probably needs is to get out of his own thoughts for a bit. It's not a good place in there, sometimes.