nexus_crossings | Ho Ho Ho! Happy HP Holidays!

Ho Ho Ho! Happy HP Holidays!

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.]

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"Merry Christmas, Josh!"

Adia is trying her best to greet friends before the inevitable party fatigue sets in. With Caspar at her side, her social anxiety has quieted down to almost nothing, but she's still an introvert at heart, and can only be in a large crowd for so long.

"Oh, you got your secret Santa present. Do you like it?" She opens the box of her own present, showing off the snowglobe. "Look what I got, isn't it pretty? I'm not sure who got it for me, though. They did a good job keeping their note vague."

Speaking of presents, Caspar has a long, flat package tucked under his arm, wrapped in matte blue paper with shiny silver trim. "Happy holidays, Josh," he says, and for once actually sounds like he means it. He's not quite smiling, but the hardness in his features has abated somewhat. "This is from us." He holds out the package.

"Caspar picked it," Adia says proudly, smiling at her boyfriend. Caspar rolls his eyes a little and tries not to look too pleased by her praise.

Inside the box is a cashmere cardigan sweater in Josh's size.

Josh looks startled when Adia and Caspar find him. But only for a moment. He's been lost in thought trying to puzzle out just who could have given him something so grand for a Secret Santa gift when all he'd done was...oh.

He glances at the snow globe Adia's holding out with no surprise on his face. Josh spent quite a long time in various knick-knack shops looking for something that would be a good fit or decoration for Adia's new home. Green eyes flit back up to Adia, and he gives a guilty smile when she stares at him for a moment too long.

"D..do you like it?" His gaze flits over to Caspar as though the other might give away whether or not it was a good enough gift for Adia. But he's just offering Josh another gift instead.

"You..I mean. Thanks, you guys." His secret santa, Ice Bear, and now Adia and Caspar? How long has it been since he's gotten this much love from anyone? It's overwhelming but not necessarily in a bad way. And the gift inside...he runs his fingers over the material with a slow breath. It's been even longer still since he's had reason to dress this nicely for anyone. None of his clothes will go with it right now. Maybe he should save up...get at least once nice outfit for his wardrobe.

"This is--" He looks up. Josh knows exactly how much clothing like this costs. But he catches Caspar's eye and shuts his mouth. Smiles instead and closes the box back up. "I love it. Thank you, really. Happy Holidays to you both."

"I love it! The cardinals inside it are so sweet." She sounds genuine with her praise, especially because she doesn't seem to know who gave it to her. Although Josh's guilty smile, along with his stuttered question, give her a good clue. Her smile turns playful as she places the cover back on her present. "Whoever got it for me must be a very good friend of mine. You wouldn't happen who it is, do you? I need to thank them properly."

Caspar's expression turns the tiniest bit uneasy, but when Josh meets his gaze to thank him, he relaxes once more. "Just promise me you won't wear it with one of your flannels," he deadpans, then flinches when Adia gives him a Look. "What? I'm joking. That's a thing I can do with him, can't I?"

It's Adia's turn to roll her eyes, but her smile returns easily enough. It's nice to see Caspar more or less getting along with one of her friends. "We're glad you love it. There's a gift receipt if it's the wrong size, but I have a feeling it'll fit."

"You don't gotta thank me, Adia. I just..I wanted you to have something for your new place, you know?"

Josh rubs at the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. It's a lot easier to admit to being the one who got Adia the gift knowing she likes it. He probably wouldn't have at all if she seemed ambivalent or worse about the gift. Cited the fact she doesn't celebrate Christmas as an excuse for not having another gift for them. He had contingency plans in place and they involved lying through his teeth, but luckily nothing like that is necessary.

Josh snorts when Caspar quips about his flannels.

"Can't blame a guy for being comfy, can you bro?" Sorry, Caspar. You are a man and Josh doesn't hate you. You are a 'bro'. The sooner you accept that, the less irritating it'll be. That's just how Josh talks.

"Once I save up enough to get an outfit it'll go with, I'll be sure to show it off."

Pleased that she guessed right, she steps forward and gives Josh a quick hug. Of course she has to thank him, what kind of person would she be if she didn't? "Caspar just finished installing shelves, I'll have to pick a good spot to put it. Somewhere people can see, but also easy for me to reach so I can wind up the music box whenever I want."

Surprisingly, Caspar does not seem bothered by the hug, although being called a 'bro' gets a visible eyebrow twitch. "No, but I blame whoever put that fashion trend into motion. Flannel is for sheets and lumberjacks." A pause, and then he adds, "I'm glad you like it."

He even sounds sincere. Or at least as sincere as his rant on flannel. Seriously, keep that fabric away from him.

He hugs her back, startled when he sees his own right wrist bare as it closes over her shoulder. That's right, he left the bracelets home today. Left Hannah and Beth home. The pain isn't quite so bad when he's got a warm hug from Adia distracting him. Even when she pulls away, his smile is still intact, fragile though it is.

"I love it. I'll ask if I can pick up more shifts at the cafe and work on saving up. Gotta have a nice set of clothes to wear it with."

Something has shifted his mood slightly. Adia picks up on that easily enough, although what caused it, she's unsure. At least she doesn't assume it's not something she said or did. Her smile for him is warm and fond. She's safe, she's alive, and she's happy. He can take some credit for that -- her happiness, anyway.

"When's your birthday?" she asks, and Caspar chuckles at the blatant reason for her question.

"Let the man earn some of his new threads, honey." He presses a kiss to her cheek. "I'm going to get a drink. Either of you want anything?"

In so very many ways Adia reminds Joshua of his sisters, but she does so in all the right ways. The healthy ones. Her smile, her kindness, her needs and personality all resonate with him in ways that make him want to be a better person. Someone she'd be proud of and who he could try to protect. It makes the reminder that he's left behind his sisters' bracelets today less painful, being in her presence.

"Uh, May 12th? Why--" Oh. Caspar's well aware why. Josh ducks his head and laughs a bit. "I sure hope it don't take me until May to save up enough for an outfit. I'm a little more responsible with my paychecks than that."

If she knew of the comparison, she'd be flattered but self-conscious, not wanting to let Josh down or bring up bad memories. As it is, she's happy to keep him company, even though Caspar seems inclined to take a break for beverages.

"Phooey," she pouts. "I'll have to think up something else, then." Now that she has the means to get her friends presents, she doesn't want to stop with the winter holidays. Belatedly, she turns her head and returns Caspar's kiss. "A hot cider for me, if they have it."

"Sure thing." He whispers something into her ear that makes her giggle and blush, then heads towards the bar. Josh didn't say he wanted a drink, but maybe he'll be generous and bring him one of whatever he's having. Adia would like that.

Watching Caspar walk off with a silly little smile on her face, she shakes her head in amazement. "You know, he never told me what you two talked about when you met, but it must have gone really well. He's acting more like himself than he has been around any of my other friends."

"Turns out we got a lot in common. I think he wasn't expecting anyone to get him but more or less I do."

Josh doesn't talk about the details, instead offering Adia a shrug and a good-natured smile. She probably wouldn't think mutual insults and low bullshit tolerance would be a healthy way to bond but Josh and Caspar seem to get along alright. They've both done some awful shit in their time, both carry some deep seated regrets.

And neither one of them wants to hurt Adia.

"I'm glad he feels like he can be himself around me." Truthfully, Josh has been more himself around Caspar also, for better or for worse.

She considers his answer, perhaps more seriously than Josh intended. She knows all of Caspar's regrets, his list of crimes. Josh's past is more nebulous to her, although it doesn't take a genius to sense that there's more to it than the loss of his sisters and nearly starving to death in a mineshaft.

"He's very alone," she says quietly. "When he's not with me. He's the only Five left, you know. Even with the other Cylons, there are some things they aren't going to understand." No matter how often he insists that he's fine, she'll always worry a little. She knows what it's like to suffer that kind of loss. It's only a matter of time before Caspar has to deal with it.

Her smile returns, as light-hearted as before. "I'm glad, too. If you don't mind the sarcasm. But it's nice to see him so relaxed."

Joshua knows Alone. He and Caspar speak the same language there. He reflects on the conversation they had when they first met. Each one understanding the other, but refusing to pity the other for it. It makes him smile despite the somber topic.

They're both kind of assholes. It's almsot poetic, really.

"I know what it's like to pretend to be Normal, too. So I'm glad he doesn't feel like he's gotta put on a show for me." As glad as Josh is that he can let more of Himself show through, too.

She laughs a little softly at the phrasing. "Well, if ever gets to be too much, let me know and I can tell him to rein it in a little." She doesn't like stifling Caspar's personality, not after seeing how much he hides his true self when others are around, but she knows he'll listen to her if his tongue gets too sharp.

Somehow she has a feeling that it won't be an issue between him and Josh.

"You don't need to put on a show for either of us," she adds kindly. She handles Caspar's sarcasm just fine, she doubts seeing that side of Josh would bother her much, either.

Caspar returns with a mug of cider for Adia and two bottles of beer in his other hand. He offers one of them to Josh. "I won't check for ID," he comments blithely. If Josh doesn't want it, that's fine, too. It's good quality beer, he can pocket a bottle for later.

"I can take care of myself. Sticks and stones can break my bones but my tongue's as sharp as his is, so he best watch out."

Josh winks at Adia. She won't have heard him at his worst, he knows, but he's trying to reassure her as best he can that there's really nothing to worry about. Caspar isn't going to spook Joshua away from hanging out with them. Either of them.

It's a bit refreshing getting to be the asshole he knows he is without regret too.

"Legal age is 20 in Canada bro, but either way it would be fine. I'll be 23 in May." Josh takes the bottle and reaches to clink it against Caspar's right away. "Cheers, bro. Thanks for lookin' out for me."

The wink keeps her from worrying, but she can't quite keep the incredulity out of her voice when she says, "Okay, if you're sure..." Sarcastic banter is a mode of conversation that she barely understands. Certainly no one tries it with her, at least not for very long. But if Josh and Caspar are okay with it...

She smiles at Caspar when he returns and exchanges the mug of cider for a peck on the cheek. Caspar's tongue may be sharp, but his small act of kindness of offering Josh a drink speaks much louder to her.

"Is that what you tell all the bouncers?" He would have clinked his bottle in return except that Josh managed to slip in two 'bro's in only twice as many sentences and he is not going to reward that kind of behavior. "The Nexus has good alcohol, I'll give it that much."

You know you love it, Caspar. Or don't, Joshua isn't about to stop to please you. Do not make him wear the sweater with his flannel. Never underestimate the human power of spite. He will do it.

"You're telling me. I've yet to meet a drink here I wouldn't take. The folks 'round here who put together these parties really go all out. Though I'm kinda glad my bosses aren't putting this one on. Means I won't be expected to help clean up for once."

Josh is lucky that he has the threat of sloppy fashion choices in his back pocket, now that Adia has given her tacit approval for the two of them to be as sarcastic as they wish. Although the very act of liberation has relaxed him considerably.

"At the Crossroads Café?" They're the ones who threw the Halloween party... his expression darkens a moment before he takes a sip of beer to clear it. The less he dwells on that, the better. It's not like he considers Josh's bosses to be responsible for what happened. (But Patches better watch his frakking back.) "Good for you. Maybe you can convince Adia not to try to clean up, too."

Adia blushes and nudges her boyfriend playfully. "I'm just trying to help out. Someone went to a lot of trouble tonight."

"The buffet table magically replenishes itself," Caspar deadpans. "There are candles floating in the sky. I'm sure they can handle it themselves."

"I'm inclined to agree with Caspar, here."

Josh points with one finger over his beer bottle, keeping it gripped with the rest of his hand before taking a swig of the beverage. He gestures around them once before shrugging his shoulders.

"You help me clean enough when it is my place hosting. Let the magicians flex their wands or whatever they do for a night. Doesn't hurt to just be a considerate guest sometimes."

Caspar smiles smugly and nudges Adia right back -- gently, of course. "See? Josh agrees with me."

"I think I liked it better when you were arguing over fashion," she complains with a mock pout. Sure, it's wonderful to see Josh and Caspar getting along, but there's nothing wrong with straightening up at a party, either.

Caspar wraps an arm around Adia's waist and gives her a consoling squeeze. "Don't worry, honey. I'm sure he and I will always argue over fashion."

"Starting to think you figure I've got a problem with it."

Josh raises an eyebrow and gives Caspar a pointed look, though there's really no heat or indignation behind the look. He knows the sort of image he presents of himself here in the nexus, and it's very much intentional. He doesn't want to be That Washington son anymore. He doesn't have to be here in the Nexus.

No more chiding to try and pretend to be normal. No more pretending to avoid rumors from the press.

It's freedom.

"I can clean up just as good as you can, bro."

"I'll believe it when I see it, bro." Likewise, there's not much bite to his retort. Josh isn't the only one who presents a very intentional image to others through fashion. Caspar's sharp lines and flashy colors are his suit of armor. You can take away a Five's dignity, but you can't take away his style. He won't begrudge Josh the same opportunity.

If Adia were the type to mutter, "I changed my mind," she'd probably be doing that right now. As it is, she gives Caspar a mildly beleaguered look, which he takes as his cue to slow his roll. "At least invite me along when you go shopping. I need the reassurance."

Friendly competition is part of healthy male bonding! Or at least, it's always been how Josh has been with his friends before. Caspar brings it out in him easier than Josh would like to admit. It's like stumbling into a place and realizing you're home.

Just with insult based humor and trivial bickering.

"It's a deal. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two." Challenge accepted, Caspar. Challenge motherfucking accepted. "I'll save up and let you know when I'm free to go shopping later."

"Mmm-hmm." Caspar takes a swig of his beer and smiles smugly. Fashion sense is in his DNA, son. "Don't be afraid to ask me for advice if you get stuck."

"He does give very good advice," Adia adds, although she's not choosing sides. She actually doesn't care what Caspar wears, she thinks he's handsome regardless, but she does like some of the suits. "He picked out my dress."

"And then you put the snowman sweater over it." But rather than seem disapproving about it, he leans into her and murmurs, "Making you even more adorable."

She blushes at this and giggles into her mug of cider.

Caspar smiles at her warmly before redirecting his attention to Josh. "Do you already have a place in mind? The store we bought your sweater from has decent off-the-rack merchandise."

Josh is all smiles while Caspar flirts and snuggles and smooches Adia. It's good to see her happy for a change. Truly happy, without the weight of potential disaster and the loss of the cylon in front of him now weighing heavily on her shoulders all the damn time. There's only the slightest pang of loneliness for his own situation. Josh tries not to think about it much.

He's happier when he pretends everything from his home is just a bad fucking dream he never has to return to again. Even if it means being alone.

"Ah, not really? I haven't had the coin to drop on designer duds so I've never gone looking. I'm not even sure if they'll have the brands I recognize in this place."

She'd tone it down a little if she knew that it was making Josh feel lonely. Caspar smooches are all well and good, but she can get those anytime she wants now. Fortunately, the question of shopping puts an end to quiet moment of flirting.

"All right, we'll go to that shop again. If it still exists." Caspar finds the changing landscape of the Nexus irritating. It offends his robot sensibilities. "No brands I recognized, either. They have an entire section of shirts with multiple arm holes. I didn't ask."

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