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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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."

"Fuck, bro, I can't tell what's real and what I'm hallucinating most days in this place. I've just gotten used to taking everything at face value and figuring out to do when I find out some stuff ain't real."

He shrugs like it's no big deal. Let him have enough drinks here and it won't be. Josh's always a barrel of laughs when he's drunk. It's easier to forget then. Or at least not give a shit.

"Shouldn't take me more than a few weeks to save up. If I just get basics for groceries for myself I can save up pretty fast. Ice Bear doesn't charge me rent since I'm cleaning and taking care of his house while he's back in his world."

Caspar raises an eyebrow, but otherwise don't seem to think it's a big deal, either. He gives Adia a reassuring squeeze when he catches her plucking at the fringe of her snowman sweater.

Too bad Caspar is a one to two drink sort of guy. Cylons can get drunk like anybody else, and he's not about to let that happen. He takes a long pull from his bottle.

"Don't run yourself ragged on my account. I'm not going anywhere."

This puts a smile back on Adia's face. She'll get used to their sarcastic banter eventually. What matters is that they are going shopping together. She doubts that Caspar would offer up his time to just anyone. "Oh, that reminds me, I have something for Ice Bear... you know he's very popular with some of the kids on Atlantis. I told them a story about him."

Josh is closer to the same these days. Ever since he nearly starved to death he's never gotten back to his old weight and his tolerance for alcohol has gone with it. He's cut back from how he used to drink, but still ends up shitfaced more often than not when he's out at a party.

Old habits die hard.

"Well, the sooner I save up the sooner I can put your gift to good use. Yours and Adia's. And since I'm not allowed to wear it with my current wardrobe..." Josh quirks an eyebrow at Caspar before taking a sip from his beer. Grinning when he pulls the bottle away before Adia pipes up and Josh's attention is on her.

"I bet they love hearing about him. I was helping him bring stuff in earlier. He was over by the buffet tables with Jack Frost. Oh, hell that reminds me." Josh fumbles with his things a moment before pulling out the polaroid camera Ice Bear got him. "He wants me to take pictures of the party. Think you two can smile for me real quick while I snap a photo?"

"Damn right you're not," Caspar replies easily. "At least not with the flannel." Not even ironically, Josh.

At the request for a photo, Adia smiles shyly. Photos aren't really her thing, but of course she'll do it for Josh. Caspar seems a little less agreeable to the idea, muttering something about cameras never getting his good side. But when Josh lifts up the camera, they both pose for it, arms around one another, Caspar going in for a quick kiss on the cheek when Josh presses the shutter button, causing Adia to giggle.

Josh moves with a practiced ease to make sure he's got them both centered and in shot before mercifully taking a picture so they don't have to stand there posing for an awkwardly long time. The camera spits out a developing photo that Josh pulls out and shakes back and forth a few times while he moves to put the camera back in it's bag.

"Thank you. He got me this retro polaroid and a sweet ass camcorder. Between this and the special effects kit my secret santa got me, I'm gonna be up to my elbows in propwork. I can't wait."

Photo over, Caspar still keeps his arm around Adia, because why not. Adia, meanwhile, leans forward a little to take a peek at the developing photo. It's been a while since she's seen a camera like that. Even when she was young, it was considered retro.

"That's awesome, Josh. It'll be a good way to keep up your skills." Although what he'll make props for, she has no clue. Halloween is many months away, and frankly, she's a little done with horror for now.

"Ice Bear wants me to make some home movies, since his brothers are into that scene. I haven't done that since I was a kid, but I gotta admit it sounds like a fun pet project, yanno?"

It'll be good for him to hold a camera again for something other than his Plan and Revenge. Healthy. It's time to try and move on. Josh has always been a huge fan of cinematography and it's about time he started embracing that again in a healthy way.

"You never told me what the kids think of Ice Bear though."

"Oh, I like that idea. You could make a little slice-of-life film about the Nexus." It'd be more entertaining than some of the stuff she's seen on the big screen, she's sure of it. "Let me know if I can help somehow."

"Don't sign any contracts without me looking over it first," Caspar teases, nudging his girl.

Adia laughs, then blinks at Josh's question. "Oh, well... they love him, of course, but they don't know that he's real. The Nexus is still a secret." She worries her lower lip. "Maybe it doesn't really need to be one anymore, but..." Caspar gives her shoulder a comforting rub and she continues, "I want to keep it safe from here. Y'know? Atlantis is doing well, but it's so fragile. I don't want everything thrown out of whack because of magic, or the tech here."

"You'd be into that? Shit, of course I'll let you help if you wanna. I was gonna make some cheesy classic silver screen B-movie monster flicks for Grizz and Panda to enjoy. It'll give me an excuse to bust out my prop kit too. Nothing too gruesome or scary. I don't want to upset them or anything."

Plus, more than anything else, it sounds like fun.

"You guys are doing good by your folks. There's no problem with that."

"Of course I would. Oh! Can I be one of the monsters?"

Her request causes Caspar to nearly do a spit-take. He hurriedly swallows his mouthful of beer and looks at her in surprise. "Since when did you enjoy being in front of a camera?"

Adia shrugs. "He's really good at make-up. No one would recognize me." She gives her boyfriend a wry smile. "And maybe you've changed my mind with all those selfies you take of us." While Caspar blushes and tries to think of something to say in return, she turns back to Josh and adds, "I'll help any way you need me. Ice Bear has told me about his brothers, I think that's sweet that you want to make a film for them."

"Are they--" Caspar starts to ask.

"A talking grizzly bear and a talking panda bear, yes."

Caspar shakes his head and takes another sip of beer. Trying to regain a grasp of the conversation, he says to Josh, "She does a fantastic job of keeping it on the down low. I wouldn't have guessed if she hadn't told me."

Josh's green eyes light up like the Christmas trees around them. Crinkling slightly with how wide and overjoyed his smile has become.

"Adia. Adia. Yes, you will make a wonderful monster. And I know you won't scare them too much no matter how scary the makeup is because you're always so thoughtful and gentle. I promise it'll be fun but getting some of the makeup off afterwards might not be. Might want to enlist Caspar for help there."

There's only so much help Josh can be in cleaning up someone else after all before it gets a bit weird.

He nods back to Caspar though. Josh remembers the work Adia did--does even--at keeping the Nexus a secret from her world.

"I don't know how you ever convinced folks not to ask questions when you were bringing them back food and stuff but you've always been quiet about it. Least I can do is respect that. The snowglobe isn't gonna draw too much attention, I hope."

It was worth it to offer, if only to see Josh's expression light up like that. She laughs softly at his assessment, because it's true. "Any idea what sort of monster you'd like to make me? I don't mind sitting in the make-up chair for a while."

"I am more than happy to volunteer to clean her up afterwards," Caspar interjects. Which he didn't even mean salaciously, as evidenced by his serious tone, although once Adia starts giggling, he realizes exactly how that sounds and hides a smirk behind another sip of his beer.

Josh's worry over the snowglobe sobers up her amusement. "Oh, no, it'll be fine. There are a lot of random items in the Fleet, it's easy enough to assume that I bought or bartered it from a vendor. As for food... well, people don't ask questions when they're hungry. It's now that I need to be more careful. Luckily we have the privacy of our cabin for any leftovers I bring home."

Ho Ho Ho! Happy HP Holidays!

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