estoria | [closed] ho ho ho

[ Athena will be out and about the whole day, having presents sent through the post office, running around to do some last minute errands and shopping, and working!

It's only about 5PM that she gets back to the apartment, with some presents in a bag, as well as a box of cake and wine. The presents are from her coworkers at the cafe and the gym, which she immediately dumps by the Christmas tree she put up. She puts the cake in the fridge for now, and the wine goes in the cupboard.

There's still a lot of things she has to do, so she'll be in and out of her room, checking on the kitchen since Simon is cooking??? (WHAT A GREAT HELPER).

(I don't know what happens over dinner FILL ME IN)

When the clock ticks midnight, Athena will be dragging everyone close to the tree so she can give out her presents!

Ai's present is in a small box wrapped in pink and yellow gift wrapper. Inside are two necklaces because she couldn't decide which ones to get. . .

In an attempt to help Ryuko be more girly (she probably needs it... right???? RIGHT???), big sis Athena got her a dress. (She likely snooped around in Ryuko's room to get her sizes while the latter was in school :'D)

Simon gets a black daily planner, and a sign pen that has Simon Blackquill engraved in script by the pen's head. The planner's already been opened, so no plastic covers or anything...! He'll find a bunch of dates already have plans, written in colourful markers. Stuff like "Go shopping with Athena", "Visit Athena!", "Treat Athena to some cake and tea!" planned out in various dates over the course of the coming year. Each date also has a motivational/inspirational quote, also written in colourful ink. Some might be personalised, with "You better do this, Simon!" comments written in smaller size.

These are all rather simple gifts and Athena even apologises for them, but she has a rather suspect smile on her face. What could she be planning...? ]

(( I DON'T KNOW LET'S JUST MAKE TOP LEVELS AND TAG AROUND #yolo ))

[When Simon opens his gifts, he seems appreciative of both the pen and the planner; he likes practical gifts. As he leafs through the planner, and as he reads a certain someone's additions to the pages, though, a wry smile begins to spread across his face. She has some audacity, he'll give her that.]

It would seem I've a very busy schedule for the new year. [Then he looks to Athena.] And yours will be busier than it ever is.

[...That might be an admission he's okay with her making so many plans for them, at least?]

[ If she leaves him alone, he'll probably keep drinking or be a lonely weaboo so GOTTA AVOID THAT!!! ]

Then I'll just sleep less!

[ This is the worst plan ever?!??! ]

» a: Gift Giving

[After dinner and receiving her gifts, Ai herself has a present to give to Ryuko, Athena, and yes, even Simon! Athena may have told her that she didn't need to bring anything, but Ai felt the need to do so anyways.

Her gift? Glass jar charms with tiny and colorful paper stars stored within.]

Merry Christmas! Think of this as a good luck charm!

» b: Late Night Conversation??

[It's late, past midnight even. Is anyone even still awake? Ai is at least and she's wrapped up in a quilt and is seated on the sofa with a cup of hot cocoa in her hands and a plate of cookies. And chips. Well, that's just her...

She looks lost in thought though and not all really there. Although it's likely that someone is hearing her hum, "White Christmas."]

Edited 2015-04-23 06:52 (UTC)

[ Athena is far too excited for Christmas that she's still very awake despite the time, so she'll be bothering whomever is still up. That means Ai! ]

Is everything okay?

[Ai smiles at Athena, shaking her head.]

Yes, things are okay. This is just my first Christmas away from home. That's nothing special though; that would apply to most people here wouldn't it?

[ Yeah, Ai has a good point there. Even though Athena's past Christmases have been non orthodox, this particular Christmas was still very different. ]

I hope that it's still been pleasant, though.

What do you usually do during Christmas?

[She lets out a low chuckle as she thinks back on past Christmases.]

The younger children would receive presents and play with their new toys and the adults would prepare a big meal and relax. Some of them went to church, but otherwise, it wasn't that big of a deal.

It shouldn't be young children who should get gifts...!

[ Because she also appreciates the toys.. Smh this girl. ]

[So the child is her...]

Ah, as we grew older, it became less important to receive gifts as an adult. We're supposed to be setting an example for them.

[Despite his intimidating appearance, Simon actually seems caught off guard by the charm she gives him.]

O-oh? Thank you... But you needn't have given me anything. [He has nothing to give her in return, unless making dinner for them earlier counts.]

[She feels relieved that Simon seems to be a decent sort of man despite said intimidating appearance. In response to him, she shakes her head.]

I did this because I wanted to. Athena's been very kind to me ever since we first met and the fact that both of you are treating me well is more than enough.

... That said, I never got the chance to apologize for my behavior at her sleepover...

[YEAH, she's still worried about that!!]

[ Good luck charms, that's so cute... Ryuko will hold hers up against the light, further inspecting its details. ]

Wow, Ai, did ya make these yourself?

[Ai Thao beams and nods.]

Mm hm! I bought the charms, but the paper stars, I made myself!

Well, I like 'em a lot more than your tequila mixin'. Thank you, Ai... I'm glad we could all be here together.

I won't be inflicting anymore drink mixing on you any time soon, so you're welcome Ryuko!

I'm glad too. We've got a cozy atmosphere going on here, don't we?

[ Between the laughs and cheers, Ryuko finds a quiet moment to herself in the corner of their apartment. It's her first real Christmas party with people she may as well consider family here at this point, but the celebration has also prompted her to reflect back on her old life in her world. There's a modern day record player in front of her which also serves as a digital radio, depending on what the listener prefers! In tonight's case, it's simply playing old Christmas records, and when the needle stops, Ryuko replaces the record with another song. ]

(( Senketsu: You're thinking about the Mankanshoku's aren't you? ))

Yeah... among other things, but... I wonder if their Christmas parties were anything like this...

(( Senketsu: Well, why don't you ask them when we see them again? ))

...Hm. [ Curiously silent at that, she turns to her guests and speaks louder this time. This is no time to be conversing with her clothes, after all. ] So, I'm guessin' we're all goin' to the ball in a few days?

[ Athena nods with a lot of enthusiasm! CHRISTMAS IS THE BEESSSTTTT ]

I have to pick up the cake for the ball and get it delivered, but I'll definitely be home in time to dress up, and we can all go together!

Sure, I'd like that... but I still ain't sure what to wear.

[ Why can't Senketsu be her date, sob. ]

Maybe we can go shopping tomorrow...! I'm sure some places will be open despite the holidays.

[ Is Athena not good enough for you?! IS THAT IT!!! ]

If they're not, that would probably mean I can't go.

[ But why does she look pleased about that? ]

If they're not... we'll just make one.

[ hahahahha... :) CLEARLY THIS IS THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION. ]

That sounds like a bad idea.

[ She would almost feel more comfortable naked, and that's just sad. ]

Trust me on this. It'll be great!

[ no, it won't. ]

How 'bout a suit? I'm practically your date anyway.

Don't forget about Simon! WE'RE his chaperones.

[ Maybe Ryuko can wear a half suit, half dress... ]

Ah, Mr. Chuckles is comin' with us, too? Guess we got ourselves a party.

He has to have a good time, okay? We'll make him the life of the party!

What does that even mean?

[ Are they gonna spike his punch? Because no! ]

I don't know. But he needs to have fun!

I think he will if you do, but you won't if you spend your whole night worryin' about him every minute.

Challenge accepted! I'm going to have fun no matter what.

Heheh... even if a typical robot disaster breaks out again?

I don't think so! It's Natalia's party!

That ain't some kinda rule that robots gotta follow, y'know.

Don't be so negative. Chin up! It's Christmas...!

I'm being a realist, it doesn't mean I ain't into the spirit and all.

...Thanks for the present again. [ SEE? Nobody's a Scrooge here! ]

[ sounds like you are, young lady! ]

I hope it fits you well.

[ Just hearing Ryuko's thanks make her feel warm. ]

[Simon arrives well in advance to start the cooking, looking rather disgruntled in the white Santa hat Athena gave him. He's not especially happy about her talking him into wearing it, and will probably take it off within half an hour of arriving, but she did say he'd need to wear it to get in. He's sure she'd take that claim seriously.

He sets to work straight away with cooking: glazed ham (no self-respecting bird lover would cook a turkey, sorry guys), roast vegetables, dressing, potatoes, and other side dishes to accompany the main meal. Being seven years out of practice on cooking, he's still relearning how to go through the motions, but he's studiously following a collection of recipes and hoping for the best. It's hard work and keeps him busy for hours, but by the end of it, he's more or less satisfied with the results.

After dinner when presents are exchanged, he has a gift for Athena. He thought it might go well with her prized earring, but more than that, she might even find it interesting, since the stars and nebulae shown are as viewed from Tellus, and not their own solar system. Enclosed, too, are some dark blue ribbons for her hair to match the scarf.]

[ Upon exchanging gifts, Athena totally opens her present like an excited little kid, and gets extremely delighted at what she sees. She even puts the scarf on straight away, looping the scarf twice and slipping her head through the lower loop to make a hood. ]

Look, look! Doesn't it remind you of Junie's cloak?

Hmph... You should ensure this one doesn't have a fresh coating of glowing paint on it.

[Despite the joking, he's very much relieved she likes it. A lot of things she likes have surely changed since she was small, but at least some of her tastes have stayed the same.]

If it has, I can just wash it off easily! Or keep the paint on me, since this is so great!

[ She really would do that for a couple of days due to excitement... even though it sounds terribly inconvenient. ]

Oh, right! I wanted to get Taka something, but buying mice was difficult. I wasn't sure if I wanted dead ones, or living ones.

[ Not that... they'd be alive in Taka's belly, anyway. ]

Mice...? My, you were paying attention when I mentioned it.

Generally speaking, Taka subsists on dead mice. Live ones are only very rarely given to keep his hunting instincts honed.

[He... may have greatly exaggerated Taka's apparent bloodthirstiness...]

[ What an awful situation she's gotten herself into. ]

N- Next year, for sure...!

[ Taka can just have all the headpats for now. ]

[closed] ho ho ho

i can't word today pls bear with me

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made a top-level just for the song tbh

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