genessia | 2017 Winter Holiday Party!

2017 Winter Holiday Party!

WHO: OPEN TO ALL!
WHAT: Holiday party! Date auction! Shenanigans.
WHEN: December 15th, 2017 - Evening
WHERE: Fairy Tale HQ - Fayren
NOTES: The auction and the kissing contest are time sensitive! Bids close and the last kiss will be accepted on Friday, December 22nd, at midnight PST!

Fayren didn't have electricity, but it had something even better.

MAGIC!

There were twinkling colored lights that burned, flickered, and floated in an ethereal way, enchanting the building in a way that fluorescent lights never could. Branches of evergreen were hung here and there to give the air a fresh pine scent. There were also pinecones doused with cinnamon and nutmeg near the doorways.

Except near the kitchens, because the food smells were more than enough to entice the senses. There were mini-sausages swimming in a thick and spicy sauce, sweet and tangy meatballs on toothpicks, vegetables and dip, bite-sized cream puffs, iced sugar cookies, cheese and crackers, mulled cider, and eggnog in alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties.

The main room, expansive as it was, had plenty of room for music, dancing, and mingling. There were some tables and several chairs set up, and a small stage where musicians were welcome to perform to their heart's content. To the side was an even smaller stage where a sprig of mistletoe was suspended on a loop of scarlet ribbon, with a sign that reads: "Test Your Passion! Win This Arcade Game!" And next to that was a full-sized arcade game version of Alley Brawlers. Might be worth checking out!

But there were more games than that, and more than a few maps set up on easels of the headquarters and where to go to play certain games. A single lane bowling alley (with manual set-up of the pins), a "fishing" booth where people toss a clothespin on a fishing line over a curtain to have a little prize attached by someone hidden on the other side, a ring toss for cans of soda, a cake walk (with full-sized cakes for the winners and cupcakes for the losers), ornament decorating, pin-the-tail-on-the-unicorn, face painting, a pool of rubber ducks with numbers corresponding to prizes on the bottom, goldfish scooping... Almost anything one would find at a carnival was sure to be found here.

As for the auction? Step right up, right past the gauzy white curtains into a big room lit with twinkling golden lights. Anyone was welcome to come in, but if someone wanted to participate as a bidder, they'd have to make a donation at the door. In return, each donor would receive a packet of 100 red tickets with the same number assigned to the bidder name: one roll of tickets with 101 for the first donor, a roll of tickets with 102 for the second donor, and so on.

Cookies and punch were available in this room, with several tables and chairs set up before a large stage with a microphone. Along the wall was a line of clear plastic boxes, with slots on top, set in front of each auction date's face. A card that indicated the name of each person, their age, and a brief description of what they were all about was pasted onto the front of the boxes. People were welcome to look at the line-up if they wanted, or even use some of their tickets prematurely if they wanted, as they were clearly for a drawing. Until the auction starts, soft piano music plays from a stereo running on batteries.

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A. General Mingling & Games (Sort Of)

[Apparently Winter's idea of casual dress is to show up in her usual military uniform. It's what she's comfortable wearing anyway. And while she doesn't go out of her way to corner people for small talk, she's perhaps a little less brusque and a little more approachable. She'll at least say 'greetings' before walking away if she doesn't like someone.]

[She'll even watch some people play the games, but doesn't seem interested in playing any herself unless directly challenged.]

B. Auction (Prior to Bidding)

[She makes a sizable donation, even though she has little interest in the tickets she's given. She holds the roll of bidding passes as if it were a foreign knick-knack, eyeing it with a little curiosity and a touch of what might be disgust before carrying her glass of eggnog to the table and seating herself primly.]

[That's when she spots her picture on the wall.]

[To her credit, she doesn't spit out what she's drinking. Her glass is set down calmly as her brows descend, and she gets up, approaching the ticket boxes for a better look. She and Weiss do look an awful lot alike, after all, and there are many women here with white hair. It could be a mistake.]

[It's not a mistake. And the description written up about her makes her blood boil. Her eyes narrow and her lips curl back to show her tightly grit teeth. Angrily she storms back to her table, fists clenched, and practically flounces into her seat.]

[Someone isn't happy to be here.]

C. Mistletoe

[At some point, because it's unavoidable, Winter has to pass beneath one of the doorways decorated with mistletoe. Were you thinking about coming up to steal a kiss?]

[If so, Winter's eyes lock onto any hopefuls, and she bites off one venomous word.]

Don't.

[Winter has no patience for these holiday shenanigans.]

[Well, that was something. Spock still can't believe he acted the way he did, and this time he can't even blame it on his other self. Not that he's upset that he won, but that behavior was rather unbecoming. She had bid on him too, though, so maybe there was more between them than he had previously thought?

He spots Winter by a doorway and heads her way, intending to discuss the matter with her, or at least the matter of their obligation to each other. Having no knowledge about what the plant hanging above her means, he's caught off guard by her harsh tone and stops a couple of feet away, completely misinterpreting the situation.]

If you are uninterested in making an appointment for the two of us, I will not hold you to it.

[Though she had bid on him first. But it's possible that maybe he had turned her off with his somewhat possessive bidding.]

[This was not the person Winter meant to snap at. As soon as she sees his face, her baleful glare vanishes immediately, followed by a flicker of surprise.]

[She still moves away from the mistletoe radius, though.]

My apologies. I mistook you for another.

[No one in particular, just people in general. The auction put her a little on edge. As for his offer, her eyes search his face for a few moments. He seems genuine. Her gaze drifts away in silent introspection for a few moments, then she holds her hands behind her back as she turns and walks away.]

I would speak to you. Outside.

[She doesn't wait to see if she follows, she just moves in that direction. He's warmly dressed, and she doesn't think what she has to say will take that long.]

[That answer is sufficient enough for Spock. Still, she seems to be mulling something over so he clasps his hands behind his back as he he waits patiently for her to conclude her thoughts. He raises an eyebrow at her demand when she finally does, but indeed does follow her outside without a word.

The cold snap is still in effect so it's beyond freezing out, but Spock trusts that Winter wouldn't have led him out there if she planned on having a lengthy discussion since she knew first hand how poorly he handled the cold. He'd just glad he had opted for a sweater today.

She's obviously in search of privacy so he waits until they are a sufficient distance away before he speaks again.]

May I inquire the subject of our discussion?

[He's pretty sure it will have something to do with their date or the date auction, but her expression gave nothing away so for all he knows this could be about something entirely different. It's not likely, but the chance exists and he doesn't want to clutter the conversation with unrelated chatter.]

[She stops at the porch railing, but doesn't rest her hands upon it. Instead she gazes out at the snowy town, hands still clasped behind her back. No, she doesn't mean for this to last long. She just wanted to speak to him in private and get some fresh air, as the spices and heat of the headquarters were starting to irritate her.]

[Winter's head turns faintly in his direction at his query. Surely he already knows, but she likes that he isn't the type who makes wild assumptions. So instead of telling him that he should already know, she gets to the point.]

I wished to thank you.

[Her head turns fully now, enough that she can look at him directly, unflinching. She won't ask why he did it. She's not certain he knows the reason himself, if he's at the same level she is, sorting things out.]

For as far back as I can remember, I have always fought my own battles. If I did not, I knew no one else would fight them for me. This is the first time where that has not been the case.

[If Spock hadn't outbid Dante, she would have been angry at the outcome, but she still would have weathered it with dignity and grace. It was far from the worst fate in the world, to fight that man and possibly engage in some sort of mockery of a date.]

[But she'd seen that quiet, fierce determination in Spock's dark eyes as he stood directly in front of Dante, making his bids clearly and distinctly. It surprised her.]

[And it didn't fail to move her, either.]

There are few in this place I could honestly call a 'friend.' But...I would like to believe that you are one such person that I can trust. As such...

[She gives a faint inclination of her head before turning back to the porch railing.]

I have no objections to engaging in a date. Whatever your feelings might be, and whatever mine may be as well, I take comfort in knowing that the excursion will be pleasant. In that, I have no doubts.

[And that's the essence of what she wished to say. Her conclusion is punctuated by a forward tilt of her head.]

I would hear your thoughts on the matter.

[She's open to a date. Which is good, considering they're supposed to have two of them. He had meant what he said, though, about not holding her to it if she would rather not, but he finds himself immensely grateful that she has elected not to cancel the whole thing.]

Your gratitude is unnecessary. While I believe you to be fully capable of defending yourself, I have learned that assisting one another is part of friendship.

[And he did consider her a friend despite their rather awkward week together. He might not hold her to the same level that he holds Jim, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't care.

He finds that he might actually care more than he cares to admit. He still wasn't 100% certain what his feelings towards her were, though if that bidding war was anything to go by, they were more than just platonic. The fact that she had flitted through his mind more than once over the course of the past week probably said something to, but he was blaming that on the fact that the events were so recent. Now? He's not so sure.

He would leave it at that and just agree to the date, but she had asked for his thoughts, so he pauses, hesitating briefly.]

In addition, while it is true that my bidding was in part to protect you from someone to whom you obviously showed disdain, it was largely a selfish action. While our previous encounters were not of our own violation, I have found myself intrigued at the notion and am most interested in exploring the possibilities. I am not certain what will come of it, but as you said, I believe that it will be pleasant at the very least.

As such, I too would not object to a date.

[Assuming that didn't freak her out, it sounds like they're in agreeance.]

[Yes, he's still sorting things out (as well, from the sound of it), but perhaps the best way to figure out this kind of business is to indulge in it. It wasn't the usual path for him, but self-reflection was getting him nowhere, and if there was one thing he had learned from his time with Nyota, it was that you can't science out this sort of thing.]

My gratitude is rarely given. Do not be so quick to dismiss it; your actions held great value to me.

[She counters him briskly, but not sharply. It's enough to make her turn to face him once more, so she can listen without keeping her back turned. And she does listen. Their interactions while in their right minds have not been extensive, but enough for her to know that he's not emotionless -- he's subtle, and she needs to pay attention to pick up on the signs. It helps that they're somewhat alike in that regard.]

[And it seems like they're on the same page -- uncertain, but curious.
It's a relief to hear it. She feared her mannerisms were too
cold, too reserved. The matter is clearer now.]

Then we're in agreement.

[Winter actually smiles. It's subdued, just a subtle turn at the corners of her mouth, but there's genuine warmth in the gesture. She steps forward, not toward him, but the door. Anything else they have to say, she's comfortable discussing it in a public setting, and she wouldn't wish to keep him in the cold.]

[Besides. Despite her apparent comfort in cold environments, even she has goosebumps visible through the slits in her blouse sleeves. ...Those might not be due to the temperature, however.]

Perhaps you would care to enlighten me on the customs of your people. The appropriate way to demonstrate affection, for example, and what would be considered inappropriate.

[He frowns slightly at her insistence to thank him; as his father once said, "One does not thank logic." Humans don't seem to care, though, and he's learned that it's futile to fight it, so he simply chooses not to comment on the matter again.

He had been concerned that his admission might have turned her off, but it seems like his fears were for naught - she's actually smiling. He'd only seen her do that during the week when she wasn't herself, so that's definitely promising. He bows his head to show his agreement and happily follows back into the warm building. His movements halt, however, when she asks him about displays of affection.]

To Vulcans, touch is very intimate. The contact of fingertips and hands in particular is an extremely affectionate gesture. Touches to the neck and arm are common as well. Anything beyond that is typically only performed with a significant other.

[In other words, what they did? Not usually appropriate behavior for a couple who weren't even going steady. Of course, who he was that week was very different and didn't follow those rules, but that doesn't mean the Spock isn't very much aware of the actions.]

Kissing is not a part of our culture, however I am not adverse to it, though again it is something that I would not normally engage in with another unless we were committed to one another.

Knowing that, are you still interested in accompanying me on a date?

[She doesn't seem the type to throw the whole thing out the window if physical contact isn't going to be prevalent (at least not from the get go), but you never know. Humans are largely big on it, and if it were a deal breaker he would understand.]

[Winter hesitates before the door that leads them back inside. This isn't the sort of thing she would blithely chatter about to just anyone, but. Given their unique situation, and what they experienced previously, there seems to be little risk or harm in telling him what he can expect from her.]

I am largely unaccustomed to physical contact. I'm...aware...that this is not considered common for my kind.

[Acts of affection were solely reserved for her little sister, and to a more limited extent, her mother. Unless slaps to the head and kicks to the face are included in that realm of 'physical contact,' Winter just doesn't really touch people.]

In a way...you were the first person I kissed.

[She glances back at him, her expression mild. It's only 'in a way' because she wasn't fully in the driver's seat when it happened, so the experience was dulled and dream-like. Even so, the memory lingers like a quiet burn.]

I have no objections to proceeding. I assure you that my previous behavior is unlikely to be repeated.

[In other words, she's content to follow his lead, at least as far as touch is concerned.]

What of other expressions? Praise, dedicated time, gifts.

[Not big on physical contact is a dream come true. Later on in a relationship he might object to it less, but in the beginning it's something he'd prefer to avoid an excess of. So far it seems like they might actually make a good match.

What she mentions next does give him pause. A first kiss may not mean much to Vulcans, but from what he's learned, it's a big deal to humans. Still, they are both aware that he was not his usual self, and ergo an apology would be illogical, so while it's knowledge that troubles him a little, it is nothing to lose sleep over. Sorry, Winter - your man doesn't get cultural norms.

Luckily for him, she doesn't seem to be holding that against him, and her proclamation that she is amicable to a date with him does leave him feeling a little less stressed. Though he had believed the chance to be minimal, the possibility that that would have been a deal breaker for her did exist. What's also destressing is the knowledge that they don't plan to wind up sleeping next to each other shirtless again.]

Those actions, while not unheard of, are rare. They occur for the most part in privacy only once the relationship becomes more intimate and very likely to last. To do so beforehand is entirely illogical. Celebrating a lasting relationship is not typically done. [His parents and his and Uhura's relationship being the exception - adding a human into the equation apparently necessitates it.] It should be noted that unlike the common human culture wherein it is expected to give a gift back when you receive one, the same is untrue for Vulcans.

[He has spent enough time around humans to learn that there are certain times when gift-giving is a thing that you're supposed to do, though, like Christmas. He's also aware of Valentine's Day and its connotations, but there's no use planning that far ahead just yet. Who knows what's going to happen before that?]

Which customs do you practice?

[Humans have so many cultures, and that's just from the places he's been. He has no idea what the norm is for that kind of stuff wherever Winter is from.]

I don't.

[She isn't smiling, but there's definitely a little glimmer of humor in her eyes as she arches a brow.]

On Remnant, I had no desire for a relationship, and preferred to focus solely on my duties as a specialist. Therefore, I am not bound by traditions, and harbor no expectations.

[In other words, she's perfectly content to follow the Vulcan method, and might even prefer that. It seems more closely aligned with her natural behavior in any case. Finally she moves inside, and waits for him to do the same.]

I look forward to spending time together to become better acquainted. That would be my only concrete request.

[ Bowling balls are heavy. That fact is pretty well-known. But in the hands of Ayame, they look like they're the weight of a tennis ball in the way she's juggling a ball in one hand, then chucking it to her other hand while she waits for her turn. Dressed in costume, Ayame steps in front of the lane to score a strike. With her usual fluid grace, she releases the ball with what looked like very little effort but the ball rolled on the lane faster than it normally does. Whether by sheer luck or her superhuman strength and precision, Ayame scored that strike she was aiming for, sighing to herself with a pleased smile on her features.

She turns to look over her shoulder, seeing a woman in military clothes and immediately recognizes the face. It was that woman a lot of people seem to dislike based on what she saw on the network and talk from her friends who Winter managed to irk, along with her father who isn't so popular to some of her comrades. But Ayame doesn't really care for those. So instead of hostility, Ayame greets Winter with a small nod with just a little more amount of friendliness than Winter's willing to give right now ]

Hello there, are you here to watch or do you want to give it a try? It may seem simple at first glance, but it's quite relaxing.

[ Ayame points at the lane with her thumb, seeing the dispenser reload with another ball. ]

Greetings.

[Winter, in turn, knows nothing about Ayame. They've never met before, and she isn't brazen enough to earn a slew of gossip and rumors. Therefore, Winter's friendliness level is set to 'neutral.']

[She looks to the lane, then the dispenser.]

I thank you for the invitation, but respectfully decline. However, if you wish to continue, I am content to observe for the time being.

[Winter doesn't usually play games unless she can find some practical purpose. There seems to be little to gain from rolling a ball on the ground to knock things over, though the people who have to set up the pins are getting plenty of exercise.]

What is this game called?

That is fine, but please let me know should you change your mind.

[ Polite as always, Ayame gives Winter a nod and a moment before she turns her attention back at the lane. A couple of steps toward the dispenser, Ayame picks up a ball to lightly play around with in her hands, quietly calculating the trajectory of her next throw. ]

It's called bowling. It's a quite famous leisure activity in my world, though I've never got the chance to try it until now.

[ Ayame answers Winter's question, occasionally making small glances to Winter while for the most part still focusing on her lane. With the same fluid movement, Ayame gently releases the ball, scoring another strike. The game may be a little too easy for her, being a little more than human. But she's enjoying the opportunity nonetheless ]

Leisure. I see.

[Winter doesn't seem particularly enthralled, her tones downplayed, almost condescending. But she's looking at the pins on the other end, not at Ayame. It's not the woman who displeases her, she just fails to recognize the point of a game like this. It doesn't improve any useful skills. The ball might serve as a weight training device, but given the way Ayame was lightly tossing it around, it seems she can reap no such benefits.]

What prevented you from your...leisurely pursuits...up until now?

I was a soldier.

[ Ayame replies about that fact casually, used to being open about it at this point, and the usual responses she get. Some people had the tendency to judge her by her looks, which seems too fashionable to have been someone who's seen the worst that reality can offer. ]

Back in my world, I was part of a special operations program called Archon, where I served for thirteen years.

[ Ayame's attention was momentarily distracted by a person wanting to have a turn on the bowling lane. Grabbing the next ball from the dispenser, Ayame hands it to the stranger who immediately felt the weight of the ball as they held it with both hands. ]

[So she's been in the military seven years longer than Winter has. Interesting. It even sounds as if they held the same rank, if 'specialist' has a similar translation in Ayame's world.]

But no longer.

[It's stated as an observation, but the question is there: Why is she speaking of it in the past tense? Was the military dissolved, or did she leave of her own volition?]

[ It may as well be the same rank, if not the same type of duty. Ayame's a step above the usual Consortium soldier, and uses swords and superhuman powers instead of guns and other projectile weapons against nightmarish creatures ]

No longer.

[ Ayame mirrors Winter's words and acts like the answer to her question, following it with a gentle tug of her lips. She subtly gestures for Winter to follow her should the specialist want to, as the bowling alley is now being occupied by someone else. ]

Because for now, the war is over. There remains a few battles to be won against the remnants of my old enemy but prior to my awakening here, I could no longer serve.

[ There was a moment in between where she lightly shrugs, letting someone pass beside her ]

Injury.

[ She says so casually. Not a physical one, per se. Although her last battle did leave her unable to walk for a while, going through physical and psychological therapy under the watchful eye of her half-sister, it was really retiring out of exhaustion ]

[Winter doesn't mind an easy stroll through the guild halls, keeping her hands tucked behind her back. Besides, the conversation topic is at least one with which she's intimately familiar, and as such, it's more comfortable to discuss at least to some degree.]

I see.

[It must have healed, since she hasn't observed any particular signs of a limp or other physical impairment.]

And with the injury, the desire to remain a soldier dwindled?

[ She answers Winter with a nod, her gentle expression unchanging. ]

My war is over. Others have taken my place back home in the battle against what remains of our old enemies.

[ Ayame glances forward, walking at a leisurely pace and letting the bright lights and the joyful noises of the arcade fill the air as she pauses in between her words ]

My desire has indeed dwindled, and my focus changed. War and violence has been everpresent in all of my early years, so this opportunity to live in peace that Genessia has given me is a true blessing I'd rather not waste.

"Understandable." Winter couldn't agree with that mindset, but she could at least comprehend why that kind of change would be wanted. It wasn't as if this place were in any kind of active danger (most of the time, anyway) that would necessitate a full-time military presence. That was the job of the guardians, besides, and there were certainly plenty of those sorts to go around.

"I assume you're one of the few who would prefer to remain here than return to your homeworld, if granted the choice."

Usually.

[ Ayame answers with a sigh. Although her wording may come across a bit cheeky, her feelings are genuinely mixed about the issue. She misses home more than she shows, but she also loves what she's built here and the people she's met. ]

I wouldn't say that I do not miss my homeworld. Sometimes I find myself wishing that I could return, just to be with the company of certain people again. And despite there being a replica of a city in my world, lying there as a gateway in Nova City, it's not truly the same city. It certainly doesn't feel the same.

How so?

[Her question is curt, but frank. Winter hadn't sensed anything all that unusual during her visits to the Remnant gate to collect more Dust. But then again, the archway opened up to a place where the people were largely unfamiliar to her to begin with.]

[...That and the whole not being totally destroyed by Grimm thing, that's different too.]

The Dream Docks do not satisfy you?

It leads to an earlier time, prior to the chaos that made me what I am.

[ Ayame answers vaguely, not wanting to go into detail about it right now. But the question about the Dream Docks made her pause for a second, not having thought about it before ]

The Dream Docks, however, is still something I have yet to see for myself. It's been conflicting. I'm not sure want to see what future awaits me back home, I did not exactly leave it with my best foot forward.

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2017 Winter Holiday Party!

Winter Schnee | OPEN

C! Post-auction

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