A Cynic in December [video]

[immortalrose]

It's that time of the year again, isn't it?

[Have a mildly unimpressed dhampir making a face in regards to the Guardian debates. While he hasn't been keeping a close eye on the event, he certainly can't believe he's been in Genessia long enough to witness another change of hands. It's a little...humbling. Why? Well, Augustine never expected his stay in Genessia to be an indefinite one.]

Lovely. Now we sit back and listen to the candidates spout endlessly about working for the greater good and all that nonsense. The usual campaign pageantry we're used to by now.

[Well! A certain someone is feeling quite cynical today despite looking quite handsome in an all black ensemble. There's hints of red here and there but it's all so discreet.]

In any case, I'm in need of some holiday cheer. So, I was wondering if anyone is interested in decking the metaphorical halls with me, preferably with candy canes and eggnog.

[Knowing him, he's mentioning the eggnog loaded with alcohol.]

Although, this begs the question...who actually celebrates Christmas here? [Good question, right? Augustine is actually curious about this.] So many of us hail from various different worlds and such, so is Christmas honestly a holiday that is celebrated largely here?

Or does it go by other names, perhaps? I know I heard someone refer to it as "Starlight" before.

[He pauses.] I forgot whom it was but that's a rather festive name.

Comments

[Video]

[madcuriosity]

I love this time of year too, Mr. Augustine! I'd be happy to deck the halls with you! Maybe we could even go caroling!

[immortalrose]

[Caroling? The suggestion alone makes him smile some.]

What a lovely idea! We could go Christmas caroling and spread the holiday cheer to all willing to listen.

[That's a much better idea than heading to the local bar and drinking till Christmas Eve. He still has that on his list of plans but caroling sounds like fun.]

[madcuriosity]

You have a lovely speaking voice, I'm sure you have a lovely singing voice too!

[immortalrose]

[Who says flattery gets you nowhere? It's certainly doing wonders for dear Alice! Augustine is positively pleased.]

Why thank you for the vote of confidence, dear Alice. [He's grinning.] I think you'll do just fine as well.

We'll bring the holiday cheer together and hopefully ring in the New Year.

[phoenixstrut]

Decking the halls, hm?

[Why on earth does that sound so strange coming from Augustine?]

[immortalrose]

Why yes! Either with festive green and red decoration or just red.

[Yes, he means red as in blood. Augustine is still a fiend in his own right.]

Hoping to avoid the latter. No need for all the theatrics.

[phoenixstrut]

[A brighter grin.]

And what will you top your tree with, I wonder?

If you need a hand to bake cookies and trill carols, just say the word. I have a surprisingly clear schedule today.

[immortalrose]

The blood and guts of my enemies? [Deadpan] No, I'm kidding. I would like a little angel up there but there's no chance you'll fit.

[He can't help but smirk a little at his egregious joke.]

Actually, since you've mentioned caroling---[You're one of the people he was about to enlist on this venture.] Dear Alice wants to go caroling and we need a few merrymakers to come join us.

Text

[chocobosnap]

Candy canes and eggnog sound like a pretty good plan to be honest.

A lot of people decorate, if you're into that.

text;

[immortalrose]

[Oh, what's this? An unfamiliar texter? Augustine squints. This better not be Namur---]

You think so? Well good! It's better than drinking myself into near oblivion. I can't pretend that the holidays bring any fond memories.

Oh! Maybe I should gather a group of merrymakers to help decorate the trees within the park.

text;

[chocobosnap]

I used to get a cake for the holiday. Just a little one, you know, to celebrate. And watched movies. The usual ones with Santa and reindeer and lots of songs.

I'm trying to think of something that was a good memory at the holidays. You know, as an example.

It might be a good idea.

Re: text;

[immortalrose]

An evening of holiday themed musicals and some cake is simple but pleasant. Did you ever invite friends over to join you? Family, maybe?

I've always wanted to celebrate but unfortunately, Life has a way of even making that quite difficult.

[Video]

[singinghuntress]

I'm alvays up for a little Eggnog und decorating~.

[Rip's grinning as she appears on screen. As for the view behind her.. Rip might have done a little overboard decorating her own apartment.]

Zhis is one of zhose holidays I haf found to be pretty universal no matter vhere I've been.

[And one of the few holidays that hasn't been ruined for her. ]

Re: [Video]

[immortalrose]

[Aw, Rip! Her smile is positively infectious. Augustine can't help but smile now.]

Goodness, you already beaten me to it!

[Just look at all those fancy Christmas refs and odd little baubles. Augustine is definitely behind in decorating. He needs to play catch up now.]

Is that right? [He must seem somewhat perplexed now.] Doesn't that strike you as a little odd? I mean, we all hail from very different dimensions but Christmas is always relevant or actually the idea of it.

Re: [Video]

[singinghuntress]

[Don't worry, she'll be more than happy to help him catch up in no time. Just provide the ornaments and Rip will happily turn his place into a Christmas wonderland like hers.]

A little. But, It iz alzo good to haf zomething familiar. I suppose, it might be zhe doing of vhoever ran zhose vorlds to give zhe 'guests' zomething from home.

Eizher vay, zhis is zhe first Christmas in a very long time I've been able to spend vithout hafing to vorry about freezing, starving or scrounging for gifts. Oh! Und being able to decorate properly!

Zhough, I think I vould razher still make zhe gifts zhan buy zhem.

Re: [Video]

[immortalrose]

Whoever ran those worlds? [A thoughtful hum.] You mean the powers that be, yes? The Spirits?

[Not too many people mention the Spirits or even talk about them much. They're all but forgotten except for those who work with the GSRF. Other than that, these "spirits" are almost never mentioned.]

There's so much mystery to be had here in regards to all this but I'm just grateful that we can enjoy the holidays. ["Together." He meant to add that bit.]

Really? [Augustine cannot help but look mildly concerned.] Has all your past experiences in other worlds always been so...grim?

[That actually makes him a little sad. This is Rip's first real Christmas in a long time.]

You know, let's make our gifts together. Just you and I.

Video

[anamnestik]

... I've no idea of how modern Christmas is practiced, actually. I ought to read some books on the matter.

That said. What is "eggnogg?"

Re: Video

[immortalrose]

Nor did I! However, I think most folks actually know what Christmas is all about. [A noncommittal shrug.] Odd, no? I find it rather odd but many it's a commonality we all share regardless of origins.

[He smiles somewhat.]

Eggnog is a delightful concoction of sugar, cream and sweetness mixed with either cognac or rum.

[So says the dhampir border-lining on some kind of alcoholism.]

The rum is the best part.

[anamnestik]

It truly is. I wonder if it is due to a universal truth of some sort?

[Eliot shakes his head. These are things that the "other him" is better to talk about with.]

If there's a recipe in the archives, perhaps I can make some. I imagine that Ms Rip will be excited for the holiday as well. She seemed to really like decorating for Halloween.

[video]

[vegedad]

To some people, the title holds importance. Even if the whole of it is a distraction from the things that really matter, it's not hurting anyone to let the kidnappees have some semblance of control over their existences here. Let them enjoy it.

[ Vegeta's a little more invested in the elections than he'd like to be since his daughter is running, and he wants her to crush the competition. He shrugs his shoulders. ]

Still, Christmas seems to be an Earth thing. My planet didn't have any such celebration.

Re: [video]

[immortalrose]

[...Oh my. That's a very angry looking gentleman. Quite angry looking judging from that scowl and the furrowed brows. Augustine scoots a little away from his phone. He didn't quite expect any of this when he made that offhanded comment but oh well.

Augustine puts on his game face and just smiles.]

Of course, of course. I suppose "playing pretend" is more fun than actually accepting the truth of the matters at hand. [He shrugs.] Not that I can fault anyone, really. Who wants to deal with the ugly truth anyways?

Lord knows I don't.

[That's the honest truth.]

Truly? You never celebrated Christmas? [A pause.] Where are you from?

[vegedad]

[ His expression is constantly varying degrees of angry whether he's emotionally invested in something or not. Vegeta's anger isn't directed at Augustine in particular, instead it's more like his aura that mostly everyone that interacts with him has to experience. ]

Exactly. The reality is unfortunate, so this is a more digestible alternative.

[ Even via video feed, he doesn't seem to be looking at Augustine, but somewhere off to the side as if disinterested. ]

Tch. I've participated in the celebration before. [ Against his will. ]

Planet Vegeta, named after the royal family who ruled. I can hardly remember what it was like some days. It was destroyed when I was a child, before I could take my place as king.

video;

[alchemistofalanya]

Decking the halls...Candy canes, eggnog?

[A young girl here is slightly confused, mostly because things like that didn't exist.]

I'm sorry, I don't know what those are.

Re: video;

[immortalrose]

You don't?! [Well, that comes as a surprise. So far, almost everyone seems to have some idea of what this holiday is all about.] I think you might be the first person I've met who've never heard of Christmas.

[Maybe this girl is from another world all together but what kind of world doesn't celebrate Christmas? Augustine is curious.]

If you don't mind the inquiry but where are you from?

video;

[alchemistofalanya]

No, such things didn't exist where I'm from.

[Thy didn't seem to have holidays like that anyway.]

I'm from a place called Alanya, it's a small fishing village.