snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be ☆

[heaaarts]

[ Things are a little different this Christmas Eve. It's the first holiday season in years that many residents will be able to spend outdoors, and whatever drives the place has gone all out to make things festive. There are white lights and ruby garland strung up around lamp posts, red bows and wreathes adorning buildings. Even the trams are decorated, lit up on the outside and warm and cozy inside. There's a chill in the air, but for the most part it isn't too uncomfortable. Trees stripped bare of leaves by the change in seasons have had their leaves replaced by lights, and the occasional tree in the park bears large, shining baubles.

The ball this year is held in a new building, something that's popped up on the outskirts of the residential area overnight. (Of course, no one will be able to get inside until much later in the evening.) The park's a little smaller and crowded as a result, but not by much. It, like much of the outdoors, is covered in white. A light snow has been falling since early afternoon, resulting in a glistening bed of frost over the ground, the trees, and every rooftop. Much of it stretches out past the area, giving a wintery cover to most worlds. The fountains in Radiant Garden have frozen over into chaotic ice sculptures, and enough snow for a snowman (or snowmouse) can be found in Traverse Town, while the sound of carols comes from nowhere in particular in Disney Town. Hopefully no one tries to take the tram to Halloween Town for purposes of sneaking into Christmas Town. That world is barred off from entry no matter how hard anyone tries.

Somewhere around six in the evening, the doors to the ballroom open and remain so. Large wreathes decorated with red ribbon and crystal clear baubles hang on the doors. The building itself is decorated simply and tastefully, with red ribbons and streamers, dimmed lights and soft, instrumental music, perfect for the pristine dance floor. The ceiling, a true highlight of the room, is made of framed glass and gives a perfect, pristine view of the stars and snowfall outside. The tree this year is decorated with red, pale green, white, and more clear glass ornaments. Strangely enough, each is marked with a small tag. Just a simple old strip of paper, blank until someone gets close enough to see their name appear on one special ornament, in swirling red script. There are birds, hearts, stars... all kinds of simple, precious ornaments there to take. Maybe they mean something.

Like any good party in the DR, there's plenty of food. In the back room, separated from the ballroom by frosted glass walls, there are tables with glass tops and sheer white tablecloths, the largest of which is rectangular and has a placement of ham, roast birds, casseroles and vegetables, with nuts, popcorn, pretzels and cheeses further down. There are two smaller, round tables, one with drinks (non-alcoholic eggnog, ciders, and hot cocoa), and one with sweets like pudding, cookies, fudge, and sugared fruits. A group of much smaller, more cozy and personal tables are scattered in the corner near the food, with delicate placements decorated with classic red poinsettias. ]

{ ooc: LiveJournal mirror here. Happy Holidays, everyone! }

Comments

[dawnrise]

[That's good, because she's got her arms around his neck and shoulders and she's giving him a good squeezing hug. Probably the best one she's given him since before all the chaos with Hachibi a couple months back.]

[f1re0nthesun]

Oof. Is this my Christmas present? Even if it wasn't supposed to be, I'm declaring it now.

[he likes hugs, especially hugs from people who don't just hand them out like candy (like he does).]

[dawnrise]

[She snorts, but doesn't try to pull out of it yet.]

If you want. I have something else in mind I want to give you, but it's not a Christmas present.

[f1re0nthesun]

Oh really. If it's a noogie or a punch to the face, please warn me, I'd like to prepare for it.

[well in that case, he's going to spin them once, just for lulz.]

[dawnrise]

No, it's--

[It's shrieking, apparently, because that's what Riku does when he spins them.]

[f1re0nthesun]

[no really, it was for lulz. he's laughing as he sets her back on her feet, and grinning like a doofus.]

Sorry, you were saying?

[dawnrise]

[She sways a little, then gives him a shove.]

Maybe I won't tell you now.

[f1re0nthesun]

Aw, come on, I only twirled you once. Here's Red's present, anyway, whenever you see him next.

[he gets a similar box out of his other pocket and hands it to her, still grinning.]

[dawnrise]

[She steps back further so there's room for her to take it, and looks terribly amused by the gift box.]

Is it alright if I give it to him here?

[f1re0nthesun]

Of course, it's not like it's big or flashy or explosive or anything.

[what, it's just a plain box with a red ribbon, like hers. :U]

[dawnrise]

I get that.

[Well, now her hands are full. Wat do. Maybe she'll go snatch a bag from somewhere.]

[f1re0nthesun]

[oh right, she doesn't have pockets right now. that sucks. girls' clothing is so weird.]

I'd give it to him myself, but uh. Yeah.

[dawnrise]

[It is. She likes having pockets.]

I don't think he'd take it if you did.

[f1re0nthesun]

I know, and you'll probably have to make him even open the box. I did include a note explaining what it is and why I'm even giving him a gift. And if he doesn't want it, make sure he doesn't throw it out or something, I don't want some random person getting it.

[this is quite serious, actually. if someone like Larx or one of the bad Marluxias or ninja Zexion got it, they could conceivably figure out what it was for and call Axel right into a trap. Zexion could, quite certainly.]

[dawnrise]

Don't worry, I'll keep my hands on it if he doesn't.

[She understands and can imagine the problems that would come with someone else finding it. There's a pause, though, and she tilts her head up.]

What does the note say? Or will I have to wait for him to open it?

[f1re0nthesun]

What if it's a secret, huh? Actually I guess it sort of is, but if he's fine with you reading it then I don't care. It's only good things, though, don't worry.

[it's actually pretty eloquent and well done, if he does say so himself.]

[dawnrise]

Right.

[She doesn't seem suspicious so much as worried Axel will end up saying too much. Give her a break.]

[f1re0nthesun]

[no it's okay, you can add "succinct" to those other two, even though Axel wouldn't know what that word meant OR how to spell it.]

Alright, well, the ham is calling to me, but I wanted to give you those first. But I'll still be around here for a good long while, if you wanna talk or whatever. Kai's around here too, somewhere, but he knows a lot more people than I do, so I'll probably just camp out near the food.

[dawnrise]

[She makes a shooing gesture at him.]

Go on. Enjoy the food. I'll see you later.

[f1re0nthesun]

[he hesitates, and then darts forward to kiss her cheek fleetingly before waving at her and moseying off to the food table. best gay friend or BEST gay friend, Riku?]

[dawnrise]

[BEST. The best. But that won't stop Riku from scrubbing her cheek as she walks away.]

[dawnrise]

[Some time later, Riku will be wandering to the food tables, looking toward the actual seats for Axel. She looks... well, a little down, to be honest.]

[f1re0nthesun]

[he's there, sitting by himself, one foot propped up on another nearby chair and a plate of what appears to mostly be meat and dessert things balanced on his leg. he waves with his free hand when he sees her.]

[dawnrise]

[She smiles at him, but it's not a very big smile, and just before she reaches him she holds her hand up to reveal an opened giftbox. Red's, to be exact. His necklace is hanging off her wrist.]

[f1re0nthesun]

[his own smile falls a little bit, but only to turn it into a more rueful one.]

Somehow I'm not really surprised. How much of a dick was he about it?