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]

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?

[dawnrise]

He left.

[She gestures to the doors. Mmmhm.]

[f1re0nthesun]

[he ducks his head a little and sighs, but then looks up at her again and pats the seat next to him.]

Just as well, I guess. His loss, really, it means I get to spend more time with you now. Here, I've got ham and duck and pumpkin pie and some other stuff.

[dawnrise]

[She considers it for a moment, then sighs a little heavier than normal and sets the box on the table, unwrapping the necklace from her wrist to place it back in the box. When that's done she moves to sit down next to him. How depressing.]

[f1re0nthesun]

[aww, Riku. :< he leans forward to set his plate on the table, and then sits back and puts an arm around Riku's shoulders. if she was at all cold, she now has Axel + his slightly voluminous sleeves as a shawl. \o/]

So what did he say, or do you not want to talk about it now.

[dawnrise]

[She eyes that arm a little, then turns her gaze from him to the food on the table, because it's easier to talk like that.]

He said he doesn't want or need it, and then he said he'd just throw it away. Oh, and he doesn't want a single thing to do with you.

[f1re0nthesun]

[you like it really. <3]

Again, not really surprised. I'd have been surprised if he did take it. Thanks for rescuing it, anyway.

[dawnrise]

[Nope. Just the warmth.]

I'm not letting it fall into the wrong hands. I was going to ask if I could keep it, but there's a better chance of someone breaking into my apartment and stealing it than anything else.

[f1re0nthesun]

[sure, I believe you. >3>]

Nah, I'll take it and stash it somewhere at home, maybe try again next year. Did you like the one I picked for him?

[dawnrise]

[Liar.]

...yeah. I read about it after he left. You're right. It suits him.

[f1re0nthesun]

I'm glad. I haven't exactly been around him that much, and half of those times weren't too friendly, so I didn't have much to go on.

[he detaches from Riku and leans forward again to retrieve the box and tuck everything back in properly before stashing it in his pocket.]