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]

Not from me.

[She just said her reasons for not having one for him! At this time, anyway. She pulls her sash back and pulls her hand up, revealing a plain box tied with ribbon.]

[before]

Then who's it from?

[He will take the box, looking curious.]

[dawnrise]

[She looks... more like she doesn't want to say, than it's a secret.]

Open it.

[before]

Pushy.

[He will do so! He removes a rather wordy letter, and his expression rather quickly goes from curious to displeased, then outright scowling. In fact, he doesn't even finish the letter, instead shoving it roughly back in the box and holding it out for Riku to take back.]

Tell him I don't want or need it. Or don't. I can go find a trash can.

[dawnrise]

Wh-- No. Wait.

[She takes the box and removes the letter to read it herself, and if Red even thinks about walking away from her she'll follow him.]

[before]

Forget it.

[No he's definitely walking away. In fact, he almost looks like he's getting ready to leave the party altogether!]

[dawnrise]

[She's pulled away from the letter to stare at him, mouth dropped open, and she's definitely following.]

Hey. You don't have to take it out on me.

[before]

I'm not. That would be why I'm leaving instead of bitching about it.

[She can follow all she likes, he's not stopping. His eyes are on the front doors.]

[dawnrise]

[She'll follow him right outside.]

Fine. But at least tell me why it pissed you off that much. You're not being forced to take it.

[before]

Because I don't want a single goddamn thing to do with him.

[Once outside he might be looking at some nearby decorations like he'd like to bust them, even though he hasn't done that since his first Christmas.]

[dawnrise]

I understand that, and I don't blame you. I didn't, either. What's got you so worked up?

[Because he really seems like he's worked up, if he's ready to break things and stomp out of the ball!]

[before]

Do I really need a reason aside from the fact that he thought this was a good idea at all? What the fuck was he expecting? What were you? Why did you agree to give me this shit?

[dawnrise]

[She looks taken aback by that, and a little defensive.]

I wasn't expecting anything. I didn't know if you'd take it or not. You're not that easy to predict. I agreed because he gave me one, too, and I like the idea of the few people I can depend on in this place cooperating when it comes to a danger to their lives, if no other time. The fact that he cares enough that he's willing to help you if you were in danger meant something to me.

[before]

[He turns away so she can't see him sneering. He's not angry at her and doesn't want to take it out on her!]

I'm not taking it, Riku. I don't care what you tell him, if you tell him anything at all.

[dawnrise]

[She's starting to feel that way. She doesn't say anything at first, because she's digging in the box again to read about the animal Axel picked.]

I'll tell him the truth.

[before]

Fine. I'm going home.

[He looks back, trying to look less angry.]

...don't let my bullshit ruin the party for you. Go have fun with your other friends, Riku.

[That wasn't accusing! Promise! He really feels that way.]

[dawnrise]

[There's a snort from her. Forced amusement, not genuine.]

I'm half here to play bodyguard, remember?

[Right now, any incentive she might have had to have fun is in the negatives.]

[before]

Doesn't mean you can't go be social.

[And this coming from him... Jeez.]

I'll get over it, but I won't take the necklace. At least try to enjoy yourself.

[dawnrise]

[She holds her hands up for peace, even though one of them still has the gift box in it.]

I'm not asking you to. But I might call you later.

[before]

That's fine. I won't be sleeping anytime soon.

[To awake for that, he'll probably end up reading or something.]

[dawnrise]

Alright.

[She nods a little, dropping her hands to her sides.]

See you?

[before]

Yeah. I'll still have your present, if you want to stop by sometime in the next couple of days.

[dawnrise]

[She seems a little surprised that he's mentioning it now, but nods anyway.]

I will.

[before]

Alright. See you.

[Annnd with that, he'll be leaving! Oops, Merry Christmas.]