[GrayGriffin]

Just as Aster was sure he'd gotten away with it, he felt a sudden presence at his back.

"Hey Blanche honey," he said with a grin, looking up at the Leawolf looming above him. "Sorry, gotta take a rain check on that date."

"You just used your magic again. To animate something," she growled. Damn her sensitive nose, thought Aster. However, he just laughed and shrugged.

"I don't know what you're talking about, really!"

"You only ever act like this when you're trying to distract me. But that won't work this time. I'm calling in my superior." She reached into the petals of the flower in her tail, pulling out a small clockwork figurine that she began to wind. As she wound it, it slowly grew larger and larger, unfolding majestic wings and a tail.

"So," she said with a deep rumble to her voice, "you've been naughty again, have you, Aster?"

[Lunch]

---

Of course the Shielupe knew who the Sahound was. It had been a while, sure, but N0m4d had to grit his teeth from annoyance to give the guy a sincere smile when he came up to the bar and introduced himself, again. Overall, Clint was a good guy. So good, that N0m4d thought that he just happened upon their line of work at the wrong place and at the wrong time. He was too good for what they did. N0m4d was just a good little pet, up until now.

Now...He wasn't sure what he wanted to do. He had been declared free by the only one that he ever needed anything from, and now, this. A visit from a very old 'friend'. He was still more like an acquaintance, but overall, Clint was all N0m4d had in what could be considered a friend. The Sahound felt the same way too.

Maybe it was just a lucky passing, or he was ordered to find him, the Shielupe couldn't figure out which. It didn't matter anymore now. They were here. He found him. That was as good as it was going to get.

So, the two caught up, reminisced about older times. Clint tried his best to stray away from the one thing that would set N0m4d's mood off, and that was talking about her. He knew better. He just happened to hear about what happened through word of mouth because he was busy with his own job to really catch up with the Shielupe. The Tavern itself was a good place to hunker down. Sure, there were more coming in through the door every day, but after the past couple of days, the two men had the most stress-free, relaxing times of their lives. A drink here and there, a game of croquet, and even ate a few sweets and drank hot chocolate during the evenings.

Now, they were sat down at the bar again, surprisingly happy and content.

---

[Celtic]

As soon as Jack left their table he realized his mistake. He completely forgot to ask for anyone's order. But, never one to go back or to admit a mistake (unless he was being directly called out), he just shrugged and kept walking. They would enjoy whatever he picked-- surely.

When he actually reached the bar though, he was more unsure. There was a certified plethora of options and it was packed. There would be no time for casual conversation with the bartender or a fun finagling of orders. He needed to know what to order and he needed to know now.

He spotted a trio of delightful sounding cocktails and without reading their ingredients rose his hand to indicate his intention to order.

"Hi, yes could I get the cranberry Christmas mule, a White Christmas, and the Spiced Buttered Rum?" The bartender simply nodded and moved away, expertly swinging liquors around into shot glasses and shakers.

Shortly after that he was armed with a platter of cocktails and on his way back to his party.

[Isalynne]

Joseph appreciated Hermey’s adorable attempts to explain it away, but there was no getting away from the fact - there was mistletoe fastened to a hanging ornament above them, twisting to and fro. In any other circumstance, he would’ve been able to ignore it. That kind of nonsense had always struck him as juvenile and silly. Mistletoe was notorious for sucking the life out of things, so why on earth would it be associated with romance?

He wasn’t feeling himself, though. He found himself quite changed, because he was excited by the presence of that little plant; it was bolstering his confidence to take the risk he was about to take.

“I... I, uh...” Oh, what use were words! Nothing he could say would be eloquent, or do a good job in explaining! So, instead, he leaned forwards on his stool to press a soft kiss to the apple of Hermey’s cheek. A few seconds passed where he lingered, eyelids fluttered shut... then he bolted back to his former position and practically chugged the next bit of his drink down. “Happy... happy holidays, or whatever.”

[Kylo]

The alien wasn't exactly trying to blend in, but he didn't really care. There was sweets here to be had and that was all that mattered. Sweets, and drinks, and candy galore. It was truly paradise. Also there was the whole gift thing but he didn't really care so much about that. He just wanted the sugar rush.

So after grabbing the box he proceeded to raid the food tables for any and all sweets.

After all he needed that sugar high.

[zapdragon555]

Hermey would have looked over if he'd actually heard Joseph's half-formed soft muttering, but the din of the crowd was enough that it was masked, and Hermey... he was lost in his own head for a few moments. Lost in his hot chocolate, letting its warmth chase the different kind of warmth in his face away, hoping that it would explain the light pink to his cheeks. Warm drinks... did that, right?

It was incredibly lucky that Joseph picked a time when Hermey's mouth wasn't full of liquid, or else it might have all ended up sprayed on the bartender in surprise. Instead, Hermey froze, as Joseph's hair lightly tickled the corner of his eye, the warmth of a kiss against his cheek, and... his heart was the first thing to wake up. Hammering as it kicked off the ground, and then fluttering and flying like some four-lunged songbird with a hundred tunes in its tiny head.

In other words, the violins in his ears drowned out whatever holiday wishes Joseph was using to punctuate that show of bravery. And Hermey... well... he was quite susceptible to coming down with a case of bravery, when exposed to it.

He turned quickly, looking at Joseph's profile, his eyes alight with a kind of disbelieving wonder. This... maybe it was a dream. The setting certainly called for it, and he felt fuzzy in the head enough...

Hermey found himself leaning in, lightly bringing his hand to Joseph's cheek just enough to turn his face, and in a swift, soft movement... pressed his lips against the other man's, coming away with a flutter of lashes and a dazed look in his eyes.

And then it hit him. Hermey flushed a beet red, his shoulders drawing up to his ears as he hurriedly leaned on his elbows on the bar and pressed a hand to half of his face, willing cold fingers to cool off his skin. For a moment, he said nothing, staring ahead, then slowly... glanced back over to Joseph, to... check the damages of what he'd just done.

Instead, he found a tiny dollop of whipped cream on Joseph's lips. He blinked, straightening up slightly, and brought a hand to his own mouth to wipe on the back of it, and... "Oh, I... got something on you," he eked out softly, shy and a little bit breathless, motioning to his own mouth and pointing a finger slightly at Joseph. "Sorry... a-about that. All... of that, I mean. I... I was really happy, and not thinking. So..."

[Advent Day 11]

[Jaykobell]

Izzie's face shifted when she heard the meeker one's answer. Was he just messing with her? Was this his idea of aggravating her, of making this experience even more upsetting? But no, most likely not. This one, although they were enemies, he was much too soft. There was no way he had thought of something like that.

"Great," she spat angrily, her narrowed eyes looking around, hoping to spot a door or a way out - something. "So I'm stuck with you until this place shuts down or disappears or whatever? Are you kidding me?"

[Day 11]

[amanda784]

Xavier adjusted his sunglasses upon reaching the party. A shrub maze stood at the entrance. It wasn't too difficult and within only a few minutes Xavier was in the midst of the crowd. He was a little embarrassed by wearing his shades indoors, but light made it almost impossible for him to see. Lucky for him, the party was indoor and out. Xavier walked out the large back doors and into the back yard. Lights hung from shrubbery cut into odd shapes. In the midst of the shrubbery people were laughing and dancing. Xavier admired the skill of the gardener in charge of creating the living works of art.

[SpringsSong]

Lana. Xyshari.

"Your bond with him is that strong?" Lana asked, her eyes widening in amazement. "That's extraordinary."

"That's why I have always said that, the day one of us dies, the other two will not be far behind," Xyshari said in a grim voice as she took a long drink from her eggnog. "Whether or not I intended these bonds to form isn't the question now: they formed, whether those of us involved like it or not," she said, and Lana smiled as she reached over to squeeze her wife's shoulder.

"I wouldn't want it any other way, my love," Lana said. "I love you. You know that, right?"

"I love you, too," Xyshari said, smiling brightly as she gave her wife a kiss.

[crow]

Prosper knew it was a difficult thing he had asked, but even so, it was... strange seeing the sadness settling over Ryo's features. He couldn't recall ever having seen Ryo like this, and as for his old master... Elouan hadn't worn a human face, but even without one, his moods had simply been varying shades of disinterest and rage.

A little vehemence snuck into Ryo's voice, but this Prosper recognized both as disguising worry and also directed elsewhere. He listened in attentive silence, though his mind was also whirling, going over what he knew--- or rather, what he had been told--- of Ryo's own nature.

"But why does he not... do what you've done?" Prosper asked. It was clear that Ryo wasn't happy with the way things were, and as he said, it was inefficient. And the boy... "He has a partner, doesn't he?"

[Freezair]

Celebrations were so fascinating!

Huuna couldn't stop herself from taking notes left and right. Today was obviously a big day for these "Evelonians," and she couldn't wait to figure it out! The garb they wore was obviously ceremonious in some fashion, though she couldn't quite figure out what it all represented. Were the trees some kind of fertility symbol? Was the fat man with a beard supposed to be a sign of wealth and prosperity?

And they were foisting free things on her, just for being here! They were already accepting her into their culture! SCORE!

[Sarah]

"I expect time will be your boon in this," Raziel said and there was a warning in his tone. Zli caught his meaning. Annabelle could rule forever, but she would not be the same forever. Hell was changed by the outside world as much as anything else. Even with the doors closed and locked they still had to ebb and flow with the rest of the universe.

"You are as helpful as ever," Zli offered dryly.

[FrostWynd]

"Would you... stop... pushing...!"

The maze had gotten almost out of control with how many of them were crammed in there, and Tala's patience was rapidly thinning out as she had to deal with getting practically shoved around by the rest of the group's eagerness to progress forward. That or it was impatience... either way it didn't matter, the robotic canine had had it up to here with this nonsense where there seemed to be no end in sight. "I said cut it out...!" She finally snapped loudly, kicking back with one foot to force whoever was behind her out so she could have a little bit of room to breathe.

If this is what claustrophobia must have felt like, she absolutely hated it and wanted to get out.

[Adelie]

A caterer? He hadn't expected that answer - he'd expected something more bland. Sheer boredom, perhaps. Just saw the invite and had some empty space in his calendar, maybe. Cooped up in the house all day because of the weather and just needed some human contact, probably.

But on second thought, it made sense. While the Quest Master probably had the kind of magical power that allowed them to conjure food from thin air, that didn't seem particularly in the spirit of giving back to the community and all that holiday jazz. If you could just make whatever you wanted from thin air, there'd be no reason for restaurants to exist.

"Catering? That's really cool - what did you make?" he asked, hoping to drum up a conversation. "I ate before I got here, so I'm afraid I've just been snacking on cookies and sweets this whole time. But these cookies are really good."

"The cookies?" the man asked, taking a quick look at the cinnamon-sugar delight in his hands. "Oh! I know the girl who bakes these. I actually saw her here earlier, but I think she went off with her girlfriend somewhere."

He recognized the baker just by looking a cookie? Now that was an impressive feat. The only thing he could tell about this cookie from a glance was the flavor, and even that was a bit tricky.

[ToxicShadow]

Ryo exhaled a single, bitter laugh. "It's true that he used up his one and only chance to take a partner of his own, but that kid cannot be considered anything close to adequate." The man brought the glass he had still been holding back to his lips and took a long drink.

Only when he lowered it again, did he continue on. "There was a drowning child whose voice desperately called out. He was afraid to die. Jiro hadn't given up on playing god and answered the call. He pulled the kid out of the water where he had been drowning alongside his kidnapper. By the time he was rescued, it was already too late, so Jiro did the only thing he could to keep him alive, even while knowing that there was a good chance that it would be the death of him to form a partnership with a mere mortal child."

In the end, Jiro had valued a stranger's life more than his own, even disregarding how Ryo and the others cared about him.

"He was a child, so of course Jiro didn't touch him, but he could no longer gather energy from anyone else. That is, aside from his own blood relatives, even though it's a nearly deadly practice." He volunteered everything, since Prosper was asking. "But what choice was there? I couldn't just let Jiro cease to exist in this world." One god giving up their harvested energy to another should have been reserved for emergencies only, but that hadn't been the case for Ryo and Jiro. "That kid only finally grew up, and he's beside Jiro now, but that hasn't solved anything. Jiro is only dying faster now, while leaving the kid in the dark, and I'm in no condition to keep putting up the fight for him."

To say that Ryo had made a calculated risk in saving Prosper wasn't untrue.