Deck the Halls (does not mean punch them)

[touchofrogue]

Who: Rogue, Remy, those invited who decided to attend, and they’re probably not rude enough to turn down any passerbys who happen to come by and wish to attend
Broadcast: Nope
Action: In an out of the way room with a few smallish windows on the Iskaulit
When: December 23rd, 5ish-8ish


It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas, or it would have been if they were on an Earth calendar. For their celebration and memory-making, Rogue had selected a middle sized room on the edge with two small windows by which an occasional view of the ice planet below could be seen. There would be very few who would be tempted to steal such a familiar view, however, since Rogue had enlisted Loki’s aid in making Christmas decorations and he provided illusions with alacrity and skill.

Lights are strung about the room, housed in brightly colored glass balls. While at first they simply seem to be glowing ornaments, there is something odd about the flames. A close look will reveal they do not dance formlessly, but rather have the shape of tiny dragons. There are bright, evergreen wreaths with red bows, hung strategically about the place which are actually eternal knots, impossible to solve. In the corner immediately spotted upon entering is an illusion of a gorgeous Christmas tree, with decorations all in gold and sparkling lights at the end of each branch - even the smell of evergreen is mimicked flawlessly. Flanking the tree are two tables, one laden in all kinds of food that Rogue and Remy have cooked up, the other with the label ‘White Elephant presents here.’ Loki has also helped Rogue hook up her music to some sort of an audible projection, and she is initially going to be streaming traditional Christmas Carols done by such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Norah Jones, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

There are a few comfortable chairs set up along the opposite side of the room as the Christmas tree (just a few, as comfortable chairs are not that easy to find), by an illusion of falling silver leaves that provide a glow of soft light in the area.

The center of the room is free for dancing, or games, or standing about and talking. Remy and Rogue have done their best to make delicious finger foods, appetizers and heartier party fare. There’s delicacies that can be found sourced from the planet, various salted fruits, a small platter of apple slices with a caramel dip, and heartier fare in the way of stews and pastas, the sort of thing that could be put in a cup and eaten standing up. There are desserts as well, spice cookies and peppermint bark and a far too tiny chocolate cake. There is punch - ice strawberry - and Natasha’s gift of vodka, kept carefully separate from the punch, and there’s some leftover wine Loki had magically made more potent for the solstice that Rogue stole in case any of those with suped up metabolisms wanted the pleasure of getting buzzed.

Notably, there is no depiction of mistletoe.

Comments

[touchofrogue]

[Aww, look who she didn't have to find and drag here! Although showing up early does mean that it's just Rogue and Remy setting up, and she was still teleporting in the few comfortable chairs that they'd shuttled up here. They couldn't fit that many in the shuttle, which meant various trips, and this was trip two. That was taking a lot more time than she had anticipated, and so Rogue was cheating.

So there is a slight BAMFing sound, the scent of sulfur, and Rogue suddenly appearing in thin air with a slight puff of smoke and a chair in either hand.

Seeing Jim, her jaw drops a little.] Oh, you're here! [Wait, that didn't sound very gracious, just startled. Remy, she'd told about this already, so she hadn't minded cheating and, well, she is startled. But she is also glad that he came, glad she didn't have to hunt him down, though after his response to her invitation she was pretty sure he'd actually make it. She just... with the teleporting...and their last conversation...awkward. Releasing one chair, she tucks a strand of hair back behind her ear with a gloved hand.] Hi!

[redactions]

[ He raises an eyebrow, and rubs his nose to get the sulphur smell out. ]

Hey. You can teleport?

[ IT IS PRETTY COOL negl but a little unexpected. He hasn't asked much about the powers she absorbs and how long she keeps them, and after their last conversation he doesn't quite think he has the right to be talking about it anyway. ]

[touchofrogue]

Uh, yeah. [She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.] It's kinda on semi-permanent loan.

[Rogue began dragging the chairs over to the corner.]

You're here early.

[redactions]

Thought I'd bring somethin' for the buffet table.

[ He carries the pot over; it's soup. Simple, but the aroma is strong, and spicy. ]

Need a hand?

[touchofrogue]

[There are so many bad jokes she could make right now, mostly out of relief that he came and that this is a return to the sort of casual friendship-interactions that was classified 'normal'. So she quirks her lips in a small smile.] Maybe after ya set the soup down. There ain't that much more ta do, just need to finish the finicky bits.

[redactions]

[ welcome once again to the James Barnes school of Fake It Til You Make It ]

All right. Where do you need me?

[touchofrogue]

[She glances around to check on what Remy's doing. There wasn't that much else to do, but why muscle the chairs over to the corner and muss up her dress if he was willing to do it for her?]

Why don't you go drag these on over to the corner. I'll turn on the lights. [She hasn't yet turned on the illusions Loki prepared for her the day before the day before. Lightly, she touched the green pendent she always wore and turned toward the wall.]

[redactions]

[ Cheerfully, ]

Yes'm.

[touchofrogue]

[As Rogue walks over to the place in the wall Loki had set up for the key to 'turn on the lights', she glances back over her shoulder at Jim.]

Is Winter coming?

[redactions]

[ Okay that's unexpectedly funny, and he stifles a chortle. ]

Yeah, he'll be around. Seemed pretty excited about it.

[touchofrogue]

[Sadly, Rogue is pre-GoT era, and misses the joke completely.]

Okay, good. I'm glad. [She'd wanted him to come. She felt it was important.

She touches the wall with the pendent and whispers the key phrase Loki gave her, and the illusions flare to life.]

[redactions]

[ Whoa. ]

[ He examines the one nearest, cautiously, and then reaches out to touch it, if he can. ]

[touchofrogue]

[The illusions are light and scent and sound, so although he'll be able to 'touch' them, the light will roll right over his hand like a rainbow refracted through a prism.

Rogue takes a step back, inhales the sudden sharp scent of evergreen, and beams at the room.]

[redactions]

Really feels like Christmas.

[ He sniffs at one, inhaling. ]

[touchofrogue]

[Quietly pleased, glancing all around.] That's the idea.

[She gives Jim a sidelong glance.] Loki set them up for me the other day, since he won't be comin' ta the party.

[In case you were wondering.

But she doesn't wait for a response, because she isn't out to poke him about this. They've had this conversation already, and he - of all the crazy things - trusted her, and that was enough.] I've just gotta finish settin' up the music now an' make sure the food's all set. You wanna go taste test, make sure things are the right temperature? Remy might yell at ya for stealin', [a quick, amused smile] but you can tell him I sent ya over.

[redactions]

[ Oh, that's a load off his mind -- it also means he won't be leaving as early as he thought he would. ]

Oh, I think I can charm our mutual friend. You wanna bet? Three minutes?

[touchofrogue]

[She grins, a laugh that isn't a laugh because laughter is still something rare, but she isn't afraid to let him see her amusement at the thought.]

Charm the Charmer? [That capital 'C' may be audible.] That I have ta see. You're on.