(open) is everyone enjoying their noel?

[gripper]

WHO: Anyone and everyone!
WHAT: Christmas Party! While originally an excuse for Secret Santas to give or drop off their gifts beneath the tree, anyone can swing by for a little holiday cheer.
WHERE: City Hall
WHEN: December 25th, starting at 10am and ending around 8pm
WARNINGS: N/A, but let me know if anything comes up!

merry christmas!

key notes

It's wintry, it's cold, it's Christmas. Hosted and put together by the mysterious Citynet user "theonewhogifts", (aka Kromer, gripper), this party is first and foremost a way for those participating in their Secret Santa to gather up and give their gifts, or to sneak theirs beneath the tree for the giftee to find if they're feeling a little shy. It'd be a boring Christmas if it were just that, though, so she's gone all-out and set things up to be a little more party-like.

Eat, drink, exchange presents, be merry—and take it easy this holiday season.

tinsel on the tree

On the 24th, the area in front of City Hall looks normal, if dusted in the now-falling snow, but by the time the eve passes, there's a rather large, plastic Christmas tree set up. People who arrive when the sun is just cresting will see Santa(?) decorating it themself, carefully selecting baubles and lights from a veritable treasure trove also taken from various stores in the area... but for most people showing up, it'll have already been decorated in bright white, gold, and silver lights, ornaments, puffballs, and so on. The skirt around it is a deep red, and as the snow continues to fall, the tree too becomes dusted with light flurries.

There's a helpful sign that says Secret Santas— drop gifts off here! to one side of the Christmas tree, while the other just seems to have been set up with the intention of being a gift-giving area, including meticulously wrapped, if empty, boxes for decoration.

Well. Mostly empty. Curious individuals (naughty children) who go shaking the unmarked boxes might find some of them aren't as empty as they seem, but what's inside are clearly meant as pranks for people who like to snoop: jack-in-the-boxes ready to spring, red-green-gold glitterbombs to mark who's been naughty and who's been nice, and those silly toy snakes that make loud rattle noises when they jump out.

cookies for santa

A party isn't a party without something to eat. Make sure you eat breakfast before you show up, because the main meals are full of hearty foods for lunch and dinner. From meals like beef rouladen (prepared beforehand and kept warm all day), paired with a red cabbage salad, to spätzle, roast duck, potato salad, and several bottles of red wine. For dessert, there's custard cake, baumkuchen, and zwetschgenknödel. While none of it looks professionally made by a chef, it's obvious a great deal of thought and care went into the dishes. Hey, it's her new hobby! She's being a proper host, here.

There are regular winter fixings too: inside of City Hall are kettles of hot water and warmed milk for hot chocolate and coffee! There's eggnog, both of the spiked-and-non-spiked variety... which one is which is indicated by little cards in front of them, but they're easy enough to switch if you feel like causing a little mischief. On the other hand, remember this is Santa's big day! Do you really want to out yourself as a bad kid?

a little winter fun

As stated, there's plenty more to enjoy: your very own Junpei Tenmyouji (coolerjunpei) is making smores for all who want a sweet treat without burning their fingers off, but you're welcome to make your own or just have some toasted marshmallows! Chase someone with a burning stick at your own peril.

And what's winter fun without a snowball fight or two? Of course, the mixture of icy rain with the snow the past few days has turned it somewhat dangerous if one were to decide to pack it with the harder stuff, but hey! At least it's just ice and not, you know, a rock or two. While there's no ready-made forts, she's not gonna go that far, there's plenty of snow that's been moved as necessary and a few piles of balls already put together.

You can use them as starters for snow creatures too, if you'd like!

Lastly, there's an area for any last minute gifts someone might need to pick up if they forgot the date! Or just couldn't figure anything out. There's a table for those who like to do a bit of handicrafting, so get your friendship bracelet making on (among other creative delights, glitter included), as well as a station for gift-wrapping itself featuring an assortment of junk from the mall.

To top off the holiday party, there's absolutely a stream of generically mainstream holiday tunes with voices that feel familiar but definitely aren't anyone in particular, like most of the media in the media shop. It's blaring from a stereo, so enjoy it or not, it's here to stay.

ooc notes

⬥ Merry Christmas! Welcome to the party. For people dropping off gifts for their Secret Santa, or who want to thread out giving it to them à la Stardew Valley's little winter festival, mosey on over to the thread for it.

⬥ Go nuts, go crazy, go wild and make your own top levels otherwise! Hell, even do gift giving on your own top level—the above is just there to make things easy. This is a mingle, so have fun with it.

⬥ If anything needs to be warned for, let me know by DMing this journal!

♡

Comments

[icanfixer]

[ oh good. ]

Kehm! Listen well, my friend, and learn thus by heart! In the City from which I hail, there is a man who is so gracious, so beloved, and so diligent in his route across all Districts he has become a Fixer of most high renown, dubbed The Red Sack by the Association which names us all one we are deemed worthy of it!!! Not all Fixers are given such honors due to their prowess in combat, though his strength cannot be doubted in the least, as he is able to gift all of those who hath been "good" across the City's many people in a single night! Is that not fantastic?! Is that not wonderful?! Does it not make thee wish to turn over a leaf, and become as good as goodly could be?! I have yet to see the man myself, but I have received such gifts in the past, and thus I know his reign to be true!!!!!!

[ ...

and it has been, for decades........ centuries maybe... this is also not a story. ]

[excaliburden]

[... It is not a story and also there are so many proper nouns in this story without explanation that Altria's eyes start to go vague and unfocused about two sentences in.

...? ??? ??????]

O-oh. I see... [She does not see.]

He names you?

[She picked that out, at least.]

[icanfixer]

Nay, the Hana Association does, and only those who have proven their worth! Sir Vergilius is an example as such, given the moniker the Red Gaze...

[ a dreamy sigh. colors...... ]

I hope to become a valiant one someday, however! It is my ultimate goal!

[excaliburden]

Oh, I see!

[Huh...]

You don't have one yet? But why not? You're definitely valiant enough for it!

[icanfixer]

[ ALTRIAAAAAAAA she loves you. ]

I have yet to be acknowledged, is all! There are many great deeds and trials one must go through, and also take tests at official Association locations spread across the City. I hope to have my own assessment done by the Tres Association.

[excaliburden]

[IT IS MUTUAL LOVE AND AFFECTION.

Because she's just nodding at that, satisfied. After all, to her, it's only a matter of time before that happens.]

Got it, okay. So when you go back, then you'll get your fancy title. Do you know what sort of thing you'd want to be called? Do you get to pick them out, or are they made up for you?

[icanfixer]

It is based on what we do best, or is most memorable! For example, hmhm, there is... the Red Mist, whose blade leaves naught else for one to find once struck through her foes! The Blue Reverberation, whose specialty lies in the weapon he wields disrupting the natural vibration of the body and causing quite the shake! It is patented, of course, and thus no one knows how it works save himself and those who have worked on it. There is also the Red Gaze, my dearest boss, who is named thus for the piercing eyes he possesses.

[ just a handful of names, among the many there are in legend and present... she sighs. ]

As one can see, there are similarities in the modifiers themselves, but what makes them unique oft differs. The Grass Maiden, the Indigo Elder, the Black Silence, the Purple Tear... Oh, how I long to be named among them! Golden, perhaps, would suit me best, but I wonder how I shall be called? We do not pick our own, if that was not obvious from my statement, but it is fun to think of the names I could be. Such as the Golden Steed, for I am ever so fast and reliable!

[ hee. that's fun. ]

[excaliburden]

[Wow these are so dramatic--but that's what makes them so fun. They're dynamic and colorful and wow, wow, wow!]

The Golden Steed...! I like it! What about the Golden Protector, too?

[icanfixer]

[ oh...!!! a gasp. ]

The Golden Protector...! That is a most wonderful name, Altria, and I hope to be worthy of it one day!

[ sigh... one day. so far in the future, for she has much to do, to learn and prove... ]

That, and what they may lay upon these shoulder of mine someday in seriousness... It shall still be some time, for one must prove themselves in many ways and take the appropriate tests to raise one's ranks. I am sorry that it will be a sight thou shalt miss, being a world apart, but I know it is my fated path.

[excaliburden]

[Being a world apart... it's a nice way to say they won't ever see each other again. Of course, Altria's never banked on it; when she goes back home, there are more reasons beyond just being in separate worlds for why she'll never be able to speak with the people here again.

... Well. She's always known this. Good things are fleeting, and love is bittersweet but wonderful.]

I know it is too...! I won't see it, but... I'll just assume it happens when we're able to go home, okay?

After all, I can't imagine you not making it. It's just a shame I won't get to find out what your actual title ends up being... I'd really like that.