chestnuts roasting over an open fire...

[feintofhart]

Who: YOU!!!
Where: Claude's Apothecary (also known as: his house)
What: Claude and Ethlyn decide to host a Christmas party -- they may not be familiar with Christmas, but when in Rome! There will be drinking, dancing, and much revelry, and it's open underneath the guise of a combo grand opening, meaning that it's free for all and sundry to attend!
Warnings: Probably some underage drinking Claude will make no effort to curb, but that's about it.





Welcome, one and all to the Apothecary's grand opening celebration -- which just so happens to coincide with winter festivities! Despite the fact that neither Claude nor Ethlyn have any familiarity with Christmas whatsoever, they've decided to put together a party anyway, and what a party it is! At the front of the room, Claude and Root have put together an assortment of festive outfits for people to wear: all manner of ridiculous Christmas sweaters from Root, and from Claude, an assortment of reindeer horns and Santa hats if you choose to get as decked out as he is.

Inside, all breakables and valuables have been safely tucked away and have been replaced by all manner of decorations: glittering lights, bristly boughs, a Christmas tree and, of course, an assortment of mistletoe hanging over everyone's heads, ready to ensnare an unlikely couple or two in a requisite smooch. The entire place is, in fact, absolutely covered in festive greenery, courtesy of Kurama -- a little overkill, maybe, but they can't help themselves. Even if you duck past the mistletoe, it may have a way of finding you anyway; Kurama has a mischievous streak, and the ability to grow unlimited amounts of mistletoe to dog your steps.

Every surface seems absolutely covered in anything you might want from a feast, from unctious meats still dripping in their own fats to enormous platters of roasted vegetables and freshly prepared rolls and flatbreads to trays filled with biscuits and pies glittering with sugar. Also available for everyone's consumption - and Claude's not checking IDs as long as the kids aren't being too foolhardy - is a seemingly endless supply of libations, from steaming jugs of mulled wine to mugs filled with buttered rum to an open container of punch ready for the spiking. In the background are a few local musicians that Claude hired to play for them, though the stage is set for any tipsy guests to try their hand at entertaining the crowd.

On a table at the back are wrapped presents that are ready for the taking for anyone who wins at an assortment of games - with anything inside ranging from the Apothecary's own wares of teas and tinctures to pantry items from local vendors to a cute cuddly stuffed animal or two - if you choose to partake. Games of Questions and Commands (essentially Truth or Dare), Flapdragon (a game in which you must drain your glass to see what prize you win at the bottom) to card and board games are available for people to compete at. Everyone loves a good parlor game. Or, for those with a bolder constitution, Snapdragon is available outside, in which people set shallow dishes of brandy and dried fruits out, set it aflame, and ask people to go bobbing for the fruit at deadly risk of losing their lashes and brows. Spectating the whole scene is Claude's wyvern, who guests are welcome to go out and greet anytime they like.

Finally, for those more retiring in nature, and exclusively Claude's closest friends: he will allow some into his private quarters to have a little rest from all the fuss and noise. It's a good place for quiet conversation if you can hack it, or even to nap off the worst of the booze. For anyone else who wants some peace and quiet, you'll have to settle for the employee break room, a modestly undecorated place with a supply of caffeinated beverages and flat surfaces to rest upon.

Feel free to make up your own prompts and just use this as a fun holiday space for gift exchanges and drunken festivities! Happy holidays, Expiation!

Comments

I

[ashesofkatarr]

[Unlike Spock, Visas has just the one outfit, which she cleans when needed, but otherwise she can't recall ever having gotten dressed up for a party. This certainly doesn't mean it hasn't happened--it probably did--but it was in the time before Katarr's destruction.

So she has absolutely no idea what to do here, but Root is here, so. And maybe if she starts doing more ordinary, everyday things, she'll understand why it is people do them, what makes it important.

Why does this man have a stack of... what are those boxes? Games? Table games?]

...What is all this?

[ashaya]

[ It is most common for him to wear two outfits aboard the Enterprise outside his typical sleep and meditation wear, but it is not uncommon for those (much like himself) to keep a change of vestments or two within the provided closets for shore leave. Not that, of course, Spock opted to take it often or at all.

However, she appears about as lost as Spock often feels at such events. It is not to say that he does not know what is occurring, but rather- well, it is not particularly important. What is known, however, is that he has something to do and can attend to it. ]

Elucidate, [ he prompts, not unkindly. He has few recreational activities placed before him, but he might provide her further insight as required if she indicates which. Or, rather, if she is referring to something else (drinks, perhaps?) - he can indicate that as well. ]

[ashesofkatarr]

[Really, all of it, is Visas' first impulse. But that isn't practical as a response, because there is so much on the table.

She points to the stack of board games. Not that Visas doesn't know what games are. Anyone who lived on the Ebon Hawk for a day knew of its pilot's long-running (and persistently losing) battle to beat the maintenance droid at cards. But she points to the chessboard and its many figures.]

This. It is a game of some sort, but it is unfamiliar to me.

[ashaya]

[ It isn't, but Spock might be so inclined to elaborate given the general atmosphere and the current way of his company. He has no issue expounding upon a variety of subjects if the one who inquires is sincere in their interest, but most often he encounters those disinclined to ask and/or disinclined to truly learn. ]

Ah. [ It's a small sound of confirmation, but one that may tip its way over to his own focus upon that game in particular. His tone does not betray it per se, but there is something in his posture and that suggests a greater attention. It's in the lean of his shoulder. The softer, demonstrative sweep of his palm over the set. ] Chess.

[ He tips his head, just so, to the open chair across from him. ] If you are interested in learning its origins and its nature of play, I would be willing to elaborate.

[ The implication is that it's sufficiently complex, yes, but the basics are graspable. ]

[ashesofkatarr]

[Visas hesitates a moment, then sits down. She examines the pieces. Out in front is a row of identical, round-headed figures, eight across. Behind them is more variety--a pair of horses, two circular towers, a pair with their mouths wide open to the sky, and in the center, two figures with crowns.

White on one side, black on the other. At least, in her vision--they might well be red or blue or green. But, one half light and the other dark.]

Are these all meant to represent people?

[ashaya]

[ They are nothing, if not tradition in their make and manner. To Spock, these pieces are notably antiquated. While he first learned how to play upon these kinds of boards, it eventually did not hold much challenge for him. Four dimensional chess was preferred within his time due to the inevitable climb in defensive and offensive movements, but that is neither here nor there. For now, she's asked a question. ]

Affirmative, [ he says, voice smooth and still as it often is. ] This variant is meant to emulate the Terran medieval period, with pieces arranged in a fashion to indicate since outmoded hierarchies. However, its origins are considerably more ancient.

[ashesofkatarr]

[Ah, then the two central pieces in the back are the leaders, judging by their heads... crowns, like Queen Talia wore.]

These in the back are the higher ranking warriors. [She picks up a pawn. Unlike the pieces in back, it is featureless, round of head and of body, indistinguishable from its fellows.] And this piece is the one they consider disposable.