Holiday Ball [December 2018 GM Event]

[Cristiana]

There was only one thing to say about Zodiac’s style of ice skating…. WOW. Crissy gilded easily watching the hot mess that was Zodiac. Every time she reached out to help she was waved away. She wanted to help her get steady but the woman, much like herself, was stubborn. When she flew into the bush and her bottom side was the up side of her, Crissy skated over to the woman and helped to right side her up before too many had seen the unmentionables that she was going to be mentioning later on in the evening. Since Crissy often ended up on end that Zodiac just had, she didn’t laugh. A bonus for her, but she did wear a smile.

She helped Zodiac stand, and when she was not rear end side up and on her feet, Cristiana moved in close and kissed her nose. “No matter how you do things, even when you are trying to teach the foliage to skate, you still do it gracefully. How about this time you let me help you?” She gave her that doe eyed look, “You should know I got you.” It could be taken many of ways, and she did mean all of them but this one time, it was meaning she wanted to help.

It wasn’t the first time she would teach someone to ice skate. So she offered Zodiac a hand so they could skate together. The look she gave the woman was pure admiration. She tried to say without saying that it was okay, even clumsy the woman sat high on a pedestal that she completely deserved, and could do no wrong in her eyes. Of course she wasn’t delusional enough to think Zodiac never did anything wrong, quite the opposite, she knew and chose to think of it as growth. Like now, instead of plunging head first into the bushes, Crissy just adored the woman to pieces. “I know you can do this as amazing as you do everything else and I am willing to help you every step of the way.” And she really was. Which was a first. “Shall we do this together?”

[Jesse Fforde]

The longer Jesse mingled, the more he felt out of place. The suit helped a little, but there was far too much merriment here and not quite enough chaos. He was torn between continuing to look for Charlie, or finding somewhere to get some blood. Not quite as good as a nice stiff drink, of course, but mind over matter, right?

He’d almost given up on finding Charlie, but then he heard her. That voice, that accent was unmistakable. His gaze narrowed, ears twitching as he surveyed the crowd to zero in on her, but instead he came face to face with someone he’d never have expected to show up to this kind of thing—regardless of whether she was prompted. Jesse gave Reagan a once-over and arched a brow. She definitely was not dressed for an event like this, and suddenly those jean-and-shirt combos didn’t seem quite so ridiculous.

”I could say the same for you,” he said, a smirk curling the corner of his lips. Maybe, maybe with Reagan present, they could cause some chaos, turn this shindig into a ******* party.

And there it was again. Charlie. Unmistakably Charlie. She was laughing. And when Jesse turned to the sound, when he caught sight of the woman as she came easing through the crowd, he realised why he had not found her earlier. Though she sounded like Charlie, she didn’t look anything like Charlie. Finally she arrived in front of him and Reagan and Jesse had to wait for her to stop laughing. Except she didn’t stop laughing. Jesse glanced at Reagan and sighed, not a single sign of amusement now crinkling his features. He might have complimented her on scrubbing up nicely, but she wasn’t giving him the space.

”…you quite done?”

[Zodiac]

She said nothing as she was helped to her feet. Crissy’s sweet words were meant to be soothing, but she was still boiling inside. She reacted in a way that made sense for street skating, but not for ice.

There was something to be said for ignoring instinct at times, she guessed.

A final shake to rid herself of any stray snow, and she let the woman take the lead. Eyes watching how her legs and feet moved as they began to glide across the ice. Paying attention to how the woman broke her speed and took the curves. The smile slowly returning to her face as she began to grasp the concept.

”I have meant to ask you, have you ever rode a horse before? Either way I should have you come out to the farm property one evening. A lot of open country out there where you can just go.” The thought of Crissy on a horse amused her mental images for some reason. ”I’ll make sure your horse is one that listens.”

After a couple laps around the rink she began to wonder how much of this was her. She knew her skates were barely touching the ice due to her levitating skills. A smirk appeared briefly on her lips as she relaxed her concentration and allowed herself to rise up another inch from the ground. She laughed. Now she felt like a toy balloon being pulled along in the air.

”Win…TER, is HERE!” she began to sing in Crissy’s mind in an annoying off key tone. ”BEST time, of YEEEAAARRR! COME, all along, and SING, a SKAYYYY…TING…SONG!” This was what she seriously needed. No problems, no issues, just mindless fun with someone she trusted and cared for.

[Cristiana]

Not only was she holding Zodiac but showing her the swan like grace of gliding along the smooth zambonied ice. Her hand loosened, still held on, to Zodiac’s hand as she noticed the skates being parallel together or criss crossing over the right spots to make the turns. With smooth easy strides she alternated balancing on either single blade trusting the sturdiness of them to suspend her in the movements across the frozen water.

The first steps her ankles had been wobbling. Now she was almost a pro! Like Cristiana, Zodiac caught on to things fairly quickly. Gaining some momentum, Cristiana lifted one leg behind her skating around Zo while holding her hand above her head. The other arm spread out eagle for balancing while she spun around Zo’s form on one skate. She spun, in small circles, drawing her legs together and crossing them. The spinning tightened, drawing as much of her body to her. Her hand in Zodiac’s, like that of a dancer, was barely holding on. When she stopped, she waited a moment for the rink and everything else to catch up to her.

Leaning in close, she whispered, “Yes, I know how to ride a horse. I would love to again.. Or a horse drawn buggy ride with you too.” As Zodiac sung into her mind, she hummed along.

While she hummed, some people nearby also began humming. And the people beside them. Soon almost everyone was humming or quietly singing. When it came time to stop though, she aligned the skates inwardly pushing outward to keep her steady as she slowed. It was more a show to let Zodiac see how to slow and stop, she kept her feet together like a penguin would and penguin walked besides Zodiac showing her how to stop and slow down.

When she seen Zodiac floating, she stopped fully with a slight skid that had flakes of ice on the sides of the blades. She eyed the woman staring her down before breaking out in laughter and shaking her head. No wonder Zo had gotten so good so fast. The cheeky temptress!

A spin had her skating backward, in front of Zodiac. “Let’s get our shoes on and see what else they have going on?” It was a question not a statement, seeing as Zodiac was being Zodiac, and no one even knew what an amazing woman she could be. If she have reversed time, there was so many things she would have done differently, one of them being letting Zo know how she felt sooner!

“It the most skatey time of the year!!!” She sang quietly joining in with her beloved female companion. She would enjoy it to the fullest, every moment she had with the woman. The woman never ceased to amaze her. She knew just what to get her for Christmas, using her Secret Santa to do it. A grin splayed across her face in a devious manner picturing Zo in it.

“Shall we my dearest one?” Because she couldn't imagine being any happier in this moment than with the one her heart melted for every time. She was convinced it is why no other relationship worked out for either of them, they always gravitated to each other.

[Raegan (DELETED 9663)]

Despite the emptiness she felt in the pit of her stomach, she allowed her lips to form that familiar smirk in response to his statement. His presence lightened her in a way not much had, and though it was but a small feat, it allowed her to relax - if only for the moment. Slipping her fingers beneath the strap of her bag, she tipped her head to the side as her gaze swept across the room. The familiarity of the ordeal would have left her stomach in knots if she allowed herself to dwell on it, and instead, she offered her sire a shrug at his words, her brow raising. “Can’t a girl get into the holiday spirit every once in a while?” The words had barely left her throat before she was choking on a laugh, shaking her head.

Working her tongue across a sharp canine, she used her free hand to motion to the crowd that surrounded them, even as a familiar voice cut over the rest. “I figured this place could use a little --- excitement. These events always get so dull.” As she spoke, her hand dropped to pat at the bag that hung at her side, the motion causing the paint cans hidden inside to clink together. Leaving it at that, she followed his gaze as Charlie stepped from the crowd, her laughter causing Raegan to tilt her head to the side. Her bored gaze swept across the woman as she continued to laugh, before she shrugged at the look she’d received from Jesse. “I think someone might have inhaled too much over-priced perfume,” she offered, a quick spark of amusement in her eyes before it was gone.

[Game Master]

R O L E P L A Y + P R O M P T + ! ! !

Santa’s elves have finally convinced the old man that time was ticking and he needed to depart to fulfil his other duties for the night. They hurry the photographer out of the room, slamming the door shut behind the professional. Clearly, no one was invited to witness St. Nick’s departure. Those closest to the door, however, would later swear that they heard hooves upon the wooden floor. They are soon followed by sounds of chairs being placed.

Within the main ballroom, after the current song, elves clear an area of the floor along with a pathway to one of the doors. The reason for this is soon revealed as what appears to be a local choir enters and fills the now vacant spot. For those paying attention to their entry, they would notice that each of the young people carries a bell or two with them. A moment or two after they are in place, the sound of ringing bells fills the room. The tune is easily discernible as the familiar Carol of the Bells. Without pause, the choir moves into a bells-only rendition of Silver Bells before taking a bow and making their exit.

Once the group had cleared the floor, the older elf makes his way into the vacated spot. ”Ladies and Gentlemen, we hope you have enjoyed the sounds of the season courtesy of the Harper Rock Youth Choir. At this time, we like to invite you to the sitting room where we will be showing the Christmas Lights around Canada’s Parliament illumination. It will be played on a loop for the remainder of the evening.

With a small bow, he takes his leave. As he reaches the edge of the floor, several other elves open the double doors to the sitting room. A projector has been set up to display upon one of the blank walls. A couple rows of padded chairs face the display area to provide comfort for those who wish to partake of the presentation.


[Sorry for the delay in posting, everyone. Holidays and real life kind of carried me away.

Everyone who’s participated thus far gets 1000 rpp with those who have posted since the last prompt getting double!

The full video presentation of the above show can be found here.]

[Every]

She could only give a smile of response, a nod being given to show that she agreed. Her lighter colored eyes sought for faces among the crowd once more, unsure on how late she would stay. Now, she would at least have to hunt down the man later on, but as he wandered away, she made a mental note of his aura - locking it away in her mind and filing it. “Do we ever not?” It wasn’t something Every was used to just quite, the difference in height between her previous body and the one she currently occupied. As she moved to take a step in the heels she wore, the balance caused her to stumble briefly and the expression of displeasure was evident for only a moment before she straightened up. If she wasn’t careful, it’d appear the bonds broker was drunk and although she knew Mercy was a drinker, she didn’t feel the need to have it in the headlines. As it was, she could only decline going out so many times.

“It means hard working, does it not?” A useless tidbit, but it helped with meeting ‘new’ people. “Try having the identity crisis I am.” Every snorted quietly into the red head’s mind before she offered her arm as soon as the two males walked off. “We shall.” The brunette confirmed. Her gaze drifted to the laughter, her lips twitching in amusement before she mentally reached out to Jesse’s mind long enough to say, “Well, don’t you still clean up nicely” unable to help herself when it came to teasing the tattooed man. It helped, really, for herself alone that the difference in her mental voice had yet to transition entirely into Mercy’s higher one. She wondered how often it would last.

As the photos would be taken, Every couldn’t help but make a face in one of them by crossing her eyes and sticking out her tongue when the photographer asked for something amusing - she knew she could come across as cold, but sometimes it was better to be silly, and then offer a sincere, bright smile for the second. In the year that had begun to draw to a close, the shadow had learned that it was sometimes better to laugh at herself and just appreciate the simple things. Later, she would likely wonder why she’d made the face, but it would still make her chuckle over time. This year, the woman didn’t begin singing with the chorus. Instead, she began to quietly listen to sway idly with the sound, observing. “Looks like the spiders aren’t here this year.” She finally said into Amalea’s mind, “I’m not entirely surprised after they threw vampires under the bus quickly.”

[Zodiac]

She just smiled as Crissy showed she did know what she was doing on the ice. Graceful, elegant, smooth. She was tempted just to let go and let her go full tilt but enjoyed the ‘ride’. Zodiac lowered herself down when Crissy suggested seeing what else was going on. As she followed the woman, she decided she did want to learn this properly. Not in front of people, but she did recall the small pond on the farm. It should be nice and solidly frozen by now.

Once back in heels, they wandered back inside just in time to see the choir and hear them singing. Zodiac stopped and linked her arm in Crissy’s to pull her closer. She said nothing, but just basked in the sound of the young voices all acting as one. She always envied those who could do that. The idea of Christmas songs often annoyed most people she knew, but to her they were a simple thing that pulled her back to a time she was alive and her entire past and future surrounded her. Soft notes of hope appealing softly against the madness humanity and the world had become.

Notes of hope. She believed those notes as a child, but time and becoming a vampire told her far too few even tried anymore. Add to that the outright mockery at what this time of year was supposed to be about just made the concept even sadder. Despite her outward appearance as a fortune teller and a witch, her spiritual views covered a wide gauntlet and they included views and opinions concerning the child who, supposedly, was born on Christmas Eve.

It amazed her that all who screamed and acted in glory to self indulgence and swearing undying loyalty to Satan himself could deny the other half of the issue. Everything she had ever learned or had been taught told her the universe had a balance to it. Darkness and light was a far deeper concept than night and day but no one cared anymore about light.

Or notes of hope.

When the children had finished, Zo just smiled and turned to face Crissy. She relocked her feelings on the matter of Christmas back down tightly as the announcement of viewing a movie showing holiday lights.

”How lazy the world has become,” she whispered. ”When I was a child, when we wanted to view Christmas lights we went on foot or in the back of a pick up truck. Not sit in front of a screen. Being outside was part of the experience.”

She pointed to the area that served drinks she herself could consume. Crissy did not have that problem, but Zodiac did not feel like upchucking for the amusement of the crowd. (Though she smiled at the memory of someone who did last year after being kissed) ”I did not come here to watch TV, if you don’t mind.” As she began to walk to the bar, she paused and handed out another packet concerning her businesses to a person whose appearance screamed money. ”I am so glad you came, Cristiana. Unlike last year, I’d be dying of boredom if I was alone in this.” her thoughts found the woman as she moved along.

[Cristiana]

It had been a month prior to Christmas when Cristiana had fallen asleep last year. She knew it was between her birthday and Thanksgiving, but not the exact date. She had woken long enough to give a gift but although the thought was there, it wasn’t as good as being there for the woman. It was something she was reminded of, sadly.

Things were a lot better now. She was in a more stable place than she had been last year. It wasn’t fair of what she did, falling asleep to not face things but more so being upset as she was and keeping distance from Zo until she was sure there was nothing residual left of the past feelings. Except hurt. There was hurt in the way thing ended, not that did. That was for the best. However, she was still his sire and in her heart she knew chances were he would never wake up for them to talk about it and move on. That was the worst part, not being able to fully end it and let go of the guilt completely. She was no angel in the ending, or hell ever. Yet, it was still something she would have done because she was asked to keep it between the two and not tell anyone. Why should she have picked one over the other childer?

Now that was all over and in the past, long over. It was dug down deep along with the guilt of it on her part. She may never get to apologize and have her childer back. Simon was owed an apology for her yelling at him over this. They just had a different kind of relationship that you didn’t apologize for anything in. Maybe it was why he didn’t wake up.

She looked at Zodiac as the music came to an end, and clapped along with the crowd listening to the choir of children go from Oh Holy Night to Jingle Bell Rock. It was a lovely display from the local school to get involved in the event of the holiday. When Zo motioned toward the tables she motioned to avoid the food. She could eat but she wanted to try something with Zodiac, soon but not yet.

“Darling what I really want, instead of television watching, is for us to wave and say goodbye and prepare ourselves for our own little celebration.” She gave the woman a cheeky grin and wiggled her eyebrows. She would have to stop and get the presents she got for Zodiac and Ginny too. There was one of her places that she knew Ginny did not like to go, so she hid some presents there for them.

“I cannot wait for you to see what I bought for you. Do you think we can dip out and start our own … more private…” She leaned in like she was whispering but really gave a soft purr against her cheek and neck, “And get some quality time alone together.”

She gave a look around the room and while there was people she knew, they hadn’t gone above and beyond to draw her attentions, as much as she hadn’t to them. If she disappeared, they wouldn’t be the wiser. She came face to face with her, holding both Zodiac’s hands in hers, holding her eyes as well, “There is no place that feels more like home than to be with you, no matter where you are. If you want to stay here, we can stay but if we have shown enough face I am all up for disappearing because you are the heart of this holiday.” And she really did mean it.

[Zodiac]

Guess this party is dead and done

When Crissy suggested it was time to call it a night, she held up a finger for patience. As usual, she did not get the amount of packets right. Too few this time, while last year she went home with extras. Zodiac was judging who to tag with the last two. Several faces suggested themselves. A few new ones. She considered them all. She had never seen the woman who Amalea seemed to be stalking for some reason, but the gypsy concluded handing her a packet would be a waste. She suspected she could count on Amelea pouring poison in the woman’s ear on the subject of doing business with Zodiac. She quickly narrowed her mental list and made her final two contacts of the evening.

She then directed her full attention to Crissy and smiled. ”All done. The main reason I come to these anyway. Last year there were much more fireworks of sorts happening, and a most unusual visitor we had as well.” the barest hint of color managed to touch her cheeks as she took in what the woman was saying to her.

”Presents? For me? Thought I already got my present.” She leaned close till her nose was just touching Crissy’s. ”Wish you was here last year,” she began as she hooked her arm in Crissy’s and began to move to the front door to reclaim her cloak. ”There was a bomb scare, reindeer rustling, Two sides of a debate ready to have it out. Well, at least one side was sitting on ready. A puking paladin, one very pissed off man-mountain, a shady Santa, and a Drider. Half the room was kissing her *** and the other half wanted to kill her. I gave her a card for a free reading and the stuck up arachnid never showed. Typical.”

“So yes, let us go home.” She slipped on her cloak and fished her car keys from her purse. ”Sorry, I drove and I am not leaving the mini bus so it can be towed later tonight so you’ll have to deal with my driving. And you can be sure Ginny will find us eventually.” Crissy was right. Some peace and quiet spent with ones you cared for was always a winner. As she made her way to where she had parked. (The last thing Zodiac would ever do is trust an unknown with her mini-bus to park it and possibly help themselves to things inside.) she began to sing softly.

And somewhere on this night of nights, she’s looking to believe. Here among the ghosts on Christmas Eve.