[SpringsSong]

Lana. Xyshari.

"Well, you're not going to be using it in any place quite like that again, are you?" Lana asked, and Xyshari offered a slight groan before nodding in agreement.

"Honestly, I don't know that I'll use it very often at all, anymore. It's been a long time since I used my saberstaff, and I don't know that I will pick it up again. I'm much more used to using my saberpike, after all - but this is hardly Life Day talk," Xyshari said with a chuckle.

"And what was Life Day even like on Kashyyyk?" Lana asked as they picked their way through the maze.

[Jedi]

Nigma and Dent

Dent snarled once more at him. "Don't question my methods, Nigma. Everyone gets the same chance. 50/50." He holstered his firearm and his coin and extended his hand. Edward took it in his, giving it a firm shake as he grinned. "So, you ready to wrangle up some suckers?"

Moments passed and they found themselves standing near the teacup tables where others had congregated as well. They both approached a man who seemed to be enjoying a cookie. One look in his eyes, which were quite unique with a single glowing green eye and the other blacked out, and they knew this would be fascinating. "Excuse me, kind sir," Ed started. "Do you have a couple seconds?"

[zapdragon555]

Hermey paused and spun around on the ball of his foot, his brows raised and a grin rising on his face. "Ohh!" he exclaimed, a laugh spilling out of him. "Ohh, that's good. That's good... yeah, I'm the white rabbit now. I've just decided." He waited for Joseph to catch up, tapping his foot comically on the ground in a thumper-like fashion.

"You probably aren't. I'm seeing it, too," he mused, playing along with the joke. He made a startled, happy sound as Joseph ran past him, and hurried after the other man, close on his heels. "Wait for me! I'll totally get lost in here!" He grinned at his own joke and nearly rammed into the back of his companion, stopping short on his tip-toes and grabbing an archway to prevent from falling forward onto him. The squeak was... loud. Even muffled, it was loud, and... cute.

Hermey's startled expression melted into a doe-eyed grin, reaching out and giving Joseph an impulsive, quick side-hug, rubbing his shoulder briskly before letting go. "C'mon. Let's get you out of the allergy zone. I bet some hot chocolate or coffee would help that nose..."

What they walked out into was much more bar-like. It was a tavern with tables and chairs and a bar serving drinks, and a music was filtering about. The murmur of talking was loud, but not raucously so, save for the occasional burst of laughter or exaggerated shout as someone told a half-true story. Hermey smiled, scouting out a small table near the bar, but out of the way enough that it wasn't totally surrounded by people. He gently tugged on Joseph's sleeve and pointed that way. "Wanna grab that one? Looks deserted enough... all to ourselves."

Not that they had to be all to themselves. It was... a little intimate of a thing to say, he supposed. Much too intimate for casual friends, maybe. It more suited... two mobsters trying to work out a deal, or... well, it suited his friend, who didn't like loud places. Hermey decided on that one.

[Advent Day 4]

[Jaykobell]

The Fenref huffed with disbelief at the words, and at first, they didn't say anything in response. "I don't care," they finally answered at some point, after having stared at some of the guests merrily enjoying themselves. "It won't change the past."

The Nonaga didn't agree, but it didn't show on their face. Partly due to the fact they were stuffing their face with food all the while. "But of course," they said, agreeing, at least, to the part about the past, "but the past is called 'the past' for a reason, my dear. Would you not rather move on?"

[Day 4]

[FrostWynd]

The chaotic energy about this place meant that if he hadn't been paying attention for even a second, then this girl could have easily vanished from his sight, and they would have had a real problem on their paws. So at the very least he was glad that he realized how the girl had been about to run off on her own in fascination over something going on to one side of the room, and he was quick enough to go and clamp his teeth down onto her sleeve before she could actually go anywhere.

Now, he by no means wanted to ruin the only good outfit she had in her possession, and was aware that poking holes into things was something his fangs were good at, but he needed to do something in that moment. So while the grip he now had was just firm enough to prevent her from going anywhere once there'd been a single tug, it was still being held awkwardly from him worrying.

The language barrier between them always made for quite the challenge, as the canine wanted to flat out tell her that they couldn't stay here and would be better off just going home. But he couldn't, and instead had to get creative again. So as she was looking down at him, he'd stare up into her pale eyes with his ears flattened, and a soft growl rumbling from his throat. Slowly he'd jerk his head once, to tug at her sleeve again, and hoped that might help get the message across.

[Sarah]

"Who's going to hear? Who's going to care?" Zli questioned. Raziel sat across from him with a huff. Zli raised a brow. What was Sevastion's archangel doing out and about? Last Zli had heard no one from the inner circle was being allowed out of Hell. It was Annabelle's way of controlling information flow at the moment, and a way for her to punish her son. A funny thing that, considering Sevastion was actually hers by blood.

[ToxicShadow]

While beginning to exchange words with Prosper, Ryo had looked his way, then at their path ahead, and back again. It was obvious that the other man was avoiding looking at him at all costs, and the god couldn't really hold it against him, even if he also wanted to fuss about it, in his typical, demanding fashion.

So when Prosper at least glanced his way, Ryo grinned, unable to miss it.

"Sure, let's go," he agreed, easily enough. But in saying so, he finally removed one of his hands from his coat pockets, and used it to reach out and take Prosper's hand with it. Once he succeeded in holding hands, he more hurriedly made his way toward the building that had been made up to look like a castle, and pried the door open for them.

[crow]

Prosper flinched at the sudden contact, tensing for a moment against the expectation of violence. It was a subtle thing, his tells all but smothered under the layers of clothes: a moment of stillness, the way his face emptied, a slight twitch of his fingers against Ryo's; but all the same, he couldn't repress it.

A part of him wondered how long the ghosts of his servitude would linger. But then he remembered where he was and who he was with, and the tension in him changed in quality, a slow flush creeping up his neck. Now he was glad for the scarf for an entirely different reason, tucking his head down to stare at his feet as they walked through the door.

Still, he didn't let go. If anything, Prosper held on a little more tightly than was strictly necessary.

Whatever he was expecting, however, what they found within wasn't it. A hedge maze perfumed with the scent of roses greeted them, and Prosper watched with furrowed brows as other visitors made their way through. A cry of surprised delight came from somewhere behind them; and further in there was a peal of laughter, a groan of dismay. "Flowers in winter," he said, unsure what to make of the whole affair. "The host has unusual tastes." If the entrance was like this, he couldn't imagine what awaited them deeper inside.

[Sarah]

"You know better than most there are ears everywhere."

Zli huffed a laugh. Raziel wasn't one to be paranoid, nor was he one to speak with so little care. "Why are you here?"

"Hell is positively stifling."

Zli swirled the ice in his glass and set it on the table, forgotten in an instant. "Sure, but why are you here?" All of Evelon and Zli knew Raziel well enough to know they wouldn't willingly hang out together.

[Adelie]

Actually, he might be feeling a little daring. Just a little.

Chalk it up to the power of the punch he'd imbibed, he supposed - he was pretty sure it was non-alcoholic, but maybe his taste buds were just failing him today. Or maybe chalk it up to the cloying atmosphere of fun in the air. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, even the kids still cleaning up frosting from the floor - so why shouldn't he?

Admittedly, he didn't really want to enjoy himself the party way. There was no way in hell anyone was going to coax him onto the dance floor, for example; not even Fischer - not for want of trying! - could accomplish a feat like that. And he didn't really want to get involved in competitive pie-eating - which was not a scheduled event here, but some of the folks by the food arrangements seemed intent on making it one - nor in the delicate art of taking selfies with the various ridiculous-looking ornaments and costumed attendees walking around.

But he could use a conversation, maybe.

[GrayGriffin]

Eventually, Aster and Bonbon did decide it would be nice to check out the snacks. As Aster munched on a cookie, Bonbon grabbed a cup of cocoa and held it up to his face. While he couldn't truly drink it, nonetheless he found that inhaling the scent was pleasing to him in some way. As he breathed in the scent, though, he noticed a strange movement on the table. With everyone else preoccupied with eating, he frowned and reached out to grab it.

And with that, pulled up a squeaking robotic creature from behind one of the teacups.

"Wh-what? Unhand me, you barbaric creature!" it exclaimed, wriggling in his grip. He quickly backed away from the table, glaring at it.

"Squeakers, what the hell are you doing here?" he demanded. "i haven't seen you since you snuck away through those digital tunnels!"

"What, I can't have a life of my own? And it's Ralph now!" the Maus replied. "I just showed up here and thought it'd be nice to hang out and enjoy myself, you know?"

Bonbon glared at it some more, but it did seem like the truth. "Fine," he said. "But you tell anyone else here about me and I'm dunking you in the cocoa."

"Sure, sure," replied the Maus. "Now let me down, okay? I wanted to check out some of those lights."

With a snort, Bonbon let it go, stunning it for a moment when it hit the ground before it "rebooted" itself and scurried away.

[SpringsSong]

Lana. Xyshari.

"Well, one thing that you must understand is that it was a celebration of life - those who had passed on, and those who were born that year and continuing life," Xyshari said. "But it didn't just encompass one's blood family - it encompassed their honor family as well."

"Honor family?" Lana asked, turning to look at her wife.

"In Wookiee society, those closest to you, that had agreed to lay down their lives for you, and your life for theirs," Xyshari said. "So, life-debts."

"I see," Lana said. "And wasn't there singing?"

"Yes, but... there have only been a few times that I have sang, and none of them were happy occasions. I do not think it would be wise for me to sing," Xyshari said, rubbing the back of her neck.

[Lunch]

Indeed, the 'thing' became visible. It was only a matter of time since the Shielupe entered the festive atmosphere amongst the others. Though the gaze towards the lady set off the signal for the creature, it quickly set out to find the one it was supposed to torment. Being a small thing, it didn't take long to make its' way quickly towards the tavern, skittering inside before the door closed after another individual walked through the threshold.

It's teetering, chittering sounds signaled out to find the Shielupe, and once done, it quickly scuttled towards him. It was a good thing it was a small creature. It bled everywhere, dripping little droplets of blood all over the floor as it scuttled about at a fast pace towards the negative energy. It didn't care if it was noticed by others, though. Just by him. Those feelings were so overwhelmingly delicious that it couldn't help but search him out when they came back to him.

Finally, the target acquired, it quickly reached up, gripping the table cloth he was standing in front of and moved its' way in between several pieces of dinnerware and other pieces, settling in front of him just enough so the Shielupe could see him. It bled, the blood staining the pretty white cloth. Only one could hope it was just a glass of wine spilt.

---

Of course, he'd notice the abomination. He was testing out a delectable treat when he heard the sounds 'it' made. Letting out a disgusted sigh, he threw the pastry down on the plate he was using and put it back on the table. "You would arrive here as I was just about to forget. ..It seems it can't be helped."

With a look of disdain, he started to turn around and focus on something else when a soft twittering sound came from his wrist. It was the Master, he was sure of it. Clearing his throat, he took a step away from the table and looked down, tapping on the screen of the watch that was on his wrist. One new message..

_{M: How are things, N0m4d? Was everything as you expected it to be?}

A slight smirk rose upon his face. He was surprised his Master was asking. But it was for a purpose, so it was the most he could do to reply back with a bit of vigor. He aimed to please, after all.

<sub>N0m4d: It is as expected. I was starting to feel a little bit better. Everything seems to be in order. I've even received a few gifts from others, and I've tried some of the sweeter foods here. I don't know anybody here, it's so strange..

M: That's quite alright. I expected that was to happen. How are you feeling?</sub>

N0m4d cleared his throat again. Why was his Master asking about this? A slight chittering sound caught his attention. The Bleeder was still here, but it seemed to be waning off as it must have gotten its' fill of his negative thoughts. The spot where it lay was crimson red. Definitely not a wine spill this time. The Shielupe winced and turned away, hoping none of these other people noticed.

With a shaky hand, he started to reply back...

[Kylo]

He may have forgotten a day due to sleeping the entire day through, but he was back! As if anything could keep the small man from free food in a warm building. So after he grabbed his gift for the day he went and settled down to eat again. The gifts from previous days perplexed him, but he wasn't one to judge. Though a spring tulip in the middle of winter was...odd to say the least.

He sniffs it before placing it carefully inside his backpack. With a small smile to himself he goes about procuring more food and stuffing himself.

[Isalynne]

Eugh. Joseph always felt grotty with pollen stuffing up his airways; his nose wriggled as he itched it on the back of one wrist, and he sniffed in an attempt to clear the snot threatening to clog it up. It was super sexy of him to be oozing on a date. Wait, not a date--

The thought popped like a bubble the second Hermey's arm pulled him in for that brief, barely-there hug. It felt like his brain was malfunctioning - he couldn't process what was going on until he'd been let go, and he stood there for a few seconds too long with wide eyes as it dawned on him. It felt nice. The warmth of his friend's body, however fleeting, was... soothing.

"I need an Irish coffee..." Joseph scowled, a pitifully false thing betrayed by a blush and a grin still fighting for its place on his face. "Yeah, looks good."

He took his time examining the chairs before he sat down. More bunnies. They were... cute, he supposed, if he was being generous.

"So, uh..." What to say, what to say. Losing his rag with Hermey over reindeer care was quite different to having an actual conversation with him. "What are you gonna do for the holidays this year?"

How lame.