THE CHRISTMAS MINGLE YOUR PARENTS WARNED YOU ABOUT

[carpevinum]

At some point in the night, taking advantage of the perma-silence, Lucifer and a few others sneak about to decorate the dormitory for the holidays. The morning of 12/25, you'll wake up to the smell of Christmas cookies wafting from the dorm kitchen, and upon actually leaving your room, there are string lights and decorations thrown up in the hallways and the common room proper.

The decorating is, of course, courtesy of Nene, who has been working hard to ensure that there's something more beautiful than those ghoulish paintings on the walls here. You can thank Helena, Sidney, and Lucifer for both the cookies and other, more substantial food which will periodically be presented throughout the day — Lucifer practically lives in the kitchen for the duration of the party and can sometimes be seen shooing the other two out to go have fun. That said, the table housing all of these dishes, ranging from traditional Christmas meals (as best they can do with limited resources, anyway) to more ostentatious treats will never be empty, so please eat to your heart's content!

Thanks to Amami, there's a large, undecorated Christmas tree in the middle of the common room that looks to be very well taken care of. Next to it is a table full of art supplies for making colourful paper ornaments, and a small card lying nearby that instructs those participating to write down a wish on the ornament proper before hanging it on the tree. It may not come true, but you know it'll be safe since no mysterious forces set this up — wish away!

Should you come to spend time at the party and fraternize, you'll find that you're being waited on by a number of small little imps except they're all wearing tiny Santa hats — they'll bring you food and drinks and candy should you request it, and they're on their Best Behaviour, so please be nice to them! They are simply underpaid service workers. They're absolutely thrilled to talk to you in chirps and weird demonic chittering, and they understand what you're saying at least.

In the back corner of the room, there's a minute-to-win-it type game set up: two chairs are tied by the backs together by two ribbons, about two feet apart from one another. Nearby, there's a table of candycanes for use in this game. The goal of the game is to toss a candycane while standing on one of the chairs and get said candycane to catch on the ribbons, or to see who can get the most candycanes on a ribbon in a minute. The instructions are explained on a little card sitting nearby, with further note to not eat all of the candycanes (there are more set out on the food table, you see) so people can play, and another smaller note banning the use of magic against an opponent who doesn't have it. Let's keep the game fair, people. And let's thank Hikaru for running out to get an obnoxious amount of candycanes for everyone.

Lucifer will intermittently come join the festivities from time to time when he's not cooking, wearing this, please feel free to bully the demon for celebrating the holiday from the religion he hates. He can take it, it's okay.

Last but certainly not least, Noah is roaming about the party using his magic to try and liven the place up. Little stars hang from the ceiling around him in a ten-foot radius, and should you frown at all, he will come up to you and put cat ears formed of magic shadows on you until you laugh. On occasion, he can be seen slipping out of the party with cookies and stacking them on a plate in front of Komaeda's door. The stars go with him, but the good news is that Natsume is also helping with their little lightshow, so the twinkling indoor galaxies will not be absent for long. It's a joint effort between Clamor's apprentices, and their hard work really shows through, magic training is difficult after all. Feel free to bother either of them to do magic tricks for you, if you'd like, or just lie down under a curtain of stars.

The night promises to be magical (semi-literally), even if we're all stuck in purgatory, so relax, put your feet up, and sing Christmas carols to your heart's content. And don't worry about the cleanup — just try not to pass out on the floors.

[OOC: Merr Crimmus try not to kill each other, that is my only request, otherwise go buck wild]

Comments

[sisters]

( oh, jeez, wrong answer huh? he can tell from that look on her face, and the way she pointedly steps in front of him, it feels almost like a scolding more than an invitation. )

Yeah, it really is. You don't mind if I join you, do you?

( he can take a hint, and to his credit, at least he looks a little embarrassed to have clearly gotten her so frustrated.

listen, it's hard when she always just so happens to be standing on the wrong side, but there's something apologetic in his smile as he gestures back to the hall. )

Lead the way. You don't need a jacket, do you?

( seeing as her sweater has open shoulders and all. )

[heroicpolonaise]

[the looks softens and she shakes her head, though she's probably going to regret saying no when they get out there as she takes the lead.]

Mm-mm, it's only for a minute. I'll be fine.

[even stepping into the hall is nice, but she doesn't want to grill him so close to everyone else. at least the snow isn't so bad anymore... the shock of cold still makes her gasp when she opens the door to the courtyard though, but she resists the urge to duck back into the warmth as she steps out. kaede akamatsu will not be defeated by winter... especially not when she has a focus.

right. at least she can cross her arms for warmth and assertion as she waits for the door to click behind amami before speaking up.]

Amami-kun... Are you okay?

[... no scolding, just concern.]

[sisters]

( the door clicks shut, and while his first instinct is to double-check, is kaede sure she's fine? he won't tell if she wants to borrow his— but that train of thought stops dead in its tracks at the sudden concern in her voice. it's something that makes him even more worried, actually, though he keeps a smile on his face even as he answers. )

Me? I'm fine, it's just a little loud inside, don't you think? Plus, I was kinda spacing out there, I'll admit.

( not only are those imps much less cute once you've seen what they can do to a person, but it's really difficult to separate sounds with only one ear, if he can hear them in the first place. )

[heroicpolonaise]

...

[so they're hard balling this.

kaede adjusts her position just slightly, more hugging than crossing now, and sighs.]

This isn't the first time you've "spaced out" or misheard me, if you heard me at all. I know I'm still fresh or whatever, but... I really did mean it when I said you could talk to me.

[sisters]

It's not about you being fresh or not. ( it's totally about her being fresh. fight hard, kaede, because amami sure is useless at this. )

It was just noisy, and that aside, I've had some bad run-ins with those imps before. Guess I just got stuck in my own head worrying.

( which... is only a half-lie. he was absorbed in it, and it is because he was worried. it's just... she's right that there was something else on top of it. something that he's not sure if he really wants to dump on her on christmas day of all occasions. )

Listen, I appreciate that you're concerned about me, but it's nothing. Really.

[heroicpolonaise]

[she wants to believe him, because they're friends and he's probably just keeping the full truth from her so she doesn't worry, but...

... but would he ever tell her the truth on his own?]

... I didn't want to have to bring it up, because I thought you'd be willing to speak if I asked, but...

[sometimes to get the truth, you have to lie.]

Komaeda-kun mentioned something about you to me a few days ago. It's... been going on for a while, hasn't it? Not being able to hear anything on this side, I mean.

[with a wave to her left. she hates lying, she's generally not good at it, but it's somewhat easier when she doesn't have thirteen other pairs of eyes on her. and when it's not too bold-faced, since the lack of hearing is something she's picked up on herself. whether it really has been going on for a while is something she doesn't know, but it's ambiguous enough.

... besides.

amami hasn't seen her lie before.]

So... please, Amami-kun.

[sisters]

( nothing quite like being caught in your lie to make you feel like the asshole, huh. he doesn't feel bad about the lying half, mind you; it's something he'd stand by. it's not necessary information quite yet, y'know? and it's harmless to everyone but him besides. getting caught, though... that sings. there's guilt in his eyes as he glances off to the side. )

Have to say, didn't expect Komaeda-kun to rat me out on this one...

( but he can't say he's too surprised either; kaede's an ultimate too, which means komaeda's probably all too happy to fill her in on anything she happens to ask about. he feels kind of careless too, having let it become so noticeable, but... well, here they are now. even if he can admit to his crimes though, he's not eager to get into the details about them. there's a soft exhale, and: )

Sorry, Akamatsu-san, it's... complicated. A long story that I don't really want to get into. What matters is that it wasn't an accident, and I'm fine with it, so why don't we leave it at that for now.

( for now... he'll get into it, of course, but... let him have this for now. )

[heroicpolonaise]

[she lets out a soft exhale of her own, relieved that he's telling her more of the truth -- and definitely not because her own lie wasn't caught. kaede doesn't like that it's on purpose, and she wonders how he can be fine with it, but...]

For now means you'll tell me when you're ready, right? Promise?

[sisters]

Yeah. Not really any point in hiding it if you already know, but I don't think it's much of a topic for a Christmas party.

( also something he'll have to figure out his explanation for more properly. there probably isn't a single person he knows who approved of the decision he made, but it was his decision to make in the end. just... give him a little bit to work out how to put it into words. )

Besides, stay out here too long, and you'll catch a cold.

[heroicpolonaise]

[she'll be holding him to that.

anyway,]

It is pretty chilly.

[like she was just reminded despite the snow piling at their heels, the chill reddening her shoulders. she steps towards amami's right side, since he seems to hear better on that one, and turns back to face the winter wonderland.]

Do you think it'll still be here tomorrow?

[sisters]

( it's a relief with the side she picks, but thinking it over now, he supposes he should've expected something like this. the ultimate pianist, of course, would be attuned to the hearing of those around her almost as much as her own. with one last glance over the bright scene in front of them, he offers a smile. )

Yeah, I think it'll be here.

( your winter wonderland isn't going anywhere kaede, so he's going to go ahead and open up the door to hold for her. )

C'mon, we can sit by the fireplace to get you warmed up.

[heroicpolonaise]

[how she's always going to be his right-hand woman now

the door is open and it is so warm... kaede'll step back in, rubbing her arms with a sigh. she'll have to get him back tomorrow morning.]

I really like your gift, Amami-kun, but it's pretty impractical for the winter... I just wish I had something to give you in return.

[but it's just a tease, she doesn't mean anything bad by it. and whether amami told her the gift was his or not she can tell. please. it's fashionable she knows like no one here and he was probably "ouo" at seeing her wear it]

[sisters]

Don't worry about it, just you being here is enough. I didn't get you it so that I'd get something back, y'know?

( still, he looks a little sheepish at the callout. he was in fact ouo. )

But nothing's stopping you from wearing the jacket with it.

( listen. sometimes you dress for the weather. sometimes you're resistant to all temperatures and dress for the aesthetic. he tried to meet her in the middle here with an option for both. )

[heroicpolonaise]

I'll be fine now that I'm back inside, but I'll remember that the next time I need to steal you away for a minute.

[like she's gonna make a habit of taking him outside for a talking to. she wasn't gonna stop by her room just for that!! and who wears jackets inside besides shin, who doesn't want to interact with others.]

Still, let me do something else for you besides being here. [which is embarrassing, actually. how can he say things like that with a straight face.] I can't offer much besides...

[... oh!]

Would you like to learn how to play piano, Amami-kun? It really isn't that hard, and your hands are perfect for it. Though I guess this is less of a gift than it is a commitment.

[sisters]

( he's shameless, he only catches about 40% of the things he says that sound lame coming out of his mouth. the majority 60%, you're stuck dealing with. the offer takes him by surprise, clearly, but blinking at kaede for a moment, he's quick to realize she's serious about it. naturally, this means he has to offer up a sheepish laugh as if it were an apology. )

Haha, I mean, considering what we were just talking about... I dunno if I'd be any good at it. I'm certainly not gonna turn down lessons from the Ultimate Pianist though.

( imagine thinking you were too good for a chance like that? nothing but respect for his kaede akamatsu. )

If you're willing to take me on as a student, I'm up for giving it a try.

[heroicpolonaise]

Beethoven was deaf too, you know, and he still knew exactly how music sounded. It might be a little difficult, but... You're someone I know won't give up, and I won't either.

[besides, it just means he'll have to compensate his lack of hearing in other ways. kaede certainly thinks it's possible, and-- she really has nothing else to offer, so she's beaming. they'll work it out, impairments shouldn't stop someone from enjoying things or trying something new.]

I've never taught someone before though, so you might have to be a little patient with me too.

[sisters]

Then I guess it's a plan. I'll be counting on you from now on, Akamatsu-san.

( patience is something that he has plenty of to spare, especially when it's a circumstance where the other person is making just as much of an effort for his sake. meeting someone half-way and offering up your own share of effort is the least he can do. now that they're coming back in to the nice and semi-warm dorms though, (much warmer in the common area than the halls, that's for sure,) a thought does cross his mind. )

Oh, but... Now that that's all out of the way, I was thinking this might be a good chance to introduce you to a couple friends of mine. You know, get you started on the right foot with some people you can depend on here.

( more or less. komaeda's a little shaky to say that about, but he's always been dependable for amami, so... )

[heroicpolonaise]

[the friend list begins. kaede looks surprised, then grateful.]

I'd love that, actually. I haven't really be able to introduce myself around too much thanks to exams and all -- I just hope I don't scare them off ​with my singlemindness.

[her devotion to piano. but also her stubbornness. amami can't find out she's actually not good at making friends after being so cool in uniting everyone even briefly at the academy...]

[sisters]

( oh good, she doesn't mind; he'd admittedly been looking forward to this a little bit, but wouldn't have minded letting her make her own first impressions. well, nothing to worry about now, and he flashes a bright smile to reassure her. )

You'll be fine, I'm sure they'll love you.

( he picks only the best people, like... looks at amami's friends... well... anyway, the point is that amami loves kaede and thinks she's great, so he's sure that the others he's grown to trust in this place will feel the same once they meet her. )

I think I saw Hiyori-kun headed over that way, so why don't we start with him? He's a bit skittish, but I think you should get along with him just fine.