Christmas Time in Here

[The Guard]

Event credited to Ripley.

[Lucian Verdus]

Lucian did not want to miss an opportunity that may present itself at this gathering, evidently to worship some overweight, bearded individual. Memories of Christmas had been lost to him, anything that might do little more than take up space having long since been deleted. Indeed, much of his life as a humanity had already been obliterated to make way for more important data. As a result, he only knew of it as an opportunity for stores to sell their wares at a highly increased factor, and for vulgarly indulgent commercials and television programs to filch the populace even further. And it all seemed to center around the man now sitting upon the golden throne before him. A golden throne, Lucian considered, was not such a bad idea. If he were to conquer the world, he could use something he could not only hook into to control everything, but also to present his authority. A golden throne would be excellent indeed. He was sure to store it away, for much later.

Worship or not, Lucian was not about to make himself a target. A posse of servitors, as well as his Inquisitor, was with him as they loitered around the border of the center. One close combat, appendages retracted, who spent its time glancing at and flexing its claws, and the other long ranged, who spent its time idly spinning its Gatling guns in preparation for a shootout that would hopefully never come. Lucian and the Inquisitor watched, quietly conversing. "Query: Why have we come to observe this, Progenitor? This is a celebration, something for the impure. Are you attempting to act as one of them?"

Lucian did not even glance at the Inquisitor, "No. This is a celebration, Inquisitor, as you are well aware. Do you know what happens to the impure at celebrations?" The Inquisitor paused for a moment, "Answer: Revel pointlessly?" Lucian's cylinder whirred, "Correct. This means that their guard is down. Any opportunity we can locate, we can exploit. If no opportunities arise, we may well still be able to learn something from this. Nothing is without the opportunity for knowledge." The deepened metallic reverberations of the long ranged servitor interjected, "Preliminary scans show no obvious hostiles." Lucian nodded, and the Inquisitor spoke once more, "Agreement: You are very wise, Progenitor. Query: Who is that rotund human sitting upon the golden throne?"

"That is an individual that appears to be some sort of demi-god. It is known to the rest of humanity as 'Santa Claus'. It is a bearer of gifts and goodness, according to my analysis of human mythology, and is said to ride upon a flying mechanism driven by flying mammals, of some sort. It is as irrational and outlandish as so many other human beliefs. It is said that he lives at the northern polar cap of the planet," Lucian explained. The Inquisitor took a moment to process this utterly baffling information, "Query: Where does this being come from?" Lucian shook his head, "I do not know. The legends do not say."

They were silent. How odd, these meatbags that believed in some rotund demi-god of ice that brings gifts and encourages goodness. If nothing else, they could question the curious being about its own existence. Perhaps, even, gain some of its power. If it did have such a flying mechanism, it could be their ticket to freedom. With it, he could load up all of the servitors and leave the facility. He could gain power amongst weak, normal humans, and deal with the mutants once his power had significantly grown. Indeed, now they had a goal. But, they would have to wait for the right opportunity to present itself.

[Kita]

Christmas. It was that one time of year that every person that celebrated it seemed at least a little bit happier. Whatever the reason behind that was, Kita preferred to keep away from the large gatherings that often accompanied the season. How she had ended up stumbling across one without meaning to was beyond her. Curse her horrible sense of direction! Things like this always seemed to happen at the oddest times. When all appeared to be going well, a wrong turn was taken and the destination was not what had been wanted.

The big jolly man sitting in the center of the room was the last person she wanted to see. Santa embodied all that annoyed her during the Christmas season. It wasn't the promotion of children behaving themselves in order to get the presents they wanted, oh no. What Kita disliked so much about Santa Claus was that the old fat man crept into people's homes late at night and apparently knew what the kids were doing the time - sleeping or no. Keeping such tabs on a person wouldn't be accepted from a normal human being. A restraining order would be slapped on him in no time. Yet the world's parents allowed their children to be stalked in such a way. How else would he know if the child was naughty or nice? Someone had to be watching day and night to see every good or bad deed, when they were sleeping or awake. Creepy pervert.

The other guests in attendance were unfamiliar to her, minus one. Machines roaming the room guarded a central figure that she didn't know but seemed familiar. The nagging feeling at the back of her mind was dismissed as she moved away from the general crowd for the time being. Observation of the guests that were still arriving would hopefully prove to be somewhat entertaining and informative.

[Jett Tsar]

Jett followed the lights with an excited step in his gait. Christmas was an event they didn't celebrate in his home land. Given, they had various other holidays that accounted for what he missed in not celebrating Christmas. But this was his first time with this holiday and these peop--mutants. He would make the best of his time.

Walking directly under the sparkly lights that all led to the same place, Jett's lips found themselves whistling a tune he'd picked up from Tune. 'Have Yourself a Merry Big Joy Christmas' or something of the like.

Jett stopped in his tracks upon reaching the tree. He'd seen pictures, but never before had he witnessed a decorated Christmas tree. I exhilarated him. His cheeks turned rosey and a smile ripped his face in two. Exclaiming loudly, with hint of great achievement, Jett yipped,

"It's shiny!" And without further ado spread his arms and ran at the tree, fishing for an embrace with Mother Nature's beauty.

[Emby Foster]

Emby walked to the Christmas party with a smile on her face. Tonight she could finally forget everything. No worries. No nothing. Just Christmas. A small box wrapped in gold paper with a red bow rested between in hands. She was hoping a small child would get it. Inside the unassuming box was a hand-crafted snow globe. It was crude but she hoped someone would like it. She entered upon the scene and looked around. It was beautiful, perfect. The right thing to lift anyone into the Christmas mood. Maybe even Santa was real and not some old mutant dressed up in red. She looked around once again, watching for people.

There was Lucian and his posse not looking too Christmas-y, then this other girl who caught Emby's eye because she looked angry and slightly disgusted it seemed. She sighed. They were the two sore thumbs out for now. While everyone else who had arrived were enjoying themselves, they seemed stuck on something. She watched them for a moment before a sudden movement caught her eye.

She blinked, seeing a man...trying to hug the tree? She laughed softly, shaking her head. What was it with mutants and being anything less then freaky? She wondered what strange thing she may end up doing tonight. Gripping her present, she walked to the other side of the tree, away from the man who seemed to be enjoying it more then anyone els and placed her present beneath it. "Who put this all together?" She asked softly.

[Silvia A. Carter]

ooc: lol, I helped brainstorm for the first post.

ic:

Liliana was pretty much forcefully dragging one of her closest friends down the path specified by the coloured lights. Silvia was grumbling and had been trying to dig in her heels for the past seven feet of pathway.
"Stop doing that or the heels of your shoes will break, then where will you be? Hobbling down the path that's where." Lily scolded Sliva and the short brunette scowled, huffily lifting up a handful of her pale green dress in one hams. The other hand (and arm) had been held captive for the past fifteen minutes to make sure that Silvia wouldn't chicken out.

Lily's long red dress swirled around her feet as she walked cautiously.
"You've never really worn heeled sandals before have you?" Silvia murmurred and Lily shook her head in a saddened manner.
"No, I never learned. Too busy studying I guess." Lily smiled sheepishly and Silvia shrugged and dismissed the matter. Lily nervously patted her hair and Silvia frowned reprovingly at her.
"Stop fiddling with your hair or all my hard work will fall out in moments!" Silvia growled and Lily nodded before gasping in surprise, what an awesome party!

The music was good too. Silvia noticed Lucian with one of his servants or whatever they were. A grumpy looking young woman as well. There was a blonde girl standing not too far off, Santa...had that man put on even more weight since she'd seen him? Goodness, had he eaten poor Rudolf and Donner and Prancer too? He wouldn't be able to fly away soon, no reindeer left to pull the sleigh! She then let her eyes stray to the random man hugging the tree. Both she and Lily had wandered over to where the blonde was standing in time to hear her laugh and shake her head.

"What's with the random tree hugger? Literally..." Silvia asked the blonde girl and Lily giggled.
"Maybe he's never seen such a big tree before? Hello, my name is Liliana and this is my friend Silvia." Lily tried to start a conversation with the blonde girl and Silvia laughed softly.
"That is actually a possibility Lily..." Silva grinned before hearing the blonde speak.
"Who put this all together?"

"Well whoever it was seems to love Christmas." Lily shrugged as Silvia took both their presents and placed them under the tree. Silvia came back with a smile and Lily noticed the healthy glow in her friend's cheeks. She was sleeping and eating properly now, this was an excellent thing for Christmas.

[Emby Foster]

Emby looked up as two girls seemed to come up to her. She stood up and shrugged. "i don't know. Maybe he really likes Christmas," Emby said with a laugh. She shook her head. "That too," she agreed with Liliana. "Maybe we should ask him?" Emby said, stepping back some and looking around the tree. "He's still hugging it," she confirmed, before coming back to the girls.

"Nice to meet you. My name's Michelle but you can call me Emby," she said, smiling. It'd been a while since she was completely happy but Christmas seemed to fill her with joy, even if it was in Freakopolis. "Maybe it was our tree-hugging friend," she said, shrugging. "You two look decked out for Christmas. I like your dresses," she told them, not sure what to say though she wasn't lying.

[Sulley]

Sulley intentionally avoided the lights, walking in the semi-darkness towards the tree. In one hand there was a small gift wrapped in green. Surprisingly, it wasn't cut in half. Actually it was wrapped rather nicely. Mara probably did it.

Sulley avoided Santa altogether. He didn't even look at the figure. Just hearing the man's 'ho'-ing struck a bitter cord in him. His daughter had idolized Santa.

Mr.Sharpy placed the gift under the tree where it was quickly lost in the fray of wrapped--no doubt--crap. He shoved his hands into his suit pockets and stood there awkwardly, watching the tree hugger from the corner of his eyes.

[Mara Ackart]

Mara arrived alone at the Christmas gathering. She hated dresses so it had only been an event like this that could get her to wear one. Thankfully it was fairly simple despite the garish red color and the bead work. A pair of silver flats had been donned to go with the dress. If she was to force herself to wear such a garment then at least her feet should be comfortable. The event itself was was rather pretty but it didn't really do much for her mood.

Christmas for Mara meant she should be visiting relatives and going to parties given by various work associates. Instead she was stuck with a bunch of cheerful fools pretending that they weren't imprisoned. If she hadn't known that Sulley was coming then she wouldn't have bothered. She knew he'd be here because she'd wrapped the present he'd brought to place under the tree.

Mara quickly placed her own present under the tree and moved off. No point in lingering. Instead she looked up at Santa from her spot in the crowd. If there was a bigger purveyor of lies she'd never seen them. Santa stood for goodness and kindness. Both were a sham. Yep, Mara was pretty jaded. She knew it and saw no reason to change.

[Jett Tsar]

Jett rubbed his face against the tree's coarse trunk, pretending it was soft and squishy.

"Oh Chrismat tree, oh Christmas tree..." He murmured, stepping away with a sigh and reveling at the beauty. That's when he felt eyes on him. Jett's head jerked to the left where he spotted Sulley watching him. A flame began in his cheeks, spreading to his ears and down his neck. He gulped.

"Merry Christmas." Jett gave a short wave and started backing away.

[Sulley]

Sulley keep watching Jett from the corner of his eyes, his expression blank, though it looked threatening to most other people. As the kid backed away Sulley turned away, showing his disinterest.

[Emby Foster]

Emby looked at the two girls, waiting for their reply. As she waited, she couldn't help but look around some more. It seemed more people had come. Mara, the notable Rebellion second and then Sulley. She gulped. Though his expression wasn't directed at her, nor did she think that particular stare ever would be, it gave her chills. Especially now that she knew just how much Sulley could do.

When he turned his back to the tree, Emby turned her face back to the girls, forcing a smile back onto her lips.

ooc: Haha. Sulley is roleplaying with himself. Sorry. lol. It just seemed naughty. roflmao.

[Silvia A. Carter]

"I don't know. Maybe he really likes Christmas," The young woman said with a laugh and both Lily and Silvia laughed as well. This girl was nice, excellent!
"That too, maybe we should ask him?" Emby asked and Lily shrugged.
"Maybe, but wouldn't that embarrass him?" Lily asked with a grin before noticing Mara arrive.

"He's still hugging it." Emby as she came back to the two darker haired girls.
"Just as long as he doesn't get any pine needles stuck up his behind, I hear that they are very hard to get out." Silvia joked before looking attentively around her, the leader of the rebellion was here now too. But where was Aidian? She dismissed this from her mind before smiling again.

"Nice to meet you. My name's Michelle but you can call me Emby," Emby said with a smile and Silvia grinned a little.
"Cool name...sounds pretty." Silvia said nervously, she was never any good at complimenting people.
"Maybe it was our tree-hugging friend, you two look decked out for Christmas. I like your dresses." Emby said and they grinned.

"Aww! Thanks Emby!" Silvia said and hugged the girl to her impulsively.
"Uh-oh....the hug monster's appeared! Run towards her and get a free hug!" Lily teased and Silvia released Rmby.
"Shut up you!" Silvia retorted in a teasing manner and smiled to let everyone know she was joking.

Both girls noticed Emby shiver and Lily offered her a jacket, thinking that her new friend was cold.

[Emby Foster]

Emby nodded her head in consideration. "Possibly. But he seems pretty confident. I mean, he's hugging a tree." She smiled, her lips stretching over her teeth easily. She looked to Silvia, with an intrigued look. "Where would you have heard that?" she asked with a slight giggle. "I assume it would too, though," she agreed.

"Thanks. My mom used to call me that." She closed her eyes for a moment, thinking about what type of Christmas her mom was probably spending right no. They rarely ever spent a minute apart until Emby had been captured. She swallowed a lump of tears and opened her eyes, smiling again.

Her eyes widened as the girl's arms encompassed her. When was the last time she had been hugged? Well, there was Jacob but his hugs made her feel light and warm. When was the last time someone, a possible friend, had shown her a simple touch of affection? Woah! Christmas was making her way to sentimental. She smiled over at Lily. "Is she always like this?" She teased.

Emby blushed as Lily offered her her jacket. "No. I'm fine. Just...nevermind." She turned her head toward Sulkley briefly, giving him a discreet smile.

[Sulley]

Sulley felt the eyes on him. His head snapped Emby's way, catching her in the act of a smile, and the corner of his mouth twitched as he dipped his head to greet her. Without speaking he wandered to the table of food and helped himself, picking at the grapes and the chicken legs. It was all quite scrumptious. Sulley looked up and watched Mara linger as he stuffed his face.