Christmas "Meme"

[snakewithbaggage]

Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells!
Suzu ga naru
Suzu no rizumu ni hikari no wa ga mau
Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells!
Suzu ga naru
Mori ni hayashi ni hibikinagara

Welcome to the Dinohouse Christmas "meme"! This is going to work a bit differently from most memes, but still free free to do what you want here!

The idea:
Following this post I will be making an assortment of Universe/Location "thread" comments. These will define the specific scene and universe being worked in. Comments by applicable characters will follow under that comment.

Example:
Mushverse; Shiba Mansion; open to Shinkengers

Comments following that would all be set in the Mushverse universe, be by any Shinkengers that want to participate, and take place at the Shiba Mansion Christmas party. Think of it sort of like every "top level" comment is its own post to the community.

Following that example, if your desired AU/Canon/etc isn't there, feel free to make a "thread" for it! Say there's already a Mushverse Go-busters "thread", and you want to do something in Aibouverse, or something more canon, maybe just between two characters? Make one!

Comments following the "thread" headings can be group setting free for all, or between individuals. Say it's a canon GokaiGalleon party, and Gai and Luka want to go off alone, or are on their way to the Galleon together? Their thread can be a separate second level comment thread beneath the main Canon Gokaiger thread.

I know that's a lot of information/qualifiers, but don't let it make you nervous to post, "rules" are fluid, and mainly set for added organization.

HAVE FUN. And enjoy the season!

Comments

[takoaka]

I pour her a glass of lemonade, mostly managing to get it in the glass, and present it to her with a little bow. "Lemonade for milady. I hope milady likes it. And what does milady think about Christmas?"

[silverpleather]

"Do not be crass, 'iromu." I chide gently. "He is allowed his trouble."

I bite my lip at his words, laughing softly. "Oh la la, is that so?" I wonder what he could ever mean by that. "Last year, were you not still living a quiet life at home with ta soeur?"

[hakaseheart]

He's very nice, and I'm not sure of what to say so I just nod and smile, focusing on hanging the next ornament just right.

I'm not sure if there's supposed to be some sort of science to this, but I'm just going with what little aesthetic sense I have. Maybe I should be using a bit more calculations in my decorating? I eye my first ornament, determining the right angle and arc to use in the placement of the next, and follow that line.

It actually doesn't look too bad.

"I hope so," I finally say, forcing my smile to stay at the front. "This seems like...a good place."

[red_pleather]

"You know I like him, respect him," I say, but my voice is quieter, acknowledging the reproof. Jin-san just needs... help, and I wish he'd acknowledge that. Everyone needs help sometimes.

I nod. "I was indeed. And I love neesan. But still. It's better this year."

Twinsverse, open to Go-Busters cast and anyone else who can find an excuse.

[red_pleather]

[samuraihime]

"Hm." I nod slightly, listening to his words carefully so that I can better answer the question he hasn't quite yet asked.

"It is, in fact, mostly inherited," I begin, keeping my eyes on the path ahead as I talk. "It is a fairly complex ability that tends to be tied to bloodline. The Shiba family was not initially formed in order to prolong the inheritance of that certain sort of Mojikara, but when it became abundantly clear that it would remain strong within the family - and perhaps become stronger - certain rules were set into place to keep it strongly intact."

I pause for a moment, sneaking a glance over at Umemori-kun to gauge his reaction. I can't help but wonder how much he knows about samurai life and traditions, and how much I might have to explain to him, should he ask.

Re: Twinsverse, open to Go-Busters cast and anyone else who can find an excuse.

[red_pleather]

He's been here a long time.

He's been given a few more freedoms, but not enough. Nowhere near enough. I'm not sure if we're breaking him, or breaking him, and I'm concerned about both options.

Still.

I have a small present for him, and I'm wearing a Santa hat. I tap politely on the wall next to his doorway.

[nonsamurai]

"Well." I say thoughtfully when she pauses. I don't know if I'm supposed to notice her glancing at me, but I do all the same, and I assume she's waiting for some kind of response or reaction. I grin at her. "Rules, huh? That makes sense, I mean. Keep the blood strong or whatever. That explains the Shiba line, of course, going back... eighteen generations?"

I cross my arms behind my head as we walk, turning another corner. I'm letting her lead the way, since she seemed to have a much more focused errand to run than me. "But that still leaves me questioning how my brother managed to find it within himself. And what that... might mean for me."

[silverpleather]

"You could befriend him." I point out. "Respect only goes so far with Masato."

Although perhaps that is just me who warrants such a fondness from Masato. Thirteen years is a long time to be alone with someone.

"And why is that?"

[greypleather]

I take a step back to survey my own progress, and watch the hesitant way Don hangs his next ornament, holding it in both hands while his eyes flit all over the tree, as if trying to determine the precise most accurate placement of the ornament for maximum cheer and merriment.

I chuckle a little at the thought. Surely not.

"It is a good place." I promise him with a smile.

[interpolate]

They have begun to allow me some modicum of freedom at times. I have no idea whether the severing of my connection to the subdimension remains an internal malfunction, or whether the minds in the employ of EMC has something to do with the perpetuation.

As it is, I am still considered a threat, generally, and I am aware that I will not be left without an armored guard should I attempt to leave the room they have assigned to me.

So I don't leave it at all. There's no point in it. No chance for escape.

And still, no word, no thought, no motion or insinuation from Messiah.

Majesté is incapable without me. They might not know it, but so long as they can hold me here, they have won.

A war of attrition, then.

I look up when there is a knock at the door. Only Hiromu and my brother knock, and Etienne hasn't been to see me in...

Well, irrelevant. He never comes alone. I doubt Hiromu is supposed to either. "Entrez."

[hakaseheart]

I can't help but freeze slightly as Sakurada-san calls me by my nickname. It's the name I call myself by, sure, but...I still haven't gotten used to other people calling me by it.

"Ah, either is fine," I say with a forced grin. "Whichever you prefer! And I'm doing well enough, thank you."

[hakaseheart]

For a moment I'm not sure if he's talking about the ornament or the EMC, but I have a feeling he's probably right. About both.

I pull another ornament from the box and calculate the next position. "I'm glad," I say lamely, not entirely sure where to take the conversation next. I've never been all that good at socializing, really.

[samuraihime]

It seems we will be completing my errand first, as Umemori-kun appears to be following my footsteps after all. So be it.

"The ability to use Mojikara wasn't always as rare as it is now, Umemoru-kun," I say, trying not to sound too patronizing with my explanation. "The samurai families followed certain breeding guidelines in order to keep the ability strong and concentrated, but that didn't always stand true for other families blessed with Mojikara. It appears that your family, the Umemori line, had some luck in managing to maintain the ability and eventually bring it back to some manner of strength, even if by complete chance."

[greypleather]

I hang another string of beads on the tree and stand back to survey again.

I think I've made Don uncomfortable, but I'm not entirely sure I know how to resuscitate this conversation.

"Do you, um. Is this your first big Christmas?"

[nonsamurai]

I think she's starting to get irritated with me again, and I feel badly about that, a little. I'm frustrated that we can't seem to have a casual conversation where I don't say something stupid that annoys her somehow. But this is stuff I need to know, and, well,

"That part of it isn't so well documented in the Shiba library." I point out. "But, um, thank you, for the information. That's very encouraging!"

[hakaseheart]

The ornament slips from my fingers, tumbling through a few branches before thankfully catching on the last one before the floor. If it had shattered I would have been utterly humiliated, so instead I'm just partially so.

"I, um, that is, well..."

I can't find the right words. What are the right words? I'm not sure I even know.

"...not quite, I guess." I bend down and grab the thankfully-unbroken ornament and put it in the place I'd wanted it. "There was a, a thing, last year. But that's all, really."

[sushisamurai]

I refill his cup, and mine. Always best to keep the sake flowing at time like this. Both because of the holiday, and because of the conversation at hand.

"It was a more personal conversation than that." I sip, holding the warmth of my sake on my tongue before swallowing. "Much more personal."

[samuraihime]

I can't help but smile at his enthusiasm. I wasn't bothered by his questions, just unsure as to how much he really wished to know. "There are some things that have traveled with Tanba and myself, rather than stayed here where they can be easily tracked down and stolen. Not that I do not have faith in my son's abilities to guard the mansion, it is just that I would never hear the end of it from Tanba if he didn't know exactly where certain things are at all times."

[fastadventure]

"I can handle it!" I don't want to hear from him of all people how I shouldn't do something. I'm able to handle this small bit of beer. I am! Although bringing the cup up and drinking the rest of what I have was not the best idea, I accomplished what I set out for.

"Maybe you're the one who shouldn't be drinking."

[goldenikemen]

I look up at him, finally, as his hand cups my cheek, and I remember that touch so well, so achingly well. "Kurorin..."

Lips against mine, soft and light. I know this because my avatar can read the heat of his lips and the pressure of the kiss. But other than that...

We're on the roof, stolen moments alone. His hand in my hair, my hands on his hips. His lips are warm and soft. I sigh into his kiss.

We're locked away in a supply closet, his hands on my hips, my hands in his hair. His lips are wet this time, and insistent, I can barely growl before the kiss deepens and takes my breath away.

We're in his room at EMC, and he's brought us coffee. I'm naked under the covers, and his fingers brush my hand as he withholds the mug from me, just long enough to steal a lazily kiss.

Floods of memories, of lost time together. Just a few of the many reason I originally wrote him that card. Words I couldn't, and still can't, say aloud.

The kiss ends quickly and then he's pulling me close, arms around me, mouth tucked up behind my ear.

He tells me he loves me too, and my arm fly up to grip at the back of his shirt, hold onto him tight like I might fall over. My avatar wavers, flickers, weakens here and there, and then stabilizes again.

[goldenikemen]

I'm still floating a little from exchanging gifts with Kurorin, but I've come down enough that I can give the others their gifts.

I spot our new little engineer near the tree, still carefully putting up ornaments. He looks distracted by his own thought though, so maybe I'll give him his first.

I drape an arm around his shoulders and tug him off for a moment. "Are you enjoying our little Christmas party?"

I release his shoulders and move to lean back against the table, grabbing his gift and handing it off to him.

It's the plans, blueprints, and all information pertaining to Ene-tan, as well as special clearance to work with her however he deems necessary.

"This was a prototype Buddyroid I worked on back before Messiah. She's still semi active, and can fight, but I would like you to look into upgrading her. Making her more viable for use in the field."

I smile at him, and clap a hand on his shoulder. "It's something I would normally do myself, but I don't have the time what with also being an active Buster. So, given your skills, I've decided to entrust her to you."

[hakaseheart]

Jin-san hands me the gift and I'm staring at it, still wrapped and fresh, just for me. For me?

He goes on to tell me what it is and I nearly drop it, managing to catch myself in time to clutch it to myself instead. "A, a Buddyroid?" I stammer out, looking at him with wide eyes. "And, y-you want, me, to upgrade it?"

I stare back down at the present, not sure how I'm even reacting. Is this fear? Concern?

No, wait. I know what this is. I look back up at Jin-san with tears of excitement brimming in my eyes. "Thank you, Jin-san. I...I promise I'll try not to let you down." I fall into a deep bow, still clutching the package tightly against my chest.

[goldenikemen]

I offer his nervous excitement a warm laugh, and I give his hair a fluff at his low bow. An irreverent gesture, as irreverent as me.

"She's a bit of a headstrong brat." I glance briefly over at J, where he's lying under the tree sipping on a can of Enetron. "But I'm sure you'll get along with her. If not at first, then soon enough once she realizes what you're there to do for her."

"And if she gives you any real trouble," I offer him a warm, if lopsided smile. "Don't hesitate to ask me to step in and talk some sense into her, okay?"

[hakaseheart]

I come up from my bow and follow his brief gaze over to J, suddenly reminded of the sorts of Buddyroids Jin-san has managed to engineer. Still, the weight of the package is reassuring - something physical, tangible that I can do. Something he's trusting me to do.

"I'll do my best," I say resolutely. Hopefully I won't need to draw on Jin-san's assistance at all, but then again, hopefully I'll know when to cave and as for help.

I worry at my lower lip, already wanting to dash out of the party and sit down with my present. But I'm not so socially awkward to think that would be a good idea, so instead I'm shifting between my feet, trying to keep still. "Thank you. I really mean it."