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Post by CREATION on Dec 10, 2013 4:28:42 GMT
 Though it’s nearing Christmas, the temperature in Nova Athenis has remained warm and tropical. The spirit of the holiday, however, is felt throughout the island. Wreathes and strings of light decorate the store fronts. Everyone is preparing for the holiday. What better way to prepare than to have a festival? Nova Athenis’ annual festivities begin on Main Street with a choir singing carols and a man dressed up in red, sitting in a chair in the square.
Various shops are having sales about now, bringing a bustle of activity as the backdrop pre-holiday celebration.
Anyone is welcomed to join this small event. You will be awarded nectar for every post you do in a timely manner (1 or 2 days). Keep in mind that this has to move fast or you will be dropped out. There’s a chance for deities to interfere with this thread so keep that in mind when you decide whether you commit to joining. Have fun!
LAIKA EDIT: There is no particular posting order for this thread, but please be reasonable - don't turn it into two people posting back and forth, try to keep it open and interact with everybody, etc.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2013 5:47:44 GMT
| tacky Christmas lights are a sin | The store had finally been decorated. Against his protests, soft to begin with, the wreathes had been hung in the inside of the windows, holly branches and poinsettias lined the top of shelves in the store. Not to mention the lights. Luckily they weren't colored, at the very least. Aeron had busted his ass twice hanging them, both very painful and he'd been lucky no one else had been in the store. They lined both the window displays from the inside, occasionally he'd glare at them and feel stupid.
He was alone in the store tonight. Business had been slowing down enough to allow his other to spend more time enjoying the season. Not that he truly minded, really. Curled up on the bed, or the couch, he'd be doing nothing more important. The store was nice when it was empty. No customers to deal with, and no pointless small talk about family and the holiday season. However, this meant someone else was being left at home alone more often than he liked. More often than he usually allowed.
Stepping outside, he put his back against the frame of the door. The festival usually ran for a couple days beginning tonight. As any stereotypical person, he would have liked to admit the city was his favourite in the snow. But it didn't snow here. As any novel or tell-tale city life beach book would read, he knew ( and how often he'd scold himself for various stereotypical notions.)
For a while he stood and listened to the people tromp by until it had begun to get even darker. More worries about Christmas shopping, dinner, trivial things. The choir could be heard all the way here, his head hanging a little bit.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2013 23:25:36 GMT
 OH SHE KNOWS WHAT I THINK ABOUT tagged, @event peeps! How many bags of Christmas decorations were too many? It wasn't like she was buying the festive ornaments for the sake of it, no, a new house meant that new decorations had to be bought and placed around her new home just in time for the festive season despite the fact that she was spending the day completely by herself.
Her brother and his family were supposed to be coming over for the holidays, however they'd had some travel mishap along the way so this would be the first Christmas by herself in a long time. Not that it mattered of course. She would have the decorations ready for next year and she liked putting them up, despite the fact it would just remind her how lonely she would be over the holiday period. Whatever, she was a big girl she was sure she could handle it.
Shifting the heavy plastic bags to her other arm, the woman glanced around the streets to try and spot anymore shops that she needed to go in. She was a busy woman, she didn't have time to go shopping on any other days than today and what better day than a festival? The singing choir, the general cheeriness of the crowd, now who could say they hated Christmas?
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Post by ZOLA BIRDSHELL on Dec 11, 2013 0:51:49 GMT
| Zola always put off Christmas shopping for the longest possible amount of time. It just took so much effort. First there was the matter of actually deciding on a gift, and then there was the affair of actually going out and finding whatever it was, and then, after all that, you still had to buy the damn thing. And seeing as how she was just a broke high school student, buying things could be exceedingly difficult. Christmas was just difficult in general. Too much effort, and not worth it at all.
Even though there really wasn't much of a need for it, the girl still had a scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. It was a strategic maneuver; she'd noticed that people were less likely to talk to her when they couldn't see her mouth. It'd be nice to see some actual snow on the ground. If it did snow, then people might be less likely to bug her about going outside, and she could have a valid excuse to present to her parents for staying curled up under her comforter all day. Zola's usual excuse for doing this- that she was lazy- wasn't valid enough for them, for some reason. Adults could be weird.
Zola stood still and looked around the street. There were too many stores to choose from. Of course the world would make this already strenuous task even more exhausting for her. With something that was half a sigh and half a groan, the blonde moved forward-
And bumped into someone.
Surprised, though not showing it, Zola directed her gaze forward. Some blonde woman with a ton of bags stood in front of her. She should probably say sorry or something...but that involved speaking. Which involved doing something. And Zola hated doing things. So instead she just stared at the lady, the visible part of her face completely apathetic.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2013 1:04:08 GMT
you are the only you TILL NOW AND FROM NOW ON TOO - @ everybody here! - ohmygoodness my first event~ Tea had vague memories of snow before she came to the island. Unlike her elder sister, she didn't do much travelling. Well, that was stretching it. She hadn't set foot off Nova Athenis since arriving. The tropical paradise was familiar to her, even in Christmas. Foreigners would often remark how strange everything was, even those who have been to the island before, without snow during the season. It was "the season of snow", after all. The time to bundle down by the fire with loved ones and drink eggnog, sing carols and put up with your least favourite family members. Hehe. She always told them the same thing. It was natural.
The young woman had left the inn in the capable hands of her uncle, who was visiting from another country. She was volunteering for a store who had always done the Teacup Inn good service. Their fresh veggies and organic products were very popular. So today she was standing outside said store, offering samples of cookies and eggnog to people. It was seasonal product the store sold. Her long blonde hair wrapped up and braided, accented with a plastic poinsettia. The store's logo splashed against an apron, underneath her own plain red dress and sandals. "Happy Holidays!" Tiena Argall called into the crowd, holding a plate of cookies invitingly in front of her. Beside the young woman was a stand of plastic cups full of drink.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2013 3:01:20 GMT
August had rolled out of bed this morning and straight into one of the most agonizing hangovers of his life. What had he even done last night? Might have been a couple people. And a couple of things. Those fruity-ass mixed drinks were deadly. Not really caring about remembering the specifics of just another drunken night out, he crawled out of his clothes from yesterday and into something decidedly less "underground" than he usually liked to look. Jeans and a sweatshirt. He didn't care. He just needed ibuprofen. One would imagine he would have a supply ready for this occasion, but August was now painfully stumbling down the street to find whatever store would sell him something. Pain reliever. Hot pack. Drugs. Anything. His eyes were swollen and dark and his brain was pounding against the inside of his skull and he just needed something good lord. The good cheer and Christmas festivities were lost on him. He vaguely recalled having a peppermint mixed drink last night. Might have even had a little snowman on the side. All the lights and the carols did now was make him regret he was ever born and he went for the next shop door he saw, not being able to handle the outside any longer. God, he hoped it was a store of some kind. In a much less melodramatic fashion than normal (though still obnoxious compared to anyone else), August plodded heavily to the front desk and loudly flopped his arms onto the counter, burying his head into his elbows for even a moments relief. "Ibuprofen." August said, muffled still with his head down, "No, I can't go find it myself. Just, get it for me. I'll give you twenty bucks." He didn't move, not bothering to register this wasn't a convenience store at all and not caring about even meeting the eyes of whoever might be at the desk. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2013 20:12:32 GMT
At this time of the day Aiden would normally be lying in bed, just enjoying his holidays and generally being the lazy slob that he was. But, against all previous established behavior and routine, the psychologist had gone out after dinner of his own volition. To do shopping. And he was practically skipping while he was at it.
It wasn't holiday cheer that could claim to be the source of his exuberance, even though the holidays had some small part in his happiness. The simple reason was that, for however short a while, his friends were going to be back at Nova Athens with quite a few had decided to come back from abroad to spend time with their families.
Even if his parents could not make it this time around, Aiden could already anticipate evenings ahead of him spent catching up with friends he had grown up with and had some of his best times with. For somebody who had been ridden with nostalgia lately it was a welcoming prospect.
Finished with his last minute shopping -he always left the foodstuff for the last- he stepped out into the streets, crowded with people enjoying the carnival. Walking along, he saw somebody offering a platter full of cookies in the true holiday spirit.
Free cookies now, how could he resist?
"Happy Holidays!" he replied cheerfully as he returned the greetings "I'm not Santa, but I hope you don't mind if I help myself." Aiden added with a chuckle as he reached for a few of the heavenly baked delights.
OOC: back to bother you foxxie. cookies omnomnom~
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2013 23:41:33 GMT
Wanda wore a festive little Santa's outfit equiped with a Salvation Army badge, rich white facial hair, belly pillow, and a gruff old-man's voice. She was overflowing with energy as she shook the bell and smiled a jolly wink at those who passed by. The red bucket in her charge slowly accumulated with donations. Her grandma had gotten her assigned to this community service - the old woman was the usual one to stand out in the chill of the holiday festival and dress up as Santa's wife - but this year, Mari insisted on taking her place. She didn't think her grandma was strong enough to stay on her feet this long these days. About an hour ago, she texted her girlfriend to ask if she wanted to a plaza to get some hot chocolate with her. She didn't go into details about the whole Salvation Army gig, just a quick "Wanna get some cocoa with me at the fest? They have the peppermint kind that the booths only sell until Xmas!" When Wanda saw Isobel, she waved the bell a little more furiously, pulling down the elastic of her beard with her other hand. A few young children pointed, disillusioned that Santa was actually a young girl. @isobel @open GARDEN @ GANGNAM STYLE |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2013 6:22:41 GMT
you are the only you TILL NOW AND FROM NOW ON TOO - @bk201 & anyone - oh ho ho ho can't resist, mort? She was just straightening herself back up from bending over for a little girl to take a cookie from the plate when she noticed one of her employees walking a little ways away. Miss Zola Birdshell was a relatively newer hire but the young girl was doing fabulously well, in Tiena's opinion. Adjustment to a new job was always something an employer had to be sensitive about. Miss Zola had her studies, so Tea couldn't very well go and lecture her for fifteen minutes about how to handle a tray properly. Or how to walk without spilling the drinks onto the food on the tray. You learn by experience. It was how she learned. Nevertheless, the young woman was about to call out to Miss Zola when the girl collided with another person. Tea's arm fell to her side, about to rush over should the other person's bags have split and turned the content into the streets. Even more worrisome; should someone have gotten hurt. The store behind her had a first aid kit but if there was blood...
She just hesitated.
In her hesitation, somebody else had approached her. Their voice shook her from troubled thoughts. Tearing her eyes from the scene, a man stood in front of her, repeating the festive words she had spoken minutes ago and reaching for the cookies. She forced a smile across her lips. "Of course not, sir!" Tiena replied, chuckling at his joke. "take as many as you like. These are the seasonal brand. Some have mints in them. Both regular and peppermint. There is also eggnog over to the left of me, a speciality of this store. I am required to tell everyone that the products may contact nuts, so if you are allergic, I would not advise taste-testing."
She would just hate if someone were to be rushed to the hospital during the festival. It would be horrific if the paramedics could not get through the crowd in time, and she had no formal medical training when it came to those with allergies. Just the usual CPR and choking-victim routine.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2013 19:26:56 GMT
OH SHE KNOWS WHAT I THINK ABOUT tagged, @event peeps! She felt lucky that these plastic bags were resilient otherwise she was pretty sure all her crap would be all over the floor. It wasn't really that much of a hit for her to end up all over the floor but it didn't mean that it irritated her any less now did it? Jesus Christ could people not actually look where they were going, it wasn't hard, you just had to walk with both eyes open.
"Hey watch where the hell you're goi-" the woman snapped before turning around and glancing at the teenage girl standing behind her. Well, she was just a kid or at least compared to the thirty one year old she was; she couldn't exactly stand there and yell at a kid now could she? "Just look where you're going next time kid."
Now what? It wasn't like she had a lot of bags so she supposed she could shop some more, she was in the mood for some tea or something right now and it wasn't like there weren't any booths selling them. "I don't suppose you have any Peppermint tea do you?" Courtney asked the blonde at the front of one of the shops, who'd also been talking to a black haired guy.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2013 19:47:59 GMT
| tacky Christmas lights are a sin | He still needed to call his mother. The thought hit him from left field, and he groaned. Lifting his head he saw a girl run into a woman, stumbling after. A shame her bags held together, he would've gotten a quick laugh out of it. Of course the woman had turned to yell, but stopped herself. That was surprising Aeron thought as he turned back into the store. He'd close it for a bit and go get something to eat. This was the benefit of working by himself, no one would notice. He fumbled behind the counter looking for the key when someone burst through the door. No, practically fell through it.
"We're going to be--" he was interrupted as the man flopped down on the counter. Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen, really? Aeron sighed as he looked down at the man. He just wanted to go get something to eat. "Yes, because we sell that in a bookstore." he answered. There was no finding it yourself. It wasn't here. "Try across the street."was his only response. He just stood and looked down at the man, hoping he'd get himself up off the counter so he could go. Nothing says holiday spirit like a hung over man throwing himself on your counter at work. Maybe he'd make that phone call on his way down the street. She never did talk much, he thought. Maybe, just maybe by some act of divinity, she'd gotten better.
But what was "better" for a woman like her?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2013 3:30:05 GMT
Isobel wasn't particularly keen on the holidays, she bought a few small gifts, well in advance. She didn't plan on attending the festival always held this time of year, staying home with only the most mundane of plans. Maybe get some cleaning done, then sit back with a book for the evening. But the text from Wanda wasn't unwelcome, inviting her for hot chocolate. Isobel wasn't fond of the crowds, but she was more than fond enough of Wanda that she promptly texted back she'd be there.
One thing she didn't miss about England was the bitter cold – even during December, Nova was usually only sweater weather at the coldest, in the evenings. She showered and changed into something light and simple, slipping on a pair of flats before heading out, purse slung over her shoulder.
There were plenty of people out for the festivities, though Wanda was nowhere in sight. She glanced over at the Santa Claus collecting donations, blinking and slightly bewildered until she recognized the person beneath the beard.
She smiled as she approached Wanda, looking over her costume with a hint of bemusement. She should have known it would be something like this.
@wanda @will ?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2013 7:45:22 GMT
Aiden quickly recounted his allergies.
Boredom. Hard Work. Responsibilities. Monotony.
No it didn't seem like 'nuts' featured anywhere in there. After all, as a psychologist, he had to deal with nutcases everyday. Wow that joke seemed lame even in his own mind.
"Nope no allergies of that sort here!" Aiden replied cheerfully before reaching to grab a few cookies. Treats in hand he turned towards the eggnog, wondering what was in it that made it a specialty of the store when a voice interrupted his thoughts asking for Peppermint tea.
Now while Aiden wasn't a stereotypical Englishman by a long shot, he had inherited somewhat stereotypical English views on one thing. And that was a cuppa- the cuppa. Earl Grey, dash of milk and no sugar- the way it should be. Peppermint tea was sacrilege. They didn't even put milk in it!
So naturally he turned to the Peppermint-er and was about to begin a rant debate when he noticed a flash of yellow behind her. Yellow that belonged to a very familiar head of blonde.
So instead of the evils of impure tea, what came out of his mouth was a pretty cheerful greeting.
"Oi Zola!" he called out.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2013 0:04:27 GMT
He edged close to the two girls with a glint in his eye and movements of a criminal behind bars in a tacky cartoon. Just like the gimmick, he smiled lopsidedly too.
"Ladies." He smiled, notably extra glass to see Izzy, and if course, what seemed to be her female friend.
"So spill the porridge, how long have you two been going out? Nice outfit!" He tilted his head with the curiosity of a ten year old on the playground at school.
@isobel @wanda
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Post by FORCES AT PLAY on Dec 14, 2013 3:30:59 GMT
A presence joins those mingling on Main Street. It is manifests in a subtle shimmer in the air that only few can pick up, those who have dabbled in the supernatural occurrences on the island. The unseen spectator watches for a while before it begins to interfere in the lives of those unsuspecting people. If those other, more powerful deities can have fun, then why can’t it?
Anyone who has been in an event before can probably detect the presence. They won’t know what it is or be alarmed by it, dismissing it as merely a trick of the eyes. That is, until strange things start to happen. The following participants have had numbers drawn: Aaron (4) , Courtney (2), Zola (10), Tiena (4), August (6), Aiden (8), Wanda (5), Isobel (1), and William (4).
The higher the number, the better off you are. Nothing significant will happen. However, the lower your number, the higher the chance that something can go wrong. Be it an injury, something embarrassing, or anything that brings your character despair or discomfort. So basically, if you have a one, you’re in trouble and if you have a 10, nothing is happening. Be creative and have fun!
Nectar will be awarded at the end of this thread. |
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