We Survived the Snowmageddon

[worktodo]

Who: Albert Rosenfield (worktodo) and whoever is congregating at the Justice Farm for the Christmas holiday!
Where: El Rancho del Justicia, aka Albert's house in Saffron City
When: Anytime between Monday the 24th and Wednesday the 26th!
Summary: A lot has changed in a month, but some things never do. Losers getting together to fail their way through the holiday season is one of them.
Rating: Individual threads may vary, but let's go with G overall and warn otherwise!
Log:

Despite generally doing a very excellent Grinch impression, Albert doesn't actually hate Christmas. Granted, it's not one of his favorite holidays the way that Thanksgiving is — it's a little too overdone, a little too commercial, lacking in some of the spirit of togetherness in favor of the spirit of consumerism — but it is decidedly a holiday, and once again Johto has presented him with a situation where he is forced to make a choice. For the second time this year (by Albert's reckoning), Johto appears to have done everything in its power to prevent them from putting on a holiday, including but not limited to summoning up the actual apocalypse. The question that begs to be asked, therefore, is simply: is Albert willing to surrender Christmas in the face of all these apparent attempts to ruin it?

The answer, naturally, is: oh, hell no.

It is, however, an undeniably different atmosphere from the one that filled the house on Thanksgiving. Most of the occupants of the house are worse off now than they were then, be it emotionally or physically — some from spooky encounters, some from harsh truths, and some from going out in the apocalyptic snow like the damn fools they are — so if there's slightly less pep and enthusiasm saturating the grounds, that could certainly be why. Any decorations applied to the outside of the house have been battered at best and outright wrecked at worst. But as the slightly paraphrased song lyric goes, "Though the weather outside is frightful, by the fire it's so delightful", and the interior of the house is a thankfully different story.

On Monday, Albert will be spending the Eve of Christmas largely in the kitchen, having allotted the whole day for getting all the components of Christmas dinner prepared and readied in advance; on Thanksgiving, it's a fundamental part of the holiday tradition to run around the kitchen like a madman trying to get dinner to the table on time, but for Christmas, he'd rather everything just go smoothly. Early arrivals are welcome to hang out in the cozy parts of the house, grab some cocoa, and carefully avoid him; otherwise, they might get drafted into menial labor like shoveling out the front walk or putting the finishing touches on the interior decor before the party officially kicks off.

By Tuesday, it's all Christmas all the time; there is no victory quite so sweet as the one that comes hard-won, and as far as Albert is concerned, the most effective "screw you" to Johto's Snowmageddon is putting on an occasion that is positively bursting with holly and jolly anyway. Somewhere near the kitchen, Zack the Porygon2 is contributing by blasting from his Gear's speakers a concert of every Christmas song he knows (of which there are three: "Feliz Navidad", "Grandma Got Run Over By A Stantler Reindeer", and the Weather Girls' "It's Raining Men"). A stately (albeit slightly lopsided) Christmas tree that is probably the Johto equivalent of a Douglas fir is set up in a corner of the living room near the fireplace — which is burning merrily — and its branches are decorated with makeshift ornaments like Pokeballs and paper throwing stars along with the standard colored bauble variety. Stuff your presents below; there'll be time for opening them later, but for now they're part of the decor. There's holly on the piano and fake candles in the windows, and you better believe at least half of those doorways have mistletoe strategically placed near them. Don't get caught! (Or do, if that's what you're here for.)

The one new and interesting addition to the house can be found in a corner of the living room, where a little space has been carved out for a small end table topped with coasters, a chair, and a tripod apparatus just the right size for holding a standard Pokegear. Got someone to call and wish a Merry Christmas? Do it from the comfort of this corner like it's Masterpiece Theater.

But however Tuesday is spent, there's sure to be a lot of love, gifting, and good Christmas cheer. Or else.

When Wednesday comes along, it'll be the standard post-Christmas wind-down — leftovers aplenty in the kitchen, trash bags of crumpled wrapping paper tucked into the corners, and a nice low-pressure environment in which to interact, gush over gifts, and enjoy the spirit of the season a little longer before getting right back to work on Important Business. For some, that might mean playing in the snow or having a snowball fight; for others, that might mean coordinating federal agent business for the future. But either way, it's another Christmas survived, and that's what really matters, right?


[OOC: Just like last time, this is an open log for everybody coming to Albert's for Christmas! Feel free to start your own threads as you please — open them to everybody, close them to specific people, whatever works for you. Just make a note in the header of what day it's taking place on and who all's invited, and have fun, everybody! Also, for people who aren't physically present at the Farm on Christmas, feel free to use the designated Skype Thread™ to chat with them over video anyway!]

Comments

[foolishwren]

Butch, take it easy, JEEZ, I'm coming--

<sub>[Led by a large, toddling Quagsire that has its clammy webbed paw clutched around her hand, Heather unwittingly stumbles towards a seemingly-innocuous doorway. Once there, he stops, lets go, and turns around to stare up at her expectantly.]

[A quick glance around yields approximately zero instances of Stuff My Pokemon Would Want to Show Me, so she looks down at him and spreads her arms.]</sub>

What? Dude, there is nothing here. I have no idea what you're trying to--

<sub>[... Oh. ... God dammit.]

[What follows is a brief, muffled struggle as Heather hurriedly tries to shove Butch through the doorway (which is sort of difficult, since due to his short stature, rather than smooching her on the lips he's just sort of wrapped his stubby arms around her legs and started lovingly drooling onto her coat), muttering things similar to "get off me you dumb salamander we gotta get out of here' until finally giving up and returning him to his Pokeball.]

[Then she casts a quick, panicked glance around to see if anyone saw that... aaaand starts to casually scoot out from underneath the incriminating plant. Do de do do SLOWLY ESCAPING~]</sub>

[darkenedgales]

Yo!

[And just then, a familiar mess of orange hair otherwise known as Crow Hogan materializes in front of her seemingly from nowhere (well, not really; he was just putting some gifts underneath the Christmas tree and observed Heather's struggle from there, hidden behind the branches and colorful decorations), waving his hand with a smile.]

So, what was that all about?

[He points at the Pokéball in her hand, genuinely curious what on earth caused her to have a wrestling match in the doorway with her own Pokémon.]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Okaaaaay, aaaaalmost out of the danger zo-- HOLY SHIT CROW WHERE THE HELL DID YOU JUST COME FROM]

[She doesn't squeak, but she does make a sort of unintelligible startled noise and jump backwards-- ironically back underneath the offending plant. In doing so, she drops the Pokeball and it goes rolling off through the doorway.]</sub>

JEEZ!

I mean-- ... uh, nothing.

_[Yes.]

[darkenedgales]

[Still giving Heather a questioning look, Crow stops the Pokéball with his foot and picks it up.]

"Nothing", huh?

[He takes a step forward, his smile slowly turning into a smirk. She's hiding something, he can tell that much -- there's no way he's letting her go without finding out what it is!]

You sure? You made some pretty big fuss over here.

[foolishwren]

<sub>[God dammit Crow you do not know what you're doing--]

[As he steps forward, Heather's eyes widen and she lifts her hands-- both of them-- in the universal STOP gesture.]</sub>

CROW.

Believe me, you do NOT wanna take another step.

<sub>[... She says it less like SHE'S worried about the outcome on her end and more like she's warning someone who's about to step on a landmine.]

[CROW YOUR WHOLE LIFE COULD BE IN MORTAL DANGER. THE MORTAL DANGER OF COOTIES.]</sub>

[darkenedgales]

[Heather's reasoning must be clouded by the incoming danger, since she should know very well by now that telling Crow not to do something is pretty much a sure way to make him do it instead.

This time is no exception.]

They say no risk, no glory!

[And then

he takes another step forward




... but nothing happened!

Not that the duelist expected anything else, but it's actually a bit disappointing. Or would be, if it wasn't for the fact he now gets to be smug. For the time being.]

And...?

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Yeah, uh... let's just blame the panic.]

[Heather grimaces visibly-- sympathetically. Because oh NO.]</sub>

... I am so sorry.

_{[... IF NOBODY'S SEEN THEM THEY CAN JUST SNEAK OFF, RIGHT?]}

[darkenedgales]

"Sorry"?

[He raises an eyebrow at that, and then laughs it off.]

What for? You haven't done anything to me yet.

[Keyword here might be "yet", even if he doesn't mean it seriously.]

In any case, you're acting weird, y'know? Can't see anything outta ordinary at this doorstep...

[With that said, the duelist looks around: left, right, up... and pauses there, spotting the mistletoe. He hasn't seen the plant back in his world, but he got familiar with in during his previous Christmas over his stay in Johto, even if he's never found himself underneath it.

Until now.

All of Crow's self-confidence bursts like a bubble within a split of second as he finally begins to understand what Heather was trying to tell him. As the full realization of their current position hits him, he lets out a short yelp and looks back at the girl with a panicked expression.]

W-Wait, you don't mean...

[foolishwren]

<sub>[It's okay, Crow. You're both in the same boat.]

[Heather continues to grimace, looking at Crow the same way that one student might look at another that they were assigned a horrible group poster project when the first one KNOWS they're an awful artist who no one in their right mind would want to be paired with.]</sub>

Uh... yeah...

[darkenedgales]

[NO. NOTHING IS OKAY.

Crow on the other hand gives her a pained look full of guilt, almost as if he's just been told he's supposed to strangle Heather, not kiss her. He really wouldn't wish getting under the mistletoe with him upon a sworn enemy, much less a close friend.]

I didn't mean to... I mean...

[Goddammit, why couldn't he listen for once? Now he's got them stuck here and he can only hope Heather won't hate him too much for that. The duelist lowers his gaze, staring blankly at the Pokéball still in his hand, his voice turning into a mumble.]

... Sorry.

[foolishwren]

<sub>[They can both be giant balls of misplaced guilt and awkwardness, then. Although Heather's not assuming Crow will hate her so much as be thinking OH GOD NO WHY DO I HAVE TO DO THIS WHYYYYYYYY]

[She's fresh out of snark to make this whole thing go easier, too.]</sub>

It's-- not your fault.

Just-- uh-- ... if we go real quiet, no one will be the wiser.

_[RIGHT?]

[darkenedgales]

[Granted, there is a lot of "WHYYYYYY" going on in Crow's head right now, though probably not exactly for the reasons Heather suspects.

He finally looks back up at her when she suggests escaping, though he still seems to have trouble grasping what's even going on around him, so it takes him a moment to catch on.]

... Right! That... could work, I guess.

[It'll... probably be better that way for everyone involved, no?]

[foolishwren]

So... yeah.

Um.

<sub>[She starts to-- CAREFULLY-- step backwards.]

[It should work.]






[But it doesn't. Because suddenly that Pokeball in Crow's hand pops back open.]</sub>

QUAAAAA!

_{[Oh, joy! Now there's ANOTHER person under the mistletoe with hi trainer! c: HOORAY. Without any hesitation, the Quagsire promptly hugs BOTH around the waist, pulling them closer together. 8I NOW KISS!!]}

[bakaitoukid]

Wooooopaaaaaah!

[the cheerful, wooping sound of Butch's lady friend was probably familiar to the Pokemon's (and Heather's) ears, and should either of them look up they would undoubtedly see Flapper the Wooper careening through the air on a crash course set straight for the Quagsire.

Naturally, her trainer was right behind her]

Flapper! I know it's the holidays, but c'mon, you don't have to be that excited about it!

[Said trainer makes a grab for the excitable Pokemon, only to miss as Flapper darts to the side and continues towards Butch. His hands brush through thin air, causing him to stumble forward, towards the doorway]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[HARK! WHAT IS THAT SWEET, SWEET SOUND ON THE WIND?]

[Almost instantly, the Pokeball Heather had summoned Butch back into quivers and pops open, because NO BALL CAN KEEP A QUAGSIRE IN LOVE CONTAINED WHEN HIS SOULMATE IS NEARBY. Completely abandoning his attempts to get a kiss from Heather, he throws his arms out to embrace Flapper in a slimy, amphibious hug. MERRY CHRISTMAS WAIFUUUUUUU]

[Unfortunately, Heather and Kaito's abrupt reunion is not quite as deliberate.]

[Forgetting briefly about the mistletoe, Heather's first reaction when Kaito comes stumbling forward is to throw an arm out to catch him from falling.]</sub>

Whoa, Kaito!

[bakaitoukid]

[FLAPPER SEEMS QUITE HAPPY WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT. 'w' Pokeball or not, she had been bounding towards Heather and Butch with energy and excitement that rivaled even her normal temperament. And now that her Quagsire pal had joined her out in the open again, she was quite content to curl into his hug with a giant, Wooper smile. MERRY CHRISTMAS HUSBANDO.

Kaito, on the other hand, has to reach out to brace himself on both the door frame and Heather's arm to avoid face planting right into the ground]

She couldn't even wait five seconds for you to let him out on your own...

[... he says with a grump in his voice, but there's a bit of amused fondness in it, too. He had long since grown used to these kinds of Pokemon antics]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[SHIELD YOUR EYES, PREGNANT LADIES. THERE IS HOT AMPHIBIOUS SMOOCHING GOING ON UP IN HERE.]

[Heather takes one look at it, makes a face, and then looks back down at Kaito.]

[.. And visibly pales as she remembers where she is, and realizes that she's practically holding him up bride-dipping style. And that the mistletoe is plainly visible up there behind her head.]</sub>

[HEATHER HAS ENCOUNTERED AN ERROR]

>>[DISTRACT HIM BY SAYING SOMETHING SUPER WITTY]
>>[KISS THE EVERLOVING FUCK OUT OF HIM]
>>[FORGET THAT YOU'RE HOLDING HIM UP AND DROP HIM ON THE FLOOR]




















_{[DROPS HIM ON THE FLOOR]}

[bakaitoukid]

[He only has a single moment to see the tuft of green hanging on the ceiling above Heather's head from this angle-- one small, fleeting moment to take in what their situation is... to think oh, that's mistletoe, and holy crap that's mistletoe!! before she lets him go and he falls to the ground with a loud THUNK]

Hey--!

[Thankfully, he was already close enough to the floor that the landing doesn't hurt too much. He takes a moment to rub at his back where he landed, one eye shut, the other still focused on that sprig of mistletoe on the ceiling. He stares at it for a second, then glances at Heather. Then back to the mistletoe. Then Heather again.

Time to cope with this somewhat awkward situation the only way he knew how: wry humor]

... who the heck put that there, anyway?

[... well, an attempt at humor, anyway]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[... Aw, SHIT.]

[She... totally didn't mean to do that. But rather than apologize, she's sort of busy trying to think of a way out of this situation.]

[It's not that it's not a situation they haven't been in before. They'd gotten caught under it at LEAST once, and while it was pretty awkward back then too, it still, you know, happened.]

[It's that everything's so COMPLICATED now and mostly in ways that don't actually have anything to do with Kaito HIMSELF and ... and...]</sub>

Uhm...

_{[Ever seen Heather's entire being sort of compress in one giant, grimacing wince? Now you have!]}

I, uh... won't tell if you won't.

_{[Meaning IF THERE'S NOBODY WATCHING WE COULD TOTALLY JUST EDGE OUT FROM UNDER THIS SYMBOLIC PLANT AND NO ONE WOULD KNOW.]}

[bakaitoukid]

[It was not quite the reaction Kaito had been expecting-- he and Heather were similar in that they always attempted to mitigate awkward situations with humor. So watching Heather wince and reply meekly was something new entirely, and he blinks up at her in a mixture of confusion and surprise]

Er, well...

[She was right, they could sneak away completely unseen. But it also wasn't like they hadn't done the mistletoe thing before... with a deep breath, he pulls up a small quirk of a grin, and replies:]

S'not a big deal. [He says as he pulls himself to his feet, dusting off his pants as he did so] I've taken longer, more painful falls than that.

[Once again, he glances up at the mistletoe, this time contemplative]

It'd be a shame if we didn't show at least some Christmas spirit, wouldn't it?

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Yeeeeeah.]

[Things are different now. And frankly, not really for the better. It's been one of those years. But at the very least, the grimacing is abandoned for cautious surprise when he speaks up.]</sub>

... Uhhh...

_{[REAL ELOQUENT THERE, HEATHER. How about you just go ahead and drool on yourself or pick your nose or something too, just to complete the whole unflattering portrait of herself that she's painting.]}

... Are you serious?

_{[... Oh well NOW she's just coming off as sort of rude wow you win at boys Heather. Someone needs to just give you a trophy with the word 'BOYS' on it.]}

[bakaitoukid]

I mean, if you want to. [Kaito added quickly, lifting up both hands, palms forward. I mean, if she didn't want to, then of course he couldn't make her-- nor would he. But it was just some mistletoe, right? It was just a small kiss, right? Nothing they hadn't done before.

... even if before was a long, long time ago. And things were really different back then.]

I'm just saying, it's not like a little sprig of green has stopped us before, y'know?

[... now he just sounded ridiculous, like he was making excuses for wanting to kiss her, and with a scoff, he tilted his head away a bit and lifted a hand to brush a hand through his hair]

It doesn't have to be weird! I-- er.

[... nope, she probably did think he was being weird]

Nevermind! F-forget I said anything.

[Being awkward around Heather was certainly a new experience]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[It's okay. They're both being weird and awkward and in all honesty 99% of it is not even remotely Kaito's fault. IT'S ALL HER, MAN.]

[She falters once he does, because wow yeah realizing that she made this situation several times worse.]</sub>

Uh-- nnnno, it's okay, sorry-- I just... uh...

_{[What happened to the old days when there was minimal awkward and then lots of snarky joking about stuff like this? THOSE DAYS WERE GOOD.]}

[bakaitoukid]

[FEAR NOT, HE HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON HIS PLAN FOR SNARK. With a light cough, his gaze flickers up, towards the mistletoe above their heads. But despite his words, there's a small spark of... confidence missing from his voice, even as he jokes around]

So, uh. We could try very discretely removing the offending plant from the premises just to make sure we don't accidentally fall into it's trap again?

It's a fool-proof plan. You could be the look out just to make sure no one sees?

/SLOWLY WATCHES HEATHER ANNIHILATE HER CHANCES

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Poor Kaito...]

[Heather hears that, but... she doesn't have much of an idea what to do about it that wouldn't make it worse.]

[So she just nods.]</sub>

Uh, yeah! Cool! I'll just uh.

Make sure... no one sees. Yeah.