worktodo: (COFFEE ☮ why does it taste like fish)
Albert Rosenfield ([personal profile] worktodo) wrote in [community profile] route_10652012-12-23 03:53 pm

We Survived the Snowmageddon

Who: Albert Rosenfield ([personal profile] 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!]
newberktown: (the smolder)

[personal profile] newberktown 2012-12-24 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[It had been a while since he'd thought about mistletoe--he'd learned what it was over a year ago, but since he hadn't done much in the way of the holidays that go around, the tradition had pretty much slipped his mind. It would have baffled him to know that mistletoe was even in the house. 'Traditional' or not, it seemed like the sort of thing that Albert would have put a stop to in three seconds flat.

Hiccup happens to idle under a sprig, munching on a cookie. THEY AREN'T POISONED THIS TIME, he may have checked by having his Feraligatr eat one. He sure does look attractive with a crumb or two on his chin, doesn't he?]
bywiseguidance: (okay that's hilarious)

[personal profile] bywiseguidance 2012-12-24 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ziva didn't know much about Christmas traditions, but she'd been reminded of this particular one by Albert himself (who didn't seem too pleased but hadn't been too put out when Ziva kissed him, she thinks.) And Hiccup was standing right in the line of fire, so to speak.

Ziva sweeps by and plants a friendly kiss on Hiccup's forehead, pointing upward with a grin as she pulls back to normal conversation distance.]


Merry Christmas. I am glad you are feeling better for it.
newberktown: (it's a gift)

[personal profile] newberktown 2012-12-27 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
[If Hiccup had known how Ziva had been reminded, the results would possibly have been very similar to being poisoned by cookies.

Since he's oblivious, though, he takes the sudden lips on his forehead with a noise of surprise, lifting his gaze first to Ziva, then to the plant he had apparently fallen under. Oops. Well, on the bright side, she could have made it oodles more embarrassing.]


Y-yeah, me too. All thanks to you and Albert... [Now is the time to clear his throat pretend his face isn't a little pink.] You're, uhmn, having a good Christmas too, right?
Edited 2012-12-27 03:11 (UTC)
bywiseguidance: (imma tiger rar)

[personal profile] bywiseguidance 2012-12-27 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
[c:

And she's too nice to do that to Hiccup. Not too nice to ruffle his hair though.]


Mostly Albert. And yes, I am, thank you.
newberktown: (so ha)

[personal profile] newberktown 2012-12-28 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[He does the requisite EMBARRASSED TEEN duck, fixing his hair to its usual floppy way. But he smiles again at her words.]

Good. I hoped you would, even if you don't really celebrate Christmas. All the people here make it fun, though, huh?

[It was a lot like the holidays back home, that way. The whole village celebrating.]
bywiseguidance: (she looks way too happy about that knife)

[personal profile] bywiseguidance 2012-12-29 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
I do not have to believe in the same things to enjoy a party.

[She's all for parties man.]

We do the same back home, for Christmas.
newberktown: (your smile fills me with glee)

[personal profile] newberktown 2012-12-30 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
We do on Berk, too--well, not really Christmas. But everyone in the village gets together for holidays, and Snoggletog is one of the most festive times of the year.

[Most people enjoyed Thawfest, too, but NOPE. NOT THIS KID.]
bywiseguidance: (she looks way too happy about that knife)

[personal profile] bywiseguidance 2012-12-30 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
I am partial to Purim, myself. It is generally more...excited, I would say.

[And it involves drinking. Looooots of drinking.]
newberktown: (but here's my number)

[personal profile] newberktown 2012-12-31 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Sorry, but this kid is forever filled with curiosity.]

Purim?
doitrockapella: (SMUG ❖ smarter than a fifth-grader)

[personal profile] doitrockapella 2012-12-25 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
[HE SURE DOES.

And he sure is getting himself a friendly kiss in the general cheek vicinity, just a little too close to the mouth to be written off as being in Strictly Mom Kiss Territory. He's a mature teenager and he's got the smolder, that warrants a little something extra.]


Be careful where you stand, or you're in for a few more of those yet.
newberktown: (hahaha)

[personal profile] newberktown 2012-12-27 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
[WOW, THAT SURE IS CLOSE THERE, and it earns Carmen an even deeper shade of pink than Ziva got. With an embarrassed chuckle, he glances up to the plant--why were they all over the place?--and takes a sidestep out from under it.]

Gods forbid. [Especially if they were getting increasingly less on the 'friendly' side of things... He doesn't know if his arm can take the hard right hook he's sure to get from Astrid if she spots these shenanigans. Not that Hiccup looks...too displeased by the situation. Just a bit flustered and unsure.] Hasn't Albert seen these yet?

[Because if so, WHY ARE THEY NOT DOWN?]
doitrockapella: (PIN ❖ the better to burst your bubble)

[personal profile] doitrockapella 2012-12-27 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sure he's campaigning to have them all seized and burned as we speak, but I doubt Agent Cooper and Harry will let him. I think they're the ones who hung them all up.

[Carmen, naturally, is unfazed, because she's just a kissing Oprah today, apparently. YOU GET SMOOCHES! AND YOU GET SMOOCHES! AND YOU GET SMOOCHES!

Smooches for everybody. c:]


Maybe a few kisses will lighten him up, too.
newberktown: (i actually built this dragon)

[personal profile] newberktown 2012-12-28 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah... [With priorities so different, it was hard for Hiccup to understand how they could put up with each other. Then again, he thought, his own friends back home were basically the same story.

Also, Carmen is a little too happy about all this kissing business, if you ask him. Though he chuckles at her suggestion.]


Sure. [Hiccup shakes his head.] Especially one from you. That would put his mood through the roof--or maybe it would be his head...
doitrockapella: (ATTITUDE ❖ i'm the motherflippin')

[personal profile] doitrockapella 2012-12-29 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
I'll make sure to wait until after we've eaten, then. Just in case.

[She gives him a grin.]

Kisses aside, are you enjoying yourself?
newberktown: (so call me maybe?)

[personal profile] newberktown 2012-12-30 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
That's thoughtful of you.

[...Great Odin's ghost, he prays that Carmen doesn't actually do it. You never knew, with Carmen.]

I am! It's fun to be around so many people, you know? And the cookies haven't been tampered with, so that's always plus, in my book.
doitrockapella: (PLEASED ❖ aww yeah let's get educational)

[personal profile] doitrockapella 2012-12-30 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
[Spoilers: She'd actually rather kiss a Wookiee. But that might have less to do with Albert and more to do with ALIEMS, so Hiccup is correct, you really never know, with Carmen.]

Not as much of a plus as it is in mine.

[When she finds the person who poisoned her Viking Son, ooh, boy. They better watch out, they better not cry.]

There's a few presents for you under the tree, you know. Have you decided when you're going to open them?
newberktown: (is always pinkie's dream)

[personal profile] newberktown 2012-12-30 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
[I don't know, I think a lot of people would be happy to see Bowser crying.

At the reminder, Hiccup looks over to the direction of the tree, rubbing the back of his neck.]


Mmn. It almost looks like people are waiting until later, to open them... They look nice under there, don't they? [He hadn't had many contributions to the stack, but seeing all the packages there gave him another boost of HOLIDAY CHEER. Yay, patchwork family.] Doesn't look like you've opened yours either yet, huh?

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punchandkiss: (Peeeeeeer.)

[personal profile] punchandkiss 2013-01-03 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey Hiccup. [Using legendary viking sneaking abilities...or just the fact that Hiccup was so often in his own world...Astrid is just suddenly standing next to him, sipping on some sort of juice.]

So, not bad for Snoggletog, huh? Even if the name is all wrong.
newberktown: (disappointment on display)

[personal profile] newberktown 2013-01-03 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ALL THESE GIRLS ARE TOO GOOD AT SNEAKING. Even if it isn't surprise smooching, he's unprepared enough that he chokes on some crumbs for a second. Once he's done coughing, Hiccup will offer the other viking a grin. Where they're standing has slipped his mind for the moment.]

Yeah. Last year I didn't do anything for it... This is definitely a step up.

[All these people celebrating. JUST LIKE HOME.]
punchandkiss: (Peeeeeeer.)

[personal profile] punchandkiss 2013-01-03 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[She is Ninja Viking.] What, nothing at all? That sounds pretty lonely. [She frowns faintly at him because nobody should be lonely at Snoggletog!]

Well, you've got everybody this year. It's not like being home but...it's nice. [Makes her miss her parents, but there isn't anythign she can do about that.]
newberktown: (uhh)

[personal profile] newberktown 2013-01-03 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Not really... I mean, I probably went out to eat with Toothless, but that happened a lot, back then.

[Man, that dragon liked to eat sushi.]

I think so, too. [Hiccup naturally misses Stoick, Gobber, Toothless... Even the other viking teens. But he's made his own family here, and having Astrid around is great. It would almost seem wrong to ask for more.

Besides, that last Snoggletog back home sucked, from where he's standing on the timeline.]
I'm just surprised Albert hasn't barricaded the doors, after Thanksgiving.
punchandkiss: (So what now?)

[personal profile] punchandkiss 2013-01-03 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh is that when he was here? [Astrid has a hard time keeping track of people who had come and gone, since most of them she doesn't know.] Well...this year is better then, right?

[She laughs.]

Well, even if he had, I doubt that would've kept Carmen out.
newberktown: (what's a fish for)

[personal profile] newberktown 2013-01-03 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[He nods.] I arrived here early in December last year, and he left...about three months after that. Dunno how long he'd been here before I came. [weh, darguns.

...Astrid brings up a good point.]
Yeah, she definitely would have been able to get in, somehow... And she would have let the rest of us in after, too.

[But man, thinking about Carmen has him suddenly paranoid that there's a smudge of red close to he lips from where she'd kissed him earlier, and he gives the area an awkward wipe with the back of his hand. Satisfied that the area is free of this incriminating evidence, Hiccup moves his glance subtly to the ceiling.

...Of course there's more mistletoe. How could there not be?]


...Huh.

[What to do, what to do... Cooper and his friend probably weren't watching to make sure they complied with tradition, but who in their right mind would pass up this opportunity? Still, Hiccup had never been the kisser, merely the kissee, so when he fishes to see just how much Astrid knows, it's awkwardly.]

Uh, hey, look. Mistletoe.
punchandkiss: (So what now?)

[personal profile] punchandkiss 2013-01-03 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[Astrid was about to comment more on Carmen when Hiccup gets distracted, and she raises an eyebrow, peering up at the mistletoe and then over at him.]

Mistlewhat?
newberktown: (look how fast i'm talking!)

[personal profile] newberktown 2013-01-04 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
Mistletoe. [He might have straightened up a little, gesturing up to the plant though he's sure she saw it during her own inspection of the ceiling.] It's this plant that people put up around Christmas. It has its own special tradition, too, if you want me to teach you about it.

[Can you ignore that look in his eyes that wants you to ask about the tradition, Astrid? Can you?]
Edited 2013-01-04 00:42 (UTC)

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