[ open ] for i've grown a little leaner, grown a little colder, grown a little sadder

[holyshihtzu]

Who: Juliet O'Hara + You
Where: Juliet's room
When: December 1st-4th
Rating: PG
Summary: Juliet is getting into the Christmas spirit early by hosting a little get-together at her place. Network video and party post below the cut!
The Story:

[ ✹ .002 [ video ] ]

Happy December, Wonderland!

[ Juliet offers a brilliant, if somewhat strained, smile to the network. The camera isn't directly aimed at her face at first--she's still getting used to video chatting--but she reaches out to adjust it quickly before continuing. ]

I know not everyone here celebrates Christmas or... Even knows what Christmas is, but! In the O'Hara household, Christmas is a big deal. I mean, I really big deal. All my family comes in and there are games, and arts and crafts, and a ton of food...

[ People probably get the idea, Juliet. ]

So! I know things always get really crazy during the holidays anyway and I wanted to get on top of things so I'm having a little pre-Christmas get together at my place. So whether or I know you or not, come by room three on the seventh floor anytime over the next few days and I promise we'll have a lot of fun. Open door policy.

[ She pauses. ]

Not literally. Knock first.

[ room 3, level 7 ]

Juliet has gone all-out for the holidays, as an O'Hara is wont to do. With no financial limits and no job to distract her, she's put everything into decorating her place. Anyone walking past room three on the seventh floor will be greeted immediately with an timely wreath and equally festive doormat.

The decorations don't stop there. Juliet has decked the halls to the point that they are bursting, having even extended her living room quite a bit to accommodate food, fun, and hopefully a lot of guests. Every wall is decorated with some kind of garland, wreath, or lights. She's even got a sprig of mistletoe hanging in the corner for any couples who visit that might be so inclined.

And, of course, there is the the Christmas tree in the corner of the living room.

Anyone who visits will also be greeted by an unimaginable spread of food from cookies, cakes, and various snacks to some traditional Scottish fare like mince pies. There's another corner table dedicated to just Christmas crafts, from cutting out paper snowflakes to sewing Holiday themed pajamas.

Maybe it's a little early to go full out, but Juliet couldn't wait. Christmas is her favorite time of year and she hopes that getting to it early will help her miss her family less - and maybe help her find a new family in Wonderland.

[ This is a party/mingle post! Feel free to top level and tag out with other people, or just thread with Juliet, or just respond to her network post if you so desire. Have fun and get into the holiday spirit before shit goes down! ]

Comments

[mourning_ghost]

"Mm. You write a wish on a piece of paper and hang it on bamboo. Then the next day, you burn the paper." That's how his family used to celebrate at least. "There are usually festivals one can go to as well."

Nageki never was able to go to a festival, so he can't tell her much about that.

[holyshihtzu]

"That sounds like a great holiday."

It's exactly the kind of thing Juliet thinks belongs around this time of year.

"Oh! I can't do anything about festivals, but if you want, we could get some paper and bamboo out of the closet? And then your tradition can be included with everyone else's here."

[mourning_ghost]

He nods. Tanabata takes place in July, but Nageki has missed the at least eight years worth of celebrations. He sees no reason why he can't celebrate it around the Christmas season.

"I'd like that."

[holyshihtzu]

"Okay, hang on."

She heads over to the closet, returning with a small bamboo plant, a pad of paper, and a pencil. She sets them down next to him.

"Here!"

[mourning_ghost]

Nageki accepts it and tears a piece of paper from the pad.

But what should he write down? The wishes he normally made aren't ones that can be made anymore and the wishes he could make are ones he's sure won't come true.

In the end Nageki writes, I wish I could see my friends from home this year. Wonderland won't grant it to him, but that is what he wants.

He goes to the corner table full of crafting supplies to grab thread and a needle, which he uses to poke a hole through the paper and ties it to the bamboo.

[holyshihtzu]

Juliet watches him, but is careful not to pay attention to what he's writing. She's not sure if it's supposed to be a private thing, but she can appreciate boundaries when it matters. When he's done, she gestures to the bamboo.

"Is it okay if I do one, too?"

[mourning_ghost]

"Yeah. Everyone writes one." Nageki hands the pencil and paper back to Juliet.

[holyshihtzu]

She takes the pencil, tapping it against her cheek for a moment while she thinks. As it happens, her wish isn't all that different from his, but she isn't convinced it will come true, either. Instead she decides to concentrate on the now, and finally writes on the paper, I wish I will find a way to be happy here.

She repeats the process of putting the thread through the paper and hanging it on the bamboo.

"There," she says, leaning back and admiring it. "And you can come back tomorrow, and we'll burn them and hope they come true."