Upon a Starry Night

[mythmaker]

Who: Azusa Miura and the Heroes of Light
When: December 31st to January 1st
Where: Tark Varentain
What: Dear Heroes of Light, I have arranged a party for you. Yours truly, Azusa.
Warnings/Notes: None

'Twere the days before New Year’s, when all through the land,
None were busier than Azusa, planning her party so grand;
Snowy decorations everywhere, her tree stood by the chimney with care,
In hopes that the Heroes of Light might, for a while, forget their worries there.

In the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Azusa is still mum on exactly where in Tark Varentain the party she promised them would be held. It’s not until the morning of that an address finally reaches everyone’s iMog slates. When they follow it, they don’t find an inn or a party center—they find a noble’s manse overlooking the snowy wilderness on one side and the fine city on the other. As Azusa welcome characters inside, she’s quick to explain.

“It used to be the summer home of a businessman I met once in Sen Riqeaux. He’d love to return someday, but he’s letting me use it. Isn’t that lovely?”

With a swish of her evening cape, she leads everyone inside. The entire house is lovely, modern despite its location. It’s clear that a lot of money went into developing the place. From the large dining room to the spacious fire place, there’s more than enough room to spread out and mingle. There’s a game room as well, with ornate chess boards and billiards and more.

Between the dining room and the chimney, there’s a large white tree. Azusa instructs everyone to leave their gifts for the secret santa there, and provides them with tags for them to label their gifts with. From there, she shows everyone the kitchen and the food she’s made. There’s a lot of holiday in the catering her Moogle provided. Cookies, hot cocoas and coffees, roasted and baked meats, fudge, fresh salads, fruit, festive alcohol, ciders. If it’s been at a Christmas dinner in Japan, America, or at a Starlight dinner in Vaikuntha, there’s probably at least a little of it to be found.

Later in the evening, Azusa reveals one of the activities is a scavenger hunt. She provides a list of five items that can be found in town and promises the first team of three to bring all five back will win a reward. The five items are:
-a selfie with a smiling citizen of Tark Varentein
-a picture of a snowman you made yourself (must be as tall as a person and have a face, she clarifies)
-a bullet from the gunslinger’s guild or a throwing weapon from the ninja guild
-picture of Starlight decorations that haven’t been put away
-an icicle (better be careful bringing it back!)

As the evening goes on, there will be some games she initiates. Everyone can gather in the living room for some 'never have I ever'. Once it becomes 11PM, she’ll start passing out paper so everyone can write down their new year’s resolution. If they decide to go off and think about it on their own, they should be careful. There’s still mistletoe and mistlefoe hanging about. It might be your character’s last chance to enjoy them.

You might notice some familiar faces at the party as well. Claire is seated by the bar, enjoying some snacks and looking exhausted. Kupoto accidentally eats some spicy jalapeno poppers and eventually starts to mess around as he drinks more. Biggs and Wedge can be spotted moving from room to room, sitting in a windowsill here or beneath the stairs there, encouraging other guests to mingle and make good use of the space. They’re talking about some space-y topics, too, sometimes stars but also sometimes wars. Jessie can be found sitting somewhere not crowded and playing games on her iMog. She's not interested in the holiday music coming from the various speakers.

As it nears midnight, her voice rings out. “Everyone, please come to the deck for a special surprise while we welcome the New Year together~.” She will hunt you down and drag you there if she has to. There’s a good reason for it. Why did Azusa pick Tark Varentein? Why did she pick somewhere high and cold, where you have to use your coat and hold a thermos of hot beverage. The answer will be revealed shortly...

And when morning comes, there’s breakfast as well. Whether people slept on couches, stayed up all night, or used some of the rooms available, it’s time to greet the morning together. Snow still falls lightly outside when light peeks in through the many, many windows of the estate. After a few more hours, Wendy and some Moogle acquaintances start to clean up, letting everyone go home, hopefully in good spirits, ready for the year to follow.

Comments

IC SECRET SANTA GIFTS

[smokythrill]

Post here with the name of the recipient in the subject line (example: To Azusa Miura) and describe the gift in the message, including how it's wrapped. It's supposed to be anonymous, but if you signed it, Azusa might not notice.

Terra

[einspine]

Papyrus will be getting Terra some very fancy weights because he looks like a rather strong guy! He'll also be getting a tasty helping of spaghetti and a comfortable turtleneck.

This is all wrapped very neatly, with the bows tied with utmost care. The wrapping paper is bone-patterned. So much for subtlety!

To: Dante

[mythmaker]

Underneath the tree, there's a box for Dante! Should he unwrap it and open it, he'll find a collection of ornate, antique bottles that are perfect for storing both food and potions in. They're filled with little candies to start. Beneath the bottles and jars there's a Zora-sized black apron that is curiously fashionable for the curiously attractive.

[OU} Frisk

[singerofspells]

[S'reee is new to gift giving, and going on what she has been told about human holidays. She managed to (mostly correctly) guess at Frisk's size. The first item is a sweatshirt for Ka'pandol's local Blitzball team. The second... it is an impressively tacky winter sweater, with stars and snowflakes, but it does look warm. Someone (probably S'reee's assistant) has tucked a gift receipt in. On top of them is a tissue-paper wrapped package that includes an ornament made of seashells glued together to make a delicate star.]

[The wrapping job is the sort of 'clean and functional' that indicates that it was done at a store, but the gift tag is hand-written with Frisk's name in a curlicue script.]

To Reno

[bladeofconquest]

A polished wooden cane wrapped in festive red paper. A note is included.

Dear Reno,

We don't know each other very well, but I've seen you around and you seem like a gentleman who would appreciate the style and class of one of these. I hope you enjoy it!

Happy Starlight and a joyous New Year to you and yours,

Corr [FURIOUSLY SCRIBBLED OUT] Anonymous

To: Finn

[mech_and_mutt]

Inside of a tastefully ribbon-wrapped box bearing Finn's name- though, rather tellingly, marked with a stray paw print- there's an Antique Single Action Army Revolver. It can be used with any class that uses guns as a weapon, and additionally works rather well as one; though the engraving gives no tactical advantage whatsoever. Unless Finn was planning to auction it off as a collector's item.

Sylvarie Aila Jue

[modelcivilian]

He remembered the name, but they hadn't spoken outside of the Literature Club that one day everyone shared poems. And now, he was really, really hoping she liked cute things because that was a very cute Starlight addition doll of Shiva hanging onto a new White Mage staff of similar festive carving. Also... wrapping may have been attempted only for a bow to be attached in the end with the name tag.

S'reee

[tiredcharmer]

After their shared horrifically traumatic experience on Starlight Eve, Tyzias wanted to get S'reee something... special. The question was, what the hell was she supposed to get for a fucking whale?

So she had sneaked into the Custom Job lab, took a look at some of the data... and found something very interesting.

S'reee's gift is a massive seashell, with the following words inscribed on it:

"In Life's name and for Life's sake, I assert that I will employ the Art which is its gift in Life’s service alone, rejecting all other usages. I will guard growth and ease pain. I will fight to preserve what grows and lives well in its own way; and I will change no object or creature unless its growth and life, or that of the system of which it is part, are threatened. To these ends, in the practice of my Art, I will put aside fear for courage, and death for life, when it is right to do so — till Universe’s end.

"here's mmmmy advice, for wwwwhat it's wwwworth: remmmmemmmmber wwwwhat mmmmatters, and fight fang and fin for it even if the wwwwhole wwwwworld is against you

"not a lot commmmpared to all that ancient creed stuff, but it's still immmmportant. sorry i couldn't give you mmmmore"

Uendo Toneido

[pishirogane]

A box wrapped in blue of fair size and weight sits waiting for Uendo to open it. And when he does, he'll find a set of dolls crafted like the ones in the storybook posted on the iMog slate some time ago with Leviathan included of course. One could probably put on a performance with them if they were perhaps traveling around and telling stories.

Asriel

[sassafrisk]

A hand-knitted garishly rainbow sweater with "MR. BRO GUY" proudly emblazoned on the front.

Snow White

[chatwithdeath]

Jump scare as a doll from the Museum several months ago pops out.

... Well, that first.

What remains inside is a pot with plant-ready dirt and seeds next to it. She probably shouldn't have gotten him a mandragora seed, but whatever. His problem once it actually started growing which a helpful note inside says plant during early spring or in tempered environment.

SCAVENGER HUNT

[smokythrill]

If you participate in the Scavenger Hunt, reply here with your team. A winner will be RNGed to receive a prize from Azusa. Include a link to a top-level or comment where your character searches for at least one of the Scavenger Hunt items as well.

Team Corrin

[bladeofconquest]

Corrin/Serge/Tyzias/Nozomi!

NEVER HAVE I EVER

[smokythrill]

Reply here with your character something they've never done. "Never have I ever been drunk at 3AM." If your character has done that thing, they have to take a drink of alcohol (or juice for the kids). You can also put your "Never have I ever ____" in the subject line so it's easier to find.

[einspine]

[Papyrus crosses his arms and chuckles. He already has something brilliant in mind!]

NEVER HAVE I EVER... LEFT MY SOCKS ON THE FLOOR LIKE AN UTTER LAZYBONES!!!

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

[smokythrill]

Azusa has passed out paper to write them down, and before midnight strikes and while they're gathered outside, she asks.

"Have you all decided on your New Year's Resolutions?"

One by one, the answers came...

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

[bladeofconquest]

To make the world kinder.

THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT

[smokythrill]

To be revealed tomorrow (12/31). Do not reply to this comment yet.

[mythmaker]

i. busy bee

No matter what time it is, Azusa is always hard at work at something. Whether it's introducing a new activity or helping clean a little or assisting the Moogles with food prep, she can rarely be found sitting. Do you want a drink? Azusa is standing behind the bar, clumsily trying to figure out a mixer. Or maybe you find her arranging the gifts beneath the tree, making sure all the tags are prominently displayed so everyone can find their gift? When is the last time this girl sat down.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

It's the question she asks every time, with the same tilt of her head, the warm smile on her face.

ii. late night

After all the excitement has died down and it's become less of a party and more a series of conversations, Azusa is happy to finally relax a little herself. With a plate of food and some spirits, she takes her place next to the fireplace and joins in with the quiet, merry conversations.

Until one moment you look over for her response, and...it seems she's fallen asleep. What is someone going to do about that?

II

[bladeofconquest]

"What do you think, Azusa?" Corrin asks, staring into the fire, attempting to stifle a yawn. She's enjoying the warmth, especially now that the evening is starting to wind down, though it isn't exactly helping with how tired she's beginning to feel.

Still, when Azusa doesn't reply, she glances over, and sees the young woman has fallen asleep. Corrin smiles; considering how much work must have gone into the planning the party, to say nothing of how busy she's been since it started, it's no wonder she's fallen asleep. Well, if anyone deserves her rest, it's Azusa. And they still have time before midnight, after all.

Looking around, she spots a blanket draped over another chair nearby. Standing up, Corrin picks it up, and unfolds it. Slowly, so as not to disturb her, she attempts to place it over Azusa to make her a bit more comfortable, or so she hopes. She knows something big is planned for midnight, but there's time yet before they'll need her for that. A little rest will do her some good before then.

[einspine]

A. Roaming About

[What a fantastic setup! So fancy. So cozy! Naturally, Papyrus is eager to zip around, scoping out the surroundings with an enormous grin. After the harrowing Starlight memories, it's a welcome change of pace!

For the occasion, he's dressed in his stylish black suit with a flame-patterned collar along with a snazzy tophat provided by Kanji. Of course, the scarf Frisk made him obscures the collar a bit. And, oh, what's this? Seems he's got a new pair of goggles today- the ones given by Serge.

But that's not the only gift he's wearing, because as he traipses around, astute observers may notice a belt that reads "BONE ZONE." Rather an odd choice for someone as peppy as Papyrus, eh? But perhaps he's not privy to its true meaning.

Either way, he'll great passers by with a bombastic:]

GREETINGS!!! DID YOU ENJOY YOUR STARLIGHT?!

[He can also be spotted observing the mistletoe and mistlefoe. Trying to be careful, of course. His kisses are for his girlfriend! But just what's the deal with that other plant? He's even got a little clipboard, and he muses to himself.]

JUST WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A 'MISTLEFOE', ANYWAY??

B. Do You Want to Build a... SnowPap?

[As Papyrus loves a good challenge, he's taken the opportunity to start building a most glorious Snowman! A life-sized Snow Papyrus, to be precise, although this one is... rather embellished. A finely sculpted six pack, big, beefy arms flexing mightily. While its face is unmistakable and eerily accurate, the body isn't exactly 1:1 with the skeletal dork.]

THERE! PERFECT ACCURACY. AND NOW JUST TO FRAME IT IN THE MOST FLATTERING LIGHT...



C. HUMAN BEVERAGES ARE WEIRD!!!

[Papyrus, after having a hoot at Never Have I Ever has realized something...

Alcoholic beverages are rough on someone who doesn't drink them regularly.

His face is a bit flushed and he's just a little bit wobbly. This is upsetting!!! He huffs. And stomps.]

CURSE MY CURIOSITY!!! WHY DO HUMANS DRINK THESE BEVERAGES IF THEY MAKE YOU FEEL SO... WIBBLY WOBBLY?!

[...And then he starts snickering at his silly wording. Wowie, that was not as articulate as he usually is.]

C

[hatejakku]

[ Finn had started sampling the beverages about an hour or so ago. After realizing he was being a bit of a buzzkill, he thought that having a nice drink would take the edge off of this past month.

He hadn't been wrong, exactly. Finn caught himself giggling at Papyrus' word choice. ]

That's why, I think. The wibbly wobbly stuff. People like that sometimes.

[mech_and_mutt]

A. Meandering

[Sure, Red was used to working and playing in front of crowds- a huge mingle in an unfamiliar house was nothing he couldn't rise to!

But wow, had Azusa outdone herself with the venue on this one.

It was enough to have Red really start to see the appeal of the whole home-on-terra-firma thing. And, in true Red fashion, he couldn't get enough of briskly jaunting from room room just to take in what this manse had to offer. In fact, it was making it difficult even trying to figure out where he should start.

Thankfully, he had energy to spare for his wanderings- especially thanks to the variety of snacks out for sampling, least of all the chocolate bar he was munching on as he walked- and wasn't going to run out of steam any time soon. But given that his excited roaming brought him beneath every single Mistletoe and Mistlefoe in the building...]

B. Fortress

[The rest of the partygoers could build their snowmen. Red had his own ideas. Big ideas. And a mech with not only very strong arms, but Magitek-fueled water and ice beams. And when he got to work, there was just no stopping him.

It took some precious time to get it all together, but the results were- to say the least-excessive. Walls of snow with masonry patterns notched into their surface, reinforced with an inch-thick glaze of ice. Sturdy ramps leading to towers complete with parapets, and well-stocked snowball storehouses beneath. It was no mere snow fort. It was a frozen, fortified bastion. It was a monument to the joys of winter, from one who so rarely had the pleasure of snow himself.

It was a fortress; and he, its sovereign.

From his vantage point he watched the others across the snowy land below. From such lofty heights, he witnessed them as they approached the underside of his frozen throne above the world. And sometimes the passerby, in their curiosity, even approached the merlons and moguls of snow he'd he'd sandbagged around the bottom--

--Which would quickly have him poke his head out from the top to greet the intruder.]

Halt! Who goes there?

Mistletoe

[bladeofconquest]

Corrin is likewise making the rounds to schmooze with other guests (and to try and walk off the alcohol from that Never Have I Ever game...it was a good idea she switched to juice) when she happens to bump into Red doing the same. "Oh! Red, hello! Happy Starl-I mean, happy new year!" Bit of a giggle; she's still tipsy.

"How've you been?" She asks, missing the fact she and Red happen to be under one of the many mistletoe hung up around the place.

[saint_sami]

Sasami shouldn't be here, but honestly? After what happened between the Dream Width and Starlight? She was feeling rebellious. Well, not rebellious enough to do something like drink or anything like that, heavens no!

But, she was going to be lost in her own thoughts for the time being, unsure of her next step and where that step should be.

[singerofspells]

"A good new year to you?" S'reee vaguely recognized the girl as she was passing by. "Or should i wait until tomorrow for that?"

[waningsigns]

A. Mistletoe

[To all appearances, Frisk has gotten well into the holiday spirit today. They're wearing the slightly garish holiday sweater S'reee got them— over top of their regular sweater, no less, it's a wonder they're not overheating— and are currently running around hitting people with a stick.]

[Wait, no, let me try that again— they have a piece of mistletoe taped to the end of a thin branch they picked up off the ground somewhere, and they're going around waving it over people's heads and smooching them gently on the cheeks. Trying to avoid the smooches is a fool's errand. They guests at this party are prey, and Frisk, the hunter. The flirty, flirty hunter.]

[In other words, you just got hunted down and smooched on the cheek (or nose, or forehead, or other miscellaneous facial appendage that isn't your mouth) by a small child.]

B. Convenient
[At a glance, one wouldn't be remiss to think to think both the Frisks are currently standing side-by-side just outside the front door. Certainly not when they're cast in silhouette by the warm light shining from inside, though one of them does seem to be standing a little bit too still.]

[As it just so happens, that's because one of them is a snow child rather than a flesh child! Frisk stands back a couple steps, considering their work with a discerning eye as a startlingly accurate replica of themself stares blankly back at them. They frown, tap at their chin, then tug their scarf off and wind it around the Snow Frisk's neck. Perfect.]

[cureofmanyworlds]

A) Roaming About

Nozomi is probably a bundle of energy right now. Her Custom Job's done, she somehow got back her CureMo so she can use the Custom Job, and she's well on her way to maxing out that Wizard Job, making the most out of it.

But, right now, she needs to talk to someone or find something to do (until it's time to do the Scavenger Hunt), so there's a redhead wandering around, just giddy.

B) Mistletoe? Foe?

Oh, guess who just remembered she had a Red Mage job and never bothered to use that wonderful Christmas skill that came with it? This one!

Sorry, guys and gals, Nozomi's going to be going around trying her best to install these things all over before the New Years hits! She's gonna make the most of this!

B

[hatejakku]

Finn frowned as Nozomi flitted around, putting little pieces of vine or something everywhere. He tucked his drink a little closer to his chest, as if expecting some harm to come to it, and followed after her.

"What's going on? What are these?"

[singerofspells]

A. Am I doing this right?

[Someone is keeping an eye on the Secret Santa gifts,. Not that she's nervous about the whole thing, no. She jsut wants to see the reaction.

[It is really hard to do this subtly, even with a job that allows for illusions, when one is a whale.]

B. B is for Buffet
[S'reee is trying the food... or at least what food she guesses she can actually digest. Since she mostly swallows food whole and has to use telekinesis to eat out of water, this may be a bit more than one is expecting.]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[She can also speak while her mouth is full. Isn't marine biology wonderful?]

[bladeofconquest]

Schmoozing/Mistletoe

Following the Never Have I Ever game, Corrin moves out into the crowd to do a little mingling. Parties like this are still a new experience for her and she wants to make the most of it. Any friends she meets (and she has a lot!) are going to get a happy new year's and a few minutes of small-talk from her for sure, though they'll probably notice how tipsy she is from the wine she drank during Never Have I Ever due to how giggly she is. She'll also happily stop to chat with anyone who isn't a friend (yet) who wants to say hello.

Which is probably why she's not paying as much attention as she should to the mistletoe and mistlefoe placed around the manor. You might just catch her under one of them, too. Wackiness will undoubtedly ensue.

Scavenger Hunt Challenge-Selfie
After a bit of mingling, however, it's down to business; she's assembled her elite crack team for the Scavenger hunt, and it's time to get to work. Corrin takes it upon herself to get the "selfie" with a resident of Tark Varentian. Shouldn't be too hard to do with her charming, friendly personality, right?

She steps out into the cool night air of Tark Varentian (still inexplicably barefoot because Corrin gonna Corrin) and breathes it in. "All right, we all set? Let's get it done, people!"

Mistletoe

[tiredcharmer]

Likewise, Tyzias is fairly smashed from the game of Never Have I Ever; although in her case, Tyzias had been intentionally losing herself in the sweet succor of alcohol. Unfortunately, drunk Tyzias seems to be almost entirely identical to sober Tyzias. Almost. "hey, cor-cor" she says, giving Corrin a craggy smile and raising her drink to her friend. "how's? jk i knowwww you're just as smmmmashed as mmmme"

[whirluendo_of_puns]

A. Game room

[Uendo isn't really in a party mood at all, having spent an absolutely miserable, anxiety-ridden week after the visit from the Starlight ghosts. The thought of disappointing Azusa gets him to Tark Varentain in the end, and he does his best to appear chipper as usual.

Keeping the happy face up is proving difficult, though. It doesn't help that the stress is getting to Patches and Kisegawa as well. Being alert and stable is exhausting, and as a result they're all having trouble controlling their switching. At this rate they'll be popping up mid-conversation... As if they needed another thing to worry about.

Eventually Uendo withdraws to the game room with a mug of cocoa in hand -- he hasn't touched the alcohol -- and finds himself a quiet corner, where he absentmindedly prods the chess pieces. He's not going to turn down company, but there's definitely an air of tiredness about him.]

B. Mistletoe

Oh my! Where did that mistletoe come from?

[Out of everyone living in Uendo's brain, Patches has taken it upon himself to compensate for the others' current lack of holiday spirit by getting up to shenanigans. Whoever got caught with him under a mistletoe is getting eyelashes batted at them.]

Well, you know what that means~! Ready? Three, two, one, aaand.... Smooch!

[...And he whips out a big bag of chocolate kisses.]

C. Morning after

[Despite staying sober through the night, Uendo ends up dozing off on a couch regardless. Come morning, he's still sleeping like a rock, long hair splayed over the armrest.

He may have needed the rest, but someone's going to have to wake him up before he sleeps through the following day too.]

[sassafrisk]

Frisk, likewise, wasn't having the best night. They'd tried, they'd really, really tried, but... it was tiring to force themself to have fun. After what they'd seen. After what was coming. So eventually they retreat to the game room, planning on just chilling, maybe playing some mobile games, when they see Uendo.

They don't really see Uendo until they wander into his corner, lost in thought. "Oh. Um. Hey."

[neverbeamemory]

Sephiroth had stayed away from all but necessary communication with just about anyone throughout the month of December, more so after their return from the recent trip into the Dream Width. The festivities throughout Vaikuntha were disconnected with him, after all, and they stirred irritation bordering on disgust where others might be filled with awe and merriment. It was a waste of time and effort, more so pointless given the imminent calamity they were all soon to be facing. He'd had plenty more to occupy himself with; a certain new asterisk to get to grips with, for one.

Clad in an outfit consisting of a navy blue shirt, plain black pants, and shoes rather than his customary thigh-high boots, it seemed that Sephiroth had managed to find within himself a reason at least to attend the party that Azusa had arranged. Even if he did feel somewhat uncomfortable -if not a little bit naked by the time he hung up his winter coat, scarf, and hat- without any weapon to speak of on his person. He did have his Slate though, so a quick job swap would fix that if needed.

He took a single glass of some sort of mulled wine from the bar but had no intention at all in drinking except in brief sips, and certainly not more than one. Instead, Sephiroth lingered throughout the mansion in hallways and always towards the back of any room he might wander into. Never far out of ear-shot, yet far enough away not to be considered included to any mingle going on between others. Always with a window or a door in his line of sight.

Towards the end of the evening, while so many others might be writing out -or thinking about- their New Years resolutions, Sephiroth took the opportunity to stalk away from being the stalwart sentinel in the back and wander closer to the fireplace. He stood for a few moments, apparently captivated at the vibrant flickering of the bright orange flames before eventually standing again off to the side; so that he could still continue to survey others and monitor them with open eyes and ears in every sense while enjoying the heat from the fire as it offered the same comfort it would anyone else at this time of year.

[whirluendo_of_puns]

Among the people scribbling down their New Year's resolutions, there was Uendo. In his case, though, it would be more accurate to say he was trying to write one down... and failing rather miserably. He stared at his scrap of paper for a good half an hour, only to eventually sigh and put his pen down in defeat.

And to think he had promised Azusa he'd come up with a resolution in time for the party... Well, technically Kisegawa had been the one to make the promise, but that was besides the point. The trouble was, he had barely been able to get out of bed over the past week; this was not an ideal state of mind for finding one's resolve or setting new life goals.

Staring despondently at the fire, Uendo almost didn't notice Sephiroth standing nearby. When it finally occurred to him that he wasn't alone, he scrambled to conceal the moodiness behind a practiced smile.

"Good evening. Enjoying the party?" It was little more than idle small talk, but sufficient for keeping up appearances. The last thing Uendo wanted was to ruin everyone else's fun with his sulking.