Thanksmasnewyearskwanzakkah 2016

[Reinholdt]

[Throne Room]

Fayyaad is a little surprised by such a formal greeting, but he responds with a proper bow. He's got used to the Nexus' notorious informality, but he's still an aristocrat.

"You look more familiar with the celebration than I was a year ago, when I first visited it. My name is Fayyaad ibn Haashid Al-Zafar. But just Fayyaad is fine."

[Throne Room]

This is the throne room after all. One must adapt to the environment. "I've been to a few Thanksmas's Past. I'm Leah Juliet Vulpan. A pleasure to meet you Fayyaad."

Ok, children definitely don't speak like that. But what can I do? Threaten to put her on the Naughty list?
"Um. Yes. Library cards, you say?"
The long-suffering drow runs off and returns a few minutes later with a stack of library cards and a pen.
"Name, please."

[Santa's Throne]

"Ah. Uh, Maria will suffice." She thinks. 'Maria' really should have asked Maria her last name. Oops.

[Morty]

[Throne Room]

Thanksmas's past? What's what supposed to mean? Fayyaad's curious, but he doesn't really see a way to ask about it politely. Besides, another topic presents itself.

"Vulpan? Any relation to the commander of HALO?"

[Deathkeeper]

Market Stall

Koshal stares, gaping at the gamut of treats.
"What do you...recommend?" he asks.

Palace

A newcomer skitters into the palace of Delmah Phor. This person is in her late teens, and seemingly human from the waist up, the only abnormalities being deep purple hair, yellow eyes, and fuzzy, deer-like ears. She's a bit on the short and stout side, but she still has a very decent figure. From the waist down, she is an enormous white spider, speckled with little purple stars among her white bristly coat. She stands taller than most humans overall, and dressed in a flattering sweater and scarf she wanders into the palace, looking to talk to anyone like her.

[Black Socks]

[Santa's Throne]

"Ah. Uh, Maria will suffice." She thinks. 'Maria' really should have asked Maria her last name. Oops.

'Maria' is sounding more and more like a criminal.
The drow nods and begins filling out several forms. He whistles and a long suffering spideagle comes swooping down, carries off the forms and returns with a set of library cards under the name of Maria.
"Heeeeeeeeeeere you go! Merry Thanksmas!"

[Recaiden]

Central Square => Gardens

"Do you know much about gardening? I mean, I know full-you must, since she's busy making her own little world with plants and everything. But uh, yeah. I don't know the first thing about gardens. "
Except maybe that his parents might be tasting the ones at the Fort when nobody's looking.

Leah nods.
"More than she would alone, actually. We contract out growing the starter plants for the world to folks in Skyside. But the gardens and crops at the Fort are raised by hand, and so are the shadow-plants."
And now it's time to stare at plants.
"But I haven't ever even seen flowers like these."
she points out a particularly sharp-looking golden rose.

[Giant Spruce]

A small blue Rein kitty lounges atop the observation deck railing, tail flicking slowly and eyes half-closed.

A normal-sized Anchor-human arrives up on the observation deck and sets one hand on the railing.
"Snow isn't quite the same, is it?"
"Merry Thanksmas."

[Artemis97]

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

Standing near the tables of food, delicately making selections is a drider. She is dressed simply in a sheer, white silk top which barely contained her ample bosom, a slender waist gave way to wide hips, which gave way to black chitinous armor of the thorax of a giant spider. Thin, elegant legs supported her form, which was all the deepest black save for a red hourglass on the underside of her abdomen. Long white hair, straight and pure as spider silk, cascaded down her back over ebony skin.

The other guests kept a respectful distance from the drider, save for a handsome drow male in blue and gold livery, who was assisting her make her selections of tidbits from the table.

[Market Street]

"My favorites are the caramels. Would you like to try one? I'll split it with you." The woman offers.

[Deathkeeper]

Market Street

Koshal looks from the lady to the wares and back, and then nods slowly. This is complete sensory and mouth-watering overload. His brain can barely think!

Xar'Cha Palace- Throne Room

Sarina isn't quite as elegant as the drider, having neither her slim figure nor elven grace, but she still has ample well, everything. She's a bit pale, but not in an unhealthy.
"Hello! Merry Thanksmas. Any recommendations?" she asks the drider cheerily, skittering straight over to her without much thought. Can't let someone just sit alone in the corner. She's done that enough herself.

Gardens

Mist stares at the rose. "I've never liked roses. Too pointy. A lily or a rhododendron is pretty without risking stabbing you." he insists.

[Artemis97]

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

The drider turns to regard Sarina, her white hair shimmering as she moves. She smiles, revealing slightly pointed teeth. "Merry Thanksmas. The cave lobster is quite lovely. A favorite of mine." Indeed, the male at her side is holding a plate full of the white shelled creatures, half devoured. The drider looks the other up and down, amusement in her eyes. "You're human, aren't you? How curious. I'm Arduliara. Well met."

[Market Street]

The lady behind the stall takes out a small knife and cuts one of the square caramels in half, from corner to corner. She offers one half to Koshal, before popping the other half into her mouth to savor.

[Recaiden]

"The thorns are part of what's pretty about them."
Leah reaches out and carefully brushes one of the points.
"But I'm sure there's safer flowers further on."

[Deathkeeper]

Market Street

Koshal pops the candy into his mouth, savoring it silently.
"Thank you." he says, though the rest of his thoughts are lost as he pauses to savor it.

Garden

"What plants do you like best, Leah? I don't really think I have any strong feelings for them myself." the fox admits. Even as a knife expert he wouldn't go poking roses with his hands like Leah's doing.

Palace- Throne Room

Sarina looks over the banquet table and fetches a plate along with one of the lobsters. She also looks for something to drink, if there's glasses or servants around.
"Human? Well, less than half but I think I know what you mean. It's not so strange. I've already seen two other upper-human gals with something in place of their legs on the way here. I'm Sarina. It's nice to meet you. "
To be fair, one of those ladies was her boss, but she still counts.

[Artemis97]

[Market Street]

"What do you think? Good, hm?" The lady asks with a smile.

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

"I've never seen a drider who isn't... drow." Arduliara says. "Tell me, were you blessed, dear? Or were you, perhaps, born as you are?"

[Recaiden]

"Hmm? I wouldn't say there are any that I particularly like."
Leah doesn't cut herself on the flowers; they're not actively trying to hurt you, or anything.
"I suppose trees are better than little flowers and bushes like this.
Like this one! Look at it, all dramatically standing next to the pond as it does.

[Deathkeeper]

Gardens

"Heh, not one for prettiness over....actually I'm not sure what to compare a tree to. Strength? It's not really practical, on its own. Why is it that you like big trees, then?" Mist asks, more than happy to wax philosophical.

Market Street

Koshal smiles. "Yeah, really good. How much are they?" he asks excitedly.

Palace- Throne Room

"Blessed. By...well, I think that's a bit complicated. And that whole day is kind of a blur. But I definitely wasn't born this way. Is there anything good to drink?" she asks, still looking for a waiter or a nice pitcher of something.

[Artemis97]

[Market Street]

The lady quotes a price that's higher than one would expect, but not unreasonable.

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

"Try the spiderblood wine. Most humans would avoid it, but I think you can handle it."Arduliara says with a wink and a smile. She waves at a passing waiter in blue and gold livery, and he brings over a tray of glasses laden with wine and what looks to be champagne.

[Deathkeeper]

Market Street

Koshal frowns but only for a moment, then slaps a coin on the counter.
"Two then, please."
After this transaction he'll go explore the chocolates.

Palace-Throne room

Sarina raises an eyebrow but takes a wine glass, looking at it.
"I'm guessing it's named because it's for people with spiderblood?" she asks. Surely there's no spider products being served to spiders? She sips the wine as politely as she's able.

[Artemis97]

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

Sarina might notice the wine is slightly... tingly.

"It has spider venom in it. Not for the weak hearted. But us? We're immune." Arduliara laughs. "We can drink as much as we like. Well, you still have to be wary of the alcohol."

[Reinholdt]

[Throne Room]

Thanksmas's past? What's what supposed to mean? Fayyaad's curious, but he doesn't really see a way to ask about it politely. Besides, another topic presents itself.

"Vulpan? Any relation to the commander of HALO?"

[Throne Room]

Leah gives a nod. "That's correct. I'm his daughter. I was supposed to meet one of my sisters here, but I suspect she got lost. I must admit my knowledge of HALO itself is rather limited. Something about growing up underwater is for fish not cats." A playful smile reinforces the joke.

'Maria' is sounding more and more like a criminal.
The drow nods and begins filling out several forms. He whistles and a long suffering spideagle comes swooping down, carries off the forms and returns with a set of library cards under the name of Maria.
"Heeeeeeeeeeere you go! Merry Thanksmas!"

[Santa's Throne]

If 'Maria' were a good criminal, she wouldn't be broke and bumming library cards off of Santa. She grateful takes the cards and tucks them away. "You have earned my eternal gratitude. I am thankful." 'Maria' gives a slight bow and then heads off to make room for other revelers.

A normal-sized Anchor-human arrives up on the observation deck and sets one hand on the railing.
"Snow isn't quite the same, is it?"
"Merry Thanksmas."

[Observation Deck]

"Merry Thanksmas Anchor." Reinholdt stretched out slightly with a yawn, though seemingly settles right back in the same position as if it never happened.

"Are you talking about individual flakes or variations on storms or something else? I don't buy the every flake is different story. Sheer numbers dictates that some somewhere are a matched pair."

[Zefir]

Giant Spruce

After Mia finished her warm drink, she starts wandering around. Maybe there is someone she kne or someone to just run into?

[Black Socks]

[Santa's Throne]

If 'Maria' were a good criminal, she wouldn't be broke and bumming library cards off of Santa. She grateful takes the cards and tucks them away. "You have earned my eternal gratitude. I am thankful." 'Maria' gives a slight bow and then heads off to make room for other revelers.

It's not bumming, it's gift-giving!
"Merry Thanksmas!"
Cirrus awaits a new reveler. Hopefully a less creepy one.

[Morty]

[Throne Room]

Fayyaad smiles.

"I've been there, briefly. Spoke to your father. It seemed a nice enough place, but I couldn't imagine living underwater, either. I do hope your sister is going to be okay. Nexus can be easy to get lost in."

Meanwhile, Brinika is driving around the Thanksmas area in her beetle, surrounded by a posse of jealous cousins.

[Recaiden]

[Giant Spruce]

Perhaps Mia runs into Alice, who's departing the food tables on the lowest level herself. Alice seems to be a centaur lady with big round glasses, warmly dressed in an ugly Thanksmas sweater and blanket. It's not usually obvious, but there's lots of machinery inside her, and the two of them met briefly at VIGIL.

Gardens

"Heh, not one for prettiness over....actually I'm not sure what to compare a tree to. Strength? It's not really practical, on its own. Why is it that you like big trees, then?" Mist asks, more than happy to wax philosophical.

"Well, to start with, you can't really climb flowers."
Leah leans forward and hops up into the crook of a tree branch. You should have expected her to be good at jumping, you know.
"Trees provide useful amounts of shade, and there's more of them to eat. Plus they have wood and bark, where little plants just have stems. They're solid."

[Observation Deck]

"Merry Thanksmas Anchor." Reinholdt stretched out slightly with a yawn, though seemingly settles right back in the same position as if it never happened.

"Are you talking about individual flakes or variations on storms or something else? I don't buy the every flake is different story. Sheer numbers dictates that some somewhere are a matched pair."

Anchor goes over and reaches out to pet the kitty. How can one do otherwise?
"Somewhere. But probably not two the same on any one world."
"Variations on storms. I mean that snow isn't quite like rain."

[Zefir]

[Giant Spruce]

"Hi there." Mia says to the centaur lady. I don't remember them meeting so I just go with, looks familiar, but can't remember,
"Are you also on the low table to avoid the sugar bombs on the upper levels?"

[Deathkeeper]

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

Sarina might notice the wine is slightly... tingly.

"It has spider venom in it. Not for the weak hearted. But us? We're immune." Arduliara laughs. "We can drink as much as we like. Well, you still have to be wary of the alcohol."

Xar'Cha Palace- Throne Room

Sarina smiles, lower half wiggling almost imperceptibly in pleasure. "Right. I shouldn't have more than one, probably. I don't really drink so I don't know how much I can handle. Say, why are you all by yourself and your man here?" Sarina is assuming that he's her servant but doesn't want to be rude. "None of your friends are here?" she asks.

"Well, to start with, you can't really climb flowers."
Leah leans forward and hops up into the crook of a tree branch. You should have expected her to be good at jumping, you know.
"Trees provide useful amounts of shade, and there's more of them to eat. Plus they have wood and bark, where little plants just have stems. They're solid."

Gardens

Mist leaps up, grabbing hold of a lower branch and spinning up, landing neatly beside Leah. The branch creaks under their combined weight.
"I mean, I see your point, but even if you were still a zebra you wouldn't be eating trees. You pretty much have to be a specific kind of bug to do that." he says with a grin, knowing that's beside the point.

[Artemis97]

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

Arduliara waves a hand at the drow beside her. "Oh, he's just here for my amusement. Lady Hirriel is a friend of mine, it was she who invited me, however she is refraining from joining the festivities, I think. Parties aren't her thing, really. I enjoy them, though. You can almost see the little webs everyone is weaving, the way each line intersects." The drider smiles sweetly, again showing pointed teeth. "What about you, dear? You seem to be alone as well. Where are your friends?"

[Deathkeeper]

Xar'Cha Palace- Throne Room

Sarina squirms a bit. "Well, Alexis has her priestly duties tonight, so she couldn't come. She thought I should get outside our little area more often though, so here I am. I suppose I could do for a few more friends." she says bashfully. She's often a little introverted and doesn't go out and make friends. She mostly approached the drider because they had something obvious in common.

[Artemis97]

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

"Oh more friends are always good. They keep life interesting. You said your friend is a priestess? Who does she serve?" Arduliara doubted it would be the Spider Queen.

[Deathkeeper]

Xar'Cha Palace- Throne Room

"Oh, Alexis? She primarily serves Message, Lady of Night and healing and the dead. Her charity, Leah, is here somewhere. She's part tiger, hard to miss. Though she occasionally speaks for the Lady of Twilight who is also honored at the Temple. It's kind of funny, her serving Message kind of like how I serve the Queen. " she says, smiling at the thought of how similar they are.

[Artemis97]

[Xar'Cha Palace - Throne Room]

"The Queen? The Spider Queen, Lolth? Or some other Queen?" The drider's ruby red eyes narrowed in interest.

[Recaiden]

[Giant Spruce]

"Hi there." Mia says to the centaur lady. I don't remember them meeting so I just go with, looks familiar, but can't remember,
"Are you also on the low table to avoid the sugar bombs on the upper levels?"

"I actually haven't had much time to look around. But if it's all candy up there, I'll just be climbing for the sights. Alice glances up to the giant treetop ornaments, shaking her head.

Gardens

Mist leaps up, grabbing hold of a lower branch and spinning up, landing neatly beside Leah. The branch creaks under their combined weight.
"I mean, I see your point, but even if you were still a zebra you wouldn't be eating trees. You pretty much have to be a specific kind of bug to do that." he says with a grin, knowing that's beside the point.

"I think you're supposed to cook them first."
Leah replies, smiling.
"What about you? Can you come up with a favorite plant?"

[Reinholdt]

[Throne Room]

Fayyaad smiles.

"I've been there, briefly. Spoke to your father. It seemed a nice enough place, but I couldn't imagine living underwater, either. I do hope your sister is going to be okay. Nexus can be easy to get lost in."

Meanwhile, Brinika is driving around the Thanksmas area in her beetle, surrounded by a posse of jealous cousins.

[Throne Room]

"She CAN take care of herself, but I do worry about her sometimes. She can get herself into some very questionable situations. As long as she's not with Sarah, it won't be a real disaster though. Those two together are definition of Trouble." Leah gives an equally amused and concerned older sister like smile before waving the issue off with her hand.

"I deal with them all year long, so enough about them for now. Are you here with anyone tonight Fayyaad?"

[Giant Spruce]
Anchor goes over and reaches out to pet the kitty. How can one do otherwise?
"Somewhere. But probably not two the same on any one world."
"Variations on storms. I mean that snow isn't quite like rain."

[Observation Deck]

The tiniest of purrs escapes the kitty. Just quiet enough to be denied if brought up.

"No, nothing like the rain. Doesn't come down quite as fast. Something about air resistance or weight or supercharged magnetic ionization? I don't really know." Water in its various forms didn't seem a subject worth studying to the cat.