Celebrating Yuletide (Tag the Captain and crew)

[Jacob Marconi]

Jacob was caught off guard by the action. She didn’t seem to be in a hurry for him to leave. He wouldn’t leave at her request. He waited for her to release the hand, when she did he retrieved another drink, and came back to take a seat. He looked at the box and picked it giving it a little shake. He hadn’t done this in a while. He nodded to her and smiled.

“I suppose that the inventory can wait. After all spending time with friends is more important than some equipment.”

He opened the box and smiled. A book of Robert Frost poetry. It happened to be one of his favorites poets. She seemed to have read his mind. This was indeed a good day.

“You have chosen a rather great collection of poems. It also happens to be by my favorite poet as well.”

He comments about being less than ideal company was untrue. He had been the unapproachable one when it came to things. He may never voice that but he would assuage her feelings.

“You are ideal company. I understand we are at odds but our goals are the same. Let’s just talk and forget about things for the night. That’s a plan you can agree with, yes?”

He had already cast aside thoughts of work and decided to make a dare with her.

“I’ll stay until you leave. That way they see us both until late. I dare you to outlast me.”

[Chisana Usagi]

Chi smiled when she saw Ada walk into the room.  She smiled as she hugged the girl tightly.  "There is plenty of food!  Help yourself to whatever you like.  I really think they went all out on this."

She took her seat as they talked about a possible drinking game.  Honestly, it was not really her think however she might play a round or two.  Honestly, it made her happy that everyone else was getting along.  She knew that tempers could at times run high.  She giggled when Freya mentioned they could do presents soon.  To her, that was one of the best parts.

"I am game for whatever people decide."

[Hayate Tenoh]

Hayate woke up. She felt like she had seen better days. She also felt like she was missing something important. It was something to do with a party. Party. PARTY!

Hayate's feet hit the floor as she scrambled to get dressed. She dug through her closet and found a navy blue dress. It was good enough. Hayate slipped it and the matching shoes on, then hurried to the party.

"Hey guys!" Hayate called out. She frowned as she realized she was terribly late. William's casual indifference to schedules was rubbing off on her. At least she was in time for cake and booze.

Hayate's dress: whereslulu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/navy-blue-cocktail-dress-with-sleeves-in-blue-cocktail-dress-with-sleeves.jpg

[William Tenoh]

William rolled off his bed and hit a stack of holodisc cases coating the floor. He had spent most of last night watching some weird sci-fi movies that almost had a budget. He looked at some of the titles. They were all about a bunch of futuristic burly guys in armor thicker than that covering most armored personnel carriers.

The Ravenous Rytinads Attack Neo-Luna

The Sorority of Conflict Versus the Umbra Elves of Caanudaah

Hippie Space Elves Stole My LightningBird

Adabon The Harmless, Pretender To The Throne of Orhus Of Plercalu

The Dark March After The Twelfth: On To Ciada!

William faced what was on the screen. It was two half-naked twentysomething blonde chicks fondling each other in an abandoned space station on the Moon. To be honest, it was kind of hot. He looked at the title.

The Sorority Of Conflict: Lunar Lust Volume 1

William quickly took the disc out and turned the screen off. Where did he get this movie again? He would ask Ryuusei. The latter might have slipped it into William's low-budget sci-fi stash. William would need to burn or space the disc at the first opportunity.

He quickly put on a navy blue suit with a white shirt. He scrambled to the party. Maybe Sakuya was there. Maybe Freya was too. There was only one way to find out.

William rushed through the door and almost ran into Hayate. He was late. Again.

[Ada Mizuno]

Ada sat down with Freya despite every brain cell screaming for her not to. She really wanted some cake and booze, not social interaction. Mizuki and Freya always tried to take over everything. Even back in the so-called "good old days" the pair tended to end up taking over the show. One could argue that attention was Mizuki's birthright as the daughter of Neo-Queen Serenity II, but Freya seemed determined to outdo her mother in the "attention horse" category.

There was so much that needed to be done elsewhere. Check the computer systems. Run diagnostics on the holographic systems. Actually finish the Cataphract Armor prototype. Come up with another new weapon or two.

Ada watched Chisana get a gift, a book of poetry. Whatever floated the pink-haired royal's boat. Ada would prefer a new tool for working with electronics or newer spare parts for the station.

"So, who's going under the table first? It's probably Blondie." Ada said to Freya and Mizuki. Today the black-haired girl would play nice. She would play their game. Maybe there would still be some cake afterward.

[Sakuya]

Sakuya giggled as she sipped her first cocktail. She nodded slightly to Freya and then took another drink. Liquid courage would certainly help this night.She saw Felix out of the corner of her eye, which prompted her to take yet, another sip. She would have to talk to him tonight and hopefully the liquor would aid in that conversation. Well, it would be good or bad, but she of course, hoped for the ladder.

Looking to Ada, she smiled sweetly. no doubt the girl had been holed up working all night. She never really took time for herself...outside of the work she did. Walking over, she bit into a cookie she'd grabbed from the table "Hey you!" she smirked as she took another sip "Happy Yule, Ada."

And then she froze. Looking to her left, she saw the Tenohs. Damn it! She smiled to Hayate; the girl looked worn down, but still cute for Yule. Following her was William. She should really let this school girl crush go; she didn't have time for it. She had time for training and that was pretty much it. Still, those eyes...that hair.. No. Ugh!!

She had to set an example. Gods, he was cute... The liquor was getting to her. "Uh...hey guys! Happy Yule!" She grinned as she ran her hand through her brunette locks "Drinks are aplenty..."

[Setsuna Meioh]

Setsuna watched his actions with great care. She might have been a little too forward. She twisted the small box in her hand around. Maybe she was wrong for asking him to stay. She really should not be here. After all, she needed to keep them all safe.

An odd sense of relief came when he sat down, shaking the present. She took a sip as she covered the anticipation of what she had gotten him. Most would have thought it was military in form however this was not the case. She remembered that her presents were usually the best. They were well thought out, very unexpected. There was a lot of research that went into this one. She found more about the captain then she thought possible.

"Friends can be used to describe a small part of our complicated relationship. After all, taking time out of the day to relax is good."

Her usually thin lips curved up into a smile as she heard his response. She was happy he received it well. There was always a sense of nervousness that came with waiting. She took another sip as he went on. Since the spirit in the air was good, who was she to argue with his wanting to talk. She nodded her head in agreement.

She chuckled, "Daring us both to be overly social? This could come back to haunt you later."

She teased him slightly. She didn't say yes to it. Anything could happen to disrupt it. She knew that it was not likely at the moment. It was more about not getting trapped.

She took another sip before she opened her package. It was only fair as she forced him to stay to open hers. Her fingers slipped through the pieces of tap as she opened the box. Her eyes grew wide as she saw it was a very old coin. She picked it up gently as her face suddenly became very pale.

Age had not been kind to it as the ancient markings had faded. The design on the front was that of her father's as the other was her's. This was one of two in existence. She had lost her coin eons ago. But for it to have been found by the captain was shocking. She twisted it in her fingers as she pulled in a shaky breath.

"This is not what I expected. I....I think I will take you up on the dare a different night. Enjoy the book."

She stood up without glancing up from the coin. She knew that it was rude to leave after giving him a mini lecture. This was something different or at least she thought so. She grabbed a bottle of wine in the opposite hand as she left the room.

[Neri Kaioh]

Neri sighed as she finished her report. There was no chatter on the various channels she checked. It was odd with how quiet everything seemed to have gotten. She didn't like it as it usually meant that their enemy was up to something. She would have heard something if the base had been found. They were lucky that it had not happened yet. It was only a matter of time until it did.

She glanced at the digital numbers on the clock as she smiled to herself. Fashionably late as always, just how she wanted it. She maybe on the captain's good side after coming to an understanding of sorts, just didn't mean that she always wanted to be under his rule. Her nature usually would not allow that for long. She stretched as she turned off all the lights and channeling any chatter to her com system. She would be damned if she missed something.

She changed out of her uniform and into something nice. It was time for the mandatory "fun". There would be fun alright, one way or another she would make sure it was fun. She pulled on a white dress that flared slightly at her hips and ended right above her knees. It had a plunging neckline with slight off shoulder sleeves. She grabbed a bottle of wine that she took from one of the missions. It would ensure someway of having fun.

She left her room as her thoughts turned to what might happen tonight. She let a mischievous smile cross her face as a spring in her step as her speed picked up. She rounded a corner only to find the most hated person on the station in a daze. She let out a low growl as she "accidentally" knocked a shoulder into green haired bitch. She was not surprised as no reaction was given.

She moved on to the gallery as she found that most of others had already come. She was surprised by how decorated this place was. It almost reminded her of home. Someone had put in a lot of trouble to make it festive. She opened her bottle of time as she poured a glass. She sat down next to Chi with a small smile. It would be good to relax a bit.

[Freya Aino]

When Neri entered Freya nearly lost her mind. She wouldn’t have believed she would have come. It was much like Ada. The Tenoh’s she had paged and was genuinely happy they came. As everyone seated themselves she scooted closer to Felix. She gave a genuine smile as they were all seated and had drinks.

“William and Hayate! I’m so glad you answered the summons. I’m kind of sad didn’t get to go. I know Chi is a wonderful pilot but it’s always nice to see other people demonstrate their passions.”

When Sakuya said Happy Yule, Freya let her attention drift. Oh so she had a bit of something for William. It didn’t help when your mother was both considered a Goddess of Love and you happened to be a recipient of her empathic abilities. She would let that go for now but clue William in discretely. So much fun doing something when no one was wise to what you could do.

“Ada and Alex I think it only fair for you to choose the rules for the game. After all I believe you to be fair-minded people when it comes to fair play. Unless you’d rather I make the rules?”

She smiled nearly maliciously as she took Felix’s hand under the table and kisses his cheek.

[Jacob Marconi]

He smiled. That was rare and unexpected. He usually just stared blankly at her when she made some inane request. The topic of their relationship was usually off limits and rarely spoken of if at all. Assigning the term friends was pushing it. He didn’t argue at all. He was more than happy to let her assign what she wished to it.

“Relaxation should be had every day even if you don’t think you need it. I usually relax a bit at the end of my day. I sometimes relax to much. It’s just how things work I suppose.”

Her smile was not a guest at any meal or outing. It was a rare treat. He was actually enjoying himself as they spoke. She seemed a bit different tonight and he couldn’t put his finger on it. When the others entered he smiled and nodded to them in turn. All of them had grown on him. He found that as soldiers went they were good at their jobs. As people went he was glad to be around them.

“Yes it’s either be social or streak through the habitat deck. I figure being social is better than being naked on a dare. Haunting me? It needs to get in line. I have other things that have precedence.”

He watched as she opened the box slowly. He might have used to much tape and that could be what was taking her so long. When she finally had it opened he waited a moment then asked.

“I know it’s not much and when I saw it it not often people have or carry metal currency. I knew you’d like it as you would remember currency being made from semiprecious metals. I do which is why I have a coin collection.”

Her reaction was wholly unexpected and rather abrupt. Wait she was leaving? Over a small and unremarkable coin he had found several years back. Well she was and he had to stop it. He stood tapped his ear piece and whispered into it. Annika gave an affirmative. As she hit the door he came up and took the wine and spun her out into the clear middle middle area. It was a slow dance. One that matched the holiday. He nodded to her as he guided them toward their table again and put the bottle there. She wasn’t getting off that easily. He tapped the ear piece agains and instructed Annika to raise the volume several decibels.

“What gives? Why leave like that? You were the one who promoted me to stay and now you get to stay. I don’t know what I said but it’s supposed to be a celebration. One you set up. So tell me what gives.”

[William Tenoh]

William watched Freya and Felix interact. William was absolutely envious. How did such a moody guy like Felix get Sailor Venus' daughter? How? He wanted an answer.

It was nonsense. Absolute nonsense. The moodiest guy on the station, a guy so moody that he made both Setsuna and Captain De Sade look happy-go-lucky, getting Freya Aino. In what universe did that make sense? It did not make sense in any universe, not even in one of those goofy comic book alternate universes.

At least there was Sakuya. Maybe she would be friends with someone like him. She seemed to have some liking towards him. She was a lot easier to deal with than her brother. It was strange how radically different the Hino siblings were.

It was the same with Neri Kaioh. Perhaps the same could be said for William and Hayate. Hayate was the more responsible of the two... not that that was saying very much. She was prone to recklessness just like he was. Speaking of reckless, he figured it was time to make a move.

"Hey Sakuya! Happy Yule!" William said while grabbing a glass of whiskey. No soft drinks for him. It was time for the hard stuff.

[Sakuya]

Sakuya had been nursing her third scotch as she observed her brother and Freya. She gave a simple smile to Freya as the rules of the game were explained. She still had no idea what was going on, nor did she really care. Tonight was about losing your innobitions and letting loose.

Fanning a hand through her hair, she heard a familiar voice. Sexy, rustic voice that played like a melody inside her eardrums. With a gulp, she downed the last of her scotch, feeling the buzz of the alcohol hit her pleasantly. Liquid courage!

Looking to William, she placed a hand on her hip as she sauntered over, her hips swaying back and forth “A little late are we?” She asked as she moved a piece of his hair from his cheek “You haven’t missed much, honestly. Freya is explaining the rules of a drinking game. Wanna play?” She asked sweetly

[Setsuna Meioh]

She barely registered at what he said about being old and her liking it or even remember when it was made. Her focus was on one thing only, the coin and her need to not be around others. It would be the second time today in which he had stopped her from doing what she needed to. It seemed to be the way the world work.

She frowned deeply as he took her wine, guiding her to the middle of the floor. She refused to look in in the eye as she found a space over his shoulder. Her body was stiffly held as she snorted at the questions. As usually, they were getting into it. She just wanted to be alone, a way from everyone. Even if she sped up time, there would be no escaping his firm grip.

"For once, this is not about what you said. It seems almost no matter how we try to be on the same level, there is a normal we go back to. Yes I prompted you to stay as you didn't want to bring down the party. At this moment, I would be the one to bring us all down. I would hate the ruin the celebration. I hardly think anyone will miss the Ice Bitch being here."

She thought quickly as every fiber in her being wanted to leave, now! "You get one dance. It might mask my abrupt need to leave. After that, I have some business to attend to."

[Hayate Tenoh]

Hayate watched as Sakuya worked her magic on William. It was not a hard thing to do. William had a thing for her, and not just the one between his legs.

It seemed like he truly liked her. Hayate wondered why that was as she easily chugged a shotglass of sake. Sake. It was not bad.

As long as she had known William, he had a frightening mix of affability in social situations combined with the potential for resentment and rage that could rival Felix's. That rage was mostly directed at the ones responsible for taking over their home, but there was always the chance that it could turn on her, Chisana, or anyone else. She could tell that he was pissed at Chisana the other day.

But on other days William directed his rage inward. Sometimes it seemed like he wanted to die just to end some unspoken torment, but not before killing the entirety of the Death Corps. William was strange like that.

Maybe Sakuya would be a good thing for him. He could quit envying Felix and Freya and focus on his own relationship. Thinking about something other than revenge or ending his life would be good.

Hayate took another shot of sake. And another. And another. Four total were consumed. Now for the cake.

[Ada Mizuno]

Ada listened as Freya talked about the piloting abilities of William and Hayate Tenoh. She was not surprised. The Tenoh siblings were born to rule the sky. She had read their files back on Mercury. They were combat pilots before most teenagers even got a driver's license.

That was not due to preferential treatment. They had earned the right by passing the pilot training of Uranus' space navy, which was second in difficulty only to that of Venus. Ada was impressed by their flying ability. However, less impressive was their indifference to schedules or weapons maintenance. So was their penchant for reckless behavior.

Ada wanted to get some cake. Or alcohol. Part of her wanted to see what rules Freya would lay down for the drinking contest.

"Happy Yule, Sakuya." Ada said calmly to the daughter of Mars. Sakuya was flashy, but she seemed nice enough. Ada was the most low-key of the royal children. As the daughter of Mercury, she tended to keep to herself and fade into the background. That was fine by her.

"What are the rules of the game, Freya?" Ada gently asked Freya.