[OPEN/CLOSED DEPENDING ON PROMPT] Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All the Way!

[lonelysmiles]

Who: Alastor and you!
Which: Log, Open/Closed depending on the thread prompt
Where: Around Reverein in general for the open prompt, Alastor's home for the closed one
What: Christmas presents and a private Christmas party!
Warnings: Standard Alastor warning weirdly coupled with some potential sugar and wholesomeness.


Merry Christmas to all!

Comments

General Gift Exchange (OPEN)

[lonelysmiles]

While Alastor had shamelessly picked favorites amongst his companions for particularly special gifts, he'd spent the rest of the time baking loaves of cranberry orange bread to pass around to those who weren't on his Very Special List.

He kept his eye out as he traveled Reverein searching for his intended victims, several of his little shadow friends possessing little reindeer dolls to pull a little red wagon covered in a blanket that smelled delectible.

[cawpatrol]

Up on the rooftops, click click click, right past the chimneys was old... Black Raisin Cookie and her Raisin Crows. She was out on patrol, looking for any signs of trouble, and while she didn't see that, she did see... walking reindeer dolls pulling a blanket-covered wagon?

It was such an odd sight that she couldn't help but pause, and then hopped down a few ways closer to the ground to make sure she was seeing correctly.

"Huh...?"

[lonelysmiles]

"Ah! Miss Black Raisin Cookie! I was looking for you amongst others!"

Alastor reached into his pocket for a bulky yet squishy little wrapped package that he held out for her.

"Merry Christmas, my dear! I hope you and your little friends find these useful!"

Inside were two objects: one was a bag filled with too small scraps of fabric leftover from Alastor's quilting project along bits of thread and his hair (excellent nesting materials!) and the other a small crow quilt that was a bit bigger than a handkerchief. Just the right size for a little cookie.

[cawpatrol]

Blink-blink-blink. She knew the holiday, but was still startled to be getting a gift. The special time of year, in her village, was for the children. Then again, if he was as old as he claimed, was someone like her essentially a child to him...?

A bit flustered, she awkwardly took the package. "Ah, um... I'm afraid I have nothing for you, Alastor... the customs and traditions of this world are still lost on me."

[lonelysmiles]

Alastor waved a hand dismissively. "I wasn't expecting anything, honestly. You are quite new. However, I felt you might find this useful for you and your bird friends."

[a_sweet_little_peach]

Ralsei was, fortunately for the awkwardness that would otherwise result, carrying his own gift for Alastor along with him. It at least didn't seem an effort to bring along -- the lengthy gift wrapped within festive paper (he'd found some adorable paper styled after snowcats, snowdogs, and snowraccoons).

When he spotted his friend, Ralsei beamed. He trotted over at speed, nearly fell, and made his way the rest of the way with greater caution, though no less enthusiasm.

"Hello, hello! I hope that the yule is treating you well, Alastor!"

[lonelysmiles]

"Very much so! And I see it's done much the same for you!"

Alastor's grin literally brightened a bit at that.

"I didn't expect you to be out and about, but fortunately I was prepared!"

He reached beneath the blanket to pull out a squishy wrapped package that had been warmed by the loaves of bread he was also carrying. He held it out to Ralsei.

"Merry Christmas, my good fellow!"

Inside was a large quilt bearing the rune symbol that Ralsei had sketched, perfect to act as a bedspread or perhaps a rather large throw blanket. Alastor had gotten quite creative with the bright colors that made up the background and border of the quilt and he'd hand-embroidered smaller versions of the rune into the background.

[a_sweet_little_peach]

Ralsei admires the craftswork of the quilt, brushing his hands gently along it with a captivated smile. He's already thinking about where best to put it. Perhaps for his bed, and then before company comes over he can give it a wash and put it on the couch...

"Oh, thank you so much, that's delightful! I love it! And for you..."

He bequeaths his own wrapped gift to the demon.

Within was a bifurcated, joined (on one side) casing for his microphone, intended to be used with the equipment. It was in purple and black, but as he pointed out how, the colors could be freely changed. He'd also worked with Dreamotiologists to be sure it would work well with Alastor's native abilities -- it should shrink and vanish along with the microphone, for maximum convenience!

"I hope you have a wonderful christmas as well!"

[lonelysmiles]

Honestly, Alastor could dismiss and summon the microphone at will. He didn't need such a case.

However, he beamed at the amount of thought and care that had gone into it.

"Thank you, my good fellow! And indeed I shall! This is quite lovely!"

i'm not three weeks late don't be silly

[multidisciplinary]

Zelda is just leaving Madame Blackbird's shop with a rather bulky package in her arms. She offers back one last 'thank you' as she pulls the shop door closed with the toe of her boot and trots down the stairs.

As she debates whether to take her package back to her treehouse or try to run her other errands while juggling it, she spots first the little reindeer dolls and their wagon, then Alastor along with them. It looks like they're hauling something---something that smells delicious!

"Good afternoon, Alastor," she greets.

I see no late person! ^^

[lonelysmiles]

"Ah, Miss Zelda! I was hoping to see you today! If I hadn't bumped into you by later this afternoon, I would've come knocking at your home."

He flicked a finger to wreathe her package in his magic to levitate it for her.

"Perhaps I can assist you with your shopping? I've two parcels for you here, but I think you'd have some difficulty managing with your hands full!"

[multidisciplinary]

Up goes Zelda's package, floating right out of her arms. Instinctively, she reaches up after it—it's not a fragile item, but it is important!—but realizes what she's doing and forces her arms down to her sides. Alastor (most likely) isn't going to harm it.

"You would be correct," she says lightly. "Actually, I have completed my shopping for today, so if you would like to walk home with me, you are most welcome. That—" She points to the floating package. "—is my last Goddess Day gift."

[lonelysmiles]

"Ah! Very fortunate!"

He carefully lowered the package back down so he carried it for her in his hands. A way of assuring her that he wasn't going to be wreckless with it.

"Then by all means, lead the way, my dear! You can catch me up on what this Goddess Day is in addition to what you've been up to!"

Private Christmas Party (Closed to Namine, Denji, and Madhuri)

[lonelysmiles]

Treehouse branches decorated? Check.

Gifts? Check.

Enough food to feed a small army if only to cover both his and Denji's appetites while leaving enough for the ladies? Double check.

Alastor eyed his handiwork, the gifts wrapped and piled up to one side of the lit fireplace. He brushed off his hands as his shadow leaped up from the floor to give him a sardonic smile.

"Not quite Currier and Ives, but it'll do!" Alastor chirped. "Now to wait for our guests!"

With Those Holiday Greetings and Gay Happy Meetings

[lonelysmiles]

Alastor flung open the door, his eternal smile more wide and genuine than usual. "Come in, come in! It's nice and warm in here! I'll take your coat, my dear!"

[songbird_slayer]

"Oh, thank you!" She hitched her shoulders to relieve herself of her coat and balanced it upon her hands.

"Merry Christmas, darling. Your really outdid yourself on the decor; perhaps I should pass along my crown!"

[lonelysmiles]

Alastor took the coat off her hands and sent it over to a coathook to hang with a toss and a bit of magic.

"I wouldn't say that! I just don't see a reason to go only halfway!"

He clapped his hands and ushered her farther into his home.

"Sit down, sit down! Can I get you anything to drink? I've hot cider both with and without alcohol given we've two more guests who are underage."

[songbird_slayer]

"I think a little extra warm would be just what the doctor ordered."

She needed it. By the gods, she really, truly needed it.

"Oh, but I've a few things that should stay cool. Do you mind if I sneak a few things into your icebox?"

Carved the Roast Beast

[lonelysmiles]

"I hope you're all hungry!" Alastor chirped as he snapped his fingers, levitating dishes in from where they'd been warming in the kitchen.

The treehouse was quickly filled with the scents of savory roast meat, fresh-baked bread, buttery vegetable, spiced fruit, and other delightful delicacies to fill the table.

While Visions of Sugar Plums Danced in Their Heads

[lonelysmiles]

Alastor glanced out at the darkness outside, sipping on a bit of mulled cider from the alcoholic batch he and Madhuri were sharing.

"I hope this doesn't seem too forward, but I prepared Angel's room for the ladies to sleep in while you, Denji, may take my room. I doubt I'll be getting much sleep tonight, but I can take the couch if I start to feel drowsy!"

[mansbestend]

"Wha- Hell no! I can crash on the couch fine, I'm not takin' somebody's bed!" It was the principle of the thing! He was the guest, he could sleep on the floor.

"I've slept on concrete and newspapers, man, I don't need much."

[lonelysmiles]

Alastor affectionately rolled his eyes. "Denji, I hardly sleep in general. Honestly, that bed collects dust more often than not. Put it to good use."

Underneath My Christmas Tree

[lonelysmiles]

"Gooooooood morning~!"

Did Alastor count as a morning person if he'd barely slept the night before to begin with? No matter. He was awake with breakfast goodies for people to nibble on as they opened their gifts. Some of those goodies incorporated bits of leftovers from the large feast last night.

"I hope you all slept well!" He was practically bouncing on his...hooves? Yes, his hooves. He'd taken his shoes off to make a liiiittle less noise (at least he hadn't had to worry about the heels clicking loudly in addition to his toes) and had forgotten to put them back on.

[lethechained]

Spending as much time around Alastor as she did, it was a wonder sometimes how Naminé managed to stay skinny as a rail - though not so much so as she used to be. After that feast from the previous night, she'd half expected to have no room for breakfast, but-- it was certainly hard to turn down when her dear friend was the one dishing it out, and so she'd nibble at some breakfast just the same.

First things first, though - she was quick to brighten upon his arrival, features bright with her return of a much quieter but no less happy, "Good morning...!"

[lonelysmiles]

Honestly, spending more time around Alastor was just as likely to burn calories as put them on. He was rather energetic, after all. Perhaps it was for the best that he made such large meals just so others could keep up.

He beamed at the girl, ears twitching merrily. "Glad to see you so well-rested! I've laid out a lighter breakfast. Just little snacks, really, while you finish digesting dinner. I forget what a living stomach can handle sometimes!"

He spun around on his hooves and gestured to the living area with the gifts.

"Sit down and relax! What would you like to drink?"