ic Deck the Halls! [Open]

[Dracostern]

Cerebral and Cerebellum

 

After waving their friend off, the twins would socialise with a few other students before the hype began to die down, they headed off to the side and just listened to the speech and the accompanying music. They wouldn't really be getting involved just yet. They just wanted to enjoy some quiet time themselves. It felt...nice...being in a place like this, with friends like this. 

Edited Sunday at 02:38 AM by Dracostern

[MoonSimply]

22 hours ago, Poncho said:

(Golden Star)

 

After spending his time meeting and greeting, Michael had gotten excited for the dancing to finally start- he could be impatient sometimes-. He felt like he'd greeted mostly everyone, even if his interactions with Paradigm had perhaps been limited and not as long as he had wanted to spend talking to her and the Star Khan. He was still excited about visiting them in space over the Summer, if everything worked out, but there were so many people he constantly felt like he had to talk to that he could only manage a little talk with each.

 

But there was one person who was more important than everyone else at this party to him.

 

So he descended towards Carmen burning like a Christmas star, his short crimson cape flowing out behind him as he offered her his hand to hop up into the sky so he could hold her up. It was incredibly overwrought and dramatic, and absolutely exactly how Michael Adon always tended towards; grand gestures and appearances.

 

"Would you like to dance with me?" he asked Carmen with a smile. "Or else Velocity is going to tear up the whole floor and we won't get a spot at all." he said with a grin, though he was admittedly impressed- as always- at just how agile and capable Velocity was.

La Puma Negra

 

Having mostly stayed out of the conversation, Carmen had kept watch of sorts, keeping to the periphery as one of the few Seniors graduating this year with significant heroing prospects. It was sort of a quiet affair, watching as underclassman enjoyed the festivities alongside elder heroes from around Freedom City and the world. It was almost a self-induced loneliness, picking at cheeses and meats, no vegetables present on her plate, taking a swig of water before tossing the paper cup and plate aside in the trash. Even with all the help she had gotten and surrounded by so many of good nature and spirit, she still remained uneven, distant, and at worse, obtuse.

 

Yet, when Michael came to her, Carmen's ears would perk up, coming to a sort of ease as her came to her like a ray of sunshine. A beam of golden radiance that shone upon her to bring her out of such a slump, "O' Michael," she spoke, as if coming out a stupor. Carmen would offer her hand to him and feel a weight on her shoulders be slowly pulled off, "I'd certainly like to."

[Jack]

Jack stepped back inside from the balcony, his heart soaring higher than the stars they'd just been under. Frost still clung to his formally informal t-shirt, and tiny ice crystals sparkled in his white hair from their magical moment outside. He offered his elbow to Lynn with an exaggerated formal bow that made his massive frame seem almost comical.

 

The grin plastered across his face refused to fade - not that he wanted it to. This evening had transformed from one of careful hope to something beyond his wildest dreams. His chest felt ready to burst with joy, especially knowing Lynn understood his past, his powers, everything about him, and still wanted to be with him.

 

Across the crowded room, he caught Owen's eye. His best friend took one look at Jack's face and instantly understood what had transpired on the balcony. Jack shot him a knowing wink and grin, the kind that could only pass between brothers-in-arms who'd been through everything together. 

 

Jack turned back to Lynn, his smile somehow growing even wider as he gazed down at her. The bear spirit inside him practically purred with contentment.

 

"Vould you like to dance?" he asked, gesturing toward where Velocity was showing off her moves. "I must varn you though - I dance like drunk moose in snowstorm." He chuckled, not caring one bit about his lack of coordination. Nothing could diminish this perfect moment.

 

 

[Lone_Star]

Prime Mover

 

Did he...? Oh. Yep. 

 

Owen gave him the slow nod back, understanding in a moment what Jack's smile meant. He drained the last of his non-alcoholic grape juice (what was in this stuff, anyway?) and held both of Kadene's hands. 

 

"Kadene, will you have this dance?" Jack and him had become fast friends, there was no doubt about that. Something about the joyful Russian bear-teen reminded Owen a little of home, that small-town feeling when you were among friends and family. That being said, he was not going to let him steal the show, after he had spent months working up the courage to ask Kadene out! Surprisingly, Owen had danced before, just never in Freedom City. He did have sort of grace belying his country boy background, after all. 

[Thevshi]

Slipstream (in the main hall with Arctus for Velocity's speech and heading out to the dance floor)

 

When she made her way back inside to the party with Jack, Lynn also had a wider smile than normal, the intricate ice corsage Jack had made still on her wrist. While the blonde teen was vaguely aware of some anxiety and troubled feelings, those were greatly overshadowed by the happier ones that had come out of her talk with Jack and their first true kiss (that had lasted longer than might have been planned after he had lifted her up off her feet and crated the fantastical mini-winter wonderland with his powers).

 

The teenage speedster listened to her adopted mother's speech and then watched with a slight grin as the older speedster headed out to the dance floor. "Just like my mother." She said almost under her breath before Jack drew her attention to him as he asked her to dance. 

 

With a small chuckle of her own as he gave her warning of his poor dancing skills, she took his hand as she replied. "It will be fine, especially if enough people are out there. I am nowhere near the dancer my mother…or adopted mother are, but I have had some lessons, so just try to follow my lead, such as it is." With that, she made her way out onto the dance floor with Jack, finding a spot where they could join the others that had gone out to dance.
 

[RocketLord]

BOUNCE! (in the main hall, up above)

 

Hey, the mistletoe worked! Owen and Kadence kissed, Lynn smiled, and everyone had a good time!

 

Awesome!

 

And then... when they all go dancing, Mattie is left without anyone to dance with. It's fine. It's fine, really. She's used to just being one of the guys and everything, nobody looking at her like that, and it's fine, but seeing most people pair up? It's kinda rough?

 

Then it passes. It's fine, she's fine! Aaaand... she didn't get to finish things yet.

 

"'scue me, everyone!" 

 

She slips away, into the crowds, shifting and changing as she moves around, stretching up above...

 

And suddenly the mistletoe hangs over Jack and Lynn as they dance, with a wide grin on Mattie's lips.

[RocketLord]

The STORMCROW (Catching up with Multi-Girl)

 

So... that was something. A potential new member for the Guardians, and a paragon is always useful. His mind is already starting to race with the new possibilities, but no, he shouldn't get ahead of himself. They agreed that he would reach out, they would talk more in a better setting.

 

So for now...

 

Slipping through the crowds, he sneaks up behind Bernie and holds around her. This should be the real her, not a dupe. He's watched her enough to be able to make it out, usually at least. 

 

"So... was there something about a mistletoe?"

[RocketLord]

Spaceman (Moving to the tables with Cerebral and Cerebellum)

 

Meeting Lady Liberty had been an honor. Parker wouldn't have minded chatting more with her, but he understood that she had to take care of her children. He waved as they left, before he turned to Velocity's speech. 

 

Part of him wonders what it would feel like to be up there like that, to be the one that everyone is watching, part of the Freedom League, but, on the other hand... It isn't really what he wants to do, is it?

 

He tells Vueriz and Baz that he will go look for some of the others near the food. If they join him or go other places, well, that's up to them, of course.

 

And so, he finds himself by the tables as he watches Lawrence's "sister", the big bear kid and some of the others rush towards the dance floor, so he takes one of their seats near Iris and Daniel.

 

"Hey," he greets. "How's the party been?"

[Thevshi]

Multi-Girl (just in the main hall by the entrance to the press room/dance floor with Stormcrow)

 

Bernadette (and her duplicate) had continued to mingle at the party prior to Velocity's speech. The redhead had specifically made time to go over and speak with the young Star Khan, after all he had protected her from getting hit while she was down by another duplicator during his last visit to the city. This also provided her the chance to meet Paradigm as well.

 

After Velocity’' speech and the opening of the dance floor, the Irish young woman had moved over near the entrance but stayed in the main hall for the moment. When Charlie came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, Bernadette didn’t start at the sudden embrace but casually glanced over her shoulder. "Oh, it's you." She said in a teasing neutral tone, as if she might have expected someone else. But that lasted only a moment before she leaned back slightly against him.

 

As Charlie asked about the mistletoe, the redhead gave him a small grin. "Well, bit too late, I think ta newest batch o' Claremont students have it all." She stated as she gestured out towards the dance floor and Mattie’s antics. Bernadette then gave a dismissive shrug. "I mean, really, mistletoe is so last year. Sides, it's not as if you need it ta have me all over you."

 

Giving Charlie a playful kiss on the cheek, the redhead pulled away and grabbed one of his hands. "Anyway, let's dance." She stated as she started forward.
 

[Jack]

Jack followed Lynn onto the dance floor, his heart thundering like an avalanche in his chest. Despite his massive size, he moved with surprising care, hyper-aware of every step. The bear spirit inside him felt unusually quiet, as if it too was trying not to disturb this delicate moment.

 

He caught sight of Owen leading Kadene to the floor and couldn't help grinning. Jack gave his friend an enthusiastic thumbs up, nearly forgetting his own nervousness for a moment.

 

Taking Lynn's small hand in his enormous one, Jack positioned himself like he'd seen in those old romance movies his mama loved. His other hand settled carefully on Lynn's waist, treating her like the most precious thing in the world. She moved with such natural grace that Jack found himself relaxing, letting her subtle guidance keep him from trampling her toes.

 

"Well…Not so bad, da?" he murmured, getting lost in her eyes as they swayed to the music. A flicker of movement caught his attention, making his enhanced senses snap to alertness. But the familiar scent that reached his nose made him relax - mistletoe, and underneath it, the unmistakable smell of Mattie.

 

Looking up, he spotted their friend's hand dangling the plant above them. A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest as he shook his head at her antics. Meeting Lynn's gaze again, he leaned down slightly, then paused with a playful grin spreading across his face.

 

"May I be so bold as to steal another kiss, milaya?" he asked, his accent thickening with affection.

 

 

[Lone_Star]

Ghule

 

At some point in her conversation with Lucy, Vik kicked back two beers, and she polished off her third. She let out a rather loud belch. Vik was a little embarrassed, and said "excuse me" rather sheepishly. Maybe I shouldn't drink so much at parties. Not with the other Guardians around...gotta maintain our rep. 

 

She looked out at the dance floor, and saw some of the teens dancing together like they were in love for the first time. She felt both happy for them and more than a little jealous. They were experiencing things she should have done years ago, and that wasn't fair. If it weren't for her time in juvie and...well, her own death, she would have been normal like them. Had a normal life. But they should get to enjoy it for as long as they could.

 

"Hey Lucy," she said, holding her fist against her mouth to suppress another burp. "You wanna dance too? I know we just met, but you're cool as hell, Lucy. We should show those dumb teenagers how it's done."

[Tiffany Korta]

The Revenant

 

"That's what being a teen is all about, try things out and make mistakes before going out into the big wide world! It was exactly the same in my day, even if teenagers hadn't been invited yet!!" she grinned and added, "I used to hang out with flappers and other cool young things, and trust me we got up to all of the things that ever generation thinks they invented."

 

At the invitation to dance she stood up and straightened out her clothes

 

 

"I have to warn you I do a mean Charleston!"

[EternalPhoenix]

On 1/5/2025 at 4:04 PM, Lone_Star said:

Prime Mover

 

Did he...? Oh. Yep. 

 

Owen gave him the slow nod back, understanding in a moment what Jack's smile meant. He drained the last of his non-alcoholic grape juice (what was in this stuff, anyway?) and held both of Kadene's hands. 

 

"Kadene, will you have this dance?" Jack and him had become fast friends, there was no doubt about that. Something about the joyful Russian bear-teen reminded Owen a little of home, that small-town feeling when you were among friends and family. That being said, he was not going to let him steal the show, after he had spent months working up the courage to ask Kadene out! Surprisingly, Owen had danced before, just never in Freedom City. He did have sort of grace belying his country boy background, after all. 

 

Serendipity and Stormchild

 

Riel laughed again. "Now we're speaking our language!" He bolted out of his seat to the nearest free woman. "Dance with me, Mademoiselle. I insist." Goodness, it was almost as if he was a little internally lubricated. But that couldn't be right. Protectron was on duty.

 

Kadene's laughter was somehow a louder sound. "Aye, Captain! And buy a girl a drink later!"

 

Riel laughed some more. "No promises!" 

 

Kadene met Owen's eyes. "Try and keep up with me, country boy. I'll show you how we do it in Paralogue." She pulled her hands free and literally danced away. 

[Thevshi]

Slipstream (on the dance floor with Arctus, Velocity, Stormchild, Serendipity, Prime Mover, Ghule, Revenant, Multi-Girl, Stormcrow, Bounce(?) and others)

 

Lynn gave Jack a small smile as he took her hand and waist to dance to start a more formal ballroom dance. "I don't think you quite understand the type of dancing to go with the music I am expecting will be played." She said, but before she could correct Jack, he called her attention to the mistletoe held above them by what was clearly one of Mattie’s hands (either normal ones or an extra she had shapeshifted).

 

The blonde teen shook her head slightly. "Mattie and her mistletoe." She said quietly before looking back up into Jack’s eyes as he leaned down. "You can't steal what is given freely." She teased, even as she stood on her toes to kiss Jack again.

 

It was not nearly as long as the kiss they had recently had outside in private, but Lynn still felt a swell of positive emotions that helped keep down the negative ones that were generally always there, to one degree or another. When she stepped down, the blonde teen stepped back slightly from Jack as she started to try to demonstrate some simple dance moves that would match the energetic dance music she expected her adopted mother to play. Sure enough, as the first song ended a house remix of Christian Marchi’s Fast Cars & Superstars began to play.

 

Out in the middle of the dance floor, Megan had seen many of the Claremont teens and some others making their way out to dance. She had also seen Lynn and Jack under the mistletoe but had no reaction other than a small smile as she continued to dance. As the first song ended and the next began, the League speedster shifted from the choreographed routine to just more causal, less space consuming movements, but which were no less fluid or graceful than the choreographed ones.

 

As was often the case, the play list she had prepared shifted back and forth between slower tempo songs and faster paced house tracks. Among the dance songs were newer songs such as Dua Lipa’s Training Season,  Katy Perry’s Lifetimes, and Myles Smith’s Stargazing, along with older songs like Wax Motif’s Wet as well as classics like House of Pain’s Jump Around and Twenty 4 Seven’s Slave to the Music. Other times, Megan completely changed dance styles as she lead anyone willing to join in for line dances to songs like Shaboozey’s Bar Song and Dasha’s Austin. There were also K-Pop songs mixed in, like asepa’s Whiplash and Supernova and BTS’ Butter.
 

[RocketLord]

The STORMCROW (on the dance floor)

 

Charlie grins as Bernie pulls him out on the dance floor, looking towards the Claremonter that is moving around with the mistletoe, startling random dancing couples with it.

 

"Aw, but I have such good memories of last year under one..."

 

His tone is playful, still. Sure, it's not like they need it, but it was where they shared their first kiss. 

 

Reaching the floor, he takes Bernie's hand in his and spins her, before pulling her back to him, quickly shifting how he dances with each song, though making sure to stay close to Bernie for each of them.

[RocketLord]

BOUNCE! (in the main hall, up above)

 

"Aw yes!"

 

Lynn and Jack kissed! And they kissed again! And Lynn actually looks happy! And Jack looks happy! And everyone else seems to have a good time too! 

 

Mattie's grin is so wide when she pulls her arm back. Sure, they were already getting there.

 

So, where next? Owen wanted to go get autographs, but now he's all busy dancing with Kadene, and she's kinda lost track of everyone else that isn't just dancing, and here she is, all on her own.

 

Alright. That's fine! Mattie wants to dance, so she'll dance!

 

As she starts moving to the music, her clothes and body shifts in turn. She's putting on a show, for herself more than anyone else, letting loose, shifting to match the music as well as she can.