[SEMI-OPEN] It's a merry 616 Christmas

[beganwithamask]

Characters: Bucky Barnes (616), Toro Raymond, Tony Stark (616), Nita Prentiss, Avengers, and anybody who might have gotten an invitation from anyone else in attendance (it's easy to finangle, Nita knows half the turtle)
Date: Probably New Year's Eve
Location: Bucky's and Toro's tree house in Wood Sector
Situation: A combination holidays party for some old and new friends (because the mood around the turtle has been weird since the Emperor's death), including small presents, spiked egg nog, and all that good old Earthy holiday cheer.
Warnings/Rating: None atm, will change if something comes up.

[No one is really sure whose idea the little get-together was, but somehow, there's a party going on at the wood sector treehouse that Bucky and Toro (sometimes) live in. It's a pretty casual party, with some market-bought snacks laid out, and some holiday type drinks. The front door is left open to anyone who might want to come by (getting an invitation is no doubt easy, walking in to see what the fuss is about is even easier), and Bucky has found some hideous tribble-fur kedan approximation of a Santa hat to wear.

Also on the table is a small bush decorated with a string of popcorn and other Depression-era type ornamentation. Shouldn't have let the 40s boys take care of the tree.

And finally, it's a good time to give those slightly belated gifts. Bucky's gotten a few things for his friends, and when they come in, he'll shove a hastily wrapped box at them with a grin.]

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[littlecousin]

[Nita really ought to be dressed up as an elf, but she's not entirely clear on the Santa/elf distinction to begin with, so she's accessorizing her bare feet, green scales, and elaborate golden Atlantean jewelry with a long red knitted scarf and a Santa hat. It would look bizarre if she were even slightly self-conscious about it, but Nita has never committed a fashion atrocity she didn't think looked awesome, so she's somehow pulling it off, probably through a combination of the Sub-Mariner good looks and the Sub-Mariner bulletproof ego.

She broke into the eggnog about a minute and a half after arriving and depositing her shopping bags of presents under the table that is holding up the "tree," and is already in full holiday mode...which is not that different from her normal mode. It does involve more willingness to dish out hugs to people who might otherwise just get a smile, though even tipsy, she's good enough at reading people to back off if it's clear someone really doesn't want quite that much blunt-force friendliness.

It is one of the multiverse's great mysteries that this woman is related to Namor.]

[beganwithamask]

[How she's related to Namor is one of the great mysteries of life, but it's one Bucky is kind of thankful for, considering he doubts Nita's reaction to getting a Christmas present will be a sneer and a threat. Granted, that's Namor's way of saying thank you, he guesses, but still.] Happy New Year's-mas. [He greets her with a grin and thrusts a messily wrapped box at her, tied with a sloppy bow. He's no good at this, okay. Inside the box is some sparkly gold jewelry he'd found in a shop somewhere, nothing super valuable but also nothing gaudy or hideous, thankfully.] I guess you're more into the holidays than Subby ever was.

[littlecousin]

[She is grabbing Bucky with that overwhelming hybrid strength, but it's to administer a hug, not a beating.]

Happy Holidays, Bucky!

[She hands him her drink to hold while she tears into the gift.]

Yeah, Namor hates fun, especially if it has anything to do with the surface.

[She's much more interested in her present than her cousin's peccadilloes, and it doesn't take her long to get the box open.]

Oh, pretty! Thank you!

[Nita immediately swaps out the earrings she's wearing for the new ones Bucky got her.]

How do they look? I'll have to duck into the bathroom later to see for myself.

[beganwithamask]

[Luckily for him, he's very durable. Durable enough for Atlantean hugs, it turns out, which he returns because she's practically family. And also hot.] You too! Thanks for coming. It's not much, but it seemed sad to not do anything this year, y'know? Even during the war we had Christmas.

[He's beaming as he watches her open the box and try on the earrings, though. Giving presents isn't exactly something he's gotten to do much in his life, and he kind of likes it.] They look great, but you could make anything look great.

[littlecousin]

It's my favorite surface holiday...though Thanksgiving is great, too. ...And Halloween and Valentine's Day. ...And the Fourth.

[Nita just likes everything, unlike some people she's named after. She smiles even more widely at Bucky's compliment--she's not as susceptible to flattery as Namor, but everyone likes to be told they look good.]

It helps when it's a gift, 'cause every time you see it in a mirror or something, it reminds you of your friend, and everyone looks better when they're happy.

[SHE CANNOT POSSIBLY BE RELATED TO NAMOR.]

[beganwithamask]

I gotta say I'm pretty fond of the Fourth. [Like that's any surprise since his entire existence screams AMERICA FUCK YEAH. The rest of the holidays, though, he doesn't have a whole lot of memories for besides Christmas, which always comes a little bittersweet, since it was around Christmas that his father died.

And now he's really amused, because she really just said that? Like with all seriousness?] You sure you're related to Namor? [But it's teasing, because of course she is.]

[littlecousin]

[Nita likes fireworks and cornering Cap with birthday cakes. They don't have any of those in Atlantis.]

Swear on Neptune's Trident.

[She laughs.]

He's such a grump. You can tell him I said that, too.

[Trolling Namor: not just a hobby, a way of life.]

Seriously, Bucky, a lot of awful stuff happens. I can get through anything, but the people I care about are what make it worth getting through anything.

[What has four anklewings and a severe irony deficiency? This gal.]

[beganwithamask]

[Bucky laughs too, shaking his head slightly.] I'll be sure to do that. Not that Subby ever listens to me. I guess Toro and I kinda brought that on ourselves when we started messin' with him though. [He's just so much fun to tease though.]

You're tellin' me. I was fixin' to blow up before I showed up here, the fact that I get another Christmas at all is kinda a miracle. And you guys being here is pretty nice too.

[flamingshortshorts]

[It's technically his suite, his treehouse, but Toro only stays there part of the time--for secrecy purposes and to soothe poor Bucky's paranoid heart--and right now it has more people in it than he had ever expected. He's not used to having people over like this. Even back home, it was usually him and Jim unless Mary was around or one of the other All-Winners came to visit.

But it's party and Toro's going to enjoy it, even if that means making sure Bucky doesn't add too much alcohol to the eggnog just because he can. He's got a little gift he's holding onto for him, but he can always give it to him later when he's not enjoying himself. He makes a point of saying hello to the people he doesn't recognize since at least he's put a name to a face of all these people Bucky's been hanging around.]

[beganwithamask]

[Really, Bucky doesn't hang around very many people. Tony and Toro, mostly, sometimes Nita. He's given the attendees full leave to invite other people, though, because it's the holidays and the holidays should be fun. He misses the USO dances, he misses the music and the laughter and twirling pretty girls around the dance floor. His last Christmas was fun, and he wants this one to be fun too since he still doesn't quite believe he'll ever get another Christmas.

He saved his moping and melancholy for earlier, around the actual day itself; it seemed like a good time, with the Emperor dead and all. No one really noticed that he was more subdued because he was thinking about his father, but he's put all that aside for this little shindig.

Bucky comes up behind Toro and throws an arm around his shoulders, passing him a mug of hot chocolate that smells distinctly of whiskey.] Enjoying yourself yet, Mr. T?

[flamingshortshorts]

[Toro wasn't expecting the body hanging off of him, but it's Bucky and the action is so familiar he doesn't even flinch from it. He just grins back, taking the mud of spiked chocolate and brings up his own free hand to give Bucky a hearty smack on the back.]

Doing just fine, Mr. B. Not exactly what I had in mind this year for the Holidays, but I'm sure we can find a girl to throw you under the mistletoe with. [He does owe Bucky after all.]

[beganwithamask]

[Bucky snorts, giving him a light punch in the shoulder before resuming basically hanging off him.] Not the kinda Christmas I thought I'd have either, but it ain't so bad. I miss tossing snowballs at Namor, though, chucking 'em at Nita just wouldn't be the same.

[But then he rolls his eyes slightly.] Hey, I ain't the one who needs help with the ladies, that'd be you, Hot Pants. But hey, we can try to find a girl for me to dance you under the mistletoe with.

[definingfuture]

[Parties are nice. Even little ones. Tony is used to bigger get togethers, of course, but that doesn't mean he can't appreciate more intimate parties. He brings the tree house gifts like a good guest--some carefully selected, higher end food and drink for the occasion--and even puts on a red hat for the festivities. He's not in full costume, but he's made a concerted effort to look appropriate by wearing a matching snowflake patterned sweater. He even brought them all gifts.

While the rest of the party is kicking off in a familiar way, Tony is content to mingle and make commentary. It's his job as the guaranteed sober one in the room to tease everyone else, after all. That's a personal responsibility that he takes seriously.]

It looks nice, but I think someone forgot the rest of the decorations. We could use a little more green.

[littlecousin]

[Yeah, sorry, Nita doesn't get the joke. She thinks it might be about money but she's not sure? So she ignores it.]

Hi, Mister Stark!

[Tony is now being hugged by a substantially cuter version of Namor. She's probably a little drunk, but since she's always friendly, it's hard to say for sure.]

I like your sweater.

[That doesn't say anything about her state of inebriation either, but it does say Tony should reevaluate his fashion life.]

[definingfuture]

[That's just fine. Tony will put up his kedan version of mistletoe for them and help things along. Never mind that they don't really have the numbers to get couples out of this party. He can still have fun with it.

The hug is a surprise (he's probably never going to be used to having Atlanteans approach him that suddenly) but he returns it after an awkward pause. Hey, it beats being punched in the face as a greeting.]

Thanks. Hi. I think you're cutting off my circulation a little.

[Okay, not really. He smiles at her enthusiasm.]

I'm trying for festive today.

[littlecousin]

[He'd better be careful or he's gonna be stuck kissing Bucky.]

I am not.

[She does let him go and back off to acceptable conversational distance, though.]

Christmas is my favorite.

[It's pretty much the most Nita holiday ever: shopping, parties, questionable sartorial choices, and goodwill towards all.]

[definingfuture]

[He's very careful. Tony will make sure to remember where he places the decorations. It only fun when others get caught in the trap, right?]

Well, good. My bruised ribs will be glad to hear that.

[He grins, because, yes, Christmas is a Nita holiday if there ever was one.]

It certainly suits you. We'll get you more ice for the occasion.

[littlecousin]

[She looks out the window--there is way too much ice already--before she remembers what else that's slang for.]

I have plenty of jewelry.

[Which is very much not to say she wouldn't happily accept more.]

[definingfuture]

But it's tradition. We can't break that.

[He knows the appropriate way to treat a lady of class. What she has isn't necessarily a barrier to what he should treat her with. Some things are just expected.]

[beganwithamask]

[Bucky doesn't know enough people to throw a large party, but he's okay with what they can scrape together. He's good at making do with what he's got, he has a lot of experience there. When Tony walks in, he gets a grin from Bucky, whose eyes go to his sweater momentarily before he's digging up a big box to shove at him. It's a very cobbled together assortment of scrap metal, various metal tools, and bits and pieces of machinery, including a few bits and bobs from the satellite crash a while ago that he's managed to track down.] Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, all that. Nice sweater.

[He laughs a little.] I think we did an okay job decorating.

[definingfuture]

Merry Happy New Year Christmas. What's wrong with my sweater?

[Tony is enjoying the tacky look. He looks honestly confused as to why the sweater is being pointed out, because it's a great Christmas sweater. Greater for the fact he managed to convince a kedan to make it after a lot of cajoling and extra labor around the stables for them. Explaining the tradition took some work, but he did manage it.]

Okay, yes, but we really need a little extra. Luckily for you, I always bring a little extra with me.

[He smirks, then passes Bucky a box discreetly. It's small, but heavy for its size, and he stands closer to make the gesture a little more private.]

Wait until later, okay? And- don't be reckless.

[beganwithamask]

I said it was nice, didn't I? [But he's laughing because yeah, it's tacky, but it's the right kind of cheery tacky for a Christmas get-together.] I'm definitely jealous.

Hey, the only extra this place needs is some girls. Makes a guy nostalgic for the USO dances in London, those were parties. [He grins as he takes the box, and slips it into his pocket when he's told to wait until later.] Who, me? Reckless? And thanks, pal.

[definingfuture]

Yes, that is what you said. [And the tone Tony uses for his response suggests that he's not buying a word of it.]

Well, if I knew you were short on dates I could have invited some for you. I thought a couple of good looking guys like you would have the place packed with willing company.

[He ends with a bit more of a serious look. It's not easy for him to offer that particular gift over, but he doesn't want to lose Bucky to whatever is causing the disappearances. This is insurance.]

I mean it. This is between you and me. Take care of yourself.

[beganwithamask]

[Bucky just snorts at that.] Good lookin', sure, but Toro ain't so good with the ladies and I haven't exactly met a whole lotta single dames in my time here. [He's actually still holding out for Gretchen but he's not going to say that because that's really sad.

The serious look just makes his grin soften just a bit.] And between you and me... So long as you take care of yourself too, Stark.

[definingfuture]

Well, I'm sure you two will work it out. Isn't that your talent? Being resourceful?

[Tony's teasing in a good-natured way that doesn't actually touch anything serious, because he doesn't want to hit too close to home. Not when they're having a nice time.]

Give it time. You'll have the place packed by the end of the year.

[He balks slightly at the last response from Bucky. He has his misgivings in giving Bucky the gift, but desperate times call for desperate measures. And he's pretty sure this is what Steve would want him to do. To ensure Bucky was all right, by any means in his power. Even at this price, it is worth it.]

Hey, you don't have to worry about me. I'm hard to keep down. And I've got my own tricks for whatever comes our way.