The Annual BPRD Christmas Party!

[Kasim Chionesu]

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Date: December 20
Place: The Library
Status: Open to BPRD Agents.

Kasim straightened the black silk vest he wore over his white long sleeved shirt. The rest of his attire consisted of black slacks and leather loafers. It was essentially the same thing he wore every day, minus the jacket and with the vest replacing the tie. Christmas music (Josh Groban's "I'll be Home for Christmas," as a matter of fact) wafted out of nearby speakers that were connected to a laptop. Kasim stood in the library and observed the results of a hard day's work. Kasim, Tabby, and a few other people took on the hefty task of decorating the library for the Christmas party, and Kasim was pleased. Over each doorway hung at least two clumps of mistletoe. More mistletoe and wreaths hung from the ceiling, garlands woven with Christmas lights twined their way up the staircases in the room. Many more couches and armchairs had been added to the library. Abe's tank had several window clings of Santa Claus and his reindeer and some spray-on snow, and by the fireplace (in which a Yule Log burned) was a small Nativity scene and a Menorah. It was kind of odd seeing two such opposite representations of faith in such a close proximity, but they didn't want anyone left out. Kasim also put some Kwanzaa candles on a short bookcase and lit them. Kasim thought that Tabby had been excessive with the mistletoe and staple gun -- there was mistletoe stapled almost everywhere possible that two people could meet. It was only through the threat of force that Tabby didn't staple mistletoe over where Kasim would be stationed for the night -- the makeshift bar.
The makeshift bar was truly just a table with a "BPRD Christmas Party 2008" banner covering the table legs in front and hiding the mini-fridges stashed beneath. But Kasim had a veritable plethora of alcohol and glasses, and he was ready for the night. Nearby, on another table, was a punch bowl filled with some red drink, and several dozen bottles of sparkling apple cider. Another table held an impressive amount of food, but considering that Red was coming, Kasim hoped it would be enough. There was all sorts of Christmas goodies to satiate appetites, and then several prime ribs, vegetables, salad stuffs, stuffing, basically every type of holiday sweet and dinner staple anyone could think of. And of course, at least a gross of Baby Ruths and several tightly sealed containers of rotten eggs.
Next to the fireplace, a bit crowded with the Nativity and Menorah, also stood a modestly sized Christmas tree. For each agent was an ornament with their name on it, and even for those who had passed on -- like Professor Broom. The tree glowed with a magical light that was only partly from the Christmas lights and candles adorning it. Beneath the tree rested a single present for every agent from their Secret Santa.
Kasim positioned himself behind the makeshift bar and placed his hands behind his back. He was the only one in the library at the moment -- all the other preparers had left to make ready. The doors were propped open and now a Barry Manilow cover of "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" wafted from the speakers to welcome anyone who would enter.

OOC: Alright, this is friendly admin Frankie speaking via Kasim with a few reminders: Remember, this is after mission events have transpired, and remember that a vast amount of time has passed. If your character has a condition that would be showing even more by now, please remember to allow that to be used in play. Enjoy guys!

[Sister Angeleanna]

Though it seemed impossible, the smell of the freshly cut tree seemed to linger through the entire bureau. Like a somber spirit, Angeleanna walked the hallways slowly but the bright smile on face spoke otherwise. It was nearing Christmas and it was a joyous occasion for many reasons. Though in the past, she had not been able to celebrate the holidays as a normal person would, this was the first year in many that she had been invited to a party. Of all things. It had taken a little prodding from fellow agents to make sure she didn’t stay shut up in her room for the evening but she graciously accepted the offer and promised and double promised she would be there.

Music drifted from the open door of the library and the nun paused in the doorframe and stared. She lifted a hand to press it against her heart over the golden cross that hung from a chain. It was beautiful. The normal warmth and beauty of the exquisite library had been enhanced with the plethora of reds and greens, the towering Douglass fir striking in all of its twinkling glory. Her eyes drifted along every and she laughed quietly at the decorations that adorned Abraham’s tank. So much loved resided here and it was simply beautiful. Angeleanna sighed and wiped at the corner of her left eye before casually tipping her head back to look at the rest of the decorations and she eyed the mistletoe before stepping fully into the library.

“Good evening Mr. Chionesu. It looks like I’m the first one.” She walked towards the table, picking around the extra furniture and stopped at the table of food. Angeleanna smiled and shook her head slightly. “My goodness, are we feeding a small army tonight?” Lifting her gaze from the plethora of delights she studied the agent with a thoughtful tilt of her head. “You look rather dashing, how are you?”

[Kasim Chionesu]

"Good evening, Sister Angel!" Kasim replied merrily. "And I am very glad you are, it's been rather lonely since the other decorators cleared out." Kasim's face stretched into one of his trademark smiles and he brought his hands from behind his back, setting them on the table.

"Well...Hellboy is coming." Kasim said as if to justify the amount of food. "And we don't want anyone leaving hungry or drinking on an empty stomach. Abe made us swear up, down, and sideways that we wouldn't let any slightly tipsy agents do anything to his tank...With some food in them, they should be ok."

A faint blush tinged Kasim's cheeks. "Well...Thank you Sister. I'm doing...well, great. It was fun helping decorate and setting up. It's been long enough to where I really feel at home here...And the prospect of having fun with my new family tonight is even more exciting." He laughed. "I think that sounded a bit sentimental. But how are you? I am so glad you came. Would you care for some sparkling cider?"

[Tabby Whitman-Foster]

After a long day of going staple-gun and mistletoe crazy, Tabby (and a few extra decorations) went back to her room to shower and get ready for the Christmas Party. She decided she was going to dress up, which was a daunting aspect, especially since she was usually too lazy to do so anyway. She showered, dried and curled her hair into little red ringlets, and pulled out one of her few dresses. It was a red dress with capped sleeves and a skirt that went down to her knees so she didn't look like a total hussy. With a stapler and a small fuzzy white boa, she turned the dress into a Christmas-themed one by stapling the boa to the bottom of her skirt. Now...all she needed to do what get into nylons, do the shoes, jewelry, and make-up and be on her way.

Right.

After ripping the first two pairs of nylons she tried one, she called her mom for advice and finally managed to slink into a pair that didn't rip. Taby finished her make-up and jewelry and pulled on her matching set of red-closed toe high heels before grabbing the few extra wreaths, her camera, and a golden garland left over from decorating and leaving her room.

Tabby began disposing of the wreaths by sticking them on random doorknobs. She was down to the last wreath, one ornamented with red Christmas balls, and the golden garland when she rounded the corner and saw Abe. A malevolent grin possessed her features and she ran up to him. "Merry Christmas!" She plunked the wreath over his head and strung the garland along his shoulders. "See you at the party!" She took a picture while retreating, her high-heels tapping insanely in flight.

As Tabby approached the library, she saw Sister Angeleanna and Kasim speaking by the bar. "Hey guys!" She called. "Say cheese!" She cried before snapping a blinding picture. "I guess no one's fallen prey to the mistletoe yet, huh?"

[brennalarose]

Phia put the finishing touches on her hair and stood back to admire herself. It had taken her a few hours to dig out her old winter suit, a Forties-style number in red and gold, and even then, she almost stayed in. She'd been arguing with another Occult specialist for three hours on a crime scene photo and had very nearly throttled him. The rage was fading now that she was away from him. So, she decided to perk herself up.

The Santa hat that read "I'm Naughty" on one side, "I'm Nice" on the other, combined with the striped red and green stockings and ruby slippers, made her look mildly deranged, but she was at least in the holiday spirit. Sure enough, as she got closer to the library, she caught herself whistling "The Holly and The Ivy" mixed in with "The Cherry Tree Carol", obscure old tunes she knew from her childhood.

[Kasim Chionesu]

Kasim blinked as he was blinded by the camera flash, and when he opened his eyes, he saw spots. "Cheese?" He said a bit too late, still trying to get his eyes to adjust. "Um...Yeah..." He replied to Tabby haltingly, rubbing his eyes. "Just Angeleanna and I so far...And even if we did fall prey to the mistletoe...That is one boundary I will not cross."

At that moment, Kasim heard someone humming Christmas Carols and saw Anna-Sophia coming. She looked...Interesting. But festive? Yes, definitely festive. "Hello Phia!" Kasim called. "Merry Christmas! Watch out for the mistletoe!"

[brennalarose]

"Mistle...toe?" Phia looked around and had to stifle a giggle. "Oh, my god, it's my Senior Winter Formal all over again! I'll be dodging the other spooknerds for hours. But it looks wonderfully homey. My compliments to the decorating crew. Hi, Sister Angel! Hi, Tabby!"

She bounced a bit on her toes as she walked, heading for the bar. It felt like a real office Christmas party, minus the drunken xeroxing of butts and the creep in the next cubicle dressing up as Santa Claus.

[Abe Sapien]

Being metaphorically chased out of his room via the library made the normally stoic fishman sulk and sulk he did for a grand total of fifty two seconds as he wandered the hallways of the bureau. Just because he commented on the pagan rites behind a Christmas tree and that it was originally apart of the feast of the Saturnalia. Only afterwards was the birth of Christ connected to it. Though he probably shouldn’t have added that St. Nicolas’s well known greeting of ‘ho ho ho’ was in fact inspired by the customary greeting during the festival. That might have been overdoing it.

However, Abe casually strolled the underground labyrinth of corridors, the thoughts of the bureau’s people echoing faintly under his bare feet. So much had seemed to change with the months, while Christmas was a holiday he never seemed to have any real attachment to it. Parties were usually done but he always seemed to stand around awkwardly in the corner as everyone talked about the year’s events and family they were going to visit. Their little family had grown from a three man team to bursting at the seams. It was dizzying at times but through it all, he reached for the one person that knew him inside and out.

Abraham turned a corner, widening his steps to move around a agent that had several folders in hand and concentrating on them. He had asked a few days prior if the princess was interested in the celebration with others and gave a semi lecture/speech on the history of Christmas. She never told him to stop, shut it or ignored him like so many others did when he got into his lecture groove. He did forget not everyone enjoyed the countless hours pouring over ancient text. Luckily before he was kicked out as the decorations continued, he was allowed to grab his contacts case and fit them in. He blinked a couple of times as one moved, sliding along the glassy surface of his eye and it slid back into place with a slight scrunch of his nonexistent nose just as the psychic footsteps matched the clattering of real ones.

Run by Christmasing, Abe thought at he watched the retreating Tabitha vanish down the hall leaving him covered in holiday cheer. He wondered briefly what the young woman was hoping to accomplish as the spots slowly faded from his eyes. He arched a shoulder lightly as the wreath itched along his neck and shrugged in attempt to remove the garland without actually touching it and only accomplished in letting it snake further down along arms to the crook of his elbow. He mused at what he looked like and continually fidgeted with them as he neared Princess Nuala’s room. He managed to untwine the garland around his bare torso and knocked soundly on the closed door and attempted to remove the wreath as carefully as a surgeon would without touching the sensitive pale gills. His attempt was met by slight jabbing and random ticking that made him close one eye in concentration and nearly snagged it on his mouth. Abe sighed and left it as is around his neck before twining the garish gold garland around a hand.

[Sister Angeleanna]

"Well...Hellboy is coming."

Angeleanna nodded in full understanding and the smiled widened. She had been witness to the procession of food carts that seemed to be on a constant loop to and from the kitchen. She had even washed a few dishes before being chased out by the staff. They were too good to her and it was high time she dropped by and visited with them. The nun glanced at the array of liquor provided and she arched a single brow at it and her mouth tightened into a unaccustomed frown but she shook her head lightly and the heavy veil swayed thickly to her movements.

“Mr. Sapien is duly correct, I doubt anyone wants to fish out a overly rambunctious individual.” Angeleanna crossed her arms loosely, hidden by the length of cloth that hung about her shoulders and returned with a fair look of amusement. She wasn’t here to scold but she added - “I expect you to keep an eye on any unruliness.” – anyways. Unsurprisingly she would too and wasn’t above using the disappointed parent look that was often used on her as a child. It worked wonders on her and it would be interesting to see how the look had held up over the years.

"I think that sounded a bit sentimental. But how are you? I am so glad you came. Would you care for some sparkling cider?"

It wasn’t hard to melt the attempted stern look she was trying to achieve and the ever present upturn of her lips was restored. She unfolded her arms and intertwined her fingers at her waist and observed the tall man. “A befitting reflection, the bureau does tend to work in a wonderfully dysfunctional, family kind of way.” There was no real word to describe the atmosphere of the agency, it was work, friendships and family all mixed together.

“I am doing most satisfactory and I’m quite humbled to be invited. It’s been ages since I’ve been to such a beautiful festivity.” Angel regarded the immensely decorated Christmas tree and looked back to Kasim. “Yes,” she couldn’t help the sigh to her voice. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

"Hey guys!" She called. "Say cheese!" She cried before snapping a blinding picture. "I guess no one's fallen prey to the mistletoe yet, huh?"

Angeleanna closed her eyes instinctively, her lighter eyes victim to the bright flash and for a brief moment all she saw the dark outline of everything against white but just as fast it readily faded. She refrained from opening them, tilting her head down slightly. “I believe my eyes were closed in that one my dear. More of a warning next time.” She smiled graciously and unhurriedly opened her eyes.

“…And even if we did fall prey to the mistletoe...That is one boundary I will not cross."

The amused chuckle, a near deep surprising rumble, rose from the nun and she raised her head fully to met the youngster’s questioning. “No, no my dear. I am much too old for that.”

"Merry Christmas! Watch out for the mistletoe!"

“And Tabitha’s camera.” She added, the smile deepening as she bowed her head in a greeting to Anna Sophia.

[nuala]

[/i] to the Elven Princess. While humans may think Christmas time was a good time - Nuala was completely fascinated with it! After all, she had never before celebrated it - she hadn't even heard of it until Abraham had asked her to the Christmas party, and she asked him what this 'Christmas' he spoke of was. His lecture, while some might have found it boring, was quite interesting and exciting to her - and when he had finished, she had accepted his invitation whole-heartedly.

Based on what he had described to her, all the essentials of the holiday and such, she had chosen her outfit for the party. Of course, it was a part, so she had to dress a bit better than she usually did (which was saying something), and so the dress she now wore was slightly more elegant and flowy than some of the others she wore daily. The base of it was white, but the uncerlying layers were various shades of red, and it also faded into red at the train of the gown. Around her waist, a red strip of frabic was wrapped about it, in a kimono-like fashion with a bow in the back, and along the edges of the dress - her neck, wrists, and the stitching - rubies glinted alongside red designs. Her hair was ever the same, falling elegantly onto her shoulders, matching the white dress quite nicely.

She hoped she was dressed acoordingly, that she had remembered the colors right, and when she heard the knock on the door - she knew that this was the moment of truth. Of course, she was very happy that Abraham was taking her to this party, for she probably would not have gone if she was going to be alone (or with anyone else, for that matter). She quickly headed to the door, pulling it open quickly, but gracefully. To see Abraham with that garland wrapped around him, she had to smile.

"Hello, Abraham." She said as she stepped outside of her room, closing the door carefully behind her so it would not catch on her dress. When she turned her gaze back to him, she had to look him over again - that garland was very distracting, but it fit him and the holiday at the same time. "I see you're in the Christmas spirit." Of course, she wasn't exactly the master of the Christmas spirit herself, but it was a compliment.

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[fuzzy]

Terry sighed. No matter what he did, there seemed to be no way on earth to make himself look presentable. It was Christmas, and everyone seemed to be beaming, as if something was lighting them up from the inside out. All agents at the Bureau had Christmas off, of course, and they counted on this time to get some much needed relaxation. At that moment, Terry was facing an adversary more stubborn than any of the fae. This mystery enemy was, of course, his hair. No matter how he tried to flatten it down, it spiked back up, making him look like he just got out of bed. After another fifteen minutes of pitched battle with this most determined of adversaries, he decided to give up on it. Looking at himself in the mirror, he saw himself as quite a dashing figure. He wore his normal "work" attire, black suit, white shirt, replacing his black tie with red. A festive touch, or at least he thought so. There was only one thing missing, his hat. This one bowler hat, complete with green silk and all, had been with him through 16 years of service with the BPRD, and almost no one saw him without it on. What began as a method for covering up his permanent bed-head had become almost an obsession. To make it clear, this hat was to Terry as cats are to Hellboy. He walked to a corner of his room, humming "Deck the Halls", badly, and took the hat from its stand, and set it on his head.
Walking to the library, still humming disjointed Christmas carols, he reflected back on what has been his family for the past 18 years. He didn't get very far in his reminiscence before he came upon the doors to the library, music and delicious smells alike wafting from within. He sauntered through the doors, ducking and hurrying to avoid the mistletoe inevitably placed above and ran right into Tabitha wielding a camera. The only warning was a hurried "Say Cheese!" before the flash went off, effectively blinding Terry momentarily. During this moment of blindness, Terry bumped into some things, well, one thing actually. The door to the library. Not the most elegant entrance to a party, but an entrance nonetheless. Laughing off various apologies, he eyes lit upon the one place where no wrong would ever come to him, the bar.

[loki]

Thane loved Christmas. It seemed like the only time of year people put aside their petty squabbles and fully opened themselves to the concepts of higher civilization. Those concepts being compassion, tolerance and generosity, respectively.
Well, at least for the most part.
The were-hawk couldn't forget the Boxing Day shootout in downtown Toronto a few years ago that resulted in the death of poor Jane Creba. The violence had been senseless; her death needless; and Thane couldn't help but feel the modern world had lost yet another shroud of its little-remaining innocence.
But here and now was not the place for such thoughts.
Reciting a small Anishinabe chant, Thane forced positive energy to fill the void in his chest that the sad thoughts had opened up and let Christmas spirit waft through his mind. After a minute of chanting he felt better and began to get ready for the party.

Forgoing the usual leather thong that cinched his ever-present braid, Thane reached for a green ribbon that had red bells on either end, the accessory tinkling gently as he wound it around his hair. He found himself singing "Jingle Bell Rock" as he readied himself - well, at least the chorus, anyway; the rest of the lyrics were lost in a hum as he could never remember them. He eased himself into a chintzy green felt vest that had smiling snowmen for buttons and the words MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! written across the chest in garish red letters. His wings popped out the holes he had made in the back of the garment and he wriggled around until everything felt comfortable. A pair of black jeans and his favourite faded brown chopper boots completed the ensemble - Oh! He'd nearly forgotten: a pair of felt reindeer antlers attached to a plastic green headband were snatched from his dresser and placed on his head.
There! Now his outfit was complete.

As he was making his way to the door, Thane heard light feet prancing - yes, prancing - down the hall, and paused with one hand on the doorknob. It sounded like something with bells was placed on the exterior of his door, and the next thing he heard was, "Merry Christmas! See you at the party!" followed by the distinct sound of a camera flash going off and those same feet beating a hasty retreat down the hall. He decided it would be a good idea to wait a minute or so before leaving his room; almost nothing hurt his sensitive eyes as much as camera flash and he held no desire to be caught in one if the perpetrator decided to return this way.
After a minute of hearing nothing else, Thane entered the hallway and made his way to the library - just in time to see a camera flash anyway and blind poor Terry Jones, forcing him to walk into a door as consequence. Thane blinked a few times to clear his own vision and stepped around the dazzled fellow with a sympathetic expression for him.
Ah, that would explain a lot: It was Tabby wielding the deadly apparatus.
"Tabby, I think a camera should be classified as a lethal weapon while in your hands," Thane said, wearing a light smirk. "Which leads me to ask, how many victims did you claim on your way from here to -" Something dangling overhead caught his eye.
His smile widening mischievously, Thane pointed up and said, "Ohh Taaa-bbeeee..."
It was mistletoe - and Sister Angeleanna and Kasim were standing right there.
Oh well.
Golden eyes twinkling, he planted a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Merry Christmas Tabz!" he then exclaimed and made his way to the food table. "Ahh, and you guys too, Sister, Kasim and Phia! Heh heh!"
Scuttlebutt was that Hellboy was going to be here and Thane wanted to make sure he got his fill before ol' Red put in an appearance.

[brennalarose]

Phia did a quick head count. Kasim, Thane, Terry, that's three gents, Tabby, Sister Angel, and herself...Oh-oh...

It was an even count. It was a conspiracy! Any time she was in a room with mistletoe, she got kissed, then it was drinks, dinner and suddenly she was breaking up with a guy in orange through a window and a phone. It wouldn't bother her so much if it weren't that the guy in orange was never the guy she kissed.

She grabbed a scoop of M&Ms, wiggling her fingers shyly at the newcomers. She had to admit though, she loved the holidays. It brought out the whimsy in people.

"So, Terry," she said as he came closer, "How you holding up?"

[Evadne Taylor]

In her room, Evadne sighed and was tempted to pull a pillow over her face and smoother herself - if that were possible. Not that she could hear the merry makings coming from the library - but she could only imagine what was going on in there and it really made her glad that she had decided to boycott the ridiculous party.

Vampires celebrating Christmas. What a ridiculous notion.

She hadn't ever celebrated the holiday, and she had no plans of changing that anytime soon. Really though... Humans were odd. What was truly the point of it? In her mind it had ceased to be a religious affair quite some time ago. So now? What the hell was it for? To be greedy and get presents? Or... Well she'd been told it was suppose to be 'the spirit of giving'. But that was a load of crap. And even if it hadn't been - that just meant you had to buy everyone you knew a present, because if you forgot one person... Who knew how long they'd remember that?

So, just to keep things safe, Evadne just avoided the holiday all together. Just forget it and be even more anti-social than normal. That's why she was in her room, trying to concentrate on some research she'd been doing regarding imps... But, grrr, it was hard to do.

Running her fingers through her hair, which was down for once. Evadne jumped to her feet and stalked over to her stereo and pressed the play button and almost smiled as the sounds of Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano concerto Nr. 1 in c major op. 15: 2: Largo began playing. Calm and relaxing, just what she needed to get through her research.

Hopefully the party wouldn't last all night.

[Abe Sapien]

"Hello, Abraham."

He twisted around having turned himself in circles in one last attempt to rid himself of the garland and pondered over how it had gotten stuck to the back of his shorts in the short amount of time he had attempted to wind it up. Some sort of snag, he mused briefly and straightened his lean frame in a proper greeting only to have it die on his slackened lips. Breathtaking had been the first thought to return him to his senses and Abe twisted the length of garish wire and tinsel in his hands, absently tangling it further. “Good evening your highness.”

"I see you're in the Christmas spirit."

It was a nod of his whole body that made him shrug slightly. “Tabby’s way of greeting, I-” Abraham lifted a hand only to have his other follow in the twisted knot of the garland he had made. “Hmm.” He frowned slightly, his features pinching as he struggled to disentangle himself from the embarrassing predicament. “I just, want to say, that…” Abraham sighed as the wire only seemed to tighten and he lowered his now gaudy restraints to his waist and gazed at the princess helplessly. He had been hoping to recite the line of poetry that he was thinking but the mood was spoiled in his mishap and he lifted his bare shoulders lightly before dropping them.

“You look lovely tonight.”