yule celebration (for chiron_survivor)

[i_paladin]

Paladin stares at the entry box for the email with a look of utmost concentration. Here she was, finally, and now she could think of nothing to write. An unexpected obstacle that the Tiefling had not bargained for. After finally getting the damn thing to wake up properly (the monitor was off the desk attendant explained). After finally logging in (that went fine). But then there was the fact that she couldn't find Adia's email address (user error). Now the words just simply wouldn't come.

It was Paladin's first message, in a world unfamiliar with social morays and rules. Fingers tapped on the desk, on her cheek, against a bicep while arms crossed.

Fuck it. We're doing it live.



adia. it is time for the holidays in this world and mine and i would like to invite you for a drink to celebrate. also i have not forgotten the matter of the honey. my debt shall not go unpaid.

friday evening at the inn question mark

paladin

Comments

[chiron_survivor]

Adia does not get many emails these days, not since she lost contact with the friends she had made before her forced hiatus from the Nexus. Either she chats in real time with others or she simply hopes to run into a familiar face when she visits.

The notification of one new message when she logs into a Nexus terminal is a welcome surprise.

Hi Paladin,

Yes, it seems to be a time for holidays most places. I would love to have a drink with you. And thank you again for the honey. Friday evening at the inn works for me. I'll see you then.

Cheers,
Adia.

A quick review to make sure she didn't make any typos and Adia hits 'send'.

[i_paladin]

It doesn't even occur to Paladin to check the email for a response. Maybe it's because the Tiefling assumed that Adia would be able to make it, or because she isn't entirely sure how the whole email system works. However, a day later wile exploring the internet, the email pops up and excitement flairs because Paladin has never received an email before. There is an extra bit of excitement because it is from her friend, and messages from friends are always a pleasure to receive.

So all is set.

Friday, Paladin returns from Rensford and after a shower and a change of clothes, retires downstairs to a small room for private events. It's a fine room, high backed chairs, a fire place, and in it the Tiefling sets out the basket of yule gifts she has acquired before opening a bottle of wine from Barlox. Nursing a glass, she sits down to wait.

[chiron_survivor]

Adia doesn't know where to find Paladin at first, expecting her to be in the lobby, but the innkeeper, who has a good eye for faces, directs her immediately to the room her drinking companion is in.

"Hi, Paladin," Adia says when she enters. She's dressed much like before, her coat regrettably no less dusty, but she has on a scarf this time, a pretty faded blue that brings out the color of her eyes. "Happy, um... Christmas? Is it Christmas you celebrate, or something else?"

[i_paladin]

Bless that innkeeper. He deserves a raise, or a promotion, maybe a medal of some sort? He will get a fine tip from Paladin at the end of the day. Hopefully the rest of the residents will feel the same way toward the good man.

Rising from the seat, Paladin turns and smiles brightly at the sight of Adia. Setting the glass of wine aside, the horned creature moves forward to take her hands in greeting. "Hello, Adia, thank you so very much for coming! We do not celebrate Christmas but a solstice however I have read up upon the holiday. What do you celebrate?" Paladin is dressed very much like before, tailored jacket and slacks with a peek of white collared shirt under it all.

"Sit by the fire and warm up, would you like a glass of wine?"

[chiron_survivor]

Adia returns Paladin's smile, relaxing immediately. "Leonis also celebrated its solstice, but it wasn't as extravagant as Christmas seems to be. I'm still learning about all of its customs." Some things are easier to understand than others. The celebration of a birth of a god? Sure. A fat bearded man in a red suit sliding down chimneys? Uh, not so much. The whole ugly sweater tradition? Adia didn't even bother to figure that one out.

"Yes, please." To both the fire and the wine. Adia takes back her hands, cold from the outside, and takes the seat next to Paladin's. She leaves her coat on for now, content to soak up the warmth of the fire. "How are you doing? Have you used your PINpoint yet?"

[i_paladin]

"It is very odd, a mixture of religious and secular celebrations. I suppose that is bound to happen over time, I find the parties and exchanging of gifts very nice." Mainly because that's what the Tiefling likes to do in general: give gifts and have wonderful parties.

Once Adia is seated Paladin pours another glass of wine and refreshes her own before handing over the glass. "I am well, busy, but well." There are worse things to be than busy. With a sigh, Paladin sits at the edge of the chair, legs crossed. "And indeed I have, it has become very useful when I wish to travel between here and home. I used it just today in fact. But how are you? How have you been?"

[chiron_survivor]

"I like the decorations, the lights especially. It makes the Nexus storefronts look quite nice." Parties and gift-giving tend to stress Adia out, but such is the life of a shy introvert. She's glad that Paladin is enjoying herself, at least.

Adia accepts the glass with a quiet "thank you" and takes a small sip. She's never had a nose for wine, despite growing up on Leonis, the wine capital of the Colonies, but she appreciates its flavor all the same. "I'm fine," she says quickly, maybe too quickly. "Things are more or less the same on New Caprica. What, um, what's been busy for you?"

[i_paladin]

"I do like the lights," Paladin agrees thinking back to the strings of little white lights and some colored lights that have been hung around windows and on trees. "I think I like the white lights the best, but the colored ones look best against the snow." Both are equally beautiful against the black background of the night. Clearly Paladin has a bit of a black and white aesthetic going on anyway.

"The wine is from a small village from my world, Barlox." Not that she is looking for a compliment, she didn't make the wine, halflings did. Still, Paladin loves learning about Adia's world and is happy to share her own with everyone. The comment 'I'm fine' has an eyebrow raising and maybe a closer look at the dark haired woman. Paladin always has a simmer of underlying concern when she thinks about Adia. "Finding Dwarfs is what has been keeping me busy," is what is said with a smile.

"Just fine?"

[chiron_survivor]

"The white ones are my favorite, too," Adia agrees. "They remind me of the Solstice. But the colored lights are nice, too. What sort of traditions do you have on your world for the Solstice?"

"It's good," Adia says, smiling. It's nice to try something from Paladin's world. "We don't have much in the way of alcohol in the settlement. Just the low-quality stuff you can make from fermenting whatever you can find lying around." Already not keen on getting drunk, she doesn't want to smell like paint thinner, either. "Why have you been looking for dwarves?"

Her gaze drops at the question, her smile faltering as well. She wasn't exaggerating about having an awful poker face. "Things are a little tense on New Caprica," she explains. She finally takes off her coat, giving her something to busy her hands with while she speaks. "The Resistance is planning something... probably something dangerous. Will won't tell me anything about it because he doesn't want me to be a target for what I know. I don't blame him, but... it's hard, not knowing what's going to happen."

[i_paladin]

"The general tradition that I was taught about and experienced a few times was one of gathering together and lighting candles, and then taking those candles from the gathering and putting them in their houses." A head tips back and black eyes narrow in remembrance, followed by a slight grin. The images of the white candles moving through the darkness, spreading out their individual light is still enchanting to her despite the fact that there was only a few times she got to actually take a candle out to be lit. It was only with her dwarf friend. Tieflings aren't really big on social gatherings.

The question pulls the Tiefling back into reality and her smile turns apologetic. "Ah, excuse me, the Dwarfs had been missing, you see. Two days late from they were supposed to be in Rensford. No natural disturbances had taken place, no reports of bandits - and really now, what bandits would attack a group of dwarfs? They are either extraordinarily stupid, or brave, but there I repeat myself." The two often coincided.

Setting the glass of wine aside, Paladin scoots forward a little to listen on Adia's story and pain. "Hard, because Will is apart of the resistance, or simply because of the not knowing? The uncertainty of it and the possible outcome if it succeeds or fails?"

[chiron_survivor]

"That sounds lovely," Adia says with a warm smile, easily imagining how it must have looked. It makes much more sense than a workshop full of elves or a snowman come to life. "We would light candles in our home, or decorate with white lights. Mostly it was a time to be with family and eat a big meal. We didn't do presents for the Solstice."

Adia sits up a little at the change of topic. "What do you think might have happened, then? Is that unusual, for a group of travelers to disappear?"

She settles back into her seat, her smile becoming wry. "All of the above? I'm worried about Will, specifically. Not knowing what's going to happen doesn't help, either." She sighs. "It's not that I like the status quo, but I don't see any way of an act of rebellion ending well, unless it's done to escape."

[i_paladin]

"It is very beautiful. In the town I grew up in there was a high tower on the temple and you could sit up there and watch all the lights spread throughout the village as everyone took their lights back to their homes." Quite lovely, a beautiful memory, made even more so through the passing of time no doubt.

"Indeed, monsters and bandits roam the woods and roads. Goblins and Orcs tend to be a bit aggressive in that regard." Fingers steeple for a moment in thought. "We received a tip that the Dwarves may have gone a bit off road to look for a mine attached to an ancient Dwarven stronghold, which is why they were missing." A seat of glory and power who wouldn't want to go searching for it?

Paladin's dark face is a mask of concern and sympathy. "I can understand why you would be troubled. I am sure, Adia that they have taken all the necessary risks into consideration when making this plan. Which is a cold comfort to you now. What is Will like?" Paladin is pretty sure Adia has not mentioned him before. Pretty sure.

[chiron_survivor]

It sounds beautiful, making Adia nostalgic for something she never personally experienced. "Maybe someday I can celebrate the Solstice with you," she offers shyly. New Caprica does not have seasons, and although it probably has a solstice in the astronomical sense, it's not something that's been celebrated since her people fled the Colonies.

"Oh... that makes sense. If they went underground, it might have seemed like they had disappeared. Will you look for the mine, too, to find them?" Adia, for one, would not want to go searching for a seat of glory and power. She'd fret the entire time about being late and would at least want to send word ahead. She'd make a very nervous dwarf.

She picks up her glass of wine again, but answers Paladin before she takes another sip. "I can only hope you're right. Will is very clever, and passionate about what he believes in. We met... well, it feels like ages ago, but it was right before we settled on New Caprica. He's a chemist at the water treatment facility." She smiles softly. "He was patient enough to become friends with me before asking me out, but otherwise, not so much. It's why I worry about him."

No, she hasn't mentioned her current boyfriend before, and even when describing him now, it's without any of the strong emotions that she had while talking about Caspar, her Cylon ex-boyfriend. Funny, that.

[i_paladin]

Eyebrows lift slightly at the suggestion. "Perhaps, I would like to share my world with you. However for all the great beauty there is danger as well. The lights are lit to keep out the spirits and the monsters for a reason. Sometimes the lights do not always stay lit." Which is when things can get weird and awful.

Now that would be something, Paladin's gaze transfers to the fire in thought. "We found the beginnings of an iron mine where we tracked their caravan. It was not nearly the mine of this lost city, but that's where the tales get kind of muddled. It's not certain what is in location to what when it comes to the city and the mine." If it was all straight the city probably wouldn't be lost any more.

Well this is interesting, a peek at Adia's personal, private life. Leaning back in the high backed chair, glass of wine between fingers, the Tiefling looks very much like a hungry information broker. Romantic lives can be the most juiciest too. Except Adia doesn't really have that glow of blush that deeply infatuated people have. Interesting. "Patient to be friends with you? Oh, that hardly seems a feat or a punishment when it comes to you, Adia. Do you care for him a great deal? Are you happy with him?"

[chiron_survivor]

Adia nods, expression sobering. It was naive of her to assume that Paladin's solstice was merely symbolic, as it was on Leonis. "I wouldn't want to be a liability, if something happened," she agrees. "Maybe we could light candles here instead."

"It wouldn't be a lost city if it were easy to find," she points out with a small smile. For all of its dangers, there is a romantic sort of appeal to Paladin's world, one that Adia would still like to see. "Maybe they thought this iron mine connected to the city somehow. Can you send a message down there, via magic?"

It's a good thing she already swallowed her mouthful of wine, otherwise she would have choked on her giggles. "No, no, I meant that he really wanted to date me, first thing, but I wanted to get to know him as a friend first. It's, um... it's not like me to date people without being friends, too." The giggles fade as she considers Paladin's questions. "I do care about him, but..." She sighs. "This Occupation has been very hard on our relationship. We don't see eye-to-eye on a lot of things. We actually get along better now because he doesn't tell me anything, so we have nothing to argue about."

There's more to her answer, but she hesitates to speak. Another sip of wine and the fact that Paladin is a good friend give her the courage to continue. "It probably doesn't help that I see Caspar's model walking around, sometimes. And that... that I know he's out there, somewhere." The blush that Paladin was looking for, it now appears on Adia's cheeks, but whether due to love or shame, it's difficult to tell. Likely both.

[i_paladin]

"You most certainly wouldn't be," Paladin makes quick assurances with a smile. "I just felt that it was only proper to give you fair warning, not to discourage you. As for the lighting of the candles I would very much like that. Now, I can't promise you that I will remember all of the prayers to go along with it but I will try my best." It must be said that for the Tiefling to offer to say the prayers, even for a solstice celebration is not nothing. Ironically Paladin isn't too fond of the gods.

"I think that's exactly what they thought, not only that but the city supposedly holds an entrance to the Underway which is this cave network under ground that connects various cities to one another. Access and control of the Underway is incredibly important." Who knows what it holds after all these years as well, probably some amazing and powerful artifacts.

A cock of the head in thought: Paladin has never had a long term romantic relationship but even they are aware that when a relationship is better when people don't talk that's not exactly a good sign. Whatever, the concern is solely for Adia. "What do you two not see eye to eye on?" The mention of Caspar has Paladin smiling before a few sips of wine, it really is very delicious and that warm, loose feeling is slowly sinking in. "You still have strong feelings for him, for Caspar. Is there any way you could reach out to him?"

[chiron_survivor]

"Whatever you're most comfortable with," Adia replies. "For the traveling and for the prayers. We didn't treat the Solstice as a religious holiday. It was more of a reason for family to come together." She is not fond of at least one of Paladin's gods, the trickster one that the tiefling is indebted to, but she is curious to hear the prayers.

Adia listens attentively, intrigued by the concept. "Were there vehicles in the caves as well, for transportation? We had something like that, called a subway. It was a train that ran underground. Um, you probably don't have trains, do you? I'll show you a picture of one sometime. They're very useful for moving a lot of cargo at once."

"How to fight against the Occupation, mostly. Will is from the colony Canceron. Terrorism was practically a way of life, there. I know he's considering similar tactics to use against the Cylons." She shifts in her seat, the possibilities weighing heavily on her, none of the outcomes good. "There are just so many more Cylons, and they resurrect, so attacking them seems pointless to me."

Paladin's smile, combined with her words, has Adia looking away in embarrassment. Is it that obvious that she still has feelings for Caspar? Of course it is. She wishes she could hide those feelings as well as she does on New Caprica. "No. I'd be labeled a traitor if people thought I was going around looking for him. And... and even if I found him, so what?" Despite the warm fire, Adia finds herself fighting back a chill. "What if he's one of the bad ones, Paladin? There are rumors that his model enjoys torturing prisoners in the detention center. What if he just shrugged off his humanity when he resurrected? He hasn't tried to contact me..."

[i_paladin]

All this talking has Paladin thinking, considering and in the end the idea isn't such a bad one and would make things a lot easier in the long run. "Would you like to go to Rensford with me for the holiday? We could go to the local temple and you could see a proper ceremony and we could bring the candle back to my home." Maybe she would get to meet Bogbad, though Paladin is unsure what the Orc has planned for the day.

"I am not sure, not in the mine we found. I have not heard of a train before but that does not mean much, the old empire could have utilized them." Ancient history is not her strong suit. "They sound very useful."

A nod and another nod. "It is hard to break free in what you were raised with. At this point it sounds as if he just needs to find a way to gain control back, over himself, his life. And let's not forget that certain tactics of fear and death are, um, well they have their place." Not to be that Tiefling. A light clearing of the throat before a drink of wine.

"These are not questions I can answer, I will say that not all monsters stay monsters, but it is difficult to say if that is true if cylons are all copies of one another. You will never know if you do not try." A sigh and the dark creature reaches to the other side of the chair and picks up a covered basket and offers it to Adia.

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh..." Adia's eyes shine at the offer, even as she hesitates over the logistics. Could she get away from New Caprica long enough? Yes, if she times things carefully, she can probably manage it. "I'd like that very much, Paladin. Thank you."

It's not so far-fetched, to think that the ancient past had technology greater than Paladin's present. The same held true for Kobol. "They are, and they can run on steam as well as electricity. Or... well, if it's a mine, maybe they used mine carts instead." Perhaps Adia would have wanted to take a look after all. But she would have at least sent a message explaining her delay. "I hope you find them. It seems unlikely that they would go exploring without letting somebody know."

"No, of course. It's not something I could do, but I don't think less of Will for it. I'm just afraid that it will make things worse." It will wipe away any illusion of peaceful co-existence, most likely, and when Cylons hit back, they hit back hard.

She shakes her head sadly. "I don't think he's a monster. Even if he hates me. But maybe it's better not knowing. Even if he misses me, still cares about me... what then? We can't pick up where we left off. I'm pretty sure Will would have words about that. Not to mention the rest of the settlement, and all the other Cylons..." It's romantic to think of Adia overcoming her obstacles with the power of love, but she knows when something is too much to hope for.

Even if a small part of her really does want to try.

She blinks at the basket, setting aside her wine glass so she can take it from Paladin. "What's this?" she asks, uncovering it.

[i_paladin]

"Most excellent," the agreement gets a slow, broad smile from the Tiefling, truly pleased at this. It will be nice to be able to show Adia the people and the places (well some of the places) that she has heard about. It will also give Paladin an excuse to attend the Solstice gathering. Though there is a sneaking suspicion that Starsen will ask if they can lend a hand that night.

"I believe Dwarves have been known to use magic to pull their carts full of ore," which is kind of like a train, maybe, at least the description of a train that Adia has given. "It is my intent to get them back safe and sound," though there is the grim reality that one of their party has already died in their attempt.

"The reality of war is that when one hits they should expect a strike back. Maybe their perspective is that nothing they could do could be worse." Narrow shoulders lift and fall in a helpless shrug because outside of Adia's reports the warrior has very little to go on. Adia's fear is understandable to be sure.

"Why not come here?" Paladin is already settling back in the chair to watch Adia unwrap the basket. Inside is a jar of giant bee honey (as promised) along with a bottle of red wine from Barlox (the wine they are drinking) but also a bottle with a green liquid in it a string around it holds a tuft of fur and a feather. There is a second bottle that is seemingly empty, and nestled between it all is a rabbit skin pouch.

"You will always find shelter and a home in the Nexus, yes?" Paladin takes the wine glass in hand again. "Your promised honey and some other gifts from my world, I have picked up the gift giving bug."

[chiron_survivor]

"Let me know when it is. I'll make sure I can be available." The Cylons might be genocidal robots, but they aren't slave-drivers. Adia can likely shift around her research hours if she asks nicely. And if her presence becomes inconvenient, she can always PINpoint home.

That does sound a little like a train. Adia briefly imagines magical carts full of glittering gems -- probably a more glamorous image than the reality, but quite a sight nonetheless. "Let me know how it goes," she requests, although she'd be sad to know that Paladin has already lost a party member. Maybe it's best if Paladin leaves out the details.

This is not the first time someone has suggested the Nexus for relocation, but Paladin is the first to include Caspar in her hypothetical escape. It catches Adia off-guard, and she briefly indulges in the fantasy: her and Caspar, together as they were, but sharing an apartment, or maybe even a house. Drinking free coffee in the Plaza, visiting her friends, or spending whole days together undisturbed.

She shakes her head again, dispelling the dream. "It wouldn't solve any of our problems back home... but it's something to consider." She smiles faintly. "I don't think you would have liked to play cards with him. He was excellent at bluffing." She refocuses her attention on the gifts, a look of gratitude on her face. The honey and wine she recognizes, but not the other items. "Oh, Paladin... this is so generous of you. Thank you. What are these two bottles? And the pouch?"

[i_paladin]

It is good to know that even the Cylons allow for PTO.

"I will certainly keep you informed, I am sure the next time we meet you will have all the details." It is with a dark and grim thankfulness that so far her party is all intact, it is the Dwarves who have lost a party member.

"Who is to say you would have to go back home?" Paladin questions, always practical one, never setting roots that reach too far down in the earth. It is hard to leave a place a person calls home usually, but if you never call a place home it's hard to relate. "Ooo," eyebrows do a quick wiggle of excitement. "Those are my favorite players."

Leaning forward Paladin's head tilts in thought. "The green one is a spell that will allow you to speak with animals, the ability lasts for ten minutes, so you can hear and understand them and they can understand you - sort of, you must taken into consideration their intelligence." Dumb as fuck, some animals be just plain stupid. Paladin may or may not have a short temper with some animals.

"The second," the bottle isn't actually empty, if you look at it long enough there is a shimmer, a flicker inside of it before disappearing. "Is a potion of invisibility, it will make you, or whoever drinks it invisible for a hour, all the things on them and what they carry will also be invisible." This is a bit more of a serious gift, Adia is in a war zone, under occupation, gods forbid but it could save her life. Hopefully that will never come to pass.

"Open it," the pouch is quite nice, the inside is thick and soft with rabbit fur and nestled upon it is a pin. Paladin isn't one for jewelry that isn't also pragmatic, the notable exception is the bands of silver and moon stone around the base of their horns.

[chiron_survivor]

Just don't use too many sick days, they'll get suspicious. Their HR department is terrible.

"No one. But I'd feel awful leaving anyone behind." Of this she is certain. New Caprica is not her home, but the remaining humans are, and to give up on them, and humanity in general, is not something she plans to do unless she has no other choice. It certainly does put a strange spin on the fantasy of resettling in the Nexus with Caspar. Even if he cared about her, would he care about saving the remaining humans? He probably wouldn't want to leave his new family, either, all his identical brothers and the rest of the models.

They were talking about Will only a brief time ago, weren't they? It makes her feel guilty for even entertaining such an idea, unable to be loyal in her own thoughts. Fortunately, Paladin's presents are an excellent distraction from her romance troubles. She listens avidly, gently touching each bottle as Paladin explains. She's not sure what use she'd have for a talking animal potion, as there aren't many animals to speak of on New Caprica -- just a couple of dogs and cats, and probably some vermin that live on the ships, but it's wonderful and amazing all the same. The utility of an invisibility spell is not lost on her, although she hopes she never has to use it.

"Real magic..." she breathes, impressed. Carefully, she opens the pouch and lifts up the pin. It's beautiful, and the imagery of the bee is not lost upon her. "It's beautiful, Paladin. Thank you." She turns her bright, grateful eyes to her friend. "I wish I had something for you."

[i_paladin]

Just try to pass a hangover as the stomach flu. Not the only HR in the universe with beatings and electric shock protocols but they do it the best.

"Ah," is the careful response because it is the only thing that Paladin can currently come up with. It seems oddly foreign even in a world that is totally foreign. "I suppose that makes sense. Well, you could always split your time like before while he hides here." Maybe but that would require some stealth and a great many secrets kept.

It is much better to focus on Adia and the gifts because it is in the present, tangible and rewarding. "My thought with the speak with animal potion is that you may be in my world one day where there are a great many animals. Or you might want to talk to Shadow." Though he is sassy so maybe not.

A gentle hand wave to dismiss her wish. "You have been a great friend to me, Adia. That, to me, is the best gift."

[chiron_survivor]

She's not sure what to make of Paladin's response. She focuses instead on the idea of hiding Caspar in the Nexus, which strikes her as amusing in a surreal sort of way. It's like sending a pet cat to your neighbors when the landlord is coming by for an inspection. "I don't know how he'd feel about that," she says finally. "The Caspar I remember would probably be okay with it. He was even more introverted than me."

The potion gets a second, thoughtful look. "Either way, it'd be an amazing experience," she decides. She probably won't use it on Shadow. As much as she loves the idea of a talking horse, she feels like she understands him well enough, at least to ride him. Besides, he'd probably spend the entire ten minutes complaining about Paladin's attitude.

Adia smiles bashfully at the compliment. She pins the bee pin to the collar of her coat and covers everything else with the blanket before setting the basket down at her feet. "Is there anything special you eat on the Solstice? We always had a cake."