lucetilogs | Generic Winter Gift Giving Holiday

Entry tags:

Generic Winter Gift Giving Holiday

Who: Marvel cast+invited guests and dates
What: CH5 Floor 5 hosts Generic Winter Gift Giving Holiday, in the spirit of cooperation, inclusiveness and good food.
When: December 25th
Where: Community House 5, Floor 5
Summary: Pepper and Tony held Thanksgiving, now it is Floor 5's collective turn to host the party for Christmas/Hanukkah/Yule/whatever those crazy Midgarians celebrate anyway. Hopefully everyone will survive.
Rating: PG-13 because alcohol

[It seemed only fair that since Pepper and Tony had hosted the last holiday, that someone else host this time. And since they kind of had an entire floor, the inhabitants of Floor 5 had bravely and nobly taken the task upon themselves to create a party that they could all share.

The doors are propped open to try to give them enough space for mingling, with a Christmas tree set up in Clint's living room, presents laid out beneath it. And maybe he's been a bit enthusiastic with the decorating, because it's kind of weighted down with tinsel and baubles, but it's been more than twenty years since he last had a Christmas tree and people to spend it with. Everyone else has added their own personal touches too, with a menorah in the windowsill for Ben and Billy.

The place of honour on the couch is taken by Coulson, wrapped up in blankets and Clint has helpfully hung a sprig of mistletoe over his head with string because he is thoughtful like that.

The kitchen is laid out with food; there's the traditional turkey which they'd managed to prepare (Clint is rather proud of that), and a ham. Oddly for some perhaps, there's also a large fish in the middle of the table, the carp that Clint and Natasha have spent the last week keeping in a bathtub. There are, of course, assorted cakes and pies, vegetables in bowls. There's drinks too, mulled wine and hot cider and chocolate. There's also a plate of sugar cookies labelled 'Coercion Cookies'. Not to mention the food that Ben and Billy made which he doesn't know the names of but smells amazing anyway.

It's a somewhat chaotic affair; people arriving and leaving as they please, gifts given out whenever it seems appropriate and games played whenever there's a group big enough.]

[OOC: Feel free to have people drop by whenever they like, even early if they want to help prepare or discover large fish in the bathtub.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She looks at the mistletoe dubiously, but extends a hand to shake]

Saori Kimura, pleasant to meet you Mr. Coulson. I take it that you are...ill?

[He notices the look but doesn't say anything. Instead Phil takes Saori's hand in a firm but comfortable grip.]

The pleasure is mine, Miss Kimura. I was recently ill and am still recovering. I'd rather not have a relapse.

I'm sorry to hear that.

[She takes a seat next to him, and idly waves a hand in the air, shredding the hateful weed with streamers of wind.]

Clint's doing, or...Loki's?

[Phil gives the wind shredded Mistletoe a surprised look before looking back at Saori.

Well, that was interesting.]

Clint's. He was trying to be funny. [A shrug.] But thank you. I couldn't reach it from here.

He's such a trouble maker.

[She says this, of course, with obvious affection for the man, though there is a faint hint of exasperation.]

It's no trouble. You've been ill, and you're obviously his friend, so I should be the one thwarting his efforts to cause trouble, ne?

He is.

[Phil gives a small warm smile, obviously also fond of the man and more amused with his antics than exasperated. At least mistletoe is fairly harmless unlike some of Clint's other antics.

Saori's comment gets a chuckle from Phil.]

Can't argue with that. So, are you also a friend of Clint's?

[She settles into the couch, turning to regard Phil and nodding with a twinkle in her eye. One might say very fond.]

Yes, you could say that. And you?

[Phil shifts a bit to make more room for Saori, sitting up a bit more on the couch.]

We worked together back home. Sort of his boss, but we're friends too. Glad to see him making more friends.

[Glad to see him having a life outside SHIELD that isn't based on SHIELD-ordered secrecy and lies.]

Well he's a sweet man. Very, very sweet.

[She keeps smiling, playing a bit of the pretty fool, but something definitely clicks in her head. His boss, Phil. A man from his world. The...reason that Clint had attacked Loki. Her face doesn't even twitch, she just keeps smiling.]

But if you're his friend, then I'm even more pleased to meet you. Have you worked together for long?

[Well, Phil wouldn't call Clint sweet but, he's a good guy and a good friend to him.]

Quite a few years, yes. I was the one who recruited him in fact.

[An amused smile curls Phil's lips as he remembers that fateful meeting.]

We've worked together in many capacities since then.

((ooc; Why I no get notifs DW? DESPAIR))

[Saori's opinion of Clint is probably more than a little different, but that may be because she's quite taken with him.

Either way, she keeps smiling, her interest more than passingly piqued. This was the man that had sparked a huge deal of conflict? He seemed fairly ordinary, and she could feel no power in him. So what was it? Just that he was a good man?

She figures she'll tip her hand a bit, just for more information. She'd heard Loki's side, and the Avengers. But what about his? Even if it was Christmas, the mind of a god was always working.]

Did...that include Manhatten, Mister Coulson?

[Phil is quiet for a moment after Saori's question, simply looking at her with no hint to what he was thinking. Assessing her, even after seeing her power. Deciding on her trustworthiness.

After a long, but not too drawn out moment he looks thoughtful and then starts to talk, one blanket covered hand coming to rest against where his chest should be underneath all the blankets.]

Sadly no. I did not participate in the battle of Manhattan.

["I am from a time shortly before that battle." "Perhaps that is my greatest regret, in the end." Those sentences wait at the tip of his tongue, truths that could lead her to an answer, though perhaps not the right one. In the end though, he takes those answers and hides them back away. Instead it is a simple, quiet statement:]

I am sorry I wasn't there. [For Clint. For Natasha, Tony, Steve, Thor, and Bruce. For that new and fragile team, forged from blood, tragedy, death, life, hope and humanity.

It is deeper than regret, more bitter than failure, this feeling he has. He would not take back his choice, he would not deny it was a choice. But still there is regret and resolve and the bone deep knowledge that he would make the same choice again, no matter the cost.

A sacrifice he was willing to be.

For his team.]

[She takes his meaning without any difficulty, even noting the subtle motion underneath the blankets. Clint had mentioned him, as had Loki and Steve. He was their reason. And that meant something, to a being wrapped up in symbolism. He'd given of himself to defeat an oppressor, unite a group of people, and save his world. That raised her esteem for him from 'Friend of Clint' to 'Someone Worthy'.

Saori was not fond of the older Loki, she knew what he'd done and he made no secret of his contempt for mortals. But she was not a god cut of the same cloth. She was a protector of man, a guardian and a shining beacon of the natural order, of which man was a part. Perhaps it was pity, perhaps a bit of respect, but she reached out an arm to gently squeeze his shoulder.]

Mister Coulson, I'm sure...

[Saori stopped cold, eyes widening for an instant. The contact...Yomojii's mark. He Who Bars The Way, the gatekeeper to the afterlife, had marked this man. Faint, maybe, but she thought she felt something. Curious. Most curious indeed. Maybe it hadn't been his time?

But she says nothing, shaking her head slightly as if she'd gotten a chill.]

I'm sure that peace will reign. I'm...somewhat familiar with events in your world. I am sorry, for what happened there. [And to you, brave one.] And, if you do not mind, I would like to offer you a token of my esteem. A Christmas gift.

[Saori's pause in mid sentence makes Phil raise an eyebrow. But there is a depth to her eyes which makes him hold back any questions about the odd pause in her sentence.

He gives Saori a faint smile. There is the lightest touch of cynicism in that smile, but he recognizes the sincerity of her statement.]

If not at peace, the world will at least be safe for awhile. It has defenders now.

[Peace was never Phil's aim. Instead what he wanted and sacrificed himself for was safety. For humanity and all it's faults, flaws, and non-peaceful ways.]

I had a feeling you were. [At Saori's condolence for what happened he makes no comment, instead allowing his faint smile to deepen slightly.]

That would be kind of you, though you do not have to. We've only just met, and I'm afraid I have nothing to give you.

Mister Coulson, it's no trouble. Allow me to give you a little bit of piece of mind.

[Without a word, she leans up and kisses Phil gently on the forehead. A faint buzz of energy fills the air around them, and he might feel a tingling sensation run throughout his body.]

It isn't much, but...I hope you can accept the blessing of a more benevolent sort of god.

Alright...

[Phil wasn't expecting Saori to lean forward and kiss his forehead however. Before he can do more than blink the tingling sensation spreads through his body and there is the slightest of buzzes at the edge of his hearing. Then it is done.

Well, that was not what he was expecting at all. He had realized that Saori had some kind of magic, but not the fact she was a god of some sort.]

Ah... Thank you. [Phil shakes his head slightly, resisting the urge to feel where Saori had kissed him. A smile graces his face.] You are quite the interesting god, Miss Kimura.

Are you enjoying the festivities so far?

It isn't much, but perhaps it will help you in the future.

[The corners of her mouth twist into a small smirk. She can't really help but guess at his confusion at the strange sensation, and perhaps even the revelation?]

Saori, please. I've little need for formality here. And I have been. I...admit that I was somewhat surprised to be invited, but after speaking with Clint it made more sense.

[Her expression turns a little bashful, almost like she was a bit embarrassed.]

It's a lovely party though, and I brought kurikinton for everyone. Would you like some?

I'll keep that in mind. [And it's more that a simple sentence. It's a promise.

He nods slightly.] Saori it is then.

[Phil grins slightly.]

Generally speaking, talking to Clint tends to make things make less sense. But I think I know what you mean.

I would love to try some. I don't believe I've had kurikinton before.

Well...

[She rubs the back of her neck, not...really wanting to say she has an interest in Clint that way...and picks up a package of chestnuts dipped in various sauces to offer him one.]

Here you are. Some of them are a little spicy, but I think you'll like them. Most Americans find the flavor to be good, in my experience.

[Well, that was an interesting change in subject. Phil isn't quite sure how to interpret that change but let's it go.

He looks at the package and picks out one of the chestnuts.]

Thank you. I don't mind spicy. [Phil takes a bite, pleasantly surprised by the flavor.] It is good. [The comment about Americans is curious as well.] Ah, so have you traveled to the States then?

[Sorry Phil, she...is going to be dodgy about that for a while yet.]

I'm glad you like it. I prefer things a bit milder. [She takes a nibble of one as well, her charming smile returning.]

I have, though...it's been some time. Not since...Three Mile Island I should think.

[She strokes her chin thoughtfully.]

[He'll find out eventually...~~He always does.~~

The mention of Three Mile Island makes his eyes widen slightly.

Then again, she did say she was god, so...

But, that's an event he knows. So their worlds must be very similar indeed.]

The nuclear incident in March, 1979?

[He remembers that incident and the scare it created, though he was just a kid then.]

Edited 2013-01-09 00:04 (UTC)

[Saori nods once with complete surety, her finger trailing along her necklace thoughtfully.]

That's correct. I...believe that was the date, anyway. It was such a frenetic afternoon, and I don't remember it well. But if you want I can check for certain?

[Phil shakes his head.]

No, no, it's fine. That is the date of the Three Mile Island accident on my world. [He knows this, since he was living on the east coast at the time. It's a pretty vivid incident in his memory.]

Huh. I was a kid then. It caused a huge scare...

[She nods, still touching that locket.]

It's the same. [As if the jewelry and given her some insight into it all.]

I was there. It was...in part, my fault, actually.

[She looks...a little embarrassed, honestly.]

Generic Winter Gift Giving Holiday

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