(no subject)

[hexappeal]

WHO: Sort of open. This is for of Themyscira-Zatara Family & friends.
WHERE: Diana and Zee's place and elsewhere.
WHEN: Throughout December.
WARNINGS: Enough of them.
SUMMARY: Cute winter holiday stuff. Please specify in the subject line if your threads are open or closed (and if they are closed, to which people).
FORMAT: Whatever you feel like.


[Come December first, Zatanna's already done a number on the house. Mostly in that she has finally relinquished her death-grip on the spooky Halloween mansion that it had been for Halloween (that had morphed into Thankschilling Day).

By the eighth, she has given up on normalcy and forced snow upon the house itself and the front and backyards; it is natural and cold and wet to the touch. More importantly, it's clean. It doesn't melt much or get sloshy and muddy. The forest she'd created for Halloween remains, though not overgrown. The air is sweet with the smell of pine, but not thickly so. She's cleared it out a little, made it easier to navigate. There is now plenty of room for building snow people and snow forts, in addition to the occasional snowball fight.

The inside of the house no longer (quite as) spooky. The fireplace in the living room seems to permanently be full of logs and remains lit even when no one is home. Halfway through the month, a pine tree also appears, growing through some dimensional wormhole so it remains real without having to cut one down. The dining room has a warm glow from candles and wall sconces and the kitchen seems to always have some wonderful smell wafting from it.

There is a fat orange Persian walking around, dressed as a reindeer. It doesn't seem perturbed by its costume and appears quite content, although trying to curl up and sleep almost anywhere in between desired pettings. Hermes has become more mellowed out since Halloween (and much larger, too) and only wears antlers on his head. Teekl and Gabranth declined to join the festivities.

This holiday season is going to be good. Or, hopefully at least much better than last year's.]



► OPEN: COOKIES FOR ME, COOKIES FOR FREE (ZATANNA).
► CLOSED: VESPER & ZATANNA.
► OPEN: ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS (APRIL).
► OPEN: AWKWARD SOCIALIZATION (GIL).
► OPEN: EXTREME MANLINESS CHALLENGE (JAMES)!!!
► OPEN: S'NO PROBLEM (TEREZI).
► OPEN: CUTE CHRISTMAS SWEATER PART II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO (MOLLY).
► OPEN: HOW DO I SECRET IDENTITY? LOL (WALLY).
► OPEN: PRETTY MUCH JUST A FUN-HATER (MITCH).
► OPEN: SNEAKY SANTA (HAN).
► OPEN: A LOT LESS OF A FUN-HATER, APPARENTLY (BRADBURY).
► OPEN: THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR PIE (NED).

Comments

OPEN;

[hexappeal]

[Zatanna had promised that there were gingerbread houses to be made and at some point, had managed to get more than enough of what was required to make them. For now, she was finishing off a bunch of gingerbread men and slipping all the colored frosting and sprinkles onto the table so the kids could make representations of themselves... or maybe Nic Cage. It was their project to do with as they choose, so she'd have no complaints if Klarion or Larsa decide to make an action hero house.]

CLOSED; for vesper.

[hexappeal]

[It wasn't exactly the most ideal way to meet your partner's ex, but Zatanna figured it was about time that she did... especially considering that she was very much still a part of James' life. It was probably better for both of the women to meet without James present, as he had a tendency to be an ass (which Zatanna is certain that Vesper would agree on, despite only having spoken to her briefly).

She had invited Vesper to her giant magic mansion a little ways out of the City rather than the club because it seemed... more personal. Although there was a chance it could backfire and lead to it feeling more scary, more enclosed. However, the presence of cats, a dog, and some bunnies might ease that awkwardness.

Assuming she shows up, of course.]

[solidorkable]

(gingerbread man? no, gingerbread judge more. larsa actually deformed his gingerbread man during baking, making sure that the head could incorporate the helmet.

Maybe not grey, because that would mean that he would have to ruin some colors, so it's more of a christmas judge. larsa works with such concentration, it is as if he isn't paying attention to everything around him. curled up on the table is gabranth idly watching larsa make his namesake with very little interest before deciding to antagonize klarion's cat.)

[hexappeal]

[Zatanna hovers over his shoulder, quietly impressed by his craftmanship. At least until she notices Gabranth (the cat) antagonizing Teekl. You just don't mess with magic cats! It won't end well.

After successfully shooing the judgmental cat away from the mystical one, she returns to sit beside her ward.] Do you want to take a break? You're very intense about this. [She looks over her shoulder to the stove top.] Do you want some hot chocolate?

OPEN

[aggressiveapathy]

[There was only one thing to do with open flame- well. Two. Two things. But April liked to save actual burning for the holiday itself. Or when things got boring. For now, she had a marshmallow on a stick in front of the open fireplace, lazily roasting it with on hand as she checked her email on her phone in the other.

Just like home.]

open

[invoking]

[ It would have been rude to turn down Diana's generous invite, so surprisingly and against his sometimes shy nature, Gil arrives at Zatanna and Diana's place with the promised goods he said he would bake. It's a small vanilla cake, not big enough to feed more than five or six people, but he figures there's going to be plenty of sweets for others to feast on in the household.

After finding a table to set down the cake, he keeps mostly to himself. Zatanna had been kind enough to use her powers to send him to Montana for a brief visit of sorts. Once he had been able to confirm his Chain's return, he made a note to thank her somehow.

But Gil being Gil, is a little on the reserved side to start a conversation with anyone. He doesn't mind it, anyway. He's keeping an eye out for Zatanna or Diana. ]

[invoking]

[ Gil enters the room and immediately notes how potentially dangerous that is. She could burn her hand if she's not careful with the way the flames burn... and she seems like she could care less?! ]

Um...

[hexappeal]

[She'll have to set one of them down (hopefully if it isn't the phone, the marshmallow will not be aflame and make a mess) as Zatanna is approaching with a mug of something warm, spiced, and very alcoholic. She bends at the knees and holds it out.]

It's got booze in it. [That's all she needs to say, right?]

[rhombus]

[Finn was standing at the table, hands planted firmly on the tabletop as he stared just as steadily at all the choices he could have to make a little person that he could then later eat without remorse.

This was a very difficult choice. The vast gravity of making a gingerbreadman.]

[ex_loveknot297]

[Vesper couldn't find a fault with Zatanna. They spoke briefly, but she seemed nice enough and hadn't done anything to slight her. She did appreciate the invitation and the gesture, though how this could go she's not sure.

Perhaps it really is better without James around. Likely he'd have some brilliant interjection to derail a conversation.

Vesper skirts around a dog or two before finding Zatanna. In her hands is a bottle of wine.]

I figured I should bring something along for this party. Thank you for the invitation.

open;

[doubleoohbaby]

[Bond has an axe!

Thankfully it's not to murder the family with (yet), but to chop wood for the fire. He gives absolutely no shits that it's a magical fire that seems to keep itself replenished no matter what, sometimes he just needs to be outdoors doing manly things like he was created to do. So, there he is, out of the house and just at the outskirts of the wood with a pile of logs, quite contently splitting them one by one. He likes the snow, he likes the cold and he likes the pine, and he really looks the part in his wax jacket and scarf, giving the occasional manly grunt as he swings the axe downwards again and again.]

[hexappeal]

[It really was. Zatanna had made a few that hadn't gotten much anywhere, then were eaten with a cup of Chai. She won't confess to this unless prodded, however.]

Hey, kiddo. Having some trouble? [Maybe she should get out little paintbrushes... He seems to be struggling, here.]

[hexappeal]

[Zatanna honestly hadn't been expecting him to show up at any point. He'd been more shy than usual after that whole... thing. She won't bring it up because he's a sweet kid and he deserves to get over it (whatever "it" may be). It doesn't seem too busy or too loud right now, no one rushing in and out and thankfully no one pushing and shoving or screaming.

It's pretty quiet, actually.

Zatanna was upstairs, but she comes down for a cup of tea only to find him quietly, politely sitting on his lonesome. She drops the thought of something warming and turns to move toward him, lopsided smile spreading in the blink of an eye.]

You should have yelled.

[hexappeal]

Hey! [She calls before approaching him, just in case something unforeseen may occur. She's wearing a fitted cream-colored peacoat, accompanied by a festive green scarf and a pair of matching cream earmuffs.

She raises one of her leather-clad hands in greeting as she makes her way through the snow to him. Her nose and cheeks are already turning a dusky, rosy shade of pink, but she still beams when she stops before him. Her breath is a little heavy, though it wasn't much of a workout. She's just getting used to the cold.] I'd say that's about enough, wouldn't you? [It becomes apparent that in her second hand is a thermos, filled with still hot coffee. Strong and freshly made. She holds it out toward him.]

open

[somethinglawful]

[terezi busies herself with scoping out the snow when she arrives, tapping around it with her cane with a toothy grin on her face. she's wearing a teal puffy coat with pink highlights, and someone (kanaya) has custom-stitched a small libra symbol in darker teal over the breast. her cheeks and the tips of her ears are tinged teal from the cold, but she doesn't seem to be bothered by it. presumably she's holding off on actually entering the house until she finds finn, but it's not like she isn't open to conversation, or hanging out with anybody else who happens to come by!

you could probably even talk her into a snowball fight.]

[doubleoohbaby]

[He finishes off a hefty swing and slice as she calls out, before hefting the axe onto his shoulder and peering over curiously. Naturally he knows the voice a mile off, but he never quite knows what's in store when Zee is around... :|

But he spots coffee so he's soon smiling, huffing out a grateful sigh as he approaches a few steps and chest heaving from all that totally manly exertion, reaching out for the thermos.]

I hope there's alcohol in this, darling.

[doubleoohbaby]

[Actions speak louder than words.

Which might explain why, rather than talk her into anything, James has decided to throw a snowball fully pelt at her head from some distance away. Yeah, so what, he's picking on a blind kid, but snow + unsuspecting kids always has to = snowball fight.]

[somethinglawful]

[terezi takes the hit, swaying a little in the process as she gets an earful of snow. for a moment she stays perfectly still. the snowball slides off the side of her face as though in slow motion.

and then she spins into action, a gigantic grin on her face. james may be too far for her to smell properly now, but that doesn't mean she isn't forming up a snowball and pelting it back in his direction as hard as she can. it's on!!]

[hexappeal]

[What a ruggedly handsome macho man! Why, she should be swooning right now!! But she isn't. She does look happier than usual, at the very least, so that's something.]

I'm offended that you think I wouldn't slip a little something in there.

[doubleoohbaby]

That's my girl. [He's so proud of you bb. But he actually really could do with that extra tot of alcohol to warm him up. Only drink better than alcohol is alcohol and caffeine.]

Hn, I like all this. [Decided as he glances around their own personal little winter wonderland.]

[hexappeal]

[She had a great deal of faults, most of which were hidden and locked away. James had some exposure to them, but even now she had a hard time completely letting everything go and being herself. She knew that he struggled with similar issues, but this isn't about him.

Zatanna thankfully is not far (it is very easy to find yourself lost in a tricky, fifty or sixty room magic mansion!) and greets her with a small nod of her head before taking the bottle from her.] I'd slip it down into the wine cellar, but I'm of the opinion that wine is best shared with the company that brought it. [Plus, this stops her from busting into bottles that cost $10,000 or more later on.] And you're welcome. Come on in, come on in.

[She moves down the corridor toward the kitchen, but points to the left, across the way to the living room and the sparse but comfortable furniture that occupies it; the floor is relatively open in this area, so she turns into the kitchen.] Make yourself at home, I'll bring you a glass.

[doubleoohbaby]

[Aww yeah, bullseye. James can't help but scoff a quiet little laugh to himself as he watches, especially when he catches sight of that grin. See, kids always find the humour in a face full of snow, that's why they're totally more entertaining than adults at times.

But then he sees her kicking into action and he's quick to dive out of the way dramatically, before jumping to his feet and darting closer, stooping to grab a handful, compacting it quickly and then tossing it with a shout of:] Too slow, kid. [Maybe, just maybe, his words were a prompt as to where he is and where that next snowball is coming from. He can be considerate just occasionally.]

[hexappeal]

[He's been outside for a while, but he seemed to be so focused that she didn't want to bother him. Zatanna figured he was working off some frustration and stress or maybe just trying to avoid running into the kids for a little while...]

Hm? The drink or getting to chop something up with an axe? [She knows what he means -- or, she hopes that she does.]

[somethinglawful]

[she dives out of the way as well, too far, but that doesn't matter because now she knows where he is!! sort of, anyway. she sharply turns her head toward his voice. the vanilla smell of snow is strong, but if she can get close enough he'll stand out, which will make aiming somewhat easier!]

I'm just getting started, adult!!

[yeah that's right! she fires off another snowball, giggling fiendishly as she does so.]

[rhombus]

I dunno what to make. [He responds with distraction as he reaches out for one color of frosting then changing his mind, frowning.] Well, I guess I do, but there isn't the color I need.