Home for the Holidays

[sweetcandygirl]

Over the weekend, Harley was busy decorating her Nexus apartment, stylizing everything in soft whites and a few bright splashes of reds.

In the middle of the apartment, where her aerial silks normally hang from the cathedral ceilings, and several pinwheel decorations. And soft Christmas music is playing on the stereos, filling the open areas of her apartment.

The smells of several delicious foods waft from the kitchen. Everything is made with a vegetarian-friendly flare, that is still respectful to the season itself. And to supplement the fact there may not be any meat on the menu -- there is a large keg of ale on a countertop nearby. There is also plenty of wine, cocktails, and eggnog available.

Harley has invited a few people over to her apartment for a small pre-Christmas party. Mostly, those who already live or stay in her apartment.

[No posting order. Mingle around. Thread jump. All is good]

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[brother_alone]

"I never said this was supposed to look good, bro. My nice clothes are tucked away in my closet for one of those serious special occasions. I just figured th'hostess would appreciate this more." He gestures to his frankly unsettling sweater and his smile starts to relax ever so slightly.

He hasn't said much to Caspar since getting his new PINpoint. A few short texts to keep in touch and test the waters again but nothing more. It's so hard, feels so hard to try and reconnect with people after the disappearing act he pulled without meaning to. But he's trying and he's here now.

There's still something about Adia that gets around Joshua's defenses. Enough of Hannah and Beth's warmth in her that fools his head in fits and bursts and he genuinely wants to make her happy no matter what it takes or what kinds of lies he has to tell to do it. When she comes over with a package he feels a stab of guilt for not thinking to bring any gifts of his own for them. He returns the hug with less hesitation than she might have expected before pulling back away.

"It's...uh." Now he doesn't want to tell her what it is, actually. "It's from one of my favorite movies growing up. Not much to do with Christmas but once I saw it..." He shrugs. Ice Bear only cared that Josh reacted to it in any capacity other than apathy at the time. He looks between them both when he accepts the package and tries not to let his guilt show. "Thanks, guys. Should I open it now or...?"

And of course, clever Caspar, will have made certain the accessories match the clothes they've gotten for Josh in the past. Bound and determined to have him look classy as heck, these two are.

[chiron_survivor]

Caspar rolls his eyes. "Well. That's a comfort, then, that you can tell the difference." His smirk comes easier this time. He missed this sort of banter -- he hadn't attempted it via text, merely checking in with Josh now and then. The truth is, he doesn't trust himself to say the right thing. It's easier to keep his distance. But he's trying, too.

The hug surprises and warms Adia's heart, and her smile for Josh brightens. Never mind the meaning behind the sweater, which is just as well, it would only make her worry. She knows Josh's love of horror movies, but their real life entanglement with a serial killer makes any sort of slasher flick a taboo subject.

"Yes, please. I mean, it's up to you, but that's the fun of giving a gift." Not getting something in return. The last thing she'd want to do is make Josh feel guilty.

[brother_alone]

"Hasn't been that long since I've been to one of my family functions that I forgot how to class up." Most of his childhood was spent trying to avoid those suit and tie rich folk affairs his parents used to put on especially around the holidays for their business contacts and family. He might have been raised to be a spoiled rich kid but Joshua vastly preferred spending his time at his best friend's modest dated tiny home with just him and his mom watching classical Christmas movies and baking cookies. "I could outdress half the Nexus if I wanted to, Bro."

Looking good and feeling good don't always match up in his head. Not that he feels great in his slasher flick Christmas sweater, but it feels more honest than anything else he could wear. That's probably not a good thing, either. His smile turns more sincere when he sees Adia beaming at him. It crooks at one side like it always does when he's not faking it, an uncertain but genuine look of pleasure at being able to make her happy.

Josh pulls away first so he can get about opening her package. The material is soft and warm beneath his fingers--these are a good set of winter accessories even aside from how good they look. These are going to get a lot of workout this winter while he's working at the cafe.

"I've been needing a new set of gloves you guys. And a scarf too? This is slick as fuck, thank you both."

[chiron_survivor]

That's an unaffected nose wrinkle at being called 'bro', but it's a relief, too. Just like old times. "If I tell you that I don't believe you and that you should prove it, will it work?"

He's kidding, but he's serious, too. A Nexus with more well-dressed people and fewer ugly sweaters is a better Nexus. Besides a suit can make a great metaphorical armor. Maybe not for Josh, but it's a strategy that he employs without fail.

It's nice to see that smile again. It leeches out the lingering concern in Adia's eyes. She knows Josh is trying to be better, but at the same time, she wishes that he didn't have to try so hard. His reaction to his present is an additional burst of good feeling within her, and she grins happily. "Caspar chose the color, but I made sure they'd be warm, too."

"No excuse not to wear them," Caspar adds, secretly pleased.

[brother_alone]

"There's usually one of those swank block parties in th'Nexus, right? If there's good drink I"ll be there with bells on, just for you. You'll owe me a dance though."

Josh means it as a joke but he still chuckles at the thought of it. He'll have to get his hair cut first thing. He's spent far too long looking like some kind of taller mountain hobbit and frankly not dressing much better than one either. Why bother? It's a small thought, easily brushed aside. He has to keep trying to be better than he is.

Has to, because it will make Adia smile like that more.

"I'm pretty sure it'll match my nice clothes he helped me pick out before." Though he glances around them finally and smiles. "I guess I wasn't aware you lot were friends with Harley too."

[chiron_survivor]

"Like the one last year?" Before everything went to shit. Or, maybe more accurately, the calm before the storm. Jeff, and by extension, Nyralahotep, were lurking around even then. "Show up dressed well, without bells, and I'll consider it." He takes another sip of wine, content to call Josh's bluff.

"It'll match," Adia says brightly. "Caspar never forgets little details like that." She means it sincerely, and it seems to disarm Caspar, who looks away with a soft blush on his face. She smiles at him briefly before adding, "Yeah, we are. I met her last year, I don't think she had been in the Nexus for very long because she needed a PINpoint. We've been friends ever since."

"She's a good person to have on your side," Caspar adds, and there's no sarcasm there whatsoever.