defenderofdesmoines | MHA #2 | Friday Evening and probably onwards

It was a Christmas miracle: an even tackier, way-too-early ugly sweater party.

With way, way too much alcohol, and a kinda ridiculous number of activities.

There were, of course, the ubiquitous plastic snowmen haunting (almost) every corner of the apartment, and one out on each of the Smokers' Balconies for good measure. There were strings of lights lining the ceiling, as well as tracing the edges of each window. There were cookies to decorate (and eat, because you definitely should eat, and there were moddable snacks aplenty as well.) While there was, of course, Christmas music playing, those with keen eyes (or at least, enough wherewithal to look around an apartment before you started potentially drinking heavily in it) might spot a karaoke machine that would come out later. One particularly tinsel-y corner had an abundance of Santa hats and reindeer antlers and wearable strings of lights to wear while taking photos, and in the guest room -- of course -- there was a much-fabled craft table, where you could make an ornament that didn't have to be in an immature shape, but definitely could be.

There was also, hovering slowly through the party, a drone with mistletoe dangling from it. A Mistle Drone, one might call it, even.

And, because this was the Christmas Rager, there was alcohol. There was so, so, so much alcohol. The kegs of Christmas ale had once been reordered, there was a Make Your Own hot chocolate and coffee bar, and while Annie would never argue that Summer's shot table wasn't the star of every party...this year was a little different. Mostly because of how they'd decided to serve Annie's punch: in a freestanding bathtub, just slightly off-center from the room.

Welcome to the third annual Christmas Rager. Hope you wore a sweater, because the hostesses both have glitter cannons in case you didn't show up festive enough!

[~~please hold for way too many threads~~ and we're off! open to literally every single adult on the island -- students are welcome to attempt to crash, but they'll be busted.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I am, yeah," Steven said. "Number 14, the two bedroom. Do you prefer Cutter over Nick?"

Dating Llewellyn meant Steven could appreciate when someone preferred going by their surname.

Cutter nodded, “I do tend to prefer Cutter,” there were only a few people who called him Nick and one of them, well … she no longer existed, “what research do you do at the museum?” he asked curiously, he knew that Connor was researching the anomalies at the moment.

"I prefer Steven," Steven replied in kind, putting a slight stress on the N to indicate as opposed to something like "Steve." "And don't do research. I work the Welcome Desk, do tours, that sort of thing. How about yourself? What do you do?"

“Okay Steven,” Cutter nodded, making sure that the n sound was heard as well, “I’m an Evolutionary Zoologist, I teach Palaeontology up the school currently and I … consult with the Home Office back home,” he wasn’t sure exactly what Connor had told Steven about the nature of their work back home but he thought he’d leave it at that for the moment.

Connor had given a high level explanation of it. Steven figured if Cutter wanted to keep it general he would respect that. "Teaching sounds brilliant. I'm sorry we've not had a chance to meet before. It's wild how you can be on this island and never bump into anyone, even if they live the same floor as you. It's part of why I was glad to come to the party. Get a chance to maybe meet some new people."

Cutter nodded, “I wasn’t sure if I was going to come tonight,” he admitted, “the past week hasn’t been … well I’ve had better weeks,” he sighed, “but I’m not really great at meeting new people, so I guess it was similar for me, trying to get out and meet more people,”

"Have the holidays been hard?" Steven asked, with sympathy. "I - I don't mean to pry. You don't have to say. Just, if that is the case you're not alone with it. There's a few of us around where it's been a bit of a rough go, this time of year."

“Not the holidays,” Cutter admitted, even though he didn’t have fond memories of the last several years between the disappearance and reappearance of his ex wife and Claudia’s disappearance from the timeline, “made a bad decision at work and dealing with the consequences of that,” he sighed.

"I see," Steven said. "Well I hope it works out all right. Nobody hurt or anything like it."

Cutter winced a bit at that, “no one was hurt, physically at least,” he was not going to forget his Connor’s devastation when they thought they’d lost Abby.

Steven saw the wince and felt bad. Though since he and Cutter had only just met he felt it wasn't his place to ask. He decided to go for a subject change.

"Not sure if Connor's had a chance to mention it but my beau and I are having a Hanukkah party on the 19th. You're welcome to join if you'd like
Nothing religious or anything. Just food and friends."

“Connor did pass on the invite, thank you,” Cutter nodded, grateful for the subject change, “I’ll make sure to stop by,”

That would be almost some kind of record for him, two parties in one month.

"Oh good," Steven said. And, since he knew the questions people asked by now, added, "Feel free to bring anyone if you'd like. There's no dress code so wear whatever you care to. And no need to bring anything but yourself as far as food or drink goes. Though do let me know if you've any allergies or other food concerns we should keep in mind?"

MHA #2 | Friday Evening and probably onwards - the THIRD ANNUAL Christmas Rager!!

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