The World Has Got a Smile Today, the World Has Got a Glow (Voltron Holiday Party Log)

[heartofalioness]

Who: The Attack on Voltron House and YOU! Seriously, if you have Voltron CR, you're invited!
Where: Attack on Voltron House, Four Island
When: Around December 11
Summary: The Voltrons have a human/Altean holiday party at their house, come on by!
Rating: PG to PG-13, will warn as necessary


When Shiro proposed celebrating Grogory Day back at the harvest festival, Allura had honestly been touched by the suggestion, even more so when the rest of the household agreed. (Especially coming from Keith and Pidge, who liked their peace and quiet.) So after sitting down with a calendar and making a graphing calculator earn its keep, Allura determined that Grogory Day would be about December 8th. Of course, that was a weekday, so the invitations she sends out a few weeks beforehand (to give people time for travel) say it’s that Saturday evening instead. (And given the number of high-level trainers in the house, guests are more than welcome to request a ride.) And since it seems to be the main Earth holiday, why not make it an early Christmas party, too?

When people arrive, the spacious beach house is decked out with lights, mostly in shades of blue, and the interior beckons people to come out of the brisk and damp sub-tropic air, warm and bright and spacious (which it needs to be with the possible crowds), soft and cheery Poké-holiday music winding through the rooms, with interludes from Jaskier and his Wigglytuff throughout the evening.

As for refreshments, while Hunk might not be here, the non-Shiro members of the household are able to set out a decent spread from all their cultures. Lance contributes a host of Cuban recipes from golden brown tostones and empanadas, to roasted pernil with juicy meat draped in crispy skin, served with rice and black beans. A wintery gratin filled with mushrooms and kabocha squash, baked Brie topped with a rosehip jam in lieu of juniberries and wrapped in puff pastry, an assortment of Christmas cookies (including but certainly not limited to gingerbread and peanut butter blossoms), and an island of drinks featuring mugs of warm coffee, glasses of sweet coquito, slow cookers of mulled berry wine and apple juice, and a bowl with an extremely blue punch. And treats for the Pokémon as well, naturally. Of course, if guests want to contribute to the feast, they’re more than welcome!

(Also, at some point in the evening, Lance might have stolen Shiro's Gallade to help plant mistletoe here and there. Do with this information what you will.)

So come, eat, drink, mingle with old friends and make some new ones! And enjoy the night, no matter which holiday you’ve come to celebrate!


[[OOC: This is a mingle log, so feel free to make your own top-levels and such, and have fun!]]

Comments

OTA

[shiro2hero]

[It's cool for the Islands. Which doesn't say much, considering they're in the literal tropics, but - oh well. It does mean it's time to bust out some more seasonally appropriate outfits, though. Hair all touched up, and he's finally home for a good chunk of time, rather than spending literally all day at the observatory. He promised he'd be here, and promised he'd help out however he could.]

[... of course that means he's only allowed to refill the coffee carafe as need be. Or make more cocoa. Or tea. Okay, so he's making the hot drinks. But somehow, despite his legendary kitchen failures, Shiro can make a really good hot drink. So don't hesitate to come over and get a refill. It's his one kitchen skill, please let him show it off.]

[He can also be found liberally piling a plate of the vegetarian options. Absolutely nothing with meat in it. Why? Feel free to ask him. You'll get a thousand-yard stare and a heck of a story.]

[Pay no mind to the occasional sprig of mistletoe overhead. Shiro sure isn't. Why would there be mistletoe? Surely his Gallade and Lance wouldn't have done that...]

[Lastly, Shiro ends up in the living room, cross-legged in a chair with more coffee... and... a small pile of Pokemon in his lap. Meowth, Umbreon, Litleo... and a Toracat draped over the back of the chair, letting him lean his head against it. Don't worry, he's awake, just sitting very... very still. For the sake of all the cats.]



((ooc: Shiro's gonna be just about anywhere, so if you have your own idea throw it my way!!))

Cat Pile~

[heartofalioness]

[What's that, Shiro? You want MORE Pokémon to snuggle you? Well, have a snow Vulpix, Togepi, and teeny Azumarill hop on your lap too. Allura sees this plight and is totally sympathetic. Totally. Never mind the very proper giggling.]

The Pokémon certainly seem to find you comfortable. And yourself?

[shiro2hero]

I was...

[Really, he doesn't mind being piled on by little warm bodies. It's actually kind of comforting. Like a weighted blanket. It was extremely nice, for the first hour or so he was sitting here.]

[And true to Shiro's nature, he hasn't bothered to try and dislodge the sleeping Pokemon. Even when - ]

My arm's. Asleep. [The left arm. The only one that can fall asleep.]

[heartofalioness]

[Oh no... Allura's giggle grows into a full chuckle.]

Oh dear. [It could be worse, at least the 3'7" golden otter didn't join the cuddle pile.] Would you like help extricating that limb?

[No promises for the rest of him.]

[shiro2hero]

[It could be a lot worse. It could be like the time Shiro got dogpiled by Arons. All trying to chew on his arm.]

... Please?

[He admits defeat. The adorable pokemon pile has bested the Black Paladin.]

[heartofalioness]

[Another soft chuckle, and with a few scritches of permission, Allura reaches beneath the pile of fuzz and begins lifting his arm out until it can be draped over the arm of the chair.]

There. Better?

[shiro2hero]

Yeah, thanks - [Even as he winces - the pins and needles flooding through his fingertips. The Litleo in his lap whines, rolling over to kick its feet in the air.]

Having a good time?

[heartofalioness]

[Oh no, play kickies! Time for Ayrol to flap his stubby little proto-wings at her to play as well!]

Very. [A softer smile.] It's... wonderful, being able to celebrate Grogory Day again. I didn't think I would be able to until after the war. [And at first she thought it'd just be her and Coran and the mice, then maybe the Paladins if she could rope them into it. Now... now she had a chance to share it with so many more people- more friends- and even give new Alteans a piece of their stolen culture back.] And you were quite generous, letting me fold it into your Christmas celebrations.

[shiro2hero]

Good.

[One of the benefits of having a free hand is the ability to reach out and grasp one of hers.]

I'm really glad to hear that. [Sincerely. Her having something like this? Having somewhere to actually call home again. That was one of the biggest reasons he'd purchased the house in the first place. So everyone could have that chance.] And hey, any time. Makes things a little more interesting, I feel like.

wherever/whenever, it's a mystery

[woofdad]

[Grant does not intend to be here long; this is a chance to get in, say hi to Shiro, meet people he hasn't yet, and get out before running into anyone he doesn't want to see. He's pretty relieved Claude agreed to come with him for moral support, but the less he ends up needing that support, the better.

SO: Time to accomplish one of those goals!! Grant makes a beeline for Shiro when he spots him, raising a hand in a small wave.] Hey, there you are. How're you doing?

a mysteryyyy

[shiro2hero]

Grant! Hey!

[It's good to see the man again. Shiro beams, stepping forward to take that hand in his. A wave? Please. Come here and have a one armed hug slash handshake thing. You know the kind.]

It's good to see you. Did you bring your kid? Or the guys?

[Your boyfriends, Grant. He means your boyfriends.]

[woofdad]

[Oh yep this is happening now. Grant follows Shiro's lead easily, even if he can't help a soft, sheepish laugh that can probably just be chalked up to his normal shyness. Probably.]

Claude's right behind me - and Felix is here, somewhere, but I think he's doing his own thing. [Felix may not be one of Grant's boyfriends, but if he's asked about the status of The Guys, he's got to include Felix in that.] Chip opted to sit this one out - I'm under oath to bring them some cake, though.

[shiro2hero]

[Absolutely just chalking that up to Normal Grant. He steps back, a hand still on the other man's shoulder. Which is just Normal Shiro, honestly.]

I'm glad they came too. Especially Felix - he was having a hard time last I talked to him.

[Understatement of the century, Shiro Shirogane.]

Oh yeah? Then, c'mon, let's grab them some before it's gone.

[woofdad]

[As much as his stupid crush has him stressing himself out every time he tries to approach Shiro, actually talking to him - his attitude, his constant kindness - it's all immediately soothing.] Yeah, I'm hoping he'll enjoy himself; he's been needing a break. [Or what qualifies as a break when you're Felix. Maybe more like a distraction.]

Alright, then! Lead the way; I dunno how fast to expect it to run out. [He's already stopped by the table to drop off the cookies he brought as soon as he arrived, but he's glad to take the excuse to stick with Shiro while heading back.]

[shiro2hero]

He's still hurting, huh? [Not that he blames the man. Honestly, Shiro himself is still in that position. So he doesn't really expect an answer - ] Don't blame him. But, hopefully, something here gets him feeling a bit better. We've got plenty of cats.

[The guy liked cats, right?]

[He nods, and heads for the kitchen proper. Ducking under the decorations hung in the doorway.]

Looks like we have a Christmas cake... and - hah. So many cookies.

[woofdad]

Yeah... fingers crossed. I, uh-- if you know Geralt, I think he's mostly here to hang out with him? ["Hang out" means "fight".] He's not really a party guy. But I'm sure the cats will be a plus.

[He follows after Shiro with a quiet laugh, following his lead in ducking around decorations.] Ah... some of those are my fault, sorry. It--

[Whoops, didn't duck low enough, and now he's walked right into--


That is mistletoe.

This would fucking happen, wouldn't it.]

--Ah.

1/2

[shiro2hero]

I don't think I've met him. I've met Jaskier though. [And thus heard a lot about the man. Mostly that he wore black and was fairly nonverbal.] That's fine, though. Not everyone can be a party fan.

[He turns, having carved out a comically large hunk of cake for the absent Chip, an eyebrow already raised.]

Don't worry about - [Hold on.] What's wrong - ?

[shiro2hero]

[ ... who in the @#$% put that there. ]

-- Ah.

[Don't blush, don't turn red, keep cool Shiro, keep cool.]

We can - pretend we didn't see that if. You want?

[MUST MAKE FRIEND COMFORTABLE.]

hot drinks

[questioneverything]

[Romelle watched for a moment, having noted over the course of the evening that Shiro was only making hot drinks. Of course, by now, the notes about his kitchen skills (or, rather, lack thereof) had gotten back to her. But, that was okay, because she did know he could survive making a hot drink as well, and she headed over with her now empty mug.]

Care to refill my hot chocolate?

[shiro2hero]

Hey, Romelle.

[Already, he's extending a hand for her mug, smiling as she steps forward. If nothing else, Shiro's always had a knack for hot drinks. Especially coffee and tea.]

Sure thing. Want anything in it?

[There's peppermint sticks, cinnamon sticks. And, of course, marshmallows.]

[questioneverything]

Hm... I think... marshmallows.

[Alteans had a weakness for sweets, it seemed.

She leaned on the counter, resting her chin on her hands.]

Are you enjoying the party?

[shiro2hero]

All right - Marshmallows it is.

[The secret is to put them into the mug first, add the cocoa, and then add more marshmallows. Nice melty layers.]

[How Shiro manages to pull this off, but no other cooking? We just don't know.]

Yeah, I am, actually. It's - [He pauses, and there's a smile at the corner of his mouth.] It's really good to have so many faces around here again.

[questioneverything]

[How indeed. Still, Romelle was certainly curious as she watched.]

I can certainly say it's been helpful for me to have familiar faces from home. Seeing others again is nice, too. [Meaning Keith and Allura, even if they didn't remember being in this place before. Part of her still hoped Hunk might return as well.]

And it's certainly more relaxed here than how things were happening back home.

[Not that she didn't worry from time to time, because they still had things to finish, but knowing that people left and returned and it didn't effect things at home helped a lot with that.]

[shiro2hero]

Yeah, really makes it feel more like home, with them here, doesn't it?

[It'd be nice if Hunk were here. Even better, really. Things would feel complete again. Or, well. Almost. But dwelling on that hasn't helped for so long, why would it change anything now?]

No kidding. All the battles are pokemon... and they don't even get that hurt... Still kind of feels like a dream.

[He passes her the mug, just. Jam packed with marshmallows.] Careful - hot.

[questioneverything]

[She was careful. She'd slowly gotten used to being human instead of Altean... though, honestly, hot was still hot regardless.]

I'm happy I get to spend time with everyone without worrying about someone or something trying to kill us.

[As awkward as that might be, it was still true. They had spent a lot of time on the run while trying to get back to Earth.]

It's a very nice break.