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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 10:03 pm
Giving Thanks
Username: Pixie Nyxie Character: Durumi, Regan, Jarias, Nadia
I'm thankful for: Regan was, in general, the most happiest on this day. Thanksgiving, as a child had been fun and when her parents had gotten along, it had been great. The years after her mom left, were nothing short of nightmares but on this day, this one day...Chase would come to visit and he would keep his brother in line and they would have a normal, thanksgiving. There would be no yelling or screaming or slips of the hand against her. Her father was almost a human being, who smiled at his brother and who acted as if it was totally normal. Chase would smile at her and even if he knew deep down that something was wrong, he pretended to make it normal for her.
This time last year, Chase had fought for her. Fought for her to leave that house, to leave that abuse and to come to his home where he would treat her like a daughter he never have. She didn’t share the same concerns as he did, grateful for the freedom. But abuse never left. Except for today.
So, in the truest sense, she was thankful for today, and to Chase. To the effort he put into make it normal. It was the only reminder and hope that one day...one day she might live a normal life. One day, she would be just a girl. One day. She would be thankful for the one days.
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Sun Durumi was easier to please as she prepared dinner. She had never had a traditional american thanksgiving as her family was korean and american, and largely preferred the cuisune of korea. So as she prepared thanksgiving, for the first time without her family, she couldn’t help but add small dishes in that was akin to her hertiage.
And she couldn’t help but steal glances at her love, and wonder how she ended up with the good fortune of an amazing man, in their amazing home surrounded by amazing friends. Regardless of the betrayal of Chariklo, Durumi was moving on, and it was because of the support she had from Magiore, and from her cousin and the dark mirrors.
As she ate dinner, and snuggled into Mags arms later in the night and thought about her life, she was thankful that she could live it, truly and freely like she could now. She was thankful that she would have family, no matter where she would go.
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Nadia ran her finger down Lorne’s cheek and wondered how she ever got so lucky. The same motion was spread to Colin’s cheek as she nuzzled her boys. Even though Lorne was injured, She was thankful for him to be alive. She was thankful for their group. For the support.
She rested between them and it was great and happy. She was very thankful for them. She would always be thankful for them.
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Jarias was thankful for her super hot...girl...friend. Van was just what she needed in her really good life. The hot curly haired redhead was the best thing to make her happy.
Word count: 512
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Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 8:11 am
Giving Thanks
Username: Fiction1119 Character: Dawn DaLumos
I'm thankful for: Thanksgiving was a big deal in the DaLumos household, not quite as big as Christmas but bigger than all the other holidays. It started in earnest nearly two weeks before with buying the food and cleaning the house. Most of the decorations were put up right after the halloween stuff was packed up but the more important stuff, the food, had to wait till the day was much closer. The house was full of the sound of the vacuum and the scent of baking days before while cooking the main meal started the day before. Everyone pitched in to get everything done in time so by the time the doorbell first rings on Thanksgiving everything is perfect.
Before Dawn could blink the house was full of people. The sound of talking, laughing, and even the radio that was on soon filled the whole building until the teen couldn't hear herself think. Dawn loved it. Bouncing from conversation to conversation, injecting her ideas and personality into everything from the best dessert recipes to current events. Even helping with the final dishes didn’t keep her from visiting. There were more than a dozen people in the spacious kitchen either helping outright or ‘helping’ by getting in the way not that anyone was complaining. The only time she wasn't visiting was when she was asked to help get all the food to the table and boy was there a lot. There was the standard turkey and ham but also a tofu veggie stir fry along with mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, stuffing, dozens of vegetable dishes, and two different roll versions. Such a verity was necessary since Dawn wasn't alone in being a vegetarian there were also a few allergies and dietary needs all seated around the table.
Her father remained standing at the head of the table as everyone settled into their seats. Everything was ready except for one more critical thing… A Thanksgiving grace. He cleared his throat and with a calming breath, formally greeted everyone. “Thank you all for joining us on this day of giving thanks. Dawn will you do us the honor of giving the blessing?” He nodded towards his daughter who was blushing a bright red.
As the older man finally took his seat Dawn stood. Like her father she cleared her throat before beginning. “We give thanks this day for the bountiful table set before us as well as the friends and family that is surrounding it.” She smiled hesitantly at the crowd around her. Her eyes caught on the folded flag that was mounted on the wall surrounded by photos of her grandparents, including her grandpa in his dress uniform from his army days. “We also give thanks to those in all kinds of uniform who can't be with their families this day. Keep them in mind as we enjoy the food and company today. Amen.” Dawn sat down to polite applause which was quickly replaced by talking and the sounds of cutlery as food begin to rotate the table.
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Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:28 am
Giving Thanks
Username: Sami-Fire Character: Luca Krantz/Sailor Megrez
I'm thankful for: "Peace"
Luca had been looking forward to Thanksgiving break very much.
College had been busier than she expected; there were a lot of adjustments that needed to be made when it came to the workload and having a roommate. She hadn’t even been able to patrol as much, and there was one time where she came down with a serious case of fidgets until she went back to her planet (transcendence sickness?). The puffski that periodically showed up on her planet seemed to miss her and also seemed a little peeved at her absence, but presumably it had a home to go to, since it wasn’t always there.
Thanksgiving would be an excellent break, with good food and a chance to just take her mind off everything. Maybe she could have patrolled and seen who was taking advantage of the holiday season for evil, but when it came down to it, she didn’t want to. All she wanted to do was enjoy the holiday and clear her mind.
So far, she had certainly been able to do that. Cooking had kept her occupied for certain, and she even was able to revisit the past with some games she’d left at home. In a different context, she might have ruefully reflected on how different she was from when she first got those games, but she didn’t.
Tonight, at the dinner table, Luca’s mother opened the meal with a question. “Before we eat, what are we all thankful for? I’m thankful that I was able to have my family here with me for this wonderful meal.”
Luca’s father nodded. “Yes. I’m thankful for that too, and I’m thankful for how good things have been recently. Everything has been productive and peaceful.”
Casey grinned mischievously. “I’m thankful for video games,” he said, then added after getting a Look from his mother, “and also for great food and all the hard work Mom and Luca put into it.”
Luca knew what she was thankful for. “I’m thankful for the fact that everything has been normal for a while.” No Negaverse operations, nothing terribly devastating at school (aside from that end-of-semester paper), not even any urges to power up. Maybe it was a false peace or a thin peace, but Luca enjoyed it. It was nice to be a normal college freshman for a time and not Sailor Megrez. Right now, it almost felt like she could jettison all the baggage from her powered life, maybe even retire. Of course, such a thing would be impossible for her, but she wouldn’t dwell on that.
“Normal? What’s there to not be normal?” Casey asked, his face quizzical.
Luca shrugged. “No terrorist attacks or other weird happenings around the city… things like that.”
“Oh.” Casey wrinkled his nose. “It’s kind of boring, though. I wish something cool would happen.”
“Yeah, well, if a lot of ‘cool things’ happen at once or over and over again, it gets really tiring,” Luca said, hoping she wouldn’t get into an argument with her brother over the merits of peacetime.
“I’m glad to hear that everyone’s thankful for something,” Luca’s mother said. “Now, let’s dig in!”
As Luca took a bite of turkey, she only felt more secure in what she had said. Peace was wonderful. Normalcy was wonderful. Maybe she would have to get back on the powered horse soon, but for now, all she needed to do was focus on her family and the holiday spirit. It would be a time of rest and relaxation, and that would be wonderful.
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Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 4:38 pm
Giving Thanks Username: Syrie Character: Colin Hargrove aka Aegir of Silence I'm thankful for: A lot of things, okay.Colin hadn’t planned on celebrating Thanksgiving this year, though there was no single pressing reason behind it. Certainly he had many places he could go to or wonderful people he could celebrate with: his mother and sister, his cousins. Nadia, Lorne, and Auguste. Aleksy. Van. Even Quenton probably would have had him over, if he’d said something. But he’d bowed out of Thanksgiving with his family which had upset his younger sister only until reminded that without Colin, the family could have a real turkey! He’d been quite amused when Miri had called him excitedly about the ‘turducken’ that they were having for Thanksgiving. As for his friends and loved ones…well, it wasn’t as though he didn’t want to see them. Quite the opposite. But he was always so busy and wanted to take some time to meditate perhaps, to contemplate all the changes that had happened in his life and reflect on them. Or perhaps he didn't want his friends and family to see just how ill suited he was to not being mad-cap busy: without work, Colin hardly knew what to do with himself. The night before Thanksgiving he went home and had a rather nice evening with Khaleel - who would be leaving early the next morning for the holiday - but even as he showered and prepared for sleep, the danseur was already thinking about what he would be doing for the following four days. Four days without ballet practice, without shows or teaching. Without Khaleel’s stories of his schooling. Four days with most of the outside world hunkering down with friends and family to celebrate and give thanks…or just to eat. An inaccurate and incorrect holiday if there ever was one, but Colin still liked Thanksgiving - or the idea of it. There were so many things in his life he could be thankful, grateful, for. His health, his talent - a fantastic job that afforded him the ability to do what he loved and be paid for it. For the ability to become Sailor Aegir, to be allowed that enhanced chance to protect his loved ones, to serve the people of the planet he loved so dearly. For wonderful friends: people he loved and cherished like Vanessa, Quenton, Ash, Faust, and Isaiah. Like Nadia, Lorne, Auguste, and Aleksy. His mother, who had always supported his choices - even when they weren’t the best - and had never once made him feel that being a ballet dancer made him anything less. Or his sister, who despite having a mild form of Down’s Syndrome and a high functionality, was absolutely the best sister a guy could ever have asked for. And of course, Björn, who had been such a large part of his life but was no longer there the way Colin might have wished. It hurt, of course, but there had never really been a time when the danseur hadn’t been thankful to have known Björn. To have been allowed to love him and be loved by him. Yes, Colin Hargrove had plenty to be thankful for, even if circumstances were such to sometimes make it difficult to remember this. 528 words
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Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 8:47 pm
Giving Thanks
Username: Tisiphone Character: Desma Heisse
I'm thankful for: Memories
This was the second year Desma was spending Thanksgiving alone, the brunette stood still in the small kitchen of her family's home. Flour was strewn across the counters, turkey bits, she thought the website called them giblets, were in the sink, and cans of vegetables were heating on the stove. She didn't cook much, hell her mom hadn't cooked much, but her mother had always cooked Thanksgiving dinner. It was never anything special, just the classics, but Desma had never bothered to watch her mother, let alone offer to help learn her recipes. She didn't never recall her mother making such a mess when she cooked. The woman was always neat and proper, her only daughter had driven her crazy with her messiness and rebellious nature.
Search as she might Desma wasn't able to find her mother's cookbook on the first or second floor of the home. She wasn't ready yet to look in her mother's belongings in the basement, her aunt had packed everything away when Desma didn't have the heart. Her aunt also had made sure her trust was set up and ready to pay the bills.
Des had gone to the library and printed out recipes that had three and a half stars or higher off of The Food Network website and she hoped they tasted something like mom's home cooking. She splurged and bought a pitiful turkey with all the fixins to replicate her mother's dinner.
She missed her an try as she might Desma couldn't shake the feeling her mom would come through the door today, Thanksgiving, it was after all the woman's favorite holiday. It was always just the two of them, Aunt Faye was always busy on the farm, and there was no one else to spend the holiday with. She knew her mother wasn't coming trough the door, but she was so thankful for that feeling of not quite being alone and anticipation of a happy holiday and remembering happier times.
Des bent peering down into the oven she looked a the pitiful bird she tortured stuffing it with herbs and spices. It certainly smelled like Thanksgiving.
"If you taste half as good as I hope, I'll be happy." she mumbled stood up and started to pack her cigarettes against the butt of her palm.
"Rule One," she said to herself mimicking her mother's voice, "No smoking in the house."
She pulled the cellophane from the pack and started walking towards the porch. There were more times than she could count that she was busted in the house hanging her head out the window. Since her mother's passing she had not smoked in the house.
Propping her feet up outside against the porch railing she inhaled deeply and lit the cigarette thinking of her mom. Thinking of all the happy times. Being alone she felt bad, she hadn't put herself out there to meet them.Her memories to keep her company and a bird in the oven Desma sat and dreamed and let herself get lost in Thanksgivings of days past.
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Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:18 pm
Giving Thanks
Username: Serpentsong Character: Sitara/Sailor Kastra
I'm thankful for: Even as the air grew cooler, the blue skies giving way to the gray, dull colors of winter, there was a warmth in the air. The scent of spices, and sweet meats hovering in the air about the Brennan house. This time of year was anything but the traditional Thanksgiving, at least here. Though this is what happens when one grows up in an Indian household, rather than a more traditional home. That is what Sitara enjoyed the most. Her family was anything but normal.
She sat in the living room, her sari wrapped about her in a shining mass of gold and orange. These were he favorite colors, the warmth of them always making her smile. Next to her was and older woman, a matching garment in deep brown and gold wrapped about her. This woman had a feeling to her, one of authority and wisdom, but at the sand time there was a comforting aura in the air, like the feeling of a warm blanket, fresh from the wash. This was Gran, and even as Sitara nestled up beside her, listening to the sound of her heartbeat, this wonderful woman told tales of exotic lands.
"The dark king stole the Princess away and his her in his palace away from the eyes of any that would search for her. Even from the longing eyes of her beloved prince that would take her for his bride." The woman wrapped one arm around her granddaughter, she smiling down at her with those aged eyes.
"But the heroic prince gathered his friends and at out on a quest to save his beloved from the evil demon king!" Sitara grinned, her eyes shining bright as she helped her along. "Mama said the food should be done soon, we should get ready, Gran." The young woman inched herself out of the other's grasp, she having to adjust the bit of fabric that fell from her shoulder before helping the other woman to her feet. It was more the blind leading the blind as Sitara was not known to be the most steady herself, but as they both managed to stay upright the pair laughed. The laughter was short lived as another woman, this one younger and exerting authority like it oozed from her blood, entered the room. There was humor in her eyes but she hid it as she glance at the pair. "Mother, honestly, you will only keep Sitara's head in the clouds with all those stories. She needs to focus on her studies. As for today, I need her help adding the finishing touches to the meal and setting the table."
There was a soft sigh of sadness as Sitara's expression fell. She did so enjoy acting out the stories, but she knew her mother needed the help. "I will set the table first, momma. Then Gran can sit and talk while we finish cooking." She winked at the older woman, she only returning it seconds later when she was certain her daughter was not watching.
"I will make certain that no one slips in anything that ought not be there. You know your grandfather, he will try anything once." She moved with her shaking legs toward the dining room, sitara bouncing on by moments after her. She stopped for a moment to offer a gentle kiss to her mother's cheek before seeing to her work.
The table itself was covered in a fine, crimson, tablecloth. The centerpiece a large, golden statue of Ganesha surrounded by roses, mums, and other elegant, yet season appropriate flowers. Each chair was covered with a cloth to match the table, and a stack of fine, ivory-toned dishes sat off to one end. Sitara moved to that pile of dishes, her fingers feeling for the edges, making certain she had a firm grip of them before lifting them into her arms. She placed one plate at each of the for sides of the table, making certain they were all straight and not about to fall. She nodded to herself once she was satisfied. "Not bad, but there should be more plates."
She lowered her head and pouted for a moment at the thought of her father not being there for another holiday. It had been years since he had last joined them, but every year, Sitara hoped to see him at the door.
She wiped way a stray tear and set to placing the silverware. Place settings were one of the first things she had been taught as a child, and she enjoyed it. Entertaining friends always ment good cheer, and oh how Sitara loved to smile. Once the table was set, the young woman moved to the kitchen. It was what was there when she entered that made her nearly drop to her knees. She had been expecting food, expected seeing her mother near the stove, but what she has not expected was to see the tall, dark-skinned, form of her father, sitting there at the bar, waiting for her.
Tears welled in her eyes as she near fell the the floor, the tall man the in seconds to catch her as her mother gasped in surprise. "Sitara!" She moved to help her daughter stand, but once seeing her in the arms of her ex she knew she was alright. "Don't scare me like that!"
The man's deep voice, rumbled from his chest as he chuckled. "I did surprise her abit, I don't blame her. " he looked down at his daughter, hugging her close before letting sitara down to regain her footing."we thought it was about time I came for dinner. Your half brothers are still cooking for their mother, so I thought I could stop in for some spicy curry."
Sitara's mother just shook her head, grinning at the man as she adjusted her apron. "Go set yourself a place at the table. Sitara, darling, I need to to watch this so that it doesn't over thicken or burn."
Sitara smiled, a new sorting in her step as she moved to her mother's side, she having a towel to cover her clothing. "Thank you." She whispered to her mother, taking her hand and hugging it. "We needed him here."
The pair worked together for what seemed, to them, forever. Each of them toiling over getting the food just right before seeing it aside and working on the next dish. Sitara loved these moments with her mother, treasured them. Her mother was always so busy, tending to work, tending to home, that sitara barely ever got to see her. When they were in the kitchen together, it was like their own little world.
Sitara preferred baking over cooking. Some of her most believed memories were at this time of year, rolling out cookies, making cakes, and stringing popcorn for holiday garland. Every year they would spend hours together. Every year they would goof around, and more often than not, return covered on flour and colored icing.
"Sitara, nothing brings me more joy than to see a smile on your face. You came into this world smiling, starting up into my eyes, and to see the sadness the when he could not attend, broke my heart." She moved away from the stove, wrapping her arms around her daughter in a tight, embracing, hug. She kissed the top of her head before looking at her once more with tear filled eyes. "He and I agreed, even if we no longer love eachother, we are friends, and he and his are just as welcome here as you have been with them. "
Sitara's eyes lit up, she clinging to her mother with all her might as she hugged her. "Momma, you know that I don't expect it. I like or time together, just you and me." There was the beginnings of fear in her voice. Change was scary, and even she asked she had gotten use to things as they were.
"Dear one, we will have it. He is not moving in, I wouldn't have it. We will have eachother, us against the world! After all, if I didn't have you, who could I have flour fights with, hm?" She giggled as she flipped a piece of almond at her daughter. The pair of them breaking out into tears and laughter as they stood there, mother and daughter, clinging to the one true rock the both of them had, eachother.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:33 am
Giving Thanks
Username: Ruriska Character: Eleanor Taylor
I'm thankful for:
Eleanor was thankful for it not hurting so much anymore.
It was rare for Eleanor and Samuel to have family around at their house. Eleanor’s relatives were on the other side of the country and Samuel had issues he didn’t like to discuss, even with his wife. But this Thanksgiving her family had made the journey, her mother, her sisters and their children and husbands, all crammed into the house.
It was a day full of light and joy. It was a balm to a heart that had been filled with burden over the last few months.
In the kitchen her sisters were laughing and arguing in the same breath, the twins side by side as they peeled potatoes. Her mother was making the gravy, muttering to herself as she added just the right amount of cornflower to thicken it. In the oven the turkey was cooking, turning that beautiful golden color.
From the living room Eleanor could hear the laughter of the children. Her nieces and nephews, playing the game system they’d set up for the occasion. When she wandered into the room, she watched the screen and the brightly coloured creatures jumping and fighting. She couldn’t make heads or tails of it.
“Auntie Eleanor!” The youngest, a four year old boy named Sebastian, grinned up at her from the floor.
“Hello Sebastian,” she smiled back and sat down beside him, brushing her fingers through his fair hair.
This used to hurt.
The ache had been so powerful. Though she loved her sisters and she loved their children, she’d also been jealous. She had been denied children, quietly accepting her husband’s refusal and just hoping that it might happen, one day, please.
Please, she had begged the universe, let this change.
And it had.
But not in the way she had expected.
Eleanor had been given a gift and had made a sacrifice. She had been given the power to defend all the children of the city and in return there was no space in her life to dedicate to one of her own.
It hurt but not as much as expected. The strength the Negaverse had given her made it worth it.
As she sat with the children, a pain that had once been overwhelming, never surfaced. She laughed with them and eventually, was coaxed into playing. Her little pink creature somehow sucked up and enemy as spit it out, and then she was tossed off the screen time and again.
She was so grateful. So grateful for this time with them. For her family. For all she had been gifted.
Later they sat around the table, the turkey in the middle and mountains of mash potato and vegetables to add to their plates. It was a joyous moment and one she would carry in her heart forever.
It was a good thing, for when she glanced at Samuel, his smile dropped away and she was reminded that there were dark times ahead.
It didn’t matter. She was ready to fight.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:56 pm
Giving Thanks
Username: ZaiaFantasy Character: Opal
I'm thankful for:
Destiny was, and always would be, thankful for Karma.
When they met she'd been a serious student, spending a majority of her days in class, at work, or in the library. A fun night was reading in bed for the remaining few minutes of her day before falling asleep with the book discarded in her lap. She did not go out and have fun and she certainly did not have time for romance. Romance was the downfall of the studious and she had no time to be distracted. It was a lonely life, but she hardly considered it with her eyes firmly fixed on the prize.
She bumped into Karma by accident outside of the library and immediately found herself charmed by her easy air and the way she laughed. She was decked out in head to toe rainbow in a fashion much more ostentatious than her own muted style but there was something about her…Before she knew it she was being pulled down the street toward an arcade that she swore served pretty good pizza.
She panicked.
She was not the video game playing type and had not kept up on the latest titles. The first one she dragged her to was a dance game that Destiny looked embarrassed just standing near it. Her fearless companion simply hopped on and deposited enough money for the both of them and when she tried to protest it was met with. “Shut up. Just dance with me.”
So she did.
The first round was atrocious. She felt like an idiot compared to Karma’s skill and heard booing more often than the compliments that came from her new friend’s machine. The quarters kept coming, though, and soon she got into it. She was able to laugh at her own mistakes, enjoying the sound of it on top of the music. She had not laughed like that in what felt like months. And she kept finding reasons to laugh. The pizza tasted like cardboard and they were probably the only teenagers there but they drifted from one game to another talking and laughing and having a good time.
When the night was over she kissed her. She was helpless not to, entirely smitten. This girl was everything she never knew she always wanted and she knew that she couldn’t, wouldn’t, be without her for the rest of their lives. It took all of her self control not to call her the second she got home, and failed, and spent the rest of the night talking to her and barely felt what should have been deep fatigue the next day. She was too excited to be brought down by sleep. She had never wanted anything so much in all her life.
Which brought her to the ring in her hand. That date seemed to happen so long ago but the joy, the love, was still fresh every time she looked Karma’s way. Though her other half sometimes did things that drove her mad, like randomly changing the decor in their bar, she could not help but continue to fall a little more in love with her every day. She hoped, prayed, that this ring would show her how much. She would happily spend the rest of her life convincing Karma that she was worth marrying if she had to.
Maybe her girlfriend would never really know how thankful she was for her. In a lot of ways Karma saved her life. The least she could do was spend each day devoted to paying her back.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:45 pm
Giving Thanks
Username: tatterpixie Character: Robin Attewood
I'm thankful for: It was such a completely American thing, this Thanksgiving ritual s**t. Rob slouched on the couch of his parents' living room, arms crossed over his chest, scowling at the tv as the endless parade of giant colorful balloons went by on the screen, occasionally interrupted with a terrible lip-synched Broadway production number. His parents were in the kitchen; his mother was preparing the side dishes while the turkey rested, and his father was more providing a cheering section than actually helping her, beer in hand as he watched her work. Rob sneered mentally, sparing them a glance before turning his attention back to the tv. It was all so bloody cozy.
Why his family had decided to start celebrating Thanksgiving was beyond him. They were English, for god's sake! Yeah, it was close to a year since they had moved from London to Destiny City, and he supposed that was a reason for them to mark the occasion in some manner. At least it was for his parents. For him, it hadn't been such a spectacular year. Moving to America, no band, no record label, busking to pay his way, dealing with Sid and Isaiah and their drama, and oh yeah the whole ******** Sailor Puck senshi thing throwing a spanner in the works.
But… Rob thought about it for a moment. If it hadn't been for the senshi thing, he never would have met Aitana. He had been such a sour p***k lately, it was a miracle that she still apparently liked him. And he wanted her to like him, because he liked her, a lot. She'd taught him that it was okay to punch first and ask questions later. There was quite a bit he was still processing about their relationship, whatever it was, but he knew he'd never had feelings for anyone like he did for her. Was that what love felt like? He didn't know.
So. He supposed Aitana was one thing to be thankful for, if that was what this holiday was all about.
What else? His house was paid for, thanks Mum and Dad for the assist, so he didn't have to worry about ending up on the street. Not that his parents would allow that -- they'd put him up in their house before anything so drastic happened to him. And despite his surly demeanor, he did love them, his father Michael the doctor and his mother Charlotte the music professor. He'd never wanted for anything his entire life thanks to them. Yeah, maybe he was a bit of a spoiled brat because of it, but he considered himself very fortunate indeed to have parents who put up with the likes of him.
One more thing to be thankful for. Maybe two more things.
Huh. Maybe there was something to this holiday after all. Though why would one need a special day to feel thankful about things? Shouldn't one feel thankful every single day? That would make more sense.
Bloody Americans, he smirked, watching another giant balloon crawl across the tv screen. Got it wrong again.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 2:05 pm
Giving Thanks
Username: Parue Character: Trinity Duboise
I'm thankful for:
Thanksgiving was a large deal in her home. The house was buffed polished and shined. She had been dodging the help all day. She was glad they were being so thorough, but she had to make it clear her room was off limits. All to soon people would start arriving for the large formal dinner that her father hosted. It would be beautiful. Dazzling. Splendid. Filled with the most expertly crafted thanksgiving dinner that could probably found in a private residence.
It would also be a the most dull night of her life.
She picked out a gown of light blue fabric and simple diamond earrings and necklace. Trinkets and baubles, that were given with little significance and so had little meaning to her.
And all to soon for her liking she was swept up in the steam of guests, acting the part that was more accessory than actual person. She smiled prettily, and let strangers and familiar faces alike kiss her hand and tell her father how lovely his daughter was, how lovely his home, how generous his pockets, and all manner of praise she heard every year. The parade of food that was presented to the long long table was just as much for show as for flavor, and Trinity found herself eating very little, instead doing what she always did.
Waited patiently for it to be over.
And soon enough it was. Taking a deep breath as the final guest left, she turned and looked at her tiny family. Just her father, and his assistant Taiki who was stuck somewhere between mom and brother.
Her normally poised and proper father tugged at the bow tie, loosening it to the point where it lost most of its form. He looked between the two of them and gave an almost boyish grin." Well mes chéris, I think that went well. " He picked up a champagne flute with deft fingers, and drained the last of it and setting the empty glass on the top of a tray of a passing girl with a tray of dishes. He was always in high spirits after a successful dinner party... But as she narrowed her eyes of so slightly... she noticed something.
Her normally poised father was... was he... drunk?
Okay, maybe not drunk. Philipe Duboise never got drunk. But at least Tipsy. He slipped an arm around Taiki's shoulders " You both were magnifique. Now what do you say we all go and actually eat " He said, ruffling taiki's hair and releasing him to link arms with her.
She looked up adoringly between the two men beside her, ones face flush with success and maybe just a bit to much alcohol, ones face puzzled with lips maybe tilted down a little bit as he tried to put his hair to rights, yet at the same time trailing beside them willingly.
This was what she was truly grateful for. Not the big house, or the diamonds around her throat or even the bountiful food that was spread out on the counters, Philipe dismissing a flock of staff who were trying to portion and store all of it.
Her strange little family. She watched her father pick up a stuffed mushroom with his fingers and pop it into his mouth, and watch Taiki pull out a fork from apparently thin air and stab a morsel of lobster. She gave a dismissive shrug and slumped over the counter and stabbed a sweet glazed yam with an over-sized serving fork, and preceded to nibble delicately on it. She could do without everything else... After losing a family member once she never wanted to do it again. They were precious to her and she would hold onto this, protect this, forever.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:28 pm
Giving Thanks
Username: Iris_virus Character: Menthe Sylvia
I'm thankful for: There weren't very many restaurants open on Thanksgiving day.
It was a holiday that was made for family gatherings. People gathered with their family, be they blood or the sort of families people made on their own out of friends that they cared dearly for. They ate and conversed. Sharing time, and stories, and love. Togetherness.
But for Menthe what she was most thankful for this Thanksgiving was to be without family. To be dining alone in this almost empty restaurant.
Her mother had always been overbearing. Ever since the moment her father left and Rosemary had been left alone to fulfill both parenting roles, her version of love had been suffocating to her only child.
Her grip had been ironclad, protecting her daughter from the 'horrors' of the world while carefully instilling the fear that would make the young girl want to continue to cling to her mother. A mother who instead of comforting her child with sweet words would instead whisper dark and terrible stories even as she pressed her trembling child against her chest. There are no monsters under your bed, only the ones outside your windows. Thieves, husbands who beat their helpless wives, molesters that will steal you off the streets.
Constant criticism kept Menthe tucked to her mother's side. Whispers that she was never good enough for anyone else, that only a mother could truly love her. And she, like any obedient child would, believed what was told to her. Took it all to heart and let it shape who she would become.
Rosemary had crafted guilt into a fine toothed weapon.
Menthe had been 19 when she finally realized just how destructive her mother was. She'd been working at the law office for over 6 months and had saved a decent amount of savings. It was the time in life when children were supposed to move out on their own and start their own lives. But to Rosemary it had been nothing more than an egregeous slight. How dare her daughter be so ungrateful. And for the first time in her life Menthe had fought. But she had never been taught to fight or to be strong, and in the end it was more of a compromise than a win.
There were times since then that Menthe thought she hated her mother. Thought that no mother should treat their child in such a way and cause so much anxiety and unhappiness. But each such proclaimation, even though they were entirely silent and in her own head, was met with an argument of its own. She couldn't REALLY hate her mother, could she? Not after everything she had done for her. All her mother had given up for her. She owed love and respect to Rosemary she supposed. If she herself hadn't been so terrible and needy then perhaps her mother wouldn't have been so overbearing. Which was why Menthe sat through the many nagging and intrusive phonecalls. Why she continued to this day let her mother make certain decisions for her. And why, even though it usually meant weeks of crying, anxiety, and all around terrible feelings (both before and after the actual day) she suffered through holidays like Thanksgiving at her mother's side.
But this year was different. Some miracle that Menthe did not know what she had done to deserve. Rosemary had been invited cross country by her astranged sister. And there was just no way that Menthe could be forced into going as well. Surely she'd have to suffer through some phonecalls. But phonecalls were slightly easier.
The moment Menthe had learned she'd be alone for Thanksgiving she began to plan the celebration.
The waitress wasn't being very attentive, likely annoyed to be working on the holiday instead of being home with her own family, but Menthe didn't mind. In fact it was just a further blessing.
The beautiful little cornish hen mimiced a tiny turkey, fancy side dishes upscaled from the normal Thanksgiving fare. And Menthe slowly and deliberately enjoyed it all in quiet peace, savoring each delicious bite. Quiet music piped from the ceiling, like a barely audible lullaby in the dim mood lighting. By the time she had taken the last bite of her over priced dessert (an overly complicated and beautiful pastry with tastes that screamed of pumpkin spice and cream) the young woman could only sigh. And for the first holiday that she could remember in a long time Menthe smiled.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:48 pm
Giving Thanks
Username: Silverah Character: Jenna / Teide
I'm thankful for:
Jenna didn’t remember much in the way of Thanksgivings. She’d lost her memories in her purification, something she generally assumed to be to her benefit. What she knew of Gemma Hudson’s life was that it was unhappy, that her father was absent, her stepmother was a Negaverse general keen on spiriting her away to Boston for undoubtedly nefarious purposes, and her mother was… She sighed, drawing a big, fat blank. Her mother was still in Destiny City somewhere, if she was alive at all, and she was probably spending Thanksgiving alone, thinking her daughter was dead in a ditch somewhere, her underwear around her ankles, her hands bound with electrical tape…
Jenna stilled her hands over the carrots she was chopping, shaking her head to chase the thought away. She could get negative sometimes, her mind going to dark places… she thought of it as residual Chaos, even though she knew her Starseed was pure. It was no good to linger on all that darkness. Jenna’s life was better than Gemma’s had been, and if this was going to be her first Thanksgiving then she was going to make the best of it!
She had so many things to be thankful for, after all. Like Laney! And Aludra! And Avalon and Camlann! Having Avalon back was especially nice, after all, she’d been certain her former mentor was dead and she was cursed. But it had turned out okay! Better than okay! Because, if there was one thing Jenna was sure of, this was going to be the happiest Thanksgiving she’d ever had.
She finished with the carrots and swept them into the stew pot. The stove in her and Laney’s studio apartment had died about three tenants ago, but they had a hot plate that burned hot enough to boil chicken stock if you let it run for long enough. Most of their dinner was going to be store-bought, but Jenna to have at least one homemade thing on their table. Chicken soup was easy. She had a recipe from the internet and a big bag of vegetables and… she’d never made soup before. They didn’t really cook much.
She hoped, desperately, that it turned out okay.
It smelled good so far. That seemed like a good sign.
She finished with the vegetables, and then went to go set the table. None of their silverware matched. The plates were chipped and four different patterns. But she could set a nice table and she could make the most of this. They were sisters. Jenna didn’t have parents anymore, but that… that was okay. Because she had Laney. She’d left her blood family behind and found something so, so much better.
So maybe tonight wouldn’t be perfect. Maybe it wouldn’t have the opulence she might have enjoyed if she’d gone with Trixilite. (Jenna didn’t remember her stepmother’s civilian face, but she remembered that her general uniform dripped luxury, that her tastes were expensive, her home elegant.) But they’d be happy, and that made it better than any Thanksgiving money could buy.
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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:57 pm
Giving Thanks
Username: Shazari Character: Laney Sutton/Hvergelmir of the Cosmos
I'm thankful for: A hot plate, Laney thought, was not usually something to be thankful for. Not by Thanksgiving standards, anyway.
In truth, though she'd spent many Thanksgivings quite alone, Laney had never actually been in the position of lacking for decent meals before this year. Her parents always left money, with a note along the lines of We'll be home late -- go ahead and fend for yourself. which meant ordering pizza. Or Chinese. Or anything else she liked that would appear at her door without any effort on her part. Most days she ordered soup and salad from a local place a few blocks down from home. She liked them. They were always nice on the phone.
This year, like most years, Laney was not having a Thanksgiving dinner with a big turkey and her parents. No turkey, this year. No parents. It wasn't unusual.
This year, though, she wasn't just fending for herself.
She was a grown adult, and she was fending for Jenna, too.
They'd worked hard on it, in their own way -- in the same, silly ways they used to try and make all the little aspects of the lives they'd carved out into something special. Laney had gotten a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery -- the centerpiece of their little feast. Jenna was slaving lovingly over a homemade soup she was preparing on the hot plate. A careful arrangement of crescent roll dough was rising in their toaster oven, each little moon shape turning golden as it baked. Green beans were ready to take their eventual place in the microwave. Mashed potatoes, reconstituted from dried flakes in a box, were now cooling in a mixing bowl. Cranberry sauce just needed to be de-canned.
Their card tables were set with plastic tablecloths from the dollar store, each one lovingly presented with their outdoor plastic plateware and cups, fenced in with simple silverware. They'd splurged on 'fancy' paper napkins.
It didn't matter. It was beautiful.
It was fun.
Laney never felt self-conscious around Jenna. The younger girl accepted her, regarded her as a sister -- and Laney felt the same. Jenna had never complained that their clothes were thrifted second-hand, or that they had to use the computers at the library. The two of them lived a very small life, but it was something that, above all else, they had made. Something they had chosen. They were taking their GEDs together soon. They listened to an old Aqua CD on their boom box while they cleaned and shouted gleefully about life in plastic being fantastic until their neighbors from the floor below banged on the ceiling to get them to quiet down. They had a hot plate and some card tables and folding chairs, and they slept on a twin bed and an air mattress, and they re-papered their walls with new wrapping paper about once a month (just to keep things fresh and exciting), and it was always kind of a fun game to find the bad bulb when their strings of Christmas lights went dead. It was their home, just the two of them -- and it was their family, just the two of them -- and it didn't matter, not even a little. They had done a good job. Laney was sure of it.
{544 words}
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Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 2:26 am
Giving ThanksUsername: Ivynian Character: Quenton Marinus I'm thankful for: There were no calls from family- Stroud or otherwise. There had never been great keeping of such events except as observances for social advancement. There were no calls or arrangements with friends - Odysseus was probably busy with his own large family, Colin’s small indication in text had been one not of camaraderie, Jeanne was a valkyrie-friend he’d not met in casual life much, Hannah had a young life that spoke of family whether in the hospital or not, and likewise with Delilah. Ash had clear limitations or wants of company, or preferences against specific sorts. Alois was dead, however his presence echoed in words of german, notes of piano imagined next to the sounds of traffic outside, or the weight of the young man’s bones on his hand. His few connections were dear, thin lights in high windows that he couldn’t or dared but touch in dire circumstance, ultimately distant. He was still thankful for them, but thankfulness between himself and others was again and again iterated to be best expressed by not inflicting himself on them. The CatFé wouldn’t be open for Thursday or Black Friday, only opening as expected on Small Business Saturday to kick off the holiday season. It meant two days where his time was more dedicated to catching up with Graduate work, and spoiling the most important presence in his life: Faust. His Imperial Eminence, Lord Ouija. Mr. Puff, Maocifer, PuffNStuff, or any number of equally ridiculous monikers heaped on the fluffy singularity that was his Mauvian roommate. He had prepared by consulting and practicing actual massage with the CatFé’s consulting veterinarian. The animal sort was used for surgical rehabilitation, as opposed to mocked and internet famous videos about fetishized petting. It was worth learning, considering how often the Mauvian was on the front line of hunting and battle, and personal danger. For the holiday of Thanks, however, Quenton planned to utilize the new learning to make the Old Man feel luxuriant and extra special. Dinner was a small, special affair for them both. He’d ordered a fresh duck in, organic and free range of about 6 lbs to roast with Cranberry Mostaza. The new apartment had increased footspace, and allowed some room to acquire small niceties like a small set of cookware and a knife block worth using for culinary trials greater than college basics. The whole of rendering and seasoning, simmering, reductions was about an hour- 2 tablespoons of the reserved duck fat to went to quartered endives, seasoned with salt and pepper for further human consumption, and a small selection of melon balls and broccoli florets for Mauvian (or catly) health. As much as awakening had allowed the furbeast to talk, think, and display a star on his brow, it hadn’t seemed to alter his physiology any further than the connection to Thraen had made Quenton’s human body anything closer to whatever a native of that asteroid world should have been. Faust was still sort of a cat, still purred, still scratched trees and seemed to prefer pooping in litter or leaves outdoors. He needed to eat protein for 10 specific amino acids they his body couldn’t make on his own, as well as vitamins and minerals to keep him sharp and healthy. And the round melon balls would look adorable and likely frustrate the puff rolling around on his plate as he licked at them with his too-cute, sandpaper tongue. The massage could be after dinner, then maybe he could heft his friend to his lap for a long nap in one of the window chairs while Quenton read. Hours later? They could spend some time working on stretching, flexibility, testing each other’s accuracy and speed at targets with paws against hands, possibly a laser pointer? And pictures. Plenty of pictures. Words:630
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Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 5:52 am
Giving Thanks
Username: LokisRose Character: Gigi Gennaro (with bonus Kirra Morrow)
I'm thankful for: Mostly dessert.
“Early Christmas!” sang Kirra, bouncing into the dining room, past the table already set in readiness, and on into the kitchen where motherly madness reigned.
“It’s not ‘early Christmas’,” Gigi sighed, following behind her tiny cousin. “It’s Thanksgiving.”
“Lookit the turkey! Christmas turkey!”
“It’s not. It’s Thanksgiving turkey.”
“Does it taste different? I can’t see!”
Bounce, bounce bounce. The child would just not stop, hopping up on her tiptoes to peek into the oven where the bird was roasting. Gigi pulled her away gently before she brought the door down on herself or something. Both their moms nodded gratefully from where they were prepping the rest of the food. Gigi’s mother was not a stellar cook, and it seemed having her sister as helper hadn’t made things any more organised. But despite the mess, Gigi now felt she hadn’t so much dodged the kitchen-minion bullet as given herself a life-sentence in Kirra-wrangling. She hoped she hadn’t been that bad when she was small. Or when she was caffeinated.
Today she just felt tired, and she had a long day ahead, but it was hardly the first Thanksgiving she’d celebrated spread across two houses and two dinners. It was hard to be thankful about it, and her small cousin was trying her patience. But she needed to at least try and set a good example. It was the first Thanksgiving her Australian family had celebrated since moving here. She wanted to make it a good one for them, make sure they got the full impact of all the traditions. And she’d been trying very hard to bring Kirra up to speed. They’d read the book about the pilgrims half a dozen times in the last week. Gigi could have quoted it word for word. For nine-and-two-months, her little cousin was sometimes frustratingly young.
Gigi ushered the energetic girl out of the kitchen, leaving behind the enticing smells. Kirra pouted up at her.
“Wait until it’s cooked,” Gigi told her. “They’re busy making everything”
“Can there be ice-cream?”
“It’s way cold for ice-cream. But I know we’re having pie.”
That seemed to be enough for Kirra, and she allowed Gigi to guide her back to the loungeroom.
Her mother had insisted on doing ‘all the trimmings’, which meant even though the turkey was already half-cooked behind the glazed door of the oven, it would be at least another hour before they could sit down and eat. It was nice to see her mother so cheerful, though. They hadn’t had a lot of visitors before Aunt Amelia’s family came over. Now, Auntie and her mom were giggling like schoolgirls over the half-peeled potatoes. Gigi just wished that her dad would have come too. She’d invited him, behind her mother’s back, and invited elderly Aunt Giovanna, too, since she was walking again and able to eat a bit. But her dad said she wasn’t up for travel. So Gigi would make the long trip across town once she was stuffed with mom’s turkey, and have another Thanksgiving dinner that couldn’t be beat with her dad and great-aunt. There would probably be cannoli.
I *am* thankful, she told herself. Thankful that no-one was going to force her to ‘try’ pumpkin pie again, in case she’d magically started liking it since this time last year. Her dad would have tiramisu, because her dad understood. But they couldn’t serve something like that with Kirra around. Mom had found a pecan pie instead, and it looked pretty amazing, though only time would tell if it came out of the oven with her mother’s traditional blackened edges. Gigi shouldn’t complain – it wasn’t like she could cook any better.
She was thankful to have her distant family suddenly so close, even if that meant Kirra was practically swinging on her arm while she tried to pick a puzzle game to amuse her with until food was ready. She was thankful, incredibly so, for Aunt Giovanna’s remission, and would tell her so when she headed over there this evening. She had her whole family, even if they weren’t all in one place, even if she couldn’t make them be in one place by any amount of begging or tricking or turning back the clock. And of course she had her dear, dear friends, and she hoped they were having a less baby-sitting Thanksgiving than she was.
She couldn’t keep making herself miserable over the broken bits of her life she couldn’t fix. Only be thankful she still had all her treasured people, and work to keep them, whatever way she could.
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