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*Rita gets to the showers, and set Izriel down then fill up a large bathtub.*
Rita: Alright... do you need any more help?
*Awkwardly wrings hands.*
Rita: I can help you get in, and out of the tub.. just let me know.

----
*Jake nods back to Denny, and watches her for a moment.*
Jake: Just gonna grab you some food.. be right back.
*He gives her a quick kiss, nods to Perron, and heads to the kitchen.*

*Shakes head sadly*
My family is long dead, and anyone I get close to has a tendency to die horribly. And my life lately... there isn't much to celebrate. I will, of course, be a part of your celebration, but I won't be holding the ribbons.

[Yvette smiles] My home was very restrained in decoration. We had candles and painted wooden ornaments.

[Benny stalks Verdai like a very flamboyant cat]

[Perron smiles tiredly and steps into the doorway] ...Hey.
[Clothes are clean and tidy, but still looks slightly hobo, and isn't holding up his glamour spells] [2-day stubble and old burns are clearly visible]
[Walks to Denny's bed] ..I'm glad they found you. [Looks incredibly guilty]

*Starts taking off armour with a fair bit of strain*
I should be...Nngh, fine. Thank you Rita.
*Stands beside the bath getting out of armour*

~

*Joal sighs, nods at Verdai, and goes back to decorating*

~

*Denny nods at Perron*
D: I am too. Glad you're back as well.
*Sighs*
D: You should get groomed up.

*Rita nods, looking away from Izriel.*
Rita: Okay.. I'm gonna be in the showers close by.. just yell if you need me.
*She quickly walks off, and goes into her own shower room.*
*Turns on shower, and begins taking off armor.*

-----
*Jake goes to the kitchen, and starts heating up some leftovers.*
*Drinks a good amount of water, as he waits for the leftovers to heat up.*

----
*Mason waits patiently at the bar for Rita, still drinking.*
*He lights a cigar, and sighs.*

*Eventually strips out of armour, takes off skirt, and looks at self*
*Inspects bruises and wounds, sighs, and slides into the bath*
*Makes a slightly undignified noise, and slides even further in*
*Only thing visible is knees, top of head, eyes, and nose*
*Rubs bruises, and makes more undignified noises at the pain/pleasure of being under warm water*

[Perron smiles and looks embarrassed] I err, I can't, that thing- It was draining my energy. I don't have anything to work with right now. [Snaps fingers and a very pale flare of white light appears and fades]
And I've never re-learned to do these things manually. [Looks ashamed]

[Lowers head] I think though.. That they were taking my energy to use it against you and Jake. [Looks distressed] I didn't- I didn't know it was to harm you, Denny I'm sorry. I couldn't do anything...
I don't know how I can ever make this up to you.

[Benny creeps up on Verdai] ...

Yes, Benny?

[Benny violates Verdai's personal space with soft cuddles] You looked after V2, you're a good person. [Looks up and smiles]
We're grateful.

Thank you... I... appreciate it. Is he safe? He isn't hurt in any way?

D: It's fine. Not your fault.
*Shrugs*
D: Learn how to use a razor. That helps with beards, or so I've heard.

[Shakes head] He's fine. He was quite lonely but you were very kind.
He's disappointed that he didn't get to show you this though.
[Pulls out cardboard box and passes it to Verdai] [If opened, it's completely empty]

*Rita takes off her armor, and takes a long cold shower.*
*She mostly just let's the water spray her head, and sits thinking.*

---
*Jake finishes cooking up some leftovers, and walks back to Denny's hospital room.*
*He enters silently not wishing to interrupt the conversation.*

*Final preparations for the drinking contest are made*
*festive music increases in volume*

Ok, excellent. I'm glad.
*Opens the box*
It's... empty? Is this an art thing? It's very... minimalistic. I like the simplicity of-
*Crumples onto the ground*

*looks down at Maiev*
That was a good movie.
*kisses Maiev's nose and smiles*

*Santiago puts an arm around Joalia's shoulders*
S: (It's alright, Joal.)

[Perron shakes head and puts his hand on the rail of the bed, but doesn't touch Denny] ...No, I will find a way to do something for you, even if it takes a long time. If it weren't for my arrogance in facing O'Dimm, then I wouldn't have been in a position to harm you.
You and Jake have always been good to me, and I'm going to make it right.

[Touches chin] ..? Oh my god, I'm fuzzy. [Horrified] [At least smells like soap]

[Commissar looks up groggily from the sofa] [Uses new arm to aim bolt pistol and destroy the nearest speaker]

[Benny gasps and drops to kneel by Verdai] No! It's just a box... paper clips came in it!

*Takes a deep breath, and submerges under the water*
*Opens eyes, and looks at cuts on chest*
*Traces the scars, and accidentally strays to the side*
...?!
*Makes another undignified noise and chokes on water*

~

*Maiev was snoozing*
M: Hmm? Oh, okay yeah...
*Yawns*

~

Joal: (Why can he not be as into this as I am? It is fun...)
*Sighs, and half-heartedly puts up more decorations*

~

*Denny shrugs*
D: If you say so. I don't really care either way.
*Nods slightly*
D: Yes, you're fuzzy.

Ow... I- what happened? I feel like my brain suddenly repeated every thought I had...

*Gharn lies in the water for a long time just soaking then eventually starts actually washing off what remains of the blood, wincing as he washes*


*Iris nods*
Iris: That sounds simple... and rather boring if I'm to be honest.
*Horus walk by, she looks at him, raises a eyebrow in a question then nods as he waves her off*
Horus: In a bit, I'm going to shower.
*Iris nods and sits down*

*Rita sits in the shower, and shivers from her stim withdrawals.*
*She sighs, and washes herself.*
-------------

*Jake nods, and sits next to Denny.*
Jake: You don't owe us a thing Perron...
*Offers Denny reheated leftovers (pancakes or something.)*

*the drinking contest begins with me and the Space Wolf matching each other mug for mug*

*Stays in the bath, and stares at index finger*
...!

~

*Denny nods, and takes a pancake*
*Eats it quietly*

~

*Amelia silently jabs Yarrick in the ribs*
Amy: Kiyah!

[Perron is fascinated by having facial hair] [Unlike his hair, it's plain old black and grey] Maybe I could rock a goatee. [Snaps out of it] ...
I messed up and other people were hurt, Jake. You understand how honor works... Even if it's dumb as hell, I'm going to find something good I can do. [Looks determined]
[Salutes them both] Have a restful night. [Vanishes]

[Benny picks Verdai up and helps him to the sofa] You looked in an empty box.

*smiles*
So what do you want to do now? You can get some more sleep, if you want.

*Santiago shakes his head and continues to keep his arm on Joalia*
S: (Not everyone enjoys the holidays. Maybe I should tell you about the Grinch, and the Scrooge.)

*the contest is continuing with no signs of slowing down*

*Rita finishes showering, and dries herself off silently.*
*She then puts on some sweatpants and a sweatshirt.*

-----
*Jake sighs, but nods at Perron.*
Jake: You as well... take care Perron.
*He sits next to Denny, and eats a piece of pancake.*
Jake: So feeling better, think we can stay in our room?

*Gharn eventually climbs out of the bath, looking much much better and realizes he forgot to get new clothes then sighs and pulls on the dirty, bloodstained pants and walks out of the showers*

*Sinks under the water again, and uses fingers like they've never been used before*

~

*Maiev shrugs, and yawns*
M: I'm going to find someone to drain, then I'll be back.
*Kisses Kara's cheek and giggles*
M: And I'll be all yours...

~

*Joalia tilts her head slightly at Santiago*
Joal: (Grinch? Scrooge? What is that?)

~

*Jordan lugs the barrel over her shoulder, and places it in the corner of the room*
J: ...
*Thinks, and starts mathing really hard*

~

*Denny shrugs*
D: Sure.

*Horus walks into a shower stall and starts showering*


*Gharn ducks into his room and comes out a moment later in a tank top and fresh sweatpants*


*Iris examines her glitter-filled sparking hair*
Iris: Oh dear... this is not coming out for ages...


*Billy sees Jordan thinking hard and sits down but stays quiet*