I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

[universal_charm]

WHO: Kirk + Friends
WHAT: Kirk wants to share a tradition from his home world with his friends (Christmas, it's Christmas and he's giving them present)
WHEN: Throughout Firstfall as he can get with people
WHERE: Around Skyhold
NOTES: Cuteness, possible sex, ridiculousness

Kirk has some surprises for his close friends at Skyhold.

Starters below as their own comments.

Comments

SAMOUEL

[universal_charm]

"Hey, Sam, let me up a second."

Kirk nudged his lover with his thigh, letting off his playing with Samouel's dark hair as the mage leaned up against him between his legs. Kirk set aside the novel he had been reading in favor of bracing to push himself out of the bed and pad over to one of the drawers. If he bent over so that he gave Sam a nice view of his rear as he rummaged, well, consider that his apology for having to move them from their comfortable entanglement.

[el_tybs]

It takes the mage a moment to grasp that Kirk wasn't reading that line out of the book - where did that Samouel character come from, and he had the same name - and actually asking him to get up. He's a bit reluctant to get up, as he was warm and comfortable with their current position, but nevertheless Sam does push himself up so that Kirk can slide out.

Sam immediately allows himself to sprawl out over the mattress, effectively taking over it, watching lazily from his spot as Kirk goes off to look for something. There's a slight hum as Kirk obviously stands in such a way for his viewing pleasure, but the rummaging in the drawer ultimately has his attention.

"What you looking for?"

[universal_charm]

Any and all similarities to persons or events is accidental and purely works of fiction, Sam. Purely fiction. He laughed when he heard the bed creak under Sam's position adjustment, already seeing how he had taken over the space in his head. He only knew because he had seen the position before, and he rather liked it, especially when Sam was naked.

"Well, we have this celebration, back on my world called Christmas," he explained. "It's a celebration of winter, much like your Saturnalia. And one of the traditions is that you give gifts to those close and special to you."

Slowly he straightened, holding a rectangular object wrapped in a colorful bit of cloth. Turning, he came back to the bed, sitting on the edge and holding it out to him.

"Merry Christmas," he smiled.

[el_tybs]

"Sounds a lot like Saturnalia." Course that had already come and gone - along with a gift of jams during the holiday for reasons. Still at hearing about gifts, Sam shifts again so that he was laying on his stomach and leaning up on his elbows.

"Christmas, huh?" he asks, reaching out to take the clothed object. For a moment Sam merely looks at it as it is, turning it over as if he would be able to tell what it was. Eventually he slowly unwraps it.

[universal_charm]

Cloth fell away to reveal a leather bound journal, a simple design on the front that he had found for cheap at one of the markets. But it wasn't empty on the inside. Instead, contained on the pages, in Kirk's precise script, were details about worlds. Worlds not found in Thedas' sky or upon her shores.

Each page had the name of the planet written atop it, a series of small, fun notes or events of import, and either a brushy sketch of the planet (Kirk was no artist, but he thought he did a fairly passable job), and where he could find the colors little patches to give an idea of what the planet looked like. Clearly he had been working on this for some time, a labor of love.

"I thought it might be nice, if you had a reference for some of the stories I tell," he murmured, waiting for his reaction.

[el_tybs]

Seeing the leather of the journal has Sam smiling, fingers tracing the design embedded in the front. The smile fades slightly though out of surprise and confusion when he flips it open, having expected blank pages, save for perhaps a note on the first page. Instead he is greeted with colored orbs and text. It takes Sam a moment to realize that these are places Kirk has been.

A bit mystified by this, Sam slowly maneuvers himself so that he was sitting, eyes skimming the descriptions, and a few times just thumbing through the pages to see that the entire book was filled. "You did all this?" Obviously Jim had, but it was still amazing - when had he found time?

[universal_charm]

For a moment, Kirk wondered if he had miscalculated the gift. He thought Sam would appreciate having a more visual reference for the places he talked about. But the expression softened and changed and his chest loosened, smiling softly as he watched Sam brush his fingers across ink and colors (more limited, considering cost, but he tried in places).

"Yeah," he chuckled, taking the book and flipping to the back, to a little circle of green and blue, the title "Earth" written across the top. "I thought - I wanted to share this part of my life with you. But I know the things I talk about can be hard to visualize, so...." He shrugged, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

ISKANDAR

[universal_charm]

"Oh, hey, I have a surprise for you."

The thought seems to come from nowhere as Kirk rests atop Iskandar in the bed above the forge, sheets draped loosely around his hips. He lifted himself up, stretching and raising his arms towards the ceiling, which had the added bonus of giving Iskandar a little show, his skin still red and blushing in certain places from Iskandar's affections earlier.

Smirking to himself, Kirk wriggled off Iskandar's hips and promptly crouched down beside the bed, patting with his fingers until he felt the edge of the box he'd hidden beneath before bringing Iskandar back to the loft.

"Close your eyes," he commanded.

[conqueredhearts]

They'd been cuddling rather nicely when Jim wanted to get up and he lifted a brow but let him move to do so. Mainly because he was curious as to what this surprise was. Well that and he did always enjoy that naked body as it moved around the room. Hence why he reclined and put his hands behind his head to enjoy the view before he was told to close his eyes.

"Hmm?" Still, he obeyed after some blinking. Even he could obey that much. Besides, it wasn't like the man was going to do anything terrible to him, that much was rather obvious.

"What is it?"

Well, he had to at least ask.

[universal_charm]

"A surprise," Kirk drawled, pulling the wooden box out and climbing back into bed. There was not to much room given Iskandar's size, but there was enough as Kirk resumed his place atop his hips. For a bit of fun he might have wiggled more than was strictly necessary, but he couldn't resist.

He held the box up to his chest, the box itself rather unassuming except for the pattern worked onto the top - a grid of squares in alternating colors of light and dark wood. A chess board, for those who knew the game.

"All right, open up," his voice bubbled with excitement.

[conqueredhearts]

"Mmmm...mm..." Okay yes he could still enjoy someone wiggling more than was necessary on his lap. He even smiled some but still kept his hands to himself while he waited because he had no way of knowing if this was something erotic or not. After all, this was Jim.

When he heard him give permission, Iskandar opened his eyes and looked at the box. Blinking a couple times, he tilted his head. Then it dawned on him and he smiled.

"Is it a game of some sort?" He might not recognize what the game was but he certainly could figure out that it was a game at all!

[universal_charm]

"Yes, it's a game," Kirk beamed, giving Iskandar a last, slow roll of his hips before he slid off him to be able to set the box between them. "It's my favorite game from my home world."

He paused as he undid the clasps securing the box, as if suddenly unsure if this was something Iskandar would find amusement or pleasure in. The last thing Kirk wanted was to bore one of his lovers, but he had hoped that Iskdnar would appreciate this particular game. And, selfishly, that he would be good at it and give him a challenge.

"It's called Tri-Dimensional Chess," he explained, opening up the box to reveal a set of white and black pieces and three boards. "A strategy game."

[conqueredhearts]

Sitting up immediately, he crossed his legs so he could better look at what was being setup. Obviously he was looking very interested so far. Iskandar had such a love for games, having been one to purchase a video game and console just because it looked like fun. He was a giant warrior but within him beat the heart of a child as he planted his hands on his knees and leaned forward.

"Tri-Dimensional Chess. I like the sound of this! How does one play?"

Someone was loving his surprise.

HERMOINE

[universal_charm]

For such a large animal, Atlas was surprisingly delicate. Delicate enough that at first Kirk didn't notice the large horse lipping at his hair, not until he felt a bit of slobber settle into the fine strands and work down to his scalp. It was his own fault really - having assuming a seat atop a tack box in front of his stall beneath his window was he waited for Hermoine to come and meet him per his request, a small satchel on the floor near his feet.

"Hey, hey, my hair is not a snack!" he chided the mischievous creature, brushing at the strands with only mild irritation as Atlas let out a snort Kirk had the distinct feeling was a laugh.

[bookish_lioness]

Arriving just in time to see Kirk chastise Atlas, Hermione couldn't help chuckling softly as she approached the pair of them. She highly doubted that he'd asked her here to watch him argue with a horse for the comedic value of it, but that didn't mean she wouldn't allow herself a laugh or two when she found something funny. After all, it wasn't nearly as common these days as it had been back home.

Not that she'd been allowing herself to think about that, of course.

"Well, it is the same color of straw," she joked softly, giving him a slight smirk. "You can hardly blame him, really, especially with your head so close to mouth-level for him."

[universal_charm]

Hearing her laugh was worth the slobber in his hair. It felt like she did not laugh enough, especially not after the last mission they attended together, though the festival had seemed to bring back some joy to her. When there was even a little bit to laugh at, why not do so?

"No, I suppose not," he agreed, pushing away the giant's muzzle once again with an annoyed huff that spoke more of affection than irritation.

Giving his attention to Hermoine, he smiled and held up the bag. "Merry Christmas," he announced.

[bookish_lioness]

It was one thing to have Kirk so easily agree with a small joke at his expense, and another thing entirely for him to offer up what was apparently a present. And, given the look of confusion on Hermione's face, it was an entirely unexpected present.

"Christmas?" She paused for a few moments, trying to figure out the date. She'd become accustomed to using the Thedosian calendar, even if it had taken a bit of getting used to (she'd skipped over her own birthday entirely and hadn't realized it until nearly a week later), and Andrastians would have no reason to celebrate Christmas. But if she lined it up just so....

"I suppose it is close to Christmastime, isn't it?" she murmured more to herself, slowly taking a step forward and gingerly reaching out for the bag. "Thank you, Kirk. I'm sorry, if I'd realized-... I don't have anything for you...."

[universal_charm]

Kirk shook his head at her. "No it's all right. I did this out of the blue, I know, so I'm not expecting anything, really. I just thought - with everything that's happened, I had hoped this might make you feel a bit better."

Inside of the bag was a small packet of hard sweets he had managed to bribe the kitchens to give him, something like a cookie that he thought tasted more or less like a ginger snap. There was also a small, rectangular object wrapped in brown paper. Inside of it was a simple journal, the pages filled with notes about the planets he had visited.

The information inside of it was more analytical in nature, reading like an encyclopedia rather than the more storybook type he had given Sam. He knew Hermoine liked information and books, and after some of their talks, he had hoped this might interest her and take her mind off things.

Strictly speaking, both of those journals went against the Prime Directive to some degree, but he gave them no technological information, only information about other races. All things considered, even if they did tell others, most would take it as fancy and not legitimate. Therefore, he felt he could get away with it - if there ever came a need to defend it, of course.

"Well go on, open it."

[bookish_lioness]

Hermione always felt quite bad receiving presents when she didn't have anything to give in return, but it was also rude to turn down a gift, and so she managed a small smile as she gingerly knelt down in front of Kirk, making it easier for her to look at the contents of the bag. She was going to have to remember to ask around for his birthday, or find out when the next traditional Thedosian gift-giving holiday was. She'd managed to collect a fair amount of silver from doing research for Adelaide, after all, so it was hardly as though she couldn't manage to get him something nice.

Her smile broadened when she saw the sweets; she'd seen them before in the kitchens but had never dared to try them. That was the sort of thing that happened when the child of two dentists was thrust into a world with no form of dentistry. Or proper toothpaste. Or floss. But there was no excuse not to try them now that they were a gift, and so she was thankful enough for that.

When she got to the book, though, she'd at first thought it was a journal for her own use until she looked inside. It took reading a few passages, but she eventually recognized it for what it was, and she looked up at Kirk with no small amount of surprise.

"This is all true?" she asked needlessly. After all, it wasn't as though he would make up random facts about different worlds and jot them all down for her. "These are the places you've visited?"

Either way, she was genuinely touched, and she reached forward to offer him a hug. "Thank you, Kirk. You didn't have to do this."

Anders

[universal_charm]

Of all the gifts he had managed to come up with, this felt the most ridiculous by far. But, considering the man he planned to give it too it fit. Anything serious felt out of place and cumbersome, and he honestly didn't feel it was his place, not at this point. Given everything the man went though, he thought he would appreciate something a little more light hearted.

He had asked the other to meet him in the gardens, the kittens (well, full cats now to be honest, but he still thought of them as kittens), explored and pounced on one another along the length of their leashes which Kirk had tied around one leg of the bench he sat on to await Anders.

"Hey, Leonard, come on, don't be mean to your sister," he chided the cats, whom accepted this admonishment with their usual regard for Kirk's words - which is to say, none at all.

[justice_is_blond]

Anders comes into the gardens and his smile widens significantly at the sight of the two cats playing.

"They're growing up so well." Kirk gets a smile too, though Anders is kneeling to rub under Leonard's chin nearly as soon as he's reached the trio. "And I hear bickering is common among siblings, which I'd believe. I don't have any, but I've seen a few steps." Another chin rub and then Anders addresses his attention back to Kirk.

"You wanted me here?"

[universal_charm]

Leonard leaned into the touch happily, his sister coming up to get her own share of said attention. They were well familiar and comfortable with Anders by now, happily taking whatever affection he might give them. From the way they acted, you would think them starved - which was a lie, Kirk and Sam spoiled them rotten.

"Yes, I did," he held up the little bag and the slip of paper. "I don't know if you heard me the other day, but I shared over the crystals a certain tradition from my home world and a holiday called Christmas. I thought I might see it through some more with the tradition of giving gifts to those close to you. So - Merry Christmas, Anders."

Inside the little bag were some sweets he had bribed the cooks to give over, and along with it a slip of paper. Written on it were the words "This paper entitles Anders to 1 Favor from James Tiberius Kirk, to be redeemed at any time, and completed to the best of JTK's abilities".

[justice_is_blond]

He takes the bag, taking a seat next to the kittens to open it up. The crinkling draws their attention and he doesn't even try to protect the bag itself. The contents matter. Anders makes a pleased noise at the sweets - he enjoys them but he rarely seeks them out, so they're a special surprise - but the note gets an eyebrow.

"Any favor, mm? It's very open to interpretation." His voice is teasing. "Should I ask what your thoughts were in regard to redemption, or simply surprise you when I've an idea I think worth it? Also three names? Maker, you're practically a noble."

[universal_charm]

Oh, Kirk knew the trouble with anything that crinkled. He had come to accept that any sound he made with an inanimate object would result in the cats at his feet within roughly three seconds, no matter what it might actually be. One second if it was food.

"Well, you know me, not a fan of rules or restrictions," he winked, teasing him right back. "And surprise me. It's bad luck to let someone know your birthday wish - or favor - anyways." A curious look at that last. "Is three names so uncommon?"

[justice_is_blond]

By now the bag's been abandoned to the kittens entirely. Playful cats are always a welcome sight, after all.

The question gets a bit of a shrug as Anders gently folds the note and tucks it into his belt pouch. What he'll request deserves some consideration.

"Generally you'll find Dalish and elves have one name, common humans and most Dwarves have two, and then it's the noble humans who have a whoe listing of them. There are exceptions to the rules, but most of them are at a downward slant; nobles who have only two names or a Dwarf who has one. You'll not find a common human running around with five. Is three common back where you're from?"