Although the city of New Haven was subterranean, artificial lighting kept a rough estimate of night and day, minimizing disruption to most resident’s circadian rhythms. So, most were asleep when a large purple conifer appeared curiously in the central plaza. A few nightowls (ah-heh) were about to see the large tree erected, dragged by a small group (anyone that kept up with rumours would recognize the ex-Watcher leader and the little cyberneticist, of course).
The tree was monstrously tall, resembling something of an Earthian conifer. But the needles were a dusty purple, the bark near-black. And most strikingly: it glowed. Not throughout, but small patches, bulbs that hung like festive ornaments, vaguely resembling pinecones and radiating a soft lilac light. It was planted in a large base, watered, but still predisposed to shedding its colourful pine needles on the pavement. The faint glow made it look quite pretty and decorative, but it was bereft of any actual ornamentation.
And there it stood until the morning hours, when an announcement came cheerily through the public comms:
“Good morning, residents of New Haven. My voice is not a familiar one; I apologize. But most will have noticed our city’s new centrepiece.
“Many residents have holidays and celebrations during the end of the cycle, and these Yuletide activities are open to all. You have no-doubt noticed the very large tree situated in the central plaza of New Haven. It is quite pretty on its own, if I do say so myself, but it is lacking in decoration, I think. All are invited to hang an ornament—or several—on its branches. Lifts will be available to reach the higher arms, as our centrepiece is a little tall. We encourage everyone to decorate, and to make this focal point our own.
“And for the last two days of the turnover, speakers will be placed around the plaza, and music played during respectable hours. Everyone is invited to wear their best and dance these last two nights away. Food and activities will be provided.
“Thank you.”
Some may have recognized the quiet countertenor of the good Doctor Gadhavi. The address was oddly but perfectly concise.
OOC: Characters are welcome to RP hanging their decorations, or posting their contributions here! The tree will be taken down some time in the new year, but the setting (central plaza) is open to all; events such as low-friction skating, carnival games, and music is free for all to attend and RP.
The two-day fancy-dress event ICly takes place during the last two days before New Year, but OOCly players are free to use the setting time and location from now until January (or however long it takes to complete your scenes!).
They clustered the very bottom, at first - but whoever this mysterious benefactor of a plethora of pompom, googly-eyed Gakki eventually appeared to have help, as over the course of the day, the little critters slowly migrated up the tree.
Some had notes tied around their little necks, with the unmistakable letters that were meticulously copied, though only vaguely understood:
HAPPY YULE MOW MOW MOW
ALITA
Hung on one of the lower branches with a piece of copper wire, reprinted on cardstock, is a photograph.
On the left is a red-headed human woman smiling sweetly, though her eyes show slight panic as they look off-frame to whatever is causing a plume of smoke on the top-left.
On the right is another human female, grinning wildly with a grease flecked face, holding a beer high into the air.
Between them is a little badgery-looking child, happy as a clam, holding each of them by the hand.
It is an older picture of them, else the roster would likely have filled out a bit [sorry Ru!]
Two had no idea what people were supposed to decorate the tree with. When he asked, he was told “small pretty things that make people happy”.
This made him happy.
On the left is a red-headed human woman smiling sweetly, though her eyes show slight panic as they look off-frame to whatever is causing a plume of smoke on the top-left.
On the right is another human female, grinning wildly with a grease flecked face, holding a beer high into the air.
Between them is a little badgery-looking child, happy as a clam, holding each of them by the hand.
It is an older picture of them, else the roster would likely have filled out a bit [sorry Ru!]
Two had no idea what people were supposed to decorate the tree with. When he asked, he was told “small pretty things that make people happy”.
This made him happy.
