Locked away from the omnicom of Vance Astrovik.

[walkingballpit]

[ Rob's broadcasting from Mount Wundagore, his portion of the habitat deck. He's unable to keep the doofy, dimples wide smile off his face. He's talking fast in his excitement. ]

Hola, Legionnaires! Before you continue watching this, look around and make sure Vance Astrovik, also known as Justice, Marvel Boy, and Supertights, is nowhere near you. I've spent a lot of time figuring out how to block him and don't want the surprise ruined. I'll wait.

[ Robbie pulls out loop of string that he specifically prepared for this occasion and plays cat's cradle for thirty seconds. ]

He gone? Good. If he was actually there and wants to know why he heard his name, tell him to buzz off or you'll tell everyone the punch bowl story.

Here's the deal. Vance made his section of the habitat the Crashpad. That's our old team's HQ. I'm losing you already - stay with me. We used to try and decorate for the winter hols there, hang out. All my best holidays were there, and I think he'd say the same. It was ... warm.

[ Robbie laughs and shakes his head. ]

Even when we didn't have heat.

So there's a huge holiday coming up in like a week. It's called Valor's Day.

[ Robbie puts on a weird looking Santa hat. What should be red is black with a star pattern, the white fur is now red and trimmed with a gold stripe. ]

I'm not saying it's the new Christmas, but I think it's safe to say there's some inspiration.

I know I keep talking about home, but right now, this is my home. And the Legion's my team, so you're all invited. It'll be at 15:00, on Valor's Day, and I'm sending you all the location of the Crashpad in the Habitat Deck.

[ He fiddles with the omnicom to attach a map to the transmission. ]

I don't have any reals plans - I'm going shopping for decorations tomorrow, but I've got no idea where to find Chanukah and Christmas chic. So I'm giving you all a second invitation - whatever life-affirming holiday you celebrate, even if I didn't mention it, bring something. Maybe it's special food, maybe it's a carol, maybe it's a piñata. I don't care, just bring something that makes it feel like your party too.

Volunteers to help with the setup and breakdown are hugely appreciated and will be thanked with a bribe I haven't made up yet, but I remind you that holiday tradition loves helping your fellow m- beings. Jack, if you're wondering, this is what I wanted the winter wonderland for. I just have to clear it with... someone in charge before we mess with the climate.

Oh, and Vance? If you're watching this over someone's shoulder, you suck.

Comments

[whyarewehere]

...Can I just ask about the punch bowl story?

[ Grif senses dirt. Or at least something fun. ]

[walkingballpit]

[ Just this face forever. ]

No. Is that the only thing you got from that?

[whyarewehere]

Not the only thing.

text

[turntex]

i could help decorate

[Do not let him help decorate.]

[walkingballpit]

[ Robbie has no reason to turn down such an offer. In fact, he's happier that someone else is into the idea. ]

Sweet, you're officially my first elf. What's your holiday of choice?

[turntex]

[Then prepare for banners printed on regular printer paper in colorful comic sans with a fuckton of jpeg artifacts that read "merry cristmass".]

i mean ive only ever done christmas but its not like im religious or anything
dont see any reason why i couldnt hop on the hanukkah train too

voice

[steelandtemper]

Upped your security. You're welcome.

[She's attempting to make friends, just being very Cortana about it.]

Re: voice

[walkingballpit]

Oh, hey. Thanks! Vance isn't a super hacker, but neither am I.

What about you? You wanna deck the halls and rock around the Christmas tree?

voice

[steelandtemper]

Depends. Got a holoemitter in there?

[She can creep via any cameras but that doesn't seem in keeping with the spirit of the holidays.]

[video]

[leverageintceo]

Chanukah and Christmas are still celebrated, they're just less popular these days.

[Parker is...very prepared for Christmas. And actually neither upside-down nor in the ventilation system when she comes on the comms.]

It shouldn't be too hard to find things, but Earth and Mars are probably your best bets for a shopping excursion.

[walkingballpit]

There is so much awesome going on with you.

[ She's seriously kicked his energy into higher gear with that news. ]

I'm going Christmas shopping on Mars with the prettiest elf - if you want to go.

[leverageintceo]

Oh, is Sub-Mariner going too? I haven't talked to her much, but she seems nice.

[WHIZZT goes the compliment, right over Parker's head.]

Yeah sure, sounds fun!

[frostedoverland]

Well, while you do that, I need you to answer one thing.

What's Valor's Day?

[Because that's a holiday he sure didn't know existed. If it existed in his time. He was pretty sure it didn't.]

[walkingballpit]

It's a holiday dedicated to an old hero that saved the worlddddd...s. Worlds.

[ Robbie had taken a moment to read about the day on his way to appropriate it, but, like a lot older holidays, half of what you read is later additions that have nothing to do with the original day. ]

It was hundreds of years ago, and he kind of helped set the universe up to be the universe it is now. Something about a safety zone... buffer zone? Anyway, there's a religion that makes him part of their...

[ He really doesn't want to use the word folklore in regards to someone's faith. ]

Thing. Valor's Day's all 'peace on planets, good will t'ward sentient beings.' Everybody co-opted it, because who can't get behind that?

[dungenessmaster]

I DON'T REALLY CELEBRATE THE TWELFTH ANYMORE, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED HELP DISMANTLING WHATEVER HIDEOUS CREATION DAVE JUST TRICKED YOU INTO LETTING HIM MAKE.

[Which is his utterly irascible way of letting you know he'll be there. Heck, he might even bring snacks that aren't made out of troll babies.]

[walkingballpit]

I don't think Dave's going to unleash Frankenzilla decorations on a party.

[ He says, as if he knows Dave. Robbie thinks Karkat is overreacting. Holidays are the one thing people tend to get right, at least superficially. The decorations will be fine. ]

I could really use the help with the cleanup, though. Most people don't stick around for the party aftermath, so thanks!

[ Please no troll babies. ]

What's the Twelfth, by the way? Is that a holiday, too?

so sorry for the lateness, irl happened so much this year

[dungenessmaster]

[Oh you sweet summer child. He'll let you learn the hard way.]

YEAH. TWELFTH PERIGEES IS A WIGGLER'S HOLIDAY WHERE I'M FROM. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO CELEBRATE IT WITH YOUR GUARDIAN OR PARENT THOUGH, AND SOMEHOW I DON'T THINK MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE THEIRS JUST CONVENIENTLY SITTING AROUND NEARBY.

[headinjuries]

I dunno where to get decent tamales in the space future, so clearly my only option is an all-day taste testing tour. You know, so I'm only bringing the best.

[walkingballpit]

Clearly.

[ This makes 100% logic to Robbie. It's like saying you know which hot dog cart has the best dogs. There's only one way to find that out. ]

And, also clearly, you need a second opinion to make sure the spice-levels works for different palettes. I better come with you.

[headinjuries]

I hope you're not a wuss, Robbie.

[whyarewehere]

I knew there was a reason I liked you.

[headinjuries]

There's a lot of reasons to like me.

video

[littlecousin]

We're going shopping.

[Hurricane Nita incoming.]

[walkingballpit]

[ Robbie rubs his sleeves against his arms. Sometimes, he gets foreboding goosebumps.

This is one of those times. ]

Okay, but I only have a few hours to shop...

[littlecousin]

Well, if you have to leave early on, I can handle the rest.

[Superhuman stamina, yo.]