Meet and Greet Part Deux: The Socialing

[cityship]

The new people will find themselves ushered out of Obs Deck, so it can be shot down to the planet again, to pick the crew up. Eventually, the crew members on the mission are brought back up, and the doors open to let the two groups meet.

The newbies are likely not expecting their new crew-mates to come back bearing presents--which some of them are.

[ooc: This time anyone can post in. REMEMBER TO TAG OTHER PEOPLE, THO. This is set after the mission so mission peoples can meet the newbies. Latecomer newbies, if you want, you can just tag your guys into this one to make things easier.]

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[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

She was happy to be back, but a part of her might always be back at that small section on earth. At the very least, she knew that she missed home more than she expected. The snow, the ice, the cold: it had made her remember the bits and pieces of the Southern Water Tribe, and right now she just wanted to see something that reminded her of that home, when she was all settled.

But that didn't mean she returned empty handed. She had a few small gifts: one for Roxie, one for Carol and one for Luna, who she hadn't seen in a long tome but really missed.

[isee-snorkacks.livejournal.com]

"Hello, Katara. I'm glad you're back alright."

Luna is smiling much less vaguely than she smiles at most people, wide eyes warm. It really has been a while.

Funny how that happens.

She hesitates before putting a hand on the other girl's shoulder, head tilting to get a good look at her face. Socially inept or not, Luna knows faces. And this one isn't happy.

"You're upset."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

"Luna!" Wow, she really hadn't seen the blond in a long time, but she was unmistakable. Katara reached out and hugged her friend, glad to have someone near her age to talk to for once. "Where have you been, I haven't seen you in a long time! I'm glad to see you're okay!"

It was good, to see Luna there. Katara couldn't quite place it, but having Luna around was like have a cool breeze in a stale room, a trait she found she liked in a person, as there weren't too many who had that effect. Still, Katara preferred not talking about this in the middle of Obs, so she took Luna's arm and had them walk away from the crowd for now.

"Yeah, a little. Sorry for the look, I just came back from this holiday mission. Thing was, the place we landed was all full of ice and snow. It made me realize how much I miss home, and how I might never see it again. It kinda hot me all at once."

[isee-snorkacks.livejournal.com]

Returning the hug lightly, she feels her spirits lifting. Friends are so lovely.

"I've been around, studying Stacy's anatomy. I've spent a lot of time in Escherville. It's quite a fascinating place," she says, eyes going vague as her thoughts whirl her away.

She is silent, not particularly noticing the tug on her arm as she is drawn into a more secluded corner of the room by the brunette.

Blinking, she realizes that Katara is talking. Fortunately, her ears absorbed the first part and had it waiting for her perusal.

She nods.

"I don't think we'll ever stop missing it, and certain things are bound to make the loss more palpable. It's sad that you had to come across such a place now, but I suppose it's good to be exposed to the experience." Despite the logic in her words, her tone is as kind as it ever is, and she pats Katara's back gently. "I'm sorry."

[grayaura.livejournal.com]

Mai nodded, "Welcome back."

She raised a brow, although her expression and tone remained deadpan, "...what's eating you?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Well, Mai was definitely the last person she expected to see. Then again, they were both on The Outsiders, so they were a team, right? One always looked out for their teammates, and it wasn't as if the two of them hated each other, right?

Although she didn't think it would be right to start talking about how she missed home. Mai had lost hers too, and hadn't even had the chance to be off the ship yet. What right would Katara have to complain to the older girl.

"I'm good," Katara lied. "Just have a few things on my mind."

[grayaura.livejournal.com]

Describing whatever Mai felt for Katara as 'hatred' was too strong. It wasn't even her default of 'apathy'. It was more of a neutral acceptance with friendly overtones. She shrugged - Mai wasn't one to press over something she considered this trivial, "If you say so."

Which didn't mean her tone of voice wouldn't carry her disbelief.

[unsc-rabbit.livejournal.com]

(http://img32.imageshack.us/i/chuckle.png/)

One thing Katara would definitely feel would be the heavy hand that rested on her shoulder. It wouldn't be a completely unfamiliar feeling though. There could only be one person with a grip like that, right? If she turned she would see a smiling Kelly, huge bag slung behind her, her helmet under one arm. She looked like she hadn't been out for more than a quiet stroll in the snow.

She didn't know this girl too well, but she knew a fighter when she met one. And Katara was definitely one. Giving her shoulder a squeeze, she reached into the bag she carried and rummaged around for a bit before she found the parcel she'd picked up for her. "I know we don't know each other very well, but we've fought together, watched each other's backs. That's the beginning of a good friendship if you ask me. Everyone was getting gifts for people, I saw this and thought you might like it. I hope you don't mind." Her smile widened.

She knew Katara was upset about something. But if she wanted to talk, she would. Kelly wasn't about to push. But the girl deserved something to smile about.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Yup, taht pressure could really only belong to Kelly: she hadn't even met too many men taht had a grip like that. This was one of those times without her helmet, and it reminded her that Kelly was actually really pretty. She have the girl a smile, and then her eyes widened when Kelly came out with the gift.

"Well no, but it isn't right if you don't get a gift too...though I don't think they'll let us go back to get extra gifts." She looked sheepish, but her cheeks pinked at the words. "Thank you, really. It hasn't exactly been the easiest time for me these past few weeks, but hearing that really helped."

She would definitely be getting a gift for Kelly once she found a gift for the Spartan.

"Sorry if I look a little put off...I just got a little homesick, that's all."

[imperious_lex]

"You're looking rather glum."

Lex adjusted the tie on his rather expensive suit. Clothes do make the man, after all, and it felt good to get back into more normal business attire. Besides, a good three piece suit never goes out of style.

"Didn't enjoy celebrating the holidays?"

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara looked up, actually surprised that A) it was Lex and B)he actually cared that she was feeling bad at all. Still, she was fairly certain that he had been on this mission too, so maybe he had his own stories to tell.

"Oh, the holidays were fine for me," Katara replied. "I was just missing my world, that's all. Where I'm from, the snow and ice is actually where I'm from. It just made me a little sad, knowing I might not see it again."

Maybe if it hadn't been the first thing they'd seen, or that snowball fight, Katara would have put it out of her mind.

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Matt could see Katara from where he was sitting down, his friend purring at his side. Waving at her, he grinned. "Are you feeling okay?" he inquired. "No injuries?"

His leg was glowing pink, a sign of magic flowing through it, and his hand was glowing as it rest near Aeneas.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara was about to say hi when she noticed that Matt was, well, GLOWING. What was more, Aeneas as purring, the last thing she had expected to com out of his throat.

"No, I'm fine," Katara said, smiling at the two. "Nothing we couldn't handle. Why are you glowing?"

[morphitudinous]

To Billy's eyes, Katara looked like she needed some time with her close friends to recoup from all this.

With that thought in mind, he slipped through the crowd, maneuvered behind her, and left his thank-you gift: a small blue-wrapped package sitting nearby. It had no label except her name.

He didn't fully understand Waterbending abilities, but he hoped his gift would be useful to her. It was a long, slim blue belt decorated with a simple bead pattern. Inside, it contained a thin waterproof lining filled with a layer of melted snow.

It was intended to give her the ability to bend it, but he wasn't sure if waterbending worked that way. If it didn't, at least it was somewhat weighty and there was an emergency supply of water inside.

Thinking he was quite sneaky, he made to slip back into the crowd undetected.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

She would definitely not have told him that she could sense people pretty well. Billy was one of those types she hated to embarrass, and besides, he was awfully sweet. When he dropped the gift, she waited a moment, then bent down to retrieve the gift.

When she opened it she was pleased to see the belt: it was definitely one she could see herself wearing, just like the circlet that Kelly had given her. She'd have to remind herself to get BOTH Billy and Kelly gifts when she had the chance. She put the belt around her waist, then felt the heaviness from the snow. She paused, starting at the snow a long time. It was there: not her own, but from that world, and still a memory she would cherish. Overtime it would be water again, but she would try to maintain it in its frostier form.

[static-shock68.livejournal.com]

Static had taken to the air to get a better vantage point on the gathering, since he was having trouble looking for everyone. Finally, he got lucky and spotted Katara, right smack in the middle of the room. So, logically, that was his next stop.

"Kat! Got something for you!" He said as he came over, rummaging through the sack. "Ah, here it is."

He pulled out a slightly large object, rectangular, wrapped in green Christmas paper. On the tag, all it said was "Tidal".

Man, he hoped she'd like it. It had seemed an appropriate gift, based on what they'd talked about before. She'd seemed interested in learning more about Earth, and that one was pretty close, so there shouldn't be anything off with a book of fables. At least, it should be close enough.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

When she heard the voice, she looked up eagerly, glad to hear someone she hadn't talked to in a long time. "Static, hey!" She said, smiling. "So you were on the trip too huh? What section were you given? I went to the Middle East with Sheeana, Tess, Kate and Billy! Where did you go?"

But then the package was thrust into her hand,m and she grinned. "Oh, thanks! Um, I didn't really have a lot of gifts I could get for a lot of people, but you're getting an IOU from me, got it?" So this was something that must happen a lot on Christmas, with all of the gift giving. She'd have to remember that.

She opened the package and grinned. "Cool, thanks! I'll get right to reading that when I can, okay?"

[marvelouscarol.livejournal.com]

Carol laughed a bit as she saw Katara and hurried over towards her. "Katara!" She picked up her daughter and hugged her before setting her down again. "How was the mission, I'm so sorry I missed it."

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

That was unexpected, but definitely not unwanted. Katara squealed when she was picked up, and was laughing once she was set back down again. Really, she had to remember how strong Carol was!

"The mission went well," Katara said, grinning. "I was able to help distribute things out to the poor, give respect for those passed, and I even got to take down some corporate thugs!" She had no idea what that term meant, but seemed to be on par with "the bad guys."

"Oh, and I got you a gift!" Katara exclaimed, and brought out s small, black box. "I hope you like it!"

[clear-horizons.livejournal.com]

"Miss Katara, are you all right?" Picard asked. The concern was obvious in his voice, and he set one hand on the girl's back uncertainly. He'd never been much good at cheering up children, but he was determined to try anyway.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara would have been slightly annoyed at being referred to as a kid, but she was also forgiving when it came to Jean Luc Picard. Despite being a very busy man, he also had a caring side to him. She had thought that after Worf's ceremony, he had a prominent father figure to him.

"I'm just getting over some home sickness Captain," Katara said. "I suppose it was all that snow and ice. I was just reminded I might never see all of them again."

Which, when she thought about it, was a little selfish. She was far from the only one who lost their world.

[bonnypiperlad]

"Hey, Katara!" That would be Jamie, pleased at finally having spotted her in the crowd. Sometimes he really hates being short. "I'm glad I found ye. How did your mission go?"

He comes bearing a gift, too, a small soft-looking package wrapped in plaid wrapping paper. There's a tag on it with her name. He apparently spelled it wrong a couple of times, as half the tag is missing and there's bits of letters visible at the ripped edge.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

Katara perked up, glad to hear another friendly voice in the crowd. She should really know better than to think she might have a moment to get depressed on the ship. She had so many friends here, such generous people, it made her happy to know that at least here, there was a family too. "Hey Jamie! The mission went fairly smoothly, despite the corporation's attempt to squash us."

Katara blinked at the package? Another one? This must be a very sacred holiday, to have all these people giving her things. She had to remember this when it came around again. "Oh Jamie, I couldn't," she said. "I mean, I DID get you something, but I don;t know if you'll like it. It's an instrument."

She gave a rectangular package to Jamie, brightening a bit. "I hope its okay."

It's an oak flute.

[worm-dancer.livejournal.com]

Her teacher waited patiently and quietly until her friends were all done with her. She seemed to blend away into the crowd, showing the traits that earned her the nickname Mouse on Chapterhouse.

Under her arm was a bundle. A gift, but this one hadn't come from earth.

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

When she felt that familiar presence, Katara stood at attention. It was fine to be casual with most people, but when it came to Sheeana she was always alert, waiting to see what the next thing would be. It was the way she'd been trained with Master Pakku.

"Yes, Sister Sheeana? What can I do for you?"