#task: mobadvent

[laurent--stpierre]

Mob Advent: Mistletoe. Canon, present. @veronika-auditore

The holidays he’d endured since leaving prison had been...something.

Launceston might’ve brought with it a brand new family—one for which he would be eternally grateful—but it never did fill the haunting void of what could’ve been. What he should’ve had with someone else. Christmas at Vixen had been attempts at sincere smiles, and fighting the thoughts that Oliver’s needles seemed more appealing than being without the things he’d left behind in Paris. It was longing, and he hated the fucking holiday. He hated that he’d never had cause to be sober for one until Claudia, and now she was gone again.

He’d grabbed his bag because he hated himself.

Laurent was sure he’d never thought about anything less in his life.

Even sitting on a God damn airplane was better than wasting away in his house; making up poor excuses as to why he couldn’t attend the meal that Maya had spent so long organizing. Why he didn’t want to see any of them.

To wind up at her certifiable fucking palace would’ve been enough to have half the Organization questioning how he’d ended up with his position in the first place. Laurent hadn’t really considered the approach logically; all anger, and hurt, and disappointment in himself for avoiding the one thing in his life he should’ve held onto. All he could hope was that the alliance of their families would at least spare her security from shooting first and asking questions later.

Christmas Day. No wonder they looked so pissed off.

“Just go get her, Don Vito, she’ll tell you who I am.”

It almost looked like the balding spaghetti Neanderthal was going to punch him until the interruption came in the form of Veronika Auditore. The one thing he hadn’t considered was that he might’ve been interrupting her plans, and for a fleeting moment, he felt guilty that his arrival was so unannounced. Inconsiderate was what he was fucking good at. Laurent gave a half-hearted shrug; as tired as he felt. It didn’t much feel like he had to explain why he was there. There was nothing to be said.

[spencerberkeley]

ADVENT CALENDAR: TASK ONE. ❄

TRADITIONS:

Are you a Grinch, or do you enjoy the holidays?: Grinch.

On which day do you celebrate Christmas?: Christmas Day.

Is it a religious celebration or non-denominational?: Non-denominational.

Who do you usually spend the holidays with?: The entire fucking family. They all head to his father’s sprawling estate in Guildford. It usually includes his father, his mother and step-father, his grandfather, Nora, Camilla and her husband, their children, his two uncles and their wives, his cousins Leighton and Jude, Leighton’s girlfriend of the hour, Jude’s wife and their three kids. There’s usually at least twenty of them. Evelyn and her parents used to come because their family is small, but since the divorce that’s not a thing. Spencer has his kids every other Christmas Day but always makes sure to see them in the morning if they’re spending the day with mum.

What does your typical Christmas dinner include?: Well, his family wouldn’t be caught dead cooking, so it’s prepared for them. Given the number of people in attendance, the spread is impressive. Several courses. Starters. Fish course. Turkey, goose, pheasant/quail, beef, venison for main. Every seasonable vegetable you could imagine. About fifty ways to serve a potato. Plenty of champagne and port. Insane amount of dessert, but all he cares about is profiteroles.  

Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?: Day.

Do you still have a stocking?: No.

Do you still get an Advent Calendar?: No.

Do you leave all of your Christmas shopping until last minute, or are you organized?: Apart from the really personal gifts, he mostly leaves the Christmas shopping to Pippa, and she’s as organised as they come.

Do you take charge of the day, or are you the one in the corner sipping Baileys?: There are so many strong figures in his family, he’s more than content to just sit back and watch it unfold, to be honest.

Any traditions passed down through the family?: Apart from an ultra-competitive game of Monopoly on Christmas Eve, nah.

Any weird things your family does that others don’t?: They usually go to the local pub in the evening, whilst the staff are cleaning up after dinner.

Do you go all-out with decorations, or keep it basic?: Evelyn always used to make a big thing about it, but they’ve been pretty basic since she left. The few he does put up are only so the kids can enjoy them.

Post a picture of what your Christmas tree looks like: Here.

Do you ever spend the holidays away from home?: Very rarely. Occasionally he did with Evelyn’s family in Cambridge, but they usually came to Guildford.

Do you like to get a bit tipsy, or is it an alcohol-free zone?: Flat-out drunk.

FAVOURITES/FUN BITS:

Favourite Christmas song: Driving Home for Christmas - Chris Rea.

Least favourite Christmas song: All I Want For Christmas - Mariah Carey.

Favourite Christmas food: Panettone.

Least favourite Christmas food: Christmas Pudding.

Favourite Christmas movie: Jingle All The Way.

Least favourite Christmas movie: Love Actually. Evelyn made him endure it every single year, and if he never sees it again, that’ll be too soon.

Favourite Christmas tradition: Getting drunk at breakfast and arguing with his mother about European politics.

Ever re-gifted?: Perish the thought.

If you had an unlimited budget, what would you buy for the three most important people in your life?: I mean, the point is moot when his budget is already unlimited. Cassie: a lobotomy so she can stop fucking other members of Parliament and making his job difficult. Gideon: a lobotomy so he can stop being so damn emo all the time. Evelyn: a lobotomy so she can stop voting Labour.

If you could have any gift in the world, unlimited budget, what would it be?: A yacht so he can tell people he has a yacht.

Weirdest Secret Santa gift ever received: Dick straws.

If you could kiss any fictional character under the mistletoe, who would it be?: Lois Lane.

If you were forced to wear an ugly sweater to an ugly sweater party, what would it look like?: Well, this was made for Spencer. But maybe this one.

What’s your go-to outfit for festive fancy dress?: The Grinch.

Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve?: New Year’s Eve.

White Christmas or snow-free?: Snow-free.

MEMORIES: (feel free to write any of these as separate drabbles, and link them in later)

Earliest Christmas memory: Spencer can’t remember how old he was at the time, but George snuck into his bedroom on Christmas Eve night and woke him up so they could go down and get into their stockings early. They ran back to their rooms after, cackling like maniacs, hands full of chocolate. Spencer puked and they got told off by their dad. Still awesome, though. Christmas was always George’s favourite holiday, and it feels pretty shit celebrating without him.

Best Christmas memory: Well, Spencer actually proposed to Evelyn on Christmas Eve, so that was easily the best holiday period he ever had. They got to walk into family breakfast the next morning like ‘surprise, bitches’ and everybody was freaking the fuck out. Along with George’s love of Christmas, it’s probably one of the reasons he’s not a fan of the holiday anymore. At the time he didn’t think he’d regret choosing that day to propose, obviously, but with the power of hindsight, he sort of wishes he’d chosen some random, unimportant day so he didn’t have to associate the memories.

Worst Christmas memory: The first Christmas after his divorce. No wife, no kids (they were with her at her parents.) Spencer didn’t go to spend the time with his family because he was so fucking depressed about it, so he ended up sitting home alone, in the quiet, drinking until he passed out on his sofa. That was a really fun time.

Best Christmas present ever received, and who was it from: A framed photograph of Spencer and his brother, George, when they were younger. He’s a pretty sentimental bastard. That got him for sure. Thanks, Evelyn.

Best Christmas present ever sent, and who was it for: I mean, one could argue that Evelyn’s ring was a pretty spectacular gift, mate. Failing that, he did buy Ailsa and Rosslyn a horse last year, and the latter cried for about an hour out of happiness, so. That one definitely got as good a reaction.

Someone you wish you could bring back for one last Christmas: His big brother.

Have you ever been stuck somewhere else for Christmas?: Does work count?

[cassandra-acton]

ADVENT CALENDAR: TASK ONE. ❄

TRADITIONS:

Are you a Grinch, or do you enjoy the holidays?: Okay, so Cassie really loves Christmas. Like actually loves. Put bells on this bitch.

On which day do you celebrate Christmas?: Christmas Day.

Is it a religious celebration or non-denominational?: With her parents, it always had religious themes, but with Harrison’s, and the subsequent ones she spent by herself, non-denominational.

Who do you usually spend the holidays with?: This is a difficult one. Originally, it was always her family. Then, from her late teens onward, it was with Harrison’s family, until he passed. Since he’s been gone, it varies depending on how she’s feeling/the circumstances. Cassie hs spent a couple with Sharon and John, Harrison’s parents, one with her own family, and then the rest by herself.

What does your typical Christmas dinner include?: With her family, a fat fucking roast, mate. Turkey, ham, beef, venison. All the trimmings. Dad’s best roast potatoes. She and Elizabeth always demanded Yorkshire puddings, much to her mother’s despair. Enough pigs in blankets to give you heart disease. Kerststol and Janhagen. Gingerbread. All the marzipan. Christmas pudding with a coin inside. Don’t forget the sherry. If mum’s not pissed on sherry, it isn’t Christmas. 

Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?: Christmas Day.

Do you still have a stocking?: Yes! Cassie and Jessica still put together a stocking for each other every year because they’re children.

Do you still get an Advent Calendar?: Multiple.

Do you leave all of your Christmas shopping until last minute, or are you organized?: Every year she tells herself she’s going to be more organized, but it never actually happens. She definitely ends up leaving it until the last minute and stressing out that she’s forgotten someone/something.

Do you take charge of the day, or are you in the corner sipping Baileys?: Cassie goes with the flow. If mum is around (which she usually is) then there’s no room for anybody else to take charge.

Any traditions passed down through the family?: Cassie’s family has a big meal on Christmas Eve night because her grandma Hélène was Catholic, and used to demand one before Mass. Even though she’s since died, Anita continues the tradition in her mother’s honor. The family tends to get to the house just before, and all stay overnight so they’re there ready for Christmas morning.

Any weird things your family does that others don’t?: Not that she’s aware of.

Do you go all-out with decorations, or keep it basic?: All out. Walking into her house is like walking into the North Pole.

Post a picture of what your Christmas tree looks like: Doesn’t do a real tree because of the doggo paws, but this is her lovely fake tree.

Do you ever spend the holidays away from home?: When Harrison was alive, they would always spend it together in Oxford with his family, so sort of? It was handy because her parents lived just across the road, so she could pop in and see them for a minimal amount of time (just enough that she didn’t feel guilty) and then spend it with the people she actually wanted to be with. Cassie would always make sure to give plenty of time to grandma Renske, though. ♥

Do you like to get a bit tipsy, or is it an alcohol-free zone?: Have you seen her family? Tipsy is a must to get through the fucking day.

FAVOURITES/FUN BITS:

Favourite Christmas song: Christmas Time - The Darkness.

Least favourite Christmas song: Fairytale of New York - The Pogues. 

Favourite Christmas food: Pigs in blankets. The bacon kind.

Least favourite Christmas food: Sprouts, because why is that a thing.

Favourite Christmas movie: The Holiday.

Least favourite Christmas movie: Miracle on 34th Street.

Favourite Christmas tradition: Buying a new ugly jumper every year. Cassie’s collection is impressive. It’s not Christmas until the jumper is bought.

Ever re-gifted?: Nah. If she ever gets something she doesn’t like, she’ll either hoard it away out of guilt/give it to a charity shop, instead. 

If you had an unlimited budget, what would you buy for the three most important people in your life?: To be honest, most of the important people in her life have everything they want already. Rich ass bitches. So, the gifts would be extra as fuck to take advantage of no budget. For Jess: a private jet to cater to her excessive traveling. For Spencer: a chalet in Chamonix, because they have a lot of nice memories there, and she could guilt him into letting her use it whenever she liked. For Sharon: everything she wants for the rest of her life because she fucking deserves it. 

If you could have any gift in the world, unlimited budget, what would it be?: A really nice Stradivarius violin would be lovely. 

Weirdest Secret Santa gift ever received: A bottle of bleach, a ruler, and some raw sweet potatoes. There was a £5 budget and choices were limited...

If you could kiss any fictional character under the mistletoe, who would it be?: Josh Lyman from The West Wing, for sure.

If you were forced to wear an ugly sweater to an ugly sweater party, what would it look like?: This one.

What’s your go-to outfit for festive fancy dress?: The cutest reindeer to have ever lived, obviously. Brody gets matching antlers.

Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve?: Christmas Day.

White Christmas or snow-free?: White Christmas.

MEMORIES: (feel free to write any of these as separate drabbles, and link them in later)

Earliest Christmas memory: Grandma Hélène shouting at her for helping herself to the chocolates hanging on the tree before Christmas Eve dinner. Cassie was only about five, and she’d run to her room crying because she was so harsh about it. To his credit, dad came up with another handful of chocolates shortly after, sat with her until she stopped crying, and told her the woman was a witch. 

Best Christmas memory: One year, she and Harrison went up to his parents' castle in the Highlands for Christmas. It snowed so hard (yes, even for Scotland) that they were stuck there, and their airport ended up being closed. It meant the three-day trip ended up being closer to a week. They lost power, so dinner was a mess, but it was easily the best Christmas she’s ever had. Everything was by candlelight, and they spent the day crowded around the fire, wrapped in blankets, drinking Scotch. It was nice not to be distracted by the TV, or the Internet or any of that stuff. If she could relive that day for the first time once more, she would be pretty fucking happy.

Worst Christmas memory: The first Christmas after Harrison died was certainly one of the hardest things she’s ever had to deal with. There was nothing wrong with the day itself; she spent it with his parents, Jasper, and Jasper’s girlfriend at the time. It was just the feeling of him not being there? It was crushing for all of them, and they weren’t particularly good at hiding it, but there was no way in hell she could have made it through the day by herself.

Best Christmas present ever received, and who was it from: Besides the shares in Match.com that Alice bought her? Brody. Harrison bought her Brody for Christmas, and he was the best gift ever. The rest of you can sit down.

Best Christmas present ever sent, and who was it for: Uh, definitely Silas’s mug. 

Someone you wish you could bring back for one last Christmas: I think one more Christmas with Harrison would be nice.

Have you ever been stuck somewhere else for Christmas?: The same as her best memory. Getting stuck in Scotland for the entire Christmas period was an absolute blessing. Also the best excuse to avoid family ever.

[mobscene-london]

MOB SCENE ADVENT CALENDAR: DAY ONE.

All right, so I was thinking long and hard about the best way to start off this festive period of writing. As the long character development master lists have been so popular with members over the years, I thought it would be rather nice—though still fun and a good way to get the creative juices flowing—to make my own with a few Christmas-related questions! It shouldn’t take you long. Get as in-depth with your answers as you’d like, because for me, the more I get to read the better.

I am going to make this compulsory for all characters. If you play multiple, I’d like to see it from multiple. All of the tasks over these next few weeks will be mandatory, as they aren’t particularly writing intensive, so I will be using them as signifiers of activity.

The only reason you shouldn’t be participating is if your characters don’t celebrate at all: i.e., the Muslim, Jewish and Hindu characters we have—though if they celebrate both, that’s also fine. Most of us play more than one character, so you shouldn’t miss out on being able to do it as someone, but you are more than welcome to create your own for a holiday belonging to your character’s religion, instead, if you’d like! Make sure you link it to me so I can still add it to our master list at the end. ♥

All you have to do is copy the questions in the next post, and fill them out. Please don’t reblog it. Make sure to like the post when you’re done—and ONLY when you’re done—from the account in question, so I know it’s been completed for that character. I will use the notes as a means to keep track, so don’t interact with the post until you’ve finished. I’ll compile a list of all those completed as the task goes on. The deadline will be a week, so it needs to be finished by December 7th, when I will post your second writing prompt.

Please make sure to follow #mobadvent to keep up with tasks and related posts (apart from the biographies, they won’t be tagged.)

ENJOY.

[castillo-adrian]

MOBADVENT WRITING TASK 1

TRADITIONS:

Are you a Grinch, or do you enjoy the holidays?: He is most definitely not a Grinch. Sadly, after leaving the French, he couldn’t spend them with his family, not to put them into danger. However, now the French are aware he’s actually alive, no reason to keep his distance. This will be the first Christmas he’s going to spend with his mother and sister (they’re flying to London).

On which day do you celebrate Christmas?: Christmas day.

Is it a religious celebration or non-denominational?: Religious

Who do you usually spend the holidays with?: Before GIGN - his family and Laure, in Paris. During GIGN - with Laure, Julien, and Évelyne. After leaving GIGN and joining the St. Clair organisation - his family and Julien and Laure; since joining the Rutherfords - mostly alone, video calling his family back in Paris. This year - again with his family - mother and sister, in London.

What does your typical Christmas dinner include?: His mother and sister used to cook traditional Guatemalan and French dishes, and usually, Laure (and later, Julien) would join in and bring some bakery-bought desserts. 

Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?: Right after midnight mass.

Do you still have a stocking?: No.

Do you still get an Advent Calendar?: No.

Do you leave all of your Christmas shopping until last minute, or are you organized?: Organised. Always organised, in everything. 

Do you take charge of the day, or are you the one in the corner sipping Baileys?: His mother would take charge, he was usually the designated alcohol supplier or a sous-chef if his help was needed.

Any traditions passed down through the family?: The midnight mass. Ever since he can remember, he’d go to the church with his family. Even though his relationship with God is turbulent, Adrian still goes to church every midnight on Christmas.

Any weird things your family does that others don’t?: Not really.

Do you go all-out with decorations, or keep it basic?: His family wasn’t rich by any means, but they still went all-out with handmade decorations.

Post a picture of what your Christmas tree looks like: This.

Do you ever spend the holidays away from home?: Yes, plenty of times, but it was still fun, he was surrounded by friends. 

Do you like to get a bit tipsy, or is it an alcohol-free zone?: Tipsy, verging on all-out drunk. 

FAVOURITES/FUN BITS:

Favourite Christmas song: Sante Nuit (the French version of Silent Night)

Least favourite Christmas song: All I Want for Christmas is You

Favourite Christmas food: Roast turkey with chestnut stuffing

Least favourite Christmas food: Bûche de Noël,

Favourite Christmas movie: Joyeux Noël

Least favourite Christmas movie: .

Favourite Christmas tradition: Once they were done with the dinner, his sister used to bring out the guitar and they’d all sing together. 

Ever re-gifted?: No.

If you had an unlimited budget, what would you buy for the three most important people in your life?: These days, budget isn’t really an issue anymore, but when he was a kid, they couldn’t afford expensive gifts. He used to promise his father that when he grew up, he’d buy him a Rolls Royce Phantom. Adrian remembers that promise quite often and it breaks his heart that he never got to fulfill it; For his sister, the hospital where she works; For his mother - the house in Villa Nueva, Guatemala, the one his grandparents had to leave behind (which he is in the process of doing). 

If you could have any gift in the world, unlimited budget, what would it be?:  Forgiveness from Laure, Julien and Évelyne, chance to spend time with his godchildren (Laure and Julien’s kids), but he has accepted the fact that it’ll never happen.

Weirdest Secret Santa gift ever received: A can of beans, from Laure.

If you could kiss any fictional character under the mistletoe, who would it be?: Sophie Marceau as Elektra King 

If you were forced to wear an ugly sweater to an ugly sweater party, what would it look like?: This.

What’s your go-to outfit for festive fancy dress?: Santa Claus.

Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve?: Christmas.

White Christmas or snow-free?: White Christmas.

MEMORIES:

Earliest Christmas memory: Being five, his dad giving him a piggyback ride, as they all walked home from church after the mass, in the streets of snow-covered Paris.

Best Christmas memory: That time when they all came home for Christmas after the deployment and surprised their families. By the evening, the four met up at Adrian’s mother’s house. Julien and Adrian got so drunk, they made everyone join into a snow fight like they were a bunch of kids. Eventually, Laure, Adrian’s sister and Évelyne caved and it ended up the most fun they’ve had in a long time.

Worst Christmas memory: Sitting alone in his apartment in Porto Velho, having just talked to his crying mother over the phone.

Best Christmas present ever received, and who was it from: Évelyne tried to cook his favourite dish, even though they were on a mission in Somalia.

Best Christmas present ever sent, and who was it for: Spanx for Julien, because he was complaining he put on some weight after becoming a father (utter bullshit).

Someone you wish you could bring back for one last Christmas: Bring back to life - his dad. Bring back in his life - Laure, Julien, Évelyne and his godchildren.

Have you ever been stuck somewhere else for Christmas?: In Libya, for a mission that conitued longer than anticipated. He’d promised his mother he’d be back home, but failed.