But did you know / that when it snows

[attar_of_roses]

Who: The residents of Awkward House Alpha Delta Pi Auntie Rangiku's Home For Confused Lesbians Rangiku's new house.
What: A chilly housewarming, spiced with mistletoe.
Where: The above domicile.
When: Not long after the three have moved in.

Comments

[ofnobility]

[Utena's following along behind Anthy, in part because she's bored and she's gone through most of the house, and in part because she enjoys the company. As she walks, she stretches her arms behind her head.

She stares at the pitiful little fern in the center of the room, decorated with ornaments, and groans.]

Gee, would you look at that, Himemiya. I wish there were real trees around here. It doesn't seem fair that Rangiku-san's first Christmas has to be so umm...

[She searches for a word and fails to find one.]

I tried to tell her that you're supposed to decorate trees, not just any plant.

[attar_of_roses]

[Anthy actually giggles, light and brief.]

I suppose we're obliged to maintain tolerance for foreign customs.

[She settles a fine paper star on the highest point. The stalk bends immediately under the weight.]

[ofnobility]

[In response, Utena grins.]

I guess so.

[...Tilting her head at the sad little star. Anthy always did like strange things.]

Say, let's take a break! [Nevermind the fact that she hasn't actually been moving much around.] Rangiku-san said our room's upstairs, but I haven't seen it yet.

[And she's ambling on out of the room, slow enough so that Anthy can keep up with her. She has, unfortunately, forgotten about the mistletoe hanging from the doorway. Little details aren't her forte.]

[attar_of_roses]

Alright.

[Anthy keeps abreast without missing a beat, and they pass the threshhold together.

Halfway.

They halt abruptly. Anthy is caught in a curious sensation: it seems her heart is bound. If only she took it out and left it behind...

She reaches out. Her hand is not stopped as it reaches forward through the air. But she cannot take another step.]

[ofnobility]

[No victory bells in sight, huh? They aren't going to move if Utena doesn't do anything...

And it's not as if it's a terrible kiss, just bizarre and new, uncharacteristic for Anthy, and a little too much for her.

It's...a lot to take in.

Utena returns it, tentatively. Little more than leaning in just a bit, bringing a hand up to touch Anthy's cheek. It's progress, at the least.]

[attar_of_roses]

[Anthy presses back, genuinely affectionate, and softly breaks free. She lets out a shallow breath.]

Shall we?

[ofnobility]

[While Utena is gaping at Anthy like she's grown a second head, the chiming of bells is heard -- the jingle bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain song -- and pink and purple glitter rains down from above.

Utena sneezes. She's still gawking.]

[attar_of_roses]

[Anthy shuts one eye, blinking away a bit of pink sparkle. It gets caught on her eyelashes instead.]

Was it so unpleasant?

[It's said lightly, with a lilt. Almost a tease.]

[attar_of_roses]

[Appears noiselessly in the opposite doorway.]

Welcome home, Vice Captain.

[She comes to take the fern, without asking.] They were a gift.

[attar_of_roses]

There's a space in the dining room.

[Though she does not step directly into the doorway, it appears the mistletoe hung just inside of it is somewhat less discerning in its range than she might hope.

Anthy turns to transport the heavy fern, and manages two small steps before she stops.

Ah.

A remarkably less welcome bind.]