4451/Yuletide Cheer

Yuletide Cheer
Date of Scene:	21 December 2020
Location:	Oliver's Room
Synopsis:	Oliver and Vanessa have a quite winter evening talking and dancing
Cast of Characters:	Vanessa Carlysle, Oliver Queen

---

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
The house is quiet. Moira Queen is off at a holiday party at a friend's house. Vanessa has taken advantage of the expected evening alone, setting out a number of candles around the den with the big fireplace. She goes through the playlist of Christmas music, picking a playlist of classics, while setting up another one for later. Jingle Bell Rock starts playing softly through the house.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlqadskaRCw

She stokes the fire, getting it good and warm, and adding an extra log to give it a little more light and crackle to go along with the candles. The giant teddy bear that Oliver won for her has been brought down, the thing being better than most pillows. Though there are a few of those set before the fire as well.

Outside the wind is blowing, stirring snowflakes to make them dance in the air as they drift down to add to the growing drifts. The large window gives a beautiful view of the estate grounds, the moon visible off to one side so it's lighting up the snowfall and making the dusting on the trees shine despite the snowclouds overhead.

Oliver Queen has posed:
Things are quiet. Just like Oliver likes it. And what does he do during quiet times? Working out, of course. Free time is a commodity that Green Arrow can barely afford most of the time, having to keep sharp to face the numerous dangerous out there in Starling.

As the music starts to be heard through the house he pauses on beating down a poor dummy with a pair of escrima sticks, glancing up and smirking. "So that's what you are up to .." he murmurs to himself, setting the sticks aside and rolling his shoulders. Enough of that for now..

Cleaning himself up with a towel he shortly after begins to walk out of the arrowcave, climbing up the steps that leads to where he expects Vanessa will be. Near the fireplace.

"I thought music was only supposed to come up at the 24th." He says, a glance out to that window where snow beats against before returning to Vanessa.

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa turns as Oliver comes into the den. The room has a very warm decor. Wood paneling and leather furniture, with plenty of Christmas decorations, this being the room that Moira kept for Thea to decorate, it having been one of their father's favorite places in the house.

The young woman's face slowly grows into a smile as she eyes Oliver. "My dear Oliver, it's /always/ time for music," she tells him as she walks over to him. Her arms go up around his shoulder as she gives him a long, close hug. "You need a break from training, I figured. Or if that doesn't work, then think of this as an early Christmas present for me," she tells Oliver with a smile.

She softly nuzzles her cheek against Oliver's, closing her eyes and enjoying being able to hold, and be held, by the older man. "It's a perfect night for relaxing by the fire, I figured. Supposed to get a couple of inches of snow," she says.

Oliver Queen has posed:
"Always? That sounds very ..., definitive." Oliver replies, a faint smirk growing up on his expression. But it soon clears up when Vanessa approaches, his own arms lifting up to wrap about her torso and squeeze her in a tender manner. "I could think of an occasion or two where music may not be the best." business meetings! Staking out some villains! More!

"The season does seem to bring the best out of people though." and some of the worst too. But no need to mention that. Oliver instead just enjoys the woman's presence close to him, holding her for a few moments before letting go, "And very well, christmas gift it is." he adds with a faint grin.

Fine. He shall endure a night of snow and warmth by the fire. Oh poor Oliver!

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa gives a grin of victory as Oliver relents and gives in to the evening of quiet holiday cheer and private time together. "It does," she agrees about the effect Christmas has on people. "And us too," she says, lips growing into a little smile touched with mischief as her eyes shine at Oliver brightly.

She reaches into a back pocket and pulls out the control for the music, changing the play list. The classic Christmas song Please Come Home For Christmas by Charles Brown starts playing. The beat is sensual and sultry. Soulful. The kind of beat that just makes ones fee want to move to it. Clearly someone has in mind dancing with Oliver tonight. A holiday version of the night they met so long ago back in the diner in New York.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itdNoGtPQ3I

Oliver Queen has posed:
The change of playlist reveals Vanessa's intentions, having Oliver let out a laugh. "Hidden intentions. I thought you were on the good guys' side Vanessa." the tone in mocking admonishment towards the woman and he slowly shaking his head, "It does bring back memories ..." yes, the song isn't lost on him, nor where it come from..

His arms wrap about Vanessa, bringing her further to the middle of the room so they can dance more freely, he slowly starting to move along with her partner, both remembering old memories but also making new ones.

"The 'family' dinner didn't go bad, considering all the circumstances." He comments as they move under the sound of the song. "Might be that we will have an actual normal christmas for a change?" If a Queen Christmas could be called normal.

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa Carlysle relaxes in Oliver's arms while the warm fire flickers it's light on them, adding to the candles that illuminate the room in such a soft hew. Her hands slide a bit on his shoulders, getting comfortable. Maybe savoring a bit as she presses in closer as they dance, her cheek moving to rest on his shoulder.

"It was nice," Vanessa agrees before falling silent for a few moments, drifting to the music with Oliver, but also thinking about the family dinner. "You know, I don't have a lot of moments like that. Family moments, in my past. I know things must probably feel a bit odd for you sometimes, comparing your family to that old standard nuclear family everyone grew up believing was normal," she tells him quietly.

She lifts her head so she can looks into Oliver's eyes. "But I think the moments I've gotten to share with your family are just... precious. And even more for being able to feel just how much they mean to you," she tells him.

Oliver Queen has posed:
Moments like these are indeed precious to him, which is why he makes sure to commit them to memory, the way Vanessa moves, the feeling of her head against his shoulder and even her scent. He moves almost as if hypnotized, watching and feeling her form against him and finding himself smiling, Oliver then saying. "Maybe it's you that are able to bring the best from me, and not the season.." his voice low.

"We still need to survive Roy's cooking, so don't count yourself lucky just yet. I have seen that boy cooking in the past..." and the way he says it. Well..., it's not like he expects him to do great on the cooking!

He nods at those last words though. "Family is all. It's what kept me going back on the island. It's what keeps me now." he says in a sincere manner. At the same time his greatest motivating force but also his greatest weakness.

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
The comment about Vanessa's possible impact on Oliver draws out a sweet smile from her. Her fingers move to brush through the back of his hair, sharing through that caress how it makes her feel to know his feelings for her. And that she can make his life happier.

"I think we can probably manage that," she says with a reassuring look. "Maybe some antacid, a little Pepto...?" she offers before giving a shrug of her shoulders and grinning a bit.

Her eyes sweep slowly over Oliver's face as he speaks of the importance of his family to him. "I'm glad for being able to be a part of it," she tells him softly. "And you mean everything to me. I've not had this before. And I can't imagine my life now otherwise. I just..." she says, before trailing off and looking down, perhaps a little overcome with emotions. "Never really been the most eloquent speaker," she says.

Oliver Queen has posed:
Another smirk comes to Oliver's lips at the suggestion of antacid, he then replying, "Well, I am sure he might be able to manage with some guidance." which might mean an intervention will be needed.

"I am glad you are finding your place." Oliver then says, fingertips reaching up to brush some hair out of Vanessa's face, "I have never seen you at a loss for the right words. You shouldn't sell yourself short, Vanessa." finger pressing against her nose.

"I know you can do anything. As long as you put your mind to it."

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa lets out a soft laugh. "Oh, I'm rarely at a loss for something to say. But I don't know that I am up to expressing... well, what I'm feeling," she tells Oliver and gives a tiny shrug as she smiles at him. Her eyes study his as she moves her fingers over to softly brush his cheek, caressing it with a tenderness suggestive of her feelings.

"Speaking of doing things," she tells him as they dance slowly to the Christmas music, the young woman resting in Oliver's arms, "I have enjoyed working at Queen Consolidated. But at the same time... I don't know that that kind of corporate environment is quite the fit for me." She returns her hand to his shoulder, rubbing gently. "I'm still willing to help where you need me, but I was thinking I might... well, I don't know really. Look around anyway. Try to find something that just... is more me?" she says, fingers moving to tap over her heart at the last part.

Oliver Queen has posed:
"I can understand that." Oliver says with a faint nod, "It was a drastic change. There are other possibilities though, have you considered the offer from Ms. Potts? About representing Queen Consolidated in the board for the museum society?" She questions. A beat before she adds, "Or for something totally different, I know Thea is looking for people for the bar."

"No pressure though. I am sure you will find what you want eventually." He leans down, placing a kiss on Vanessa's forehead before resuming his full height, a sigh of contentment leaving him.

"Yet it may also be something you will have to discover on your own."

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa Carlysle leans her head closer to receive that soft kiss to her forehead. "I'm planning to do the museum thing, yes. But I don't know that's really me either. I'm more... channeling you for those sorts of things than I am being myself," she tells him.

A little side to side head nod is given at the mention of the bar, as if that's at least more in line with her. "That might be something. I'm not sure that's exactly right for me either. But it's definitely more in the right direction I think," she says. "I just... yes, I need to discover it. Figure it out. I got in a rut when I dropped out of school and never really got out of it until I met you. So I just haven't ever really explored possibilities. Not that there were many. Or, well, maybe they were there, but hard to see at the time," she tells him.

She smiles up to the taller man and goes up on her toes to brush a soft kiss to his lips. "It's weird sometimes. Feel like I almost know you better than I know myself," she says.

Oliver Queen has posed:
"No rush as I said. It's good to try different things too, might be that you will find interest in something you didn't expect to." Oliver then says, the dance now slower, almost having come to a stop. He leans down towards Vanessa when she lifts up on her toes, placing a kiss on her lips, "New year soon. It's the best time to reconsider one's future, to find new possibilities. I am sure you will find where you belong." he tells her, blue eyes fixed on the woman's.

Those last words have him quirk a brow. "Truly?" looking thoughtful. "We still don't exactly know the extent of your powers so .., maybe that's something we should explore further too. Have you been able to contact Dr. McCoy?"

Vanessa Carlysle has posed:
Vanessa's little grin and shrug suggest her comment might have been at least figurative as much as literal. Though, there's a serious note too that suggests it wasn't without nuggets of truth. "It is... well. Difficult to describe. I suppose some of it, it's just... a new... person... in my head? So maybe I focus on that more? Or, yes, it's hard to say," she says.

She lets Oliver guide her in the dance, slowly turning and moving in lazy circles before the fire as they talk. "I did meet with him, but we haven't taken it further yet," she says. "There was something distracting him from being able to spend time on it, I think," she says with a small shrug. "But, I definitely need to follow back up on that now, see if he has more time," she agrees.