The Christmas Semi-Formal (ALL!)

[Dr. Gregory House]

Honestly, Gregory was just there for the booze and to see Cuddy in her new, most likely, low-cut dress.

The modern day Scrooge himself took a swig of his drink as he leaned against the wall of the over-decorated lobby with his usual bearing. The normally joyous season obviously didn't do much to change his attitude. No warm and fuzziness for him I suppose. He merely showed up in the same tux he sported last time because he had nothing better to do. And what was there to do? Wilson had yet to show up, Cuddy wasn't in staring range, and he had no reason to seek out his team, past or current. Although, he had to admit, once the night went on, some of the doctors there were going to be pretty amusing drunks.

The booze warmed House as it slid down his throat. Perhaps the only difference this season brought out in him was that he was more careful about his Vicodin dosage. After all, mix it with enough Christmas thingytails and you really have a party. That wasn't a mistake he was about to make anytime soon. Blue eyes scanned the crowd for the familiar face of his best friend or the amazing allure of the familiar breasts bulging beneath a tight top, and all for nothing. An impatient groan escaped him. Same thing every year and yet he keeps coming.

(OOC: WOW. That was SHORT. But I'm running slim on time and I suck at first posts so bear with me. Happy holidays!)

[Doctor Aoife Jones]

Aoife couldn't quite figure out why she was there but originally, it was so she could get a drink without having to spend on it. Free drinks and nibbles, she decided were always good and it was what she'd gone along for. Still being new, in the country and new at the hospital, she barely knew (or got along with) anyone. But it wasn't like she could be bothered with toning down the sarcasm or going out of her way to be friendly. 'I'm not staying' -she constantly reminded herself. She didn't want to stay, there was really nothing to keep her there either.

And yet, there she was, at the Christmas semi-formal thing, dressed in the only relatively nice thing she had, a short, black, off shoulder, empire waist dress that she'd last worn sometimes during her university years. Truth be told, she never went to these things, unless she just really wanted free food and a drink and that was exactly what she wanted tonight. She seemed like a complete miser, living in the smallest possible flat, driving the most inconvenient (but cheap) car, wearing clothes that never fit her, despite a good enough salary to live comfortably on. Even though she didn't let anyone know, and would make some or the other excuse for her flat, car and sense of dressing, she sent about half her paycheck to the province of Kep, Cambodia, to help pay for their medical supplies. She felt guilty for leaving, and there was nothing else she could do; being there was the one thing she liked, without that, it was nearly like she was lost.

She was surprised the dress still fitted her perfectly. Just showed that in terms of shape, she hadn't changed much since her early university days. The dress clung to her slight curves well and the neckline was unlike her usual modest ones. When she'd looked in the mirror before leaving her apartment, she'd had to admit, she looked attractive -for a thirty-something. Her hair, for once, was let down from it's messy bun. The dark wavy mass reached the middle of her back, making her feel like it'd need a cut soon -probably with the kitchen scissors.

Doing as she'd decided, Aoife went over to where the drinks were, picking up a glass of white wine. She hadn't much of a taste for hard liquor most of the time, having being brought up as she was. Posh parents -it explains everything. She leaned against a wall, scanning the room for any source of entertainment -especially drunk doctors.

((OOC: Okay, ow! Words are making my head spin. I give up, going to bed now))

[Dr. Robert Chase]

Chase loved the holidays. There were things that he could go with out, but over all he loved Christmas. As a young boy, being Catholic, his family always made a big thing about it. The thing was, unlike many people, he learned the true meaning of Christmas at a very young age. He learned that it was all about family and life and Jesus. Thats one of the things he really didn't like; not having a family to go home to. This year, though, he had Cameron. The two of them had become ever close and to Chase she was his family. Even now that he wasn't really catholic any more he still loved the holiday. It always brought the best out of everyone. Looking around the room his eyes fell on two that the spirit of the season hadn't touched; House, and Aoife. He knew House, though, would never be happy.

Chase had been down at the small party for a few minutes now. Cameron was sure to be coming soon. She had a few things to take care of first, though. In the mean time Chase needed something to do. Might as well talk to some one he knew, and it might as well be "helpful" in some way. He had meet Aoife earlier that week and since she looked like she was about to kill everyone he decided to go over and talk to her. As he walked through the crowd he studied her and found that she looked a lot better then she had. Before she looked like hell and acted like she was going to kill him, and he really had no doubt she would have really done it. Now she looked stunning. He4r hair wasn't a mess and she was wearing a really nice dress. Chase himself was wearing his basic normal attire. A nice black suit but for the occasion he was wearing a red Christmas tie.

His eyes couldn't help but land on House, not that far from Aoife, one last time. He looked like he always did, but a little more formal. The important thing was that he looked bored. Bad things could happen when House got bored. Then again Wilson would be here shortly to keep his dog on a leash. Finally getting to the other doctor Chase smiled one of his lovely smiles and said, "You don't look like your having much fun, Dr. Jones."

[Dr. Ellen Honoday]

e l l e n
just like a star in my sky

The holidays were a happy and sorrowful time for Ellen, both a time of blessing and sadness this year. This year, though she'd be celebrating, she'd be selebrating alone, which was not something she took kindly too. Ellen had been invited to the hospital party, but then again who wasn't? Though it was nice to get invited and be able to get out of her simplistic apartment for one night.

She couldn't explain it, her disdain for attaching herself to people, but then again she could. She knew she didn't want another disastrous like what had happened back in 'Zona, but was it really worth distancing herself from everyone? Not really, so she dressed up, her plunging neckline of her dress flattering her oddly pale skin. Oddly pale skin for being from the Southwest.

Ellen ventured to the drinks, grasping a small crystal glass of vodka and sipping it steadily, the flowing satin material of her dress following her as she walked to an empty place towards the corner of the room, destined to be a wall flower tonight. But wasn't that what she wanted? Not truly, not deeply, but she'd convinced herself so, and so it would be like that. A lonely moment in a party that she really didn't belong in.

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[Doctor Aoife Jones]

Aoife wasn't bored, she was just lost in her own thoughts and musings. She sipped her wine again as she watched the room slowly fill with people who were very clearly in the spirit of the season. She rolled her eyes, as a child she'd enjoyed Christmas. Her family had never been religious so it was just all about being together and presents and the special Christmas dinner. No longer being as close as she once was to her family, Christmas had lost it's meaning and significance.

Just as she scanned through the crowd, a bright red flash hit her. She focused on it, realising that it was a red tie on the neck of Dr. Chase. She'd met him earlier in the week, on one of the days that she'd been sick. The 'happy to be helpful' attitude pretty much drove her up and wall and she was nearly ready to strangle the man. It was far to late to turn around and go somewhere else when she saw him approaching. She sighed inwardly and sipped her wine again, hoping that she'd remain calm or well calm -ish anyway.

"Blimey," she said as he approached her, "that tie's blinding," she said, mock shielding her eyes. She noticed the formal attire he was in, "again, you're not half bad too look at." She paused, "sorry, I forgot to say that last time. But my previous view still stands, you're dull. Where's your girlfriend anyway?" She laughed as he commented on her looking like she wasn't having any fun, "I've got a drink in hand, and the room in front of me is entertainment. Entertainment and alcohol, do I need anything else? Nah, don't think so. Bloody waste of money, Christmas."

[Dr. Nora Blakene]

Nora really never liked Christmas that much. It wasn't that she did care, just she hated having people spend money on her. She didn't mind buying people gifts and there was a nice message in the whole holiday. It was all about family. Ever since the birth of her daughter, though, she had started to get more into it. As a child she remembered loving Christmas and she wanted Carmon to have the same experience. After Carmon was diagnosed with cancer, though, she tried to make everything extra special and that meant Christmas. The sad fact was the five year old was most likely not going to grow old enough to learn Santa didn't exist.

Nora was wearing a lovely green and red dress that she bought just for the occasion. She wasn't really one to wear nice cloths, but she figured a nice dress wouldn't hurt. Of course Carmon was at her side. It was a family event after all. The little girl was in a long, deep red dress. In a matching dress was her cousin, Cheyenne, but you would have thought they were twins, other then the fact Cheyenne had brown hair while Carmon had Blond. Nora's brother Ashton and his wife, Makaila, and there other daughter Dakota, were also at the party, but the two year old was having a fit so the took her out side to try and calm her down.

There weren't many kids at the party, but she didn't care. It was a family party and she was going to have her daughter with her and of course she needed Chey also to make sure she didn't get bored. "I'm hungry Mommy." Carmon said and Cheyenne nodded. Carmon was a very responsible kid for her age so Nora figured she could be trusted to walk over to the food table and back. Then there was the fact that Cheyenne was older and would know what to do if anything happened."Okay. There's food over there." She pointed to the table a few meet away. "Get something and come right back." The two shouted in glee and ran off to the table. Maybe that was a bad idea. To late now. She stood and half watching the kids she scanned the people in the room. She had only been working her a few months and really didn't know anyone but the people she worked with in Oncology. Ironic how she was a oncologist and her daughter had cancer.

[Dr. Lisa Cuddy]

(woo first post. Although I was totally bummed without my dosage of huddy Tuesday.. I will survive.)

Cuddy was sitting at her desk in her office cutting the last piece of ribbon to tie around her secret santa gift. She wasn't usually one to participate in these sort of staff events, but she must have gotten the Christmas bug this year because it was all she could think about. At home she already had a fresh spruce pine decorated in her living room, and Christmas tunes filled her office.

Putting away her scissors and tossing out the excess wrapping paper, Cuddy pushed out of her chair, and pulled on her cropped red blazer. With the wrapped gift under arm, she turned out the lights to her office and headed downstairs where the majority of the festivities were taking place. She wore a trademark wide smile as she passed nurses, doctors, and candy stripers alike, all enjoying themselves, many with a beverage in hand. For a moment Cuddy had foreboding thoughts of half her staff being drunk, and some sort of epidemic occurring, but in reality there were only a few that she would really worry about getting themselves hammered. House being one of them. But since when did what House might or might not do really become a concern? He had yet to dish out anything she wasn't able to handle.

Yes, he had challenged her. It hadn't necessarily been easy, but she handled it, and never was worse for the wear.

Cuddy gave doctor's pats on the back as she passed, exchanging 'Merry Christmases' with many of them. Arriving at the small tree set on the main nurses station, she laid her gift in a pile amongst a few others, and then began to mill about. Her eyes flicked across the small groups huddled together, her smile slowly fading into a slight frown. She didn't see House.. that couldn't be good.

Taking a few steps out, moving in and out of the congregated doctors, she finally saw him, standing alone, and with a drink in hand. She stood still watching him for a few moments, rouge tinted lips slowly turning up into smirk as she turned around slowly, and began talking to the nearest doctor.

One had to wonder how long it'd be this time. How long before he commented on her breasts, or her ass, or made mention of the cultures that saw mistletoe as a reason to have sex. The last thing she needed this Christmas, was House, but then again one rarely got their wishes anymore.

[Dr. Shiloh Webb]

The party wasn't anywhere near its climax quite yet, but the thrill of a get together already overwhelmed the excitable Shiloh Webb. These were the things he lived for! Ever since Thanksgiving was done and over with, he made a point to get into the holiday spirit. Whether it was sporting a candy can pin or a reindeer antlers, he'd been pretty festive all December. So, it was with this personality quirk that he ruining a perfectly formal suit-and-tie appearance with nothing more than a Santa hat upon his head and a goofy grin plastered on his face.

He had already made a point to chat up a storm, have a few drinks, and hum along to the rather loud Christmas tunes filling the room. Sure, he didn't really know anyone around here well, but that was no excuse to get down on himself. Tis the season to be jolly and jolly he was going to be!

For a moment, Shiloh willed himself to take a step back and enjoy the scene. Doctors and family were flooding the place, the decorations were a treat to the eye, and every so often, there would be a miserable face. That was probably the only reason why Dr. Webb would frown tonight. Despite working in the psychiatric ward, he never understood why the yule tide season would bring anyone down. Well, at least he was in the giving spirit. So, it was with that thought in mind that he made a random choice of one wall flower and approached. Obviously, he made a point to avoid House. Now that was a hopeless case.

His goals brought him to a slender woman in a rather flattering dress for tonight. The out of place look in her eye was what drew him over to the woman he didn't know quite yet was Ellen Honoday. The overly friendly smile came into sight as he stopped beside her with one hand in his pocket, the other holding his glass.

"Hey Wallflower," he teased lightly. "The Christmas season only comes once a year. Why not live it up a little?"

[Dr. Gregory House]

House checked his watch with an air of impatience. Sure, neither Wilson or Cuddy had a usual time of arrival, nor did they bother giving him one even if they did, but the gesture in itself felt necessary to keep him from getting any more annoying than he already was. However, once his eyes left the face of watch, they landed on the face of a woman. Well, not a woman, the woman, his favorite subject of harassment of any kind. The fleeting glance of Lisa Cuddy had caught his attention more than long enough to catch his interest.

Of course, he never made the attempt to look her in the eye to initiate some sort of interaction. Oh no. Instantly, his focus drifted to the "fun" parts, and oh what fun. Just as anyone would've expected, her outfit for tonight did indeed please. The shape of her breasts, the curve of her hips, they all just leaped out at him, begging for his attention. House's own lips curled into a smirk.

Then, she turned around and redirected her attention, which was probably the worst thing she could do if she wanted to avoid him. The urge to walk up and do their normal routine in front of her underlings teased him for a few moments and the fact that she was currently preoccupied made it all the more tempting. It'd be her own fault in a way. After all, she was the one who decided to become busy and more elusive. That, and the night was too young to create a decent buzz quite yet.

So, it didn't seem like he had much of a choice for himself. Gregory shifted his position and removed his weight from the wall. His cane tapped against the floor as he began moving, drawing a bit of attention to the sneakers that totally clashed with the suit, that is, if anyone was paying close enough attention. At least he had chosen his plain cane, rather than the loud one with the flaming tip. As he moved at his normal pace, he took another swig from his glass.

"Nice to see you and the girls looking as festive and perky as ever," he announced once he was adequate distance with her. Again, he made little attempt to look at her face, making it quite clear who "the girls" were. Although he left it at that for now, rest assured that he was working on some major quip that he'd soon be proud of.

[Dr. Robert Chase]

Chase just had to smile at Aoife. He retained his laughter, though, having learned that she didn't find herself that funny even though half the time what she said didn't make perfect sense, like attacking him with an epee, and was funny. Honestly, she amused him. She seemed obsessed with his looks. It wasn't to uncommon, but coming from her it was kind of annoying because it always came with a, but your still dull. Why couldn't she just complement someone and not have to point out their flase. It drove him notes. Ignoring the last part he smiled and said simply. "Thank you. Your not half bad looking yourself." he decided to leave the tie thing out. It was the holiday season and he wasn't going to let little miss negative ruin his night.

"Allison got held up in the ER, you know how it is, she'll be hear in a moment though. I'm sure she would love to meet you." The last part was half sarcastic, but he was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to tell. In truth Cameron might like to meet the other women. Hopefully she wouldn't think there was something else going on between the two of them, but then she should know by now that he wouldn't cheat on her.

"Christmas isn't about the money." Chase said automatically, not thinking about his words. He tried to make a point on not letting people know just how religious he still was. "Its about being with family and friends. Anyway, your a doctor. You have enough money to give away." Maybe it was the wrong thing to say, but he didn't know it. Aoife hated really made a point in telling him about her past or even her life now, so he didn't know how most her money was spent. But then it was her fault, not his.

[Dr. Ellen Honoday]

e l l e n
just like a star in my sky

Ellen found herself distracted with her glass, staring off into space somewhat and tracing the edges of the glass with a fingertip when a goofy looking grin caught her attention next. She snapped her head slightly in the direction of the gentlman, yet another face in the crowd she didn't know, but she offered a small, slightly forced smile. Of course, who could look at the hat and goofy grina dn not smile?

Mm, perhaps that was one of the happy things about December--Dr. Webb's ridiculosu and funny holiday antics. Though she'd never really talked to them, they normally granted her an out of place bit of laughter while she walked to halls or something of the sort, which wasn't common for her lately. "Christmas season..." she repeated, setting her drink on a nearby table. "I'm here aren't I? And smiling a little. I could be like old Scroogy House in the corner, feasting predatory eyes on some unsuspecting individual." She rolled her eye in House's direction, but then directed her dark brown, near black gaze to Dr. Webb again.

She really detested the man, House he was called. She'd been there for a little over a month now and had avoided him somewhat still, which was a blessing of course. But the inevitable would happen and she'd heard of his reputation, one that she did not want first hand experience with. "Though you have a much more festive outlook than I. I seem to have forgotten my own Santa hat..." she spoke, chuckling softly. She tilted her head, sort of glad for the human conversation for once. Little talk. Nothing about background or anything of the sort. This was good. She extended a slender, pale hand to the doctor, making a formal introduction. "I'm Ellen."

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