epidemiology | EVENT ★ WINTER WONDERLAND

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EVENT ★ WINTER WONDERLAND

HOLIDAY PREPWORK

The sun might still be AWOL, but that doesn't mean it's time for a vacation! The goblin community seems even more motivated to get their holiday preparations together, working tirelessly to brighten up the grim atmosphere.

To that end, they've enlisted the help of the ALASTAIR recruits that've been bumming around. Characters that signed up will be invited or roped into the goblins' various holiday traditions and events. Though they may refuse or fail these tasks, for every one that isn't accomplished, characters will suffer one effect from the curses list for upsetting the holiday balance.

Note that those that didn't sign up can still help with tasks out of the goodness of their hearts, they just won't be assigned anything themselves or suffer any curses. Additionally, though PCs are magically bound to work with some partners, they may team up with others as well.

GREETINGS FROM LLOYD

ALASTAIR sends their holiday tidings! Some characters will find special deliveries addressed to them by name from the mysterious Lloyd of HR. The packaging might be messy and overtaped, and some of the gifts are less nice than others, but it's the thought that counts.

MISTLESNOW

The first snowfall of the year arrives, and though this may not bode well when there's no sun to melt it away, for now it's pristine and beautiful. Flurries and gentle snowstorms continue for days, blanketing all of Chantes and the outskirts.

With it comes a uniquely magical weed epidemic. Mistletoe grows off every surface it can, stems and shrubs of it creeping off of anything it can cling to, including trees, archways, lanterns and buildings. This parasitic plant is a notorious holiday tradition, but in Chantes it packs an extra punch: when two characters step under it together, they'll find themselves magically rooted in place. Mistletoe's spell can only be broken by a kiss, and while chaste exchanges usually work (kisses to the hand, butterfly or eskimo kisses, etc.), more stubborn weeds do exist.

This effect lasts until characters smooch or the weed dies from lack of sustenance, which could be anywhere between several hours to a full day. Mistletoe can be destroyed by a third party in a pinch, but be careful not to get stuck under the plant as well!

As an OOC note, feel free to be creative on the range and strength of the mistletoe, but please respect other players' boundaries! If you would like to break the mistletoe with a hearty handshake or have your character be immune, be our guest.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

All the hustle and bustle aside, the festivities themselves are peaceful and joyous -- and thanks to the ALASTAIR recruits, not punctuated with death or ominous Chimera motifs this time. A large bonfire continues all night with food and mulled wine aplenty. It's time to kick back, make some snow angels, and relax.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( he's not someone unused to snow. there's a lot of it in maine, most of the time. it also reminds him a bit of the enchanted forest, an association that isn't always the best but in this instance, he doesn't mind the reminder. snow and woods is about as happy as his memories of the forest tend to get.

Graham is sticking close to the fire and mostly to himself, but he hasn't missed her taking pictures. he remembers her face from the time they spoke last, and doesn't rush to distract her, though the comment about a snowglobe gets his attention. )

Trapped in a snowglobe?

( that sounds like quite a story, and that's saying something, coming from a guy that literally is one. )

[ He might be a little disappointed . . . but it's something, alright. She turns, not having expected a response to such a rhetorical comment, but nevertheless she's pleased to find a familiar face. ]

Hey. [ Her tone is actually cheerful. ] It kind of feels like it, right?

Something about the sky here . . . without the sun, it feels sort of restrictive. Maybe it's just me.

( he pauses to look up at the black sky speckled with bright sparks of white, thanks to the light provided by the fire. he's heard the phrase before but never really thought about it too seriously. it does seem a bit like being in a snow globe, though, he supposes. )

I never thought about it that way. You're not wrong, though. ( he nods at her greeting, and moves a little closer to the fire. it doesn't feel very warm to him, though he more or less knows that's because he just can't actually feel it. ) Max, isn't it? I think we spoke over the network.

[ She nods. At least her name is easy to remember, and his is pretty common, too. ]

Yeah. [ She notices him moving closer to the fire and takes a couple steps to follow suit. ] You're Graham. I remember. [ There's a pause as she studies his face by the light of the fire. ] I didn't know you were the festive type.

I didn't know I was either.

( it's a joke at his own expense that probably doesn't make sense to a stranger. still, Christmas didn't exist in Misthaven, and cursed people didn't tend to celebrate much of anything. this is his first chance to really experience it, and so far? he does like it. )

I think we all need a little escape, here. You've got to embrace the good.

( he knows more than anyone that good can fall apart when you least expected it to. )

What about you? Are you fond of the holidays?

[ Even if it doesn't make total sense, Max seems to get the idea that it was a joke. Without thinking, she forces a polite, amused laugh, and when he turns the question around, she moves on to answer it. ]

I don't know . . . I'm not used to the goblins, but I do love Christmas. I love how it seems to put everyone in a better mood.

[ . . . ]

Well, everyone who isn't a Grinch.

( it's okay, no need to laugh. he's happy to move on and not really dwell on the fact he's never had a chance to know if he's festive or not. now that he has the chance he finds he enjoys it and that's what he'd like to dwell on anyway. )

A grinch?

( he should know what that means, probably. but he doesn't. )

Yeah. You know, the assholes who try to ruin it for everyone else. Like the character from the Dr. Seuss book.

[ . . . Way to explain the joke, Max. But she realizes the joke had been lost on him anyway, and she looks a little embarrassed. (Was it even a joke at all?) ]

Whoa. You really don't know.

I've heard of Dr. Seuss but I guess I missed that one.

( the curse managed to cover a very vague pop culture 101, yet there's a lot he's missed. including, apparently, a very well known christmas movie. that's probably not the only one he's never heard of. )

[ She shakes her head. ]

It's okay. Um . . . [ She trails, trying to think of something to change the subject. ] Anyway. Getting presents isn't bad either. My parents were always pretty good about that.

I suppose you'd be pretty hard-pressed to find someone that doesn't like presents.

( he's never gotten one before, he realizes idly, but he also hasn't given one. maybe he should change that, this year. )

What was the best gift you ever got for Christmas?

( he's heartless but he's not without curiosity. hearing about the lives of others is more interesting to him than talking about himself. )

. . . Tough one.

[ Max scratches idly at her head as she thinks about it. She always loves the gift cards and cookies, but she wouldn't say they were the best gifts, taking thoughtfulness into account.

Her camera would have been an easy answer . . . if she hadn't gotten it for herself. (She's proud of the fact, too!) Finally, she thinks of something. ]

In my room back home, I keep this guitar. I play it sometimes when I'm stressed out . . .

That's pretty high up there.

A guitar.

( he's aware of what that is, though he's never tried to play one before. he's never had the chance. he wonders what that might be like. he can't play any kind of instrument, actually... he wonders if it's too late for him to learn. )

That sounds like a good gift. I don't really remember any gifts in particular.

( just before she asked, hedging her off at the pass. he doesn't remember any because he hasn't gotten any. but that's not something that seems wise to mention. )

[ She doesn't leap to that conclusion right away--that he hasn't ever received any gifts. The way he says it does seem sad somehow, though. Maybe no one's been able to give him a gift that he really liked, or . . . maybe he just doesn't get excited about that sort of thing.

She doesn't really know what to say. ]

. . . [ She makes a thoughtful sound, trying to urge herself to continue: ] Not everyone's as lucky as I am, I guess.

What kind of things do you like?

( it is a little sad, and a part of him knows it more so than he feels it. there are some benefits to being heartless. disappointment isn't the most enjoyable feeling.

he doesn't linger either, though. the curiosity is still new to him but it's not a bad thing. )

Ahh... puzzles? I miss doing puzzles. I suppose that's not very festive, though.

( no, Graham. no it's not. try again. )

The local diner had a very good pumpkin pie. That's what I think of when I think of Christmas.

[ It's not, but it's a clear answer that gives her a bit more insight into what kind of guy he is. She smiles; and in a breathy laugh: ]

Puzzles are a total test of my patience. I'm all for pumpkin pie, though.

[ . . . ]

You don't suppose they've got any here . . . ?

( the kind of guy he is: a boring one. without his horror story of a history he'd be nothing to write home about. )

You know, I haven't looked? Maybe they would.

( perhaps not exactly like Granny's, but the idea was still there. )

Care to go see?

I'd love to. My treat.

[ Max offers without thinking, since she's still got some pocket money to spare (and it's Christmas). ]

Food counts as a gift, right? If they don't have it, we'll just have to find something else you like.

( he should maybe argue. he's got enough money to buy his own pie, and there's some kind of lapse in chivalry in allowing a young girl to buy him pie.

he shakes his head, a hint of a smile at the offer. it's not one she needs to make, and it's one he appreciates. )

That's quite kind of you.

[ She shakes her head, because--well, it's nothing. ]

We've just got to find the nearest bakery. I think I remember passing one down this way.

[ . . . Really, she should invest in (or make) a map. ]

( a map is a good idea. if he had any idea how to make one, maybe he'd try. )

Doesn't hurt to check. It's worth it, if pie might be involved.

(and he doesn't mind the idea of having some company, either. )

[ She likes the way he thinks.

Since he doesn't seem to have any objections, she'll lead them down the path, and it almost feels normal, like she's just . . . shopping. She gave up on normal so long ago that it was almost nice to have it back--even if it's just for the holidays.

As they reach the bakery, she decides she'd better enjoy it while it lasts. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ★ WINTER WONDERLAND

1!

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SORRY FOR THE SLOOOOW the holidays was crazy

IT'S OKAY omg i've been awful too. picks these two back up

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wrap here maybe?

sure! good stopping point.