epidemiology | 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

[Hellboy has not been tasked with any chores to fulfill, but that doesn't mean he can't look around to see who needs help. It's better than sitting around being idle, which usually lands him in trouble because he likes to drink.

It's unfortunate that one of the ways to help happens to involve drink, and he finds himself over by the mulled wine by kismet or habit or something in the middle. There are some others here doing taste tests, and he's about to follow suit when he can't help but overhear the comment and responds with offhanded amusement.] Is that a flavor now?

[ olivia doesn't seem all that mindful of her surroundings — not that that's any surprise, given the dark flush on her cheeks, her inability to keep herself from giggling every minute or so, and the overall demeanor of someone who has not quite had but is certainly encroaching on Too Much — but there is perhaps no greater testament to just how unaware she'd been of her environment than the moment her eyes swivel towards hellboy, and she proceeds to launch into a very blatant doubletake.

you can actually see how her mind is struggling to put the pieces together, to attach sight to memory to every other sense that hasn't decided to fail her yet, but the furrow on her brow is likely telling enough that she can't quite decide what it is she's supposed to be seeing here.

the tension from the intense (and somewhat frightened) way in which she stares is made somewhat lighter by the sudden sharp hiccup that has her jumping slightly in her seat, one hand flying up to cover her mouth out of reflex. the flush on her cheeks darken a bit out of embarrassment. and also quite a bit of shame.

she'd been staring, and she only realizes this now, given how hastily she drags her eyes away. ]

It, um. [ at least she doesn't seem frightened anymore. mostly abashed. ] It is now, I guess.

[For his part, Hellboy doesn't appear to be offended by the staring. He's used to it by now, and besides, she is pretty clearly intoxicated -- as far as he's concerned, anybody gets a pass in that situation, whether or not the person they're gawking at looks like... well, like a Hellboy.

He grabs himself a cup of wine very casually, like it isn't a big deal that she's so startled. He doesn't want to draw attention to it and make her even more embarrassed.]

Well, we'll see if I get the same thing. My palate isn't that sophisticated though, so what do I know.

[ if there's one surefire way to sober her up, it's that sharp, overwhelming feeling of shame.

she looks humbled now, for sure, and only more so by his casual response, the ease of his demeanor that is almost like forgiveness for her mistake but not quite. without his bringing it up, though, she can only give him a meek smile in return — her quiet thanks. ]

O-Oh, don't worry, [ she assures him, cheeks still red from the alcohol, but calming now, ] I wouldn't call mine that sophis-sophisticated either. It's the exact opposite, actually...!

[The corners of Hellboy's mouth twitch up in response, his equivalent of a smile, and he takes a small, experimental sip of the wine.]

Well, I don't get pink from this. It's not bad, though. [He takes a longer drink, then gestures at her with the cup.] You sound pretty sophisticated to me, going after wine judging and all that.

( ooc; also i'm so sorry about the wait! i was on hiatus this past week and had limited comp access so i wound up focusing on the new event ;; please feel free to handwave this with me if it's been too long..! )

[ in response, olivia just laughs. it comes rather easily to her now, thanks to all the mead; it feels easy enough to forget her terrible faux pas back there. ]

Oh, gosh no — I was made to do it! [ ah, that sounds a bit bad, let her try again— ] I mean, they asked me to help.

[ she leans in then, dropping her voice to a stage whisper that can probably still be easily heard over the bar. ]

Weren't you given a list of tasks to do as well?

EVENT ★ WINTER WONDERLAND

B (also guess who got FE:A for christmas, it's me)

omg! i hope you enjoy it... it'll be a while till olivia shows up though lasmdsklaj

yeah!!!! i actually got her last night lmao, it's so good

omg i'm glad you're enjoying it! YOU MUST TELL ME WHO YOU SHIP also i apologize for this wait...!

YEAH i love it!! chrom/sumia happened by accident, but i have nowi/donnel and maribelle/ricken

omg i never considered those pairings before... but LOL MY CHROM SHIP HAPPENED BY ACCIDENT TOO gdi