EVENT ★ WINTER WONDERLAND

[futurologists]

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.

Comments

[servant]

Err, yes, which is exactly why I should sample one now. What if they're burnt? Or not cooked through? You'd be thanking me.

[Still, his hand lingers just inches from the cookie before slowing withdrawing. Merlin folds his arms across his chest to resist the temptation for as long as possible.]

Would you mind if I at least watched?

[anti_altruisms]

[ Sorry, Merlin. He's not buying it, and that stare of his could slice through steel. There is to be no mischief in the kitchen.

When the hand withdraws, he relents slightly. ]

You can watch.

[ He seems to know what he's doing...which might be a little strange considering what he is. But then, he isn't really a typical Servant. ]

I might have a few things you could sample.

[servant]

[But what is a kitchen without a little mischief afoot? No kitchen like Merlin's been in, that's for sure. But maybe having Merlin as a common denominator should tell him something.

Merlin settles, folding his arms and setting his chin on them to watch. The promise of samples is nice, and Merlin enjoys the company. But he has another reason for being there too.]

You said you knew a man from Camelot named Arthur. What was he?

[anti_altruisms]

[ He's sure Merlin could bring quite a bit of mischief to the kitchen. That's why he's still watching him to make sure he behaves.

Clearing off his area, Archer starts going through some more ingredients. Time to make something else...

To the question, he tilts his head slightly and raises an eyebrow. ]

You'll have to be more specific.

[ "What was he"? Seriously, Merlin. ]

[servant]

Was he a butcher? A baker?

[A candlestick maker? It's such a coincidence, and yet...

No. No way. It's not like he's the only man named "Arthur" in the whole world, though in his more arrogant moment he probably thinks that he should be.]

How long had he lived there? What did he tell you about the king? How did the two of you know one another?

[And he's just getting warmed up.]

[anti_altruisms]

[ Ah.

A faint, wry smile touches his lips as he starts gathering what he needs to make a cake. ]

So many questions. To have so many, you must already have an answer.

[ He's on to you, little mage. Laying everything out on the table, he seems almost pensive when he answers. ]

A noble King of great renown who sought the Holy Grail, in life and after -- that is the Arthur I came to know.

[servant]

Sort of. But my answers don't always match other people's.

[And there was no wrong answer or right one. It was worrisome at first, and then strange. Now he's more curious than anything. Which leads to questions - lots and lots of questions.

Merlin moves to his side, ready to hand him eggs or flour or whatever else he might need.]

So he was a king. [Merlin's words and pursed lips are proof enough that he already suspected as much.] Someone else mentioned the Grail, and a war fought for it. Another magic user, in fact.

[anti_altruisms]

[ For the moment, all Archer is doing is melting some chocolate and butter. Other ingredients will come later, but he also has to prepare the pan to make sure the cake itself doesn't stick.

He quirks a brow at the mention of the war and another magic user. ]

More than likely you spoke with someone from my world.

[ There's only a handful of people from his world here, and Rin is the sole mage among them. As for "Arthur"...well. ]

The King of Knights. Heir and wielder of a holy sword drawn forth from a stone. Like myself, the Arthur I knew was a Heroic Spirit summoned to engage in a war conceived by mages to acquire the Holy Grail.

We were enemies and allies both in the war we participated in.

[servant]

[He's also the second to mention a sword in a stone, though Merlin's not sure if he's from the same world as Alice or not. Merlin knows the sword, but he didn't leave it in a stone.]

Was the war ever won?

[anti_altruisms]

[ A simple question with a complicated answer. He considers how best to answer for a long moment, stirring the melting butter and chocolate occasionally before he speaks. ]

There was a resolution, yes.

[ To say any single individual won wasn't really accurate when the Holy Grail itself was a device tainted with malice. ]

It is a ritual war meant to take place every sixty years, though it may very well be dismantled in the near future.

[ Or at least, he hopes so. ]

[servant]

Sounds like it should be.

[A ritual war? Merlin's not even sure what that is, just that any war fought over and over again should come to an end at some point.]

And your King Arthur, he was really okay with magic? [Wait...wait wait wait.] Did you say he was like you?

[anti_altruisms]

[ Archer quirks a brow. ]

Judging by the way you speak of him, it seems yours was not or he had little knowledge of its workings.

[ He's beginning to suspect this young man and Arthur were quite close in their world and time -- otherwise, why would he be so fixated on the once and future king? ]

Yes. The King Arthur of my world, like many other heroes and figures of legend, also became a Heroic Spirit. Magic was more common in that time than in the modern era to which we were summoned. If he were not accepting of it, more than likely, he would have lost patience with his companion magus long before his reign ended.

[ He's onto you, Merlin. ]

[servant]

A little of both.

[Merlin lingers, waiting for the frosting. He will get to lick the spoon, right?]

To be fair, he was never really given a chance to learn about it. His father hates it so much, he'd probably toss his own son in the dungeons if he caught him studying it.

[And if Uther knew that his son's manservant, arguably his best friend was a sorcerer...well. Sometimes he asks himself what Arthur would do. But he never wants to put him in that position.]

I wish...well, if mine needed magic the way that yours does, it would make things so much easier.

[anti_altruisms]

[ All in due time, Merlin. The cake he's making isn't complicated, and he'll allow the young mage to lick the bowl once he's finished.

As for the rest, sharp gray eyes flicker to Merlin's face. ]

A Servant's need for magic is a question of survival, not convenience. We must contract with a Master, seek alternative sources, or otherwise fade from existence.

If your Arthur knows nothing of magic, he ought to be instructed, as the one I knew was in his lifetime.

[servant]

But Arthur and I already have a bond. My magic is for him anyway, surely it wouldn't be that much different.

[And Merlin certainly feels like Arthur's life is in his hands, that protecting his life is his responsibility.]

Maybe he can learn about it someday. I don't think he would ever use it, but I wish I could at least tell him.

[He sounds wistful, sad. Well deserving of a cupcake.]

[anti_altruisms]

Merlin.

[ Archer says his name slowly, perhaps with a touch of sternness to it. The other hasn't introduced himself, but there could only be so many magic users with that sort of connection to Arthur. ]

A bond construed by fate is different from the power that binds a Servant to a Master. I cannot describe it to you, as it is something that can only be experienced.

[ Still: ]

If you're truly curious, however, then know this- the King Arthur I came to know is here with us as a member of ALASTAIR.

[ At which moment, he slides his chocolate cake into the over and hands over the bowl for Merlin to taste. ]

You might gain some perspective.

[servant]

What? He's here?

[Sorry Archer, your lecture was all well and good, but you mention Arthur and everything else goes out the window. Even if he knows it's not his Arthur, he has to see him. He accepts the bowl, but he's still staring at Archer.]

Can I meet him?

[anti_altruisms]

[ Devotion is good. If nothing else, he could consider Merlin a worthy candidate to possibly become Saber's Master. His magical energy would be sufficient, and he's fairly certain he'd would treat her well.

Not that he'll say as much, to Merlin or to Saber. ]

More than likely, yes.

[ If he hasn't already, anyway. ]

As Servants, we often give titles rather than our true names so you may very well be surprised.

[servant]

Are titles that important?

[Or maybe it's the other way around, and the names are important, hidden for some reason. Merlin finally looks down at the bowl in his arm and drags a finger through the leftover batter.]

What other title could he possibly have besides "king" or..."dollop-head".

[anti_altruisms]

There's power in a name. For Heroic Spirits, our names are tied to history and legend. If our identity is discovered, so too are our weaknesses revealed.

I am called 'Archer', for example, but Archer is not my true name.

[ A faint, ironic smile turns the corner of his mouth. ]

I'm sure he would appreciate being called "dollop-head" very much.

[servant]

He's in no danger from me.

[Not that Merlin expects to simply take his word for it, just because he said so. The idea of Arthur hiding his identity though...it's a curious role-reversal.]

How would I begin to look for him?

[anti_altruisms]

[ Archer simply smiles. ]

Look for the sword, Merlin. If you can't find it, you're closer than you know.

[servant]

Oh great, more riddles here too. Did anyone ever tell you that you resemble a dragon?

[He deserves a cupcake for this. And maybe a little pie.]

[anti_altruisms]

[ Archer lets out a soft breath of a laugh. Honestly, he could see himself as a dragon. He has the disposition for it, really. ]

Consider it my way of pointing you in the right direction without being inconsiderate of someone I know. Servants don't always share their names, not even with their Masters or people they might have known in a past life.

It depends on the circumstances.