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

[mightymax]

[ . . . Ah. It feels like someone grabbed Max's heart just then. She looks down for a moment, watching the shadows dance at the base of the fire. ] You have no idea.

[ In her case, she actually was in danger. No matter how anyone looked at it . . . ]

There's someone I left behind, too. ALASTAIR's timing is pretty bad.

[ninmu]

[ oh. Someone else who understands him. Though he's not exactly easy to read, he does seem more interested suddenly, expression lightening vaguely. ]

Is it your mission to protect someone, as well?

[ he's too awkward to use the L word yet.... he'll get there. for now everything is always #ninmu. ]

[mightymax]

[ She hesitates, picking up on the sudden interest well enough. A mission . . . She hadn't thought of it that way. ]

Yeah. But I . . .

[ She wonders if she can really say that, given what she almost did? Given what she might have to do. ]

There are some things I just can't change, no matter how badly I want to. [ She's starting to realize this only now. ] Hopefully you'll have better luck than me.

[ninmu]

[ comrade!! He nods in understanding when she confirms it. Protecting someone is quite a serious mission, indeed. But it's one that he's glad he undertook.

The rest of what she says is more puzzling, though. ]

What do you mean? [ his even, near-mechanical tone is broken up by a slight sense of confusion. ] Once we complete the tasks they have assigned us, you can return to your mission. This won't be permanent.

[ he's not certain, obviously, but there's an implication that if they don't intend to let him go back, he'll force them to. ]

[mightymax]

I know.

[ Maybe she's babbling a little too much now. Max looks sheepish, which is ridiculous, considering he's a robot (weaponized or no). She shakes her head. ]

. . . Sorry. Don't worry about it.

[ In an attempt to change the subject: ]

Have you been here long?

[ninmu]

[ he might look like a robot, but he's got a heart and soul and there, if it makes her feel better... probably not. Her quick subject change makes him tilt his head curiously for a moment, but he doesn't pursue the topic. It's not important enough. ]

I have been here for approximately thirteen days.

[ he's not sure if that's long. It feels pretty long. ]

[mightymax]

[ It's pretty darn long. ]

Two weeks, just about . . . wow. Two weeks in the dark.

[ . . . ]

Just a little longer than me.

[ninmu]

It's all right. I can see in the dark, [ Melan offers, as if that helps soften the blow.

Though he doesn't say as much, it's a rather staggering amount of time to him, too. He doesn't like being here, away from her, and away from anything familar whatsoever. He doesn't like having any directive, either. ALASTAIR might be giving him orders, but he doesn't yet possess any loyalty towards them. ]

[mightymax]

[ Max blinks. She must look pretty stupid. At least, she feels as much for not being able to tell. She sort of waves her hand in front of her face. ]

Whoa. Really?

Is it like super-awesome night vision?

[ninmu]

[ he doesn't think she's stupid...!! he's very non-judgmental. ]

Um... I don't know. But I can see in the dark. [ a blink. ] What makes night vision "super awesome?"

[mightymax]

Oh. [ Good question. ] Uh . . . since you asked, I'm actually not sure.

I don't have it, so I guess any night vision is super awesome. I'd need special goggles for it.

[ninmu]

[ night vision is awesome...? he guesses it might be for a human. Still, he seems vaguely perplexed. ]

I see. [ ish. ] It's all right. I'll help restore the sun. The special goggles will be unnecessary.

[mightymax]

Right. [ As if she'd forgotten that was part of their main mission all along-- ] I'm helping, too. I mean, that's sorta why we're here, so . . .

[ She trails off then, picking up soon after with: ]

Let's do our best.